Free Promises to a Stallion (Kimani Romance) by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page B

anyway. It’s important.”
    “Why?”
    “Do you have to argue every point, Tierra? I just want to know about your relationship with Private Porter.”
    Cutting her eye at him again, Tierra saw that he was studying her intently, a look of seriousness blanketing his expression.
    She sighed, filling her lungs with air. “I was twelve when we first met,” Tierra started. “He lived next door to my grandmother and he and my brother became best friends.”
    “When did you two start dating?”
    “A little in high school and then in college it got serious.” Tierra paused, her thoughts suddenly racing. Beside her, Travis cleared his throat, motioning for her to continue.
    “When things were good between us, they were very good. Damien was the epitome of romantic. He always said the right thing. He showered me with affection. He made me laugh. Do you know he’d recite poetry to me, and once I came home to find four dozen red roses scattered around my house. He was also good at surprising me with little trinkets when I least expected them. I thought he was my friend and I trusted him. It was everything a girl could have wanted from a guy.” Tierra blew a gust of warm breath past her lips.
    Travis nodded his head. “Why do you think it didn’t work?”
    Tierra shrugged, her wistful tone shifting into indifference. “Damien has issues with fidelity. He thinks cheating should be a professional sport.”
    “You deserve better than that.”
    “I know,” Tierra said with a deep sigh. “I just didn’t want to admit to myself that he was such a jerk. I allowed myself to get caught up in the fantasy of what I wanted our relationship to be. I was hoping he would change. I wanted to believe that he loved me enough to do better.”
    “I think you knew that wasn’t going to happen,” Travis said, eyeing her closely. “Didn’t you?”
    Tierra met his gaze. With no need to answer his question, she changed the subject. “What about you? There’s no woman in your life?”
    Travis shook his head. “Nope. I’ve never really had time for a relationship. I’ve dated, but no one serious. The military has been my one and only mistress.”
    “No one? Not even before the military?”
    “Not a soul, unless you count Paula Liston from high school. I took Paula to the prom.”
    “And where is Paula Liston now?”
    “Married with four kids and living in Danbury, Connecticut, the last I heard.”
    “Your mother hasn’t pressured you to get married and have kids?”
    “My mother died a few years ago. Breast cancer. My dad passed away when I was a little kid. That’s why I spent so much time with my cousins and my uncle, before he and his wife were killed in a car wreck.”
    “I’m so sorry,” Tierra said, a wave of sadness washing over her. “Tingin and I lost our parents young, as well. Our father disappeared shortly after we were born. Never knew much of anything about him. Our mother sent us to live with Mama Dee when it became too much for her to handle.”
    “Is she still alive? Your mother?”
    Tierra shrugged. “We don’t know. We lost touch with her many, many years ago. Mama Dee became the only mother we ever knew.”
    Travis nodded. “Your grandmother is a special lady.”
    Tierra nodded her agreement. “You and your cousins seem to be very close.”
    Grinning broadly, Travis nodded. “We are. They’re more like brothers than cousins. In fact, I’m hoping they’ll all stand up for us at our wedding.”
    “Do you ever give up?” Tierra questioned, a light giggle passing over her lips. “You are absolutely ridiculous.”
    “If I don’t marry you, Tierra Braddy, I’ll never get you into that lingerie I bought, and that stuff was expensive! Did you know how expensive that was? That purchase was basically equivalent to a month’s pay!”
    Tierra laughed. “You are so crazy! I told you not to buy that stuff.”
    Travis laughed with her. “You know you wanted it. ‘I take a B-cup!’” he said,