The Promise

by S. L. Jayne

  “I love you. I love you. I love you… Please stop,” I beg breathlessly.

  His fingers still and I take deep breaths but before I can steady my breathing he crushes his mouth to mine and kisses me. I lift my arms around his neck and slide my tongue between his lips, he moans against my mouth, that one sound from him sends a shiver to my core.

  “I told you you’d keep,” he whispers into my ear, I feel his lips spread into a grin.

  I smile. “Don’t be an ass… I want you. Now,” I breathe.

  ***

  After Ryan and I had spent the best part of the afternoon in bed I had called into work and told Mr Ashby I had gotten sick at lunch so I wouldn’t be in for the rest of the day, which made me panic when Ryan suggested he take me out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant because I didn’t want to be seen out eating- but he insisted that I go because I had never been to one before. We ended up in the next town and the most stunning restaurant I have ever seen. We went back to my apartment afterwards as Walker was home last night, we spent the evening curled up on the couch. It was an amazing end to the day. Ryan wanted me to relax after I got a text from Connor saying they had reached Boston safely and Rylee would call me later, I spoke with her for a few minutes, her uncle was with them and they were all okay. I was chirpy and myself with her as I didn’t want her picking up on my mood. I tried to calm down as much as I could but it was still there in the back of my mind, it still is.

  Work was okay today, I saw Mr Ashby a couple times and he was absolutely fine with me, he wasn’t totally back in boss-mode but he was in his normal suit and tie and his smile was back. Maybe it all got solved. I hope so- but I have a feeling there are three sides to this story; his, Lexi’s and the truth.

  Rylee, Lexi and Connor are due back very soon, Matt said he will pick them up from the airport. I think he has missed her. I need to shake this feeling off, I can do it.

  “Hey, baby, where are you?” I hear Ryan call out.

  “I’m in the kitchen, babe. I’m making dinner, everyone will be back in an hour and they’ll be hungry.”

  “Mmm it smells good, what is it?”

  “Homemade macaroni and cheese,” I smile at him knowing it’s one of his favorite meals.

  His eyes light up and his smile matches that of a child on Christmas morning.

  “You’re such a dork,” I laugh.

  “You love this dork, he’s sexy,” He moves his arms up and down in front of his body, showing me what I’m meant to be finding sexy.

  I burst out laughing. “He’s conceited.”

  He comes up behind me, turns me around and lifts me off the ground, I wrap my legs around his waist and hold onto his shoulders.

  “He’s a sexy, conceited dork, but you still love him, right?” He smirked.

  “I do, I love him more than he knows.”

  “Really? He told me he loves you more than you know too. You’re right, he really is a dork.” He flashes me his megawatt smile and winks.

  I hear the door open at the same time the oven timer pings. Perfect timing. I take in a deep breath and Ryan pulls me in closer to him.

  “Relax, baby, just be you,” He whispered.

  I nod my head.

  “Put him down, you don’t know where he’s been,” Matt’s deep voice fills the kitchen.

  I laugh and hear Rylee and Lexi laugh too.

  Ryan sets me back on the ground before turning towards Matt. “Nice to see you too, bro,” he laughs punching Matt on the arm.

  I turn to see Rylee rushing towards me with her arms open, I laugh and hold my arms out to catch her.

  “I missed you! I am NEVER going that far from you again, I swear it’s felt like I haven’t had an arm the whole time I was gone. Oh my god, I was dying to text you, you won’t believe who Charlotte is with… Callum! Can you believe that? Ugh, I almost vomited in my mouth when Hanna told me!” She laughed.

  “I missed you too, Ry. They deserve each other, I hope he got her vetted before he went near her though,” we both laughed as we hug.

  I break away from the hug and turn around when Lexi talks.

  “Thank you for doing dinner, Ava, that’s sweet of you,” she smiled and hugged me.

  I give her a hug back and tell her it’s no problem, I knew they would all be hungry. I pull back from the hug quickly, I don’t want my curiosity getting the better of me and me ending up blurting it out that I heard her and Mr Ashby.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m good,” I smile and nod at her.

  “Dinner is ready,” I shout as I take the dish out of the oven placing it on the table.

  “What’s for dinner, gorgeous girl?” Matt asked.

  “Macaroni and Cheese, is that okay?”

  “Perfect!” He winked and made his way to the table.

  We all made small talk for the best part of dinner, we covered a few random topics and now Connor is intrigued about boxing since Matt apparently told him he boxes at the gym. We all listen to their exchange as we eat.

  “So what made you want to teach my sister self-defence?”

  Matt shrugged. “I like women to be able to protect themselves the best they can.”

  “Fair enough. Will you teach me all the pressure points? I already know how to punch someone,” Connor grinned.

  “Hold up,” Ryan said between mouthfuls, “are you going to teach Rylee how to box too?”

  Matt raised one eyebrow and shook his head. “Dude, I’d rather she didn’t learn ten ways to grab me by the balls and bring me to my knees,” he chuckled, “she can already do that with a smile,” he said as he looked at Rylee and winked.

  She brushed it off with a laugh as she narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Was Mr Ashby okay with me not going into work?” Rylee asked looking over at me.

  Hearing Mr Ashby’s name made me panic just like I knew it would, I instinctively bit my lip before thinking about what I was doing and how it may have looked.

  I nodded at Rylee. “Yeah-”

  We glanced over at Lexi when she interjected “He was fine, I called him when I was out and explained the situation,” her eyes are focussed on her place.

  I’m almost positive I’m wearing a ‘What the hell?’ look on my face right now, I can feel it. I glance back at Rylee momentarily, she’s looking at me with her eyebrows drawn in, probably trying to read my expression. Great, now Rylee is suspicious, she wouldn’t have thought anything about it after I nodded confirming he was okay and then Lexi had to say she spoke with him too.

  Awesome! This is going to work wonders on my conscience. I excuse myself from the table telling them I need to use the bathroom- I don’t, I just need a few minutes.

  I lock the door and sit on the edge of the tub mentally chastising myself for acting so obvious, acting really isn’t my strong point. If Lexi is okay and comfortable with mentioning Ashby then I should be okay too. I don’t want Rylee’s suspicions to rise and her to start asking questions. Taking a deep breath in and letting it out slowly I leave the bathroom.

  Rylee is waiting for me outside the door, I should have known she would come and check on me after my reactions at the table.

  “What’s going on Ava? I saw the half hug you gave my mom, I saw the look on your face when she mentioned Ashby at the table, I saw your eyes flash to her and then back to me, you didn’t say much to me on the phone when I was in Boston- I know you, Ava, I know when something is wrong. Did Mr Ashby really get all douchy with you over me skipping work but you don’t want to tell me? What the hell could have possibly happened in the twenty eight hours I have been gone?” She stared at me with a stern look that told me she isn’t about to back down.

  “No, he didn’t mention you being away. I’m fine, Ry, honestly,” I swallow hard and muster up a small smile.

  “Promise me, Ava,” she moved her hand up holding out her pinky finger, moving her hand forward towards me, urging me to wrap mine around it, “pinky promise me you aren’t hiding something from
me…”

  I feel so torn; tell my best friend what I know before I even know if it’s the actual truth and maybe screw up her job and her newfound closeness with her mom, or keep it from her and possibly screw up her trust in me if she ever finds out I knew all along and didn’t have the balls to tell her.

  To be continued…

  For Rylee and Matt it is just the beginning- their story concludes in Believe.

  Matt Morgan has grown up needing to protect, defend and control his temper.

  He’s learning to believe in others.

  Rylee Blake has grown up feeling owned, possessed and controlled.

  She’s learning to believe in herself.

  Will their differences collide or will they teach each other to believe?

  Acknowledgements

  I have a few people that I would like to thank, not only for being there for me throughout the process of me writing this book but for putting up with my obsession of reading which ultimately led to me writing.

  To my daughter- You are the main one that deserves the biggest thank you as you have learned to deal with hearing my constant book talk and the infamous “I’m just finishing this chapter and I’ll do it” line! I love you more than the stars, you are and will always be my world.

  To Katie, my sister and best friend all rolled into one- You told me it would be really good to write about a book boyfriend, you planted the seed and then helped me grow it. You listened to me ramble daily about what I’m doing and what my characters were filling my head with for three months and I hope you’re ready for the next ride! LOADS OF LOVE!

  To all of my family- Thank you. Not just for not calling me crazy when I told you I was writing a book, but for everything. I love you all.

  Michelle- I have no idea where to start with thanking you. I can’t thank you enough for what you have done, you have been amazing keeping me on the right track when I got distracted and thought of different things or had forgotten something, you always reminded me of where I wanted to take my story. These past three months have been constant and I would still be on a thousand words if it wasn’t for your continuous support, thank you for sticking with me through it all.

  Amy- My rock star. Thank you for everything, your help, advice, my breathe reminders and for letting me introduce your boys in my book. Just remember, Ryder is mine!

  To all of you that have helped me as a whole, I don’t want to name people in fear of missing someone out. You know who you are- You have been amazing, this book wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for the encouragement you gave me and the faith you had in me when I had none in myself. Thank you for believing in me and answering my questions when I thought my “American” was broken! I love each and every one of you to the moon and back. When I started writing this I had no idea where I was going to set it and without the help you gave me my characters would have had wardrobes instead of closets, worktops instead of counters, knickers instead of panties, and they would have played kiss chase and made daisy chains.

  I love so many different authors and each and every one of them have inspired me in their own way, but the ones I talk to on a personal level have become more than just “the one that gave me that hot book boyfriend” they have become a friend first and an author second.

  Huge shout out to my #EyeCandyLadies on Eye Candy Bookstore, being on that Facebook page with four other book whores who know how to bring out the yumminess is great! Kellie, Amy, Toski & Carrie… I heart you all!

  To the blogs that have taken the time to read and review this book for me, I would name you all but I don’t want to miss anyone out! Just know that I think you all rock! THANK YOU!

  Contact S.L. Jayne

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SJayne

  Email: s.l.jayne@hotmail.co.uk

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18342939-the-promise

  Adam’s favourite band Inside Noise are actually a fictional band that are in my friend Amy’s new series The Phoenix Boys that will be out in Spring 2014.

  Keep reading for chapter one of Rafe (Book #1 in the Phoenix Boys series)

  Amy’s first book Let Me Love You is currently available.

  Find Amy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyDaviesBooks

  Chapter 1

  Lucy

  Well here I am in California with a new lease on life, new don’t-give-a-shit attitude. New Lucy Cooper.

  I have been here for a few weeks now settling into my new apartment. My parents bought me my own place as I’m not going to school here. After what happened at the beginning of summer, I managed to convince my parents to let me take a year out. It was hard but they agreed in the end. My dad told me to look for a female roommate to share my new apartment with. So shortly after I moved here I placed an ad on Craig’s List for a roommate and after a few weird people I found Miss Maisie Montgomery. She is crazy but I love her already. Trinity and Kenzie came with me Cali and they go to SoCal but their parents demanded they get the full college experience in the dorms. I don’t live that for from the main campus so it isn’t so bad, plus they are here at my place most days anyway. Maisie is just as short as me but whereas now I’m back to my natural sun kissed long blonde hair, Maisie has shoulder length chocolate brown hair with blue eyes. She maybe short in height but she has a huge attitude just like Kenzie and Trinity, I think that’s why we all get along so well.

  Mine and Monty’s (our nickname for Maise) apartment is very modern, a lot of white. We didn’t decorate it too much when we moved in; we only did our own rooms to our tastes but decided the living room and kitchen could stay as it was as we didn’t mind it. It looked clean, fresh and new and we liked it. We added our own little personal items to the room but that’s about it. We hung photos around the living room of our families and friend from back home. Well Monty added friends from back home, I lost all contact with mine all expect Trin and Kenz. After the whole Dallas incident most of my so called friends forgot about me, which for your information was perfectly fine by me.

  The front door swings open and I hear Maisie laughing and a male voice that I know and love. It looks like another night with my headphones on then. They round the corner and stop when they see me in the cream love seat we have that sits next to the window. I sit here and read when I have time. “Oh shit sorry Luce; I thought you had a shift this afternoon” I shake my head but can’t help but smile.

  “I had another migraine so I didn’t go in. But I feel better now” She leaves Gunner standing there and comes over to me and sits at my feet.

  “You sure Luce? I can send Gunner home” I look up at Gunner and he just smiles.

  “I’ll go if you not well sweetness. Or do you need me to get you some painkillers or soup or anything?” I smile up at Gunner, God this dude is hot. Meet Kirk Gunnerson aka Gunner. Tall, muscular and fucking HOT! He has caramel colored hair with matching eyes and a body to die for. Gunner plays college baseball and is huge here already. Gunner is Maisie’s high school sweetheart who followed her here to SoCal. He sees me as a little sister even though I’m five months older than him and only known him for a short time. He lives just off campus with a group of guys in their own apartment; they are in a band that performs at the pubs around campus but more at Max Point which is the main student hang out. I haven’t been there yet but I know that Monty has with Gunner and she raves about how hot the band is. Maybe I need to check them out.

  “I’m fine Gun honestly babe, I just needed a sleep in a dark room which I did and now I feel fine okay. I will go for a walk and give you two some alone time” I get up from the love seat and pick my Kindle and iPhone and make my way to my room. I place my things on my bed and back turn towards my desk and see Gunner standing at my bedroom door, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed across his wide chest.

  “Lucy honey you’re not going out, you’re not feeling well. Why don’t I make us some grilled cheese sandwiches and we can all watch a movie, yeah?” I really don’t want to be a third
wheel with them; I know they won’t do anything to make me feel uncomfortable so I nod and make my way back into the living room.

  We end up eating the grill cheese sandwiches on the couch watching an old classic ‘Empire Records’. It’s one of my absolute favorite movies. We laugh and joke around playing air guitar at the right point in the movie. God I had a huge crush on Rory Cochrane when I first found this movie. A lot of talent in this movie. I’m a huge movie buff and a music buff. I look over at Maisie and Gunner all snuggled up and think how amazing they are together. Gunner really loves her and she him, he would do anything for Monty. She once told me that Gunner was offered a huge scholarship at another college but he refused it as he wanted to go where she was going. SoCal had a similar scholarship to offer so he took it. They are lucky they have each other and I’m happy for them. I haven’t dated since Dallas and I don’t see myself dating any time soon. He hurt me to my core, cheating on me in front of me and for what happened after; it ripped my heart in two even though he doesn’t know about the baby.

  My parents thought it was for the best that no-one knew. I heard my parents talking just after I came home from the hospital that they had to go visit Hayley Phoenix, Rafe’s mom. They were hoping that he wouldn’t say anything about what happened to me. I thought about Rafe a lot over the summer but never saw him. I was told that he went travelling with his 2 brothers. I thought I saw his car a few times but never him. That’s why I moved to Cali early. From what I was told over the summer Dani wasn’t the first girl that Dallas cheated on me with, they are all welcome to ‘Ten Second Dallas’.

  I leave Monty and Gunner in the living room and head to my room when I hear Gunner shout after me “Hey Luce, we are going down to Max Point later you up for a few drinks with us? I can finally introduce you to Inside Noise. You will love the guys” I take a deep breath. I need to get out; I have done nothing but work non-stop these past few weeks, so maybe a night out is on the cards, it is Friday night after all.