Promise Me Page 3

  “Fuck, Sam. You didn’t give me a chance to work you up. Are you okay?” Mark asked, concerned, as he grabbed my hips to stop my movement.

  He was trying to dislodge me while I reveled in pleasure.

  I hushed him. “Shh…”

  I started to ride him, and he snapped back into the moment, letting my body go, as he moved faster and faster. He was one of the few who could stroke that spot deep inside me.

  “Bite my breasts, Mark. Bite them hard.”

  His hand went to my breast and started to squeeze my nipple hard while his other one went back to my hip. Mark’s mouth found the other nipple and sucked it into his mouth. I was building so fast, and he wasn’t listening.

  I screamed, “Bite me, Mark! Now!”

  He listened and bit down, and I moaned in delight.

  “Harder.”

  He complied, and it caused me to fall off the edge. Mark climaxed in return.

  That was incredible and just what I needed. Ah…

  The relief coursing through my veins was a drug, and for the time being, the aftereffects of the orgasm sedated those unwanted thoughts from before.

  I started to dismount when Mark grabbed my hips.

  “That was unbelievable, Sam. Have dinner with me?”

  “I can’t. You know that. Let me up.”

  He immediately released me. As I started to get up, his gaze dropped to my hip. “Did I do that to you? Shit, Sam. I didn’t mean to grab you so hard.”

  I looked down at the bruises on my hip from last night. When Adam had taken me hard from behind, his grip had been intense.

  “No, it’s fine.”

  Something dark passed over Mark’s expression as he took my face in.

  “Who did that to you then?”

  I didn’t like where this conversation was going, and I began getting dressed. He had no need to know. It wasn’t his business. Mark donned his athletic shorts, and then he was right behind me, hovering in my space, as I slipped on my shirt.

  He whispered in my ear, “Sam, you’re crazy if you think I’m going to let you disappear on me again.”

  I refused to pay attention to his serious tone. My body was trying to respond, but I reined it in. Casually, I replied, “I’ll be around. I live here now, remember?”

  Grabbing my ripped underwear from the floor, I turned and tossed them to him. “Thanks for the welcome, Sport. You were quite the joyride.”

  As I began to walk out of there, feeling a hundred times better, he yelled after me, “Sam, you’ve met your match this time. Be prepared.”

  A shiver ran down my spine. I ignored it as I left without a word. He had no idea how strong my walls were. Commitment and I did not go together.

  A few days had passed, and I had finally found myself a condo. Waking up in my own place was nice. It had cost a little extra, but I’d had the essentials—such as a couch, bed, and table—delivered immediately. I had decided to go with the contemporary decor for this place, too.

  My emotions had seemed to balance out, and the need for a release seemed to quiet down—until last night. Dinner with Damien and Allison had brought all those feelings I’d been experiencing right back to the surface.

  At Damien and Allison’s home, we were having a celebratory dinner for my move and the baby. Damien and Allison were both beautifully glowing at the impending arrival of baby Wales. It hurt like hell, knowing I would never have this. The buried memories began to arise all over again. The way Allison kept looking at me told me she knew something was eating at me, but she never pushed.

  I took a large swig of wine before I asked, “So, when are you making the public announcement?”

  The last thing I wanted to talk about was the pregnancy, which made me feel like such a bitch. I swallowed my feelings and prayed I could make it through the meal like a normal person. I was happy for my best friend, but being around them right now made me feel restless.

  She sighed. “We’re still talking about it. I’m thinking around twelve weeks.”

  Knowing that sweet, crazy-ass husband of hers, he’d want everyone to know immediately so that the public would further know Allison was his.

  Allison bit her lip. “If we delay it, I’m hoping that security won’t have to go up until people know.”

  Taking her hand and looking at her with more love than I had ever seen, Damien responded, “That is nonnegotiable, baby. I need to know you and the baby are safe all the time.”

  The word safe always did it. It was Allison’s kryptonite. Damien never relented on her safety.

  They were locked in a trance, and I was beginning to feel more and more uncomfortable.

  Clearing my throat, I asked, “So, when are you guys heading back to Atlanta? You know Mama and Dad are going to want to see you guys as soon as you tell them.”

  Damien’s hand glided to Allison’s stomach as he looked at me. “Tomorrow morning. I want to get her to the doctor to check everything out. Then, she wants to go see your parents this weekend and tell them.”

  She calmly responded, “Oh, Damien, I’m fine. I just went.”

  He gave her a look, and she laughed. My stomach knotted at the love unfolding in this scene.

  Images from that night in high school tried to seep in. I needed to get away. Hopefully, sleep would ease these emotions. After Mark’s parting sentence, I didn’t want to go back to him if I could help it, but at this point, he was better than finding another club.

  As soon as it was possible, I left and drove as fast as I could to my condo.

  I felt guilty for feeling relieved because Damien and Allison were headed back to Atlanta today, but I needed to regroup and get control over all these emotions. My skin hummed, and my mind kept going back to Mark. He had been the perfect release the other day.

  I needed something to take the edge off prior to going to the team dinner this evening. I refused to break my rule regarding sleeping with anyone else from the team. However, with how keyed-up I was, I needed to take precautions. That much male testosterone could test the virginity of a nun, let alone someone who loved sex—no, someone who thrived on sex.

  I picked up my phone and sent Mark a text. He hadn’t called or contacted me since our locker-room hookup. I had taken that as a good sign that maybe he would be a good booty-call guy after all. My thoughts kept jumping from one extreme to another when it came to him.

  Me: Where are you?

  Mark: Just finished my morning run.

  That wasn’t a response, and he knew it. He was so frustrating.

  Me: Yum. Hot and sweaty—my favorite combination.

  Mark: Well then, I’d be your favorite treat right now.

  Me: And where would I get my favorite treat?

  Mark: At a coffee shop.

  I groaned out loud. He was trying to play me.

  What is wrong with him? Most guys loved wham-bam-thank-you-ma’ams.

  Me: Enjoy your coffee. I’m off to get me a snack of my own. See ya.

  Eventually, he was going to call my bluff. Yes, I’d had my fair share of sexual conquests, but I’d also kept them in check. I wouldn’t get sucked in to coffee or dinner.

  My phone rang with Mark’s number flashing across the screen. I smiled, smelling victory in the air.

  “Hello?”

  “Damn it, Sam. Where are you?”

  He was all kinds of agitated with his roughened voice, and my desire surged.

  “My new place. About to get ready.” It wasn’t a total lie. I had plans to get ready at some point today, but currently, my hair was up, and I was in my black silk nightie that was slightly sheer at the top.

  “Where’s your new place, Sam?”

  The sensual tone in his voice had my libido jumping into overdrive. I needed a release, and he was the perfect choice to give me what I wanted.

  “Same condo complex as you—unit number nine nineteen.”

  “I’ll be there in five. Don’t go anywhere.”

  “You’d better hurry then, Sp
ort.” I hung up, smiling.

  For about thirty seconds, I debated whether or not I should change. If he was working up any kind of resistance, like he had in the locker room, I needed whatever assets I could flaunt on my side.

  Sheer-top black nightie is staying on.

  Exactly five minutes later, I heard a knock on my door. I walked over there slowly and sexily said, “Who is it?”

  “Sam…”

  I chuckled at his scolding tone. Normally, that was a turnoff for me, but with him, it worked. I opened the door, and his eyes raked over my body.

  “Shit, someone might see you.”

  He pushed me farther inside, trying to cover me in case someone happened to walk by, and then he closed the door behind him.

  Mark pulled back, clearly concerned. “You’d better not be opening the door like that for anyone else.” He stared at me, trying to freeze me in my place. His blond hair was sweaty from his run, and his arms still had a slight glisten on them.

  Giving a noncommittal shrug, I moved farther into the dining room that adjoined the kitchen. Of course I didn’t usually answer the door that way, but I wanted to keep him on edge and me in control. Turning around, I was momentarily stunned. He was delicious-looking in his soaked-through tank top and running shorts. With the way I responded to him, I definitely needed to keep him off-balance and not give him any sense of power over our sexual relationship.

  “If you hadn’t come, someone else would have.”

  A growl emitted from his throat, but he stayed put.

  “Are you going to the dinner tonight with the team?” he asked.

  “Yes, of course. Why?”

  “Go with me.” He was absolutely serious.

  “No.” I didn’t like where this conversation was going.

  It was frustrating how he kept pushing an outing together.

  He stepped toward me, wrenching his shirt off the top of his body. “Explain why not.”

  I licked my lips as I started to step back while he continued to prowl after me.

  “I don’t do strings, Mark. We’ve been through this. If this is not your thing, we can stop.”

  “But you’ll go elsewhere?”

  I stopped retreating, remembering myself, and I stood my ground. “Yes, I will.”

  He needed to know the score and where I stood on things. He continued to walk right up to me, looking straight into my eyes. He had the most gorgeous eyes. They were green like mine but speckled with brown.

  He studied me for a minute, thinking something through. “So, you want me to fuck your brains out and then leave?”

  I swallowed. Hearing that hard, raw sensuality had me climbing before we even started.

  “Yes. I like it hard and rough and simple.”

  His eyes dipped to my hips, and I remembered him inquiring about my bruises the other day. I had no idea what Mark was thinking, but he was probably wondering who had put those bruises on me. I felt dirty from having those marks from Adam.

  That thought caused me to blurt out, “I’m clean. I’m tested often, and I always use protection.”

  Something battled over his features as he stepped into my space. Instinctively, I started to lean into him before I caught myself and stopped. He saw my slipup and smiled at me.

  Bastard.

  “Sam, I’ll give you what you want today, but if you want this again, know that I’ll have requirements of my own.”

  I stepped back, but he caught my hips and pulled me to him.

  I pushed on his chest, giving me a little space. “I don’t do commitments, dating, or the girlfriend thing. I want you to understand that.”

  Bringing his lips only millimeters from mine, he said, “I’m not asking for that. It’s not worth discussing unless we get together again.”

  With that, his lips crashed down onto mine. The explosion of scents, his sweat and pheromones, invaded my nose, and I moaned at the savage way he was kissing me.

  Pulling back, he sexually whispered against my lips, “I’m about to fuck you hard and fast. Is there anything else you want?”

  “No.”

  He palmed my ass and picked me up. He walked us over to the kitchen island, and then he grabbed a condom from his shorts. Barely dropping them low enough to free himself, he sheathed his dick in latex. Wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am was about to happen, and I loved it.

  “Spread your legs, Sam. If I’m too rough, I want you to tell me.”

  “You won’t be.” I locked my eyes with his as I complied. “I promise.”

  He looked torn as he grabbed my legs and pulled me to the edge of the granite countertop. He poised himself at my entrance, and in one swift movement, he slammed home. I arched off the cool surface. He was one of the largest men I had ever been with. He pounded into me over and over again. I felt myself approaching my orgasm faster than normal. He turned his hips, and as one finger found my clit, he sent me flying. He pumped into me a few more times, massaging out his own orgasm. Then, he swiftly withdrew, and I lay on the counter, boneless. The condom was discarded, and his shirt was on in less than a minute. I rose up on my elbows, and he gave me a good-bye kiss on my forehead.

  “I’ll see you this evening, Sam.”

  Next, he walked out the door without a second look back.

  Perfect.

  I’d been out of sorts all afternoon since Mark left after our quick fuck. Right now, I was resorting to pacing my condo to and fro, back and forth. He had given me exactly what I had asked for in spades, but I still felt off.

  What is wrong with me?

  I wanted sex with Mark again—but without strings. I needed that freedom of not feeling trapped.

  Hopefully, my outfit tonight would lure little Marky out to play. I was wearing a fitted black cocktail dress that dipped down into a low V on both the front and back. Tall bright-red heels and jewelry took the attire from boring to attention-grabbing. In the end, I left my hair down in bouncy large curls because I’d had no patience to put it in an updo.

  I needed to calm myself down and reel in my nerves. There was no way I could contact Mark this soon. Minimally, I had to wait at least three days before I called him again, so he wouldn’t think he had any hold over me. I could always find someone else, but I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied until Mark was out of my system.

  I drove to the team event being held at a local upscale steak house. Normally, I liked to arrive late, but I needed a damn drink.

  Damien and Allison were supposed to attend, but he had been anxious to get her back home to have her normal doctor check her and the baby. Damien needed triple verification that morning sickness was completely normal. I wished she were here to keep my mind off of what I really wanted—sex with Mark.

  Shutting off my car, I mentally slapped myself to pull it together. I was going to make Mark come crawling back to me, not the other way around. He pulled in moments later in his pickup truck, and our eyes locked as we both sat in our vehicles. Images and memories from our encounters flashed across my mind, and my body temperature rose higher and higher. Shaking my head to break the connection, I jumped out of my car.

  As I approached his vehicle, I gave a sexy little grin. I walked past his truck door and toward the entrance. Behind me, the vehicle door opened, and I increased the sway of my hips. I was pulling out every trick I knew to get him to come to me first. Seconds later, I heard footsteps following me.

  Right as I hit the sidewalk, Mark came up and said, “You look beautiful tonight.”

  He was closer than I had thought he was.

  “Thank you.” I continued walking without missing a step or looking back even though I wanted nothing more than for him to take me here and now.

  As we approached the doors, Mark grabbed my waist and moved us past the building and brought my back against the wall.

  “Sport, what the hell are you doing?”

  “Just saying hello to the new neighbor.”

  His lips pressed against mine, and I yielded to let him in. He had
pursued me, so there was no reason not to play just a little. One hand slinked up my inner thigh under my dress and grazed my clit through my barely there sheer thong. It was enough to have my want ratcheting to all new levels. Instinctively, I moved my hips, trying to deepen the touch, but he pulled away.

  His voice was low as he said, “Let me know when you’re ready to hear my requirements, and I’ll give you what you need anytime you need it.” With that, he turned and left.

  Bastard. I threw my head back against the wall and heaved out a breath as I closed my eyes. This is getting way off track fast.

  Slowing down my breathing, I mentally pulled myself together and walked inside the building with my head held high. He was not going to get the impression that he had gotten the best of me. He would have to crawl back to me for that incident. Immediately, I spotted Mark talking to some of the football players and one of the cheerleaders, Missy. It was obvious she wanted him badly. She appeared almost desperate with how she was trying to get his attention.

  Shit, who wouldn’t with the way that Mark’s green dress shirt and black dress pants were hanging on him perfectly?

  To make matters worse, I knew what was underneath his clothes. Nothing but bliss.

  Mark’s eyes briefly met mine as I headed to the bar. I broke eye contact first as the bartender started speaking to me. I plastered on one of my sexiest smiles.

  “What can I get you, gorgeous?”

  “Gin and tonic with extra lime, please.”

  The clean-cut bartender gave me an appraising smile as he fixed my drink. He wasn’t bad-looking, but I felt no pull to him. My mind went back to Mark.

  Double shit! Stop thinking about him. I needed something to take the edge off, and alcohol was going to have to do for now until I figured out what his game was. What kind of requirements would he have for me to get laid by him on a regular basis?

  My thoughts were interrupted as the bartender slid over my drink and a cocktail napkin—with a phone number on it. As I went to get some cash from my purse, I glanced at his name tag, reading the name Jack.