Alluring Promises Box Set (Books 1-3)

by Josie Bordeaux

  I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and wrapped my arms around her waist. Staring down into her deep pools of crystal blue always made me wonder if she could be just mine. She’ll leave you. I shook the thought from my head as I bent down to taste her. Her sweet lips taunted me with promises of something more. I watched the corners of her mouth turn up in anticipation and my heart seemed to skip just enough to make me want something more with her.

  Kissing Tina always brought out that fantasy. More. It was something that I never really wanted. Something I convinced myself I never wanted. As she moaned into my mouth, I quickly realized how stupid it sounded to want that. And not to mention with her, knowing she would never fully be mine.

  I grabbed her hips hard, pressing my fingers into her flesh. I felt her chest rise and fall with excitement and I jerked back to look at her. Questions flooded my thoughts.

  Those eyes stared deep into mine. “I missed you. You know that, right?” She whispered as she kissed the corner of my mouth. I swallowed, not knowing what to say or what to believe. “Come on. Let’s head back to your place. I can show you how much I missed you.” I didn’t answer her, which is not something that usually happens with me. For once, I didn’t have a smart ass remark to throw back at her, as my head was filled with questions and doubts about our relationship.

  Back inside my apartment, I closed the door to my bedroom. The room was quiet except for the click of the lock. I stared at my finger on the knob for a second longer as I felt her hands on my shoulders, gently pulling and caressing me at the same time.

  “You’ve been really quiet the whole walk back. Wanna tell me what you’re thinking?” she asked. I turned around to face her. She tugged the fake glasses off my head and placed them on my dresser. Tina’s perfectly manicured fingernails tugged at the bottom of my shirt, pulling it out of my jeans. Her soft hands swept across my stomach as she looked up at me, her eyes pleaded with me to say something.

  Don’t do it. Don’t give her your heart. Don’t let her in.

  “A toothpick,” I blurted out, knowing it was the stupidest thing to say to throw her off track.

  “I’m sorry?” I glanced down to see her pressing her lips together with her brows pulled together in confusion.

  I chuckled, knowing that helped me break the trance she has me in. The spell she keeps casting on me. I shook my head and laughed as I said, “Nothing. It’s nothing.” I moved passed her and sat down on the bed to remove my shoes. Tina crouched down in front of me, placing her hands on my jean-clad thighs.

  “It really can be just us, you know. Let go of all that hurt, Clark. Let me be there for you.” I swallowed and then pulled her back with me onto the bed. Flipping her over, I pinned her underneath me. Her soft hands reached up and she combed her fingers through my hair.

  And then she said it. “Hank comes back Wednesday, you know,” she told me, completely avoiding my eyes.

  Did she do it to push me? To test me?

  “And…?” I asked as my stomach plummeted. I was pretty sure I felt a pang in my heart, but I avoid acknowledging that feeling at all costs. I was just about to let her in and now it’s going to blow up in my face, like always. Dammit. Why’d I have to be such an idiot around her?

  She reached up and pulled my head to hers, forcing me to stare into her eyes. Her gorgeous pools of liquid blue had nearly mesmerized me into thinking there could be something more with her. “Just say it, Clark. Just say the words and I’m all yours. Forever.”

  I swallowed as I continued to actually consider a life with her. Waking up to her every day in my bed. Falling asleep with her every single night. Making…I jerked my head from her grip and shook my head attempting to rid the stupid fantasy that kept creeping into my thoughts. She’ll just leave anyway, what’s the point in trying? I tried to convince myself.

  “Stop being scared. I keep telling you, I won’t leave you,” she continued to insist as if she could hear my thoughts. But you do leave me. Each and every time. “I…if you just tell me you’ll stop…you know, seeing other women.” My eyes flicked back to hers and I watched her swallow. She always brings it up, trying to pressure me with guilt. As if I’m the one who should feel bad about having sex with others. “Seeing you come out of the back room hurt. I know you see others, but seeing that tonight…it crushed me.”

  “And you don’t think it pisses me off when you go running back to Hank whenever he comes back home?” I rolled off her and sat up, leaning against my headboard as the anger welled up inside of me. “I picture you with him each and every time you go running back to him.” There. I said it. I laid it out and I realized this might be the first time I ever threw it back at her.

  She sat up on her knees, pleading with me. “But that’s what I’m saying. If you just tell me you can really truly be faithful, I’ll…”

  “What? Leave him?” I interrupted and practically laughed in her face. “You’ll never leave him, Tina. We both know this.” I was furious now. Fucking pissed that we keep having the same conversation—only this time I told her how I really felt about her going back to Hank.

  I stood up, knowing I had to end this now, even without having sex with her first. “Just go back to Hank, Tina,” I huffed out, as I stood up and walked over to my dresser. My heart was pounding and it annoyed the hell out of me. Every time she brought this up, I got this sinking feeling that I couldn’t shake.

  From the corner of my eye, I watched her take a step closer to me. Feeling her soft hands wrap around my arm and her sweet lips kiss my shoulder, her words seemed to sink in harder. “I don’t want him. I want you, Clark. I’ve always wanted just you.”

  Another pause in the air forced me to consider once again that she was being honest. That she actually really did just want me. I closed my eyes, gathering my thoughts. She keeps leaving you, just like you knew she would.

  “What do you want from me, Tina?” I tried to keep my voice calm as I stepped away from her reach and turned around to face her. I had to be a dick now to make sure she would choose whom she really wanted. In the most callous way I could think of, in order to piss her off, I told her, “You can suck my cock or you can go. Your choice.” I held my hands out in the air, glaring at her, wondering if she would actually drop to her knees. Or walk out the door.

  Her eyes filled with disgust for me, which made me feel a lot better than that other mushy shit did. “You’re such a jerk, Clark. You always do this shit to me. Every single time I throw the ball in your court.”

  “That’s because I don’t want the fucking ball. I don’t want you to keep bouncing back and forth between me and dickwad.”

  Realizing that’s what she really does do to me, I let my anger take over. My heart pounded the more I convinced myself I wanted to be finished with her. I swallowed hard. “I’m done,” I snapped. “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.” I walked over to the door and turned the knob. Her reflection in the mirror watching me caught my eye. I silently begged her to just leave me, so I could be right about all this; that she doesn’t want me, she wants her boyfriend. She took a deep breath and stepped toward me. I swore she could hear my heartbeat through my chest. Actually, while I awaited her final decision, my heart felt like it was in my throat.

  Her quiet voice filled me with regret and at the same time angered me. “I know you want me. I know you want something more with me.”

  I could easily tell her yes right now. I could turn to her, grab her by her waist and tell her I do want just her. And then she’d leave you again, like always. Like all women do. I could see it happening in my mind. Just like Mom did to my dad and me.

  I went into full asshole mode as I turned to her. “See that’s where you’re mistaken. I like fucking you. I like it when you suck my cock. All this other bullshit you keep trying to pull over on me, is annoying as shit. I don’t want a girlfriend. I never did. You seem to think you can change all that.”

  She was taken aback slightly and I immediately regretted what I said.
I watched her swallow as she took a coy step forward, her whole demeanor changing as she placed her hand on my chest. Her voice was steady and sweet. “That’s because I know you better than you think. I know things about you no other girl does.”

  I swallowed wondering if she really did know me that well. I looked away nonchalantly before returning my gaze to hers. “Really? And what’s that?” I asked trying to sound as annoyed as possible.

  “That you’re just too afraid to love. You’re afraid to take a chance,” she whispered to me with as much sincerity as I’ve ever seen from her. “And I know I’m just the person you should take a chance with.”

  Another pause while I half considered it. Another moment that I stared into her deep blue eyes; Eyes that tease you from a magazine cover and persuades you to buy what she’s selling. I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t buy into her lying lines.

  I laughed, breaking the silence lingering between us and looked around the room. I had to end her games. I was sick of her game. She was just like the rest of them.

  “I think you don’t get it. You just want to use me as an excuse to finally leave dickwad. If you were to leave him today, you’d be with me and make my life a living hell instead of his. You’re trying to change me. I don’t want to change. I like fucking any and every woman I want.” I turned and opened a drawer, pretending to look for something. I glanced quickly into the reflection to see her eyes fill with tears. Immediately I looked away knowing I couldn’t let her fool me. I continued to search through my drawer as my heart caught in my throat. Realization hit that I had ended this once and for all.

  Until she comes back to me again. I’ll probably take her back again and then we’ll go through this all over again.

  I watched her reach for the door handle out of the corner of my eye and swallowed. “Fine. If that’s how you want it, then that’s how it’ll be. I’m done, Clark. I can’t keep trying to convince you.”

  I grabbed my phone off the dresser and acted like I was searching for a text. Without looking her way, I nodded. “Sounds good, Tina. Thanks for the memories,” I said, cutting and cold. The door slammed shut and I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. I looked up to the ceiling and wondered if that was the last I’d really see of her. In a way, I hoped so. Just so my heart wouldn’t keep feeling this annoying hurt.

  Damn women.

  “ARE you ready to head over there?” I heard Aub’s voice somewhere in the distance. From the corner of my eye, I noticed her walk toward the couch and grab her purse from the end table.

  Still in a daze, I stood up and snatched my glasses, phone and wallet from the same table and then looked her up and down. The gleam in her eyes and sweet smile that graced her face seemed to be bubbling over. Seeing Aub’s happiness annoyed the hell out of me. Especially since I had felt like shit since Tina left last night. I’d considered texting her, but knew that would be a stupid move on my part. We need to be over with. Once and for all.

  “You okay?” Aub asked me as I slipped my glasses on. It dawned on me I never really answered her about heading over to Mel and Flynn’s for our weekly Sunday night dinner, although my actions probably gave her a reply.

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I snapped, my face showing her exactly how annoying her question was. She rolled her eyes and then turned to head for the door. The sway of her hair led my eyes to give her body a once over. Of course, they lingered a lot longer on her ass, especially when I noticed that her faded jeans had a rip right at her ass cheek. The sight of blue lace peeking through coupled with a glimpse at her soft skin shot a thrill through me.

  Aub pulled the door open and she glanced back, eying me. Knowing I was checking out her ass, she smirked and shook her head. “After you,” she told me. The sexy huskiness in her voice made my cock stir. It always does with Aub. She’s got this sultry, sexy voice that just instantly makes you think of sex.

  I smiled and grabbed the wood door. “Oh no. Really, ladies first,” I insisted as I waved my hand like a gentleman; A gentleman with caveman instincts to throw her down and take her hard. I visualized my hands grazing over her thumb-holes right before…

  “Well, at least I got you to smile again,” she mused, interrupting my less than noble thoughts. Accepting my offer, she stepped through the door, swinging her purse over her shoulder. Her hips were swaying seductively and she tossed a smile at me while checking to see if I was following her.

  Maybe I should focus on trying to get her back in the sack with me. Ignoring those stupid feelings I had for Tina would be better spent with a challenge like Aub. After all, she was amazing in bed. I got a chub just thinking about how wild she was. Not to mention the stamina the girl had.

  I slipped my arm over her shoulder, her skin felt like satin. My fingers itched to pull her closer to me as we walked. “You know what would really make me smile, Aub?”

  “It’s Aubrey,” she huffed and flung my hand off her shoulder. “And I know what you want, you’re not getting it again from me. Go call Tina back for another round.”

  Great. I was trying to forget all about Tina. Just hearing her name put me back into a sullen mood. I stuffed my hands in my pockets as we walked up to the elevator door. Aub gave me a once over with her eyes when she realized I wasn’t going to call the elevator.

  “What’s your deal with her anyway?” She asked as her finger pressed the down arrow button.

  I leaned against the frame and gave her a smirk. “Why? Are you jealous?” I asked just as the elevator doors popped open. We stepped into the container while Aub shook her head laughing.

  “Believe me, I’m really not jealous. I’m just curious why you let her play you like that?”

  “She’s not playing me. I control what happens and when,” I calmly told her as I shrugged.

  Was she playing me? No, I’m an ass to Tina all the time. I call the shots. I sleep around whenever I want. It’s not a relationship at all.

  Finally arriving at Flynn and Mel’s townhouse after an unusually quiet walk, I pushed the red door open. Their large table was set with dishes and silverware, but no food yet. I usually try to get there a little late so I don’t have to sit around smelling Izzy’s amazing cooking.

  Our little tradition started when Izzy first moved in with Mel and Flynn. I used to live here too back before Mel and Flynn hooked up. Izzy loves to cook and bring everyone together every Sunday night. When she first started cooking for us, I would sit there waiting forever while she and Z flirted with each other. I always made sure to break them up, so she’d go back to cooking. She makes the most amazing meals ever.

  Seeing no one at the table, I followed Aub to the kitchen, watching her amazing ass sway the whole time. The only problem I could see with that incredible view was the chub I always get from staring at it. Basically, anytime I look at her ass I remember her thumb-holes, which throws me into a hard-on for the rest of the day.

  Luckily, the smell of whatever Izzy was cooking brought me back to another basic need I have. My stomach grumbled as I continued to the kitchen. As always, Izzy was at the stove cooking and Z was nearby cutting something up. Mel and Flynn sat at the kitchen island drinking some beer.

  Mel looked behind us, checking to see if anyone else was coming. It was then that I realized we never knocked on Matt and Vanessa’s door so they could walk over with us. Not that they’re ever ready to go since they fuck like rabbits all the time, but we still wind up all walking over together.

  “Where’s Vanessa? I thought she was going to come over even though Matt’s out of town,” Mel asked, her blue eyes showing how concerned she was.

  “She told me she wasn’t feeling well. She’s going to curl up and just watch a movie tonight,” Aub answered, setting her purse down and then she reached for a carrot. Her lips curled around the carrot, sucking it into her mouth. I let the fantasy carry on in my mind as if that carrot were my cock, except that mine was way larger than that. Her tongue would swirl around it before pulling my shaft further into he
r mouth. When she bit into the carrot, I managed to snap out of my fantasy. Fuck, that would hurt. My eyes met hers and I realized I was thinking all of that while staring at her. Her brows pulled together and she mouthed, “What?” I shook my head and looked away. Maybe one day I’ll get her to wrap that mouth around me again; hopefully she’d never bite like that.

  Izzy turned around after stirring something and smiled. “Well, make sure you take something back with you for her to eat. I made a great dessert too.” Aub returned her smile and nodded. Izzy always cares about other people, which was odd considering her shitty childhood. Having a crack whore for a mom who OD’d, you’d think she’d have a different attitude.

  I headed over to the couch and flipped the TV on to watch some sports. The more I thought about Aub’s question in the elevator, the more pissed off I became. I couldn’t stop thinking that maybe she was right. Maybe Tina was playing me.

  I felt something hit my head and bounce off. Looking at the wadded up paper towel, I glanced back to see everyone staring at me. “What?” I asked as I stood up.

  “I called your name like three times, Clark,” Aub told me and then I noticed she had a bowl of something in each hand. Actually, it seemed like everyone was carrying something into the dining room.

  “I was watching basketball. The tournament is on,” I stressed as if it were a huge deal to me as I took the seat next to her. It’s not. I couldn’t care less, but I had to make up something as to why I was in another world.

  Why I was thinking about Tina? Tina, who was heading back to her boyfriend. At some point, the guy is going to ask her to marry him. He’d be an idiot not to. Why would he travel all the time, leaving her to want to be with some other guy? The other guy. That’s what I am. If I were a chick, would I feel like this? I mean, they’re not married or anything, but we do pretty much sneak around. Mistresses don’t sleep with a ton of others though, do they? Maybe that’s the difference between guys and girls?

  “Clark?” I heard my name being called and looked up and around the table. I snapped out of my thoughts and glanced to see everyone was staring at me. Again.