Where Promises Die: A Second Chance Romance

by R. C. Stephens

  “It was a regular summer morning. My mom came into my room, woke me up with a kiss on the cheek. She worked as a bookkeeper for the museum. She loved her job because she spent her lunch walking the halls. She loved art. We had a studio in our apartment,” Grace explained, feeling a harsh pain deep in her chest. After all these years, the pain of losing her mother felt like a fresh wound. “I remember her reddish-brown hair was tied in a bun. She placed a dress on my bed and told me to hurry and get dressed so she wouldn’t be late for work. I didn’t have school since it was summer, but she enrolled me in the community center camp. I actually hated the camp, but I knew she needed to work so I didn’t complain. I went out to the kitchen and ate my usual bowl of cereal. Everything was so normal. Same old. No reason to suspect an inkling of a bad day.” Grace paused for a moment to take a breath.

  “You’re shivering. Let’s get out of the water. I have a blanket in my bag. We can go to the forest,” Eisav suggested.

  Grace nodded her head and followed Eisav out of the water. He was wearing boxers, so he wasn’t truly naked. A part of her was both relieved and disappointed. He went straight for his bag and pulled out a blanket then wrapped it around her body, although she noticed him steal a glance of her backside.

  “You’ll be cold,” she said through chattering teeth.

  “Nah, it’s warm. I’m good.” He waved her off then moved to collect his things off the ground. He also picked up Grace’s clothes, and she followed him into the forest. He stopped along a log without shade so she could warm up but instead of sitting on the log, she placed the blanket on the ground and sat on it.

  “You’re asking a lot here, Gracie. You want me to focus on your story when you’re sitting beside me in a see-through bra and a pair of white panties that have also become see through.” He scoffed, looking at her through a heated gaze.

  “You promised patience,” she reminded him, cocking a brow.

  He nodded. “And patience you’ll get, but don’t blame me if you also witness my hard-on.” He looked down to his boxers.

  Grace’s cheeks flushed, seeing him stiffen beneath the wet fabric.

  “I’m just joking. You have my patience. Always. Although your innocence is a real turn-on.” He shook his head to dislodge the thought. “Please continue.”

  Grace pulled her legs up to her chest and placed her arms around them, holding herself tight in a ball. It had been so long since she remembered that day. She had even surprised herself about the details she remembered and it made her happy like a piece of her mother had always stayed with her.

  “It was a normal day. Mom packed me a peanut butter and jam sandwich in my lunch box. We walked through the busy streets. We got on a bus to the center. There was a stretch where we had to walk down a quiet street. Mom knew of a shortcut through a back alley to the center. As we were walking down the road, my mom was telling me about a painting the museum had recently acquired. I remember looking up to her with a smile then out of nowhere a man came up to us. His hands were shaking, and he was holding a gun pointed at us. I wanted to scream or run, but I just looked at my mother. She was calm while the man was screaming for her to pass him her purse. She passed it to him then pleaded with him to not hurt me. That’s when it happened. I remember the frantic look in his eyes. My mother was holding her cell phone in her hand. I think she was trying to dial for help. The man noticed and shot her, then he gazed at me with frenzied eyes before taking off. I fell to the ground and cried, praying that my mother would be okay. Some people heard the shot and came running. The rest feels like a blur. I was taken to the police station and shown photos in order to identify the man. That’s when it started … I couldn’t speak. I was so scared, and I couldn’t stop replaying the shooting in my mind. I needed it to turn off. The sound of the gunshot still rings in my ears all these years later. Then I was put into state foster care. I don’t know how much time passed when a lady came and brought me here to your family. Everything happened so fast I had no time to register what was happening. I had no time to say goodbye. I don’t know who my father is or if I had other family who would have wanted me. I only know that our mothers were friends in high school. Your mother hasn’t really told me anything over the years,” Grace explained in despair.

  “What can I do? How can I make it better for you? I’ve tried to ask my mother questions for you in the past, but she’s locked up like a damn safe.”

  “I know. I know you’ve tried. I think my mother’s parents have passed away. They were either too old to take me or dead. The reason I’m telling you this story now is because I feel you pulling away from me, and you’re the only one who has ever treated me like I belong here. I’m scared of losing you. It was because of you that I spoke. I felt safe around you. I was sure you would never hurt me. You made it your daily duty to make me smile when all I saw was black,” Grace admitted painfully.

  Eisav moved in closer and placed an arm around her shoulder. His warm body enveloped her in his heat.

  “Gracie, I’ve felt connected to you from the day you arrived. You could never lose me. Ever. I’m sorry if you felt I was pulling away from you. If we are being honest, you need to understand that I’ve had a crush on you from the first day you arrived. Don’t you remember that poem I made up for you? It was the first poem I ever recited to you. I told you that you took my breath away. I wasn’t joking.”

  Grace’s eyes grew wet.

  “I don’t know how to handle this…” he waved his hand between their bodies “…us … I mean my parents would literally have a rifle out if they saw us sitting here half naked together,” he said without thinking.

  Grace stiffened.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have phrased it that way. I just meant that my father is the unhinged type. I don’t want to push my luck, but I’ve wanted you in an intimate way for a while.” His Adam’s apple moved up and down as he spoke.

  A wave of want and heat rushed over her body as she gazed at him. She may not have had any experience with boys, and she may have been shy and quiet around others, but with Eisav she was herself. Confident, bustling with self–esteem. Yes, Eisav made her blossom.

  “Did your brooding this afternoon have anything to do with my date tonight?” She lifted a brow, gazing at him intently.

  Eisav narrowed his dark eyes. “Declan York, Gracie? Are you freaking kidding me? If I don’t deserve you, then Declan should never even come close to your vicinity.”

  Grace laughed for a moment before his words sank in. Why did he feel like he didn’t deserve her? Any happiness she had in the past five years was because of him.

  “Eisav, Declan is cute.” She huffed.

  Eisav rolled his eyes. “Please save me the details.”

  “And what is this of you not deserving me?” She moved in closer. His head was now

  bowed, and she itched to make eye contact with him so she could better understand his thinking. “Eisav, look at me. You’ve always been there for me. My happiness is tied to you. Can’t you see that?” she asked almost painfully. She hated that he didn’t feel good enough. She knew it was the result of his parent’s verbal abuse.

  “I don’t know, Gracie. I just don’t know.” He shook his head back and forth. “I’m trying to make sense of this. I want to believe I’m good enough. I always felt good around you. No one ever made me feel like you do, Gracie. You know my heart, my soul. You’re my heart and soul,” he paused with hesitation. “My teacher seems to think I have real talent. There’s an agent coming to Des Moines next month. He wants me to play for him. Mr. Briars knows him and would put in a good word for me,” Eisav explained.

  “What does that mean? Are you leaving?” she asked, almost frantic.

  “It means that I can’t wait to get the hell away from here. If it hadn’t been for you, I would’ve left already.” Frustrated, he blew out a breath. “I can wait another two years, but I won’t leave without you.” His words held conviction as he brushed his thumb along her jawline.
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br />   “In that case I’m happy your teacher can help out. You’re so talented. I know you’ll make it big one day. I’ll be sitting in the front row of your first concert, cheering you on,” she said, feeling giddy now that he reassured her he would stay.

  “Is that a promise?” he asked playfully but his tone was serious.

  “That’s a promise. As long as you don’t forget about me when you become famous.” She laughed.

  “Never,” he replied with a hot intense gaze.

  Grace’s gaze warmed as she admired Eisav. He took her hand and held it in his. It all felt very comfortable, like the way things used to be before it got complicated.

  She knew she had to reveal her truth since he had been so open and honest about his own feelings. “Do you really think I’m interested in Declan? I agreed to go out with him because you didn’t keep your promise,” Grace finally admitted. Eisav looked a little taken back. “You said you’d be my first kiss, and I’ve waited too long. We’ve been alone like this hundreds of times. You could have made a move. Instead, you’ve been pulling away. I’m fifteen and a half years old, Eisav,” she chided.

  “I don’t need to be reminded, Gracie. Trust me, I know.”

  “I’m ready for my first kiss, and if it isn’t going to be you, then I’m going to make it happen with someone else.” She smiled brilliantly, proud of herself. Eisav had played that card for too long, and now it was her turn.

  “Whoa.” He narrowed his eyes. It looked like a volcano had erupted inside him. “That kiss is mine. We made a promise. I won’t allow another guy to steal something that’s mine,” he snapped.

  Grace wasn’t sure if he was referring to her or the kiss.

  “You snooze you lose, Eisav. I’m not putting up with your excuses anymore,” she said. Even though he promised to wait for her to finish high school before leaving, his intentions were still unclear. “If you don’t want me in that way, I’ll have to accept it,” she replied, sounding unaffected. In reality she silently prayed for him to claim her lips right away. She only hoped she wasn’t pushing him too hard or into the arms of another girl.

  Eisav let out a growl from the back of his throat, followed by some curses. “Is that what you think? That I don’t want you?” He hissed and rubbed a hand over his mouth before he confessed, “I’m honestly not sure I’ll be able to stop kissing you if I start.” His gaze lowered to her breasts.

  Grace felt her nipples pucker beneath his stare but straightened her shoulders, her moment of uncertainty passing as if it had never occurred. Eisav’s words were meant to be a threat, to scare her off for a few more years until she was really ready for him, but she wanted to show him how ready she truly was.

  As Eisav and Grace stared each other down, it was only a matter of time before one of them broke the silence and made a move.

  “Kiss me now, you fool,” she said with her sharp tongue, feeling a sense of victory.

  His lips curled into a hungry smile, cobalt eyes turning black. She could feel his resolve wavering. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. That electricity that had always crackled between them came to life in a whole new way. His lips felt soft and warm, tasting of sunshine. He shifted closer, placing a hand on her bare shoulder while his lips continued their slow caress. It made her whole body tingle as she leaned into him, feeling the heat radiating from his body.

  “I want you so bad,” he growled. “You’re testing my patience,” he rasped against her mouth.

  His words of warning caused a burning sensation to furl through her body. She could feel his kiss down to her toes. Grace slid closer and wrapped both her arms around his neck, pressing her nipples against his taut chest. The feeling was both electrifying and overwhelming. The friction between them intensified to hard rubs and heavy hands. Grace felt a warmth crawl up her thighs, a new sensation she found addicting … just like Eisav.

  Eisav let out a low growl, licking the seam of her mouth. She wondered if every kiss was like this or if it was only Eisav that caused heat to burn through her. The moment his tongue brushed her lips, her mouth opened and her tongue came out to play with his. He tasted like sweet sin, perfect, sweet sin. Her hands fell down his shoulders, rubbing along the strong grooves of his back. She melted into him, wanting the kiss to last forever, wanting to engrain this moment in her mind like she had done with so many other moments they shared.

  Eisav cupped her head, deepening the kiss, and she whimpered the softest moan into his mouth. He laid her down on the blanket, allowing his large body to hover above her. Grace could feel his hardness pressed into her stomach. She knew about sex. Brooklyn was not a virgin and explained the details of pleasuring a man on more than one occasion. Grace had also envisioned making out with Eisav many nights while she lay in bed feeling her body heating up to the thoughts.

  As Eisav’s lips slowly moved along her neck, nipping and licking, she felt as if she was in blissful Heaven. When he cupped her breast, she pressed herself into him.

  Eisav pushed her bra down. His eyes turned to molten rock when he took in her rosy nipples. Placing a palm over one breast, he let out a guttural groan as he began kneading one breast while running his finger over her sensitive nipple. As he continued the same rhythm on the other breast, Grace felt her stomach clench and her breath quicken. She heard of an orgasm before but wasn’t sure if that was about to happen. Eisav’s breaths were coming just as fast, and she contemplated touching his hard, thick length tucked behind his boxer shorts. Brooklyn had told her that guys liked it when a girl pumped their cock. Grace wasn’t sure if she was brave enough or if she needed to ask permission. Not wanting to give the matter too much thought, she lowered her hands, running them over his steely abs. She could feel his own abdomen clenching from her touch.

  “You’re so perfect, Gracie,” he said with a deep, husky voice.

  She moved her hand into his boxers, which were still damp from the swim, while keeping her eyes glued to his asking for silent permission. His head moved up and down, taking a large gulp of air as she slipped her hand into his boxers and began to pump his shaft. The soft feeling of his skin, which contrasted with his full, hard length filling her hand, surprised her.

  “Slow down, Gracie,” he placed a hand over hers, stilling her movements and showing her what he liked. “Can I touch you too? Here?” he asked, cupping her sex over her white panties.

  Grace felt her heart speed up from the thought alone, and she nodded her head. Then Eisav slid a finger inside her panties, rubbing it along her clit down to her opening.

  “You’re so wet,” he began to say when small whimpers left her lips. “You want to come, don’t you?” he asked and without waiting for an answer, continued. “I want that too. I want to make you come in so many ways. I would love to sink inside you, but you aren’t ready for any of that. I know this feels good, but we need to take things slow. I also need you to promise me that you aren’t going out with Declan,” he said when Grace let out a loud moan.

  “Oh yes, Eisav.”

  He hadn’t even stuck a finger inside her, and she was already on the edge.

  “Eisav, I only agreed to the date to get your attention, which I thought I lost …” she admitted breathlessly as he worked her over.

  “I want you to be mine, and I’ll be only yours,” he said as he pushed one finger inside her opening. Her head fell back and she let out an even louder moan.

  “Oh Lord, yes.”

  “Is that a yes to us? Gracie.”

  “Yes, yes.” She paused. “Yes to us.” She let out another long moan. “Please,” she practically begged as she clenched around him.

  Eisav moved to lie beside her and began pumping his finger inside her, faster and faster. He rubbed her clit with his thumb, and she began to scream out the sweetest sounds as an orgasm racked through her body. Her green eyes shut, her head tilted back, and her pink lips fell open making the most erotic sound. Chest rising and falling, nipples pert standing to attention, Grace’s entire bo
dy and soul bowed to him, embracing him.

  When her breaths slowed, Grace opened her eyes and gave Eisav a sleepy smile.

  “You enjoyed that, huh?” Eisav asked proudly.

  She nodded, feeling airy and speechless.

  “I enjoyed that too,” he responded. “Do you know how many nights I dreamed about this? I dreamed of nights under the stars in the forest. Naked swimming in the pond. I’ve spent a heck of a lot of time fantasizing about you,” he admitted, his own breaths moving quickly. He lay down and snuggled close to her on the blanket, taking her in his arms.

  When Grace finally got her wits about, her she looked into his eyes and ran her fingers through his unkempt hair. Making out with him made her feel even closer to him and suddenly the thought of him ever leaving, even in two years’ time made her nervous. What if the agent liked him and offered him an opportunity? He wouldn’t be able to pass that up. Not for her. Too many thoughts rushed through her mind, causing anxiety to build.

  “Eisav, when you told me earlier about your teacher having an opportunity for you to sing, what did you mean?”

  “I would never go anywhere without you. This is a practice run. I know you have two years left of high school. I’d never leave you here on your own. I doubt the agent will even be interested in me anyway,” he assured her.

  “Are you insane?” she snapped. “You know you have serious talent. If there’s one thing you should be sure of, it’s that.”

  “I know I can sing, but I would never go anywhere without you. I’ll pursue my career when you’re ready to come with me. That’s if you want to come with me.” He suddenly sounded unsure of himself.

  Her eyes warmed. “Whatever happens … we’ll make it work. I want to go to art school and you want a singing career. We’ll figure it out. Right?” She needed to hear his reassurance again.

  “Right!” He kissed her nose. “For now, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Even if that guy wants to sign me. I’m still here. There’ll be other opportunities. It’s just good for me to practice presenting myself to people like him.”