Romantic Promises (Alluring Promises Series, #2) (42 page)

“What’s your favorite position, Vanessa?” I couldn’t answer, which only seemed to please him more. He pulled out of me quickly, making me feel so empty. He immediately flipped me onto my hands and knees, pulling my ass into the air as he gripped each side of my hips. “I’ve been wanting to take you from behind again the second you bent over to pick up that file in my office.”
What file?
I couldn’t remember what the hell he was talking about, much less what my name was anymore. “God, I love your hips, Vanessa,” He grumbled as he guided his cock to my wet pussy and shoved himself hard and fast into me, knocking the breath out of me.

He reached down and pulled the nape of my hair, riding me as if I were a bronco. I didn’t care because he felt so fucking good from behind. He grabbed my breast with his other hand and pinched my nipple tightly as he rode me hard. He let go of my hair and grabbed my hip again. “I’m going to come so fucking hard in you, Vanessa.” He thrust harder and faster. I could barely breathe realizing I was going to come not only from his cock, but also by his words of how badly he loved fucking me. His grip on my hip became tighter as his hand left my breast and it grabbed my other hip. Thrusting harder and faster, his hard thick cock went so deep inside of me.

I moaned as I felt the wave of my orgasm rip through me and I heard him grunt, “Fuck yeah, uhhh.” He pumped a few more times into my pussy as I heard him continue to grunt in that caveman way that I was starting to love so much. He mumbled something inaudible. I thought he said something like, “What you do to me.” 

I collapsed onto the bed as he lowered himself onto my back, laying heavy on me. He lay soft kisses along my cheek and then to my ear. “I’m so sorry, I only gave you three. I couldn’t wait any longer. You were driving me crazy,” He surprised me by saying ‘only three.’ That’s two more than I’ve ever come with any man and probably three more than Charles actually.

I didn’t want to think about him right now though. This new relationship — friendship with benefits thing we were having is fantastic. Well, at least in the sexual way. I laughed to myself thinking about that fourth item I never wrote down on my list. Matt was definitely meeting that qualification.
More sex
was definitely something he was giving me.

******

Charles sent me a text that he wants to see me. I couldn’t deny him since we hadn’t seen each other in so long and this “thing” with Matt was getting more and more intense.

I told Charles I would meet him Sunday, knowing I could probably tell Matt I was going to meet my parents for something. Charles asked that I come to his apartment, but I knew that wasn't a good idea. It told him I’d rather meet at a restaurant near his apartment.

I stood at the stove, making scrambled eggs for Matt when he came up and leaned on the counter next to me. “So I was thinking that before we go to Mel and Flynn’s for dinner that we head over to this winery that’s nearby. We could spend the day wine tasting and strolling through vineyards.”

“Mmm.” I leaned over and kissed him tenderly. His lips were so soft I needed another one. “That sounds romantic. Am I breaking you down on romance, Matt?” I kissed him again, teasing him, “Are you a closet romantic?” Teasing him was beginning to be my favorite past time. Especially when it came to romance. The things he did were romantic, but he just didn’t want to admit it.

“Pfft. Romantic bullshit.” Of course his actions were different as he wrapped his strong arms around my waist from behind and nuzzled my neck. “I just want to fuck you in the middle of a vineyard.” And… maybe I was wrong.

I smiled and shook my head, placing a kiss on his forehead. Then I remembered why we couldn’t. “I actually can’t today, but I’d love a rain check.” I told him as I turned around and into his arms. He pulled back slightly as his questioning eyes stared into mine. My heart beat faster as I knew I’d have to lie to him.

“Why? What do you have going on?”

I couldn’t argue with him questioning as we’d been together every single second outside of work for
weeks now. I tried not to show any nervousness as I lied to him. “I need to meet my parents for lunch at the country club.”

“Oh, parents, huh?” He gave me a small smile as he bent his head down for a kiss. So soft I could get lost in his sweet lips as I forgot about my little lie.

He pulled back awaiting my answer, which I couldn’t remember what the question was. “Parents.” He repeated as he smiled, reminding me of my dilemma. “I could go with you.”

My smile and stomach dropped and I turned back around to stir the eggs. I shook my head almost in a panic as my heart beat even faster. “No, you don’t want to meet them,” I told him, trying to keep my voice even.

He leaned back onto the counter next to me. “Well, I already met your mom at the wedding,” he reminded me. Wow, that night seems so long ago as I suddenly recalled everything that happened that night.

“It’s just…too soon. I don’t want you to have to deal with her inquisition yet,” I joked, hoping he would understand. At least he already knew about the problems I had to deal with from her.

He smiled, seeming to understand why it would be too soon. He gave me a quick kiss. “Okay, I understand. You let me know when you’re ready to formally introduce me to them.” He gave me a sweet smile. “I’ll be here.”

I nodded as my
mind tried to wrap around his comment regarding a formal introduction. Why would Matt even want to meet my parents? I pushed that from my mind realizing I needed to make sure I break up with Charles today. A formal break up to finalize it between us and then I would tell my parents.

“Eggs are ready,” I blurted out in order to dismiss my new nervousness of what I had to do today.

******

I pulled up to the restaurant and sat in my car for a few moments. I was going to do it. I was going to formally break up with Charles. I hadn
’t seen him in so long. This should be fairly easy, right? My palms became clammy as I stared out the window trying to think of what I would say to him. Nothing came to mind.

My stomach rolled with nausea of what I was about to do. Visions of my mother yelling at me, my dad being upset that I angered Mom again, and my God, the people at the Country Club would all do that staring, whispering thing they use to do when I’d walk in as a huge teenager.

I tried to collect my thoughts as I realized that most of my uneasiness right now was because I was thinking of what other people thought of me. I wasn’t thinking about Charles and his feelings toward me. How would he feel? He won’t feel much; he might even be happy or relieved to finally be rid of me. Why would he want me? I’m nothing more than a woman with emotional baggage and an overbearing mother tagging along for the ride.

Ugh. I let my head fall back to the headrest of the seat as I stared up at the ceiling in my car. On that note, why would Matt want me? He hasn’t really had to deal with my parents or the Country Club or me when I’m around them.
Sex.
He just wants me for sex.

Pain was shooting through my hand and I looked down realizing I was twisting my ring so furiously that my finger was turning purple. Just then my door popped open, scaring the daylights out of me.

With my heart beating furiously, I looked up to see Charles’ smiling face as he leaned in my car and then leaned in further to kiss me. I pecked his lips, unsure of how to be with him, especially now that I was sort of with Matt.

He pulled back and laughed. “That’s all I get after not seeing each other for over two months?”

I tried to make light of it. “Sorry, you just scared me, that’s all.” I began to get out of my car as Charles offered his hand to help me out. I took his hand, knowing he was always such a gentleman. He was smiling from ear to ear, excited about something. Was he excited to see me?

My heart suddenly fluttered as I gazed at Charles. His chocolate brown eyes were lit up, as the smile on his face also did. He pulled his hand from behind his back, proudly thrusting a beautiful bouquet of flowers towards me. Lavenders. He remembered how much I adore them from the time I spent in France for my “fit” camp.

“I know how much you love these,” he beamed as he handed the bouquet to me. I smiled and took a deep breath, inhaling my favorite fragrance.

I hugged him tightly and thanked him. He held me close in a warm embrace and nuzzled my neck giving me a brief kiss. I exhaled, knowing I needed to just rip the band-aid off and break up with him quickly, before this lingers. Familiar feelings were starting to well up in me and I knew if I stood there long enough, I’d probably convince myself that being with him might be the right thing to do.

“Charles, I…we need to talk,” I began softly. Charles pulled back, but still held me firmly.

He smiled so sweetly at me. “I missed you. I missed you so much, Vanessa.” I cast my eyes down not wanting to look him in the eyes, but he squatted slightly, bowing his head so I would have to meet his eyes. “I know now that I wasn’t the fiancé I should have been. I mean, I was there for you, but I wasn’t
there
for you.”

“Charles, you were…”

“I…I was hoping you’d still call me, but I guess you really just wanted to be more involved with your work.” He paused slightly, pressing his lips together as he smiled again and eagerly asked, “How’s your job going? Is everything getting better?” I just was about to answer him, but he added, “I know you were having a tough time with your policies and everything.”

Wow, he really did listen to me when I spoke of my job. I always thought he was in his own little world and not paying attention to what I was saying. “Well, it’s actually going much better,” I told him. His eyes lit up even more as his hands rubbed my arms, his eyes searching my face as if he hadn’t seen me in years. I swallowed, thinking this was my opportunity to tell him.

“Charles, I…” I stopped for a second as I just stared into his beautiful warm, loving eyes.

“Vanessa?” He pulled his brows in, waiting for me to speak.

“I…I think we should…we need to…” Charles tilted his head awaiting my words as I tried so hard to spit the words out. “We need to break off our engagement.” Tears flooded my eyes as I finally got the words out, as I finally was trying to finalize this part of my life. “I’m so sorry, Charles. I don’t think….”

“What?” Charles’ hands dropped from my arms as he took a step back. The look on his face crushed me as tears spilled down my cheeks. I took a step towards him, reaching out with my hands. I was making a mistake, wasn’t I? Or was I?

“I’m sooo sorry Charles, I just think…”

“Break up? I…we were just taking a small break to focus on our careers, I thought.” His face was completely taken aback by what I just said. He looked so hurt and I felt my heart breaking for him.

“I just…”

“You just what? You don’t love me anymore? Is that it?” He took a step toward me, his face confused and hurt.

“Of course I still love you. I’ll always love you. I’m just not…”

“We’re made for each other, Vanessa. You were made for me. You fit exactly into my life. You know me better than anyone,” Charles insisted, determination written on his face.

I tried to shake my head knowing I needed to make him understand that it’s just not meant to be between us. “Charles, it’s not you. It’s just ‘us.’ I just don’t think we fit together like we used to.”

He shook his head, completely defiant of what I just said. “No. That’s not it. I really screwed up by not being everything you need. But I can be that person, Vanessa. I’ll prove it to you. Let me at least try, please?”

“I… Charles. It’s just not going to work between us,” I tried to insist.

“Sure it is. You compliment me perfectly. We fit together just right. I know all your insecurities. I know how nervous you get. I know how your mom bothers you and know just the right things to say.” He continued on and on, swarming my head with every reason why he was ‘perfect’ for me and yet I continued to want to turn away from him and run. At the same time though, I loved him so much for all the years we spent together. We have a history together and I felt like I was letting him down.

“Charles, I have to be honest with you. And to myself.”

Charles stood there shaking his head, his face red with anger as he continued to stare at me in disbelief. I had no idea what else to say or to help make him understand.

“I want another chance.
Please
. Just give me one more chance,” he pleaded to me. His face was determined as if he had to make me understand his view.

“Charles, it’s not about trying again. It’s just not going to work. I’m not…”

“You’re not
in
love with me. I can make you fall
in love
with me again. I can. I’ll prove it to you. You’ll see that you really do still love me.”

I took a step towards him. I didn’t want him to think that I don’t love him. “Charles it’s not that I don’t love you, it’s that I don’t…”

Charles pulled me close to him and stared deep into my eyes. “I love you, Vanessa. I’ve always loved you. Even when you were a teenager, I just never knew how to talk to you because you always seemed so withdrawn.”

I nodded my head remembering Charles in his teenage years. He was always so handsome. He was shy and kept to himself mostly and secretly I always wished he would talk to me, but he never did. No one really did except for Ashley and that was only once in a while. Tears came to my eyes just thinking about those haunting horrible years.