The Promise Pact (Promise to Love Book 1) (6 page)

***

Forty-five minutes later, he felt better as a mixture of classic and contemporary jazz filled the speakers of the luxury town car. Max’s head nestled on the back of his leather seat, with his eyes closed trying to center his mind. “Remember this is a business proposition. Remember…” He repeated the mantra over and over again in his head. He was glad he was alone but he was even happier his aching manhood had settled down.

“Wow, Mr. King, she’s beautiful! Now, I see what all the fuss was about.” His driver James Smith, of nearly five years uttered, staring at the rare beauty approaching the car.

“James, not so loud!”

“Oh, I’m impressed Mr. King. You did well tonight. And it only took her 45 minutes. Yes, I’m impressed.”

“Quiet James, she is going to hear you.” He barked.

But James continued to voice his opinion. “Looks like you might have finally gotten this whole date thing right. Like my wife always says…” Max rolled his eyes and hopped out of the car.

He quickly glanced at his Rolex. It was true, only 45 minutes had passed. Any other date would have taken his words, “take all the time in the world,” literally. He straightened his tuxedo jacket then turned around. His eyes immediately swept over her body.

“You look beautiful.”

“T-Thank you,” she stuttered.

Max hadn’t meant to say what he was thinking out loud but she was breathtaking. He loved how her long black tresses were now securely tucked away into a bun and how a few disobedient strands danced freely around her face. Her makeup was subtle, with only a hint of bronze eye shadow and a dab of ruby red lipstick. She smiled hesitantly, keeping a safe distance between the two of them.

“Max, I’m sorry about earlier. I understand we have an arrangement and that I need to honor my end of the deal. I’ll be a perfect date for the rest of the night. Shall we go?”

“Yes.” A shocked Max opened the door like a gentleman and let her in. As she bent to enter the car, her designer dress drifted slightly up her thigh, revealing her long, toned legs. He took in each inch, secretly enjoying the view. The dress was a perfect fit. He appreciated how the fabric wrapped around her smooth flesh like a well-worn glove. First elegantly over tight lean hips, then snuggly towards the center, to accentuate her hourglass waistline. She wasn’t some waif model. No, she was all woman and tonight she was with him.

***

The entire hour long car ride to the
New York Cares Gala
took place in silence. They both had much to think about and respected the other by not saying a word. When they finally arrived at the gala a nervous Kaya bit her lower lip.

“Mr. King this is a zoo,” James stated as they pulled near the front of the swanky affair. Professional photographers and reporters swarmed over Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers like bees around a hive. Kaya squinted and gasped in fright at the outside mob. Blinding lights and waves of high society snobs in designer gowns and tuxedos packed the entrance of the building. Some watched in envy, while others deliberately posed hoping that the paparazzi would capture their images. Kaya gripped her new handbag tightly wishing this would all disappear. She was completely out of her element, but a deal was a deal. She took a deep breath, reached for the doorknob then…

“Keep driving James, I don’t want to expose Ms. Hanson to all of this. I’ll call the event organizer and arrange for us to come in through the back.” He stated calmly.

“T-Thank you Max!” she stated nervously.

Minutes later, James pulled up at a secluded back entrance, an event organizer stood near the door.

“Mr. King, call me when you are ready and I’ll pick you up at this same location.” James stated while turning around and meeting Kaya’s gaze.

“Ms. Hanson, it was very nice to meet you.”

“No, please call me Kaya. Thank you so much for driving us to this entrance. I thought I was going to faint a few minutes ago.” They both laughed hysterically.

“Don’t worry Kaya, you’ll get use to these types of affairs. Mr. Hanson will take good care of you.”

What?
Kaya wanted to let him know that this would be the only affair she would ever be attending but opted to remain quiet. Max patted James on his back then spoke, “James, take the rest of the afternoon off and spend time with your family. I’ll see you in the morning at 8am. Please tell your beautiful wife I said hello. And let the twins know when I return from South Carolina I’ll take them back to the trampoline park.”

“You have a deal sir, thank you so much Mr. King. Have a good night, Ms. Hanson.” Kaya was impressed at his kindness but remained silent.

***

“Wow, so this is how the rich and famous have fun,” Kaya mumbled to herself standing alone in the massive swanky affair. Max had been whisked off by the event organizer the moment they arrived. More than 500 of New York’s elite packed the red and white themed gala. Strolling now around the enormous hall, Kaya admired the lavish decorations, opulent gowns and gigantic 50 piece fresh rose centerpieces that sat on each round 10 count person table. Everything in the room screamed rich old money, Kaya feel like a fish out of water.

Thousands of tiny sharp dagger like eyes pierced into her skin, each one glaring at her suspiciously wondering who she was and how she knew the famous Max King. She finally drifted off to a secluded table near the bar and had a seat. She was happy to be away from the loud band and envious eyes.

“Having fun?” a low friendly voice said approaching her slowly. He was an attractive man, tall with sandy brown hair.

“Mmm, y-yes!”

“Don’t worry, I’m not having any fun either. I hate these types of events.”

They both laughed.

“I’m Chase Carter, may I have a seat?”

“I’m Kaya Hanson. Yes, of course.”

Chase was harmless. For the next hour, they laughed about their ordinary lives. He spoke nonstop about his love for his famous actress girlfriend, Debbie Height, who was making her necessary rounds at the gala. It was refreshing having a “normal” person to chat with. Secretly she longed for someone to care about her the way Chase obviously cared about his girlfriend.

Being in relationships had never been easy for Kaya. During college she had dated several people but nothing ever seemed to stick. She always would find a million reasons to end a relationship before it even began. After college dating became less frequent, occasionally a co-worker would set her up on a blind date, but more often than not, it would fizzle. At 33, she couldn’t remember the last time she had been kissed let alone touched. She was successful in her career but lacking in love. It was hard to explain but deep down, she yearned for that same spark she had when she was only seventeen. Kaya exhaled and loosened the stabbing pins in her bun allowing her long black tresses to fall against her back.

“I need to slow down on the champagne,” she slurred tossing back her fifth drink for the night.

“Yikes, someone doesn’t seem very happy that we are sharing drinks. Look, it was very nice meeting you but I promised Debbie I would be on my best behavior tonight. I can’t get into any squabbles with a jealous lover.” He chuckled.

“Lovers? Who are you talking about? We aren’t lovers.”

“If you say so! Again, it was nice meeting you but it looks like someone wants to spend some time with you alone.”

***

Kaya glanced across the room, her hazy gaze caught and locked in on Max. Her breath stilled as he stared at her openly, possessively, in the crowded room. His tailored tux filled out his chest and Kaya sipped in his looks as though it was another glass of champagne. From where she sat, he appeared far, but he closed in on her in record time.

“Can I talk to you?” he asked with a low growl.

“Why?” she uttered raising her eyebrow seductively.

“I was watching you from across the room and felt a little jealous that someone was getting all of your time and attention. Should I be worried? I thought we had a solid deal.” He stated while inching in close to her.

“I didn’t know our deal meant you would abandon your date for an hour. Now I understand why you can’t find one. I don’t think anyone deserves to be put on ice for an entire night.”

She tried to hide her smile but it crept up slowly on her face, and for some reason she didn’t want it to disappear.

“Very funny Kaya Hanson. Look, I promise I’m 100% yours for the rest of the night,” he stated with longing in his eyes.
The rest of the night? What the hell did that mean?

She didn’t respond, not because she didn’t want to, but because her eyes were selfishly feeding her own needs. Maybe it was the multiple glasses of expensive champagne that was making her feel warm and tingly, but whatever it was she wanted more. Not sure if it was game of wills or one of desire Kaya continued to stare, she didn’t even blink.

“Would you like to dance?” He asked with his hand stretched out. She could feel thousands of tiny prying eyes back on her again. She wondered if he would flee the scene like he had done when he was a boy. But he hadn’t. Instead, he whisked her into his arms and escorted her to the floor. An alarm sounded in her head but she ignored it, blaming her irrational behavior on the alcohol.

The grand ballroom was packed with dancers and intrusive spectators but Max seemed unfazed by it all. His focus and attention was on Kaya. The sensual sounds of Marvin Gaye’s timeless hit, “Let’s Get It On,” danced across the speakers. Up until this point, Max had managed to keep his distance from her. Now he needed her close. Kaya released a shy breath and tugged at her waistline playfully.

“May I touch you?” he asked.

She nodded eagerly.

He claimed her quickly.

First, he laid one strong masculine hand on her bare skin, caressing it gently, while his other hand lingered up and down the small of her back. Then he pulled her close to his chest. She let out a slight, quivering moan but Max didn’t fully hear it because his own thunderous, rapid heartbeat drowned it out. Next, she hooked her left leg around the base of his calf and stroked it up and down, like a professional Latin dancer. The rhythmic pleasures forced tiny sweat beads to form on his brow.

“You smell like heaven,” he groaned as the sexual lyrics forced them both into a sea of temptation.

Burying her face into his chest, she soaked in his masculine scent and rested her cheek against his firm and strong upper body. Then she wrapped her small arms around his neck, needing to feel more of his enticing flesh.
What the hell was wrong with her?
At the moment she didn’t give a damn, her body needed his touch so she allowed her mind to check out. With their flesh pressed together tightly, she gyrated her hips against him, forcing a growing cock to erupt. Max dipped her back, far back, and then pressed his full lips against her forehead sending a warm rush to her head and to her….

“Looks like someone has taken a dance lesson or two,” he stated swinging her back to her feet as the music ended.

They stared at each other with a longing in their eyes, then she quickly backed away. Surprisingly they both had the same look on their faces. But what was the look and what game were they really playing?

Kaya’s cheeks were flushed. Max’s cock was hard.

“I think I need some air and some water.” She stated eyeing a nearby door that looked like it went outdoors.

“Follow me,” he stated grabbing her hand tightly.

But their escape was interrupted by a flirty group of older socialites. The spokesperson from the group was a flamboyant, Long Island beauty who didn’t look like she took “no” for an answer.

“Mr. King, we need to speak with you. I am sure your beautiful date won’t mind if we steal you for a few minutes. You see the ladies of our organization have heard a lot about you and we would love to have you emcee our next fundraiser.” She stated with her hands on her wide hips.

Kaya turned her head and giggled. She knew Max was annoyed but she also understood this was a part of his job.

“Max, I’ll wait for you near the door.” She whispered sweetly in his ear. The warmth of her breath near his flesh made her graceful departure even harder. “Don’t worry, I will be right there.” He uttered seductively.

***

Fifteen minutes later, she saw him strolling confidently towards her with a cup of water in one hand and a naughty grin plastered on his face. Giving him a small smile, she shifted back and forth in her dress trying to shake off her nerves. They seemed so far away yet they were so close. His eyes scanned over her body, from head to toe, forcing her to lean against the exit door for moral support. She felt like a kid again as he sought her out like a predator in the wild.

But their moment was suddenly interrupted when a beautiful, tall long-legged model with wavy, dark locks approached him. Her short, red, strapless gown and black, fuck-me heels, was definitely an attention grabber. And so was she. She stood there, in his space, soaking him in like a sponge. The model’s entire body language read she wanted to kiss him and do so much more. But Max was uninterested, and kept his eyes glued on the one woman who could still shake him to his core.

“Hello Max King,” the model stated in a deep Russian accent.

Max wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

“Look, I’m not sure who put you up to this but I’m not interested,” he uttered to the stranger who seemed unfazed by it all.

Kaya stood there frozen, stuck between humiliation and rejection as she watched the entire scene unfold. Max saw the look of anguish on Kaya’s face and darted past the woman to her. Kaya however quickly bolted out of the door. When he finally reached her she was ice cold.

“That wasn’t what it looked like Kaya. I promise you, I don’t know who she was,” he explained as he approached her in the chilly air.

“I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me at all.” She lied.

“Well it matters to me,” he stated firmly. A muscle flexed on his forehead, “I know you think you know who I am but I keep telling you I am not the same jerk you remember. I thought you and I were honestly having a good time tonight. Please don’t allow something outside of my control to end that,” he said with pleading eyes.