A Promise Kept (23 page)

Grace rolled her eyes. “Ignore him.”

Josh made his way in looking the same as he always did—dressed in workout clothes and ready to exert the shit out of him. He approached with his serious expression as his eyes took in the scene before him. A sly sneer ran over his mouth. “Mate. Sorry to interrupt this little intimate setting, but we need to head out.”

Evan nodded. “Fine.”

“Make sure you work him out extra hard today, Josh. He ate pancakes.”

“Thanks for dropping the dime on me, princess.” Evan indicated her betrayal as he slapped Grace’s bottom playfully.

“I’m going to take a quick shower and change,” Grace excused herself, which Evan was grateful for. He didn’t need her prancing around half-naked in front of him and his friend.

“Hey, Grace, where’s the syrup?” Marla entered the dining room and spotted the big guy. Her body stopped and she straightened up as she cleared her throat. “Hello.” Her voice turned pert as she moved her plate toward the table and set it down.

Josh gave a slight nod but stayed quiet, his eyes ogling over her form. Evan grinned as he pushed the bottle toward her. “Right there, Marla.”

It took her a moment to gather herself as she looked down. “Oh, right.” She turned back to the kitchen to retrieve her latte.

“Guess not as intimate as I assumed,” Josh muttered.

“Grace and I were having a moment until we were rudely interrupted. Why don’t you take Red and get the hell out of here so Grace and I can get to it in the shower?”

“Did you just call me Red?” Marla sat down and began to put syrup on her pancakes. “I’m not going anywhere with him, by the way. He’d probably just take me to the gym.” Marla smiled wryly.

“I’ll try not to take offense to that.”

“I’m sure this food’s the bigger offense to you.” Marla smiled mockingly as she took a bite of bacon. “Want some?” She stuck her fork of pancake out in front of his lips and he backed off.

“No, thank you.”

“I think you have a food complex,” Marla announced as she ate.

As they continued their banter, Evan stood, making no qualms about his frustration at their arrival by scooting his chair back harshly. “I’ll get my things,” he groused as he moved to the bedroom, knowing Josh needed to get to the gym soon. He had other clients in line, and Evan needed to do his job. He still was upset missing out on his quickie with the woman who was constant on his mind.

Evan sat on the edge of the bed and began putting on his shoes. The pillows were strewn everywhere, the sheets tangled, and just remembering Grace’s whimpers under and on top of him was making him hard all over again. It didn’t help when she exited her bathroom wearing a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt. How the hell could he be so turned on by her?

She walked toward him and stood in between his legs as he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her scrumptious ass. His head rested on her stomach and she ran her hands through his hair. “I’ve never experienced cranky Evan.”

“You don’t write many of those types of men in your historical romance books.”

“You’re simply cantankerous, Lord Matthews,” Grace chimed in an English accent. He finally cracked a smile at her as she dipped her head and gave him a kiss. “You need not worry, my Lord, I shall suck your cock in the most delicious and proper way later in the evening.”

“Holy shit, Grace, you sound like those swanky British people in
Downton Abbey
and it’s completely turning me on. Plus, of course, the idea of your mouth on me is fucking sexy.”

“Behave. And I can’t believe you watch
Downton.
”

“I don’t. I watch the recap.”

They both chuckled as they let their kiss deepen. She stopped and moved away as they heard Marla’s laugh ring out by something Josh said. “Sounds like they’re getting along out there.”

“Yeah, maybe we should let them wait for us.” He pushed up to standing and pulled her back flush against his chest. He nuzzled the nape of her neck as his hands reached down and touched between her legs.

Grace groaned as she moved away from his arms toward the bathroom counter. “Evan, we have tonight. I’m going to spend the day with Marla. I gotta get some Christmas shopping done.” He leaned on the doorframe watching her movements as she put a cream on her face. “Go and get your workout done. Let all that pissy aggression come out in the bedroom later.”

She walked by him and brushed his crotch with her hip. He caught her and tugged her close, his lips kissing her jaw and moving toward her ear. He grumbled low and long. “God, I want you so badly right now, Grace. You’re just egging me on, princess.”

She sighed as he jerked his hips up, letting her feel how hard he was for her. The phone on the nightstand chimed and she pushed away from him. “I should see who texted.”

“Wait.” He dragged his nose alongside her cheek. “That’s what it is.”

“What?”

“Your strawberry scent.” That scent that drove him crazy was her moisturizer. “I fucking love it.” He sucked on her lips and then moved his nose under her chin tilting it up so he got better access to her neck. “I can’t wait to taste you again, Gracie Lynn. Break you down with my fingers and mouth and watch you shatter.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” She smiled and moved toward the table, grabbing the phone, staring for a moment. Her eyebrows crinkled as she tucked the device in her sweater pocket. Evan noticed her reticence.

“Your mom?”

She nodded and began to fix the bed. “Yeah. She’s been texting a lot lately. I don’t know why.”

“Why don’t you try calling her? Maybe just to talk.” He went over and began to help her arrange the bedspread. “What if there’s a way—”

“No, Evan. There’s not.” She exhaled and plopped herself down on the edge of the bed. He knew whatever excuse she gave wouldn’t be enough reason, but he listened as she began with an irritated expression. “Look, I know you mean well, but she doesn’t get it. My dad doesn’t get it. Do you know what I overheard my mom saying before they left Austin?
I’m glad to get out of here. Away from all of this
.”

“That might not have meant you, Grace.” He sat beside her and grabbed her hand in his.

“I was staying in Austin. Of course she meant me.”

“What if there was a way you guys could fix this?”

“Why bother? There’s no point.”

“Grace, you’re clearly unhappy. You miss your family.”

“My family isn’t like your family, Evan.” She moved away from him, busying herself with fixing the pillows on the bed. “Not everyone’s that lucky.”

“We’ve had our hardships, sweetheart, but we worked on it. Families stick with each other.”

“I can’t get myself to…” She shook her head and grabbed her purse. “I just don’t want to deal with it.”

He was well aware, and learning more about her the more time they spent together, that she most definitely was avoiding confrontation. “Brushing it aside isn’t going to help.”

“Josh is waiting for you. Go work out, and bring that sexy body back to me.” It was clear she wasn’t up for salvaging the rift with her parents. She sauntered that wonderful ass out the door and left him there, wanting her beyond reason, and wishing there was a way to fix her world.

“
I
don’t know
what you buy someone who has everything.” Christmas shopping was posing a bit of a problem for Grace when it came to getting something for Evan. The two friends wandered outside The Domain, an outdoor plaza in North Austin, as they sipped on warm tea they had acquired from The Steeping Room. December was a warm one this year, and they enjoyed the feel of the pleasant weather.

“Just give him more sex. He’ll be fine with that.” Marla smiled as they headed toward Anthropologie. Grace wasn’t one to shop regularly, but she was definitely up for girl-time after having experienced one of the most amazing nights of her life.

“I’m sure he’d get that regardless. I can’t stop thinking about how much I want him. It’s almost every second, and he’s worse than me. We might be trapped inside forever if he’d have his way.”

“Oh, trust me, men can get irrational when it comes to sex. I mean, not in a bad way, just in a hot, caveman sort of way.”

“Don’t mention that, I might not be able to handle the thought of Evan going caveman. He’s too sexy as it is.” They laughed as they wandered throughout the beautiful store with the gorgeous, vintage aesthetic. Grace wished she could purchase every single piece of clothing, but was pleased with her true vintage finds when it came to home decor. When she bought an item at a garage sale that really was from 1858 it gave her a sense of satisfaction. As if she was giving refuge to something that had been abandoned. She took it, breathed new life into it, and helped it find a new home. Almost in the way she had felt when her folks left her. She had been broken, but was in the process of getting fixed.

She focused back on Marla as she continued to speak about Evan. “I’m sure that man has a lot of stamina. I’m glad you found someone who’s good to you in the bedroom, Grace. You deserve that. You’ve waited long enough.”

Grace nodded. “And you? You need someone good to you in the bedroom.”

Her red-headed friend waved her hand in dismissal. “Any sex is better than no sex, I guess.”

“Even when it’s bad?” Grace scrunched her face remembering some horrible make-out sessions, not to mention her first time. “Trust me, I’d love to forget Kyle ever happened.”

“Sometimes it can be good, bad, or mediocre. I’ve just dealt with more mediocre than anything else.”

“I’ll bet Josh has some endurance. He’s sexy.”

“He’s okay.” Marla didn’t look at Grace and that was an instant giveaway.

“Oh, come on, Marla. Give it up. You like him.”

Marla made a face. “No, I don’t. He’s not my type. Besides, I’m pissed off at Ryan and hate all men, remember?”

“Which you’ll change your mind about eventually.” Grace took time picking up jewelry and after glancing at the prices, immediately put the items back. “You had to have known about Ryan being a douche, Marla. We all said to be careful with him.”

Marla picked up a necklace and decided on the purchase. “I saw warning signs, but ignored them, as I always do. Perhaps I’m hoping they’ll prove me wrong. Or I’m just a fucking nutcase who’s a hopeless romantic.”

“Neither. You just haven’t met the right guy.”

“Well, look who’s the optimist with love now.” Marla lifted her brow at Grace. “And the memoir? You let him read it?” Grace nodded. “That’s a huge deal. And the publishers?”

“I haven’t heard anything. I don’t think I want it published anyway. It’s just so…”

“Revealing?”

“Yeah.” Grace waited for Marla to finish her purchase and they wandered outside again. The sun was beginning to fade and the temperature was dropping. Seemed a cold front was on the way and Grace hoped it would get chilly for Christmas.

“I say let people read it, Grace. Your story’s a complicated one, but it’s unique. I’d tell your folks about it though.”

“My mom keeps texting me. I think she found out who I’m dating. I wouldn’t doubt she disapproves.” Grace shook her head and finished her tea, throwing the cup into a recycle bin.

“He’s Evan Matthews. I don’t see how she would.”

They made their way into another store and began to roam through the clutter of clothing. “She’d find a way.”

“So, what else did the publishers say? Seriously, Grace, you might need to get another marketing strategy for your books. They don’t seem to be doing shit for you.”

Grace sighed knowing Marla was right. Years ago she had been so desperate for any type of acceptance from a publisher that she took what she could get. That had been a mistake. Her books weren’t getting promoted, she was constantly being pushed aside for bigger names, and the industry had gone through so many changes within the past few years, it was difficult for her to keep up.

“I have one more contracted book in my
Scandals of a Duke
series, and then after that, they either decide to drop me or give me a new contract. The deal was shit from the start, and I’m not really sure what they’ll propose, but I guess we’ll find out. I’m sort of interested in doing contemporary. Maybe even self-publishing. I have a good following. I love them, and they keep me going.”

“Well, that’s good. You’ll become a world-renowned author and marry Evan and have five babies.” Marla smiled as she took out a blouse and studied it.

“Right, because it’s always been my dream to have five babies.” Grace rolled her eyes.

“Well, you do want to get married someday, right Grace? Evan’s a good one to do that with. If you like that hunky, handsome, millionaire type.”

Grace laughed as she ran through the clothing rack looking at t-shirts. “I’m just trying to get through this whole dating stage first. Everyone likes pushing us way ahead of where we are. I could’ve sworn his sister was already thinking we were meant to be.”

“Well, aren’t you?” Marla smirked at her and put the blouse back. “His source said he was
head-over-heels
.”

“So you saw that,” Grace laughed. “He does want me to go where he films next. It’s weird to be thinking that far ahead.” Gallivanting to God-knew-where while Evan filmed his movies was not how Grace imagined spending her time, not that she was complaining.

“Well, you could write wherever you are.”

Grace tried to focus on the present instead of worrying about the future, including what she would do with her property manager job. “I love this shirt.” Grace picked it up and Marla laughed. “What? I do.”

“Of course you do. How many shirts do you need with Texas on them anyway? You have three others like that.”

“This one says, ‘
Born and Raised
.’” Grace was getting it. Every now and then she let herself have the small luxury of something. She also found a present for Jaime and would work on Marla’s gift later. As for Evan, she had no clue what she would give the man who had it all.

* * *

G
race’s breath
shuddered along with Evan’s as he lifted her ankles up on his shoulders and surged inside her, unrelenting and fast. “I need you, give me everything, Gracie.”

He drove deep into her, his body hot and damp as he hovered over, moving her legs aside and turning her onto her belly, continuing to claim her fully from behind. Grace could half hear her sobs escape her lips as she submitted. The feel of being so intimate, so vulnerable and surrendering to him, was overwhelming.

It was all new, fresh, and extremely liberating. He rocked his hips against her in a glorious bliss that thrived all over her body. His pace increased as he leaned his chest against her back, one hand squeezing her breast as the other trailed down over the sensitive center of pleasure that begged to be touched.

Grace’s hands fisted the sheets below her as she bit her trembling lip. The tension was climbing to the point of agonizing as her third orgasm of the night was on the brink. “Please, Evan, please…”

He rolled his hips and took her higher until his body hit her just right and she screamed out as the wave took hold and then crashed. He persisted until her convulsions finished and then let himself go until he was spent. They melded into each other, sweat glistening as their limp bodies rested.

“Fuck-wow,” Grace muttered breathlessly.

Evan grinned and faced her, his hand running over her tangled locks. “Fuck-wow?”

“Yeah, shit that was…fuck...”

“I love that dirty mouth, sunshine.”

“Mmm.” Grace closed her eyes, sated and glowing. She then watched him crawl back to her after he disposed of his condom. His muscular body snuggled beside her and she felt it was too good to be true. She’d wake up and he’d be gone. She set that aside and remembered the way he stormed into the house when she had texted him that Marla had left. He had walked in, demanded her to kiss him, then whispered how he wanted to take her, and he wouldn’t be as gentle as he was before. She was up to that challenge, and she’d just been served.

“So that was the pissy aggression? I think you need to get pissed off more often.”

“Don’t make me spank you, Gracie.”

“I might like that,” Grace gasped as Evan rubbed his body against her. She arched back into him, feeling herself still pulsing from her last orgasm.

“Already wanting more, doll?”

“Always.”

“Now you know how I feel. Sorry, but I gotta go. Zach and I need to spend boy-time together talking about our feelings all damn day long.” He moved away from her as she swung her hand out, slapping his chest.

“Go have your boy-time then, Evan. I’ve got a vibrator to keep me company.” He grabbed her wrist as she sat up and attempted to leave the bed.

He laughed as he tugged her to him. “I’m teasing, Gracie Lynn. And throw that thing away. Nobody gets to please you but me.”

“You saying you’re jealous of a piece of equipment, Matthews?”

“No, sugar, but I want every orgasm to be mine. I’m a selfish asshole that way.”

“No, you’re not, Evan.”

He let his body lean over hers and she was once again drowning in a gaze of deep blue. They turned silent, reviewing each other, his nose gliding over hers. “Hi,” he whispered softly.

“Hey.” She let out a breathy giggle as he rubbed against her, his lush lips curving up into a smile. Grace thought about his account of all her orgasms belonging to him and her mind began to wander. She had such limited practice, everything was so intense.

“What’s going on, Gracie?”

Grace shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Nice try, baby cakes. Let’s do that again. What’s wrong?”

“How do you know when something’s wrong?”

A rough chuckle released from his throat. His fingertip ran over the space between her eyes. “You crinkle up right here when you’re worried or deep in thought.” His lips gently kissed the spot. “So, talk to me.”

Her hands ran through his hair as he waited for her to speak. “I’m just curious, if you…if this feels as amazing for you as it does for me. I know you’ve had a lot of women, and I’m not sure if…” She could feel him shift, his expression turning concerned. Her eyes focused on his chest that pressed against hers. “If I’m pleasing you enough sexually. I know I’m not as skilled, and if you get bored you’ll tell me, right?”

“Gracie,” his breath escaped his lungs and his eyes softened. “I’ve never felt this incredible in my life, sweetheart. I promise you, you’re perfect.” His hand caressed her cheek as he gave her a sweet kiss. “And we’re going to have fun experiencing new things together.” She gave a small smile. “I love you, Grace. Don’t doubt that. Please.”

Her heart skipped a beat and she knew that even if she was accustomed to thinking the worst, she had to have faith in this man. She had already given all of herself over to him, and she couldn’t go back.