Where Promises Die: A Second Chance Romance

by R. C. Stephens

  “Thanks, I know. This has been a long time coming,” Grace replied, and Eisav took her hand in his.

  “A very long time coming,” he reiterated as love and longing flashed in his eyes.

  “Heck, we managed to get married before you two,” Ilana cut in with her usual dry humor, referring to her and Marie.

  “Seriously.” Ida offered a brassy eye roll.

  No one mentioned the fact that Jacob had declined the invitation to join in on the festivities or the fact that both Eisav and Grace had agreed not to invite Dina. Jacob mentioned being bogged down in his second year of law school and couldn’t afford the time off. It sounded like an excuse, but it was also clear he didn’t want to watch his brother marry the woman he spent most of his teenage and early adult years pining for. As for Dina, it was clear the rift between them couldn’t be mended and that was okay. Grace and Eisav felt at peace.

  The families settled in to the castle. Eisav reserved rooms for everyone. He even reserved an adjoining room for Bridgette, Cody, and Cain since this was one of those instances he was going to want alone time with Grace.

  The rooms were each a masterpiece in their own right, adorned with silk sheets, drapes, and gold trimmings on everything. Eisav reserved the best suite for him and Grace. The wedding planner had explained that the suite was home to the largest bed in the United Kingdom. That small piece of information sparked a slew of sexual fantasies in Eisav’s mind in preparation for his wedding night.

  “Eisav, this place is magnificent,” Grace said, falling on the massive bed in their suite but you can’t sleep here with me tonight.”

  His brows crowded together. “Why the heck not?”

  “Because it’s bad luck to spend the night with a bride before the wedding. You also can’t see me before I walk down the aisle. This needs to be done right. Please, Eisav.”

  “You’re wish is my command, princess,” he replied.

  “Huh? What?”

  “I had a feeling you’d say that, so I booked myself another suite. You stay in this one so you can prepare for tomorrow. There’s plenty of space. Also, check out the view from the bathroom. You can soak in the tub and look out to the vineyards and the River Severn.”

  Grace blushed. “I know. It was kind of the first thing I laid eyes on when I walked in,”

  “Antonia packed your art supplies. The concierge should be bringing them up soon. I googled the place and saw the views, figured you’d want to paint.”

  “Eisav, I want to spend time with you and Cain. I can’t get wrapped up in my artwork. I still feel terrible about neglecting you two in Mozambique.”

  “You’ve apologized endlessly, and I keep telling you it isn’t necessary. I understand you. I understand what it’s like when inspiration strikes. For me it’s getting words on paper, but for you it’s putting that paintbrush to a canvas. It’s who we are. I don’t want you to apologize for something that’s a part of you. Your paintings and your strong-willed personality mean the same thing to me. They define you as a person. A person I love,” Eisav said, leaning in to press a kiss to her lips. As their mouths connected, he let out a low rumble from the back of his throat.

  “How did I ever get so lucky?” She grinned, placing her hand on his jaw.

  “I was just asking myself the same question.” He laughed.

  Grace swatted his chest playfully. “I love you, you smug man.”

  “And I love you, my flamboyant artist,” he chortled. “If you don’t want me to take you right now, then you better stop looking at me that way,” Eisav warned, detecting the heat building in Grace’s eyes.

  “Who said I don’t want you to fuck me now? I said you couldn’t sleep here tonight, but one last roll in the hay until we part ways wouldn’t hurt. Would it?” She scrunched up her face almost embarrassed, almost.

  “I like the way you think, future Mrs. Eisav.” He leaned his body over hers. Eisav had dropped the name Duncan many years before. It wasn’t a name he wanted to give Grace either. He had made plans on a few occasions to search for his biological father, but then when it came time to follow through, he had always cancelled. The adults in his life had always been one big disappointment. He had a vision of his father as this perfect man who loved music and loved his family and feared reality might taint his fantasy.

  “Really? Mrs. Eisav …” She snickered. “I think after the wedding we need to meet your biological father. We know you get your musical talents from him … I believe you also took your kind heart from him too. If my hunch is wrong it won’t matter though because you, my future husband, are the perfect man,” she said, kissing the corner of his lips.

  “I love that after everything we’ve been through you can still be so positive. I swear, Grace, you keep the dark from overtaking me,” he said, placing a soft kiss on her lips.

  “I want that, Eisav. I want to give you only happiness.”

  “You do.” He kissed her again, this time deeper, harder, with more conviction than he ever had before. He kissed her, wishing it was tomorrow and their nuptials were finally here. He made love to her slowly and thoroughly with his entire body and soul. Rocking her world with sweet words and dirty rhymes, whispering promises of forever and always. Forever and always they truly were, for his promises never died. They had just been put on hold briefly. A prequel for a list of tomorrow’s promises that he would make each day to Grace, Cain, and his future daughter that had not yet been born.

  Thank you to my lovely readers who continuously show me support and allow me to spread my wings. I know each of my stories are very different and I’m grateful that you’ve stuck around to read and enjoy the stories my crazy mind conjures up.

  To my new readers, welcome and thank you for picking up Where Promises Die. I hope you enjoyed the story and hopefully you’ll take a chance on some of my other characters too.

  To the bloggers and readers who help promote books I give you a million thank you’s. You are a selfless and dedicated group and I am honored that you choose to promote my books.

  To my family, I thank you for putting up with my endless hours by the computer. Your support and belief in me keeps me thriving.

  Sincerely,

  RC

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  You can also visit my website www.rcstephens.com to learn more about my books.

  As far back as R.C. Stephens can remember she was a sucker for a good romance. Of course there had to be a prince charming even if he ultimately was a dark knight and there had to be a happy ending.

  She watched the movie Dirty Dancing way too many times growing up and Jean Claude Van Damme movies too. Go figure!

  After years of saying she would write a book one day, she finally put pen to paper and carved out the plot line for what would eventually become the best selling Twisted Series. Now R.C. is just finishing up her seventh book and can’t seem to stop the stories running through her mind.

  The Twisted Series

  Bitter Sweet Love

  Alexis White has lived a lifetime of pain and heartbreak, but she has survived and finally moved forward. Seven years after walking away from her first love, she finds herself caught in a love triangle that turns dark., leaving her to question every choice she has ever made.

  Twisted Love

  Alexis White has faced obstacle after obstacle and a list of should haves and could haves. The reality is she didn’t…

  Focusing on the past won’t help. She’s determined to carve herself a future…

  The question is she willing to give her heart away forever?

  Wild Cards

  Book three of the Twisted Series can be read as a standalone. Tells the story of Luc a character from the first two books.

  Can two dark souls find the light?

  Dark Romance

  A Bad B
oys Series

  Dick

  Am I a player? Maybe. I don’t make promises I can’t keep, but I do promise a good time.

  My good looks and the bulge in my pants do the rest of the work.

  I don’t care if my conquests are married or in a relationship. In fact my nickname sometimes gets thrown in my face. All that changed the night I met Eden…

  Problem is she turned out to be my son’s kindergarten teacher.

  Standalones

  HALO

  Turn the page to read an excerpt of Halo

  HALO

  R.C. STEPHENS

  2016

  “Not all those who wander are lost”—J.R.R. Tolkien

  Prologue

  Rogers Park, Chicago

  Christmas morning 2002

  Thomas

  I lie in bed waiting for Halo to wake up. I know Christmas was a big deal around her house when she was growing up. Even though her parents are gone I still want her to feel the magic of the holiday. When I was a kid Christmas was another shitty day in my life. Nothing to celebrate. Another mark on the calendar moving me closer to the time I could leave my father and my dirty past behind.

  Halo begins to stir in bed, shifting toward me with her eyes shut. A sweet smile plays on her pink, lush lips and my chest bursts with love for this woman.

  “Hey.” Her morning voice is raspy and thick. She opens her eyes. I couldn’t love this woman more even if I tried. She’s my everything.

  “Hey yourself.” I grin as my eyes roam over her rosy nipples. The memory of making love last night gets me all hard again. I would take her right now if I didn’t have something planned. I let out a grunt.

  She stretches out her arms and her body moves into a delicious curve. I lean down and close my mouth over her nipple. Damn, she tastes good.

  I groan. “Baby, you can’t be teasing me now. It’s Christmas morning and I got stuff waiting for you under the tree downstairs.”

  “Stuff?” Excitement grows in her eyes. “Like presents?” She instantly pops up to her knees, bouncing on the bed. She’s too cute. It’s taking everything in me not to claim her right now. I want to give her Christmas.

  Seeing her smile means everything. Not too long ago she was drowning in darkness. The healthy gleam in her eyes tells me she’s feeling good now. It will make my news a little easier to deliver.

  “Yes, baby, the stuff is presents.” Before I can say anything else she pops out of bed and grabs her T-shirt off the floor. I must have thrown it there last night during our lustful attempt to actually make it to the bed as opposed to having sex on the floor again.

  There’s nothing wrong with floor sex but it can get hard on the back and Halo’s knees. Halo throws on the shirt and darts down the hallway. I hear the small patter of her footsteps as she makes her way down the stairs. I slip on my boxer shorts and follow her. I placed a number of presents under the tree and she won’t know which to open first.

  I swiftly walk down the stairs to the living room where our Christmas tree is shining bright. I look out the window to see a small dusting of snow falling from the sky. Halo seats herself on the floor in front of the presents. This is my second year with a Christmas tree and her second year without her parents—bittersweet.

  “Which one do I open first?” she asks like a little girl rubbing her palms together. It makes me laugh. I mean we are young. I’m twenty and she’s nineteen. We were both forced to grow up too quickly. I guess it’s memorable times like this that we cherish.

  “If I knew presents made you this excited I would try to get more.” I chuckle.

  “It’s not just the presents, Thomas. It’s Christmas. Do you feel that? It’s magical.” She stares out into space with a peaceful look on her face.

  “Sure baby, I’m feeling it.” I look down to the chub in my shorts from this morning’s perusal of her body.

  “Thomas,” she chides, punching my shoulder.

  I chuckle again. “I’m just joking, this day is special for me too.” She’s too cute. I lean in, pressing a soft kiss on her lips. I pull away and lean toward the first box I want her to open. “This one.” I pass her a little red box wrapped in pink ribbon. She opens it in a hurry. It’s a thong from Victoria’s Secret. It’s not meaningful, but I couldn’t help picture how hot she would look in it.

  “Thank you.” She leans forward and places a kiss on my lips. Then she rises to her feet and walks over to the closet by the front door. She retrieves a box from the closet and comes back to the tree.

  “This is for you,” she says, extending the box with one hand. I pull her toward me, guiding her to sit in my lap. Then I open my gift. It’s a dog tag. Engraved. “I will always love you. You are the light in my darkness.” My chest grows tight.

  I enlisted in the navy and went through SEAL boot camp, passing with flying colors. Then I was shipped out to Coronado, California a year ago for more training.

  Becoming a SEAL was a dream I had all my life. Originally I wanted to be a SEAL to get away from my father. Then I met Halo. She was only fifteen and perfect. She made me want to be a SEAL for an entirely different reason—I wanted to prove myself worthy of her.

  I haven’t told her yet, but I’m deploying. I was putting it off until I knew the depression was better. I also know that she could feel me itching to leave. My friends from boot camp had already been assigned to teams that had left for Afghanistan. Being a newlywed meant I could put it off for a while. Now I was deploying. I worried she would take it hard. That’s another reason I wanted to make Christmas extra special for us.

  “Halo, it’s perfect, baby.” I lean over and give her a kiss. “You are the light in my darkness. I know you know I need to leave. I wanted to talk to you about it, but…”

  Her finger presses to my mouth. “I know…I know you need to go. I’ve known for a while. I guess I was selfish trying to keep you here all this time.”

  “There isn’t a selfish bone in your body. You were having a hard time and it was completely understandable. You’re stronger now. You’re going to be okay. You’re busy with school and you have Jenny. You will be fine without me, Halo. I don’t think you realize how strong you really are.” I pause for a minute because I want her to open her next gift. “Here, open this.” I pass her a little silver box; this one has a little gold bow on top. She turns on my lap so she is sitting with her legs wrapped around my waist. She opens the box and her jaw drops.

  “Thomas, it’s perfect,” she gasps taking it out of the box. It’s a silver locket.

  “Here, let me.” I take it out of her hand and show her the engraving on the back.

  You’re my Halo, my ray of light.

  I will always find my way back to you

  She laughs.

  “We clearly think alike.” She nods, proud of herself. It’s true her name is quite original. We’ve used “halo” as a term of endearment many times. It’s a reminder that when a person is drowning in darkness, another person can show them the light.

  “It’s perfect, Thomas.”

  “It opens up. You can put two pictures inside,” I explain, showing it to her.

  “I will have to get some pictures made.”

  I place the necklace around her neck and her palm closes over the locket, holding it close to her heart. I place the tags around my neck.

  “Baby, I ship out tomorrow. I’ve known for a couple of weeks, but I didn’t want you walking around sulking for my last days at home. I thought it’s better we had a quick goodbye.” I speak the words softly, but inside I’m cringing, hoping she isn’t mad.

  “Thomas…” Tears roll down her cheeks. “I know this has been coming. I know you need to go. It’s okay. I’ve told myself it’s okay since we had our first date four years ago. I’ve been preparing myself mentally for this. You will be great and you will do good in this world.” She leans forward and places a wet kiss on my mouth. I can feel her tears on my face. I love her so damn much it hurts.

  “Baby, I love yo
u. I’ll probably be gone for a while. I’ll try to stay in touch as much as I can but I’ve been told that I may be off radar for long periods of time…” I pause because my next words aren’t easy. I take a deep breath. There really is no easy way to say this… She’s young and beautiful and we fell in love and married young. If something were to happen to me she needs to know that she needs to move on.

  “Don’t say it, Thomas.” Her tears continue to fall and she nods. “You’re it for me, baby.” She says it adamantly and I believe her. I was her only boyfriend and her first everything.

  “Halo, listen to me.” My thumb grazes her cheek, wiping away her tears. “I’m a SEAL now. We go on high-risk missions. I need to know that if something happens to me that you won’t check out. You need to find yourself a new husband and make a life. You are nineteen years old and the most beautiful thing I have ever seen walk this earth. I know I’m asking for a lot here, but I need to hear you promise me you will. Now that being said, I promise you that I will do my damnedest to come home to you. I will find you in the dark; you can trust that. Just in case, please say the words.” I beg her as if it’s my least breath. I know she would always keep her promises to me and this one is important. My own tears spill.

  I’m a realist. Living a difficult life makes you into one. There are no ifs about it. I wipe gently at her tears and look at her with pleading eyes, chipping at her stubborn walls until they are fully broken.

  “I promise.” She nods then claims my lips hungrily. The thought of her being with another man makes me crazy possessive. I know deep down I need to do everything I can to stay alive, but the reality of being a SEAL doesn’t always allow for that. The heat between us ignites and within seconds I yank down my boxer shorts and have my cock buried between her legs as she rocks on top of me. I need to own every inch of her because that conversation about her moving on has just done crazy things to my insides. As I bury myself inside her, I cleanse my mind. There is nothing else—just me and her. The way it should always be.