Romantic Promises (Alluring Promises Series, #2)

by Baker, Janice

  The woman next to me set her water glass on the bar and then stumbled towards Matt. I felt nauseas, but couldn’t tear my eyes away, wanting to see what Matt would do. Considering I had already made my decision of what Matt and I really were, I was going to keep the jealousy at bay. Or try to, at least.

  Most of the men knew her and hugged her, welcoming her to their conversation, Matt included. She hung her arm around his shoulder and I watched him bend down slightly to listen to what she was saying. He was smirking as if whatever she was saying seemed ridiculous. He glanced up and caught my eye. He smiled and winked at me, relieving whatever jealousy was still lingering.

  Since the start of our, whatever it was called, I started feeling more confident about myself. My self image went up a couple of notches also. Considering my appearance hadn’t changed at all, it had to be my way of thinking. Being with someone like Matt, if only for a short time, helped change the way I view myself. Matt gave me the sexual confidence I was lacking with Charles. Sexually, I’ve never felt so free nor had I ever trusted someone not to make fun of any different things I wanted to try. I hadn’t had too many lovers before Charles, but enough to know that I felt like I was lacking in that department.

  Charles had always tried to help me with confidence, explaining to me that I was a beautiful person. He had always loved me for who I was and never really put me down — except sexually. However, it was the “perfect” life he was creating that put me on a level that would certainly make me fall from. I didn’t want to be put up on such a high pedestal and I surely didn’t want to marry someone because my mother wanted me to.

  I was leaving Charles because I didn’t want to be with someone I was expected to be with. I wanted to be with someone who loved me and loved me for who I am. Matt doesn’t love me, I know that; however, I realized he was basically my stepping stone to help me become what I really want to be — a confident, sexually secure woman. Matt was “helping” me both at work and personally.

  Although I noted that I’m still sitting off to the side, something I’ve always done, I wasn’t feeling like the wallflower or shying away from people like I usually would. This friends with benefits thing was turning out to be extremely beneficial for me. And when he’s done with me, I’ll be able to walk away confidently and find someone who truly deserved me. Or maybe I would be done with him sooner than he was with me.

  I watched Matt hug the woman and then turn her to Alex, who patted her ass in the process. He looked up at me and began walking towards me with that sexy half smile. I couldn’t resist smiling back at him, just like I couldn’t help the way my heart beat faster just from his gaze.

  He stood in front of me for a moment before his hands grabbed my hips and he bent his knees to look into my eyes. I looked up at him smiling, determined to enjoy whatever we had with each other for as long as we might be together. Matt made me feel special, but also made me realize the confidence I should have in myself. The time we spend together was not going to be filled with jealousy or anything else. He is who he is and when he moves on after his year, so would I.

  “You doing alright?” He asked me, his face filled with concern.

  I smiled warmly at him and as I did, his eyes softened. “Yeah, I’m doing fine. I like watching you with all your friends,” I told him truthfully. He was the life of the party — similar to how he is at work. Everyone enjoys being around Matt.

  He bent down smiling and pressed his lips to mine. I inhaled the vodka on his breath right before his tongue danced with mine. The taste of vodka reminded me of the night at the wedding, dancing together and our “almost” kiss on the dance floor. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer, feeling his arms snake around my waist and pulling me just as tight.

  I smiled into his mouth as we kissed enjoying what we have. Even though to him I might just be another woman to me he held sweet memories. Memories I was going to enjoy having with him even when he moves back here.

  “Hey asshole, are you gonna neck all night?” We both turned to see Alex and his other friend Ben laughing. Matt smacked Alex’s chest.

  “Asshole, I was just giving my girl some much needed attention,” Matt told him.

  “Getting her primed up for later tonight when you slam into her?” he crudely joked.

  “Cute Alex.” I shot Alex a smirk as I hit him. I felt a yawn coming on and stretched my arms up, which made me stick my chest out slightly. That was not my intention as I glanced up noticing both guys’ eyes locked onto my chest. I smacked both of them in the arm as they chuckled knowing I caught them.

  Cassie came around with more drinks for them and asked me, “You still drinking water, Ness?” She had nicknamed me “Ness” last night when I was drunk and I didn’t really remember how that took place, but I went with it. Maybe it’s the new me, taking things a little easier and not getting uptight. Before Matt, I probably would have corrected Cassie, but I was actually warming up to the nickname.

  I nodded as I told her, “Yeah, my stomach’s still a little upset from last night.” I scrunched up my nose letting her know I hadn’t really felt too great this morning.

  “Well, at least it wasn’t from being in bed with me this morning,” Alex joked as I rolled my eyes. Cassie’s eyes opened wide as I glanced at her and I shook my head.

  “It’s not what you think,” I insisted as I retold her and Ben what took place this morning.

  Cassie swatted at Alex and then Matt as they chuckled about their antics. “You guys are horrible. Poor Ness doesn’t need that joke after the night she had.” I didn’t miss “that joke” comment and wondered if the guys had done that before.

  Just as I was thinking that Cassie turned to me and rolled her eyes. “These two pranksters. They love to do that one to women.” She shook her head one last time as she threw out, “You guys are so mean.” She turned to walk back behind the bar.

  Playfully I asked, “So how often do you play that joke?”

  Matt and Alex exchanged confused looks. Matt turned back to me smiling, “We’ve only talked about doing that joke. We’ve never actually done it. You’re the first Vanessa,” he teased me.

  Maybe Cassie wasn’t the source of all Matt’s secrets. At least I was going to go with that.

  Matt grabbed my waist and turned me towards him. He bent down and gave me a warm soft kiss. It was the kind of kiss that was sweet and made your insides melt, which mine did. He pulled back smiling and asked, “Are you ready to head back?”

  “You want to head back now? Don’t you want to talk more with your friends?” I asked, concerned that I was taking him away from his own party. Or at least it seemed like this was his own party.

  “I can see these guys whenever I want.” He dipped his head down and huskily whispered, “I’m anxious for another strip tease.”

  “Oh yeah?” I bit my lip, my eyes teasing him as I thought of ways to improve my strip tease act. I raised my brows as I grinned. “I think I can manage another act. But this time, you better bring some bills. This dirty little whore wants to get paid for her act.”

  Matt’s head dropped back as he smiled at the ceiling. He inhaled a deep breath and then exhaled. He looked back at me as he chuckled, “You have no idea what you’re doing to me.”

  I smiled as I grabbed his hand to lead him out. “Say goodbye to your friends, Matt. I might just kill you tonight with what I have planned.”

  Chapter 24

  Matt

  “Buchanan wants to see you in his office. His admin said he wants you, and I quote ‘stat,’” Blaine told me as I looked up at him from reading my latest text from Vanessa. She’s still angry with me about the trick Alex and I played on her. Well, she’s not really angry, but she keeps telling me payback is a bitch. I can’t imagine Vanessa trying to pull a prank on me. I kept flipping through what she would think is funny. Nothing came to mind. Not that she doesn’t have a sense of humor, it just doesn’t seem like she could pull off a prank. Then again, if the sneaky smirks
and devious looks she keeps giving me are anything to go by I might be in trouble.

  I stood up wondering what Perry might want to see me about — Probably my sales numbers. My team was doing great and crushed our goal this quarter. He probably just wants to take me out to lunch to congratulate me.

  I thanked Blaine and walked over to Perry’s office, passing Vanessa’s on the way. She had her door closed and I wondered what she was working on. Hopefully it was that new job sharing thing she wanted to present to Perry. I should tell her she should present it to him after our lunch together. I’ll get him warmed up for her ideas and then, of course, I’ll be her hero. I decided to keep walking since Blaine told me Perry wants my ass in there now.

  I walked up and said a friendly ‘hello’ to Perry’s admin. Her eyes were huge as she glanced up at me from typing something on her computer. I gave her a quizzical look, but she just pointed to Perry’s open door, acting as if she were scared or something weird. I shrugged off her odd mannerisms and continued to his office and walked in, tapping his door as I entered.

  Perry looked up and shook his head angrily and sternly told me to shut the door. The look on his face immediately told me this wasn’t good. Matter of fact, that expression probably meant what he had to tell me was horrible. I closed the door as my stomach rolled with nerves. This can’t be good.

  I scratched my head and furrowed my brows, thinking through all the stuff that was going on and could only come up with someone seeing me with Vanessa. I started prepping my speech in my head about how we live right across from each other and anyone who saw us together would just make assumptions. Deny everything. I repeated in my head. I noted that Vanessa wasn’t in his office, so maybe he wouldn’t yell at her. She’d burst into tears and tell him everything. Shit. I hoped he hadn’t spoken with her first. He couldn’t have considering she just sent me a text teasing me about getting me back.

  “Sit down,” he commanded with the sternest voice I’ve ever heard him use — and he’s used some stern ones with me. I used to get in trouble for the pranks I would pull way back when I was inside sales. I sat quickly not knowing what to expect.

  “Perry, I…”

  He didn’t let me finish as he held up his hand forcing me to stop any train of thought I might have. “You fucked up big time, son,” he lashed out as he shook his head. He pressed his lips together, his entire face was showing me every bit of anger he had. I was completely and totally confused. What the hell happened?

  “My sales are…”

  “Fine. Your sales are fantastic. It’s the way you’re thinkin’ with your dick that you’re in here for.”

  “What?” I blurted out, disgusted as I had no idea what the hell he was talking about. He held up his hand to me, not allowing me to say anything else.

  “Say no more Matt. We’re waiting for Vanessa to get in here. I need Human Resources to document this entire meeting,” he told me.

  Oh shit. He found out about Vanessa and me. I felt like I was going to throw up thinking Vanessa might be fired for this. This was my fault. I pressed her into this whole relationship. I know she had some say in it, but looking back, I have been pushing her every bit of the way.

  “Look, we don’t need to bring Vanessa in here. I’ll tell you everything,” I pleaded trying to think of what I would say next. I didn’t have a story lined up, but I’d definitely be using the fact that we live right across the hall from each other. That was going to be my key selling point.

  He slammed his fist on to his desk. His stern voice brought me out of my thoughts as he shouted, “So you admit it to me? You forced yourself on Evelyn McDurn?” His face scrunched up in total disgust.

  My mouth dropped open trying to process what he just said. “Evelyn?” What the fuck? “Back up a second, what are you talking about?” I asked him, completely disgusted that anyone would think I would force myself on a woman.

  “Dammit Matt, Evelyn is putting you up on sexual harassment charges.” The shock and the confusion must have registered across my face. “Do you know how high up she is? Do you know all the people and influence she has at Corporate? Not to mention all the other companies she sits on the board for.”

  “I didn’t do anything with Evelyn. I turned her down, Perry. I have proof.” I whipped out my phone, thrilled that I was going to be absolved of any wrong-doing.

  “You turned down a hot piece of ass like Evelyn?” He leaned forward, his brows pulled in a concerned manner. “Boy, I’ve seen how you operate; don’t forget that. Evelyn is a nice looking woman. There is no way, you of all people, turned her down,” he accused me immediately. My reputation proceeds me, which in this case, sucks.

  I held up my phone and placed it on the table and leaned forward, my heart beating fast as I knew I had to prove my innocence. I frantically scrolled through my videos searching for the correct one. “But I did turn her down, Perry. I didn’t do anything with her. The first night, I pushed her off to my buddy, Alex. The second night in the hotel bar I told her ‘no.’ Here.” I tapped on the correct video of the bar night and let him listen, mostly of the muffled noise from inside of my pocket, but at least you could hear most of her coming on to me. I looked up when the bar video was finished. And Perry’s face showed me he still didn’t believe me.

  “Then she came up to my room after she was pissed off and tried again.” I looked at my phone and pulled up that video. Perry sat there thoughtfully listening until the end of the tape.

  “So you taped this and then could have pulled her into your room,” he insisted. I was pretty sure at this point he believed me, but was trying to play devil’s advocate.

  That made me practically jump out of my seat. “No! Perry, I didn’t do anything with her, you’ve got to believe me. She came on to me at the other conference.”

  Right at that time, Vanessa popped her head in after knocking quickly. Perry waved her in just as I threw my arm towards her and yelled out desperately, “Vanessa! Vanessa watched her come on to me at the other conference.”

  Vanessa took her seat, nodding her head, looking sick and also extremely concerned. Shit. She doesn’t believe this, does she? I was on FaceTime with her just about every evening, so she should know that I was alone in my hotel room.

  Perry leaned forward, “Matt, everyone here knows how much you sleep around.” From the corner of my eye, Vanessa flinched and looked down at her notepad. “There is no way you would turn down a woman like Evelyn.”

  “But I did! You just heard the tape.” I scrambled and pulled my phone off his desk. “Alex. I can call Alex and he can vouch that he was with her that first night and how much she was coming on to me.”

  Perry shook his head. “It doesn’t matter, Matt. You’ve got a track record that says otherwise. Not to mention, a buddy would say anything for his friend. That’s not gonna hold up.”

  My mouth fell open in disbelief. The whole thing was ridiculous. I knew Evelyn would be ticked at me for turning her down, but not this bad. Perry started telling Vanessa the entire accusation and as he did, she started twirling her ring. She still acted professionally in front of Perry, nodding her head, taking notes, but in between all that her nervousness was apparent to me. Was she really considering that I would do something like that?

  My heart sank as far down as my stomach that she would believe I was with Evelyn or even pressuring Evelyn to have sex with me before she met me for her visit.

  Perry turned to me after he finished telling Vanessa everything and asked, “Did you chase her after you made this video?”

  “No!” My face twisted with anger as I recalled how pissed off she was. “Didn’t you hear her threat? She’s the one who wanted me here and put me in this job in the first place.”

  “Yeah and I know how much you love your old territory. You were back in your old stompin’ ground and wantin’ to be back there. So you chased after her and pulled her in. Then you forced yourself on her after she told you no.”

  “No! That didn’t hap
pen at all.” I turned to Vanessa and saw disbelief in her eyes. “Vanessa, I didn’t chase after her,” I implored her to understand as I begged her with my eyes.

  She sat there for a moment and I could see the wheels turning as she probably remembered our FaceTime conversation of how pissed off I was. Her eyes popped open as she stared at me and I could tell she was just about to say the exact same thing I was thinking. She would lose her job if anyone found out we’re together. I shook my head and pressed my lips together.

  “Matt, by chance, did you call a friend right after you spoke with her at the door?” Vanessa asked, prodding me to tell Perry.

  “Yeah, I actually did.” I turned to Perry, not wanting to give up the name of who I spoke with. “Would that vindicate me?”

  He shook his head. “She’s saying you pressured her Friday night too.”

  I blurted out, “I was at The Freckled Maiden all weekend long. Besides Perry, if she’s so gung ho about claiming she didn’t want to be with me, why would she have stayed on through the weekend?”

  Perry sat there for a moment. I could tell he knew I had a good point. “Do you have any friends that could corroborate that you were there?”

  “You’ve got a bar full of them,” Vanessa blurted out. Perry’s head whipped in her direction.

  “How would you know that?”

  I watched her swallow quickly. “Well, he just said he was at that bar all weekend,” She swallowed nervously again and looked down at her notes.

  I glanced back at Perry. “Right,” he said matter of fact. He turned his eyes back to me, piercing glare. “Do you have several friends who can attest to that?”

  I nodded. “We were there til around one in the morning.”

  “Were you with anyone else all night?” I swallowed, hoping he didn’t ask who was with as I nodded my head. “Who was she? Can she tell me she was with you all night.”