Promise You: A Roommate Romance Military Story: Roommate Romance, #5

By Rene Folsom

Danielle never realized just how much her brother meant to her until reality slapped her in the face, forcing her to wake up and pay attention. After a shattering tour overseas, Dylan returned home to live with Danielle. Knowing he needed more care than his sister could provide, Dylan invites his battle buddy, Travis, to come live with them.

After a rather unorthodox meeting, sparks begin to fly between Danielle and Travis. However, both of them know just how difficult it will be for their relationship to blossom without Dylan's blessing, leaving them conflicted about how far they want to take it.  Travis wants nothing more than to earn Dylan's approval—to promise that he will cherish her—always.

Once Travis realizes he can no longer keep his affection for Danielle a secret, things become complicated and the boundaries between friendship and love cloud his future.

** Promise You is an erotic romance short story for ADULTS ONLY! This novella is roughly 25,000 words and contains a hot sexual affair between a young military veteran and his buddy's sexy sister. ** 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rene Folsom
• Release date: Nov 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516353019

Book preview

1

Danielle

Danielle!

Coming! Rolling my eyes, I got up from my bed and made my way to my brother’s room as quickly as I could. I’d just gotten home from work and finally sat down after being on my feet all day. Yet, as soon as I kicked off those ugly ass orthopedic shoes and got comfortable, he needed something. I adored him, I really did. But my exhaustion was getting the best of me, and I was seriously beginning to resent each time he said my name.

Rounding the corner to his doorway, I nearly ran into a wall of muscle, a squeal leaving my lips before I could control the sound. I skidded to a stop because my stocking feet seemed to have a mind of their own as they continued to move out beneath me, causing me to fall on my ass with a thud against the hardwood floor.

Shit, I’m sorry! a voice said while his hands came out to try and help me stand back up.

I couldn’t help but jerk my elbow away from his touch while looking at him with disgust and confusion, staying put on the floor and seriously trying to avoid his eyes. Who the hell is this? I asked. My gaze darted over to my brother, begging for answers as to why I was just pushed to the ground by a stranger.

My heart leapt into my throat as I watched my brother hobble from his bed, with only one leg to balance him, and attempt to come to my aid without assistance or his crutches.

Dani, he said with a breathy sigh. This is my buddy, Travis.

I couldn’t help but scrutinize how reverent his words were about this guy as Travis caught him under his arms and helped him back into bed. The dude’s muscles flexed while he argued with my stubborn brother, promising to help me next, though the view from my new spot on the hardwood floor wasn’t anything to scoff at.

Damn it, Dylan, I huffed, pushing myself up before Travis could make his way back over to me. I brushed my hands on the pant leg of my scrubs and tried to straighten my unruly hair just enough to push it from my face. A warning would’ve been nice.

That’s why I was calling you in here… to introduce you, Dylan said, pointing to Travis as the man stood with his arms crossed over his chest, looking like a giant in the small room. So, Dani, this is my battle buddy, Travis. Trav, this is my klutzy sister, Danielle.

I glared at my asshole of a brother and almost didn’t want to acknowledge his introduction after that dig. But I was nothing if not kind to guests in my house, so I begrudgingly extended my hand.

Sorry about that, but I didn’t expect you to come racing around the corner, Travis said while sliding his hand into mine, a chuckle leaving his lips as he spoke. If it weren’t for the warmth of his touch and the searing fierceness in his baby blue eyes, I would’ve jerked my hand away and told him to take a hike. But there was something both intimidating and captivating about him that kept me glued in place.

Well, I honestly wasn’t expecting anyone to be standing… considering… I retorted, the bite to my tone trailing off a bit as I pointed to my bedridden brother and realized what I was saying.

Travis held my hand a bit longer than necessary, and I suddenly felt the awkward pull to get away, yet stay. I wanted to know more about him, about why he was here in Dylan’s room, but the intimacy of the moment was getting under my skin in ways I didn’t feel comfortable with.

Well, I better get going and let you two talk things over, Travis said just before walking over to Dylan and offering up a fist-bump. See ya in a few hours, man.

Um… I mumbled, confusion filling the void where awkwardness used to be.

Nice to meet you, Dani, Travis said with a bob of his head before heading out the door. I normally hated it when people I didn’t know used my nickname. It was way too intimate. But hearing it roll off his tongue made my stomach flutter in ways that pissed me off. I waited until I couldn’t hear his boots pounding on the floor anymore before I spoke.

Dylan, what was that all about? I asked, pointing toward the door Travis just left through.

I sort of invited him to come live with us. Swinging his body around, he put his foot on the floor and reached for his crutches while he spoke. I’m hungry. How about we start dinner while we talk it over?

I couldn’t figure out how to respond as I watched him struggle to stand while holding onto the wooden sticks. My brother just invited a stranger to come live with us without even discussing it with me first?

Reaching for him, I helped him up and held his crutches until he was able to stand on his own. We’d gotten pretty good at it over the past few months, and he seemed to be getting better and better at doing most things on his own, especially after starting rehab. But I still enjoyed helping him when I could.

Without saying a word, we made our way into the kitchen where he sat on a stool at the breakfast bar while I began pulling the items needed for grilled cheese sandwiches.

Oh, thank Christ. I’ve been jonesing for some of your amazing grilled cheese, Dylan said from behind me, making me smile with how easily I could please him.

So tell me about this Travis guy. Why did you invite him to live with us? I asked as I lathered butter on the bread and started heating up the pan.

The smell of the bread made my stomach grumble, and I suddenly realized I hadn’t even had time to eat lunch that day.

Well, he just finished his enlistment with the Army a few months ago and decided not to reenlist, he explained, a pause hanging in the air as if he had more to say but wasn’t sure how to say it. Dani…

Turning, I looked at my brother, examining the forlorn and all-around miserable expression on his face. My stomach twisted. I knew he was getting ready to talk about his lot in life, what he’d been through. Though he was often vague about the details, I still hated to hear them… still hated to see the depression gloss over his cute, brown eyes.

Staring him down, I silently pleaded with him not to say too much. We really didn’t need to go down that road again.

Sighing, he ran his fingers through his hair and inhaled a shaky breath before saying, He’s the one who pulled me to safety after… His eyes began to tear up, and I knew if he started to cry, I’d be a blubbering mess.

I reached out and touched his hand, forgetting about buttering the bread just long enough to lend him my support so he could continue with what he was trying to say.

I owe him my life. And after all that has happened, after all he’s done for me, he actually wants to come here and help me, at least until I’m able to get around on my own. As he squeezed my hand tighter, I watched the emotion lift from his eyes, his gaze fixed on our entwined fingers. "Anyway, I know you work hard—so incredibly hard. I figured letting him stay here would