Page 50 of Where We Promise

The revelation bothered me. So much so, I got up and tossed the bottle away, finding my way outside. The night was cold from the earlier rain, and thunder still rumbled in the distance. Miles’ driveway was just a few down from the club, so the walk ended sooner than I would have preferred. I needed to think and to process why I was so quick to fall back into love with Jamie after he’d started writing me again.

I gave in so easily.

Maybe I just needed to take a bath, or read, get my mind off him.

Thirty minutes later, I was changed into a long t-shirt and tall socks as the sky burst open and rain pelted the roof. Mom and Miles were still gone, and probably would be until early dawn, which meant I had the rest of the night to myself.

After making myself a sandwich in the kitchen, I took it back to my room, but as soon as I entered, I screamed and the plate dropped.

Standing in the middle of my room was Jameson, wearing his dark t-shirt, jeans and boots but no jacket. His hair was soaked and slicked to the side, droplets of water clung to his lashes and nose.

“Jamie,” I whispered, searching his face, but his gaze dropped to the floor where my sandwich had fallen apart.

I assumed he’d offer to help me clean it, but he just lifted his chin and glared at me.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

My mouth opened and then closed. Why did he look so angry?

“My mom told me about your dad…I didn’t know you wanted me to tell you.”

Caramel eyes trapped me in place like a predator tracking his prey.

“You should have told me.” He stepped on the plate, the porcelain cracked under his thick boots, which had me back up toward the bed.

“Why did it matter either way?” My voice was nearly lost to the rumble of the thunder from outside.

His feet carried him closer, crowding me against the bed. I watched his tan arms shift, his corded muscles move with him as he reached for me, gripping my hips.

My breath was trapped in my lungs as he came nose to nose with me.

“Because moments after I buried my father, I was supposed to be drowning in grief and yet one look at you, and I felt...joy. You ruined the saddest day of my life…all because I wasn’t prepared to see you. I wasn’t planning on you…and then there you were.” His fingers trailed up, tucking hair behind my ear.

I wasn’t sure what to say. Too nervous to even breathe.

His focus went to my lips as he continued, “I wanted to be angry today. Sad. But then you showed up, and you look different, Pen. More beautiful than I—I…” His face flushed, making it difficult to track what he was saying. “You’re a tragedy in your own way, just hanging around in my chest like a poison, slowly infecting my heart.”

My fingers tangled in the hem of his shirt as hope crowded my lungs.

“I hope you forgive me for being selfish tonight, Pen. Because this day is about to end, and while it has been the shittiest day of my life, your taste is the only thing I want to remember.”

Warm lips brushed against mine in such a gentle way that I nearly gasped. It was silk falling to sand, lax and warm. My hands moved up his back, bringing him closer as his fingers dove into my hair, his mouth demanding more than he’d initially sought with his silent question. Our mouths moved in pace with the beating of our hearts, our breathing mixing in a chaotic symphony of want and longing.

I had no idea how long Jameson had repressed this kiss, but it felt as though it had been birthed in fire and kept warm for years.

His body shifted, and we were moving over to the bed, his hand moving from my hair to my waist, where he slid my shirt up until he was skimming the underside of my breasts. I inhaled sharply at his unexpected touch. I smiled into his mouth, so desperate for him to trace more of me.

Our kisses turned urgent as Jamie continued to feel me, his thumb brushing over my pebbled nipple, forcing a moan from my chest. We were completely lost to our lust as his hand spread my thighs and began sliding callused fingers through my slick center.

“You going to let me fuck you, Penny?”

His voice was a rasp pressed against my neck, and it felt as brash as a rope being tied and knotted there. I wanted him so badly, it ached…but I also knew this wasn’t right.

None of it.

“Jamie, I’m—I’m a…I haven’t.”

He pulled back as if he’d been shocked. His large eyes looked frantic as he searched my face for clarification.

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