The Promise Pact (Promise to Love Book 1) (3 page)

His heart sank into his stomach. He felt helpless. He didn’t know that Ms. Roy had been in contact with Kaya all these years. Why had she kept it a secret?

About six months ago, I started volunteering at an underprivileged school here in Charleston, South Carolina. Unfortunately, the disease has progressed making it nearly impossible for me to spend time with the community children. Max, they aren’t like the children you went to school with, many of them don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

This hadn’t been the first time Ms. Roy had spoken to him about giving back. As a matter of fact, she had forced his hand. The moment he was eligible for his trust fund Ms. Roy had called him and asked him about what percentage he was going to give to the less fortunate. At first, he barked at her but he knew in his core she was teaching another valuable life lesson, something his parents never could teach or understand. From that point on, once a month Max volunteered at the soup kitchen in Manhattan cooking and serving free meals to those less fortunate. He also provided pro-bono work to those who normally wouldn’t have legal counsel. He wasn’t your textbook millionaire and he owed it all to Ms. Roy.

Max, I promised the neighborhood children I would create a community garden where they could grow fresh vegetables and plants. Please help me keep my word. My last wish is simple, I want you and Kaya to finish the garden and I want it completed within eight weeks.

He reread the words etched on the paper, “I want you and Kaya to finish the garden!” Could all of this be possible? How would they ever grow plants and veggies? But more importantly, how could he ever face Kaya again?

I’ve arranged for you to stay in my modest beach home together until the garden is finished. Before you say you don’t have the time, remember that you are a partner of one of the leading law firms in the country and you are also a millionaire. Make the time. I know this will not be easy but it will make you whole. Please know, you have brought so much joy to my life and I know you will do the same for Kaya. I’ve always cherished you like my own child and I’ve loved her like a daughter. Max, make things right with her. Teach my beautiful girl how to forgive again. Be the man that I know you can be.

Teach her? What in the hell was he going to teach Kaya Hanson? Didn’t she understand he had betrayed Kaya’s trust so many years ago and now she wanted to pull the scabs back on fifteen years of pain? There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t regret his actions. Even if he wanted to help, he knew that Kaya would never agree to the conditions.

I’ve arranged for Kaya to meet Mr. Fox at Grand Central station at 3pm today. Of course, Mr. Fox will not be there, you will. She will be reluctant to hear you out but when she refuses to listen please hand her the other letter in the envelope and she will agree.

I love you,

Ms. Roy

Max felt defeated. He sank deeply into his leather chair and stared at the clock. It was 1:15 pm and he had to meet her at 3pm. Hell, he needed to devise a strategy but there wasn’t any time. All part of Ms. Roy’s plan he surmised. He quickly dialed Ruby and requested his car. He canceled all his appointments for the rest of the day and adjusted his suit in the mirror. He couldn’t let Ms. Roy down but how could he face Kaya after all these years? God, sweet, innocent Kaya!

His mind drifted back to the last time he saw her. He could still remember her innocent touch, her needy exploring hands, and the sweet scent of jasmine on her skin. One simple kiss had altered the course of his life and had changed him forever. Sure, Max had dozens of supermodels and actresses on speed dial to quench his primal thirst but no one had ever made him loose control like Kaya Hanson. No one!

Staring out at the New York skyline, Max was determined not to allow his past to haunt him. Shit, Kaya probably didn’t even remember who he was. Fifteen years was a long time to hold onto pain.

He would march into Grand Central station and make this right. He would convince Kaya to travel with him to South Carolina and build the community garden, Ms. Roy’s garden. Then, he would come back to New York and finally find some peace. A promise was a promise and he wouldn’t fail Ms. Roy.

He couldn’t because she had never failed him.

CHAPTER TWO

Ah, no.

Kaya hated waiting for people. It made her anxious. It was well after three o’clock and the mysterious Mr. Fox hadn’t appeared. What was so urgent that he needed to speak to her at this particular time and on a Thursday afternoon? It was hard enough losing Ms. Roy to cancer now he wanted to deliver a package! Her whole life had been one long story of disappointment and today she didn’t need another one that ended with her in tears. Kaya decided at that point she would wait another five minutes and then she would have to leave. She had been through enough. Ms. Roy would understand.
Pacing in front of Magnolia’s Bakery kiosk in Grand Central Station, Kaya’s eyes scanned every corner of the room waiting for a stranger to appear and introduce himself. She gently tossed her long black tresses against her full breasts and shifted her hips as she strolled away from their meeting point.

“Maybe I should call him?” she mumbled to herself as she eyed her inexpensive watch anxiously.

She stumbled.

“Ouch!” Her feet were sore as hell. Kaya glared down at her patent leather, taupe designer pumps and shifted back and forth trying to adjust her body weight.

“Christian Louboutin my ass! I would rather be wearing flip flops,” she huffed. The borrowed high heels were uncomfortable as hell, she didn’t care whose name was etched at the bottom. The only thing she could think about was kicking off her shoes and rolling around on the ground to get some much needed relief. Where in the hell was this Mr. Fox? But more importantly, why hadn’t she packed a change of clothes, preferably, some scrubs in her bag?

Her important meeting at one of the largest U.S. pharmaceutical companies hadn’t gone well earlier that day. Kaya was a Registered Nurse at Brooklyn Cares, a small community clinic in Central Brooklyn. The clinic was in desperate need of a hefty donation to prevent closing their doors permanently. Her meeting earlier that day was a last ditch effort to secure medication, however the financially strapped medical center was in need of everything, including, supplies, and professional help. It simply wasn’t fair! Why did the poor always have to suffer?

Graduating top in her class from Columbia University with a Bachelor’s in Nursing, Kaya had offers from almost every hospital in New York City after graduation. She spent four grueling years learning the ropes as an Emergency Room nurse, studying from the best and brightest in her field, but the moment Brooklyn Cares received a small grant for a nursing position she dropped everything, including half of her salary, and headed to one the roughest neighborhoods in the city.

Now everything was in jeopardy.

After months of emails, phone calls and even snail mail letters, Kaya had decided to pay a visit to Tim, their pharmaceutical sales representative. Tim was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He couldn’t ignore her anymore especially with her best friend Angela Bridgeport’s support. Angela was a well-known TV personality on one of the highest-rated news stations in the city. No one wanted to be on her shit list. One quick call from Angela and suddenly Tim became available. Once the meeting was set in stone, Angela had
forced
Kaya to wear one of her designer outfits to close the deal. Unfortunately, suit or no suit, the meeting hadn’t gone well. The facts were the facts. The previous clinic owner hadn’t paid a dime of his medical expenses in nearly two years and the company simply couldn’t advance any more meds. Brooklyn Cares was in trouble.

***

The terminal was extremely busy for a Thursday. Several male admirers stopped and eyed Kaya with interest but she was completely oblivious to their attention. Throughout the years, she had dated casually but nothing too serious.

Kaya was an amateur when it came to love. Her time, energy and focus was her career. Work didn’t let her down because it was always safe and secure.

Glancing at her watch again Kaya smiled widely. Mr. Fox had two more minutes until his time expired. After that, she was catching the first train back to Brooklyn. But then…

“Kaya Hanson?”

She turned.

Their eyes locked.

Her mouth fell open
. Oh no, it couldn’t be
. A panic attack welled up deep in her core. Her mouth became parched and she felt light headed. His intense gaze sent shockwaves through her system.

“Max King. I can’t…” she uttered, but somehow the rest of her words were caught deep in her throat. She eyed him cautiously trying to figure out why he was standing in front of her.

“Hi Kaya,” he stated with his confident, brown, hazy eyes. They were somehow darker, more intense than she remembered. Raising her arched brow, she gazed up at his tall stature. She quickly shifted her body and straightened her back to match his height. Good Lord, he had to be at least six-feet-two inches tall.

Her midnight eyes cautiously gazed over him, drinking in his rugged, yet sophisticated appearance. He was still handsome as sin which irritated every nerve in her body. She finally exhaled the stale air that was caught in her lungs then spoke, “What are you doing here?”

“I know I am the last person you want to see but we need to talk!” The final word out of his mouth forced her eyes to land on the one feature that had driven her insane with desire, his full lips.

“This cannot be happening,” she mumbled as she searched for a chair.

***

Max was in disbelief. There was no way this goddess was Kaya Hanson. Hands down, she was the sexiest woman he had ever seen. She donned a simple Ralph Lauren black cap sleeved dress that hugged each of her curves. Its hemline was wickedly high, and crept up each time she shifted her body. Her Coca-Cola bottle-shaped narrow hips and slender waistline sent shivers up his back, forcing small sweat beads on his brow. Fifteen years ago, her awkward beauty had caught his attention but the woman standing in front of him wasn’t awkward at all. The joke was on him. But, he wasn’t laughing.

Kaya stood there in Grand Central Station shaking, trying to gain her composure. Finally she walked to a nearby table and sat. Max did so as well.

“Max King, why are you here?” she stated with anger in her voice.

“Hello, Kaya. It’s been a long time.”

“Not long enough. Why are you here?” She snorted.

“Maybe, I should explain,” he said as he shifted his weight in the cold seat.

“Yes, that’s a very good idea,” she grunted impatiently.

“Earlier today, I was visited by a Mr. Fox. He provided me with a letter that Ms. Roy wrote before her death. In the letter addressed to me, she requested that
we
travel to South Carolina together to finish a community garden for children who are less fortunate. The letter was clear that the garden has to be completed in eight weeks. It was Ms. Roy’s dying wish.”

Bending down and breaking their intense eye contact, Max reached into his brief case and pulled out the unmarked envelope. He pushed it across the table before he continued speaking. “Kaya, I know we didn’t end on the best of terms, but I want to honor Ms. Roy’s wishes. I’ve arranged for us to fly out Saturday morning. I’m sure you can agree that this is the right thing to do.” He continued, needing to get the whole thing out before he didn’t have the power to finish his thoughts. “We must complete this for Ms. Roy. Do you understand?”

He stiffened his shoulders then his eyes greedily drank in the roundness of her voluptuous breasts. He hadn’t remembered ever seeing so much of her flesh and for some reason he couldn’t look away. Shit, he was there on official business so why was he gawking at her
?

“Do I understand?” she shouted across the table. Her gaze was frightening.

“Kaya, just listen.”

“No you listen, Max. You march in here after fifteen years and tell me that in two days we are heading together to South Carolina to toss some seeds in the ground. Have you lost your mind? Why in the world do you think I would go anywhere with you? Forget it. Get out of my way,” she screamed hopping out of her chair and moving quickly towards the exit door. He blocked her move. His warm, massive grip tightened around her arm, causing a quick flame to roar between them. She felt the spark but ignored it.

“Take your hands off of me,” she barked. She wasn’t the same meek girl he left at the bus stop fifteen years earlier. She continued, “I wish I could be like you Max without a care in the world. I wish I didn’t have any responsibilities, but I do. I’m not some rich girl who can uproot her life at a moment’s notice. There is no way I’m going to Charleston, South Carolina, especially with you.” Her words were sharp and cold.

Max could see the look of hurt on her face. The pain he had caused was still there, raw to the touch. Physically, she looked different but her lonely midnight eyes were the same. Sure he was a kid back then but how could he have been such a coward? How could he have caused so much damage? Ms. Roy had been correct, he had to make things right with her. It was time to provide her with the letter.

He stepped back a few inches to give her some space but he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Kaya, Ms. Roy said I should provide you with the envelope sitting on the table.” His voice was low.

“What envelope? What are you talking about?” Her eyes darted back to the table she had just left. She didn’t have time to read any letters or listen to him babble on about South Carolina. She needed to get out of Grand Central Station. But how did he have a letter from Ms. Roy and what did the letter state?

“I think you should read the letter Kaya.”

“B-But I don’t want too! I have no interest in anything else you have to say.” Her quivering lips and trembling tone were unconvincing.