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That was all Shannon needed to hear before she was all in, decked out in her helmet and vest, ready to go to paintball war. “Green helmets are the enemy, right?”
She was damned impressive, leaping over rocks and shimmying under overturned branches, embracing the spirit of doing battle with active soldiers. The smile never left her face, it only grew wider when she hit her first target.
“Holy crap, I got ’em!” Her aim for the most part was wild and inaccurate, but Shannon was a good sport, laughing off her mistakes and dying with flair when a half dozen paintballs nailed her in the back. “My men will avenge me!”
Finishing the game wasn’t as much fun without her, but when I found her in the tent with the other eliminated players, she wasn’t out of place at all. “You just gotta take a breath before you squeeze the trigger. It relaxes you and slows down your heart.”
Shannon nodded and listened intently. “Like breathing through a punch?”
“Exactly. You box?”
She laughed and shook her head. “Hardly. I kickbox, mostly to stay in shape, but it’s also excellent therapy.”
“Yeah?” The young kid was impressed, and I couldn’t deny that I was too.
“Yep. It’s fun and it makes me feel like a badass, but the more I did it, the more I fell in love with it. Is that how shooting is with you?”
The kid shrugged. “I’ve been shootin’ since I was a boy and it came naturally to me. The Army found a place for me and I’m happy I can help my squad.”
“Me too. Thank you for your service, Kyle. Thank all of you for your service. I’m honored to lose a war to real soldiers.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Markham told her with a satisfied grin. “You gave a good fight. Could’ve won if you were a better shot.”
Markham’s words pleased Shannon and she sat a little taller, proud of the compliment. “Tips for next time,” she said and stood with a grimace. “Before you guys leave town, come into Bread Box and I’ll give you the best pastries you’ve ever had.”
“Brownies?”
“Fudge brownies and blondies too,” she shot back. “Only the best for the best.”
The group walked us back to the car and stood in shocked silence when Shannon shook each of their hands as she bid them farewell. “Thanks guys. Enjoy the courses.” The silence in the car wasn’t tense, but I couldn’t help but worry that Shannon was just putting a good show on, and if she wasn’t having fun, I would take her home.
“You sure you had a good time?”
“I had a really good time, Miles. I’ve never been paint-balling before, and I never would have thought of it for a date. It was a nice surprise. Truly.”
“Good. I didn’t want them to cancel after they offered to test the courses for us and you said to surprise you, so…”
“I was very surprised, in the best way. And now, I’m hungry. Very, very hungry, Miles.”
I laughed at her grave tone. “Good, because next, we eat.” And because I was a gentleman, I ignored the growl of her stomach when the engine stopped.
Shannon
“This place is gorgeous, Miles.”
He lived in one of twelve houses that surrounded a small manmade lake on the south end of Pilgrim, and the place was a work of art. High ceilings with exposed beams, plenty of windows and light, which gave the place a romantic air as the sun started to sink behind the horizon.
Miles turned, surprise shining in his golden brown eyes. “Um, thanks?” His gaze slid from my face down to the swell of my cleavage in the sapphire blue dress I’d chosen for tonight. The dress hugged all my curves and hid all my flaws, presenting the perfect hourglass figure that was accentuated by the blue strappy open toe stilettos. I was fresh from a hot shower, clean and all dolled up, and his expression told me it was worth the thirty-five minutes he waited. “Shannon, you look incredible.”
“Incredible, huh? I’ll take it, but I think we were talking about this beautiful house of yours.”
“House, what house?”
Goosebumps ran up and down my arms at his deep voice, words thick with desire. I took advantage of his momentary silence, giving him a long assessing look. The green shirt he wore showed off broad shoulders, strong arms and pecs that made my mouth water. The dark slacks he wore hid all the sculpted muscles that his jeans showed off, but all dressed up like this, and just for me? He was verging on irresistible.
“Like what you see?”
I nodded slowly. “A lot. You clean up well. Very well.”
“This old thing?” He smoothed down the fabric of his shirt, a playful smile making his brown eyes look golden as the sun set behind him. “Drink?”
I nodded slowly, suddenly feeling nervous. “I’d love one.” My gaze tracked Miles’ long legs on his way to the fridge, impressed with his easy grace and athleticism.
