Promise Me Page 8

  Damien interjected, “One day.”

  Allison rolled her eyes and continued on, “Well, there’s a rafting trip. The timeframe is to be determined. If you want to fly out there with us, you’re more than welcome. I believe Martin is meeting us out there with his girlfriend.”

  I was definitely going to get pointers from Allison on how to do this relationship stuff while we were in Colorado.

  Mark smiled and gave me another squeeze. “Sounds like fun. We can stay at my place. There’s plenty of space there.” He turned to Damien. “Plus, it’s already secured from the public eye, which would make it easier on your security. My family is also right there.”

  Damien didn’t even hesitate. “We had accommodations at a lodge, but I’d prefer your place since you’re offering. It’s more isolated. Thank you.”

  Allison started clapping. “Oh, girls’ time is going to be so much fun!”

  Damien blanched, and I started laughing.

  “Wales, don’t worry. I was only thinking a few strippers and maybe some body shots.”

  Mark was chuckling behind me as Damien stated, “Definitely only a one-day trip.”

  Allison stood. “We probably need to leave, so I can get ready for dinner.” She turned back to Damien. “Don’t even think of canceling.” She then walked over to me to give me a hug as she whispered, “I’m so happy for you. Love you.”

  My chest tightened at how much she loved me as I whispered back, “Love you, too.”

  Damien was smiling at his wife, which meant he had probably been about to cancel. She definitely knew him well. They made their way to the door as I followed them, and we said our good-byes.

  After closing the door, I mentally breathed a sigh of relief. I had survived.

  When I turned, Mark was casually leaning against one of the tables. “What do you want to do?”

  “What about running those errands that you needed to do this morning?” I responded.

  He walked up to me and gave me a small kiss. “I can do that another time.”

  Fidgeting, I responded, “I’d like to do that though. It seems normal. Isn’t that what couples do?”

  Without hesitation, he grabbed his keys. “Then, let’s go be normal.”

  I smiled at the thought. Me, boys, and normal had never been in the same sentence prior to today.

  Looking down at my appearance, I said, “Let me change real quick, and then we can go.”

  We can still mix in a little not-so-normal throughout our day.

  I had changed into a yellow sundress with some wedge sandals. As the girlfriend of a famous quarterback, I would not go out in public looking like a disaster. So far, we had been to the dry cleaners and the hardware store, and we were now headed to pick up some suits.

  Mark parked in the upscale store’s parking lot, and I jumped out. He had been trying to open my door for me all afternoon, but the act had made me nervous for some reason. I knew I was being ridiculous, but every small thing he had done seemed magnified all of a sudden. With his hand around my waist, we walked into the store and went straight to the men’s area.

  A salesman came up and greeted us. “Mr. Robertson, we have your suits ready. Please follow me to a dressing room.”

  We followed the impeccably dressed salesman to a private dressing room that had several chairs with a platform for fittings and a heavy curtain separating the actual changing area.

  The fairly attractive salesman gestured to the chairs along the wall. “Please have a seat. We’ll get your suits and refreshments.”

  We took our seats, and my legs began bouncing in a fidgeting mess. Mark gently laid his hand on my knee, and I took a deep breath. The calmness I felt from his touch was amazing.

  A few minutes later, the sales staff returned with some suits.

  The salesman pointed to the fitting room as one of the staff passed by to hang up the clothes. “Mr. Robertson, if you would, please try these on to make sure no additional alterations are needed.”

  A woman came in and set a tray with two flutes down on the table as the salesman said, “Here is some complimentary champagne for you and Miss…”

  Part of me wished it were shots at this point.

  I stood from my chair. “Sam. Thank you.”

  I grabbed a flute and started drinking as the man’s eyes lingered on my breasts a little too long.

  Mark must have noticed because from out of nowhere, he said sternly to the salesman, “I’ll let you know if we need anything.”

  The man coughed, ducked his head, and exited the dressing room. Something inside me liked seeing Mark slightly jealous.

  I walked up to him and gave him a kiss. Just as it was about to intensify, I pulled back and said, “Are you sure you want to try on your suits, Sport?”

  His gaze heated as I went to sit down in the chair. As I crossed my legs, I was sure to give him a peek of what was hiding underneath my dress. He watched me heatedly. Mark started toward me, but then he looked at the door and then at me as if he were torn.

  Damn it, why isn’t he taking me here?

  Finally, he sighed, grabbed his suits, and disappeared behind the red velvet curtain.

  He is not going to shy away from my needs just because we are in a dressing room or because I’m his girlfriend now.

  The moment he closed the curtain, I quietly sprinted to the door and put the lock into place. I pulled off my dress, leaving on my white lacy underwear and bra. I grabbed my glass of champagne, a condom from my purse, and went to sit on the raised circular box used for the tailoring process in front of the mirrors. My legs were crossed at the ankles as I leaned back on one arm and casually drank my champagne with the other. I felt at ease doing this, but throw emotions into it, and I would fold like a cheap suit.

  Mark came out, looked at the chairs, and then started moving toward the door.

  He was almost at a jog when I said, “Hey, where are you going?”

  He froze and slowly turned. The gray suit fit him perfectly, and he was gorgeous. I slowly licked my lips.

  “I’m one lucky fellow, Sam.”

  As he watched, I unsnapped the crotch of my underwear, allowing for easy access, and desire sparked between us.

  “Lucky is an understatement,” he added.

  I finished my champagne and then replied, “You’re about to get real lucky, Sport.”

  I tossed the condom to him, and he caught it. As he stalked toward me, he unzipped his pants, freeing himself, and then he rolled the condom on. He was on me in two seconds, and we consumed each other’s mouths. He dragged his erection down my cleft, and I bucked into him to feel the friction. There was nothing like that zinging sensation pulsing between my legs in anticipation of the plunge. He pulled me to the edge of the raised platform as he pushed into me. I closed my eyes at the sensation.

  I loved how he took me. He started sucking my nipple through my sheer bra as he continued moving in and out of me, faster and faster. Reaching the spot that caused me to dig my nails into his ass, our bodies connected on a nuclear level. My hands went underneath his suit jacket, and I moaned when his other hand came up and pinched my nipple hard. It was a race to the finish as we both exploded. Lights danced across my closed eyelids as our breathing calmed down.

  Between gasps, Mark groaned, “Fuck me.”

  “I just did.” It was all I could get out with how hard I was panting.

  He raised his head and smiled down at me before giving me another kiss. “Yes, you did—perfectly, I might add. I like how responsive you are to me.”

  I kissed him.

  We were both starting to respond to each other again when he pulled back. “Sam, we need to get out of here.”

  “Yes, hurry.”

  He pulled out of me and discarded the condom before bringing my dress to me. I hastily pulled it on after snapping my underwear back into place.

  “I love those. Where the hell did you find those?” he asked.

  My high came crashing down. Images of
all the knowledge I had gained from the sex club flashed across my mind.

  On the spot, I saucily responded, “A girl has to have her secrets.” I winked, keeping up the charade, but I felt dirty inside. Although these panties were new, I still knew about all this stuff from Club Envy.

  He barely knows me.

  I resumed my position in the chair. Mark tried on all three suits, and the sales staff checked the different hems and lengths. I hardly paid attention.

  He doesn’t deserve someone as tainted as I am. He wouldn’t want me if he knew about how ugly I really was on the inside.

  Mark’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. “Hey, are you ready to go?”

  The associates handed him a bill, and he signed it. The entire time, he kept one eye on me, and I tried to look normal.

  “Yeah. Your suits look great.”

  His eyes continued to search mine. “Thanks. Let’s go pick up some food and eat back at my place. Does that sound good?”

  “Sounds perfect.” My voice sounded normal, but my insides felt like they were shattering.

  He pulled me into his side as we left with the suits slung over his shoulder. The employees had tried to insist on carrying them out, but Mark had adamantly and politely refused their offers.

  My mind was trying to tell me to end this here and now even though my heart didn’t want to. I kept going back to Edna’s words, One day at a time.

  We picked up food and brought it back to his condo. I was pushing around my spaghetti in a circular motion, eating every so often. On probably the fiftieth rotation, a hand came down on mine, stopping the continuous movement of my food on my plate.

  “Sam, what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”

  I looked up and gave a smile. “I’m good.”

  “Listen, I don’t mind you saying you don’t want to talk about it, but don’t lie to me. Don’t feed me that bullshit you feed everyone else about being good when you’re not. I don’t want to push you away, Sam. You’re shutting me out though when you should be talking to me.”

  His voice was stern enough to force my mind to snap off of autopilot and start responding.

  After taking a deep breath, I tried to warn him. “I don’t think you know what you’re getting yourself into by dating me.”

  I looked down as I started pushing my food around again, and a finger came underneath my chin.

  His green eyes penetrated me as if he were looking deep into my soul. “Let me be the judge of that. Let’s take this slow, okay? There’s no rush. I’m not on a timeline here, Sam.”

  “Okay.”

  My emotions started to lighten up as we finished dinner. I needed to get control of all these ups and downs. As we were cleaning up in the kitchen, I realized that bedtime was coming soon. I knew that Mark had an early training session with the team.

  I was about to go grab my purse and head home when he asked, “How about we watch a movie? You can pick.”

  Internally, I jumped for joy that he wanted me around more, but I also became nervous because bedtime was approaching. I wasn’t ready to stay all night. I had never stayed the night with a guy. I normally fucked men and left them. However, I needed to keep this light. We’d had so many heavy moments today.

  “Hmm…I should pick some super hottie to watch.” I tapped my index finger against my lips as I thought about it. “A definite super hottie.” I gave him a wink.

  “Whatever gets you in the mood.”

  The seductive tone he’d used caused a flame to begin low in my abdomen, and it needed stoking. Finally, my mind was turning off, and my body was taking over.

  Much better.

  I leaned in a little closer, and he mimicked my movement until we were only a few inches apart.

  “Some of those hotties can really get me going. Are you up for the challenge?”

  “I think I can manage.”

  I loved the calm cockiness he exuded. It wasn’t over the top. It was just the right amount to ooze sex appeal.

  “I think I’ll be the judge of that, Sport.”

  As we talked, the space between us slowly closed. Lust filled the air. Mark leaned down, and the moment our lips touched, they crashed together. We were lost in each other. Clothes started coming off until we were sprawled together on the kitchen floor with me on top. He was feeling around the floor with his hands, and I was getting frustrated. My body needed attention.

  “What are you doing? I’m right here.”

  “Condom. I can’t find my damn jeans. Those fuckers are really getting in the way.”

  Taking control, I stopped the kiss, sat up, and reached for his jeans. He laid beneath me with lust filled eyes as I pulled a condom out of his jeans. I scooted down to take him in like a lollipop. The moment I touched his hardened length, all confusion vanished from his face. I created a tight suction as he pushed into my mouth. He was big, but I kept taking him until he was buried in my throat, and then I began a low hum.

  “Fuck, Sam. Shit, don’t stop.”

  I continued until he was almost ready to go. That was when I stopped. I quickly put the condom on him and slid him inside me. The initial stretch was the best part. Then, the frenzied hard ride started as he thrust into me. It was almost painful, but the pain-pleasure mixture got me off. We both started screaming at the same time as we fell off that cliff of ecstasy. Our bodies were covered in a fine sheen of sweat as I collapsed on him.

  “Woman, you are incredible.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself, Sport. I think you have me ready for the incredibly hot movie star men now.”

  He laughed and smacked my ass as I stood up. We walked to the living room, and I perused through his DVDs until I saw the perfect choice. I handed it over to him, and he laughed out loud.

  “Unnecessary Roughness? No chick flick?”

  “Nope,” I said as I popped the P. “I prefer my hotties to be sports jocks.”

  He smacked my ass again at my sarcastic purr, and he put in the DVD, still naked in all his glory. Sitting on the edge of the couch, I wasn’t sure how we were supposed to watch this together. He came and lay down behind me, and then he pulled me to him. He put a blanket on top of us, and he wrapped himself around me. Soon, the warmth completely took me under, and I succumbed to sleep.

  Waking up, startled, I was completely disoriented. I was in a bed, but it wasn’t mine, and I had an arm draped across my body. Mark. Somehow, I had ended up in bed with Mark. I remembered the movie, being exhausted from all the happenings of the day, and then nothing. Fear crept up in me. I had never stayed the night with any guy.

  My chest tightened as if I were suffocating, and I couldn’t get enough air. Home. I needed to get home before he destroyed all the barriers I had built to protect myself. He was getting inside my heart way too quickly. I slowly extricated myself from his grasp.

  My clothes were still in the kitchen. I headed in there and dressed quickly before I headed out the door as quietly as possible.

  After entering my condo, I saw the clock, and it was after midnight. I found my yoga pants and a T-shirt, and I crashed on the couch. The memory of me in bed with Mark was still vivid in my mind. Tossing and turning, I felt bereft of the warmth I had just had. This was so frustrating how nerve-racking all this was.

  At some point though, exhaustion claimed me, and I went into a restless sleep.

  I woke up to pounding on my door and my name being shouted. My head felt like it had been hit by a truck as I tried to right myself.

  Mark was yelling through the wood door with panic lacing his voice, “Sam, are you in there?”

  Did something happen?

  I opened the door to find Mark in his sweats with no shirt and no shoes. My body still wasn’t functional, and I squinted against the morning sun behind Mark’s body at the door. The look on his face caused my adrenaline to rise, and it overpowered my fatigued muscles. He rushed through the door and started looking me over.

  My voice came out dry from not speaking
yet this morning as I asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “Where did you go? Shit, you scared me. What happened? Why did you leave?” he questioned.

  The questions were coming so fast that I had to focus to catch it all. He was rubbing his hands along my shoulders and arms as his eyes searched mine.

  “After I woke up, I came back home. I knew you had an early morning, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

  He let me go and began pacing in front of me.

  Why is he agitated?

  He stopped and then turned to me, obviously struggling with what to say. Irritation had apparently won out.

  “Sam, don’t lie to me. Like I said, you can decline answering, but don’t lie.”

  It was too early to be doing this. “I did come back home, and you do have an early morning. I didn’t lie. I might not have shared it all, but I didn’t lie. Back the fuck off, Mark.”

  He backed down his demeanor. “Damn it, Sam. I was worried when I saw you were gone this morning with no note or anything. You’ve run away like that from me before. When we were together in Vegas and then again on that night about six or seven months ago, you slipped off in the middle of the night. I didn’t see or hear from you for months after the last time you did that. This morning, I slipped on the first thing I could find, and I ran over here. I needed to make sure you hadn’t vanished again.”

  My pulse was racing. This was too much, and part of me wanted to call the whole thing off. As I focused on his stressed-out face, my heart started melting at the realization that I’d caused him to worry. Detachment was normally easier for me, but it wasn’t as fulfilling as being in his arms last night, and that was what kept me from uttering any words of finality.

  He is only worried. He’s not trying to control me.

  “I get it. I’m sorry. I was a little off-kilter from waking up in your bed.”

  Mark squatted down to bring his eyes level with mine. “Then, just tell me that, and I’ll bring you home. I’m not asking for anything you’re not willing to give. Just the fact that you’re willing to give us a shot is all I want.”