Still, Forever, Promise

by D. L. Merritt

She wanted to say yes but knew it would be a disaster. Even though she had anger on her side, it would be better if she didn’t put herself in a situation where old habits could resurface.

  “My fiancé flies in tomorrow, and I have a lot to do before he gets here.” She hoped bringing up Ben would end the conversation.

  “Maybe we can get together when you have more time?”

  She refused to answer. “Tell your father thanks for all his help. I couldn’t have gotten this project off the ground without him.” With that, Brianna all but shoved him outside, shut the door, and slumped against the wall. Being apart all these years hadn’t dulled her addiction to Riley. Would she ever be free of him? She’d always heard that time heals all wounds.

  How much time is it going to take?

  ***

  Riley unloaded the truck and retraced his route. Her engagement had surprised him. It must have been recent, or her father would have warned him when he called to say he would be in Carmel soon.

  The fork in the road came into view, and he had to fight the urge not to turn right and head toward the river. How many humid summer nights had they spent lying on a blanket under the sycamore tree, watching the stars and making out? He could still smell the rich, earthy scent of her perfume, visualize the mysterious slant to her smile, and the way her eyes sparkled, full of moonlight and stars. He could still feel the softness of her skin beneath his fingers. They were young, and they loved with an intensity he hadn’t experienced since. He thought he’d done the right thing by letting her go. Now he realized it was the biggest mistake of his life. She was the only woman he’d ever loved. The other women he’d taken to bed were distractions at best, a salve for his loneliness.

  She’s not married yet. I still have a chance to win her back.

  His muscles taut, his shoulders rigid, he forced the truck to the left, past the road to the river, away from the memories.

  Chapter 14

  Fabric samples lay scattered around the parlor room. Brianna sat on her knees in the middle of the rug, trying to find a match to the colors in the rug’s design. The seamstress needed her decision soon or the curtains wouldn’t be done before the grand opening, but Brianna couldn’t seem to find a pattern to complement the decor. She would check one sample, toss it aside, and pick up another one. None of them were acceptable.

  She knew her indecisiveness was due to the unexpected meeting with Riley. Seeing him had thrown her into an emotional tailspin. After she’d shut the door in his face, she’d watched his truck from the window until it disappeared around the curve in the road, and she could breathe again. But she hadn’t stopped thinking about him since he’d left. Even shopping hadn’t distracted her.

  He hadn’t changed much, only aged a bit. His eyes were exactly as she remembered, like gazing into a deep forest glade that offered a mysterious solace—a solace she’d never found anywhere else.

  She gathered up the samples, walked into the reception area, and flung them on the counter. A cramp had developed in her right calf. She flexed her foot to relieve the pain, and walked outside to the veranda to pace along the railing. Most of the time, the view of the mountains calmed her down, but not today, thanks to Riley’s visit.

  She’d thought fantasies of Riley would end for good once she moved to Carmel. His sudden appearance today brought all the feelings she thought long-buried back to the surface.

  From the moment they met, he had the ability to make her heart drop into her stomach. Today proved no different. What was this hold he had on her after all these years? Was it because he was her first love? Was she still in love with him? Jackie and Beverly assumed as much. Of course she denied it, especially since she was engaged to Ben. Was she only fooling herself to think her heart was healed, that her feelings for Riley had vanished as he had?

  The years melted away as she remembered the first day she met him—her freshman year of high school. To her dismay, he’d witnessed three senior cheerleaders bullying her on her way to school. Even though he was only a junior, he was the most popular guy at Fairmont High, captain of the football team, and junior class president.

  He’d come to her rescue, and with a scathing look, sent the bullies scurrying away in embarrassment.

  With a smile that had her knees wobbling, he offered to drive her to school. She thanked him for rescuing her and climbed into the passenger’s seat. Unable to look him in the eyes or utter a word, she stared out the window until they got to the school parking lot. She scampered from the truck with a meek “Thanks.”

  She imagined he thought her a silly little girl. She was wrong. He picked her up for school the next day and every day after that. No one ever messed with her again, because she was Riley’s girl.

  He was tall and muscular, a prince from one of her storybook fairy tales, with hair the color of black licorice, uncontrollable and always spilling across his forehead like that of a swashbuckling pirate. He had a temperament to match—lively, sociable, a natural leader. He was a risk-taker full of unspent energy. No one could keep him still for long. His ambition was to travel to exotic places and discover uncharted territories. According to her friends, he’d accomplished his goal.

  Her gaze drifted to the ancient sycamore tree where Riley had carved their heart. How many weekends had they spent picnicking beneath its shade, talking about the future and dreaming of leaving Fairmont one day to travel around the world? He’d planned on being a famous photojournalist, and she would be by his side, decorating the lavish homes of the rich and famous in all the countries they visited. At least his dream had come true.

  Her life had been perfect then because she loved him, and she’d believed he felt the same way until the day her world crumbled—the day Riley broke her heart.

  She needed to get away from the depressing past and went inside. A shower was a priority after working all day. She hoped to wash away the disturbing memories along with the grime.

  The hot water trickled down her back, soothing the stress of facing her past away. As she washed and conditioned her hair, her mind drifted to thoughts of Riley. She remembered the way he’d weave his hands through her hair, tipping her head back to kiss her.

  Stop thinking about him! Everything he said was a lie.

  But Brianna couldn’t help but wonder if there was any part of their relationship that had been real. Riley was the only one who could answer that, and she would never ask.

  If only Ben were here. He was the one person who could keep her grounded. She would be too busy concentrating on him to think about Riley.

  The refreshing scent of satsuma soap tickled her nose as she smoothed the lather over her skin. She had washed the last residue of soap from her body when the energy in the room shifted. It was a subtle change, but noticeable, and she froze. Instinct told her she was no longer alone. She stepped back from beneath the showerhead and listened, certain she heard someone’s rapid breathing and the smack of bare feet on the tile floor. She twisted the faucets off and stood in the shower, holding her breath.

  The minutes ticked by as she waited for the right moment to spring to safety. On the count of three, she yanked the shower curtain open and tripped over the edge of the tub as she made her escape to the door.

  Strong hands circled her waist and kept her from toppling to the floor. With a scream of sheer terror, she fought her attacker, twisting, punching, and scratching to get loose.

  “Bree, it’s me.”

  “Ben?” She stopped struggling and looked up into the cocker-spaniel eyes of her fiancé, who wore nothing but a timid smile.

  Brianna pummeled him with her balled fists. “What were you thinking? You almost gave me a heart attack. I didn’t expect you until tomorrow. Why didn’t you call and tell me you’d changed your flight?”

  “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Well, you certainly did that.”

  “I rang the doorbell, and when you didn’t answer, I tried the door. It wasn’t locked so I let myself in. When I came upstairs an
d heard you in the shower, I thought I’d join you. It’s been a while,” he said, grinning.

  “You’re lucky I forgot to set the alarm, or the police would be arriving about now.”

  It was obvious Ben was aroused. Standing on tiptoe, she molded her body to his and teased him by nibbling on his bottom lip.

  Ben growled deep in his throat and stepped back into the shower, pulling her in with him. He turned the water back on, picked up the discarded soap, and caressed her body in slow, gentle strokes. They shared the experience as Brianna lathered his body in a similar fashion. They were lost to their desire as the hot, soapy water cascaded over their skin.

  Brianna wanted more than this teasing foreplay, and climbed out to dry off, handing Ben the extra towel. After they were dry, Ben lifted her in his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He eased her onto the bed and settled beside her, tugging her wet hair away from her long, sleek neck to nip at the sensitive spot below her right ear. He brushed his lips across each corner of her mouth, taking his time, lingering over every kiss.

  With emotions raw, they stared at each other, bodies trembling. The thump of his heart had a steady beat under her hands.

  Brianna took charge and rolled Ben onto his back to straddle him. She arched her back, lifting her arms in the air in a sexually provocative display.

  Ben clasped her around the waist and skimmed his hands up to the arch of her ribs. In a matter of seconds, he took control and had her underneath him again. With a low, throaty moan, he entered her, and they moved together in a slow, lazy pace,—the silky friction of their feverish bodies melding into one.

  She closed her eyes and tipped her head back, giving him access to her neck again. An unsolicited image of black hair and leaf-green eyes invaded the moment, and she forced her eyes open to concentrate on Ben’s face, hoping to erase the vision.

  Ben, his eyes glazed over, was lost in his own world and unrelenting in his frenzied lovemaking. Their ardor culminated in a crescendo of passion. She needed this—the release of tension and the peace that followed.

  She lay under him, his head on her chest, and waited for her breathing to return to normal, basking in the aftermath of their lovemaking. She had to find a way to put the past behind her or suffer the consequences.

  Ben shifted to the side and braced himself on his elbow. “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “Why don’t we order pizza and have a bed picnic.”

  She handed him the phone. “I’ll find the number and you place the order.”

  While they waited for the pizza to arrive, Brianna told Ben all about her hometown. She gave him the history, places of interest, and what it was like growing up in a rural community.

  He seemed interested. He asked a lot of questions, and time sped by. They were surprised when the doorbell rang, and Ben had to hustle to get his jeans on to greet the deliveryman.

  He returned in minutes with the pizza, a bottle of wine, and two wine glasses. Brianna smoothed out the covers and organized their makeshift picnic area.

  After Ben polished off half the pizza, he eased back against the pillows and patted his stomach. “I don’t think I can eat another bite.”

  Brianna cleared the bed, poured them both another glass of wine, and settled next to him.

  “You were right to buy this house,” he said, brushing the hair off her face. “It’s the perfect place for a spa. Have you decided on a name yet?”

  “That was the easy part—Eve’s Eden, for my mother. It is her legacy.”

  “I should have guessed. That’s perfect.” Ben sat his glass on the nightstand. With a gentle tug, her glass joined his. “I’d love to ravish you again, but you look like you could use some sleep. Come here,” Ben said, pulling her down to lie in the curve of his arm.

  “The ravishing part sounds tempting, but you’re right, I am tired. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

  “I don’t sleep well the first night after a long flight myself.”

  Brianna knew that was a lie but didn’t want to spoil the moment, so she remained silent.

  “You know, I’ll still be chasing after you for some afternoon delight when I’m a wrinkled old man with a cane.” He pretended to grope her while he sucked in his lips as if he didn’t have any teeth.

  She burst out laughing, trying to picture them old and gray. She always envied the elderly couples who walked hand in hand in their neighborhood park, the love and concern they had for each other evident in that simple gesture. Would she and Ben still be in love in their twilight years?

  Without any warning, an uninvited vision of Riley popped into her head. Dammit, Riley, just stay away from me. I swear I won’t let you ruin what I have with Ben.

  But could she keep that vow.

  Chapter 15

  A violent shake.

  A deafening thud.

  Brianna’s eyes flew open in time to see Ben scrambling up from the floor. Still groggy, she tried to focus in the dark.

  “What the hell, Bree. I know I snore, but you could’ve tried to wake me up before shoving me out of bed.”

  Brianna sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “What are you talking about? You woke me up. You’re not used to a queen-size bed and fell out.”

  “I’ve never fallen out of bed in my life.”

  She glanced toward the windows. “Come back to bed. It’s still dark outside.”

  “I can’t go back to sleep now. Anyway, the sun’s about to come up, and you said the construction crew is always here bright and early.” He kissed her on the top of the head. “You go back to sleep. I’ll take a shower and get dressed before I go down and make a pot of coffee.”

  Brianna flopped back on the pillows and let the sound of the shower’s rushing water lull her back to sleep. She didn’t stir until Ben came back into the bedroom to dig through the pockets of his jeans.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I can’t find my phone.”

  “It’s on the table by the window,” she said, watching as he retrieved it and tiptoed toward the door. “Wait, I’ll get up too. Would you mind making me a cup of tea while I take a quick shower?”

  “Sure. I’ll bring it up when it’s ready.”

  “You’re an angel.”

  “Hardly, especially after last night,” Ben said, his laughter echoing in the hall as he went downstairs.

  She was in the middle of brushing her teeth when Ben returned with the tea and set the cup on the pedestal sink. She raised the cup to her lips and blew at the steam before taking a sip. She met his eyes in the mirror and smiled. “Mmm. I needed this.”

  Ben kissed her forehead and leaned against the doorframe. “Are you putting me to work today?”

  “We have a four-day weekend. Mr. Moretti has everything under control, and I don’t have anything scheduled until Tuesday when I meet with the plastic surgeon.”

  “Plastic surgeon? I thought that was Char’s thing. You’re perfect just like you are. You don’t need any work done.”

  “It’s not for me, silly. If I have a doctor affiliated with Eve’s Eden, the spa has access to beauty products and equipment that only professionals in the medical field can purchase. I want to provide the most modern technology possible. Word of mouth is the best form of advertisement. If patrons have a great experience, they’ll tell their family and friends, and the word spreads from there. That’s how I plan to make Eve’s Eden a success.”

  “It can’t be anything but a success with you running the show. Well, if we don’t have to work, what do you have planned?”

  “I thought we’d eat breakfast at this café that’s located in the historic district. They serve the best pancakes in town. Then we’ll stop at the grocery store for stuff to make sandwiches and drive to Valley Falls State Park for a picnic. My parents used to take me there when I was little. You’ll be amazed at the rock formations, many are room-sized. They’re made from Connoquenessing sandstone, and the waterfalls are breathtaking. If you bring you
r camera, you can take pictures and write an article for one of the travel magazines you’ve worked for.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” Ben said.

  “There’s also an eighteen-mile nature trail. I know you used to love to hike. I hope you brought your tennis shoes.”

  “I’ll scrounge something up.”

  Ben stepped into the bedroom, and Brianna listened as he rummaged around in his bag. “Hey, how much longer are you going to be?”

  “Give me ten more minutes.”

  “While I’m waiting, do you mind if I take a look at the footage you’ve filmed for Char?”

  “Have at it. My phone’s on the dresser. I’m not done yet. I have to wait until Mr. Moretti is finished with the kitchen. I know Charlene is anxious to see the changes, because she’s been bugging me to take before and after pictures since I first bought the manor.”

  “She can be impatient sometimes.”

  “You think? You know, I never realized how much I depended on her opinion until now. I wonder what she’ll think about the place.”

  Silence.

  “Ben, are you still there?”

  “Bree, you should come in here.”

  Brianna pulled her long hair into a ponytail as she walked into the bedroom. Ben’s face was pale. “You don’t look so hot.”

  He patted the bed next to him. “I’m fine, but you need to see this.” When she sat down, he pressed the arrow button, and pointed at the screen.

  She watched as the phone scanned the reception area, the rooms to the right, and the café. The doorbell rang, and the image wavered when she leaned the phone against the sideboard, pointing toward the entryway. The image of Brianna’s back as she walked to the front door came in and out of focus. Her face lost all color with what she saw next. She hadn’t left the room alone. A dark mist followed, suspended in the air like a vapor trail spewing from the back of a jetliner.

  Her skin tingled as she remembered the shadow that had flashed by her bed. It had moved in the same stealthy, menacing way.

  Whispers could be heard as she spoke to Riley at the front door. She was filmed walking back into the café with the shadow still pursuing. Neither she nor Riley seemed to notice. When Brianna stopped in front of the sideboard, the shadow swirled upward and vanished through the ceiling.