Promise Me Always by Kari March

evenings, and a private limo for transportation around town for the entire stay. I got slightly giddy thinking that maybe he would take me with him. And then they announced the winning bid amount and all thoughts ceased.
    “With the highest auction amount of the evening, Blake’s generous bid amount of five thousand dollars will help benefit many families affected in the Black Forest Fires.” Holy shit! He paid five thousand dollars for that trip? Where the hell did he get that kind of money? I was in complete shock for the second time that evening. Blake never once acted like he had money. He lived a simple life. I knew he had a good job, but shit! That was a lot of money.
    He made his way back through the crowd while everyone gawked at him. Even Cam was staring at him like his head was spinning. It seemed I wasn’t the only one that thought that was a lot of money.
    “Dude, what the fuck? Where the hell did you get that kind of money?” Cam asked as he slapped him on the back. Well, at least I wasn’t going to have to ask him about it. Thanks, Cam.
    “A couple years ago, my father passed away. He had Devin and me down as his beneficiaries for his life insurance policy. Either this was his fucked up way of apologizing to us, or he forgot he had it and never changed it from when we were actually living with him. Anyway, I don’t usually spend any of it unless it benefits someone else.” He looked down at the floor and ran his hand through his hair nervously.
    I wondered if Cam knew everything about his father. The way Blake was acting made me think he didn’t. Cam started to ask him about it and I decided to try and change the subject. I could tell Blake didn’t want to talk about it.
    “So, where is this after party happening at? I am ready to change out of this dress. These fucking heels are killing me.” I wrapped my arm through Blake’s and rested my head on his shoulder. “Cam, are you guys going to the party, too?”
    “We sure are. We got a room for the night. I am not as rich as Blake, so I couldn’t afford a limo. Have you seen my date though?” Cam smirked mischievously. “There is no way I can wait until we get home to have sex with her,” Cam said, slapping Cara on the ass and she squealed.
    “Shit, Cam, sorry I asked!” I laughed. Blake started to chuckle and I knew I had successfully changed the subject.
    Blake led me through the ballroom and out into the hotel lobby. He pulled me into a corner before we got to the front desk, and slowly turned to look at me, his eyes searching mine. He lightly placed his hands on my shoulders, like he was trying to ensure he had my undivided attention. “Tess, are you sure you want to stay here? It is your call. We can get in the limo now and I can take you home. I’ll do whatever you want to do, baby girl. I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
    I tried my hardest to fight back the laughter. I know he was trying to be a gentleman, but really what did he take me for—a virgin? He knew all too well that I wasn’t. “That’s really sweet, Blake, but I am a big girl and I think I can handle sleeping in the same room with you. I promise, if I ever feel uncomfortable with anything that we are doing, I will have no problem voicing my opinion.” I gave him a sexy smile, hoping he would get the double meaning behind my statement.
    “You promise?” he asked, tilting his head to the side and looking at me with that smile that made me weak in the knees. I was getting the feeling that he understood exactly what I was saying.
    “Always,” I replied as I looked up at him. His dark eyes were staring at me with desire. The movement of his tongue reaching out to lick his lips drew my attention down to his perfect mouth. God, how I wanted to taste him again ! But there was no way I was making the first move. Not again. I noticed his eyes shift down to my mouth and I lightly bit my bottom lip. He slid his hand from my shoulder to the