Promises, Promises (21 page)

“Yeah. Let’s head out.” I changed the subject, “So did you make a list of what we need for tonight?”

“Yeah, actually I did. I have an idea of what I want to make.” We started heading out the door and I put my hand on the small of her back to guide her. She seemed to take a deep breath when I did that. I realized my plan for the day was to try to touch her as much as possible if I could get that same reaction every time.

“Are we taking the bike?” Her eyes were so bright and hopeful. I couldn’t say no, if I wanted to.

“Of course.” I got on and I watched her wrap her hair in a quick ponytail, then she got on behind me. She squeezed me tight around my waist and put her head to my back. I took a deep breath, appreciating how fantastic she felt wrapped around me. She seemed to be squeezing her thighs tighter as we took off.

We arrived at the store and went in. I grabbed a cart and gestured if she wanted to push. “Nah, you drive. I’ll fill.” I smiled at her. Sounds good. I’ll follow her around any day. She looks just as amazing from behind.

She started putting items in the cart as we walked. She took a bag and started grabbing vegetables. I went over and helped her, casually grazing her hand anytime I could. We were chatting about her college days and I was trying to find out more about that night they were laughing about before they burst into tears. It seemed like a pretty funny story. She told me that Brad was shot down by that Morgan girl and he laughed at her and told her he really wanted her roommate anyway. Mel getting sick was even funnier after she told me that Mel was the one who said drinking Lemon Drops was the way to go that night and that’s all they should drink so they wouldn’t get sick. I laughed and told Izzy a story of Melanie trying to convince us guys one night that we should only drink a certain shot and we all told her no. I was thankful we did if the night would have occurred like the one Izzy just described.

We grabbed a few more things and then rounded the corner laughing and ran smack into douche…Mark. He was smiling until he saw me.
That’s right dickhead…you can walk the fuck away right now
.

“Mark, hey…umm...how are you?” Izzy asked, clearly uncomfortable, but still smiling. Mark walked over and planted a kiss on her cheek and gave her a hug clearly trying to show me they were still dating. Whatever dude. I’ve got her the rest of the day and I’m sure I know way more about her than you ever will.

“Good, great to see you.” He looked at me quickly and said, “Z” with a head tilt and a tight voice. I gave him a nod.

“Uh, how was training today?” Izzy asked looking slightly nervous.

“Great, it went really well, but I’m really looking forward to our run and lunch tomorrow.” He said smiling at her and touching her arm. I was trying my best to keep it in check. Punching him right now would not be good after Flynn just fought him the other night. I checked out the bruise under his eye and smirked. Flynn got a couple good ones in. Wish I had done that, but I’m sure Izzy would really be pissed with me then.

“Yeah, uh, yeah, looking forward to it.” Izzy said putting her hair behind her ear and glancing at me and back at him quickly.

“I was thinking that maybe we could have lunch after at The Magenta, if you’d like.” He was obviously trying to show off his wealth. The Magenta was a really expensive restaurant that just opened up and it was tough to get a reservation there. Dick was trying to show off; unfortunately for him I was pretty sure Izzy had no idea about that restaurant, being new in town and all. The thought made me chuckle. Both Izzy and Mark glanced over at me as I continued to smirk from the thought.

“Yeah, that…that sounds great. I’ve never been there before.” Izzy said as she glanced back to him.
Yep, I knew it.
I continued to smirk at my personal joke.

“Well, good, I’ll see you tomorrow bright and early.” Then he went in for one on the lips. Fucking douche. Although Izzy didn’t seem to push him away either, I noticed. Fuck.

“Okay, yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Izzy said smiling brightly.

“Later Z.” he waved to me.

“Yep,” was all I could manage to get out.

 Izzy cleared her throat. “Umm, chicken, we still need to get the chicken.” We headed to the butcher and waited for our turn.

I clenched my jaw. “So, you’re still running with him?” She was clearly uncomfortable, but figured I’d ask her point blank to see how she felt about dating him.

“Umm, well, tomorrow will be the second date…I mean run...together…we…run.” She started looking around and seemed to be begging for it to be our turn. I clenched my jaw tight.

It was at that point I realized that this is exactly where Flynn and Mel are. At least I think so. It sucked really bad watching her walk out the door yesterday, knowing she was going out with that asshole, not to mention how fucking hot she looked. Jealousy hit me again. I really couldn’t remember having this much jealousy with Fucking Whore, or any of my other exes for that matter. I’m not even with Izzy and I felt this way. I decided I didn’t want to get into a fight with her, like Flynn would do, so I put my hand on her back and asked, “So what are you making for dinner tonight?” She seemed a bit relieved and exhaled a breath.

“I think I’m going to make a chicken marsala-type dish I used to make in college,” Izzy said sounding a bit concerned about her choice.

“That sounds great.” I tried to sound excited, but was still thinking about the Mark dating situation.

My mind came back to that punishment question and I started to wonder if Mark knew anything about any of this screwed up ex of hers. Probably not. I can’t imagine how that would come up on their runs. ‘Hey, by the way my ex used to whip my cute little ass if I drank a beer.’ Yeah…I can’t see that happening.

We got back to the townhouse and unloaded all the groceries from the saddlebags on the bike. I grabbed a beer for both of us and turned on some music. “What do you need me to do first?” I asked as I clapped my hands, ready to help her out.

She smiled sweetly, “You don’t have to help. I enjoy cooking, really.”

“No, I really want to help.” I insisted.

She thought a bit and then said, “Okay, if you don’t mind, um, I guess you can start washing and cutting up some of the vegetables.”

I started on my task and noticed she really did enjoy being in the kitchen and was swaying to the music. She was so sexy moving around, singing and dancing as she cooked. I started moving to the beat with her. Every once in a while we’d bump into each other dancing to a certain song.

She then started on some sort of dessert with chocolate. She handed the strawberries to me and asked me to start washing them. She was dancing while stirring, her hips swaying to the beat.  I couldn’t wait to see how her hips moved when I finally get her in bed. I walked over to the bowl as she was stirring the mixture and dipped my finger in, stealing a taste. Wow...it was good whatever it was. What’s sexier than chocolate and a hot girl?

I put some on her nose and she giggled. I couldn’t resist and I put some on her luscious lips. I bent down and kissed her, overcome by the mixture of chocolate and her sensual taste. The combination was so fucking sexy. She opened her mouth to taste it off me and our tongues entwined. I deepened the kiss and I grabbed the bowl she was holding and put it on the counter. She wrapped her arms around my neck and started giggling.

“What’s so funny?” I asked into her mouth, still kissing her.

“Umm...I think you might have chocolate all over your back! I forgot to put the spatula in the bowl!” She held it up laughing.

I took it from her and put it in the bowl and turned back to kiss her. “You can roll me in this stuff if it means kissing you more.” I whispered into her lips.

“Mmm,” she moaned kissing me back. Just then the timer went off. She pulled back slightly and took a deep breath, “Oven is ready.”

 I kissed her again. “Yeah, is it hot?” I teased. She smiled and gave me a quick peck on the lips. She turned and bent to get a cake pan out of the lower cabinet. Fuck she has a great ass. I quickly adjusted my hard on while she had her back to me. She sprayed some stuff in the pan and then poured the batter into the pan. She put the cake in the oven and turned around smiling sexy. Her eyes were sparkling like she really had something she wanted to say. I noticed she still had chocolate on her nose. I laughed a little and stepped toward her.

“You still have chocolate on your nose.” I grabbed the towel and wiped it, then kissed her deeply. She kissed so deep and sensual. I wanted to take more. I was trying to remember to go slow with her so she didn’t think I’m rebounding, but it was really getting tough to keep control. We continued kissing deeper and I pulled her tighter. She moaned into my mouth and it turned me on so bad. I grabbed her and lifted her onto a bar stool, I moved in between her legs, pulling her tighter into me so she could feel how hard I was for her. I thrust my hands through her soft hair. Our kiss became more wild and deeper with desire.

Her phone rang, but she ignored it and continued to pull me tighter. We both were beginning to breathe faster and our kissing became more reckless. I moved my hand down to the bottom of her shirt and put my hand under it, feeling her smooth skin and started to move my hand up the front of her shirt.

“Holy shit! I walked in on you guys again! Haven’t you two learned to go to her room yet? Fuck that is HOT! Is dinner ready yet?” Clark asked smirking and kept going upstairs to change.

I swear I’m going to kill that asshole one of these days, I thought as I watched Izzy straighten herself up and jumped off the stool.

Chapter 14

Izzy

Seriously? How many times is someone going to walk in on us? I was so ready for Z to take me on any surface he could find. He kissed so incredible and I just keep losing myself with him. I looked up at him and he was shaking his head.

“Do you think it’s a sign that he keeps interrupting us?” I asked, curious to see what he would say.

He shook his head smirking, “No, actually, I think it’s a sign that we can’t keep our hands off each other.” He kissed me again so softly. “Come on. Mel and Flynn should be home soon. Might as well get dinner ready otherwise we’ll be walked in on again.”

A song I loved came on and I started singing and swaying to the music as I started on the salad. It felt so good to be myself again. When I was with HIM, I could only sing and dance when HE was at work and I was by myself.

Z came behind me and put his hands on my hips, swaying with me and started kissing my neck. God, if he keeps this up, I won’t be able to finish the meal. We might have to order pizza. I leaned my head back enjoying the shivers brought on by his lips skimming that perfect spot on my neck.

I let my mind wander about us. Maybe he does want something more than just a quickie to get over Sheila. We obviously do have a strong attraction to each other and it was definitely more than what I had with Mark. Maybe I should call Mark and just end it. Although I didn’t know what “it” was with Mark either. I really didn’t have that same connection with Mark that I have with Z.

Footsteps on the staircase caused Z to give me another quick kiss on my neck and step back so he could help me prepare the food. Clark came down just as the front door opened and Flynn walked in. “Hey” everyone said to each other. Flynn ran upstairs to change and just then Melanie walked in. She flopped down on a barstool exclaiming, “Oh God! What a day!”

Clark smugly smirked with his brows pulled together, “Really Mel? Were there that many yuppies buying art today?”

She rolled her eyes. “Screw you. I had a whole collection come in today and one was ripped. Try explaining that to the artist. I had to talk to the insurance company and you know how that goes.”

Flynn came back down. “Hey Mel.” Seeing her face he added, “Bad day?”

“Nope, it was a great day actually!” She gave him a smug smirk and walked upstairs to change.

Wow. This is going to go on for a while. Z shook his head. Flynn put his head in his hands. “Actually, she was just telling us how shitty her day was. Maybe you want to go up and talk to her?” Z clapped Flynn’s back, handing him a beer.

Clark looked at me and chuckled, “You chicks are so messed up.”

“What did I do? I’m just making dinner!” I jeered.

“Looked more like you were making Z! At least that’s better than that Mark dude!” My face fell. I turned quickly and started to put away the rest of the veggies in the fridge. Z was mouthing something to Clark, but I didn’t care to try to decipher it.

My phone rang again. I decided to go ahead and take the call this time. It had to be Mark since Mel was upstairs and she was the only other person who had my number. I walked over to the poolroom for privacy. “Hey!” I answered feeling a bit relieved to have an excuse from the discussion with Clark.

“Hi, Gorgeous.” Mark said in what I presumed to be his sexy voice. It seemed a little forced unlike the sexy huskiness that Z could do so naturally.

“Hi.” I giggled at his ‘gorgeous’ greeting.

“I thought I’d call to talk. Umm, you looked a bit uncomfortable today at the store. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too weird for you.” He said slowly.

“
Uh
, no, I’m…good.” I stammered. I wasn’t sure what to say. Do I tell him now? Do I want to pursue something with Z?

Mark broke the discussion in my head, “Well, I wasn’t sure if you and Z…what I mean is…are you two dating?” I swallowed hard. How do I answer this one when I don’t even know myself? Technically, Z never asked me on a date.

“Umm…well, we, umm…we kind of….we’re friends with…he’s my roommate’s best friend…” I spit the last part out. What was I even trying to say? Do I want to tell him now? I should. That’s not fair to string him along, right? I took a deep breath. “Umm…look, we….I’m not sure what Z and I are, actually. I’m not sure how to answer that.” I tried to be honest, but it sounded confusing even to me.

“Yeah, that’s what I gathered. Look, I’m not into trying to contend with anyone. I like you. Actually, I like you a lot and would love to see where this goes, but I can’t get into some weird back and forth thing.”