Promise Me Read online

  I took a look at the older woman, who appeared to be the age of a grandmother. She was adorable with her gray hair in a bun and her frumpy midsection.

  “Thanks, Edna,” Mark said.

  She stood there, looking from Mark to me and back to Mark again.

  When it was evident what Edna wanted, Mark said, “This is a friend of mine, Sam. Sam, this is Edna, the best sandwich and cookie maker in town. She owns this fine establishment.”

  She looked at him adoringly and patted him on the head. I giggled.

  She turned to me next, smiling a kind smile. “Aw, Mark, she’s a beauty.”

  I smiled at her. She had one of those addictive auras that made people want to love her immediately.

  Next, she addressed me. “Hey, Sam, nice to meet you. You’ve got yourself a nice man here.”

  I started choking.

  Between coughs, I sputtered, “Oh, we’re not dating. We’re just friends.” Friends with benefits.

  Edna knowingly looked at me. “If you say so.”

  She then patted me on the top of my head and walked off. Mark was laughing at me now.

  Bastard.

  “Not funny, Mark.”

  “If you say so.”

  I laughed at his mock country tone. He started to lean in to give me a pat, but I swatted his hand away.

  “I promise, Edna doesn’t mean any harm. She loves to meddle. So, are you all settled in at your place?”

  I was glad to move on from Edna’s comments. As long as Mark and I knew where we stood, I would try not to let the musings of an elderly woman bother me.

  After taking a small sip of water, I responded, “Just about. The rest of my furniture was delivered yesterday, and all I have left to get are some things for the guest bathroom and a few things for the kitchen. I don’t officially start until the preseason, but I wanted to have time to get settled.”

  He finished chewing and gave me a friendly smile. “Well, it just so happens that I need a coffee pot myself. How about I show you around town? I wouldn’t want to be accused of not being neighborly again.”

  His green eyes sparked as we stared at each other. Memories of what had happened in the locker room flashed through my mind. He continued eating his sandwich, and I swallowed hard, remembering his words.

  Sam, you’ve met your match this time. Be prepared.

  It seemed like he had been asking truly as a friend, but my guard was up, just in case.

  He paused midbite, looking at me, confused. “If you can’t, don’t worry about it. I thought I’d offer since I was heading that way, too.”

  I finished the last of my sandwich and mulled it over. This seemed innocent enough as I watched him continuing to eat his sandwich. He appeared not to really care if I went with him or not.

  “I think I will take you up on that, neighbor. It would be nice not to use that damn GPS for a change.” I hated that thing. It constantly spouted off directions and then made that awful racket if one itty-bitty wrong turn was made. That voice was becoming my nemesis.

  “Great. Is your car here?” He finished the last bite. He had nearly inhaled his sandwich.

  I shook my head as I answered, “No, I walked here.”

  “We’ll take my truck then.” He pushed back from the table and rose. “Shall we?”

  “We shall, but I’m warning you…I get veto power over the radio selection.”

  I pushed my chair in and happened to catch Edna watching our exchange. My heart started to sputter as she looked at us. What is she thinking?

  “Hey, Sam, you ready?”

  I turned and Mark was watching me impassively, but he seemed a little stiffer. His words were smooth, but his rigidity put me on edge again. I was starting to doubt my decision.

  He continued as he looked at his watch, “Hey, we better get going. I have a team meeting this afternoon.”

  Oh, that’s what’s bothering him. He’s afraid of being late.

  Instantly, I relaxed. “Let’s go, but I can take myself if it’s a problem.”

  He instantly smiled. “No problem at all. Let’s get going.”

  Swinging the door open, he motioned for me to go out first, and I complied. After we cleared the door, he put his hand on the small of my back. My body instantly warmed, and I wanted to lean into the touch, which led me to pull away. I looked over my shoulder, and his face was blank as he stared toward his truck.

  It’s a friendly gesture, that’s all.

  Stop overreacting, Sam. You’re being neurotic!

  I was starting to feel better and better about hanging out with Mark. Unless we were sleeping together, he’d really only shown a friend kind of interest in me. It was exactly what I’d thought I wanted, but I felt myself wanting to have other thoughts, and I immediately stopped them.

  We made it to his white pickup truck. It was high off the ground, and it required me to use the side rails to jump in.

  He got in on the driver’s side and started the beast up. He put the truck into drive and began making the way to our destination. “What exactly do you need for your bathroom?”

  “Towels. Nice, big fluffy towels.”

  He chuckled at my dreamy tone. “I think we can manage that. Some other time, I’ll point out some good shops, restaurants, and hangouts for when you’re out and about. Because of time, I’m going to take the quicker way today.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We were in the bath section of the store, and our cart was filled with a few kitchen gadgets for me and a coffee maker on steroids for Mark.

  I was feeling the different towels when he came up behind me.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m feeling the springiness of the towels. I like my towels soft and fluffy.”

  His arm came around me, reaching out to touch a towel, and of course, his smell permeated all my senses. I wanted to have him right here on the bed displays.

  “A towel is a towel. Why are women so picky?”

  I closed my eyes, forcing myself to calm my sexual tension. When I regained my control, I opened my eyes again. “Well, a woman doesn’t want to be sandpapered to death when she gets out of the shower.”

  “Good to know.” His breath tickled my ear, and then he pulled away and started feeling some other towels. “Hey, these feel nice.”

  I walked over and felt the towel. It was nice.

  He gave me a wink. “See? Aren’t you glad you came with me? I found you the perfect towel, soft and springy.”

  He patted my head, and then he went to stand behind the cart again. Mark chuckled as I playfully scowled at him. I turned my attention back to the towels he’d picked out, forcing my thoughts away from what I really wanted—Mark.

  Stop it, Sam.

  I grabbed eight black towels and set them aside. These were going to be perfect in my lime green bathroom. I was in the midst of grabbing some washcloths when two giggling bimbos approached Mark. My bitch mode kicked in, and I had to beat it back with a stick. I didn’t want those women talking to my fuck buddy with lust in their eyes. They had obviously unbuttoned their shirts two buttons too low, and they’d hiked up their skirts indecently high on their legs.

  One of the blondes giggled and asked, “Hey, you’re Mark Robertson, aren’t you?”

  Momentarily, his green eyes flashed to mine, but then they returned to the avid fans. “Yes. What can I do for you ladies?”

  The other one giggled as she thrust a Sharpie and a piece of paper into his hand. “Your signature and your phone number would make my dreams come true.”

  I wanted to gag, but I busied myself by recounting the hand towels I had in my hands. My ears though were highly tuned into his response.

  “Thanks, ladies, for your support. I’m not currently on the market with the season coming up, but I hope you can make it to some of the games.”

  My eyes connected with his, and we smirked at each other. Images of our times together flashed through my mind.

  Sorry, ladies. His bo
dy is exclusively mine for now.

  They followed his gaze to mine, and I could feel icy glares from the bimbo sports junkies.

  Mark was about to say something when I addressed them, “Save your hate for someone else, ladies. We’re just friends.”

  They relaxed and tried to continue the conversation. I dumped my gathered towels into the cart. Mark chuckled and smiled at me, and I gave him a sassy wink.

  We started to walk off, and I heard one say, “Whoever gets his heart and sleeps in his bed at night is one lucky bitch.”

  Well, I don’t have his heart, but I have him at my disposal. I chuckled to myself at the thought.

  We checked out and began driving back to the condo complex. The radio was on low, and Mark seemed content to just drive.

  As he made a left turn, I asked, “Do you go home to Colorado often?”

  Where the players lived in the off-season was common knowledge among the team.

  “As often as I can. My lake house is near my parents and sister. It’s peaceful and quiet.”

  Sitting there, I tried to picture his home. The picture in my head was remarkable. Part of me wanted to go see this place, but I pushed that from my mind. “It sounds lovely. I’ve never been to Colorado before. I grew up in Homerville. My mom and dad are retired and old-fashioned. We have a small house on a few acres.”

  He laughed. “Well, my family is not what you call traditional. They’re loud and in everyone’s business, but they’re family, and I love them.”

  The look he had on his face told me he was reliving memories with them. His family seemed wonderful.

  We arrived back at my place in what seemed like seconds. He helped me carry my purchases to my door.

  We were depositing the last of the bags on the counter when Mark said, “Thanks for letting me show you around town. I’ll see you soon. Holler if you need anything. I’ve got to head over to the team meeting.”

  “Will do.”

  After that, he left.

  What the hell have I gotten myself into?

  He’d only touched me in a friendly manner a few times at the store, and I wanted him again. After being in his presence all day, I needed a release and pronto. I sat down and huffed. Normally, I wasn’t this affected by guys. In fact, I had never been affected to the extent that I would go out of my way to try to get one. Well, it had seemed he understood the boundaries. This was a consensual sexual exchange. We were adults.

  I dug out my phone to text Allison as a plan started to form in my head.

  Me: Is Damien conferenced in for the team meeting?

  Allison: Yes. What are you up to?

  Me: Oh, you know me. Where’s he at in the meeting?

  Allison: Let me check. Hold on.

  I waited a few minutes as my knee bounced.

  Allison: Sorry. Had to walk out to the stable office. They’re halfway through, so there’s less than thirty minutes left from what I can tell. By the way, we’ll be up this weekend. Damien wants to take everyone out since he missed the last meeting. You’ll be getting the announcement shortly.

  Me: Thanks. You’re the best.

  Allison: No, you are.

  Me: Xoxo

  Allison: Xoxo

  Well, I had completed step one of the plan. Now, I had to implement step two. I giggled to myself and pulled up Mark’s number.

  Me: Has the team meeting started yet?

  Mark: Yep.

  Ugh, the one-worded answers drive me crazy.

  Me: When is it going to be over?

  Mark: Not sure.

  Me: Sigh…too bad…

  Mark: Why? What’s up?

  Me: Well, I was thinking you’d be the perfect guy for the job, but I guess I’m going to have to rely on my BFFF.

  Mark: BFFF?

  Me: You know, my Best Friend For Fucking—aka my vibrator. Maybe next time. Toodles.

  Mark: Wait for me. I’ll be at your place in half an hour, regardless if this fucking meeting has ended or not.

  Me: Better hurry. My BFFF can be very impatient when he’s been taken out of the box.

  Mark: Damn it, Sam. Wait. It’ll be worth it—for you and your BFFF.

  Me: Oh, it’s starting to purr for me. You’ve got thirty minutes, Sport. Timer started. Door unlocked. Turning off my phone now.

  I threw my head back and laughed. I loved foreplay with Mark over text messages. It was exhilarating for some reason. I sprang into action, going back to my room to change. I found the perfect thing to wear—open-crotch red lace boy shorts. A top wasn’t needed tonight. I let my hair down to trail over my breasts, and then I added some sparkly sheer red lip gloss. After grabbing my BFFF, I positioned myself on my purple satin sheets.

  It didn’t take long before I heard the door opening and the lock clicking behind it. Those sounds alone had my heart racing faster. I turned on my little friend and started rubbing it against my cleft.

  Ah…

  The vibration felt good. I gave a little moan as he walked through the door, and then my eyes locked with his.

  “Fucking hell, you’re gorgeous,” he said.

  I stroked the vibrator along my clit, causing my body to bow a little off the bed, while I closed my eyes. I heard the rustle of clothing as I rubbed it a little farther in, reaching the entrance to my core. I was about to push it inside when a hand stopped my progress.

  “Let me.”

  Mark’s hand wrapped around my BFFF, and I let go. He dragged it slowly up my cleft. When he hit my clit, pleasure shot through my body. My eyes opened, and my breath hitched. Mark was poised above me. His erection was already sheathed in a condom, and it was stiff between his legs as he took me in.

  “Can we play with the BFFF later? I want inside you.”

  His words caused goose bumps to appear on my skin as I stretched my hands above my head, arching my back. His gaze drifted.

  “My mechanical best friend understands. However, he’ll want attention later.”

  He tossed my BFFF to the side, leaned down, and sucked on my neck. He moved his lips up to my earlobe, nibbling. “Good.”

  At that, he pushed into me all the way. He took my mouth. We were both desperate as we moved like animals. I met him thrust for thrust, feeding the fire, as I absorbed the feeling of the friction provided by the enlarged head of his length.

  He moved his hips slightly, and I screamed, “Mark!” as my body soared sky high.

  He pumped into me three more times, massaging out my orgasm, and then he found his release before collapsing on me. My body absorbed his weight, but he pulled out from me and rolled to the side. I moved with him until my head was lying on his arm.

  “Fuck, Sam, that was fantastic.”

  I turned toward him, breathless, and waggled my eyebrows. “I’m glad I waited. That was much better than my BFFF.”

  He palmed my ass and brought me to him. “I like your vibrating friend.”

  I giggled as he pulled me closer.

  “And I love these shorts.”

  “Mmm…me, too, especially now.” I wiggled into him for added effect. “I’ll have to get more surprises to debut for you.”

  He groaned. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

  Then, he took my mouth with his and gave me a slow kiss. My mouth opened, and I kissed him back. The mint flavor of his mouth was addictive. His hand came up to my cheek, and his thumb began to stroke it. It was a loving gesture. When that thought registered, I froze.

  We are fuck buddies, not a loving couple.

  I disengaged and started to back off the bed, pretending I needed to turn off the vibrator. I knew the touch probably hadn’t been meant as a loving gesture, but I’d felt my heart melt a little. I had no right to feel that way.

  We are just friends with benefits. Anything else would be complicated.

  “Sorry, Mark, but it’s late. I should probably get to bed. Thank you.”

  What the hell? Did I just thank him for sex?

  He looked at me, confused. Then
, he quietly got up from the bed and started to grab his clothes. After dressing quickly, he came over and gave me a chaste kiss that had me wanting him again, but I refused to give in to the temptation as I fisted my hands at my side.

  “Until next time, Sam. Lock the door after me.”

  I gave him a salute as he marched backward out the door, smirking at me. I knew I had read too much into him touching my cheek.

  Damn it, I could have had multiple rounds if it wasn’t for my idiotic brain malfunction.

  Breathing a sigh of relief, I changed into my T-shirt and boxers and lay down on the bed. It seemed like Mark had truly accepted this for what it was—a fuck-buddy relationship.

  Why does that not seem like enough all of a sudden?

  A couple of days had passed, and Allison and Damien were coming in today. The team dinner was tomorrow. Originally, the plan had been for them to come in right before, but Damien was worried about exhausting Allison and the baby, and he wanted her to have a day to rest.

  My phone rang. It was Allison.

  “Hey, Allison. Did you guys land?”

  “Yes. Oh geez, Damien is outside with Bane, talking about safe routes to take. My sweet, overprotective husband is about to get a reality check with all his Neanderthal ways regarding this baby.”

  My snicker couldn’t be helped at her voicing the thoughts I’d had on numerous occasions.

  She giggled. “Oh, Sam, be quiet. So, are you bringing anyone to the team dinner tomorrow night?”

  Shit. Are Mark and I going together? I have no idea.

  Allison had been rooting for Mark since Vegas last year. I didn’t want to make it out to be more than what it was. Damien was Allison’s one and only. Casual sex didn’t make sense to her. I wasn’t ready to share what Mark and I had been doing. At times, when we had been together, it had felt like more than sex buddies, and that had scared me. I refused to let it continue that way. Plus, Allison had no idea about my past or the sex club.

  “Mark and I might go together. I’m not sure. He’s been nice and shown me around. You know, he’s just being friendly, that’s all.” Yeah, I like the way I stammered through that. I am losing my touch.

  Her singsong voice came through as she said, “Oh, that’s nice. Hey, gotta go. Damien is getting in the car, and I need to get some ground rules straight with him before he goes completely insane.”