Promise Me

by Tara Fox Hall

  “I have to be out of town all next week. Would you like to come with me this time? You’d have to miss work Monday and Friday. I’ll be leaving early Sunday night and getting back early Friday night.”

  “Can I meet you wherever you’re staying and drive back before work?” I asked hopefully. “I can’t miss a week of work right after asking to rearrange my work hours.”

  “I’m going to Akron, then Switzerland and New York City, so no. But I can arrange for you to meet me at the airport while we’re refueling. How does a trip to Switzerland sound?”

  “Great, but we have to make it through tonight first,” I joked, parking the car. “C’mon.”

  * * * *

  “You think it went okay?” he asked on the drive home. “I think they liked me.”

  “I think it went fine. They liked you a lot. But maybe you should’ve waited for the second meeting with them to break the news that we’d moved in together.”

  “We’re adults,” he said smoothly. “We’re old enough to know what we want. Why hide?”

  “I wasn’t hiding,” I said defensively. “But it sounds fast even to me, who’s happily living it. And no, before you ask, I’m not having second thoughts.”

  “Good. Let’s get home. Next week is going to be busy.”

  * * * *

  The next two days were a whirlwind. Danial left for the airport with Ivan and Demetri after he woke up Sunday night. He called me from his hotel in Akron at one a.m. to say that he’d arrived safely. I worked Monday from ten to seven and then came back to Danial’s home to shower quickly. Theo grabbed my bags as I threw on a jacket.

  “Are you coming with us?” I asked as he drove to the airport. “Or are Demetri and Ivan?”

  “Do you want me to?” he said with a smirk.

  “Yes.”

  He blushed and looked away.

  Stupid as it was, knowing I’d embarrassed him made me embarrassed. “I feel safer when you’re with us. The other guards are strong, but you...um...”

  “Cia said she told you about me. I’m okay with it.” He stared at the road. “Did Lander apologize to you?”

  “Yes. Did you say something to him?”

  “I reminded him none too gently that he wasn’t at the local bar and you weren’t available.”

  Why was he upset? Lander’s joking hadn’t been any more flirtatious that his own back when Danial and I had first gotten together. “You didn’t have to—”

  “It would lead to problems if I’d let it slide,” he said, his eyes still locked on the road. “Even if he likes you, he should know better than to speak to you about his feelings. Danial would do worse if he found out.”

  Maybe he was right. Even if Lander’s comments had just been teasing, they had made me a little uncomfortable. “Thank you then,” I said almost inaudibly.

  We were quiet for a minute. Then Theo said, “Yes, I am coming. Overseas trips can be hairy, especially with you along.”

  I had a sinking feeling. “What is the danger overseas?”

  “Danial’s out of both his and Devlin’s territory. He has enemies in the European Union, though none where we are going.”

  “Should I stay home?”

  “We’ll be fine. I’ll let you know if there’s anything to be worried about.”

  * * * *

  The moment we entered the lobby, I was wowed by the opulence. It had to be a four-star hotel. The ceiling was forty feet high, with a mural of cherubs and angels. The crystal chandeliers were huge, their lights sparkling like diamonds. The lobby was larger than my house, with leather couches and silk upholstered furniture. There was even a baby grand, though no one was playing it. I turned round and round, taking it all in.

  “Come, Sar. It’s nearly dawn.”

  Danial led me to our room, Theo trailing us and the bellhop following with the bags. It was a suite, a living room with two bedrooms to either side. Theo dropped the bags and went into one, saying he had to make a call. I followed Danial into the other.

  “We’ll unpack in the morning. Come.”

  We undressed and got into bed. I lay in his arms after he’d fallen asleep, still trying to get used to his skin being so warm. Some time later, I fell asleep.

  I dreamed of being at the zoo. A lion roared at me from its cage. I wanted to set it free but didn’t dare. It was huge and ferocious. It eyes were a light golden and hungry, so hungry.

  I woke up as Danial was stirring. The clock on the nightstand said six, the time there. Europe was what, seven hours ahead? How long had we slept?

  He groaned. “What time is it?

  “Six. Are you okay?” I asked, touching his shoulder.

  “Crossing the ocean and adapting to the different time zones is always hard. But I’ll be fine.” He stretched. “I have a meeting at eight. It will probably last a couple hours. Then I’ll need to go out and get something to eat.” He went to the door and reemerged with our bags. “You should stay here and order room service. I’ll be back before dawn.”

  “And tomorrow night?” I pressed.

  “Tomorrow night, Theo and I have to go out for another meeting. It should be routine, but it’ll take at least a few hours. You can wait up for me tonight if you want. But I want you to have fun tomorrow afternoon, so don’t stay up too late.”

  “Where am I going?”

  “There’s a concierge downstairs. Call him in the morning and go wherever you like for the day. He’ll arrange it all. Bill it to the room.”

  “Are you sure? The Euro is worth almost two of our dollars.”

  “Sar, what I told your parents is true. I have resources. A good portion of what I make is spent on security, chartered planes, and secure hotel rooms, but there’s enough that you don’t need to worry about how much something costs. Just have fun.”

  He began to get dressed. I put on a robe and went out to the living room to look out the window. The lights were beautiful against the night sky.

  I heard a noise and turned, expecting it to be Danial. Instead, a woman stood there. She was about my size, with long light brown hair. She was more slender than me, like Cia, but there was strength to her that Cia didn’t have. She was also in a robe.

  I realized with a start that she’d come out of Theo’s room. She looked at me; I looked at her, and we both flushed. Then we burst out laughing.

  “Hi, I’m Sarelle,” I said, extending my hand.

  “Good to meet you. My name is Tawny,” she said throatily.

  Theo, you dog, I thought to myself with a smile. Good for you.

  He came out looking very relaxed. We both turned to him, and he flushed, which made Tawny and me laugh again. Danial came out and saw us, but he was cool and just said hi to Tawny.

  “We’ve got to go,” Theo said to Danial. “We’ll be late.”

  Danial kissed me. “Stay here. I’ll be back before dawn.”

  He left the room. Theo went after him after saying something similar to Tawny.

  As the door shut behind them, I turned to see Tawny perusing the room service menu. “What shall we order?”

  “Breakfast for me.”

  “Steak and eggs for me,” she said. “I’ll order.”

  As she hung up the phone, I said, “I heard a lion roaring last night.”

  She grinned. “Technically, you might have heard two, but most likely you heard me.” She touched my neck. “Do your scars hurt?”

  “They did when they were fresh, but not since they’ve healed.”

  “I was bitten once, but the bastard who did it, tore me. It hurt a lot.”

  “Why did he do it?”

  “He thought I wouldn’t resist him. He had other thoughts after I clawed him up.”

  “Was he someone powerful here? I know there’s a hierarchy.”

  “Theo tells me you’ve had a few run-ins with him yourself. Chap by the name of Devlin?”

  “I know him,” I said with a sigh. “I’m glad you clawed him.”

  The food came and we ate
. Then Tawny and I decided to go back to bed.

  “I want to be awake and ready for Theo,” she said with a lascivious grin.

  It was true how different the women in Europe were. Womankind might be better off if all women were so honest with themselves about their needs.

  I couldn’t sleep, so I read for a while and finally I drifted off. I awoke early the next morning to find Danial beside me, positively shining with the luster that meant he’d fed and fed well. I kissed his cheek gently so as not to wake him and went to take a shower. Tawny didn’t make an appearance, and I left her a note asking her to find me in the hotel restaurant when she was ready to go.

  To my surprise, I met Theo coming up in the elevator with a doughnut in his mouth, a large bag in his hand. He saw me and coughed, removing the doughnut.

  “Bringing her breakfast in bed?”

  “Uh...yes,” he said, a flush creeping up his cheeks. “She likes the cream filled ones.”

  I’ll bet. I blushed myself. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything—”

  He was all business. “Are you heading down to the restaurant?”

  “Yes.”

  He walked past me towards the room. “I’ll go with you. Danial didn’t want you leaving the hotel unescorted, and the hotel restaurant isn’t open for another half-hour. We can go the café down the street. The food’s better there anyway. Let me leave these inside the door”

  “What about Tawny?”

  “She’s sleeping. She won’t miss me until she wakes up.” He turned serious. “And my job is guarding you and Danial. He’s less at risk in his room than you are wandering the streets alone. Let’s go.”

  I rolled my eyes, but followed him.

  A few minutes later, we were at a sidewalk café, eating more delectable pastries.

  “These are good.” I finished my second one. “Do you and Danial come to this area often?”

  “We go all over, depending on the clients we need to see. When we come to Switzerland, we stay here.”

  “Is that because Tawny lives nearby?” I jested.

  “She lives in France,” he said uncomfortably. “But she knew I was coming here, so she arranged to be in town.”

  “Are you serious?”

  He gave me a confused look, then nodded, his face smoothing. “Sorry, I didn’t understand what you were asking. You want to know if she and I are an item. And the answer is it isn’t any of your business.”

  “Sorry,” I said softly. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

  He only sipped his coffee. The longer I sat there, the more uncomfortable I felt. I finally got to my feet. “I’m heading back. You’ll probably need your rest.”

  “Where do you get off making comments about my sex life?” he said angrily. “We aren’t friends. You’re my best friend’s girl. Show some respect.”

  I couldn’t get out the words fast enough, I was so angry. “When I have to hear it so much I’m dreaming of lions, I’m allowed to comment on it. And I wasn’t making a crack; I was trying to be thoughtful. You’re going to be up all night guarding Danial and I don’t want something to happen to him because you’re too slow on the draw, Jerk.”

  I stalked back to the hotel. Theo tried to catch me in the elevator, but I closed the doors before he got there. When the door opened on my floor, he was in front of it, waiting for me. I tried to walk past him, but he stepped into me, pushing me back into the elevator. He jabbed the STOP button.

  “Listen,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  “Whatever. Tell Tawny I’ll be waiting for her in the lobby near the concierge.”

  “Don’t worry about Danial. I’ve been protecting him for the last ten years. I know how to do my job—”

  “Then go do it and get out of my way.”

  He moved back, and I abruptly hit the button, closing the doors.

  * * * *

  Tawny appeared an hour later. She looked like the cat that ate the canary, a goose, and about seven swans.

  “Good night?”

  “The best ever,” she said, shivering a little.

  I reevaluated my opinion of Theo and then told myself it wasn’t appropriate to be thinking of him like that. “Let’s go.”

  We went to see the concierge, who arranged a tour of the closest chocolate factory. We were picked up by a limo and taken to the Lindt factory within minutes. The hour-long tour was interesting, but the chocolate tasting was the best part.

  After we returned, we had lunch at a small coffeehouse around the corner. As we waited for the bill, she excused herself to visit the bathroom.

  Sitting there, I noticed a man on the sidewalk looking in the window at the baked goods on display. He noticed me watching and smiled. I looked away, not wanting him to get the idea that I was interested. A moment later, I heard Tawny’s chair pushed back as the stranger sat down across from me.

  “You were watching me?” he said. His hazel eyes were penetrating.

  “Sorry,” I said, giving him an apologetic smile, “I was just looking out the window. I didn’t mean to make you think anything of it.”

  “I think maybe you’re interested but don’t want to admit it,” he teased.

  “You’re mistaken,” I said flatly. “I’m engaged.”

  “Yes, you are. You’re engaging and I’m engaged by you. Why don’t we go back to my hotel—?”

  “Excuse me, but what do you think you’re doing?”

  Tawny stood there glaring at him, hands folded across her chest.

  “I’m seeing if your friend is interested. She claims not to be, but—”

  “She’s not,” she said. “Leave.”

  “Now, wait just a minute,” the man said with slight irritation.

  Tawny grabbed a hold of the man and propelled him toward the door. He broke free, gave her a glare, then stalked out of the shop, not looking back.

  She came back to the table. “We should go back to the hotel. We both need sleep. Come on.”

  We walked back to the hotel. Caught up in Tawny’s lust for lovemaking with Theo, my own ramped up into overdrive. I decided to turn in early, to be rested and “ready” for Danial when he returned. He and I were in a foreign city; we were in love and we hadn’t been together like that for days. Fantasizing, I undressed and got into bed naked. Just as I was falling asleep, there was a knock at the door.

  “Come in,” I said sexily, baring one shoulder.

  Theo opened the door.

  I pulled the covers around me quickly, self-conscious. “Hi.”

  “Danial is checking out one more lead and then he’ll get something to eat. He said he’d be here about ten or eleven.”

  “Okay. Thanks for the heads up.”

  He nodded and closed the door.

  A few minutes later, throaty growls began issuing from the other room. Thirty minutes later, those had morphed into loud ear-splitting roaring.

  I had to go somewhere else. While I was happy for them—especially Theo—it was only nine. I couldn’t listen to that for another two hours. The concierge had mentioned they had a Jacuzzi. Now was a perfect time to try it out, provided it wasn’t too busy.

  I went to the closet, pulled out my swimsuit, and put it on. Grabbing a room key and towel, I locked the door and took the elevator down, walked along a dark hallway, and went into the Jacuzzi room. There was no one there.

  Intense and complete joy!

  Laying my towel down, I settled into the hot water. It felt so good. I laid my watch on the edge so I could keep an eye on the time and pinned up my hair so it wouldn’t get wet.

  Resting my head back on the edge, I closed my eyes. I stayed like that for the longest while, thinking of nothing, just letting the water soothe me. When I opened my eyes next, I looked into a pair of familiar hazel ones above me.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I let out a scream, splashing water as I moved to the center of the Jacuzzi.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said seducti
vely.

  My danger sense went through the roof. “Please leave,” I said, glaring at the man from the coffee shop. “I thought I’d made it clear I’m not interested.”

  “I’m interested. That’s what matters.”

  It was time to leave. I went to the other side of the Jacuzzi, but he moved to intercept me. I went back to the center.

  “Stay right there,” he said, making it an order. “We’ll have a nice time together—”

  He was suddenly lifted from his feet by a hand wrapped around his neck.

  “She told you to leave. Leave now.”

  I froze in the water. The cold voice didn’t belong to Danial or Theo.

  The man from the coffee shop dropped and stumbled to one knee. He regained his feet, grabbed his robe, and ran for the door without a backward look.

  “I apologize for that male. His actions were deplorable.”

  My rescuer came out of the dark, his face in shadows. He was small for a man, only a little taller than me, but stocky. He tossed his robe off, revealing swim trunks below a thickly muscled chest. As he walked closer, I was able to see him better. His hair was light brown and short, no longer than an inch. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners. Kind eyes.

  I relaxed a little. “Thanks.”

  He slowly walked into the tub. Reflexively, I moved away, cautious.

  “Please,” he said, holding up a hand. “You don’t have to leave.” He bared his teeth, revealing vampire canines.

  I put my arms up on the edge to push myself out of the water, definitely leaving.

  “Why do you fear? I know what your choker means, as well as those scars you wear so beautifully. I won’t come any closer than I am right now.” He tipped back his head and sat in the water. “You are safe with me. Be silent and calm.”

  I watched him for another few minutes before I relaxed, deciding he’d meant what he’d said. Minutes passed and we didn’t speak. There was a lot I wanted to ask, like who the hell he was, but his request for me to be silent made me think the less I knew, the better. It was better to wait a few minutes and then casually leave.

  Several minutes later, I pushed myself up and out of the tub, reluctantly leaving the hot water. I put my watch on and then my robe, draping the towel around my neck. “Thank you. Goodnight.”