by M. A. Lee
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Breaking Promises: Book 3 in the Breaking Boundaries Series
THE END
Sign up for MA Lee's Mailing List
Further Reading: New Jersey Boy
Also By MA Lee
BREAKING PROMISES
Book 3 in the Breaking Boundaries Series
__________________________
M.A. LEE
Is their love worth fighting for?
BREAKING PROMISES
Copyright © 2016 by M.A. LEE
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, scanning, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Please do not partake in or encourage piracy of copyrighted works in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting this author’s hard work.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to locales, events, or actual persons—living or dead—is purely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Breaking Promises: Book 3 in the Breaking Boundaries Series
THE END
Sign up for MA Lee's Mailing List
Further Reading: New Jersey Boy
Also By MA Lee
Playlist
Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake
Stupid Girl by Staind
Don’t Speak by No Doubt
Survivor by Destiny’s Child
Sirens by Pearl Jam
Rumor Has It by Adele
I Know Places by Taylor Swift
Roll the Dice by Finley Quaye
Hush by Angie Aparo
Need You Now by Lady Antebelleum
Apologize by One Republic
More from the Author
Breaking Boundaries
Breaking Through
Chasing Us
Faded
New Jersey Boy
Schooled: Book 1 in the Schooled Series
Breaking the Rules: Book 2 in the Schooled Series
Dismissed: Book 3 in the Schooled Series
Teacher’s Pet: Book 4 in the Schooled Series
Aced: Book 5 in the Schooled Series
Acknowledgements
This story is for anyone who has ever had to fight for something they believe in. Sometimes, we fall in love and it is unexpected. Love is never planned and it can take you by storm without warning. But, when you find the one worth fighting for- never stop fighting.
Prologue
Lauren
Loud screams echoed through my bedroom walls. Grumbling, I tossed my covers away from my body and ran across the hall to my roommate and best friend, Melanie’s room. Covered in sweat, I attempted to pull her caramel colored hair back and away from her oval face. Her t-shirt and shorts clung to her tiny damp body as I attempted to remove the sheets from where she lay tangled from trying to fight some unknown demon.
“Did you have another nightmare, Mel?” I asked.
Her real name is Melanie but I had called her Mel since we were in kindergarten when I told her one day on the playground that I was going to be her best friend. Her room, was directly across the hall from mine in our shared apartment. Unfortunately, for both of us, we couldn’t help but hear everything that went on in the other bedroom.
“It’s not a nightmare if it really happened,” Mel stated in a rough voice. Her mouth was dry, and she desperately needed a drink of water.
Shaking my head, I only offered a sympathetic smile. “Mel, you need to talk to someone about these dreams. What happened to the therapist your parents sent you to last year?” I asked in a concerned tone.
Truth is, I wasn’t just Melanie’s best friend I was her only friend. Ever since her accident two years ago that destroyed her engagement and killed Alice, Mel hadn’t been the same.
“I stopped going. The therapist, Ms. Michael was nice, but talking about that night only made the nightmares more vivid and real.” Mel stated as I reached for a bottle of water sitting on her bedside stand.
“You need to go back to therapy, Mel. Find another one who you like and will help you.” I said again as I handed her the bottle of water and urged her to drink.
“Maybe one day I will,” she lied.
“No you won’t,” I said. I knew her better than anyone else in the world.
. “Look. I am getting you out of this apartment tonight. We are going to get out and have some fun,” I argued as I stood and prepared myself to go back to my room.
Opening her mouth to protest, I only shook my head no. “I don’t want to hear any complaints or excuses as to why you can’t get out of this apartment and live life like a normal college student does. It is Saturday night and like it or not, we are going out.” I walked away before Mel could even attempt to respond.
I wish I could say that was the last time either one of us needed saving, but that would be a lie. When it comes to saving, it seems both Melanie and I require superheroes in disguise.
1
Lauren
Gunfire rang through the quiet night sky, piercing all sound. In the distance, a woman could be heard screaming as she took her last breath. A man stood motionless in the middle of the once busy street, his face hidden behind a deep shadow cast from the buildings judging him. Now, only silence and darkness coveted the space. A shudder ran through me as I watched the scene unfold before my eyes.
“Do you want more popcorn?” Isaac asked as he handed me the bucket of popped, salty kernels he had just made in the microwave.
Shaking my head, no, I closed my eyes as the man unloaded the rest of his clip and ended the lives of his enemies. “I can’t believe this is what we are watching on our romantic date night,” I teased as Isaac shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth.
“Hey, this is a romantic movie,” he argued back, arching his brow and pouting his sweet lip. His blond hair was tousled and messy, a look that made him even sexier. His blue eyes were shining against the glare of the television screen across the room.
Laughing, I turned my face toward his. “How is this romantic? People just got shot and there is dark and creepy music playing,” I countered as another violent scene unfolded on the screen. Feeling myself growing tense with the anticipation built in the movie, I pushed myself farther into Isaac.
“See, you get scared when we watch movies like this. When you are scared you want to be closer to me and I get to hold you and touch you and sometimes naughty things happen,” Isaac mused as he proved his point.
Realizing this was all true, I laughed and nudged his side. “Hey, you tricked me.”
“Yep!” Isaac exclaimed as he didn’t even look the least bit sorry for his game.
Knowing there was no sense in arguing, I gave in and continued to lay in Isaac’s embrace. Turning my head away from the television screen, I glanced out the window to the world growing dark outside. It was late, much later than I usually stayed up, but I didn’t care because I was with my man in the home we now shared together.
Ever since Isaac and I had become engaged, I had been living with Isaac. Cole Isaac’s best friend moved out and he and Melanie, my best friend, were now searching for a home to buy together. They had been dating as long as Isaac and I, so it was no surprise that they wanted to share a home too.
I loved this house. When Isaac and I first started dating, this was known as the party house. Isaac and Cole were constantly throwing parties here that were epic. After I moved in, I had turned it fro
m a bachelor pad into a comfortable and stylish home. The walls were bare except for a car poster hanging near the kitchen bar that separated the two spaces. I traded out the vintage cars posters for images of Isaac and I and beautiful paintings I had found at local galleries. I had also painted those same walls a light gray color. The small fold out table that used to serve as a kitchen table was now in storage and a large, country style wooden kitchen table now sat in its place. The old gross plaid couches that had been used for... well, I didn’t even want to think about what they had been used for, that used to sit facing a large flat screen television in the living room was now hidden away in Isaac’s ‘man cave’ in the garage. Now a lovely black leather sofa set sat in the living room facing the large television. It was clear the television was the most expensive and prized possession in the house. Well, at least until I came along. The tiny bathroom with a navy blue shower curtain and nothing else had been transformed to a large bathroom with a double vanity, a separate claw bathtub and a shower. The walls were painted a soft blue and I added white flowers for accent. It was now perfect for a couple about to get married and start a life together.
As the rain slowly began cascading down the window, I rested my head against Isaac’s shoulder. With his arms wrapped tightly around my waist, Isaac held me close and sighed. Only a short time ago, the coming of a storm would have sent me into panic mode. Not because I feared storms, but because my best friend Melanie did. For a long time, even the mention of a storm would cause her to lose control and I would have to rush in and take care of her. With Cole in her life now, that fear doesn’t control me anymore. She is protected and cared for. Now, as the wind rushes against the window and thunder booms loudly in the sky above, I feel only comforted as I lay in the arms of the man I love.
“I hate that we have to go back to work tomorrow,” Isaac whispers as he nibbles my ear.
Giggling from his touch, I bury myself deeper into his form. “I know, but we have to pay our bills. Besides, I promised Cole and Melanie we would pick them up from the airport when they returned from their trip to California. Their plane lands around six, so it will be perfect timing for when we both get off work. They need us and I really need Melanie to help me plan the wedding. Plus, I have a new job I need to begin and you have a shop that needs to be managed,” I added as I tried to convince myself that leaving our pretend, private little world, was fine.
After a wild and crazy year, I had met Isaac at of all places- a tattoo shop. I had ventured in there one night with Melanie. I was determined to do something bold, only, Melanie freaked out like she always did and passed out cold. Lucky for me, Isaac was there along with his best friend Cole, to rescue us. It only took one look at Isaac to know he was the man I was going to marry. Whether you believe in love or lust at first sight; it didn’t matter. He was it for me.
We rushed into our relationship and never looked back. I wish I could say it was always easy, but of course, nothing ever comes easy. Cole and Melanie had managed to find one another in the midst of one of the biggest storms of Melanie’s life. Cole brought her out of the darkness she had buried herself in after a devastating car accident that claimed the life of one of our old friends, Alice, who also happened to be sleeping with Melanie’s then fiancé. It was Mel finding Cole that made it so easy for me to fall in love with Isaac.
Still daydreaming, I watched as the clear raindrops bounced against the window panes. Each drop looked like magic as the rain danced around the city.
“It’s crazy right?” Isaac asked, breaking my daydream.
“What?” I asked, confused.
“It looks like the storm is getting worse. I know it sounds crazy, but I love a stormy night. Something about the way the sky looks and the sound of rain as it hits the roof of our house is very romantic,” he smiled.
That was one thing I absolutely loved about Isaac. What others might see as ugly or as something negative, he found beauty and positives. To some, this was just a random rain shower. To Isaac, it was a magical experience that we were able to share together.
Reaching up and kissing his chin, I let out a deep breath. “I love you,” I said.
“I love you too, Lauren,” Isaac stated as he quickly flipped my body over so that I was now laying on my back. He began tickling me and kissing my neck, two dangerous moves that always proved to get Isaac exactly what he wanted; me.
Trying to fight back, I found myself giving in to Isaac too quickly. I was exhausted from our day of lovemaking and movie watching.
Another shot was fired in the film and I felt my body jump beneath Isaac. Feeling my jumpiness, Isaac stopped his teasing and brushed loose strands of my Blond colored hair away from my face.
“Don’t worry baby, it’s just a movie,” Isaac said as he sweetly kissed my lips. A move so innocent and yet so seductive that my body was instantly moved to relaxation.
“Yeah, it’s just a movie,” I stated as I offered a smile. For the first time in a very, very long time, I felt a sense of uneasiness. I couldn’t explain the unwanted emotions, but somewhere deep down inside of my soul, I feared this was a sign of something to come.
Crashing his lips to mine, Isaac allowed his tongue to push past my lips. Once inside my mouth, I began to suck on his tongue, in a slow rhythm that drove him insane. The movie continued to play in the background as Isaac began to slip my shorts down, taking my panties along with them.
As his hands roamed over the most sensitive parts of my body, I allowed a loud moan to escape from my lips. I arched my back and threw my head back as I inhaled a breath and began to allow my hands to scrape over his chiseled chest. His pesky jeans were still in the way so I began unbuttoning them and sliding them down his hips, which had already begun a taunting rhythm against my flesh.
“We never make it through a full movie,” he growled between kisses.
Laughing, I smiled. “Maybe one day we will be able to, but until we stop craving each other so much, it’s never going to happen,” I teased.
His lips continued to trail down my stomach as his hands slipped inside of my wetness. The tension inside of me was growing as his fingers began to trace my insides, readying me for the next move of pleasure.
Before I knew it, our clothes were all completely gone and scattered along the bedroom floor. Isaac moved inside of me and everything blurred away as I was only aware of the two of us. We were all that mattered and the pleasure and love that Isaac provided me with sent my body into overdrive.
We spent the rest of the night making love and pleasuring one another over every surface of our bedroom and the rest of the house.
2
Lauren
One week after Melanie stepped off the plane from sunny California, I was already thrust into a hectic world. While she was away, I could put off any and all wedding planning. She was my excuse. While I had dreamed of a large and lavish wedding, planning it wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be. With Cole and Melanie back in Kentucky, our lives were back to normal. Well, as normal as we could all be.
“Hey chick,” Melanie yelled as she waved me over.
“Hey,” I waved back as I spotted her.
Reaching me, she was out of breath. Mel moved her long, caramel hair off her shoulder and sighed. “Sorry I am late, I was stuck with my mom looking at another house with our realtor. You,” Mel said as she pointed at me,” Still haven’t told me what I am supposed to be doing for this wedding,” she said.
I smiled, trying to hold back my laughter. It was adorable watching her get so upset.
Ever since Isaac and I had set a wedding date, she had gone complete bridezilla on me. All we ever talked about was wedding dresses and wedding cakes and wedding plans.
“You know, you act more like a bridezilla than I do,” I teased.
“When Cole and I finally get married, we are going to elope. There is no way I am going to through this hell again,” Mel teased back.
“What?” Mel asked as she noticed my grin.
“You are just adorable,” I said as I threw my arm around her and embraced her in a big hug. “Let’s go find you a bridesmaids dress,” I said as we began walking through the large bridal store.
“No, let’s go find you a wedding dress first,” Mel argued.
We were met by three ladies in black pencil skirts and white blouses who offered us Champaign and a personal dressing room the size of my last apartment. They began directing us to a section of wedding dresses and bridesmaid’s dresses.
“Here Lauren, try this one on,” Melanie laughed as she threw a hideous wedding dress at me. The puffy sleeves and large bow placed on the back of the dress were more than I could handle.
“You need to get serious about finding a wedding dress or you will be walking down the aisle in jeans,” Mel joked back as I continued to search through the endless racks of wedding dresses. Melanie knew better than anyone else that I had been obsessing over wedding gowns since before I even met Isaac. I had an idea of what I wanted, but until I slipped the fabric over my body and saw myself as a real bride, I wouldn’t know what dress I would want.
Somewhere in the store, my mom was searching for the perfect dress to wear to the wedding. Even though I still hadn’t selected a wedding dress, we did manage to decide on bridesmaids dresses. The dresses were long, cocktail length gowns that were a deep plum color and perfectly simple yet classy. The décor would fit the fall wedding with beautiful and rich reds, browns, and yellows. The location at the Keeneland race tracks was already booked and her honeymoon planned thanks to my parents.
“What about this one?” Mel asked as she held up a mermaid style gown with a jeweled corset and a long train.
I stepped back, amazed by the beauty of the gown and the look on Lauren’s and my mom’s faces.
“Try it on,” mom clapped as she ushered her toward our reserved dressing room.
Mel and my mom sat down in an awaiting chair and anxiously waited for me to emerge from the room.