Promise Me Forever
Page 1
Table of Contents
Nobody likes a blind date…
About PROMISE ME FOREVER
Welcome to Barefoot Bay Kindle World
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Thank You for Joining Me
Text copyright ©2017 by the Author.
This work was made possible by a special license through the Kindle Worlds publishing program and has not necessarily been reviewed by Roxanne St. Claire. All characters, scenes, events, plots and related elements appearing in the original Barefoot Bay remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Roxanne St. Claire, or their affiliates or licensors.
For more information on Kindle Worlds: http://www.amazon.com/kindleworlds
PROMISE ME FOREVER
Barefoot Bay Kindle Worlds
by Jules Bennett
Nobody likes a blind date…
Dance instructor Katie Foster embarks on a trip in Mimosa Key to oversee the renovations on her aunt’s historic home. All she expects is sun, sand, a little dance, and a few fruity cocktails. What she didn’t expect is coming face to face with her past. Roman Grant, all of the hopeful, passionate, devastating feelings from eight years ago come flooding back. But Katie is stronger. Smarter. She also has a secret—one, if Roman knew, that would end their affair before the next sunset.
Especially with an ex…
An out of town job in on a picturesque island promised long days of hard work followed by nights in paradise. Roman sure as hell doesn’t expect paradise to come in the form of his ex-wife. Katie looks great, feels better, and once he gets another taste of her lips, Roman knows he’ll do anything to win her back. Now that he’s working on her aunt’s home, this gives him the exact angle he needs.
But will this time lead to forever…
The more he pursues her, the farther Katie retreats. Roman succeeds in getting her into his bed, but there’s something she’s not telling him. There’s no way he’ll pass up a shot at a second chance with Katie. Once upon a time, he vowed to stay with her forever. It’s past time to make good on his promise.
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Barefoot Bay Kindle World, a place for authors to write their own stories set in the tropical paradise that I created! For these books, I have only provided the setting of Mimosa Key and a cast of characters from my popular Barefoot Bay series. That’s it! I haven’t contributed to the plotting, writing, or editing of Promise Me Forever. This book is entirely the work of Jules Bennett, one of my favorite contemporary romance voices on the market today.
Jules is back in Barefoot Bay for a second time with this book, and, like the first one, she brings heat and heart on every page. She also delivers all the feels when a couple who has said “I do” and then “I don’t anymore” get one more chance to rekindle a love that never died. Full of secrets, surprises, and sexy strolls at sunset, this book is destined for Barefoot Bay keeper shelves. Kick off your shoes and fall in love…again!
Roxanne St. Claire, the creator of Barefoot Bay
PS. If you’re interested in the rest of the Barefoot Bay Kindle World novels or would like to explore the possibility of writing your own book set in my world, visit www.roxannestclaire.com for details!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About PROMISE ME FOREVER
Welcome to Barefoot Bay Kindle World
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Thank You for Joining Me
Chapter One
“I don’t need to be set up on a damn date.”
Roman Grant came to Mimosa Key to work, not get set up on a blind date by his extremely eccentric cousin. Jasper Vonderleith had good intentions…Roman just wished he’d take his cupid arrow and point it somewhere else.
Jasper waved his hand in the air with more flourish than necessary. Everything about Jasper was more than necessary, including and especially his rainbow painted nails and sparkling red leotard with matching shorts. And the yellow hair. Not blond…full-blown, sunshiny yellow. He’d always been a unique character, but Roman never knew what his cousin was going to look like from one visit to the next.
“You’re working entirely too hard,” Jasper complained. “Besides, my new part-time dance instructor is the sweetest girl and it’s time you found a sweet girl.”
Roman had found a sweet girl once. He’d even married her. That had lasted all of four months until they realized their heated affair and unexpected pregnancy were not reasons to marry. Still, that didn’t mean he’d stopped thinking about her from time to time.
No matter the eight years that had passed, he always wondered where she’d ended up. Had she married again? Had she ultimately had children? He’d wanted children and he’d wanted them with her once the initial shock of the unplanned pregnancy happened. He’d been all set to try again, but she’d pushed him away and out of her life.
Each time those questions of her current status moved to the forefront of his mind, Roman hated the sliver of jealousy that slithered through him. She’d wanted the divorce, he’d fought, but a one-sided relationship would’ve never grown into what he wanted and he couldn’t make her love him.
“I’m just here to work,” Roman stated, pushing his past to the back of his mind where he wished it would stay.
Roman had thrown himself into construction right out of high school and hadn’t looked back. He loved the job, loved the way he could build new and redesign old. He’d come to Mimosa Key, a small island near Naples off the coast of Florida to revamp a couple of the old homes in Pleasure Point, the southern most part of Mimosa Key.
The island had nearly been destroyed after Hurricane Damien swept through, but Lacey Armstrong had a vision for the property she owned on the northern part of the island. She’d brought to life Casa Blanca Resort and Spa. The adult playground had flourished since opening and people came from all over to have a one of a kind experience from unique spa treatments to hot air balloon rides.
And with all the press surrounding the high-end area, he was all too eager to renovate two of the homes in Pleasure Pointe. His business was continued to grow, but he’d always take on more recognition and being tied in with Mimosa Key would definitely only help in the long run.
“When do you actually start with the saw and the hammer?” Jasper asked.
Roman crossed his arms and leaned against the wall of mirrors of Jasper’s dance studio. Jasper probably never held a hammer or saw in his life. Despite their drastic differences, they were cousins and friends. Though they’d just grown closer in the last five years or so when they’d attended their grandmother’s funeral. They’d vowed not to let so much time slip between them again.
“I’m starting on one of the homes tomorrow,” Roman informed him. “From then on I’ll be swamped and no time for dating. So your plan won’t work.”
Roman could’ve given his men the job on Mimosa Key, but as the owner of the company, he decided to be the lead on both homes. He’d been overseeing too much from the office lately and needed to get his hands dirty and get back to his roots. The invoices and dealing with a few whiney employees lately, which he’d fired, only left him restless and ready to get back on the site.
Roman had already spoken with Talula Ross and had made a few trips to her home for quotes and measuring and getting everything lined up.
&nbs
p; Talula, or Tilly as she’d insisted on, seemed larger than life and had informed him she’d be off on a cruise and her niece was in charge in her absence. She’d had bright colors everywhere, her walls, her furniture, her clothing…everything. Her makeup had been so bold, he’d been mesmerized at how she could possibly apply it without a putty knife.
Roman had come to Mimosa Key a day early to visit his cousin. Now he was wishing he’d just called instead of stopping by Allegro Dance Studio. Had he known Jasper had plans to fix him up on a blind date, he sure as hell would’ve just called.
“Come back tonight.” Jasper flipped through a rack of miniscule clothing which were way too much spandex and glitter for Roman’s taste. His wardrobe consisted of tees and denim. “Kat will be here at six, but she’s not teaching. I told her I needed help with some costumes.”
“You mean she has no clue you’re plotting something?” Roman shook his head. “You can’t just go around setting people up on a blind date without telling them.”
Jasper looked up from a green tutu and flashed a smile, showcasing his gold tooth. “I’m telling you, aren’t I? You get the heads up because we’re related. She’ll find out when she gets here.” He dropped the tutu and blew out a sigh. “Listen, Kat is a fabulous girl and she’s been single since she came here. She’s sweet—”
“You’ve said that already. Next you’ll tell me about her personality.”
Roman shoved his hands in the pocket of his jeans. It’s not like he had anything else to do tonight. Besides, what would one drink hurt? He hadn’t been out in so long. He’d just be upfront about his meddling, well-meaning cousin. As long as this woman knew the date wasn’t actually a date or anything else, maybe things would be fine. Roman didn’t intend to lead anybody on.
“I’ll come by,” he conceded. “But only because you gave me the heads up on the homeowners looking for a contractor and it’s because of you I was able to get my bids in.”
Jasper’s smile widened. “I knew you’d do it.”
“Wait,” Roman added, holding up his hands. “I only said I’d come by. I may take her for a drink, but I make no promises. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was here to work and not date. I don’t have time for both.”
Nor did he want both. He was fine married to his business. He’d had his party days, his good times…then life had smacked him in the face and he’d decided throwing himself into a career he loved was his best option. Work wouldn’t break his heart and leave him feeling like his whole world had just crumbled beneath his feet.
But one day, when he found the right woman, he still wanted that family. He wasn’t in a hurry and he wasn’t pressured. When she came into his life, he’d know it.
Or maybe not because he thought he’d “known it” when Katie had come into his life.
Jasper tsk’d and went back to sorting costumes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear you, all work and no play. But I’m telling you, I really think the two of you will hit it off. She really is adorable.”
Roman doubted they’d hit it off, but he owed his cousin a favor and this was him cashing it in. He’d swing by, see whoever this Kat was and maybe they’d end up taking a walk down at the beach or getting a drink…or hell, he didn’t know. All he knew was that Jasper had finagled Roman into meeting someone he had no interest in. It was just a few hours, right? No big deal.
Tomorrow Roman would start his job revamping one of two homes in Pleasure Point. So tonight didn’t actually interfere with his work. Just because he was meeting this woman didn’t mean he was obligated for anything else.
He couldn’t help but wonder why Jasper felt the need to hook his employee up, but Roman wasn’t about to ask. Jasper seemed too enthralled with spandex, rhinestones, and ruffles to even pay attention at this point.
Roman let himself out of the studio and stepped into the sunshine. He absolutely loved Florida, wouldn’t live anywhere else. He had a job he excelled at and a pretty nice bank account. What more could a single guy ask for?
Chapter Two
“I don’t think you took my measurements down right.”
Katie Foster turned from side to side in the wall of mirrors. The aqua costume did show off her tanned skin and complimented her blue eyes, but Katie wasn’t so sure about the plunging neckline in the tank style top. The entire costume gave off the illusion of being completely sheer, but the flimsy overlay was backed with a nude lining. The sheer skirt barely covered her round ass. Maybe she should lay off the pints of ice cream…or perhaps Jasper should learn to double check measurements.
Since she’d left her accounting job and was just dancing part-time, those pounds were packing back on. But soon, she prayed, soon she’d open her own amazing studio in Naples and get right back to dancing all day, every day. She just had to wait on approval from the bank for her loan that would cover the building and the renovations that needed done.
Everything took time but she didn’t want to wait much longer. Over the past seven years she’d worked a boring day job that sucked the life out of her. She’d tried to live her life and enjoy the dance aspect, but she’d finally decided to give up the monotony of her office job and fulfill her dream.
“Don’t be absurd.” Jasper’s eyes met hers in the reflection. “You look fabulous in everything and I tailor-made this one with you in mind. The blue, the plunge, the fit. Your body is seriously killer and you should totally show it off.”
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to show off quite so much. Besides, her build was just genetics. Other than dance, she really didn’t do much exercising. Dance had always been her passion and she’d been lucky enough to turn that into a few bucks in her pocket on the days she taught…which is how she’d saved over the past several years to have a down payment ready for the building she wanted renovated.
Now that she was no longer crunching numbers for an accounting firm—thank the heavens for that—she could focus on finally enjoying life and doing exactly what she wanted without answering to anyone else. Well, except the bank. Once her loan went through, of course.
Coming to Mimosa Key was a great idea, though she wasn’t sure what she’d do when she first arrived a month ago. She’d come to think and take a breather since she’d decided to plunge face first into the riskiest move of her life and quit her job.
Aunt Tilly welcomed her and encouraged the dream of opening a dance studio. But now her aunt was off on another of her three-month-long cruises in the Mediterranean and had asked Katie to house sit. Oh, and while she was there, some men would be coming to do some remodeling.
Sure. No problem. Katie didn’t have much else to do until she heard from the bank. Oh, she added images to her Pinterest boards and daydreamed how fabulous her own children’s studio would be, but she had no firm actions to take until this waiting game was over. She’d just embrace the rare carefree time in her life and count down until she fulfilled her goals.
Tippy Toes Children’s Dance Studio would be open and thriving soon…she hoped.
“If I take a deep breath I’m afraid a nipple will pop out.” Katie turned away from the mirror to face Jasper. “Seriously. Next time you make a costume with me in mind, could you allow for the full C cup?”
Also genetics. Her mother had always been busty, yet petite. Between her top and her bottom, this costume wasn’t covering all the necessary parts…at least not in her opinion. If she tugged the top, her ass cheeks hung out, if she adjusted the bottom, the swell of her boobs spilled over. There really was no winning.
Jasper clasped his hands together. “Of course, darling. This is my first costume for you, but I still say it looks perfect. We have double-sided tape which is a staple, you know. Now, leave it on because I want to work on a new dance for the twenty-somethings class I have starting next week.”
“I’ll be thirty next week,” she told him. “And there’s no way I can dance in this. One dip or twist the wrong way—”
“I know, I know.” Those hands waved once again in exaggerated flourish.
“I swear, your nipples are in good hands. Just let me get that tape.”
Katie laughed, then adjusted the top of the dress, groaning when the back slid up her rear end. Before she could deliver a proper comeback, though, there was a gentle tap on the door. Katie glanced over her shoulder to the man standing in the open doorway.
Everything in her stilled and she completely forgot about the dress or the upcoming class or even the fact Jasper was in the room searching for tape to keep her boobs tucked away.
No, there was only one man here.
But…it couldn’t be him. It couldn’t.
Nerves and dread curled low in her belly as she stared at her husband. Her ex-husband. When his midnight gaze roamed around the room and zeroed in on her, every bit of the past she’d tried to push in the back of her mind from came rushing back.
Of all places in the world to run into her former husband, she never in a million years would’ve guessed a dance studio in Mimosa Key. What the hell was he doing here? And how were the next few minutes going to go down with this extremely unexpected reunion?
Chapter Three
“Katie?”
Roman froze in the doorway. He hadn’t seen his ex-wife in years. Since she’d miscarried and they realized getting married had been a mistake.
Well, she’d convinced him the marriage was a mistake, but the mistake was ever letting her walk away when they were both hurting instead of trying to heal each other.
They’d been young, coming right off a heated affair, and naïve enough to think sex and passion could hold a couple together. But he’d loved her. He’d loved her like no one before…or since. Apparently that hadn’t been enough to hold them together.
But what was she doing here working for Jasper? Last he’d heard she’d moved to Miami.