Page 3 of Keeping Promises

“Did you wear that dress for me tonight? Because I’m going to imagine tearing it off your body and devouring you while my hand is wrapped around my cock later.”

Asher’s dirty words and his plans for later have been playing in my head on repeat all night like a broken record ever since I walked away from him at the bar earlier. I didn’t tell him that later I would be thinking of him too as I spent quality time with my pussy posse, the ridiculous name for my assortment of vibrators. Some people like to collect shoes, some people stamps or classic dolls. Me? I prefer to collect sex toys. A good sex life is healthy. The raw and primal lust threaded in his voice sent a new wave of pleasure over my body, imagining if we finally gave in to the temptation, how explosive we could be.

Since the night I officially met Asher Harrington outside of Eiffel Park, a club downtown, there was growing sexual tension between us. He was gorgeous; there was no doubt about it. In fact, ask him and he’ll tell you. Blue eyes that you could easily lose yourself in, freckles dusting his nose and cheeks, and an athletic build that could make anyone want to go out and get a gym membership. When I saw him standing there that night, leaning against his brother’s BMW, he had full-blown Jake Ryan inSixteenCandlesvibes, only I knew better. He’s not the type of man you get the happily ever after with. He’s more of a wham-bam-thank you, ma’am-and never hear from again kind of guy.

He also happens to be the younger brother of my best friend’s fiancé. So that phrase “don’t shit where you eat” is a firm reminder to not jump into bed with him. Don’t get me wrong, I love tormenting him. Maybe it’s even a little bit of foreplay for me? Like tonight, I chose to go with the sexier dress choice knowing that I would be teasing him all night.

The maroon-colored dress matches the same shade painted on my lips, and the laced sleeves expose just the right amount of skin.

For one year, I’ve denied him no matter the countless amount of flirting between us. It’s in our nature to flirt. Neither of us is the relationship type. I tried it with my latest friends with benefits turned boyfriend, Josh, but it ended in heartbreak.

I don’t know if it’s the champagne buzzing through my veins or the dirty promises from Asher’s lips that have me fully ignoring the conversation around me and instead envisioning this must have been what Eve felt like being tempted by Satan with the apple.

There was a time that I truly believed Asher was the devil incarnate. If it wasn’t for him, that douche canoe, aka Dominic “Can’t Keep It In His Pants” Jennings, aka Lexi’s ex, wouldn’t have weaseled his way back into her life and threatened to not only ruin her relationship but ruin her career. But that seems like a lifetime ago because here we are on the rooftop of the downtown Hilton celebrating Ben and Lexi’s engagement.

My gaze wanders around for Asher and finds him by the bar, leaning against the counter, propped up on his elbow, talking with someone I don’t recognize. His eyes meet mine, and a rush of desire goes through me. I’m glad to have selected a dress with long sleeves because they cover the goose bumps that rise on my arms as he keeps his eyes locked on mine.

He brings the glass of dark liquid to his lips, and I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows it down. A small drop of liquid lingers on his lips, and as his tongue darts out to lick it up, I wonder what it would feel like for his tongue to lick up the liquid leaking from my pussy, already ruining my panties.

Just one taste—what could possibly be the harm in that?

“Will you excuse me,” I politely say to Brynn, our other best friend, who is standing beside me and actually paying attention to the conversation at hand.

I make my way through the crowd, saying hello to the guests I recognize and smiling at the ones I don’t. With an added sway to my hips, I walk past Asher. When out of visual range from whoever he is speaking with, I glance over my shoulder, and we lock eyes again. An unspoken moment passes through us for him to follow me.

He leans in, excusing himself before following me behind the black cloth divider into a dark corner away from wandering eyes.

I can feel his eyes on me. It’s now or never. I slowly turn to face him, and the spicy scent of his aftershave hits my senses—cedar and cypress never smelled so delicious.

“Hadley,” he breathes. Even though there is little light where we are hiding, his blue eyes shine with lust.

I step up, pressing my body against his. My pebbled nipples poke him through the padding of my bra, trying to gain attention.

Before I can convince myself that this is a bad idea, I grab the back of his neck and close the distance between us. When our lips first touch, it ignites an inferno in me. One taste and I need more. At any point, someone could walk in on us, but there is a rush to doing something you shouldn’t be doing, like when you steal a cookie from the cookie jar before dinner. You know you shouldn’t do it, but you just can’t help yourself.

When Asher’s tongue plunges into my mouth, seeking mine, all coherent thought leaves my brain. The hotel could be burning down, and all I would want to do is keep kissing Asher Harrington. His skilled hands grip my hips, holding me to him so that I can feel the growing erection in his pants, and because I love torturing him and me, I roll my hips against him, and he emits a low growl that vibrates throughout my body.

“Do you want to get out of here?” he pants when we finally break apart.

I nod, afraid of what my voice might sound like if I actually open my mouth.

“Meet me by the elevators in five.” With one more quick kiss, he adjusts his pants before disappearing. I wait a moment, just in case anyone saw him come back to the party. After I collect myself, I go out in search of Lexi and Brynn to say goodbye.

I can’t find Lexi anywhere. She and Ben have a habit of sneaking off places and fucking in the bathroom. I think it’s some weird thing tied to the night they met. I find Brynn still standing where I left her.

“Hey, I’m heading out.”

Brynn unloops her arm from Cal’s and hugs me. “Okay. Everything okay?”

“Oh yeah, I just have a full day of appointments tomorrow, and I think the champagne finally hit me.” It’s not a total lie.

“You do look a little flushed.”Yeah, I don’t think that’s the champagne that has me all hot and bothered. “Text me when you get home.”

“Will do.” I give her a brief hug and wave to Cal before heading off toward the elevators. When I reach them, Asher is nowhere to be found.Shit, maybe he just wanted to mess with my head, and he changed his mind.

I can’t go back in there now, so I decide to press the elevator button and leave, even if that means alone.

Strong arms wrap around me from behind, causing me to yelp. The erection poking my back tells me that he hasn’t changed his mind. Damn, has he been walking around with that thing this whole time? “Those five minutes were torture. I need to get you home and get inside you.” His hot breath on my neck nearly makes me weak in the knees.

Thankfully the elevator dings, and I pull him inside and press him against the wall, and our lips never lose contact once as the elevator descends.

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