Promise Me: A Second Chance Romance

by Willow Winters

  Promise Me

  A Second Chance Romance

  Vivian Wood

  Willow Winters

  Contents

  Author’s Copyright

  Naughty List & Vivian’s Vixens

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  His Hostage

  Copyrights

  Prologue

  Chapter 29

  30. Chapter 2: Vince

  31. Chapter 3: Elle

  32. Chapter 4: Vince

  33. Chapter 5: Elle

  34. Chapter 6: Vince

  35. Chapter 7: Elle

  36. Chapter 8: Vince

  37. Chapter 9: Elle

  38. Chapter 10: Vince

  39. Chapter 11: Vince

  40. Chapter 12: Elle

  41. Chapter 13: Vince

  42. Chapter 14: Elle

  43. Chapter 15: Vince

  44. Chapter 16: Vince

  45. Chapter 17: Elle

  46. Chapter 18: Elle

  47. Chapter 19: Vince

  48. Chapter 20: Elle

  49. Chapter 21: Vince

  50. Chapter 22: Vince

  51. Chapter 23: Elle

  52. Chapter 24: Elle

  53. Chapter 25: Vince

  54. Chapter 26: Vince

  55. Chapter 27: Elle

  56. Chapter 28: Vince

  57. Chapter 29: Elle

  58. Chapter 30: Vince

  59. Chapter 31: Elle

  60. Chapter 32: Vince

  61. Chapter 33: Elle

  62. Chapter 34: Vince

  63. Chapter 35: Elle

  64. Chapter 36: Vince

  Epilogue

  Extended Epilogue Invitation

  About the Author

  Join my Naughty List

  His Hostage

  65. SEAL’s Bride

  Author’s Copyright

  66. One

  67. Two

  68. Three

  69. Four

  70. Five

  71. Six

  72. Seven

  73. Eight

  74. Nine

  75. Ten

  76. Eleven

  77. Twelve

  78. Thirteen

  79. Fourteen

  80. Fifteen

  81. Sixteen

  82. Seventeen

  83. Eighteen

  84. Nineteen

  85. Twenty

  86. Twenty One

  87. Twenty Two

  88. Twenty Three

  89. Twenty Four

  90. Twenty Five

  91. Twenty Six

  92. Twenty Seven

  93. Twenty Eight

  94. Twenty Nine

  Join The Vixens

  About Vivian Wood

  Author’s Copyright

  Copyright Willow Winters & Vivian Wood 2016

  May not be replicated or reproduced in any manner without express and written permission from the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to author and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Naughty List & Vivian’s Vixens

  Click here to Join

  Get access first to new releases and big giveaways.

  Get a FREE Bad Boy Billionaire Romance

  just for signing up!

  Click here to join Vivian’s Vixens and get first access to all the hot new releases & big giveaways. Get three free books just for signing up!!

  Prologue

  Violet

  I shift a little on the blanket as the sounds of crickets from the woods behind us get a bit louder. We're alone out here on the outskirts of the state park. I can hardly breathe in this strapless lace dress, and it’s awkward sitting on the ground with it riding up so high. It’s the prettiest one I have though, and the most revealing. It’s not that it’s too tight, although it feels as if it is.

  Tonight’s the night.

  I peek up to my right at Hunter and give him a shy smile, feeling the warmth of a blush flood my cheeks. My heart swells, although I’m still a bundle of nerves. He looks so handsome even in his simple faded jeans and white tee shirt.

  My lungs fill with the scent of his cologne. He smells so good. He’s never worn it before. He knows tonight is different, too.

  We’ve been dating for almost a year. We're high school sweethearts. A full year. I’d say it’s my longest relationship, but it’s my only one ever. And I never want another. I want to be his, and only his. Tonight I’m taking a leap of faith.

  I know when we graduate in three months, it’s going to be hard. He’s going into training, and I’ll be going to college. I lace my fingers between his; his hand is resting on my bare thigh. He looks down at me and clasps my hand while giving me a sexy smile. We’re going to make it work though. He’s my one and only. And I’m his.

  His arm is wrapped around my waist and we’re seated on the edge of the blanket. My bare toes sweep along the grass as he pulls me closer to him. The spring air is a bit chilly at night, and goosebumps form down my arm. I didn’t bring a jacket. A small shiver runs up my shoulders and I curl up against his hot body. A deep chuckle rises up his chest. I love that sound. I love it when he laughs like that. He rubs his hand up and down my arm, warming me.

  I lay my cheek against his hard chest and put my hand on the lower part of his stomach, against his shirt. My heartbeat picks up and I feel like I can barely breathe. My fingers dip down a little lower. The tips brush along his bare skin.

  My breath stills in my lungs. I’m going for it. I bite down on my bottom lip and clench my thighs as arousal pulls between them. I slip my hand a little lower, past the deep “V” of his hips, and they just barely push into the waist of his jeans when his hand wraps around my wrist, holding me still. I can feel the coarse hair below.

  “Vi,” he says, and there’s a hint of admonishment in his voice.

  My heart squeezes in my chest. I know we shouldn’t, and he’s never pressured me, but I want him. I want this to happen. And I know he does, too.

  “Hunter.” I feel brazen as I keep my fingers dipped below his waistband and meet his gaze. His eyes heat with a fire I’ve seen before.

  “I know you want this,” I barely whisper. In the past, he’s been quick to pull away, but this time he only holds me tighter.

  He closes his eyes and speaks just above a murmur, “Vi.” My name slips between his lips with a reverence I’ve never heard before. His grip on my wrist loosens and I pull away, but only to place my hand… down there, against him. My eyes widen slightly. I’ve never felt his dick before. I’ve never even seen one. I wasn’t expecting it to be so big, or so hard.

  My hearts stutters in
my chest and my pussy clenches around nothing. My hand itches to pull away, but instead I push it harder against his cock, to feel more. My fingers wrap around his length as best they can in this awkward position. I can feel everything in me pulsing with need.

  “Violet,” he breathes my name.

  In an instant, he looks back at me and moves me to his lap, pulling me away. I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling vulnerable and desperate for his love. It will crush me if he denies me. Please, don’t.

  “I’m ready, Hunter.” I stare into his gorgeous green eyes. I swallow thickly and keep my voice as even as I can as I say, “I love you, and I want you to know it.”

  “I already know,” he whispers as he brushes my hair out of my face. It tickles as it moves over my shoulder, and another shiver runs down every inch of my body. This time it hardens my nipples as his lips graze the sensitive skin of my neck, just below my ear. His hot breath forces a small moan from my lips.

  “I love you, Vi.” I close my eyes as he plants open-mouthed kisses up my neck and along my jawline. I love it when he says my name. He’s the only one who calls me that.

  I believe him. I believe he loves me. And I know I love him.

  He pushes his lips against mine. There’s a tenderness that I haven’t felt before. I reach up and spear my fingers through his hair. I part my lips and press my body against his.

  I want him to know how much I need him. All of him.

  I kiss him with desperation. He groans deep in his throat and splays his hand on my back, lowering me to the blanket. He breaks our kiss only for a moment to look down at me.

  My lips are parted, and my eyes are half-lidded with lust.

  When he lowers his lips to mine and his hands travel up my dress, slipping it up past my thighs, I know this is really going to happen.

  "Promise me you'll love me after this?" I sound weak, but in this moment, I need his reassurance.

  "Always, Vi," he says before crushing his lips against mine.

  I gave him a part of me I can never get back. Even worse, I gave him my heart.

  …That was four years ago. Back when I was young and naive. Back when I thought we’d always be together, and that he hadn’t lied. He dumped me right after graduation and left me to join the military. He said I shouldn’t wait for him; it didn’t matter that I wanted to. I would have waited for him. I was a fool. It was all a mistake.

  That was then. I know better now.

  Chapter 1

  Violet

  I take a deep breath and exhale slowly as I push the glass door to the convenience shop open. The bells above my head chime and Marcy gives me a bright smile from behind the cash register on the small counter to the left. She’s an older lady; I’ve known her most of my life. She doesn’t make a move from her seat and barely looks up from behind her thick, dark-rimmed glasses. Her eyes wrinkle as she smiles slightly and returns to watching the small television behind the counter.

  Just like everyone else in this town, she’s content going through life with the same comfortable routine. For her that means sitting behind the register. This store is small, with only a few aisles to my right, and the counter to my left. I give her a small smile in return, though my heart’s not in it and I resume walking the few steps to get what I came here for.

  It has been such a long day. I look like crap, and I know it. I’m in my penguin flannel pajama pants and a long baggy sweater. It’s my favorite sweater though, especially on these grey rainy days. The sleeves come down over my hands, and for some reason it makes me feel more comfortable. And I always wear these bottoms when I’m sick. They make me feel better, or at least I like to pretend they do.

  I don’t have an ounce of makeup on. I have bags under my eyes to prove I’ve had no sleep at all in the past few days. This is the first time I’ve been out of my little apartment in days, and I’m going right back home as soon as I can. Fall colds are the absolute worst.

  I sniffle a little as I walk down three of the four aisles in the small store to get to the row with the cans of chicken noodle soup. I may be miserable, but I know I’ll feel better after a hot bowl of chicken noodle. I’m in need of comfort food.

  My mama never made home-cooked soup, but the stuff in the can worked for me when I was little, and it’ll work for me now. It’s a bit more expensive here in the convenience shop, but it’s Sunday so the grocery store’s closed down. Most everything’s closed down, including my bakery.

  I’m sure people will be talking about me coming out like this, the extensive rumor mill being one of the main drawbacks of small-town life. Mama’s phone will probably be ringing before I even get home. Marcy may look like she’s an innocent old lady, but all of the people in this town live to gossip.

  But they can all get bent. I just need my soup and some cough medicine, and I’ll be on my way.

  I sigh at the simple thought. I need way more than soup. I need to get back to work.

  I can hardly afford the part-time help from April and Nicole, two high school girls I’m paying to work the registers and help me in the evening. Everything else I’m doing on my own, and it’s really taking its toll on me. Plus I’ve had to close the bakery for the last week since I’ve been sick.

  It’s hard work running your own business; there’s so much more to it than I originally anticipated. I can’t keep doing this on my own for much longer. And with one of the ovens broken, and none of the commercial grade mixers working, I’m struggling to meet product demands.

  I close my eyes and push those negative thoughts away. I’m doing everything I can. It’s going to work out. It has to. I just need that damn loan from the bank.

  I push that thought down, too. I can’t think about it now, or I’ll be sick for an entirely different reason.

  Right now, I just need the chicken noodle soup I'm holding in my hand, and my penguin PJs.

  I’m not paying much attention when I hear the bells chime above the door and Marcy squeaks a slightly flirtatious, “Hi there,” at whoever walked in. Marcy may be old, but she’s not dead.

  I stifle a huff of a laugh at my own little joke. At least there’s a hint of a real smile on my lips now.

  I turn around carelessly, ready to go to the counter where the meds are lined up in front of the register so I can grab the cough syrup and check out. I look up and start to yawn as I try to take a step forward, but my mouth slams shut and my feet stay bolted to the floor.

  My heart does a flip and flutters in my chest as I catch a glimpse of Hunter.

  Like… Hunter Hunter. My lungs stop moving and I quickly hide behind the aisle, nearly knocking bags of chips off the shelf. My heart hammers, and I have to blink a few times. He’s here. He’s back. My throat closes with intense emotion. He can’t be back.

  I barely peek around the corner, very much aware of how awful I look.

  It’s him. He’s not a boy anymore. He’s come back from overseas as a man.

  And a badass one at that. I heard he’s a sharpshooter now. Or was. I wouldn’t know, since I did my best to stay far away from anyone who uttered his name. I had to.

  Now he’s home. I can’t believe it. I seriously cannot believe my eyes. If he was home, someone would have told me.

  It’s a small town, and people talk. They sure as hell talked when he broke my heart and left me. But I’ve been sick and stuck inside for days while I recover from this bug.

  I try to calm my racing heart and breathe easy, taking in the sight of his simple white tee shirt that’s snug over his broad shoulders and corded muscles. He’s always been tall, but his ripped muscles give him even more of a dominating presence. He has the same handsome face with a touch of stubble that has my fingers itching to touch him.

  His hair is short on the sides and a little longer on top. I could spear my fingers through the top and just barely grab onto it. It’s loosely styled so it looks a little messy, like he just rolled out of bed looking like a sex god.

  I search his body for every little chan
ge. And there’s a lot to look at. His muscles, his tattoos, his scars.

  A soft sigh escapes my lips as I remember how those arms used to hold me. My chest fills with a comforting warmth.

  His dog tags clink together as he turns slightly to the right.

  I suck in a breath with wide eyes and quickly duck back. I hide behind the loosely filled shelves, praying he didn’t see me. My heart races with anxiety, and my blood heats.

  I can’t believe Hunter’s back.

  He left me four years ago after high school graduation with a broken heart, taking a piece of me with him that I could never get back.

  He ruined my reputation.

  He shattered my trust in men.

  And now he’s back.

  Chapter 2

  Hunter

  This town hasn’t changed a bit.

  I drive slowly through the main strip, looking at the too-familiar buildings. Since I’ve been gone, very little has changed in the landscape. A new diner at one end of town, a gas station at the other.

  But Hallow Falls looks about the same. It feels just like it did when I was younger. Younger and dumber, maybe.

  Hallow Falls may not have changed much, but I have.

  The sudden wave of nostalgia that comes over me is bittersweet, almost painful. After everything I left behind here, only to come back four years later empty-handed, it’s all a little overwhelming, to say the least. I feel like I’ve traveled back in time. Back before I ever enlisted in the Navy, before I ever thought about becoming a SEAL.

  When my hands were less blood-soaked.

  I frown at the steering wheel of my truck, trying to focus on driving to the store. Focus on the errand. But the images play through my head as I slow down at the stop light. The rain pounds against the metal roof of the truck, and logically I know it’s just drops of water, completely harmless, but for a moment I can easily hear the ricochet of bullets and the smattering of gunshots in its place.