Promise Me Always (4 page)

She kept moving and I could feel myself getting closer and closer with each movement she made. I had never experienced anything like this before. I don’t know if it was the skin on skin contact or if it was just Tessa, but whatever it was, it was going to ruin me. Sex would never be the same after this.

“Blake, I’m so close,” she groaned, grinding her hips into me. Knowing she was so close so fast sent me into overdrive.

Sitting up, I pulled her into my chest and whispered in her ear, “Come with me, baby girl.” With that, we both climaxed together. I could feel her tighten around me as she cried out my name. I held her close to me as I spilled everything I had into her.

I continued to hold her as our breathing returned to normal, both of us coming down from the high. Tess pulled back slightly and looked up at me, gazing into my eyes. She leaned forward and kissed me softly on the lips. Something about that kiss seemed different. It was so desperate, almost like she was trying to tell me something, but fuck if I could figure out what it was.

I wanted to stay like this forever and never let her go. She felt so amazing. I knew that it wasn’t going to happen though— we were just friends and she deserved someone better than me. Someone that wasn’t so fucked up. We slowly got dressed, both of us seemed to know that as soon as our clothes were back on—this was over. I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. My head was a mess. I knew I had to take her home before this got weird, before she got the wrong impression. At the same time, that was the last thing I wanted to fucking do. Wanting to hold on to this moment, one I had dreamed about but one I also knew had to end, I reached over and held her hand the whole way back to her house.

When I pulled up in her parent’s driveway, she looked at me with that sexy smile and squeezed my hand. “Do you want to come in and meet my parents, Blake?” I’m pretty sure all the color drained from my face.

Oh shit! Not good.

She started to laugh. “I’m just kidding. Gosh, don’t have a heart attack.”

“Don’t fucking scare me like that!” I said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Plus, I heard your dad is hardcore, so I think I will pass. Especially since we just
…
you know. I wouldn’t want him to get the wrong impression of me,” I said as I winked at her.

“Thanks for the ride, Blake. I really appreciate it.”

“You remember what you promised me, right, Tess?” I asked her, concern filling my voice. I really didn’t want to ruin our friendship over what had just happened.

“Of course, douchebag, I remember,” she teased as she gave me a wink. “You going over to Cole’s tonight?”

“I sure am, baby girl.”

“Okay. Then I’ll see you there. Bye!”

And just like that we were back to normal—like nothing had ever happened.

That is how it had been for the past three years now—flirty friends. Nothing ever happened again between us; we were just friends. It killed me to just walk away after what we had done, but I didn’t deserve her. She deserved so much better than me.

No wonder I was so pissed. I had wanted Tess ever since that day. She was special to me—she wasn’t just another girl and Jared, the jackass, went and screwed her over. Twice.

I swore to myself that the next time I saw Jared I would beat the shit out of the fucker until he begged me to stop. He wasn’t worthy of her at all. Hell, I was better for her than him! At least I would never cheat on her. If I didn’t deserve her, neither did he.

Palmer left to go meet Tess in the parking lot while I was having my little flash back. I actually was really excited to see her again. Ever since she got back together with the jackass, I hadn’t really seen her very much. He was keeping her away from her old friends and I couldn’t figure out why.

“Blake! Dude, snap out of it,” Cole said, getting the tequila bottle out of the cabinet. “Get over here and help me get these shots ready for Tess.” I got to my feet and braced myself to see the only girl that I had ever really been myself around.

As soon as Palmer told me Blake was inside, I got all giddy. Twirling my hair like I always did when I was nervous, I completely forgot about Jared. I had known Blake for over four years and we were just friends—albeit very flirty friends. I loved hanging out with him; he always made things so easy. I felt like I could be myself around him and he would never judge me. Even after our “friends with benefits” moment when we were eighteen, things were never weird between us. Just thinking of that day in his truck made the butterflies start fluttering in my stomach and I realized how much I actually missed him. I hadn’t seen him since Jared and I got back together, which was just over two months ago.

As I walked through Palmer and Cole’s apartment door, he was the first thing I saw. And, for some reason, it was like I was seeing him for the first time. There was no doubt he had been working out and, as attractive as he was before, for some reason I now found him irresistible. He large, six foot tall frame was visibly tense as he sat on the couch. He was leaning forward, resting his arms on his knees. His muscles were showing through his shirt as it stretched over the delectable curves of his biceps and chest. His dark brown, almost black hair, which was usually cut short and spiked up, was being covered by a white hat. That only made his deeply tanned skin and the tattoos on his right forearm more prominent. I could tell he had added to his impressive tattoo collection—I saw new art work peeking out from under the sleeve of his t-shirt. His big, chocolate brown, beautiful eyes were watching me intently, taking in my every move. He had that sexy smile on his face that made me think very un-lady like thoughts.

I had to control myself; all I wanted to do was run over to him and bury myself in his arms. The day in his truck kept flashing back into my mind and I had to start walking before the ache between my legs got unbearable. Prying my eyes away from the man candy that was Blake, I walked over to the kitchen and sat down at one of the bar stools.

“Hey, Tess! Do you want a shot? We have Patron, your favorite,” Cole asked, sliding a shot in my direction.

“Oh, my God! Yes, thanks, Cole.”

“Come on, douche-bags! Get over here and let’s toast to Tess!” Cole yelled across the apartment. All the guys got up and headed over to the kitchen. With everyone raising their glasses to me, he continued. “Here’s to Tess! Hopefully she has the balls to chop off Jared’s dick and shove it down his throat!”

“Cole!” I laughed. “I would never do that,” I said with a smile. These guys always knew how to make me laugh. We all tossed back the shots and sucked the limes dry.

All the guys came up to me at some point during the next few minutes, giving me hugs and telling me that anytime I needed them, they would personally make sure Jared could never cheat on another woman. I didn’t bother asking them to expand on that—I personally didn’t need to hear the details. Blake was the only one that didn’t say anything to me. I didn’t understand. Usually he was the first to greet me when I arrived.

After a couple more shots, Shane pulled me out onto the balcony to talk. Shane was one of Cole’s best friends and I had known him since Palmer and Cole started dating six years ago. We almost got together a few years back, but it never really worked out. We, well I, decided that it just wouldn’t work between us and we would be better off as friends. He took it really well, though, and nothing ever changed between us.

“Tess, you doing okay?” he asked me with concern in his voice. “I know how much you liked Jared. I can’t believe that fucker would do this to you again. The offer is still there if you change your mind about us teaching him a lesson.”

I started to laugh and playfully swatted his chest.
What was it with all these guys and fighting? Was that always their solution to a problem?
“I am actually doing better than expected, Shane. I guess I always thought it would happen again,” I said honestly. “I mean, if he really loved me that much he never would have done it the first time. And no—you all don’t need to go to prison just for me. I can handle it.” I sat down in one of the lawn chairs on the balcony. Shane took a seat beside me and we sat in silence for a while before the tension between us shifted.

Shane looked at me with his big blue eyes and ran his hand through his blonde hair. “Well, if you ever change your mind, you know we’re all willing. It’s been a while since we’ve gotten into a fight. I think we’re about due,” he laughed. “Seriously, though. Tess, you know I will always be there for you, Sweetheart. I care about you more than you think I do.” He put his hand on my leg just above my knee. Things were starting to get awkward. I had been down this road with Shane already and I really didn’t need to go back there. I decided I should probably get back inside before he tried anything else.

I stood. “Thanks, Shane. That means a lot. Come on, let’s go back in. I need a beer.” I pulled him by his hand and we went back inside to join the others.

Once inside, I saw Palmer sitting next to Blake and they were both staring at me smiling. Palmer had a conniving look in her eyes and I knew she was up to something.

Great. What was she planning?

Palmer jumped up suddenly, grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the bedroom. I guess I was about to find out what her plan was and I didn’t even get a chance to get a beer first. Judging by the way she practically pulled my arm out of my socket—I was going to need one, too. She sat me down on the bed and looked at me with those manipulative eyes.

“Tess, I was just talking to Blake…” She paused for effect.

“Obviously,” I deadpanned. After a dismissive roll of her eyes, she continued.

“You’re such a brat. Anyway, he was telling me that his date for the firefighter ball just bailed on him yesterday. I think you should go with him,” she said excitedly.

“Are you serious, Palmer? Tell me you didn’t tell him I would go! First of all, I haven’t even had twenty -four hours to process the mess that happened tonight. And second, Blake doesn’t need your help with finding a date! I am sure he has plenty of girls lined up that would be more than ecstatic to go!” I shrieked at her. What was she thinking?! I hadn’t even had a chance to talk to Jared yet and she was already trying to hook me up—and with Blake of all people! He made it very clear to me throughout the years that he only wanted to be friends. I tried to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach.

“I didn’t tell him you would go yet, Tess. Calm down. I just think it would be good for you to get out and do something to take your mind off of this mess with Jared,” she said carefully. “The ball is in one week and you would actually be doing him a favor. He has already bought the tickets. You don’t want him to waste all that money, do you? Tess, you would just be going as friends,” she gave me a small smile before going on for the kill. “He is your friend right?”

“Of course he’s my friend, Palm but… I… I don’t know…” Blake really was a great friend, but what would Jared think? My mind was going a mile a minute, trying to make sense of the last few hours.

You don’t even know what your relationship is with Jared. Do you even have a relationship now?
Unwanted images of him, just a few hours before, flittered through my brain; my stomach immediately went sour.
Fuck it. Palmer’s right—I do need a night out. I need to get my mind off of Jared. He messed with my head enough, so maybe this would be a nice little payback.

“Alright, Palm. I guess I will go, but none of this high school shit. I’ll tell him myself that I can fill in as his date.” I started to get up to leave when Palmer grabbed my hand.

“Tess, wait. It’s fine if you want to talk to him about it, but just don’t bring up the whole being ditched by his date thing. He is pretty pissed about it. You know Blake doesn’t ever get stood up and he’s taking it pretty hard.”

“Sure, Palmer, I won’t say a word,” I said. I didn’t understand why he would be so upset about it, though. Blake had women lined up down the street, just waiting for their turn to roll around in the sack. Maybe he actually really liked this one and that’s why he was distraught about it? I suddenly felt envious of her. Did she really capture the heart of the infamous Blake Bentley?