Delicate Promises (Southern Bride 2)

“Are you free this evening?”

I shot him a look that I hoped like hell showed him I was not happy at this very moment. Either he liked me mad, or he wasn’t seeing the daggers because he continued to give me that smile that probably would have any other woman falling to her knees and begging for him to take her right then and there.

Well, it isn’t going to work on this girl. Not today.

“Why?”

He shrugged. “Thought you might like to go for a ride.”

I could feel my cheeks burn when my mind drifted to an image of me on top of Miles.

“A ride?”

He smiled. “Yeah, horseback ride?”

Well, now I just felt disappointed. I gave him a noncommittal shrug.

“How are Lana and the baby?” I asked, trying to remember my manners.

“They’re doing great. Little Wanda will be coming home in a few days.”

I smiled. “That’s great news. I’m sure your momma and Lana are thrilled about that.”

He nodded. “Yeah, they’re over the moon. So, about that ride, you in the mood?”

“Depends on what kind of ride you’re talking about.”

Miles’s eyes turned dark, and I nearly choked on my own tongue. Where in the hell did that come from and why did I make it sound so sexual?

“What kind are you talking about?” he asked in a low, seductive voice.

I fought the urge to tell him the sexual kind was exactly what I was interested in. It had been three long years, obviously. Instead, I took a steady breath and did the opposite. “Horseback riding. I think it would give us the time we need to talk, without interruption.”

He gave me a nod like he agreed, but then asked, “What did you want to talk about?”

“Us. This thing that is going on between us or not going on between us. I honestly have no idea anymore.”

“This thing?” he asked with a smug expression, wanting me to elaborate and not giving me an inch.

“Miles, you’ve got my head spinning in a million different directions. I want to be angry with you, but then you go off and plan these dates, and in the back of my mind there’s a little voice telling me you’re only doing it because I said I wanted to date, and for some reason you need me to marry you and you obviously aren’t willing to tell me the truth.”

“Why can’t you believe I enjoy being with you, Kyns? That I honestly want to be with you? It’s always been you, Kyns.”

I pointed to him. “See! Like that. What in the fuck is that all about?”

Miles drew his brows in and stared like I had lost my mind. Maybe I had. I was so confused, and this was not a feeling I enjoyed at all. I prided myself on being in control of things, including my emotions. Ever since Miles walked back into my world everything had been turned upside down, and my every thought seemed to revolve around this man.

“Are you drunk or something?” he asked, leaning in and attempting to smell my breath.

I pushed him away and shook my head. “No, I’m not drunk. I’m confused, and I don’t like being confused.” Any moment and I was going to stomp my foot and really act like a damn child.

“Okay. So you want to talk about being confused. What are you confused about?”

I shot him a dirty look and went to lay into him when the door to the Mercantile chimed, and Mrs. Whitaker walked in. She was not the person I wanted to see at the moment. She was noisy, demanding, and a known gossiper. Her eyes nearly lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw us.

“Well, if it isn’t the two people the whole town is talking about.”

That made Miles take notice, while I softly let out a groan.

With that breathtaking smile, he greeted her in his charming southern way that was beginning to agitate the ever-living hell out of me. “Morning, Mrs. Whitaker. How are you doing?”

“I’m doing wonderful, Miles. It’s good to have you back in town. Thank you, son, for your service.”

He tipped his cowboy hat to her. “Thank you, ma’am.”

My heart jumped at the gesture. Emotions, all over the place.

“You sure stayed away long enough.”

He gave her a polite smile. “Serving my country and keeping my country safe, ma’am.”

“Is there anything I can help you with this morning?” I asked, walking around the counter.

“Yes, I’m needing some of that local honey your momma gets in from the bee keeper down yonder.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, we don’t have any and won’t for another week or so.” It was the same thing my mother had told her yesterday when she came in asking for the honey.

With a slight laugh, she waved her hand, dismissing that conversation with a flick of her wrist. “Well, truth be told, I saw Miles coming in, and I thought maybe I could catch the two of you together.”