Page 52 of A Promise For Tomorrow

Diego handsme my coffee while getting back into the black Range Rover. We made a pit stop at my favorite coffee shop near Killian’s before heading out to Long Island. He offered to go in, saying he knew the owner. I’ll have to remember to ask him if he can talk to the owner about Kira, my favorite barista. Maybe he can help keep her employed.

Knowing Diego, he’ll make it happen.

Ten minutes later, he's on the phone booking us a hotel. Mr. Romantic thought it would be best to grab a cozy hotel by the water. I’m familiar with it. The one overlooking the Long Island Sound and ferry terminal. What’s better? It’s not far from Dad’s.

I tried to suggest he stay back at the hotel while I’m gone, but with everything going on, he refused to leave my side. Secretly, after everything that’s transpired, I don’t want to be alone. Which means he’ll drive me and wait in the car before we head to the hotel for the rest of the night.

Diego remaining in the car isn’t up for debate.

He has to.

It’s bad enough Mikayla is already on my case. What a shitshow it would be to have to introduce him to them. Could you imagine?“Hey everyone…this is Diego, my husband. He’s currently hiding his identity as he is the underworld’s finest.”

I’m sure that would go over well.

“What’s got you all worked up over there?” Diego interrupts the hypothetical scenarios running rampant through my brain. My face scrunches at the visual of my father turning all different shades of red. His hand lands on my thigh as he traces circles with this thumb.

“Just thinking of all the things that need to get done in Arizona. All the loose ends I need to tie up in order to come home for good.” My teeth clamp down on my bottom lip, knowing it’s a concern of mine but not the current one.

“Lexi already agreed to pack your stuff and Conor is going to help her ship everything here. What are you worrying about,baby?” He removes his hand to collect his coffee, taking a sip. I can’t help but stare at his throat, watching it work as he swallows.

It’s hot as fuck.

Everything about this man is hot as sin.

“She’s got a lot going on with the wedding planning and wrapping up PA school. She doesn’t need to be burdened with cleaning up my stuff,” I admit.

“Why is it so hard for you to let anyone help you, Madison? You help everyone all the damn time. At what point will you allow people to do the same for you?” The frustration in his voice is clear as he sips his coffee. The aromatic scent of dark roast mixes with that of leather. His coffee sloshed over the lid as he was placing it back in the cup holder.

“I guess if it was a problem she wouldn’t have offered,” I concede, sopping up the liquid with a napkin. I bring my steaming cup to my lips and take another generous sip as we speed down the highway.

“There we go.” His hand lands back on my thigh, fingertips toying with the inner seam of my yoga pants. “Such a strong-willed woman,” he tuts. “Let people help you. There is absolutely no shame in that. Let go of that need for control once in a while.”

I take another healthy sip, savoring the feel of his strong hand on my thigh and the delicious coffee evoking life back into me.

“I offered Conor and Lexi the island to host their bachelorette and bachelor party. Liam was talking with them over breakfast. They seemed pretty confident about wanting a Jack and Jill. Will it be triggering for you to head back there?” he asks cautiously.

My hand wraps around his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Not if I’m with you. Plus, I lived there for six months after your little Houdini trick.” I roll my eyes at him and he catches it in his peripheral.

His grip on the steering wheel tightens until his knuckles turn white. “After you get back to the hotel, you are going to regret rolling your eyes at me. You knowexactlywhat that sass does to me. I’m beginning to think you do it on purpose,Mariposita. Like you enjoy provoking the monsters under this skin,” he rasps, arching his eyebrows suggestively.

“And so what if I do?” I goad before taking a sip of my coffee in the most nonchalant, bratty way.

“Baby, you havenoidea what you’re unleashing.”

“You want me to let go of control? It’s all yours tonight,” I state boldly while throwing in a flirtatious wink. My core clenches in anticipation. If my orgasm this morning was any indication of where my head is at, I am more than ready to hand over my control to him. In fact, I’m looking forward to the kind of pleasure I’ve yet to experience—the kind I know he is capable of drawing out of me.

I stepout of the shower back at the penthouse. Lainey was out of the house when I got back. Her project of the day was to shop with Selena for ingredients to make some organic teething biscuits for Kian.

Towel drying my hair, I take a seat at the edge of the bed and unplug my phone from the charger.

Ryan

Cleaners and landscapers have thoroughly taken care of the property. It’s all set for your next arrival, boss.

I send out a quick reply of thanks, knowing not a trace of what went down will be found. My thumb scrolls the screen as I check out more of my messages.

Conor

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