Alluring Promises Box Set (Books 1-3)

by Josie Bordeaux

  I felt the last hook as he hitched it and I turned around, tossing my wet hair over my shoulder. “Thanks, this bra always gives me trouble.” I said as innocently as possible. I’m sure he’s heard that from many of his girls, although I’m sure they can do it with more of a pout and some stupid childish voice. I couldn’t do that.

  I cupped the material of my bra over one breast with my hand, pressing to make it plump. My other breast was showing in all its glory. My nipple fully hardened into a tight bud. I glanced at him to make sure he noticed. His eyes were glued to them. I slowly pulled the strap of my bra over my shoulder and then did the same with my other breast, pulling my strap up slowly. Then I pulled my bra up from underneath, making sure to prop them properly in the cups of my bra. This was the one bra that barely covered my breasts. I rarely wore it considering if I bend over, my full breasts usually pop out. But for tonight, I was going to wear this bra and make sure I picked the perfect top to accentuate how wonderful this bra really made my breasts look.

  I was still half naked so I turned around for the matching panties. The panties that barely cover my ass cheeks. I pulled them from the drawer and then gingerly put them on, making sure to give him a little show. I pulled my panties up slowly as I gave a slight sexy wiggle to my ass, making sure to push my cheeks out a little more than I would if I were getting dressed by myself. My hands glided just under the elastic of my panties, making that snapping sound.

  I turned around smiling. “What should I wear, friend?”

  Matt took a step towards me and wrapped his hands around my waist pulling me into his hard body. Control. I had to have control. He started this game and darn it, I was going to win.

  His head dipped down in an attempt to kiss me. “Matt. You’re my friend, remember? A date would have waited patiently in the living room for me to dress,” I teased him, trying my best to keep any sort of smile from my eyes.

  “You’re kidding right? That little show and you want me to keep my hands off you?” His voice dripped with pure annoyance.

  “You started this. You think you can sit here ‘as a friend,’” I used air quotes. “And sit on my bed while I walk out into my own bedroom naked under the pretense that you’re going to help me dress? Now you can be my friend and help me pick out clothes.” I pushed him back onto my bed to sit. He gave me that damn sexy half smile and that fucking eye brow whipped up. He licked his lips and smiled fully.

  “Fine. We’ll play your little game. For now. But don’t think I didn’t notice how wet you are for me.”

  I smiled back. “I’m not wet for you, Matt. I was thinking about how I just pleased myself in the shower.” I walked over to my closet and started to flip through clothes and heard him give a slight groan. I bit my lower lip to keep from laughing.

  I grabbed my Lucky Jeans. The ones that fit my ass just perfectly and look fantastic from behind. I slipped them on, making sure to bend just slightly as I pulled them over my ass. I glanced back at Matt to see him smirking.

  Picking out my lowest cut top, the one that will definitely show the full tops of my breasts, I held it up to me and turned around. Matt was staring at my ass and quickly flipped his gaze to my eyes.

  “Do you think this top will work for tonight?”

  “I don’t know, I’d need to see it on you,” he teased with a small smile. I nodded and slipped it over my head, tugging it just enough to make sure it did exactly as I intended.

  I heard Matt exhale a huge breath as I watched him stand up and stride over to me. He bent his head, taking me by surprise, as his lips grazed softly on the globes of my breasts. My breath hitched and my heart beat wildly out of control as he grabbed my hips and pulled me tightly to him, making sure to grind his hard cock to me. “If you want to continue this game, you’ll need to change to a burlap bag or something. ‘Cause if you wear this outfit, I might have to have my hand on your ass and my other hand down your shirt all night. I won’t be able to keep my hands off you, Gorgeous.”

  Again, I bit my lip to keep from smiling. Gorgeous. I took a deep breath and tried to regain composure. What I really wanted to do was allow him to take me right now. His eyes were gazing into mine, his smile reaching his eyes as he bent down to kiss me. As difficult as it was, I turned quickly to duck away from his kiss. I was having a tough time keeping it together and wanted nothing more than for him to throw me onto my bed.

  “I have to go put on some makeup and do my hair,” I quickly told him breathlessly as I walked into my bathroom to my vanity. I inhaled deep breaths to try to calm myself and try to keep from letting him attack me. This little teasing act was turning me on as much as it was him.

  I started applying my make-up as he walked in behind me. I watched him through the reflection in the mirror as he walked over to the other side of the vanity and hopped up onto the counter.

  He cleared his throat. “So Aubrey told me she’s leaving tomorrow for San Antonio for two months. How do you feel about that?”

  “About what? Her leaving or going to San Antonio?” I joked.

  “Smart ass. Leaving for two months.”

  I shrugged. “It’s her job. She does this all the time.” Although I’ve always had Charles to call if I was scared to be alone. I frowned thinking about that difference.

  “What was that for?”

  “What? My frown?” I shook my head. “I guess you’re right. I didn’t think of that really. I usually had Charles to call if I really needed someone,” I told him as I applied my mascara. I glanced over to Matt and watched him look at me thoughtfully. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “Well, I…I just want you to know that if you get lonely or scared or something, that you can just call me and I can come over and hang out with you.”

  I gave him a sweet smile. “Thanks, friend.”

  He laughed and shook his head.

  As “friends” we went to a wing house for dinner sans Clark since he had some sort of date with a girl named Tina. I had no idea he dated.

  Scantily clad women serving us seemed to be Matt’s idea of getting back at me for taunting him. He even mentioned it several times. My response? I laughed and told him these women were just going to add to his frustration. My joke was rewarded with one of his sexy smiles that made my insides melt.

  We arrived at Allure two hours later. The last time I was here, for Matt’s happy hour for his team, I must have been too ticked off at him to really enjoy this place. As an old converted warehouse, the bar was made into a high class yuppie bar. I hadn’t noticed the VIP area and pool tables up toward the back the last time I was here. The place had a great vibe to it. A bar where you could enjoy dancing, but the music wasn’t overdone to where you couldn’t hear your friends you were with.

  Matt tugged at my hand, leading me over toward the bar. It seemed like the night was just getting started as there were still some seats available. Matt pulled out a bar stool for me to hop up onto.

  “So what do you like to drink usually?” Matt asked as the beautiful blonde female bartender approached us.

  “Merlot, I guess. I’m not usually much of a drinker.” He chuckled. “Well, that would be the reason I was so drunk last night.” I rolled my eyes as I mentioned that last part.

  “Sandy, this is Vanessa.” Matt introduced me to the beautiful woman behind the bar. Her blonde hair fell right into the crevice of her red halter top and I had a hard time not staring at her cleavage. She definitely looked like someone Matt would be drawn to and I couldn’t help but wonder if he’s thought about being with her.

  Sandy smiled at me and then glanced back at Matt, the scowl on her face gave me the impression he’s actually already been with her. I watched Matt shrug his shoulder with that damn half smile. My smile faded as I wondered how many more women that he’s slept with that we would encounter during our new “friendship.”

  A guy sneaked behind Matt and pressed his finger to his lips letting me know to keep his secret. Remembering the resemblance between t
he two from the wedding, I recognized the guy as Matt’s brother, Z. I watched Z wet his fingers and then press his index finger and thumb near Matt’s ear. As soon as he placed it near Matt’s ear, Matt jumped swatting at his ear before he finally realized what happened as he spun around to face his brother. Z was laughing as Matt threw a playful punch into his brother’s arm, while shaking his head.

  “Asshole,” Matt muttered at Z.

  Z was still laughing as the woman I remembered as his wife, Izzy, came up behind Z. She threw her arms around Matt, hugging him tightly as she giggled about her husband’s antics.

  “Tell your husband to grow up, Iz,” Matt told Izzy as he pulled back from her hug. Izzy shook her head, laughing as she came over to me and threw her arms around me too. I tried not to act too surprised as I returned her affections.

  As she pulled back, she responded, “He’ll never grow up and I love that about him.”

  Sandy placed our drinks in front of us and added in, “You’re the same way, Matt. You’ll never grow up or settle down.” With that she slammed his beer down so that it foamed up. Matt just pressed his lips together and shook his head watching her walk away. He reached over the counter and grabbed some napkins to clean up the mess.

  Izzy tried to make small conversation with me, asking how work is going and how the conference went in New Jersey. Matt and Z seemed to talk about how the bar was doing and the business side of things. I glanced over to Matt and watched his face perk up as he watched someone walk in the front door. I turned my head and noticed the tall groom with brown disheveled hair and his beautiful bride walk in. Flynn clapped Matt’s back and gave Z a half hug. Mel hugged Izzy tightly and then she gave me a small hug. They started talking about their honeymoon and how it went and telling stories about the other couples they met in Barbados. I loved how they all interacted with each other and how close they all seem.

  Izzy turned to me with a smile and asked, “You’re coming tomorrow, right?”

  I glanced over at Matt, completely perplexed by what she asked me. Matt caught my eye and gave a slight head nod, wondering what I was silently asking him. Izzy turned to Matt, “You did ask her, didn’t you?”

  I realized that whatever they were talking about for tomorrow, he obviously didn’t want me to go or he would have already discussed it with me. I quickly answered, “I already have plans for tomorrow anyway.”

  Matt gave me that smirk and shook his head. “She doesn’t have plans and no, I hadn’t invited her yet, Izzy.”

  I was completely confused at that point and shot Matt a look wondering what he was talking about.

  Izzy started laughing. “I love the beginning part. You guys have no idea how to act around each other.” She and Mel laughed together and I sat there still not knowing what the hell was going on.

  “Oh we’re not together. We’re just friends,” I corrected them knowing they must think we’re together now.

  Izzy turned quickly to Matt, giving him a perplexed look, then turned back to me with a smile as she sarcastically told me, “Oh, of course you are.” She and Mel shared a quick glance before Izzy advised me, “You’re coming to dinner tomorrow night at Flynn and Mel’s house. We have dinner together almost every Sunday night so we have at least one home cooked meal in our lives.”

  Mel wrapped her arms around Izzy’s neck and quipped, “It all started with Izzy’s great cooking. You’ll love it.” She smiled at me. I glanced over at Matt, unsure if he really wanted me there. I just nodded, unsure of what to think or say. I grabbed my wine and took a sip pondering if I should go or make up an excuse.

  I glanced across the dance floor area to the other side of the bar and noticed a familiar face. Our eyes met and I almost choked on my wine. Matt reached over and patted my back, asking if I was alright. I glanced worriedly at him and mouthed, “Kara” to him. He looked over in the direction I just looked and met eyes with her. He smiled and raised his beer.

  “Come on, let’s go say hi,” he said as he tugged on my elbow. My eyes were wide as I couldn’t believe it wasn’t registering to him that we were together in a public place and there were other people from work here. They would see us…together. I tried to remember if he had touched me at all while we were here. It dawned on me that when we walked in, he held my hand leading me to the bar area.

  Matt turned to the gang as he grabbed his beer from the bar. “We’ll be right back.” He looked at Izzy. “Going to go say Hi to Kara.” Izzy nodded as she glanced over and waved at Kara. Kara waved back excitedly to her. Then her eyes met mine again and her smile fell. My stomach dropped. Shit. She hates me now because I had been such a bitch to her, reminding her about the policy and here I was with Matt.

  “Hey Kara!” Matt hugged Kara excitedly as we walked up to their table, not holding hands. Kara was perched up on a chair next to two guys. I knew Tom, from Matt’s sales department and I had to assume the other guy was Ryan, Tom’s roommate. My assistant, Renee, told me she heard a rumor that Kara and Tom’s roommate were officially dating.

  “Matty! I wasn’t sure if I’d see you out here tonight. And I sure didn’t think I’d see you here with Vanessa.” Her smile dropped as she stared daggers at me with her eyes. Oh shit. I gave a small smile. “Wow, I never thought I’d see you back here at Allure,” she said with a jealous undertone in her voice.

  “Matt talked me into getting out more. As friends.” I nervously added the last part, but I think it came out more forced, as if I were trying to get her to believe we’re friends. We are. I reminded myself.

  Kara nodded slowly, her mouth pressed into a forced mini smile, if you could even call it that. She was pissed and I could tell. I wondered if Matt could see that also. I glanced over to him and he immediately walked over to the guys and shook their hands, saying their greetings, leaving me with Kara. Alone. I briefly looked up and locked eyes with Matt. He pulled up that corner of his mouth and smugly mouthed, “Friends.” Jerk.

  I tried my best not to roll my eyes. Kara quickly turned around to see what I was looking at. Matt glanced at her and smiled before turning his attention back to the guys.

  Kara slowly turned back, glaring at me and lowered her voice. “I thought we weren’t allowed to inter-company date.” Hatred laced her voice.

  “We’re not dating. Matt and I are just friends.” I tried to say convincingly. Although I quickly remembered how my “friend” was just in my room watching me dress. Then images of hot amazing sex flashed through my mind. I flushed and tried to bring my attention back to convincing Kara that Matt and I are just friends.

  “It sure didn’t look like friends when you walked in holding hands. He had his hand on your back most of the time,” she sarcastically remarked. Her smugness was really apparent as was her anger for me.

  Crap. I couldn’t have her thinking we were dating and then possibly get us fired using my own policy. “My fiancé and I broke up and I think Matt is just trying to get me to get back out dating since my roommate is on a date tonight.” I told her with a sincere smile. Not so high and mighty now that you’re not at the office, huh, Vanessa. I told myself, but I was pretty sure that was what Kara was also thinking.

  Kara looked me up and down, her eyes softening slightly as she seemed to assess what I just told her. I was being honest with her. Matt and I really are just friends right now. Of course I slept with him at the conference, but there was no way anyone would know that. I was pretty sure Matt would never tell anyone. I hope.

  Kara seemed to accept what I just told her and nodded her head slightly, while tilting her pretty shoulder. She threw me a comforting smile as she relaxed a little more. She pulled out the empty bar stool and patted it. “Come on and sit,” She commanded in her sweet voice.

  Was she going to be nice to me? She seemed to look around the room before finally finding whatever she was searching for. She touched my arm lightly as her eyes lit up excitedly. I leaned in, anxious to hear whatever it was she was about to tell me. “Okay. Don’t look righ
t away, but there is a guy right behind you wearing a grey t-shirt,” she squinted her eyes before continuing, “ohh, it’s a Volcom shirt.” She nodded happily as she figured out what was written on it. “He’s a really nice guy and also came out of a relationship recently. He’s an accountant.” She stopped and bit her lip, her eyes still wild with excitement, “His muscles always ripple through his shirt. I think he sometimes likes to flex them just for show.” She giggled and then went on to tell me more.

  Oh my God, she’s going to try to set me up. Panic swept through me at the thought of meeting someone new. I glanced up at Matt, who was fully immersed in conversation with the guys. No help there so I glanced back to Kara, still panic stricken.

  She must have noticed my anxious look as she squeezed my arm slightly, “Oh don’t worry, he’s a really nice guy. He’s not macho or anything. He just likes to show off his muscles a little.” She tilted her head as she watched the guy a little more. Then she looked back at me. “His name is Luke. He’s super sweet and actually a little shy. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

  Before I knew it, Kara grabbed my arm, yanking me up and out of my seat and dragging me towards…Luke. My heart started racing just looking at Luke, not to mention, meeting someone new. Wow. He was definitely into body building as I briefly looked at his huge arms. I wasn’t usually attracted to the body builder type, they always seemed so scary to me, but as I was stumbling behind Kara, Luke’s beautiful green eyes met mine and I noticed a calming kindness behind them.

  I arrived at the table, well, I sort of almost tripped to stand beside Kara. Kara’s sexy sweet mannerisms had all three men’s attention fully on her. I’m not much taller than her, but beside her petite slender body, I felt like an amazon woman.

  “Hey guys!” Kara trilled. “I haven’t seen you guys in a while. How have you been?” Kara commanded everyone’s attention at the table as they all grinned at her, grazing their eyes up and down her body. They all briefly said hello as Kara turned towards Luke, almost presenting me towards him by placing her hands on my hips turning me towards him.