Promise Me: A Second Chance Romance

by Willow Winters

  I hold in my jubilance. “Of course. Just call me.”

  “I will. Congratulations, Miss Shaw.”

  “Thanks! Thank you so much!”

  The second I hang up I let out a squeal of excitement. I can’t believe that I got the job, I really can’t.

  I put the phone on the counter in the kitchen and take a deep breath. I look around at the new house Hunter just got. It’s a little rough around the edges, and it could use a coat of paint, but I’m excited about it, too.

  I bite my lip and stretch, then head to our bedroom. I step around stacks of boxes, clothes and bedroom knickknacks that have yet to be unpacked.

  I throw open the closet and pull out several boxes and bags of new clothes, things I bought the day I got the call about the interview.

  I check the time, and figure I have enough time to unpack some of these clothes before Hunter gets home from his brand new garage. I’m not the only one who got a new job this week.

  He just signed the paperwork for the garage yesterday, and today he’s there trying to figure out where to go from here.

  My lips curve as I pull one bag over to the bed, opening it and spreading the contents out across the bed. I finger a black pencil skirt and a dress with a print of the cosmos.

  I always wanted to dress up for work, always eyed women that had fancy jobs with envy. I thought I would be the only one in a tank and jeans every day… forever.

  Now, though, I'll be one of those women I’ve been so jealous of. I’m going to spend a few minutes every morning carefully choosing what I will wear — because now I have the choice.

  I grab another bag of nothing but cardigans, smiling like a dork. Pink and grey and leopard print, the cardigans will make sure I’m never cold. Plus, they’re awesome.

  “Hello?” Hunter calls from the kitchen.

  I bite my lip. He’s early, but you won’t catch me complaining. “In here!”

  I hear him trudge down the hallway, and then he comes into the room. He’s wearing a tight black tee shirt and jeans, showing off his powerful arms, and he’s barefoot. He gives me the same look, although I’m in sweats and a tank top. He comes over to pull me close, cupping my cheek as he kisses my lips.

  “Hey,” I say, pulling back. I look at him, grateful that he’s in my life. I don’t mean to start tearing up, but I do anyway.

  He laughs at my obviously over-sentimental reaction, but not in a mean way. He understands. He always understands.

  “What’s all this?” he asks, nodding to the bed.

  “It’s just…” I start to answer, but he turns me in his arms and sweeps my hair aside, kissing my neck. “Um… clothes…”

  “Clothes?” he whispers against my skin, sealing his lips over the most tender spot on my neck.

  “I got the teaching job,” I say distractedly. “They just… ummm… they just called.”

  “Mmm. I think that means you’d better celebrate,” he husks. I shiver at his breath against my neck.

  His hands slip underneath my tank top. When he finds that I’m without a bra, he runs his hands over my bare breasts, and we both groan quietly. I love it when he’s like this, dominant and possessive and silent.

  He pushes me over to the bed, leaning over me as I lay on my belly, stripping off my tank top. He pinches my nipples, getting them hard. I gasp, but he’s only just started.

  Hunter steps back, pulling off his shirt and unbuttoning his pants, then pulls my sweatpants off.

  I bite my lip as he runs his hands over my bare ass, down to my thighs. I’m fucking wet for him, so ready for him it’s ridiculous. His hand slips from my inner thigh, moving forward. He touches my pussy and growls when he finds me drenched.

  He urges me onto my hands and knees. Grabbing my thighs, he pushes them apart. He pushes his pants down, then positions himself. I groan as he pushes his cock against my entrance.

  “Hunter,” I say and try to push him away gently. “Everyone will be here soon,” I say, my words a plea. Both of our families are coming over tonight. Haley’s bringing dinner so we can celebrate our first night in this house.

  Hunter kisses the crook of my neck. “We can be quick,” he whispers.

  Not a second passes, and a hard knock at the door makes Hunter groan with disappointment. I feel awful for smiling, and a bit pissed that I’m horny as hell now, but people are arriving.

  “Go let them in!” I insist, pushing him away.

  “Alright, alright,” he grumbles. He gives me a quick kiss. “To be continued.”

  He points a finger at me warningly, and I roll my eyes and shoo him away. He spends a second righting his clothes, then leaves to get the door.

  I hurry to put on panties and a bra, then slip into my dress with the stars and planets on it. After a quick check in the mirror, I hurry out to the living room.

  “Hey!” Haley says in greeting.

  “Cookie!” Abbi shouts.

  They’re on the couch with Mr. and Mrs. Graves. My dad is here too, sitting on the loveseat alone. A lump forms in my throat at the sight of my dad coping without my mom, but I push it aside.

  “Hey!” I say, giving everyone a quick hug. “Thanks for coming, everybody.”

  “Lasagna’s ready,” Hunter calls from the kitchen.

  “Let’s go sit at the dinner table,” I suggest.

  “Cookie! Cookie!” Abbi says, waving her arms at me.

  I laugh and pick her up, carrying her into the dining room. There are boxes stacked along the wall, but at least we got the dining room unpacked. The table’s all set for seven people, and I plunk Abbi down in a seat next to Haley.

  “Thanks,” Haley says, looking at Abbi fondly.

  “Dad, why don’t you sit here?” I say, pulling out a seat for him. “And Mr. and Mrs. Graves, you guys are on the end.”

  “Sure thing,” Mrs. Graves says, her eyes sparkling. I think she’s just happy that Hunter found someone.

  Hunter comes in with the lasagna a second later, still hot as fire from being in the oven. He sets it down, and makes a big deal out of serving everyone. I like watching him with our families.

  “I baked some bread,” I say, offering the loaf to Haley.

  “I should hope so,” she says. “Owning the only bakery in town and all.”

  I make eye contact with Hunter. He nods encouragingly.

  “Actually, I’m going to put the bakery up for sale,” I announce. “I just got an official offer from the elementary school. I’m going to be their newest art teacher.”

  My dad pats my hand. “We’re very proud of you.”

  “Thanks,” I say.

  “Everybody dig in, before it gets cold,” Hunter says, passing the bread to his mom.

  There’s silence for a minute while everyone tries the lasagna, followed by murmurs of approval.

  “So who are you going to sell the bakery to?” Haley asks curiously.

  “I’m not sure. It’s going on the market Monday,” I say. “I’m probably not even going to break even on the sale, but it feels like the right thing to do.”

  Haley looks contemplative, but doesn’t press further. She busies herself feeding Abbi, who has somehow gotten the sauce absolutely everywhere.

  It’s quiet for a minute. I glance around at everyone as they eat, feeling content. My dad clears his throat, then stands up.

  “I’d like to say something,” he says.

  “Go right ahead,” Hunter says.

  “Thank you. I just want to say that if my beloved wife Evelyn were here, she would approve. And I think she would be glad to see us breaking bread together,” he says, tears gleaming in his eyes.

  “Well said,” Mr. Graves says. “Hear, hear!”

  I smile. We all raise our glasses to my mama's memory. I think my father was right.

  My mama would approve of me and Hunter living together, and of everyone coming together to celebrate. She would approve of it very much.

  I smile and eat my pasta, content.

  Epil
ogue

  Violet

  “Krissy, it hurts,” I practically seethe through my teeth as I lean back to try to breathe.

  “The little stinker has his foot in your ribs, doesn’t he?”

  “Yes,” I groan, waiting for my little man to move. He’s so big, and we still have another month before he’ll be here. So strong, too.

  Krissy puts her hand on my belly and I can feel the slight pressure and then his little kicks. Although they hurt some, I can’t help the smile that grows on my face.

  Krissy’s wide grin helps put me at ease, too.

  “He’ll be here soon, and then you’ll miss this.” Her eyes get a little glassy and she puts her hand on her own belly.

  She’s a month behind me. And her emotions are through the roof.

  I look at her perfect, beautiful bump and lean back in the porch swing. The summer breeze from the lake hits my face and carries the faint smell of the laundry that’s hanging on the line. It’s a perfect combination that puts me at ease, and little Ryder, too.

  He must’ve moved away from my lungs because I can finally breathe.

  Krissy kicks off the ground and sends us rocking backward.

  I turn to face her and say, “I can’t believe you aren’t going to find out ahead of time.”

  “I want it to be a surprise,” she says as her hand rubs soothing circles on her belly.

  “You’re crazy.” I turn away from her as the screen door opens and the guys walk out. They both have Krissy’s kids, Cady and Everett, on their shoulders and they’re squealing for them to go faster.

  My heart swells with happiness. He’s been wanting a baby for a while now. Ever since he slipped the ring on my finger and made me his wife. Now that I’ve got the teaching job I’ve always wanted and Haley’s taken over the bakery, I had no excuse to tell him no. Haley’s a damn good baker, too. More than that, she’s good with the business side of things.

  Everything’s perfect.

  Well almost. Everything I can change. Everything I have control over.

  I was hoping for a little girl. So I could name her after my mama.

  Tears prick my eyes, and I brush them away. She lived a life with love and happiness. I’ll do her proud by doing the same.

  “Aww Vi, what’s going on with you?” Hunter slips Cady off his shoulders and she runs off the steps and barrels to the field in our front yard. She’s old enough to know not to go into the lake and we’ve told her enough times, but that little girl is a rebel and Krissy instantly stands to keep an eye on her. Jared follows behind her with Everett laughing on his shoulders and slapping his head.

  They’ve been coming over every weekend and now that it’s the summertime and school’s out, it’s been more often.

  The swing shifts backward as Hunter sits next to me. I easily lay my head on his shoulder and sniffle.

  “You alright?” he asks, rubbing his hand down my shoulder.

  “Yeah,” I say weakly. “You’d think after three years, it’d be easier.”

  “You’re emotional and having a baby of your own. It’s only natural.” He kisses my hair and holds me as I calm myself down.

  I miss my mama all the time now that I’m pregnant. I always thought I’d share this time with her. At least I have Haley and Krissy and Hunter’s mom. I’m surrounded by love, and that would make her happy to know.

  We swing gently back and forth and I close my eyes, just enjoying Hunter’s touch. He’s so good to me. We’re practically the town sweethearts now… almost. I think Jared and Krissy will always have that title.

  Hunter gets down on his knees and kisses my belly, wrapping his arms around me. Him holding me like this makes me feel so small, even if I am as big as a house now.

  His hand rubs back and forth and he waits for Ryder to kick him, but he doesn’t.

  “I think he’s sleeping,” I say softly.

  Hunter snorts a little laugh and plants another kiss on my belly and I can barely take it.

  “I love you, Hunter. I love you so damn much.” I don’t know where my life would have gone without him in it. If he’d just given up on me instead of fighting for me.

  He leans up, placing a hand on the back of the swing on either side of my head and kisses me sweetly.

  “I love you too, Vi. Always have, and I always will.”

  His Hostage

  A Bad Boy Mafia Romance

  (Valetti Crime Family)

  Winter Willows

  Copyrights

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations within critical reviews and otherwise as permitted by copyright law.

  NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real life is purely coincidental. All characters in this story are 18 or older.

  Copyright © 2016, Willow Winters Publishing. All rights reserved.

  Prologue

  Elle

  I already regret this. I walk farther into the office as he shuts the door with a loud click. Everyone must’ve seen me walk back here with him and they’re going to know what we’re doing. I feel like a cheap whore. His hands wrap around my waist and pull my ass into him. His hard erection digs into my back. My core heats as he leaves an open-mouthed kiss on my neck. His hot breath runs chills down my body, and I cave. I need this. My body molds to his, and my hands reach behind me and around his neck. My fingers tangle in his hair. I don’t care what they think. For once, I just want to feel good.

  Vince

  Good girl. I knew if I just got her alone I’d be able to loosen her up. She’s in need, and I know exactly what to do. My fingers tease her skin as I pull the camisole over her head. I have to pull away for a moment, and she takes the chance to turn around. She stands on her tiptoes to crush her lips against mine. I part her lips with my tongue and taste her, sucking on her bottom lip while I unhook her bra. I break away, and drop to my knees to unbuckle her shorts and pull them down. Lace panties. They’ll be easy to tear right off.

  My breathing is loud, nearly frantic, and my heart beats wildly in my chest. I can’t believe I’m doing this. He tears through my panties with his thumbs and tosses them carelessly to the side, not taking his eyes off me. Another wave of arousal soaks my core as I clench my thighs. He grins and grips my hips, forcing my pussy into his face while he breathes in deep. I’d die of embarrassment, but his loud groan and languid lick make my eyes close, and my mouth part in ecstasy. He stands up and pulls my bra off of me, and the straps tickle my arms as I watch his eyes focus on my breasts. My nipples harden under his lust-filled gaze.

  So fucking hot. I knew she was beautiful, but damn, I have to take a moment to appreciate just how gorgeous she is. I grip her thighs and lift her up so I can put her ass on the edge of the desk. I lean down and suck her hardened, pale pink nipple into my mouth. Her head falls back, and a soft moan falls from her lips.

  He pulls back and lets my nipple pop out of his mouth before getting onto his knees. Holy shit. He’s gonna go down on me. My breath stills in my lungs and I try to close my legs from mortification, but his hands on my inner knees stop them and he pushes me wide open to stare at my pussy. My cheeks flame and I can’t look because I’m so fucking horrified.

  “You want me to stop, sweetheart?” I know she doesn’t. I bet she’s never been taken care of like this before. She’s in for a treat. She bites her lip and shakes her head. I smile at her, and then focus my attention back to her needy, delicious cunt. Her pussy lips are glistening with arousal and I fucking love it. I lean down and take a long lick from her entrance to the clit. So sweet. I flick her throbbing clit with my tongue and she finally relaxes under me. I smile into her heat and grip her ass tight, angling her into a position that's good for me.


  Oh my god. It feels so good. I have to focus on staying quiet. My teeth dig into my bottom lip as I shamelessly rock my pussy into his face. His tongue massages against my clit as his fingers dip into me and curl, hitting my G-spot and making my back arch. Holy fuck!

  She’s loving what I’m doing; her body is so damn responsive, just like I knew she would be. I can’t wait to get into that pussy and watch those tits bounce. They aren’t the biggest breasts I’ve ever seen, but they’re perky and fit in my hands just right. I bite down on her clit, not hard, just enough to send her over the edge as her pussy clamps down on my fingers. She’s so fucking tight. Her pussy is going to feel like heaven on my dick.

  My thighs squeeze around his head. I want to stop, but I can’t control my body. A cold sweat breaks out along my skin and I feel paralyzed as my body ignites with waves of pleasure.

  Her arousal soaks my hand. I keep my fingers in that tight cunt, stroking her front wall and sucking her clit to get every bit of her orgasm out. I don’t stop until she’s lying limp on the table. I smile and gently place a hand on her trembling thigh. That should calm her ass down.

  That pussy’s soft, hot, and wet. And waiting to be filled. I unzip my jeans and let them drop to the floor while I stroke my cock. It’s begging to be wrapped in her heat.

  The sound of his zipper makes my eyes pop open and pulls me from my sated daze. Oh fuck! My heart pounds in my chest, and my breathing comes in shallow pants. I push the hair out of my face and swallow thickly. I’m going to lose my virginity. I don’t want it to happen this way.

  She props herself up and closes her legs. My brow furrows with confusion and my body heats with anger. What the fuck is she doing? She leaving me high and dry? That’d be a fucking first. I know she enjoyed me feasting on her pussy. She’ll fucking love what I can do to her while she’s impaled on my dick.