A Promise Kept by Anissa Garcia

would she wait on lust? You have to act on that, Grace,” Zach tried to joke.
    “Her book, moron,” Evan corrected him. “Congrats, Grace!” Everyone in the group cheered.
    “I think that calls for dancing!” Grace yelled as they went toward the small stage set up with a local band playing. She dragged Evan behind her as they all went toward the packed dancefloor.
    She stumbled and he reached out, his hands clasping her hips as she turned. “Seriously, SWAT man, I’m okay.”
    He smiled, letting his arms wrap around her. He pulled her against him and let his lips touch her ear. “You can’t walk for shit in those boots, Gracie Lynn.”
    The music was so loud it was difficult to hear and all he wanted was to be in an intimate spot with her, kissing her, hearing her whimper in pleasure. He could feel the silk of her hair brush against his cheek as he leaned down. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she let their bodies grind to the music.
    He could feel every inch of her pressed against him, and it was heaven and hell combined. His hands roamed her body, one moving to the small dip of her back as he tugged her closer to him. Their legs entwined as the beat picked up and the lights twirled. He was getting lost to her until she almost fell. His hands held her up.
    “I’m dizzy!” she yelled near his ear.
    He nodded and told Grace to wait as he strode to Marla and informed her he was taking Grace back home. Marla looked to her friend and nodded, giving a thumbs up as she danced with Ryan.
    “Come on, Gracie. We’re heading home.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you’re drunk.”
    “So?”
    They careened through the crowd and made their way to the shuttle as he texted Zach and Josh. “Slow down, daddy long legs, I said I’m dizzy.”
    “Sorry, babe. How much did you have to drink anyway?” he asked as he held her against him.
    She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Twenty.”
    “Twenty drinks?”
    “Ounces. Possibly. Is that a lot?” She joked as he led her toward the shuttle. “Honestly, I don’t really know what I’m saying.”
    He helped her sit and grabbed a bottle of water that they had purposefully stocked. “Here, drink this.”
    “You’re so prepared, agent.” She grinned as she attempted to twist the cap off. “I can’t do it.” She threw the bottle at him and laughed as he easily opened the top for her. “Thanks. You’re so strong. And manly.” He watched her with his eyes alight as she gulped the water and then continued. “Do you purposefully wear those tight shirts? Like so you can show off those hunky muscles?”
    He froze as she ran her hand over his bicep. He loved feeling her touch and couldn’t imagine it ever stopping. “I don’t think about what I wear most of the time. I have clothes that get sent to me.”
    “Pshhhh…lucky bastard. You have money to shop but get everything free.” Her wandering eyes moved from his eyes to his mouth. She gently let her fingertip trail over his bottom lip. “And you’re really handsome, but you must be told that all the time. All those women chasing you.”
    His smile grew as he grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. “It’s nicer when it’s said by someone you care about.”
    She drew closer to him, her breathing amplified as she stared at his lips. “You always know what to say, Mr. Matthews. So suave, so perfect.”
    He had no words, because she was on him in a second when she grasped the back of his neck and pulled him close. Nothing existed around him except her. Not the music that filled the busy streets, nor the rattling of the engine that drove them home. God, if he were drunk this whole situation would be fair. They’d both be inebriated and chalk it up to a crazy night. But this wasn’t just anyone. This was the girl who had invaded his every single waking thought for the past month.
    Her mouth roamed his, and for a moment, he got caught up; her soft lips tasting of whiskey and honey. The sweetness invading him was