Promising You (The Jade Series #4) (30 page)

“Are you kidding me? We’ll talk later.”
 

He smiles and takes off his shirt, exposing the ripped muscles and smooth skin I’ve been longing to feel against me again. I quickly take my clothes off not even letting him do it. Sensing my urgency, he strips the rest of the way, then pulls a thin blanket from the basket.

“In case you get cold or want to cover up.”

I sit back on my elbows, smiling at him. “So you just assumed I’d go for this?”

He kisses my neck and coaxes me back down. “I knew you’d go for it, my little nymphomaniac.”

It’s so mean, but it makes me laugh. “That’s the last time you get to call me that.”

We kiss and touch like we can’t get enough of each other, breathing heavy and starting to sweat in the cool night air.
 

“I’m trying to go slow for you, Jade, but it’s been too long and I don’t—”

“I don’t need slow. I’m more than ready.”
 

He instantly joins us together and I hear him groan my name as he goes deeper. My core is fired up with sensation, ready to burst. He’s still trying not to hurry as he slowly rocks his hips, his breathing ragged, his head resting on mine. I push my hips into his and guide him to a quicker pace. He seems relieved at my signal and moves faster and deeper until we both finally get relief from the desire that’s been building inside us for weeks.
 

Garret moves off me and holds me in his arms, pulling the blanket over us. “Okay, now we can talk,” he says, kissing my forehead. “By the way, I love you. I should’ve said that when I first saw you. I’m out of practice. I haven’t been able to say that for weeks.”

“Yeah, and I’ve missed it. I love you, too.” I snuggle closer to him and wrap my arm across his chest. “When is this going to end? Have you heard anything?”

“My dad said the organization has been monitoring what’s going on, but they haven’t addressed it any of the meetings. He’s just heard stuff from other members. So far, it sounds like nothing’s changed. They still want me to go through with this and that’s why they’ve been trying to interfere.”

“By doing what?”

“They’ve been planting fake articles saying the rumors about me are false. That I’m a good guy, but just struggling with some issues. They got the reality show to reshoot the last episode so the actor playing me could blame my mom’s death for why the fake me is doing all these things.”

“So the producers of the show are working for the organization? Are they members?”

“No, I think they were just offered a shitload of money to reshoot the scene. They probably didn’t even ask why.”

“I saw that episode and I wanted to talk to you so bad after that. I almost went up to your room, but I knew I shouldn’t.”

“I’m over it. I’m just trying to forget about the show. Oh, and now that Ava dumped me I’m getting a new fake girlfriend to cheat on. Some 20-year-old blond actress. She’s done some modeling but hasn’t had any real acting jobs yet.”

“Great. Competition from a hot blond. Just what I need.”

“You have nothing to worry about.” He flips me on my back and hovers over me. “I don’t even like blonds. I only like girls with long brown hair, jade green eyes, around 5’5 with larger-than-average breasts.”

“I was just your type until that last part.”

“I disagree.” He cups my breast with his hand. “See? A perfect handful, and I have large hands.”

“And how do you know that’s larger than average?”

He smiles. “I’ve done some research over the years.”

I laugh. “Yeah, I’m sure you have. I hope you’re done with that research.”

“You know I am.” He leans down and kisses me. “You’re all I think about, especially now that I can’t be with you. And speaking of competition, what’s with all the guys asking you out?”

“One guy. That’s it. Nic’s in my history class. He just asked me to dinner.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I told him I wasn’t ready to start dating again. He hasn’t bothered me since.”

“And why do you keep wearing skirts? Are you trying to torture me?”

“Harper gave me a bunch of new ones from her sister along with a few more bikinis. You’ll get to see them in California this summer.”

He’s quiet as he rubs his hand up and down my arm.
 

“You’re not going, are you?”
 

“Probably not. This is going slower than we thought it would. My dad was sure they would’ve given up on me by now and picked someone else. But they haven’t, so we need to keep this thing going.”

“I’ve been reading the comments online about you and they’re pretty bad.”

“That’s the thing. A lot of people either don’t like me anymore or have lost interest, so I don’t know why the organization isn’t giving up on me. Hardly anyone would vote for me now or in twenty years. People think I’m a drug addict. Even if fake Garret went to rehab, nobody wants a former drug addict for a president.”

“If you can’t go to California I don’t think I should go either.”

“We’ve already discussed this. You’re going. A driver will take your car out there. You can just fly out and take a cab from the airport. Did you want to stop in Des Moines on the way out there and see Frank and Ryan?”

 
“Yeah, but I don’t have money for all those plane tickets. And you can’t buy them for me. If someone found out, it would look suspicious.”

“You should have Arlin pay for it.”

“I can’t do that. I don’t want him and Grace thinking I’m only being nice to them for their money.”

“Well, I might’ve mentioned to him that you need some plane tickets. And he might’ve already offered to get them for you.”

I sit up. “Garret, why did you do that?”

“He called and asked me if you needed anything because he said he knows you’ll never ask. So I just said you might need a plane ticket to Des Moines and another one for California. He really wants to do this for you, Jade.”

“Yeah, because he thinks buying me stuff will make up for what his son did.”

“That’s not what he’s doing. And he’s afraid to offer to pay for anything because he knows you’ll assume that’s why he’s doing it. But it’s not true, Jade. I told you before. He loves doing stuff for his grandkids and now he’s got you. A whole new kid to spoil. So don’t read so much into it. Just let him be a grandfather.” Garret gets up and gathers our clothes from the ground. “I almost forgot the picnic part of this secret meeting. But we should probably put something on first.”

After we’re dressed, he opens the picnic basket and pulls out a bottle.

“Sparkling water. I was in a hurry and it’s all we had. But it’s cherry flavored.” He takes out two champagne flutes and hands them to me.

“Are these crystal glasses?” I ask, noticing how heavy they are.

“Yeah. I just grabbed some from the cabinet at home.” He fills our glasses, then holds his up for a toast. “To people continuing to hate me so this will end and we won’t have to have our dates in the woods.” We clink glasses.
 

He reaches in the basket again. “And here are the Belgian chocolates I was supposed to give you after spring break.”
 

I take a chocolate and pop it in my mouth. “This is definitely the best chocolate ever.”

“You can take the rest of them back to your room.” He sets his glass down. “So what are you doing for Easter? Do you have a place to go on Sunday?”

“Sean is making brunch, so I’m going over there with Harper. He’s having a whole bunch of people over.”

“Before you go over there, I need you to go on the trail.”

“You want me to go running on Easter?”

“No. Just show up on the trail around 9. I’ll have a surprise waiting for you.”

“What kind of surprise would you have on the trail?”

“Just go there and find out. I promised you I’d make each holiday special with all the traditions you didn’t get growing up. I’m guessing you didn’t celebrate Easter either?”

“No.” I take another chocolate. “But you don’t need to keep doing this holiday thing.”

“Why not?” He nudges my leg. “I know you love it.”
 

“I never said I loved holidays. You’re just assuming I do because
you
like them.”

“Maybe you didn’t like them before, but you do now that you have
me
around.” His cocky smile appears. I’ve missed it.

I smile back. “Okay, there might be some truth in that.”

“It’s getting dark. You should probably head back. The coyotes and raccoons will be out soon, if they’re not already.”

I jump up on his lap, spilling my sparkling water. “Are you serious? Did you see one?”
 

He’s laughing at me. “No, I just wanted you on my lap.” He takes my glass and sets it aside, then reaches his hand behind my head and draws me in for a kiss.
 

When he lets me go, I hold on. “No, it’s too soon. I’m not ready.”

“We’ll do this again. I just don’t know when yet. But next time I’ll tell Harper so you’ll know when to meet me out here.” He hands me the box of chocolates.

“Okay, but it better not be weeks.” I reluctantly get up.

“It won’t.” He stands up and takes my hand. “Come on. I’ll walk you back to the trail. I parked up on the road in the opposite direction.”

“You left your BMW on the side of the road? But you’re supposed to be out partying tonight. Everyone around here knows your car. They’ll know you were here.”
 

“I drove Charles’ old pickup truck. He only drives it when he goes fishing. He let me borrow it.”

“What did you tell him for an excuse for why you needed a pickup?”

“I didn’t tell him anything. I just asked if I could use it. I think he knows that I was trying to sneak off and see you.”

“Then he knows what we’re doing? Garret, what if he tells someone?”

“He’d never do that. He wants us to be together. He always tells me what a great girl you are and how I should never let you go.” Garret smiles and lifts my hand up to kiss it. “All stuff I already know.”

The walk up the hill is way too short. I want to go back down and walk up it again, but it’s getting darker and I don’t want raccoons attacking Garret on his way back to the truck.

“Goodbye, Jade.” He kisses me, then gives me a hug.

“Don’t say goodbye. I hate goodbye. Say ‘see ya later.’ That’s all I’ll accept.”

“Okay. See ya later.”
 

We kiss once more before he disappears into the trees.

24

I return to my dorm practically giddy. Giddy means really happy, right? I think so, but I could be wrong. I’ve heard it used in old movies to describe girls twirling around in their dresses like they’re so happy they can’t help but twirl. I’m not the twirling type, but right now I’m so happy I think I could actually twirl. But instead I walk down the hall with my box of chocolates wearing what I’m sure is a big, goofy grin on my face.

Harper sees me as I walk by. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing’s wrong. Why?”
 

She follows me to my room. “You haven’t smiled like that since—” She stops and lowers her voice to a whisper. “Did you and you-know-who just you-know-what?”

I open my door and drag her in my room. “Yes!”

“But how? Where?”

“In the woods. Like really far into the woods.”

She makes a face. “Didn’t you get eaten by bugs? And what did you do it on? The ground?”

“He had a sleeping bag. And I didn’t notice any bugs.”

“Huh. Well, whatever works. So can you two start dating again?”

“No, we still have to wait. And it sounds like he can’t come to California this summer.”

“But it’s still weeks away. Things could change by then, right? Or maybe he could just come for part of the summer.”

“Yeah, maybe. Hey, I wanted to ask you a favor.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“I need you to help me communicate with Garret. Like next time he wants me to meet him in the woods, he’ll tell you beforehand and you’ll tell me.”

“Okay. That’s easy enough. Anything else?”

“Nope. That’s it.”

“You should’ve thought of this weeks ago. You two could’ve been secretly meeting this whole time.” She checks the clock on my desk. “I gotta go. Sean will be here any minute. We’re going to a party. Do you want to come with us?”

“Harper, you know I never go to parties.”
 

She shrugs. “I had to ask. Someday you might say yes.”

When she’s gone I change into my pajamas and grab my laptop. I search Garret’s name on the Internet and see what comes up. Lots of shirtless photos of him. Below that are some recent articles. One is about him crashing one of his dad’s expensive cars. Another one mentions his spending habits, claiming he spent a half million dollars on a watch. People seem really upset about that one. There are lots of negative comments. The next few articles are from some online celebrity magazines. I check the comments section and only a few people have anything good to say about him.
 

The anti-Garret plan seems to be working, which makes me feel hopeful again. I know the organization hasn’t changed their mind, but I have to keep thinking that this will all work out. I don’t even want to consider the alternative.
 

It’s strange for me to think that way because I’ve always assumed bad things will happen, not good. But the past few months have taught me that bad things sometimes turn into good things. Like having Royce come into my life was really, really bad, but meeting his parents was good. Plus, Royce is the reason I’m at Moorhurst and if I hadn’t gone to Moorhurst I wouldn’t have met Garret. So I have proof that good things can come from bad. And right now, that’s the only thing keeping me going.

On Easter Sunday at 9 a.m., I go outside to find whatever Garret left on the trail. It’s a warm, sunny spring day and I’m already dressed for brunch at Sean’s apartment. I wore one of the dresses Harper gave me. It’s a light green, short-sleeve chiffon dress that’s fitted on top and flows out at the waist. This is the first time I’ve worn it. The green reminded me of the color of dyed Easter eggs so it seemed like a good dress for today.

Where the trail begins there’s a big basket and a little basket sitting on the ground. The big basket is overflowing with Easter candy; jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and chocolate eggs. The small basket has a note in it that says,
The Easter bunny hid 10 plastic eggs for you to find. All are no more than 20 feet down the trail. Good luck!