by Kathryn Shay
In his haste to have her, he dumped her unceremoniously on the bed and wrenched open the nightstand drawer. It crashed to the floor. Almost blind with need, he rummaged around in the mess and found the box. She was reaching for him as he stood and tried to roll a condom on. He batted her hand away, suited up, and covered her with his body.
Their gazes locked. He smiled. So did she. He knelt between her spread thighs and drew her up so they were face-to-face. Her breasts crushed his chest and her legs wrapped around him. Then he plunged into her.
The pleasure of his filling made her eyes close. He felt so full, so male; he thrust again, whispered against her ear, “Kel,” and thrust yet again.
Once more, and she exploded. The world turned silver and red; huge bursts of light obscured everything. She cried out his name as spurts of pleasure followed one on top of the other, became a steady stream. It encompassed her, took her under, and still the acute peaking did not stop. The only other things she was aware of were his long, low groans, then his bark—her name, an obscenity—and how he gripped her tightly as he came.
His possession was irrevocable.
Luke surfaced from sexual semi-consciousness brought on by an orgasm so intense it should go down in the Guinness Book of Records. He was buried deep inside Kelsey, his hands still vising her shoulders. They were prone now, and when he drew back, he couldn’t take his eyes off her face. It was sweaty, and her hair was damp. Her eyes glowed like priceless jewels.
She smiled. He traced her mouth with his fingertips. “Wow,” she said.
He kissed her lightly. “Yeah, wow.” His heart was bursting from his chest. “I need to tell you something.”
She smiled again, and he imagined he’d still be moved by the sight of that smile when they were seventy.
“Kocham Ciebie,” he whispered softly.
She remembered the words. Her eyes misted.
His eyes clouded.
“Oh, Luke.” She swallowed back the emotion. “I love you, too.”
Their foreheads met, neither able to move for the exquisite beauty of the moment. Luke knew he’d never in his life feel quite like this again.
After a while, he eased off her and cradled her to his chest. He was a man used to protecting women—everybody—but he’d yet to feel the surge of tenderness that swamped him now. “It’s gonna be good, love.”
“Yes, it is.”
He smoothed his hand down her softer-than-silk hair, brushed knuckles over her cheek, grazed lips over her shoulder where the faint outline of reddish marks the size of his fingertips marred her skin. “Real good.”
She cuddled close, entwining their legs, stroking his chest, inhaling him. “I’ll teach somewhere else.”
“You can stay at Fairholm until I finish my degree. I’ll apply to the State University for courses. We can live somewhere in between.”
She inched away and looked up at him. Her eyes filled again. “After so much, I can’t believe we’re together. That we’ll be together forever.”
“You can believe it, Kel,” he said, settling back into the pillows, taking her with him. “That’s a promise.”
Epilogue
Two weeks later—Graduation Day
Irritated, Suzanna held the phone to her ear while she motioned Josh into her office. “Really, Ross, I can’t possibly interview anyone today. I have graduation practice at one and the ceremony tonight.”
Dressed in baggy khaki shorts and a navy golf shirt, Josh rolled his eyes and sank into the chair in front of her desk. Did he just look older because he was graduating, or was he really a man? “And it’s your birthday...” he whispered.
Smiling, she winked at him. “Oh, all right. Just for an hour.” She checked the clock. She could still have lunch with her son and make the practice if they ate somewhere close. “I’ll be right over.”
“No fair,” Josh said as she hung up. “I wanted to spend time with you today.”
She gave him a sideways glance, her heart stopping when she thought about this boy leaving her. “Gee, I guess you’ll just have to hang out at Heather’s for an hour. I’ll meet you at Carney’s at noon, okay?”
“You all right?” he asked, scrutinizing her. She knew the sleeplessness and the sadness showed on her face; others had commented on it. “Interviewing this candidate is going to remind you of Joe, isn’t it?”
I don’t need reminders. He’s there every night—lounging against my pillows, in the bathtub, sitting on our couch. “A little, but I’m coping, honey.”
“I miss him.”
“I do, too.”
“Are you glad the board approved a full-time crisis counselor?”
“Of course. He’ll be able to help kids like Smurf.”
Jimmy Smurfella had been sentenced to three years in a juvenile detention center, and was getting mandated counseling. Because no one had been hurt, the court would reevaluate his case after that.
“Everybody feels bad about him.” Josh rolled his eyes. “But the kids miss Ludzecky more. Heather still talks about how cute he was.”
Suzanna smiled. She’d been thrilled when Luke and Kelsey had come to her house two weeks ago and told her of their plans to be together. He’d quit the Secret Service and enrolled in a SUNY branch two hours away. Kelsey had put her house up for sale, and planned to move to an apartment halfway between the college and Fairholm; she’d work at the high school for the time it took Luke to get his degree. Then, they’d move far enough away where they wouldn’t be known.
I’ll still see you, Suzanna, I promise.
“Mom? You okay?”
“Of course. I—”
Her secretary appeared in the doorway carrying a huge spray of tiger lilies. “Happy Birthday, Suzanna.”
Suzanna cocked her head and transferred her gaze questioningly to Josh. He held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. The tickets to that musical were my present.”
Maybe they were from Brenda. Suzanna talked to her friend weekly but hadn’t seen her since she’d gone to rehab. From all appearances, Brenda was making progress and would be released soon.
She tried not to wish the flowers were from Joe. She’d heard nothing from him, though Luke saw him regularly and had told her he was at his sister’s for a long break. He’d also spoken to Josh a few times on the phone. Slowly she eased the card out after Pat set the vase on her desk.
It read: Happy Birthday, Mrs. Q., and Happy Graduation. Sorry I can’t be there in body, but I’m there in spirit. Love, Max.
Suzanna smiled at yet another success story. She and Max had gotten close in the last few months of school. She’d had that meeting with his father, who’d finally begun to understand his son’s needs, but Max had decided on a career in the army, regardless. His SAT scores had been high, and though he’d never used his potential in school, with her recommendation, the army had taken him in an officer’s training program. The drawback was that he had to leave before graduation.
She read the card to Pat and Josh, said good-bye to her son, made her way out of the office and down the hall, and exited the building. Spring in Fairholm was a riot of smells and sights: the rich loam of the earth, newly cut grass, and crocuses and daffodils sprouting everywhere. She tried to appreciate the flowers and the comforting sound of a lawn mower in the distance as she headed toward the Administration Building.
This was how she’d met Joe—whom she missed more than she could articulate. At least the board had agreed to the safety measures he’d outlined, as well as a few of her own, one of which was filling the crisis counselor position permanently. Over the summer she planned to have in place groups and sessions for kids like Max, Rush Webster, Ben, and Smurf, as well as all the teacher in-service. She just wished Joe was here to implement it all with her.
She entered the Ad Building with a heavy heart. The receptionist told her to go to Ross’s office and wait. The superintendent was across the hall with another administrator. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.
The
first thing she saw was a vase of pink roses on Ross’s desk—odd for the superintendent. Then the air caught in her throat, and for a minute she thought she was imagining things. Joe stood behind the flowers, big and unbreakable, wearing a lightweight navy sport coat and khaki slacks.
Joe was dumbstruck by the sight of her; the first thing he noticed was how fragile she looked, the brown and gold of her dress accenting the color of her eyes, her hair drawn back in a clasp, gold hoops gracing her ears. He remembered his plan, though. It had something to do with starting over and keeping it light.
“I’m Dr. Joe Stonehouse. You must be Mrs. Quinn, the principal.”
“What...why...what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice thick.
He managed to look surprised as he crossed to her. She’d suffered the last weeks—six, to be exact, and three days and a few hours. He could tell by the lines around her mouth and the shadows under her eyes.
“I’m applying for the crisis counselor’s job at your school,” he told her. At the stunned look on her face, he said, “Why don’t you sit down, Mrs. Quinn?”
Never taking her eyes off him, she found a chair.
He sat across from her and lifted a folder. “All my credentials are in here. I thought you might have some questions for me.”
“A thousand,” she said.
“Well, let me tell you about my last position. I was a member of the United States Secret Service, where I worked in the school security division. My job was classified, so I can’t tell you what I did.”
“Was a member? What you did?”
“Yes, I resigned from the Service, to take effect July one.”
She gasped. “You did?”
“I decided I wanted to work directly with kids. I got more satisfaction from that than orchestrating plans for the government.”
“Oh, Joe.”
“But I have some special requirements if I’m to take a job at Fairholm.”
She smiled, finally catching on.
“I’m a very desirable commodity, Mrs. Quinn. You should be trying to entice me to come to Fairholm.”
Amber eyes narrowed on him then. “Oh, I’ll entice you—”
“First, you need to hear my requirements.”
Suzanna nodded.
“I’d like to reside at 33 Jordace Avenue.” Her house. “You’ll have to make the arrangements.”
“I think that can be done.”
“Let me make myself clear.” He rose then squatted down in front of her. And for the first time in forever he touched her; he picked up her hand. “Legally, I want to reside there.”
“Legally?”
“Hmmm.” He drew from his pocket a sapphire and diamond ring that outshone the stars. He slipped it on her finger, then kissed it. “Marry me, love.”
Tears slid down her cheeks. “I...I don’t understand.”
He told her the stark, simple truth. “I couldn’t live without you.”
“Oh, Joe.” She clutched at his hands, linked his fingers with hers. “I never expected this. How could you give up...” She peered at him through spiky lashes. “The Secret Service was your life.”
“For too long,” he told her. “As Ruthie reminded me every day I was in Connecticut.”
Suzanna gave him a watery smile, raised her hand to his face, outlined his cheekbones, his jaw, as if learning his features again. The tender caress touched his soul, as she had.
“I did a good job with STAT. With the whole Safe School thing. It’s in place, and someone else can run it, go undercover.” He frowned. “Even though young Ludzecky beat me to the punch.”
“The government must be unhappy about losing both of you.
“Not nearly as unhappy as I’ve been.”
“Me, too,” she said, still touching his face.
“I want a normal life, with you, with Josh, with my family.”
She frowned. “What will we tell Josh?”
“For now, just that I changed my mind about the Education Department job because I wanted to marry you and be a counselor in your building. Maybe later on we can tell him more. Just like with Kelsey’s father. I haven’t gotten that far in my plan.”
Laying her head on his shoulder, she whispered, “How far did you get?”
“Just here. Just back to you.” He stood, drawing her up with him. Then he pulled her close and encircled her with his arms. “Happy birthday, Suzie Q,” he said softly.
And before she could cry again, his mouth closed over hers.
-o0o-
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Author's Note
Promises to Keep deals with a subject very close to my heart. As a long-time English teacher, I’ve experienced all facets of life in a contemporary high school. The two heroines in my book reflect my philosophy on teaching and, believe me, I’ve shared their joys in working with teenagers today. Unfortunately, I’ve also felt their despair. Some of the events in the story are offshoots of things that actually happened to me in the classroom; much of what I know about kids today is reflected in the characters I’ve portrayed. Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions a person can have. It is also one of the scariest, not only because of the violence in today’s schools. Influencing young minds and hearts and souls—as good teachers do, and as the teachers in my story do—is a grave responsibility. I hope the book shows the agony and ecstasy of being involved in education today.
Within this school environment, two love stories evolved; both reflect my views on the relationship between a man and woman. As so often happens at work, when people are thrown together, especially if it involves danger, they grow close. But, like most normal people, my characters had to work their way through many obstacles before they could be together. They do it, but the road was long and rocky.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the world of today’s teenagers and how the adults in their lives are trying to keep them safe, as well as find happiness for themselves.
The Secret Service information included in the book is based on research. Several years ago that organization published the Safe School Initiative, which analyzes the nature of school violence and how to cope with it. All the information from that document is accurately reflected in the book. There really is a National School Threat Assessment Center in Washington. The reports from the Department of Education and the FBI, as well as the interviews with actual school shooters and the data on acts of violence are also accurate. After a point, however, I veered off from reality to further the plot of the book. In truth, what I’ve written is what I think the government should be doing today. I created STAT, the School Threat Assessment Team, a task force to help schools deal with violence. The undercover operations conducted are also fictional.
Drop me a note to let me know your impressions of the book. I love to hear from readers.
Kathy
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Don’t miss all five books in the Lean On Me Series, novels which explore the miraculous and magical ways adults help teens to cope with their lives.
PROMISES TO KEEP
By-the-book Secret Service Agent Joe Stonehouse is assigned to work with rebel Agent Luke Ludzecky on a task force to combat school violence. When they go undercover in Fairholm, NY, to a school flagged for an outbreak, they find that the institution is indeed in danger. But when Joe butts heads with principal Suzanna Quinn, and teacher Kelsey Cunningham gets close to her new student Luke, all their personal lives are turned upside down. In Book 1, PROMISES TO KEEP, follow the fast-paced plot ripped straight from the headlines and bask in the love stories that will make you believe in romance.
MICHAEL’S FAMILY
Three years after
his wife’s death, Public Defender Luke Rayburn is still struggling with loneliness and the trials of being a single parent. But when his son Michael decides he wants to meet his biological mother, Luke must face one of the biggest challenges of his life. Who knew, when they both meet the haunted, beautiful Meredith Hunter, their lives would get inextricably bound together? Full of hot passion and tender family scenes, as well as insights into some explosive legal cases, MICHAEL’S FAMILY, Book 2, is sure to tug on your heart strings.
TRUST IN ME
As kids, the stock car racing town of Glen Oaks called them The Outlaws. Who knew the hoodlums on the street would grow up to be upstanding citizens? Their leader, Linc, has become a minister, but never got over his first love, Margo, now an atheist because of her upbringing in a religious cult. Beth is lonely after the death of her husband Danny, until Tucker, the man who blames himself for Danny’s death, comes to town. And Annie has overcome emotional and physical scars from her youthful marriage to Joe, but will her progress be enough when he reenters her life? In Book 3, TRUST IN ME, troubled teen Ronny reunites them, and in trying to help the boy, the three couples uncover a passion for each other that can no longer be denied.
WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN
Single parent Nick DiMarco is out to prove something to himself and to the world. His ex-wife abandoned him and his two children to lead the life of a socialite. Now, Nick’s working two jobs and attending law school. But when his daughter’s counselor, Amanda Carson, tells him his child is suicidal, Nick must make difficult choices to save his family. Further complicating these issues are the feelings both Nick and Amanda, a woman too much like his ex, develop feelings for each other. In WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN, Book 4, intense emotional scenes, a frightening look at teenage suicide and a love story that won’t be suppressed all combine to make this a powerful, heart-wrenching drama.