Promise Me

by Hilary Wynne

  Julian stands up and takes a few steps back. “I have to go. I have to go. I have to go.” He’s laughing as he says it.

  “Are you trying to convince yourself or me?”

  Julian walks back over and kisses me on the forehead. “Myself. You’re so beautiful lying there and I want you again. So I’m going to turn around and walk away before I end up having to explain to a bunch of attorneys I’m late because I couldn’t get enough of my girlfriend.”

  “Yeah, go. That would be awkward.” I stand up and hug him. “Drive safe. I’ll see you tonight.”

  Julian’s hand slides down my body and over my naked breast. He rests it there for a split second before he shakes his head and walks away. As for me, I do what I tell him and finish what he started. It’s a great way to start the day.

  My Friday morning is like my Thursday morning, slow and filled with paperwork and other boring tasks. My mood is brightened when I get a text from Marissa telling me she’s in South Beach and wants to know if we can meet for lunch. I meet her at Jett’s an hour later. After the waitress takes our order, Marissa launches full speed into what she’s stressed about.

  “So, here’s the deal. Kevin will be here Monday and I can’t wait. He wants to see everyone so I’m thinking maybe we can all meet at Callahan’s on Thursday night for a little welcome home party. Todd Allen is playing that night so it’s perfect—you know he loves him. We’re going to leave Friday morning for Atlanta to see his family, and I think we’ll stay there for a few days. I took the whole week off.”

  “Okay. That all sounds great, and easy. What’s the issue? I hear it in your voice.”

  “He wants to invite Luke.”

  Oh. I can’t believe I didn’t think about that. Luke and Kevin have been friends for years and it makes sense. Before he was deployed overseas we all spent a lot of time together. This is going to be awkward. “Well, he should be there then. I’ll have already seen him and I don’t need to go to the party. I don’t want to tell Julian not to go and if I go and Luke is there and Julian isn’t, it’ll be bad. Did that make sense?”

  “Yes. But you have to go. I doubt Luke will go and I’ll tell him you and Julian are going to be there, so I’m pretty sure he won’t show up. But I can’t not invite him. I hope you understand.”

  “I totally understand. I’m serious though—I don’t have to go. I don’t want my drama to ruin the party.”

  “It won’t. Now tell me what’s going on with Julian? Is he still being an ass?”

  I can’t help but laugh as I share the details of the latest chapter in the Alexa and Julian saga. “I hesitate to say it, but I think we may have finally gotten over the hard stuff. Things feel good right now. I feel good right now.”

  Marissa smiles at me as she’s pulling her credit card out of her wallet. “Well, it’s about damn time. Let’s just do the good stuff now, okay?”

  “I couldn’t agree more, Mari. I couldn’t agree more.”

  Chapter 23

  We talk about the concert for a few minutes outside of Jett’s. All the girls are in and I know it’s going to be a great time. “We should all meet for dinner beforehand. I can’t believe it’s here already. I didn’t make plans like I needed to and now the concert is tomorrow. I’ve had so much going on and didn’t even want to go if he wasn’t going. I’m going to call Julian and see what’s up. I’ll send out a text later.”

  “Sounds good. You have plans tonight?”

  “I don’t think so. Julian is in West Palm and I’m not sure when he’ll get home. Want to do something? Movie?”

  “Sure. Meet me at home and we’ll figure it out.”

  After I get off the phone with Marissa I reach out to Julian to talk about the concert. I know he’s swamped today with meetings and I don’t want to bother him, but I would like to see what he has in mind for tomorrow.

  Alexa: Call me when you have a moment please.

  I’m barely done pushing the send button when the phone rings. “Que pasa, mi amor?”

  “Hey. I just wanted to talk about tomorrow and the concert. I have no idea what the plans are.”

  “Hmm. I know. It snuck up on me with everything else going on. I think it starts at eight, right? I’ll get a limo for all of us. Have everyone meet at your house around five thirty. I think Danny has an extra ticket so have Shannon bring Cory. We can eat somewhere near the arena. I’ll make reservations.”

  Um okay. When I called to see what the plan was I wasn’t really telling Julian to make it. But to my surprise, I’m happy he just took control. He’s been doing that more and more lately and I’m surprisingly okay with it. “Okay, sounds great to me. I’ll be working so you can just pick me up from there.”

  “You have to work?”

  “Yes, I’d rather have Sunday off so I switched. I took a few days off this week too. It’s no big deal. I can leave by five and I’ll just get ready here. By the way, I’m going go to a movie with Marissa tonight. I think I’ll go see my dad after work and then meet her. You said you’d be home late, right?”

  “Sí. I have to work tonight. I’ll see you late tonight though, right, mi amor?

  “Yes. Have a great day, baby.”

  “You too.”

  My visit with my parents is quick, but good. My dad is feeling almost back to normal but he’s tired so I don’t stay long. I get a chance to talk to both Jill and Tracy while I’m over there, and I know they feel better getting my reassurances that everything is okay.

  I meet Marissa at a movie closer to our house. It’s something funny, which is my preference, and we enjoy a night of laughing and eating popcorn and Reese’s Pieces for dinner. On the way to our cars we stop and chat about the concert.

  “Sounds like a blast. It’s pretty cool of Julian to throw that all together.”

  “I know. I’m so excited. I didn’t know if I wanted to go if he and I were fighting and now it seems so stupid. I’ve been wanting to see Bruno forever and I have six front row tickets. The limo and dinner is a bonus. We’ll pick you all up at five thirty. Can you let Jenna and Shannon know? I’ll talk to Lauren at work tomorrow.”

  “Sure. See you tomorrow.” Marissa gives me a hug before getting into her car. “And Lex, it’s really, really good to see you smile.”

  I flash her another one before I walk the few spaces to my car. It’s true. I’m actually happy. Before I leave the lot I text Julian to see what his schedule is looking like. It’s a little after ten and I’m curious to know if he’s going to be home anytime soon.

  Alexa: Hey handsome. Just got out of the movie and headed to your place. Should I wait up?

  I don’t hear back for about thirty minutes and am getting close to the condo when I get a response.

  Julian: Looks like I’m going to be here for a while. It’s really busy here tonight and Candace could use the help. Don’t wait up. Xoxo

  My heart sinks a little. I was hoping he would get off soon. I know he’s been slammed the last few days and I know he must be tired after our long nights. Poor guy. I decide to stop by the hotel to say hi and grab a kiss before I head back to sleep alone.

  Julian wasn’t kidding when he said it was busy. The line to get in the club is very long. I turn and head toward the back entrance when Marty spots me and waves me over. As he lifts the rope for me I hear a bunch of comments coming from the people in line behind me.

  “Why does she get to cut the line?”

  “Who do you have to fuck to get in the door quicker?”

  “Oye, mi baby, I love you, take me with you.”

  “That’s an old lady outfit. Oh My God. Why are you letting her in?”

  I smile when I hear the comments. I’m not even offended. I did fuck the owner to get special treatment and I plan on doing it again tonight. I do look down at my outfit though. I look good in a fitted black pencil skirt, white silk blouse and black stilettos, but I don’t look like I’m going clubbing. My smile stays on my face all the way to the entrance of the club. It stays on
until I see Victoria and Elyse walking towards me. I haven’t seen either one of them for months, yet it seems like yesterday I was face to face with them and Julian was ignoring me. They, unlike me, are dressed to the nines in tight dresses and sky high heels. They’re definitely in the clubbing frame of mind and look fantastic. As I near them I keep my head down. My plan is to sneak by and not say a word, they don’t know me after all, and find Julian. Right when I get near them, my plan is thwarted. Damn.

  Victoria reaches out and touches my arm. “Hey. You’re Alexis, right? Julian’s ex-fiancée? I think we’ve met before.” I look up into Victoria’s fake smiling face. She towers over me and I can’t help but feel intimidated, and I’m pissed off at myself that I am. I’m also pissed off that all these damn girls can’t get my name right.

  “It’s Alexa, not Alexis and no, we haven’t met.” I avoid the other question because I’m not interested in discussing my relationship status with these two. Unfortunately, Victoria isn’t letting me off the hook so easily.

  “Alexa, Alexis. Whatever. You’re his ex, right?”

  Whatever? Bitch. I wonder how she’d like to be called Veronica or Valerie? I’m about to find out when I feel a hand on the small of my back. I immediately know it’s Julian. He leans down and kisses my cheek softly.

  “Hola, mi amor. This is a great surprise. I didn’t think I’d see you until later tonight at the condo.”

  He’s saying the words to me and they are true, I am surprising him, but he’s really saying it to them and I fucking love him even more for it. The expressions on both of their faces turn to scowls. He addresses them next. “Have you two officially met Alexa?”

  God, I even love the way he says my name.

  “We just did, Julian.”

  “Bueno. Now if you’ll excuse us…” Julian takes my hand and turns me around so we’re walking away from them. When we get around the corner he pulls me in for a hug. “What a nice surprise. You didn’t say you were coming by. Marty let me know you were here so I came to find you. I hope they didn’t say anything that upset you.”

  I want to tell him I was upset because they questioned my relationship status with him but this isn’t the time or place to get into that. “They called me Alexis. That pissed me off. I think they know my real name. But, it’s fine. Thanks for coming to my rescue.”

  He kisses me on the tip of my nose. “I told you I have your back, Corazón.”

  My smile widens. “I just wanted to say hi, give you a kiss, and tell you I missed you today. I know you’re busy. I’ll get out of your hair.”

  “Seeing you has been the best part of this very, very long day. I’m actually just hanging out at the moment. Come have a drink with me.” Julian takes my hand and leads me toward the stairs. I cringe a little as we walk up. I haven’t been upstairs to Orion since Luke left and I don’t want to stir up any memories. I can’t say that though so I keep following him up.

  We end up sitting down at a bar across from where Luke used to work. I let Julian know I’d like a vodka cranberry and watch as he walks around the bar to make it for me. It reminds me of the second night we met. He made me a drink then too. Then we ended up in the hallway.

  “And what are you thinking about?” Julian’s question pulls me out of my trip down memory lane.

  “I was thinking about the last time you got behind the bar and made me a drink here. We ended up in the hallway.”

  I chuckle as I watch Julian shift himself discreetly. The thought of that night turns him on as much as it does me. He walks around the bar and stands in front of me. He puts his hands on my thighs and leans into me. “That is numero uno on my top-ten list of hottest sexual encounters ever. You had no idea how sexy you were, how alive. I was all in after that night.”

  He kisses me softly on the lips and a shudder runs down my spine. “Number one, huh? I’d have to really think about which of my “encounters” with you would be number one. But, as hot as that night was, I’d have to say the night we kept my shoes on and fucked up against the couch would probably be mine.”

  “Mmm. Dios mio. That was fucking hot too, Corazón. But I’m sure of my first choice. Do you want to know why?”

  “Of course.”

  “Because it was the first time we were together and I already knew we were meant for each other. You totally let go and trusted me to take care of you; at least for a few minutes. I got in that night. Even though we both resisted, I got in.”

  I take a deep breath. He’s so right. He did get in that night even though I fought it for so long after. “You’re right. It was real from that moment.” I lean and kiss him softly. “And I love you for every moment and memory you’ve helped create since that night.”

  We stare into each other’s eyes for a bit and then both remember where we are. He takes a step back. “I’d love to make some more memories with you right now, hot ones, but I do need to work, so as much as I hate to leave you, I need to. Stay as long as you want or go home and get naked and wait for me. I’m very turned on right now and I can think of a few ways to make some new memories.”

  “I’m going to finish this and head to the condo. I really just stopped by to say hi.”

  “Bueno. Then I’ll see you at home. Thanks for stopping by, it made my night.” I give him another quick hug before he turns to walk away. He melts my heart with his smile and the smile he puts on my face pretty much stays on the rest of the night.

  I don’t bother looking at the clock when I feel Julian get into bed next to me. I know it’s late and I’m tired. So I inch back and snuggle into my spot. Julian must be as tired as me because after he wraps himself around me I hear his breathing deepen and know he fell right asleep. I wake up hot and sweaty and completely aware that Julian is still wrapped around me. He’s actually snoring, which is something he doesn’t do. I take his arm off of me and move slowly out of the bed. I don’t want to wake him up. I need to take a shower and get ready for work, so I grab my stuff and head into the other bathroom. I know I won’t have time to get ready for the concert after work so I want to do my hair now. After my shower I straighten my hair and pull it back in a sleek ponytail. I slip into an eggplant colored tank dress and a pair of simple black Badgley Mishka pumps. I head into the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee and as I’m getting some creamer out of the refrigerator, I hear Julian’s footsteps on the tile. I peek around the door and see a very sleepy looking, very sexy Julian coming toward me. He leans down and kisses me on the top of my head before heading to the coffee machine. “Good morning, mi amor.”

  “Good morning. Are you okay?” He never sleeps later than me.

  “I’m fine, just exhausted. I guess I can’t keep running on so little sleep. I didn’t get in until close to three. I can’t wait for Ruben to get back Monday.”

  “I’m sorry. Do you want to skip tonight? It probably won’t be an early night.”

  Julian shakes his head. “No way. I’m looking forward to it. I’d like to go do something where I don’t need to make any decisions except what I’m going to eat and which way I want to make you cum first.”

  He winks at me, takes a sip of his coffee and sits down on one of the bar stools. I feel my nipples harden instantly. “Can’t wait to see, or feel, your decision. You’re going to pick me up at five, right? I told everyone to meet at my house at five-thirty. The outfit I want to wear is there so I’ll need to change.”

  “Sí. I’ll be outside at five with the limo. I made reservations at Off the Hook. Hope that’s okay. Danny, Rafi, Gabby, and some other friends are meeting us there. There are twelve of us going.”

  I walk over and stand between his legs. I put my hands on his naked chest and run my nails down his stomach. “You’re awesome! Thank you for planning this. I’m looking forward to it.” I glance down and see he has an erection. I run my hand over it teasingly. “And I’m looking forward to this tonight as well.” He grabs my hand as I’m pulling it away and puts it back on his crotch. “You can have it rig
ht now, Corazón. It’s all yours for the taking.”

  “And I will take it. In my mouth. Later. But I have to go now.”

  I hear his sharp intake of breath and feel good knowing my words affect him. “You’re bad. I guess I’ll have to take matters into my own hands, literally, because I’m very, very hard now.”

  I look at my watch. “I really need to go so I can leave on time tonight. Save it for later.”

  Work is super busy which helps the day go by faster. I’m in a great mood and it only gets better when I get into the limo and find a very relaxed, very sexy Julian inside. He’s in a pair of dark jeans, a black Henley t-shirt that shows off his muscular chest and arms, and a pair of black Bugatchi boots. Damn! He is hot. I slide across the supple leather seat, and when I get close enough, he pulls me onto his lap. My dress is tight across the bottom and I can’t really sit on him comfortably, so he pulls it up around my hips and moves me so I’m straddling him.

  I look at the privacy glass to make sure it’s up, and when I see it is, I focus on Julian. His eyes are full of lust, and the heat from his erection pressing against my silk panties makes me wet. I wiggle a little and then a little more when he groans in response. I slide to the side a tiny bit and turn the radio on. Even though the glass is up, I want to make sure we have total privacy. The sexy melody of a Bachata song fills the air. Julian knows the words and begins to sing it to me as he lifts me up and slides my panties off. I fumble around a little and am able to unzip his pants enough so his rock-hard erection springs out. I gently guide him into me.

  “God you feel good.”

  “I saved it for about as long as I could, baby. I’ve been aching for you all day. I swear I walked around with a hard on for hours. I couldn’t wait any longer to sink into you.”

  “I have zero complaints.” To prove my point, I start grinding my hips into him at a slow, rhythmic pace. Julian nips at my erect nipple through my dress. “I could cum in two seconds, but you feel so good. I want it last all the way to your house.”