Page 7 of Our Promise
Lorielle rolled her eyes as she grabbed the pint of cookies and cream ice cream from the freezer. She lifted herself up, sitting on the island. She was glad to be off her feet.
“Is it just me or is this shit with Jo and Trey rough? She is taking it hard.”
“Nah, she definitely taking this a lot harder than I thought she would.” Benny agreed as he put the food in the microwave.
Lorielle nodded as she finished the ice cream she just put into her mouth. “The payoff will be worth it, though, right?”
“I hope so.” He looked over his shoulder at her. “Why won’t you tell her?”
She snorted. “Because I can hear her in the back of my head telling me not to be a weak bitch and ruin the surprise.” She giggled.
Benny walked over, and her body stiffened. She was aware of the fact they were pretty much alone. She tried to avoid moments like this at all costs, but now she was in the deep end.
“Relax, I’m just going to help you with your shoes. I know you want some relief.”
He had no idea of the relief she was craving. That’s why she was so tense.
Benny lowered the zipper on one of her ankle boots, slipping it from her foot. He did the same with the other before dropping them to the floor.
“Better?” he asked, resting his hands on her knees.
Tonight, she wore a lightweight, charcoal gray sweater that hung off her left shoulder. It was tucked into a plum, pleated skirt that was pulled to her waist and accessorized with a black belt with gold hardware. The skirt was so short she paired it with a pair of sheer black stockings. They did nothing to reduce the sensation of his touch. If anything, it enhanced it.
“Better.” She cleared her throat. “Thank you.”
“Good.” He moved back to the microwave to get the dip. He prepared his plate then moved over to the island where she sat. He set his plate beside her, and he stood there eating.
“Tell me something, Lorielle…”
“Yeah?” She looked at him as she spooned some of the ice cream in her mouth.
His eyes were on her mouth as she cleaned the spoon. He didn’t speak until she finished, dipping it back into the container for more.
“So why won’t you give me a chance? You know I’ve been wanting you. Is it the age?”
She wasn’t expecting the question at this moment, but she had a feeling it was coming. “I thought we’ve been through this?”
“Refresh my memory.” He motioned with his hand for her to talk as he ate.
“Why? What’s going on with you and Tara?”
Benny became super serious. “My question has nothing to do with Tara, but if you need to hear me say it, we’re done.”
She went back to her ice cream. “I’m sure the two of you will be back together.”
He snatched the container from her hands. “That’s just another excuse for you to put distance between us.” He moved between her legs and placed the ice cream beside her. “You tried the age thing, but we both know my age doesn’t mean shit. I can hold my own whenever, wherever. I own a successful company and run that motherfucka like a boss. You tried the ‘you’re my best friend’s brother’ thing, but that flopped immediately because my sister doesn’t give a fuck. We both grown. So, what do you have to say now?”
Lorielle leaned back, splaying her hands on the counter behind her to create some space between them, though it didn’t do much to simmer the fire that was burning within her. “I don’thave to make excuses. I don’t want to be with you, and I don’t have to explain that to anyone.”
He leaned into her, placing his hands on the counter close to hers. His lips were only a few inches away from hers. He whispered, “Except you do want to be with me.”
“I don’t want to be with anyone.”
Lorielle had done everything by the book. She stayed out of trouble, kept good grades, went to college, and graduated from an elite school. She only had dated one man who was her husband, who took her virginity the night of their wedding. She had done it all right and still got screwed. That was life, though.
She had been angry for years until she met Jo five years ago.
Lorielle had been living it up, downright careless with her life, doing whatever with whoever until Jo. She was on a date with a guy she had just met. She went to the bathroom and Jo had come in to tell her the man she was with had slipped something into her drink. Jo and Trey may have saved her life that day. From that day on, she was more careful, and she had found friends for life.
