Romantic Promises (Alluring Promises Series, #2)

by Baker, Janice

  Just then the sprinkles started. We picked up our stride toward our building. Then came the rain and Vanessa looked like she was headed to seek shelter at a nearby store awning.

  I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to continue our walk. I held her hand to make sure she’d stay with me as we walked a little faster.

  Full rain. It came pouring down by the buckets and Vanessa stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and looked up at me. “This is supposed to be fun and spontaneous?” she yelled above the sound of the rain as she started laughing. Mascara was running down her cheeks, her hair was matted to her face, she was soaking wet.

  And I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in my life as I watched her tilt her head up towards the sky and just accept the falling rain.

  She looked back at me, smiling and laughing. I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward me. I looked down at her face and tilted her chin up to look to me. As the rain splashed on her face, I put my hands on both sides of her face and with the pads of my thumbs I wiped away the mascara that trickled down. I stared into her eyes, which were blinking away the rain.

  We both smiled at each other as I glanced down at her mouth. I slowly started to bend down to taste her lips, but hesitated and looked back into her eyes. I wanted to make sure she wanted me to kiss her. I didn’t want her to regret it. She answered me by smiling again. A smile that reached her eyes as she started to flutter her lashes expecting my kiss. Or maybe she was batting away the drops of rain. I’ll go with the former, I decided as I smiled into her mouth. My lips touched her perfect soft lips, wet from the rain that was drizzling on us. She opened her mouth letting mine explore hers. I swear time stood still as our tongues danced together in the most perfect kiss I’ve ever had.

  Shit. That sounded romantic.

  I pulled back slightly and gave her another peck, noticing her eyes were still closed. She slowly opened her eyes and her lips formed the sweetest smile.

  Thunder crashed in the distance causing her eyes to widen with slight fear. I smiled and grabbed her hand again and we started to run towards our building, knowing it was only a couple more blocks.

  We finally arrived at the entrance to our building, laughing from jumping puddles although mostly hitting them straight on. We were both soaked. Completely and entirely drenched from head to toe. Inside the elevator, Vanessa glanced down at the floor, laughing at the puddles of water surrounding us at our feet.

  As soon as the doors closed, I couldn’t contain myself. I grabbed her waist and pulled her towards me. Her eyes meeting mine mirroring the same desire. She inched her head towards mine and I had no doubt she wanted me. I smiled just slightly before our mouths thrust against each other. Pulled together by some longing force that we’ve always wanted this.

  Now, lost in this kiss, I honestly can’t understand why we haven’t been doing this all the time. Our tongues lashed against each other with such force as we pressed our bodies tightly together.

  Out of all the girls I’ve kissed, somehow with Vanessa there was something more than with the others. I couldn’t figure out what it was, nor did I want to try right now. The elevator door opened as we reached our floor.

  “If you guys fuck in the elevator, I want a copy of the surveillance tape,” I heard Clark say somewhere in the distance.

  Vanessa broke from our kiss first as embarrassment flooded her face. I punched Clark’s arm pretty hard as we left the elevator to get to our apartments. His stupid comments seem to always fuck up the best situations.

  Chapter 19

  Vanessa

  I arrived at the office early that morning, feeling fantastic. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had so much fun with Matt yesterday. And the day before that, and before that. I made myself giggle out loud just thinking about how many days there were with him. Matt just put me in a good mood, I guess.

  I touched my lips remembering how amazing Matt kissed me, especially the kiss in the rain. Romantic. It really was romantic, standing in the rain like some Audrey Hepburn movie full of romance. Of course, Matt’s roommate broke any spell that might have been there. Clark has to be the most disgusting man ever created. I was so embarrassed, not to mention that I keep breaking my damn policy every time I kiss Matt. Someone from work could have seen us. Although the rain was pouring so hard, I doubt anyone was looking at the odd couple kissing in the middle of the sidewalk.

  My feelings for Matt were growing stronger and I was teetering on my reasons for why I created the darn policy in the first place. The subordinate not dating their superior was reasonable. We had a problem and I didn’t want that to happen again. A boss should never make advances towards his subordinate, regardless of their affections. It just gives the boss the upper hand and a position of power.

  Co-workers dating…things could go wrong in any relationship — lovers or co-workers. Fights at the office would occur regardless. Thinking back not too long ago, I already fought with Matt and we weren’t even dating, but that’s beside the point, because my reason for fighting with him stemmed from my jealousy of what he’s able to accomplish at the office and the attention he attracts.

  I sat back analyzing my relationship with Matt or whatever it was. I had to remember that Matt doesn’t date anyone. Even if he did, he doesn’t “do” romance.

  I would always feel like I was competing with every woman he’s either already slept with or women who wanted to sleep with him.

  What am I thinking? We weren’t even talking about dating or anything like that. He just wants sex I reminded myself and that would only lead to more feelings. More feelings from my side, since he’s a man that likes his philandering ways and I would just get jealous. Ugh. There I go again thinking that he would ever want a relationship.

  I just need to get my head out of the clouds and just remain friends and not think about anything more with him. No more sex with Matt and along those lines, no more kissing either. That way I wouldn’t feel so shitty about going around my own policy.

  Friends. Just friends. No friends with benefits. Just Friends.

  I exhaled a sigh of huge relief that I now had a grip on reality and started working on the project that I had put off for awhile. For some reason today, I felt inspired to finish it. I became so engrossed in what I was doing that I didn’t even hear Matt come in to my office. I glanced up when I noticed someone sitting in one of my chairs. Seeing his warm blue eyes gaze at me with that sexy smile made my heart skip a beat. I couldn’t help but smile.

  Friends.

  He leaned in slightly and cocked his head to the side. Then he threw his thumb in the direction of his office. “Umm, who’s that guy you sent over?”

  I wanted to laugh and I had a really tough time trying to keep a straight face. “Your new admin, Blaine.” I swallowed to keep myself from laughing. “Is there a problem?”

  He raised his eyebrows and in all seriousness and almost a disgusted look, stated, “Yeah. He’s a guy.”

  “And?” Keep it together Vanessa. This is way too beautiful to watch.

  “Well why don’t I have a female admin?” He was trying to keep calm when asking this and I swear I wanted to laugh at him. I knew this would get him and I had completely forgotten about his new admin over the weekend.

  I looked down at the files on my desk, trying to concentrate on keeping a straight face. “Because he’s an incredible admin. He worked for Paul Richards who just retired.”

  “Why didn’t you get me a female?” Oh God, it was tough holding it together.

  “Because he’s familiar with our company and he’s fantastic and he used to actually assist with sales. He’s perfect for your department,” I told him as matter of fact as I could.

  He leaned back with that arrogant attitude and smiled. “You’re jealous.”

  “Of what?” I practically spat out. Why did that just hit me the wrong way?

  He leaned in. “You didn’t want to get me a female because you were afraid I’d start something.”

  “W
ell, I wouldn’t want you to get fired for taking advantage of your admin, now would I?” I gave him a small smile and then quirked my head to the side. “I have your best interests at heart.”

  He paused for a moment as if he were studying me. His mouth curled into a full beautiful smile that reached his eyes. I pressed my lips together wondering what he was going to say.

  He nodded his head and looked right into my eyes. “Alright, I get it. He’s good. I’ll shut up.”

  I couldn’t resist adding in my two cents. “I knew you’d see it my way.” I winked at him and gave him another smile.

  He chuckled. Nodding his head and lowering his voice he asked, “What are you doing for lunch?”

  “Oh no, we can’t hang out together at the office too.”

  “We’re two adults having lunch with each other. What’s wrong with that?” I glanced around the room and took a deep breath. I really did want to, but that damn policy kept haunting me. We were just going to have lunch as two co-workers. It wasn’t a date.

  “You know you want to,” he continued to prod me. “Come on. It’s just lunch.”

  I rolled my eyes, knowing full well he was right. Not to mention, I loved spending time with him. “Alright, but some place casual and loud. Not intimate.”

  He smiled that perfect smile that was starting to really melt my heart each time. “Great. I’ll meet you at the elevators at noon. You know, so we don’t look like it’s a date.”

  ******

  It was Wednesday now. Matt and I had lunch and dinner together both Monday and Tuesday. Both days we left each other smiling like idiots. Friends, I constantly repeated to myself.

  I breathed in deep as I put my key into my lock and walked into my empty apartment after getting home from work. I would say I felt alone without Aubrey, but I haven’t been alone except when I went to bed. I rarely hear from her when she’s away since she’s so busy.

  I felt my cell phone vibrate and I smiled knowing it was probably Matt. He texted me the past two nights the second I walked in the door. I started to wonder if he was watching me from his peephole. I was surprised to see it was Aubrey instead.

  Aubrey: How’s it going? Miss me?

  Me: I do miss you. Matt’s been trying to fill your shoes though.

  Aubrey: Oh yeah? :-) Well, good then he can take you Friday night.

  Me: What’s Friday?

  Aubrey: I signed you up for speed dating, I paid for you already, so you have to go.

  Panic gripped me that she set me up. Again. I already went off on her about the octopus she unleashed on me, now I have to go to speed dating? Without her?

  No way.

  I dialed her number, frantically tapping my foot. Okay, so I was tapping my foot, pissed as hell at her.

  “It’s not a big deal, Vanessa. You’ll have a great time, I promise,” she greeted me as she answered her phone the second I called.

  “No! I’m not going!” I practically screamed into the phone.

  “Sure you will, as a favor to me. I signed us both up before I knew I had to leave. I don’t want you sitting at home on a Friday night. Come on. You’ll have so much fun. Not to mention, I’m sure you’ll have some stories to share with me.”

  I rolled my eyes even though she couldn’t see me through the phone. “I’ve never been. I don’t want to go alone,” I whined just as there was a knock at the door.

  “Was someone knocking? Who do you have coming over?” Aubrey asked.

  “Probably Matt,” I said nonchalantly.

  “Matt? Are you two dating now? Did something happen since I left?” She asked anxiously.

  “No. Nothing happened. We’re still just friends. Well, I mean something happened. We kissed.”

  “You did?” Aubrey asked excitedly.

  I nodded and smiled like an idiot even though she couldn’t see me. “Uh huh! In the rain! Romantic kiss!” I exclaimed just as there was another knock on the door, reminding me someone is there. I peeked through the hole to see Matt staring at the floor looking slightly agitated.

  I turned my back as if he could see me through the door, and whispered, “We’re still just friends. I remember the reason why we can’t be anything more.”

  “Darn it all, Vanessa! Tear that damn policy up and go for him.”

  “I can’t!” I whispered loudly into the phone as I went ahead and opened the door. I knew I’d have to end the conversation with Aubrey. “Hi Matt,” I said both to Aubrey on the phone and to Matt.

  I tried hard not to smile or lick my lips seeing Matt stand in my doorway, one hand hanging out of his jean pocket, his cell phone in his other hand. He was looking down either typing or reading something. His eyes swung up to mine and that half smile he sports appeared. So sexy. Why does he look so good all the time? His eyes were just…sigh. Quit acting like an idiot. Friends. Just friends. I reminded myself.

  “Hey,” Matt greeted me as he stepped through my door, still smiling.

  Aubrey whispered into the phone, still pressed against my ear, “Take Matt. Take Matt. Take Matt.”

  “He won’t want to go,” I retorted through the phone through gritted teeth.

  “Go where?” Matt asked, listening in to my conversation.

  “Uh. Nothing,” I quickly told him and then told Aubrey, “I’ll talk to you later.” I hung up on Aubrey as she started to try to protest getting off the phone. Just as I was going to ask Matt what we should do for dinner, a text chimed on my phone. I glanced down and laughed when I saw it was from Matt. I read it as he stood in front of me, tilting his head waiting for me to read his words.

  Matt: Time for dinner, Gorgeous. I looked back up at him and smiled.

  “I wrote that while I was at your door. Odd that it took this long to get to your phone.”

  “I just walked in a second ago. I’ll change really quick, if you don’t mind.” I said to him as I started walking towards my room. Matt followed me and leaned against the door frame watching me as I shamelessly pulled my shirt up over my head.

  It’s getting to be a habit now with him. I strip in front of him and he watches before we head out for dinner. I was beginning to wonder if he considered this new ritual his appetizer. I went ahead and shimmied my skirt off, thrilled when I heard the sound of his breath hiss against his gritted teeth. I had turned around just so he could see my thigh highs and thong at the perfect angle. I kicked off my heels and sat on my bed, taking my stockings off a little slower than I usually do.

  Every night we’ve done this, I’ve gotten a little more risqué in what I wore underneath. Well, not as racy as Saturday night with my perfect demi bra, but…yeah, just a little more each night. The tease really made for a great build up for my date later on with B.O.B. Yes, I’ve become more comfortable using my toy.

  I tried my best never to look up at Matt, but hearing that sound forced my eyes to flick to his.

  What am I doing? Teasing the both of us, for what? I can’t do anything. So why am I tormenting both of us? Seeing his lustful smirk on his face answered my question. He was enjoying the show too. I looked away quickly and walked over to my closet. Pulling my jeans from a hanger, I asked, “Where are we going tonight?”

  He cleared his throat and swallowed before answering, “There’s a new bar and grill I want to try out a couple blocks from here.” I nodded as I grabbed a teal top from a hanger. This one hugs my curves just right and I could tell Matt approved. He pressed his lips together and gave a small head shake. Final approval was always when I glanced down at the swell of his jeans. God, I wish I could wrap my mouth around him again. Stop it. I yelled at myself. I grabbed a cute pair of heels from the closet and sat back down on my bed.

  Matt walked over and sat down next to me.

  “We’re just going to a bar and grill. Why are you putting heels on?” He asked as he picked up my other heel, taking a closer look at it.

  I gingerly took it from his hand, smiling as I let him know. “Because you’re so tall, I hate feeling like a litt
le girl next to you. I made the mistake of wearing flats yesterday. That won’t be happening again.” I slipped my other shoe on, stood and walked over to my dresser to grab the necklace that works best with this top.

  I sifted through my jewelry box searching for it when Matt got up and stood behind me. Close behind me. I felt his hot breath on my neck as he slowly gathered my hair and placed it behind my neck. I glanced up into the mirror as my heart began to race. His eyes pierced right into mine through our reflection. That damn half smirk appeared as I watched him lick his incredible lips. I wanted nothing more at that moment than for Matt to take me and throw me onto the bed and do whatever he wanted with me. I swallowed and took a deep breath as I forced my eyes from our reflection.

  “Don’t forget to change your earrings. I noticed last night you like to match everything up,” his words were almost a whisper. Teasing me, just as I had teased him. Whatever game we were playing, I realized I was loving every second of it. I wasn’t sure where it would wind up, but for some reason I didn’t seem to care. He slowly walked over to the door and nodded with that damn Cheshire grin. “Come on, I’m starving.”

  And that was how the rest of our week went until Friday night after our dinner. Aubrey texted me constantly, begging me to take Matt to speed dating just to see what would happen to our “friendship.” I had told Matt that I’m signed up and can’t back out of it, blaming Aubrey completely for this fiasco.

  We walked into the large bar. Small tables, adorned with a chair on each side swarmed the usually empty dance floor. The tables were spaced out nicely for some sort of privacy, but all in uniformed rows.

  “Tell me again why we’re here?” Matt asked as we walked in and I continued to fidget with my grandmother’s ring.

  “Because I promised Aubrey I’d go to one of these things. She’s out of town and since we’re just doing the friends thing, you have to be my friend and go with me.”

  Matt grunted. “You’re kidding me right? I’ve fucked you. That has to count for something higher than a friend who goes with you to a speed dating thing.”