Promise Me Always (18 page)

I was completely thrown off guard by him tonight. How could he go from this loving, sweet, perfect guy to a complete ass in the matter of one minute? I had never been so confused in my life!

The fact that I’m an emotional reject didn’t help the situation either. I couldn’t even convey to him the hurt I was feeling. I just sat there, stunned, completely unable to form a single word, let alone a complete thought. If Lex wouldn’t have come out, I don’t think I would have been able to move from the spot I was standing. I have a slight tendency to freeze up when my emotions start to spiral out of control and that is precisely what had happened. I knew I was going to have to face him one way or another. I also knew the two shots of Patron I just downed were going to have to help me through it.

I was pulled from my thoughts when I felt two hands come to rest on my hips from behind me. I thought it was Blake, but when I looked up, he was still standing in the kitchen. The look on his face was murderous. We may not be together, but he sure as hell didn’t want anyone else touching me. I spun around to see Shane dancing away behind me as the song changed and Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” start playing.

I wondered why Blake was getting so pissed. I knew he obviously had jealousy issues, but it was just Shane. I had known Shane just as long as Blake. I watched Blake as he stood completely still, watching me, fury rolling off of him in waves. I considered going over to him, to get to the bottom of this hot / cold thing he had going on tonight—then I thought better of it. I didn’t need him flipping out on me again.

I turned away from Blake and watched Shane move on the floor, laughing and enjoying himself. His eyes shifted to me and he smiled playfully, subtly nodding his head at me, inviting me to join him. I hesitated for a brief moment, finally deciding it was safe to dance with him—we were friends and there was nothing wrong with me having a little fun. This was my party, after all.

And hurting Blake a little bit didn’t feel like such a bad idea.

I threw my arms around Shane’s neck and started moving to the music with him. He was a gentleman and never once let his hands roam too far north or south of the equator while we danced. He never ground his pelvis into me, like a guy that just had sex on his mind.

“Congratulations, sweetheart!” Shane said enthusiastically, beaming down at me.

“Thanks, Shane,” I replied calmly, taking a deep breath to steady my emotions. I didn’t really feel like celebrating anymore. His smile faded a bit as he heard the tone of my voice.

“Is everything alright with you and Blake? You seemed pretty pissed when you came in a while ago,” he observed as we moved to the music.

“I have no clue! I don’t know what is wrong with him. He just snapped at me outside—apparently, he thinks I’m cheating on him. Even though, in the very next breath, he made it very clear that we were not together,” I huffed. “I mean, how confusing is that?”

“Well, you know how Blake can be. I have seen him do this to tons of girls, Tess. He treats them like a princess and then tosses them aside when he has had enough of them. It’s just a game to him.” He looked at me with concern in his eyes, “I just want you to be careful with him. You can do so much better, you know that right?”

I stopped dancing and just looked at Shane totally taken back. Why did he think I was too good for Blake? He was one of Blake’s best friends, so why would he be warning me about him? I thought guys were supposed to stick together. What was the saying? Oh yeah…bro’s before ho’s. You would think he would be over here, trying to smooth things out for him. I couldn’t even think of anything to say, so I just stood there staring at him.

“Tess…” he said, shaking my shoulders in an attempt to snap me out of my reverie. A weak smile crossed my lips and he knew I was back. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just want what’s best for you. We can talk about something else, if you want.” He ran a hand through his blonde hair and stared at me with his light blue eyes. He started moving my hips again, matching the beat of the song.

“It’s fine, Shane,” I said finally, adjusting to the tempo of the song. “Thanks for looking out for me…but yes, let’s talk about something else.” I looked down at the floor. I really didn’t want to talk about this. I was having enough trouble just talking to Blake about my feelings. I sure as hell didn’t feel like talking to Shane about them.

He placed a finger under my chin and lifted my face so I was looking at him again. “Do you ever think about us, Tess? I mean, do you ever think about what could have been if we hadn’t stopped seeing each other?”

Oh crap!
This was the last thing I needed right now. I pulled my hand away from him and started twirling my hair as my dancing started to slow down. “Umm…well…not really. I mean, we have always just been friends. Why? Do you?” I asked him, my weak voice cracking further. I really needed to end this conversation quickly.

“All the time,” he whispered breathlessly, running the back of his fingers down the side of my face. I got chills when he did it—and they were not the good kind. His touch made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I started looking around the dance floor for someone, anyone that could save me.
Where the hell is Lexi?

The song changed and the slow, painful sounds of “Jealous Guy” by Gavin DeGraw blared through the speakers.
Shit! A slow song is not what I need right now.

Just then, my whole body came alive, reacting involuntarily to a presence behind me. I didn’t even need to turn around—I knew instantly, it was Blake. My body reacted to him before my mind even knew he was there. Whether he wanted me or not, he owned me, body, heart and soul. He always would.

“I’m cutting in,” Blake demanded, starting to take a step in between Shane and me. I wondered briefly if Blake had requested this song. Maybe he was trying to tell me something… maybe this was how he was going to apologize.

Shane immediately took a step forward, blocking Blake from breaking us a part. “I don’t think so, bro. Tess and I were having a nice conversation and I would prefer to finish it—
alone
. Now, if you don’t mind…” Shane’s voice trailed off as he looked back at me, completely ignoring Blake, and grabbed my waist lightly. He tried moving our bodies to the music, but I couldn’t move. I stood there, anchored to the floor, watching Blake’s reaction; I could feel the fury radiating off of him.

His mouth formed into a thin line and his fists balled at his sides. I could see his breathing pick up, causing me to hold mine. With his jaw clenched tight, he murmured, “I’m going to say this one more time, Shane, and if you don’t back away from her, I will make you. Do you understand? I’m cutting in.” Shane must have seen the wrath in Blake’s eyes because he instantly released his hold on me and backed away, looking defeated and annoyed.

As Shane walked away, Blake never took his eyes off of him—daring him to turn around. I was relieved that I was saved from Shane’s questioning, but a little annoyed that it was Blake that came to my rescue. I wasn’t ready to face him so soon after he spit those harsh words at me, deflating my hopes of us ever being together and breaking my heart.

“Come on. We need to talk.” He took my hand and started leading me towards the stairs.

I pulled my hand away, still angry with him. Did he really just expect me to follow him like some little puppy? “I don’t think so, Blake. You made your self pretty clear outside. I get it okay? We’re not together. Point taken,” I said, trying to reign in my emotions. “What else is there to talk about?” I crossed my arms over my chest and planted my feet. There was no way I was budging.

“Tess, please I… I need to talk to you. I need to explain a few things. If you don’t like what you hear, you can leave and I won’t stop you. Please.” He started to take a step towards me, his hand extended to touch my face, but stopped when I took a step back.

“No, thank you,” I stated. I wasn’t ready to talk. I didn’t want to face him. He was going to leave and I wasn’t ready to be let go.

“Seriously, Tess, stop acting like a child and talk to me about this. I know you’re upset and I know I acted like a dick. But please, just let me explain.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
Did he really just call me a child?

“Don’t make me throw you over my shoulder and carry you upstairs,” he warned, raising his eyebrow. His features softened into a playful expression.

“You wouldn’t dare,” I sneered, lifting my chin in defiance.

Blake shrugged. “Watch me, baby girl,” he growled, picking me up and flinging me over his shoulder like I was a rag doll.

“Put me down, Blake!” I screamed, flailing my arms and hitting him in the back. I knew it was no use to struggle, but I wasn’t going to stop—I wasn’t going down without a fight.

“No, we need to talk,” he muttered, squeezing my legs a little harder with his forearm for emphasis. “If you weren’t so stubborn, you could be walking right now.” He chuckled as I repeatedly hit him in the back. “You hit like a girl, you know that?” he teased, only infuriating me further.

“I
am
a girl, jackass!” I yelled, still pounding his back with my fists.

I heard Lexi, Avery and Palmer all laugh from the corner by the stairs. As we passed, I shot them all dirty looks. “Some best friends you are!” I yelled from the stairs. They all just winked at me and laughed some more.

When we reached Blake’s room, he threw me down on his bed before turning to shut and lock the door. Then he stood at the foot of the bed and just stared at me while I adjusted my dress. I scooted back on the bed so I was leaning against the headboard, grabbing a pillow and pulling it to my chest. I gripped it tightly, resting my chin on the soft fabric and stared back at him, waiting for him to make the first move.

“Damn, Tess! Why are you so stubborn?” He ran his hands through his hair, aggravated. He took a deep breath and let his arms dangle at his sides as he blew the air out of his lungs. “It didn’t need to come to that you know. Not that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy throwing you over my shoulder,” he said, smirking at me. Playful Blake was back. W
hy did he have to be so hot?

“What do you want, Blake?” I insisted, trying to stay focused. I had to keep control myself. All I wanted was to rip off his clothes and have him pound into me hard and fast. I wanted him to make me forget everything that had happened in the last hour.

He sat down on the bed and ran his hands through his hair nervously. I knew what he was about to say and I couldn’t let him end this. I had to stop him—I couldn’t lose him.

“I’m sorry,” I blurted out, looking down at the grey and black pinstriped comforter on his bed. I took the corner of it in my hands and played with the fabric between my fingers nervously, as I waited for him to respond.

“For what?” he asked, sounding surprised.

“For not telling you who was texting me. I should have just told you it was…”

“No, don’t tell me,” he cut me off, holding his hand up to me and closing his eyes like it was hard for him to say. “I don’t need to know. It is none of my business. You shouldn’t be apologizing to me either. You did nothing wrong.”

I sat there speechless. Was he trying to apologize to me or was he working up the nerve so he could let me go? I couldn’t tell. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that I was positive the people down stairs could hear it if they tried.

“I’m sorry for what I said, Tess. I didn’t mean it. You know I didn’t mean it. I never should have freaked out. I just…” His eyes fell to the floor and he looked defeated. “I let my temper get the best of me and I shouldn’t have. Please forgive me.” He looked up at me with those chocolate brown eyes and I knew he wasn’t going to walk away. Not tonight, anyway.

I tossed the pillow I was holding aside and crawled across the bed. Kneeling beside him, I rested my hands on his shoulder as I leaned down and whispered into his ear, “Before I can forgive you, I need you to do something for me.”

He turned his head and looked at me square in the eyes. “Anything,” he promised. His eyes were absolutely clear and unwavering—I knew he would do anything I asked.

“Show me how sorry you are, Blake. I need you to touch me,” I whispered seductively. His eyes widened and darkened with lust as I licked my bottom lip. He knew exactly what I wanted. I bit down lightly on his ear and he sucked in a quick breath, his whole body quivering.

Twisting us around, he laid me down on the bed, crawling over me. His hand traveled up my side, over my chest and the up my neck until he was gripping the nape of my neck. Holding me firmly in place, he trailed kisses up my throat, sucking and licking as he made his way to the corner of my mouth. He fisted my hair in his hand and pulled just enough that a slight moan escaped my lips. With that, his mouth crushed mine, kissing me passionately, pouring every ounce of his apology into the kiss. I kissed him back deeply, letting him know he was forgiven as my hands caressed his back.

In between kisses, he whispered, “Tess. Forgive. Me.”

When he started kissing my neck, I softly replied, “I forgive you, Blake. And I’m sorry too.” As soon as the words left my mouth, he stopped everything and stared into my eyes.

He pushed a piece of hair off my face, a sexy grin spreading across is lips. “I’m gonna pretend you didn’t just apologize again, baby girl.” I giggled. “Now, let’s get this dress off of you. I have been waiting all night to have your legs wrapped around me with those shoes still on your feet.”

He sat me up as he unzipped my dress and slipped it off of my shoulders. Lying back down, I lifted my hips off the bed so he could slide the fabric down my legs. He stood up and discarded my dress on the floor. I pushed up, resting myself on my elbows, as I watched him unbutton his white dress shirt. As he shrugged it off his shoulders, my eyes went directly to his exposed tattoo. I ran my eyes down his defined chest and abs until they came to a halt at his deep “V”. I licked my lips in response, wanting to run my tongue over the sexiest part of him.

“Do you like my fuck lines, baby girl?” He ran his fingers along the sexy muscles until he reached the top pants.