A Safe Surrender: A Donnelley Brother's Novel (Donnelley Brothers Book 2) (18 page)

“In that case,” I folded the dress over my arm. “I’ll try it on.”

Reese laughed and I found myself missing Ember. As much as I liked Reese, I couldn’t help but wish I had Ember here too. She was my best friend and I missed her terribly.

Reese spoke, interrupting my thoughts of Ember. “You better wear the hot stuff now as much as you can.”

My expression scrunched into one of confusion. “What makes you say that?”

“By the way Kyle looks at you, it won’t be long before you’re standing in my shoes.”

“Pardon me?” I raised a single brow. There was no way I was hearing her right!
Was I?

She laughed. “Oh, come on! You don’t think you’ll remain all tight and perfect like you are now, do you?” She snorted. “Believe me, it won’t be long before you’re pregnant too.”

Okay, my eyes literally bugged out of my head. I swear, they were mere moments from popping out of my face and bouncing away on the floor. “I don’t think so.”

Reese rolled her eyes and huffed. “I denied it too.”

I felt the pressing need to clarify for her. “We’re not even having sex.”

Now, it was her eyes that bugged. “What!”

“Shhh!” I hissed, pressing my finger to my lips as I stole quick peeks around the store. “Someone might hear us!”

She waved me off. “How aren’t you guys having sex? Don’t you like, stay at his house almost every night?”

My face was on fire. “So what?”

“Um,” she raked her eyes over my body. “You’re not a virgin, are you?” Her hand plopped over her lips. “Ohmigawd! You’re waiting for marriage.”

It was my turn to snort. “Not me.” I shook my finger at her. “I’m perfectly content to start having sex with him - it’s Kyle who wants to wait for something as dated as marriage before we do the deed.”

Reese swooned. Yes, she really
swooned
. Her hand was lying over her heart and her eyes were misted. Those better be pregnancy emotions - because if they weren’t then this was just plain creepy.

“That is - so - sweet.” She sniffled and I glanced around, looking for the nearest exit. “He wants to marry you. Oh my,” she gasped. “What did you say?”

I straightened my spine. “That you and Logan were getting married and I didn’t want to impose.”

“Oh, don’t be silly!” She waved it off a second time. “Marry the man, Kami. You aren’t going to find anyone more loving, protecting, infuriating, and loyal than a Donnelley man. Well, a Donnelley man who isn’t Collin. Seriously, the woman who tames that man will be a fucking goddess.”

“First and foremost - how don’t you care if I marry him and steal your spotlight? That’s just plain rude! And second, I know I’ll never find someone like Kyle. Believe me, I’m not planning on running away, but I just - marriage scares me.” I quirked a grin. “Third, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you swear, so that was awesome! And fourth, I would love to watch a woman tame the world’s most untamable flirt. God, she would be a goddess.”

Reese laughed before turning serious. “Seriously, Kami, do you love him?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Completely.”

Her eyes turned misty and soft all over again. “Then don’t hold yourself back on account of someone else. Logan and I will be so happy for the two of you whenever you decide it’s time.” She held up her finger. “Just not on our wedding day. That day is off limits.” She winked. “But don’t wait too long allowing your insecurities to fester and life to pass you both by.”

It was my eyes that were misting now. “Thanks.” I swallowed, holding up the dress. “I’m going to go try this on.”

***

My cell rang just as I was finishing my makeup and I glanced down at my phone on the bathroom countertop and sighed when I saw it was Ember and not Rhett. Sliding my thumb over the screen, I answered. “Hey!”

“Hey to you!” She practically yelled into the phone. “I miss you something fierce, right now.”

“Awe, why?”

“Um,” she paused. “Maybe because I haven’t seen you in almost three months! It’s freaking April!”

I grinned, leaning against the counter. “I know. I miss you too.”

“What have you been up to? How’s the hot Donnelley brother you’ve been shamelessly banging?”

I coughed, staring at the bathroom door and knowing Kyle was just on the other side. “There has been no shameless
anything
going on here!” I assured, lowering my voice. “But he’s amazing, as ever.”

“Awe,” she sighed heavily. “You still haven’t slept with him?”

“Ember!” I scolded. “You’re ridiculous.”

A knock sounded on the door before it opened to expose Kyle. His eyes raked up over my body and a shiver broke out over my skin as I forgot everything but his eyes.

“Hello?” Ember’s voice pulled me from my captive state. “Are you even listening to me? Let me guess, Mr. Hot Brother is standing there, isn’t he?”

“Um,” I swallowed and Kyle grinned a lopsided shit-grin as he crossed the distance between us. “Hold on one sec, Ember.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I didn’t hear the end of her rant as I lowered the phone.

Kyle’s eyes were dark flames as they roamed over me. “You’re beautiful, Kami.” His hands grasped my waist and I pulled in a sharp breath. “So damn beautiful.”

“I’m,” I stuttered. “I’m on the phone with Ember.”

“I know.” He grinned.
The shit-grin
.

I blushed. “Can I have a few minutes? I have something I want to tell her.”

“Something you don’t want me to know?” He narrowed his eyes playfully; his hands warm through the material of the shimmery blue dress.

“Not yet,” I breathed.

Slowly, he lowered his mouth to mine. Kissing me fleetingly, he dropped his hands from my waist. “I’ll give you space, love.”

“Thanks.” I breathed my reply.

Turning at the door, he said. “You’re an amazing woman, sweets. I can’t wait for the day you allow me to announce your desire to spend your life with me.”

With that, he closed the door.

As I lifted the phone back to my ear, my heart raced so hard in my chest, it was violent.

“Tell me
everything
.” Ember demanded. “And don’t leave anything out. I want to know exactly what this
announcement
he can’t wait for is.”

Blinking slowly, I cursed myself for not covering the mouthpiece of the phone. Ember had heard our entire conversation. “Kyle’s asked me to marry him.”

A squeal sounded and I flinched. “What did you say?”

“I want to, Ember. I really want to marry him.”

“Good!” She stated. “Because if you were passing up a chance at a life with that man, then I would’ve had to try to woo him for myself. Seriously, the way he talked to you - I’m in love.”

I laughed at her wooed tone. “Me too.”

Chapter 18

Kyle’s hand was on the small of my back as he guided me gently through the double doors of the banquet hall. Apparently, the Ranch was a popular wedding destination, and with the cabins for people to rent, the land, and now this hall, I could see why. It was positively stunning. The Ranch was like it’s own little world of peace and family - a paradise of sorts. It was a wonder how I’d gotten so lucky as to be here, and be so openly invited into this wonderful family. The fact that Kyle wanted to marry me was a blessing from above.

He crooked his head, speaking low into my ear. “You have no idea what this dress is doing to me.”

A little smile touched my lips. “You know you could have me - if you wanted.”

He groaned. “I want you more than you know, sweetheart.”

“Then take me, Kyle.” I breathed. “I want to be with you - so badly.”

His eyes were tortured. “When I take you on our wedding night, it’ll be every bit worth the wait.”

Sighing, I twirled away from him. “I’ll hold you to that, handsome. But for now, dance with me?”

Kyle pulled me onto the dance floor where most people were already congregated. There were people I had never met dancing and drinking wine. I was surprised to see that the party had already begun by the time we’d arrived, but Kyle didn’t seem to be curious in the least, so I didn’t fret over the possibility that we were late.

“There are so many people here.” I announced on a breath as he twirled me around the floor.

“We have a pretty big family.”

“Are we a little late? I was certain Reese said seven.” A frown pinched my expression as I worried my bottom lip.

“We’re not late, love. My family’s just early.” He grinned a devilish grin. “Any excuse for my family to party and they will.”

Smiling widely, I watched the people twirling and laughing around the room. Everyone looked so flushed and excited to be here, celebrating Reese and Logan’s engagement. It was like a mini wedding. Reese wore a white, Greek goddess style of dress that she’d claimed was the only thing that hid her pregnancy bump, and Logan, like Kyle, wore jeans and a black button up dress shirt.

“I think I like your family.” I said against his throat when the music changed to a low, slow song. Kyle tightened his arms around me, his fingers moving in slow circles against my back.

“That means the world to me, Kami.” His tone was gruff.

I didn’t say another word as the song ended and dinner was called. Making our way to our table, I chose a seat beside Luke. Collin was sitting with a woman I hadn’t yet met, flirting outrageously with her on the other side of Luke.

As I sat, Luke smiled. “Thank God!” He crooked his head in Collin’s direction. “Another minute of listening to these two and I was going to ditch.”

I laughed. “Awe,”

Collin leaned forward, interrupting. “I told you,” he paused to turn back to the woman, “Sorry, I’m drawing a blank.”

“It’s Amy.”

“Yes,” Collin turned back to Luke and I felt my eyes widen at the incredulous situation before my eyes.
He didn’t even know her name!
“As I was saying, I told you Amy could hook you up with a friend.”

Luke’s lips thinned into a line on his face as he stared at Collin. “I’m good, man.”

I placed a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “He can dance a few with me, Collin. We’ll leave the lady charming up to you.”

“Darlin’,”

Kyle smirked. “You can charm any lady, but Kami, Collin. She’s taken.”

“So I’ve heard.” He leaned back in his chair, barely even paying attention to Amy. I couldn’t believe she was alright with him acting this way toward her. It just boggled my mind.

I scooted back. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

“Oh,” Amy jumped up. “I’ll come with.”

“Sure,” I nodded unsurely and from the corner of my eye, I saw Kyle grinning from ear to ear. I wanted to pinch him on my way past, but decided not to force the retaliation I knew I’d receive. The man had master ticklers for fingers.

I walked with Amy to the washroom, trying to think up small talk. “So, how long have you and Collin, you know, been together?”

She laughed. “I only just met him. We had fun last night and figured why not extend the fun another night.”

My mouth dropped. “Oh,” I tried desperately not to allow my frown to show. “I see.”

She shrugged. “He’s fun, but he’s not even in the realm of serious relationship material.”

I don’t know why, but I felt offended for Collin despite that image being the one he’d crafted for himself. “Hmm.” I pointed to a stall. “I actually have to pee.”

“Oh sure, I’m just going to touch up my face.”

I scurried into the stall, shocked that there were people - women - out there who found the act of sex without emotion possible. Never in my wildest imagination have I even considered the possibility, never mind tried it. Wow. Just wow.

Flushing, I opened the stall before moving to the sink beside Amy to wash my hands. “How long have you and Kyle been seeing each other? It seems serious.”

“It is serious.” I purposefully didn’t tell her that I’d only known Kyle for three months. I didn’t want her to think that there was any reason we wouldn’t be serious about each other. “I kinda love him.” I smiled to my reflection in the mirror and Amy giggled beside me.

“Now, that boy is relationship material. You’re a lucky girl.”

“Thanks.” I pointed to the door. “We should probably get back.”

“Oh, yes.”

***

With dinner finished, we were out on the dance floor once again. It had been a long, but enjoyable night of festivities. Reese and Logan had been congratulated abundantly and were now locked in each other’s arms, dancing slowly. It had been a wonderful evening and Kyle had been amazing through it all. We’d even been congratulated a few times on our relationship - mainly by Gracie - who was just ecstatic that Kyle was seeing someone seriously. I had a feeling that Collin was her next mission in line. I think Collin knew that too - hence Amy - the woman he was flaunting in beneath Gracie’s nose.

I’d long since ditched my shoes, preferring to dance barefoot rather than in the painful heels I’d chosen to compliment my dress. Reese had done the same, joking that it was an Alberta girl thing. I had to agree with her despite the fact that I didn’t really know the act was limited to just Alberta girls.

Snuggling into Kyle’s chest, I sighed. “This is nice.”

“Are you tired?” He asked seriously.

“Exhausted,” I moaned. “But I don’t want to go home yet.”

He chuckled. “You’re something else.”

“No one else has left.”

“True,” he grinned. “Even my great grandmother is still here tossing back the beers.”

I pulled back to gape at the old woman he was watching fondly. “I am so not allowing your great grandmother to out-party me!”

He smirked. “That’s my girl.”

I beamed, “I like when you call me that.”

“My girl?” He nodded. “I like saying it.”

Pressing my lips to his throat, I whispered in his ear. “Do we have plans tomorrow?”

He shook his head. “Aside from sleeping in, not really, why?”

“How about we sleep in,” I felt my heart race in my chest as warmth budded inside me. “And then we get married?”

Kyle pulled away, his eyes searching mine with excitement. “Are you serious?”

I laughed. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”

Cupping my face in his hands, he kissed me with a passion that fed my soul and infected my heart. “Screw sleeping in. We’re driving to Calgary first thing tomorrow morning.”