Promise Me Forever

by Jules Bennett

  If Roman had been uncomfortable, he did well to hide it. Internally, she’d been a ball of nerves. She’d really wanted to make a good impression on Jasper because she loved his studio and wanted to teach the private lessons and earn a little more money she could use toward opening her own place. Not that she was earning much, but every little bit helped. Her entire world lately had been wrapped up in pursuing her one main goal in life.

  But then the only man she’d ever loved walked in and everything else ceased to exist. She’d loved him once. Loved him with a fierce passion she didn’t know if she’d ever find again.

  Katie couldn’t say she loved him now, she didn’t know him. But she had loved him once. They’d loved each other with an intensity that only young, innocent lovers had. They been so happy and content with their simple life: cheap wine, making love under the stars, sharing a meal when they could only afford one at a nice restaurant.

  Then she’d gotten pregnant and the dynamics changed. They were forced to mentally grow up, forced to think of someone other than themselves. They’d been scared, then excited. Their rush to the alter had their hearts guiding them when they thought they were doing the right thing.

  But a heated affair and a marriage were vastly different.

  Katie shut down her thoughts before they kept on traveling, pulling her with them. There was so much more to their story and she’d done well to keep it all in the past.

  The doorbell rang—well, it let out a groan like it needed replacing years ago. Just one of the many things Tilly had hired this construction firm to do. She’d already been in contact with them, but Katie was still ordered to go over everything so there were no communication errors.

  Padding barefoot through the hall and down the stairs, Katie made her way to the foyer. Sunlight spilled in through the sidelights, casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the old hardwood floors.

  With a flick of the lock, she pulled open the old, oak door and instantly stilled. Breath caught in her throat, her heart thudding double time, Katie met the eyes of the man she’d danced with last night.

  “Roman?”

  He offered her a sideways grin. Just like last night, the man masked anything he may be feeling. “You’re Tilly’s niece?”

  Damn it all. She hadn’t seen Roman Grant in over eight years, but in the past day she’d run into him twice. It was obvious he was the worker here to do the renovations which only meant she’d be seeing him every single day for the next month.

  This impromptu reunion had disaster written all over it.

  “Yes.”

  Katie hated the breathless tone that slipped out at her simple answer. She glanced past Roman, but only saw a work truck in the drive and no other workers.

  “Where’s the rest of the crew?”

  “I’m it for a while.” He gave a shrug, but kept that half-cocked grin in place. “The other guys are finishing up a job in Naples.”

  Of course he was the only one. Why would there be a crew or even a different worker altogether? Just fabulous. Her and her ex-husband alone in the house. Him getting all sweaty, her with her memories. This would end perfectly fine, right?

  Katie thought back to Jasper’s excitement last night over the fact she and Roman had a history. Damn that sneaky little dancing machine. He knew. He freakin’ knew why Roman was in town and he knew she was here to house sit for her aunt. He’d known she and Roman would run into each other again.

  Oh, he probably hadn’t known they’d been married. She truly believed that part had surprised him…and probably excited him considering his plans.

  When she got to the studio later, Jasper had better be alone because she was coming in hot and voicing her thoughts on his meddling scheme.

  There was nothing to do now, though. She was stuck and so was Roman.

  On a sigh, Katie opened the door wider and gestured him in. “Tilly left me the list to go over even though she’s already talked to your boss.”

  His side-grin turned into a full-fledged smirk, and damn if that sexy, familiar gesture didn’t get her blood pumping and have her angry all at the same time. She didn’t want her blood pumping for this man. Resurrecting those feelings would not be smart. She’d buried everything for a reason.

  Still, she could certainly admire how magnificent this new Roman was. Any woman with breath in her lungs would be staring and conjuring up fantasies. You know, the stereotypical hunky construction worker and the lonely homeowner. Could she get anymore clichéd?

  She seriously hadn’t had enough coffee to deal with this level of emotions. Was it too early for wine? Or maybe a mimosa?

  “I planned on starting in the kitchen.” Roman’s words pulled her away from her pathetic thoughts. “I know the master bath and the kitchen are the two big items on her list. The others are minor and will be done last.”

  Katie nodded and pointed down the narrow hall. “I’m sure you know the way.”

  Roman started to brush past her, but stopped. Katie stilled now that he stood within a breath of her. He swung that midnight gaze back to her, pinning her in place.

  “About last night—”

  Katie shook her head. “Forget it. I’ve only known Jasper a month, but he’s harmless. Even if he’s a little over the top.”

  “That’s what everyone loves about him.” Roman raked a hand over his messy dark hair and blew out a sigh. “I had no idea you were here, let alone working with my cousin.”

  Those fine lines around his mouth drew her in. The stubble along his jawline had her clenching her fists so she didn’t rake her hands over the hair to feel the roughness against her palms.

  She seriously needed to get a grip. But how was it possible the man was even sexier and more captivating than he’d been years ago? Because when they’d first met she’d been unable to deny her attraction or the instant pull. Getting swept back into that euphoria of young love would only be a mistake.

  “We were both caught off guard last night.” At least they had some common ground right now in that they were still reeling from the surprise. “And apparently this morning. Although, I have a feeling your cousin knew full well why you were here and that we’d be seeing each other again.”

  “I’m sure he did,” Roman agreed with a slight laugh. “He’s been on me for a while to find someone.”

  Katie didn’t like the instant mental image of Roman with another woman. Though she knew he hadn’t been alone for eight years. They’d gone separate ways, created their own lives.

  “I wasn’t prepared for this,” she whispered.

  Damn it. She seriously needed to keep her thoughts to herself. Exposing any type of vulnerability would only cause weakness and allow access to those hurts she’d worked so damn hard to bury.

  The muscle in Roman’s jaw ticked, his eyes raked over her face. Katie’s body instantly heated, her heart rate kicked up.

  Clearly some things never changed. He could still pull the most primal of needs from her with just a look. But, she was smarter now, more cautious, and paid attention to warning flags.

  “I don’t want to make this harder on you,” Roman told her. “But memories are difficult to run from.”

  “They are,” she agreed with a slow nod. “We’re older now, though, and have moved on. I’m not uncomfortable having you here. Still a little stunned after all this time, but I’m actually excited. We were friends once.”

  Friends. Yeah, for about a day until they realized how compatible they were between the sheets. But even when they weren’t in bed, they’d meshed so perfectly. Their love of the ocean, of being adventurous, of watching old movies, and binging on junk food.

  “We were.” Roman’s smile widened. “What do you say we do a walk-through and I’ll tell you all I’m going to be working on?”

  Feeling a bit more at ease, even if she was still totally turned on, Katie followed him to the kitchen and listened to the detailed plans. Then they made their way to the master bath where Tilly had asked for the works and spared n
o expense. When they stepped back into the bedroom, Roman nodded toward the dresser.

  “Nice mug,” he smirked. “I see you still take coffee seriously.”

  Katie crossed to the pot and picked up her mug. “I figured since you were tearing out the kitchen, the obvious place to keep the coffee pot was near the bed.”

  He’d brought her coffee and breakfast in bed many times. Coffee, donuts, fruit, bacon and eggs, pretty much anything. There had been a brief time they’d simply lived to spoil each other.

  Katie inwardly groaned. She wished she could push these memories aside, but they kept rushing, one right after another, to the forefront of her mind. What else was she supposed to think about when thrust back into her past with no warning?

  She honestly didn’t know what was worse, reliving the past or trying to ignore how ridiculously hot her former husband was. Because she was having a hell of a time trying to remember that they were different people now. Their experience years ago had slammed a wall down between them, forcing them to remain apart.

  “I’m going to start demo today,” he told her, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “It will take a few days to get everything out and cleaned up. The cabinets, counters, appliances, everything is on order and should be here by then. Tilly was quite specific.”

  Katie laughed. “She left me a laminated spreadsheet in case you forgot what she’d gone over with you.”

  Roman’s dark eyes widened. “Well, I better at least take a look at it so you can tell her you showed me. I’m surprised if she’s that detail oriented, she’s not here to oversee things.”

  Katie took a sip of her now lukewarm coffee before setting the mug down on the dresser. She pulled the top drawer open and pulled out the protected sheet.

  “She hates clutter, so there’s no way she could’ve lived with the mess.” Katie handed over the list. “I’m free for the time being, so she asked if I’d housesit.”

  “I recall a time when chaos and mess would’ve bothered you, too.”

  Katie wondered how often their time together would be brought up. Good thing they weren’t doing a drinking game. She’d be drunk before lunch.

  “I’ve changed quite a bit in eight years,” she reminded him. “Work and focusing on my job used to consume me. Then I realized my passion was dance and life was too short to worry about the next dollar coming in.”

  Roman’s gaze never wavered. He didn’t move, barely blinked as she spoke. But he studied her. Watched her as if he could see deep into her soul…or if he was just as attracted as she was. There was no use even trying to deny that she found this new version of Roman even more appealing than the twenty-three-year-old version.

  “You used to be the carefree one,” she reminded him, crossing her arms over her chest. “I would try to focus on studying and the next thing I knew you had me out for drinks and dinner on the beach.”

  “Or I had you stripped naked and not worrying about schoolwork and tests.”

  The way he just delivered the word ‘naked’ and let it hover in the air between them had her pulling in a deep breath and trying to get control over her emotions, her body.

  “I remember,” she muttered.

  The room seemed to shrink in on them as memories continued to assault her…and him apparently.

  When he continued to stare at her, Katie took a step back. Now was not the time to be all nostalgic because thinking of how they met, how they used to live would only lead them down a path she didn’t want to revisit…at least not with him. She couldn’t afford the inevitable heartache.

  Besides, she had things she needed to focus on now. Like opening Tippy Toes. Working with Jasper only proved how much freedom being the owner had. She wanted to take her passion and truly turn it into something more. She wanted to see children thrive and learn and grow into breathtaking dancers.

  She’d even doodled a few little logos, ready to commit to one as soon as her loan went through. She wasn’t starting on any advertising or promoting until she overcame that giant hurdle.

  Roman cleared his throat and raked a hand over his stubbled jaw line. “I better get to work.”

  He turned and walked out of the bedroom, his heavy footfalls carried him down the hall and back downstairs. Katie turned and flattened her palms on her dresser. Dropping her head between her shoulders, she blew out a deep breath. Tension she hadn’t even known she carried now eased from her shoulders.

  Day one of construction and already he’d pulled up so much of their past. Granted they probably couldn’t get through all of this renovating without discussing some aspect of their time together, but he’d gone straight to the naked portion.

  Katie pulled herself together and realized it might be best if she got her dance clothes and headed on out. She could go to the coffee shop or the beach or anywhere else to think because there was no way in hell she could think with her ex-husband about to get all sweaty and…

  Mercy. He’d probably take his shirt off. She was just enough of a masochist she’d want to wait around and see the show, but she needed to leave. The last thing either of them needed was to get swept into another heated affair. Their last one hadn’t ended so well.

  Chapter Five

  His muscles screamed as he hauled the last of the cabinets out to the back yard. He’d heaved quite a bit into the awaiting dumpster. The sun had started to inch closer to the horizon and he’d not seen or heard from Katie since this morning.

  Probably for the best. He was here to do a job, not try to romance his ex. Though if she were anybody else, he would at least try to take her for a drink. Damn if she wasn’t even sexier than he’d ever remembered.

  Katie had a confidence that hadn’t been there before. She had a woman’s body, a little fuller in the hips, the chest. Even though she had those lean dancer legs, she’d added subtle curves that had his hands itching to roam over every single luscious inch.

  Roman jerked the worn gloves off and swiped his arm across his forehead. He’d put in extra hours today. He tended to do that once he got on a roll. Without Katie around and no other distractions, he’d gotten started on demo and kept right on going.

  Smashing things to bits had always been a great stress reliever. He’d found that out right after the loss of their child and the divorce. Diving head first into anything else had been all that had kept him sane during those next few years. Then when the construction company had been going up for sale, he’d jumped at the chance. Since then he hadn’t looked back. All work, little play, just the way he liked his life for now.

  Though playing with Katie again…

  No, damn it. There could be no playing. He eventually wanted to settle down again and have a family.

  The front door opened and closed, pulling Roman from his thoughts. He moved to the hallway in time to see Katie setting her purse and keys on the accent table in the foyer. She reached up, wrapping her fingers around the back of her neck and shifting her head from side to side. That familiar act had him curling his own fingers into fists at his sides. He wanted to relieve her of that pain, the knots she had.

  She’d had a stressful day and now attempted to get the tension from her neck and shoulders. How could teaching dance make her so tense? This was her passion and she was damn good at it.

  Still, something bothered her. Ignoring the voice in his head that told him to mind his own business, Roman moved down the hallway. He didn’t stop even when she glanced sideways, locking her eyes with his. He kept going until he stood behind her and slid his hands over that curve in her neck.

  “Wh—”

  “Relax,” he muttered as he worked his hands over the knots in her neck. “Let me do this.”

  Yes, Katie, let me torture myself a bit further because I’ve thought all day of getting my hands on you.

  Her head dropped down, her hands rested on the table in front of her. Every warning flag inside his mind waved around in a vain attempt to get his attention. Roman wasn’t focusing on anything but Katie.r />
  When they’d first gotten together she’d get stressed over school and he’d rub her neck and shoulders. She’d always told him he had magical hands.

  Common sense screamed at him to let go and get the hell out of here. He was done working for the day and she needed to unwind. Alone.

  But he didn’t attempt to step away. No, he kept stroking his fingers over her skin, digging when he reached a knot. A slight moan escaped her, making him clench his teeth and ignore the way his body tightened. Okay, fine. He couldn’t ignore it, but that didn’t mean he’d do anything about it.

  “This isn’t a good idea,” she whispered, but made no move to stop him.

  He ignored her statement, basically because she was right—not that he was about to say so out loud. Having his hands on her felt too good, too right. He wanted to touch her, needed any excuse to do so.

  “What happened today?”

  “Nothing,” she sighed.

  Slowly he pressed his thumbs on either side of her neck and stroked up. “You never could lie. Tell me.”

  He worked his hands over her, the tightness eased as he moved from neck to shoulders. Silence surrounded them as he waited for her to let him in on her thoughts. Not that he had any place to ask such things, but he liked to think he was somewhat of a friend…wasn’t he?

  Unable to stand the silence another second, Roman gripped her shoulders and hauled her back against his chest. Her eyes instantly found his in the reflection of the mirror above the table. Those vibrant baby blues held him captivated. The light radiating from the sunset flooded through the sidelights, casting a pink glow right onto her face.

  “Roman,” she murmured, her head falling back onto his shoulder.

  If there had been any heat in her tone, any hint of hesitancy, Roman would’ve pulled back. But all he saw was passion staring back at him as her eyes continued to hold his.

  Roman slid his free hand around, flattening his palm against her abdomen. The hitch in her breath had him spreading his fingers, urging her body back farther into his.