Ruined Promises

by Stefanie Jenkins

  “You asshole,” Dominic shouts as he wipes the blood dripping from his face. “I’ll have your ass out on the street,” he barks.

  “No, you won’t.” The shadow that appears in the doorway is none other than the previous owner of my company, Paul Jennings.

  I placed a call to him earlier this week, alerting him of his son’s indiscretions. He was utterly mortified and promised to return from Florida, where he and his wife had retired, to deal with him. However, I couldn’t just sit back and let him do it on his own. Like I told Lexi, I will do anything I can to protect the ones I love.

  “Thank you for the call.” Paul shakes my hand. “I believe you have a party to get to, and a girl to claim.” That I do.

  He then turns to his son, who is finally collecting himself up off his desk. “As for you, you proved my point. You’re acting like a spoiled child and a pathetic excuse for a man, willing to tear others down because you’re so unhappy with yourself. Your actions have consequences, Dominic. I’ve already spoken to Jason Burke about your actions, and you should pack your shit. You’re no longer employed here.”

  With one last look over my shoulder, Dominic begins arguing with his father. I’ve wasted enough time on this sorry excuse for a person. How Lexi could fall for someone that conniving, I will never know, but now it’s time for me to get my girl—before she has my ass for being late.

  The past few days have been a clusterfuck of events all leading up to tonight. Today has been nonstop chaos: checking in vendors, showing the winning restaurants where to set up, and trying not to lose my mind. I had about ten minutes to change in the bathroom stall, where I nearly dropped my phone in the toilet. I’d love to say that I am relaxed now that the party has begun, but that would be the biggest lie of the century, especially since I’ve been running around the ballroom searching for Ben, and he is not here. In fact, I haven’t seen him all day.

  Things have gotten better between us, but since I’ve been slammed at work preparing gift bags and programs, working late into the evening, we haven’t spent much time outside of the office. I haven’t heard from Dominic since our confrontation, and I don’t know if that should be a good thing or not. Ben told me to trust that he would take care of it, so that’s what I’m doing—trusting him. However, the closer we get to his speech and him missing, I’m ready to wring his neck.

  Where the fuck are you?

  I call his phone once again. “Hi, you’ve reached Ben…” I hang up, not bothering to leave another message.

  “Lex, this looks amazing,” Hadley says as I pull her into a hug before doing the same with Brynn and Cal.

  “I’m glad you guys could make it,” I greet my friends, but my focus is set on looking around the room.

  “What’s wrong?” Hadley grabs my arms to steady me. I love that she can read me so well.

  I settle the clipboards in my hand against my hip the same I would holding a child. “I don’t even know where to begin. I’m exhausted, the party has only just begun, and oh, I don’t know, Ben is nowhere to be found, and he’s supposed to give his welcome speech in—” I check my phone for the time. “—in just a few minutes.”

  “Lex, relax. We just saw Ben at the bar.” Cal wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side. He nods in the direction of one of the bars, and I find Ben leaning against the bar with his ankles crossed. I sink into Cal a little bit, knowing that he is here, but still angry at his tardiness. He better have a damn good excuse for not at least giving me any sort of heads-up that he apparently had prior commitments on one of the biggest events of my career let alone his company’s.

  “Will you excuse me?” I don’t wait for their answer before I head toward the bar.

  Ben catches me walking in his direction, and I see the corners of his lips turn upward while mine stay the same.

  “Lexi.” His eyes roam over my dress. No, not even the smirk on his lips can calm me down at the moment. “You know Tom Callahan, our VIP sponsor.” Yes, even after the abrupt-ending phone call, we were able to latch Tom on as our VIP sponsor.

  I turn to the older gentleman. “Yes, of course, lovely to see you again, sir.”

  “Quite the event planner you have here, Harrington.”

  “Yes, I plan to keep her around forever.” Ben beams. I don’t miss the double meaning in Ben’s words.

  “Sorry to interrupt you both, but I need to get Ben ready for his speech.” I give a smile, but I hope Ben can tell from the tone that I’m not irritated at the moment. When I look down, I notice small bruises on his knuckles. Ben, what have you been up to?

  “Yes, of course,” Tom replies and shakes Ben’s hand.

  “Have a great night, Tom,” Ben calls as I lead him toward the podium.

  “Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I whisper so that no one can hear us but loud and firm enough for Ben to.

  Instead of turning right toward the front of the room, Ben tugs on my arm.

  “Where are we going? You need to give a speech.”

  “And I’m about to, but I needed to do this first.”

  Ben hovers his mouth above mine and kisses me, devouring me. His tongue brushes my bottom lip, and when I open, he caresses my tongue with his. When I feel him pull away, it takes a second for me to catch my bearings. My eyes fly open to find Ben smiling down at me.

  “You look gorgeous by the way,” he whispers in my ear before heading toward the podium just as John, the operations publisher, announces Ben’s name.

  I run my thumb over my lips.

  “That was hot as hell.” I jump at Brynn’s voice and turn to find all three of them staring at me.

  Ben has never done that—kiss me in public like that.

  “I guess you two worked things out?” Hadley questions, and I’m not sure how to respond. Thankfully, Ben begins to talk, saving me from that conversation.

  “Good evening, everyone. First of all, let me thank you all for joining us to celebrate the Best of Willow Creek.” Ben looks so comfortable with public speaking. His black tux conforms to every muscle. “I will keep this short and sweet, as I know there is plenty of excellent restaurants here sampling their food and a wonderful assortment of vendors who have all donated some fabulous prizes for our silent auction.

  “I’d also like to thank my staff, who has welcomed me with open arms the past few months.” Ben finds me in the crowd and gives a soft smile. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to put on this event. It’s not also on them, but without you—our readers—we would not be able to do this as well. Your support is what brings out the best in us. One employee, in particular, needs significant recognition for her hard work putting this event together—Lexi Baker, our events director.”

  The crowd applauses, and my friends throw in a few screams. My cheeks flush in embarrassment, and I want to hide behind my clipboard.

  “What is he doing?” Hadley leans over, whispering in my ear. I shrug and shake my head because, honestly, I have no clue where he’s going with this.

  “Without her, this party would not be what it is today. I watched the countless hours she spent preparing every little detail to be perfect. Lexi is not only important to this company, but she is important to me. I am sure you’re wondering where I’m going with this, and I promise you I’m not crazy. I also promise that I’m almost done and will let you all get back to enjoying yourselves, but I needed the world to know that I am head over heels in love with Lexi Baker, and as long as she will still have me, I am hers for the taking. Have a good evening.”

  I can feel everyone’s eyes on me, and I feel the sweat dripping down my back from nerves. Ben Harrington, the CEO of Maritime Media, just announced in front of most of the town that he’s in love with me.

  “What the hell are you doing still standing here, Lex, go get your man,” Hadley more or less shouts.

  I push through the crowd, making my way to the podium, and end up meeting Ben halfway, where I jump directly into his arms, slamming my mouth onto his
.

  We ignore the hoots and the hollers around us. All that matters is that he is mine, and I am his.

  “What about Dominic and his threats?” I ask when we break the kiss.

  Ben brushes the hair out of my face, peppering kissing to my forehead as he sets me back down on my feet. “He won’t be a problem anymore, to anyone. I took care of it. I told you, Lex, it’s you and me against the world.”

  I like the sound of that. “Promise?” I press up on my toes, our mouths so close, I can feel his breath on my skin, sending goose bumps all over my body.

  “Promise.”

  “I can’t believe we’re celebrating your engagement on the rooftop of the downtown Hilton. Like seriously, Lex, your fiancé rented out an entire roof bar.” Hadley passes out glasses of champagne from the waiter to Brynn and me, before taking one for herself. “We sure have come a long way from ramen noodle cups in the college dorm.”

  I wince, making a funny face; those weren’t necessarily our finest moments. While Brynn and Cal both came from the upper class, they wanted the full college experience or a so-called “normal life,” so Hadley and I went all out to provide it for them by eating ramen noodles weekly.

  “I know. I told Ben that it was too much, but he insisted.” I shrug. I don’t need all these fancy events, I just need him, but the food, the view, and the company are spectacular. Ben outdid himself when planning this. I glance over my shoulder and see him speaking to a few of his college buddies and Cal.

  “That man is a keeper; you better hold on to him.” Brynn holds her glass up, and Hadley and I do the same, our glasses letting out a soft clinking noise as they touch.

  “Oh, I plan to.” When I bring the glass to my lips, the bubbles tickle my nose.

  “Don’t look now, but someone seems to have a target on her,” Brynn whispers, her eyes trained on something in front of her.

  Hadley and I turn to see Asher leaning against the bar with black dress pants and a white button-up shirt with the top two buttons undone. His dark hair is now cropped around his face, resembling his older brother more and more. His eyes, however, are trained directly on Hadley. My eyes flick back and forth between the two, using my peripheral vision so that I don’t make it obvious what I’m doing.

  “Will you two excuse me? I’ll be right back.” Hadley excuses herself before we can even respond and makes her way over to the bar, but halfway there places her empty glass on a waitress’s tray and takes a fresh drink from them.

  Brynn and I share a confused look as we watch her approach the bar to his left, her stance mimicking his. He turns to face her and leans down to whisper something in her ear.

  “What in the actual fuck are we witnessing,” Brynn questions, and I shake my head because I have no idea.

  Moments later, Hadley strolls back up with a smile on her face.

  “What was that about?” I raise my eyebrows, wondering if there is something my best friend isn’t telling me.

  She shrugs and glances over her shoulder at Asher, who smirks at us before turning his back to us as he orders another drink from the bartender. “It’s nothing.” The look in her eye, though, tells me that it very well might be something, but I don’t push it.

  Changing the subject, my best friend does what she does best—avoidance. “Now, let me see that gorgeous ring on your finger again.” Her smile matches my own.

  I raise my left hand, flashing the 1.02 carat Tiffany setting engagement ring with a channel-set diamond band.

  “Damn.” Hadley grabs my hand with such a force that I need to catch my balance as she and Brynn examine the ring for what feels like the millionth time. “That man did good, even if he didn’t let me help.”

  “Why thank you. I’d like to think I know exactly what my girl wants,” a husky voice answers. I feel Ben’s presence as he steps up behind me and pulls my back firmly against his front. He places a soft kiss where my neck and shoulder meet, and his breath trails up my neck as he reaches my ear. “Miss me?” he softly whispers.

  “Of course. I always miss you when you’re gone.” I spin in his arms. With my free hand, I wrap it around his neck, while the other holds my almost empty champagne glass. I tip the glass back, downing the rest of the liquid.

  As soon as I bring the glass away from my lips, his lips are crashing onto mine. With a swipe of his tongue on my lower lip, I open for him and deepen the kiss. When we break apart, I feel flushed, and I’m not sure if it’s the champagne or my arousal.

  “You two should just get a room,” Cal jokes behind me as he joins our small circle. Bentley Harrington is all I see.

  “Well, if you all excuse me, I did come over here to steal my fiancée away for a few minutes. We have some important business to take care of.”

  “Business?” I mouth, confused. He links his hands with mine and places his lips against the skin on my knuckles. I visibly shiver, and I know Ben noticed when a smirk appears on his handsome face.

  I hear Cal say, “I was just kidding,” as we pass by, leaving my friends behind. Ben takes my empty champagne glass from my hand and sets it on the server’s tray.

  “Are we seriously already leaving our engagement party?”

  Ben chuckles as he continues to pull me through the crowd. “Oh no, I just want to spend some quality time with my fiancée.” He glances over at me and winks, and that sends shock waves straight to my core.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” Ben opens the door that leads to the inside of the hotel and takes a sharp left. The elevators are the opposite way, so I am left confused. With his hand pressed against my lower back, he leads me down another hallway. Where the hell is he taking me?

  When he stops in front of a door, I read the sign: Restrooms.

  “Are you serious right now?”

  “As a heart attack.” He opens the door and pulls me inside. With the click of the lock, Ben has me caged in against the door.

  “What are you doing?” I ask as Ben trails his tongue over my pulse point and down my collarbone.

  “I’m about to make my girl come. Do you have any problems with that?” His hand is dragging up my thighs, hooking one of them around his hip. He pushes my panties to the side.

  “In the middle of our engagement party?” I somehow muster the strength and words to ask as my head rests against the door, and my eyes shut.

  “I figured it was appropriate since a bathroom was where our love story all began.”

  My eyes pop open to find Ben so close I can taste the whiskey on his breath. He is laughing. “So romantic. Can’t wait to tell our kids that story one day.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Ben plunges his fingers in and out of me, and I grip his dress shirt so tightly that I might even tear a hole in it. It would be worth it, though.

  When I come down from my orgasmic high, I open my eyes to see Ben’s brown eyes staring at me. “What?” I adjust my dress and my panties.

  “Nothing. You’re just so beautiful, especially when I watch you fall apart like that.” He steps up to me and brushes the fallen hair from my face. “That night we first met, I knew that you ruined me for all other women, and I promise to love you forever.”

  THE END

  I Never Series

  I Never Planned On You

  A Brother's Best Friend Romance

  I Never Expected You

  A Friends to Lovers Romance

  I Plan on Forever

  An I Never Series Novella

  I Never Let You Go

  A Second Chance Romance

  I Never Knew Love ‘til You

  Coming 2021

  A Single Dad & Enemies-to-Lovers

  The Promise Series

  Ruined Promises

  Keeping Promises

  Coming 2021

  Pinky Promises

  Coming 2021

  Titanium – feat. Sia – David Guetta

  The One – Elton John, PNAU, Vera Blue

  Love in the Dark – Leroy S
anchez

  Dangerously – Charlie Puth

  Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Jasmine Thompson

  Jealous – Nick Jonas

  I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston

  Dancing On My Own – Calum Scott

  The End – Kings of Leon

  Happy – Leona Lewis

  Take Me Home – Jess Glynne

  What If I Never Get Over You – Lady A

  1000 Times – Sara Bareilles

  Shallow – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

  Little Moments – Brad Paisley

  Never Tear Us Apart – Bishop Briggs

  The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Luke Evans

  Do You Hear What I Hear? - Pentatonix and Whitney Houston

  The Sound of Silence – Pentatonix

  As is tradition, I have to thank you, the reader, for taking a chance on me and picking up this book. Whether this is your first book by me or your fifth, your support means the world to me. I hope you stick around to read more about this group of friends. These characters just will not stop talking so I am steadily working on Hadley and Brynn’s stories. I would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a review.

  The Cookie Jar, Surprise! Do you know how hard it was keeping this dedication to myself? It’s probably the first secret I have actually been able to keep from you guys. Ashley I am so thankful that you forced your way into my life and in turn forced Nikki in as well. Our antics helped inspire some of the shenanigans between Lexi, Hadley and Brynn. There are a million things I could say but I don’t have that much room here so I will stick with: thank you for being my best friend, thank you for reading the crazy WTF kind of stories we do, I love you both. And lastly, #dicknipple.

  Amanda, where do I even begin? What a journey this has been for us and I am so glad to have had you by my side the entire way. Thank you for letting me borrow Aubrey, Dean and Savannah. This story was not the same without Aubrey by Lexi’s side but I made it work. Look at what incredible stories we were able to provide for our characters this way. You are the other half of my brain and I can’t wait for all this craziness to be over so that I can hug you in real life.