A Safe Surrender: A Donnelley Brother's Novel (Donnelley Brothers Book 2) by Alannah Carbonneau Page B

other person. I’d have to consider their feelings, their wants, dreams, desires, and even their demons. I’d done all that with Rhett and it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. For now, I had to do me. I had to worry about me, my dreams, wants, desires, feelings, and even my demons. Until I did me, there was no room for anyone else.
    The man spoke, interrupting my thoughts. “I don’t know about mysterious so much as I’m not much of a talker.”
    “Really?” I trained my eyes ahead and felt him looking at me. “I never would have thought.”
    “Are you being serious?” He asked.
    “No,” I said dryly. “That was sarcasm in my voice.” I flashed him a grin. “You couldn’t tell?”
    He shook his head. “No, I couldn’t tell.”
    “You know, you’re making me really nervous.” I announced, leaning my head back against the seat, watching him.
    He frowned. “I’m making you nervous? How?”
    “You’re evading every question I ask about Kyle. I’m beginning to picture him as some really mean ogre.” I teased good-naturedly. In all honestly, I just figured that the man wasn’t really one for talking about other people. And that was fine, but I didn’t want to fall into awkward silence.
    He chuckled, surprising me. “That’s funny.”
    “What is?”
    He didn’t answer me. Instead, he asked gruffly. “What’s your name?”
    “My name’s Kami.” I replied politely.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Kami.” His dark eyes were practically grinning at me. “My name’s Kyle Donnelley.”
    My mouth dropped.

Chapter 6
    Thirty seconds later my mouth was still hanging open. Kyle Donnelley, aka Mr. Strong Arms, aka my soon to be partner, was laughing whole-heartedly at me.
    “Oh,” I covered my face with my hands, moaning into my palms. “Oh my goodness.”
    Still laughing, Kyle assured. “It’s alright, Kami.”
    “I’m so embarrassed.” I peeked through my fingers to find him watching me even though he should be watching the barely visible road. “I can’t believe you let me continue talking about you for so long.”
    He shrugged. “It was entertaining.”
    “I’m sure it was.” I scoffed, feeling like an ass. “You probably think I’m a gossip queen never to be trusted.”
    “Quite the opposite, actually.”
    “How do you mean?” I asked hopefully, dropping my hands from my face.
    “I trust you immeasurably.” He announced through that deep voice of his. “I’ve saved your life, you owe me.”
    I felt my brow crinkle with a frown. “A debt, huh?” I raised a brow. “Don’t you think that would make you trust me less?”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    His lips curled again. “You seem like a pretty good girl, Kami. Good people want to repay their debts rather than running from them or pretending they don’t exist. I think working with you will go well for me in the event that I come to a near death experience. I know you’ll be there to run for help,” he peered at me. “Because I don’t think you’ll be able to carry me like I carried you.”
    I laughed, before wincing at the pain in my chest. “I don’t think I’d be able to carry you either.”
    His eyes darkened again. “Are you sure your chest is alright?”
    I nodded. “It’ll be fine, thanks.”
    His lips tensed. “Alright, well, we’re here. I’ll bring in your groceries and everything.”
    “We’re here?” I gasped, looking through the windshield, I found I was able to make out the faint silhouette of my little cabin. “Holy! I would have driven right through the cabin.”
    He chuckled, placing the truck in park. “Then it’s a good thing I’m the one driving.”
    “I’ll say.” I snorted. Shifting forward, I reached for the door handle.
    Kyle commanded. “Wait.” I stiffened at the order in his tone and he quickly explained. “I’ve got a pretty good lift in this truck. You’d have to jump down and I don’t want you to hurt yourself anymore than you already are.” He opened his door.