Promise Me

“Not yet.” His warm breath fans my face, so I know he’s standing right in front of me.

“Vaughn.”

“Patience, beautiful.” He gently grips my shoulders and turns me around. “This is so you aren’t tempted to peek. Give me thirty more seconds.”

“Ohh-kayyy.”

He rustles around his bedroom, giving no obvious clue to what he’s surprising me with. When he’d asked me to stay the night with him, I’d immediately said yes. When he’d said he had something for me, I’d said bribery wasn’t necessary. He’d laughed. God, I want to listen to his laugh every single day.

“All right. It’s ready. Turn around and open your eyes.”

I’m a little disoriented as I attempt a one-eighty, but I think I’m looking toward his bed. Maybe he’s sprawled out naked? Ready and waiting for me to do whatever I want with his body? My legs shake at the thought before I blink the room into focus. I am facing his bed, but it’s not Vaughn leaning against it. My breath catches.

The drawing of the three young girls is propped up with pillows. Will’s painting is here!

“Oh my God.”

Vaughn smiles. “Surprise.”

“How did you…when I went to…” I walk closer, my adoration moving from the picture to Vaughn. “I was secretly hoping to buy this and was disappointed when I found out someone had already purchased

it. How did you know?” I hadn’t told anyone how much I loved this piece of artwork. I wasn’t sure what the protocol was and didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by buying one student’s work over another.

“I watched you.”

I shift my gaze back to the lifelike dog being held in such a loving way by his owner. Vaughn’s words thrill me and make me nervous. It’s been a long time since a guy has paid such close attention to me.

I’m reminded of Mason and the Winnie the Pooh quote he gave me, and the guilt that still lingers deep in my heart rises closer to the surface.

Vaughn traces a finger up my bare arm. “I watched you from across the room when you stood in front of this drawing like you were seeing two friends. I bought it for you right after that and asked Candace to keep it a secret.”

“Thank you. I love it.”

“I love this.” He touches the corner of my mouth. “It looks good on you.”

“What? My lip gloss?” Am I still wearing any? My breath catches in my throat for some crazy reason.

“Your smile, Kendall. I love seeing you smile.”

Tears sting my eyes. I fling my arms around his neck and kiss him. He kisses me back with equal enthusiasm, but eases away too soon and smooths his hands down my hair. “You know, Nigel had an excellent idea tonight.”

I blink, trying to follow his sudden shift in conversation. “Did he?”

“Uh-huh.” He leans in and kisses me again—just one firm kiss—before adding, “He said a smart lad finds a way to mix some fun with the work. It just so happens you’re my favorite type of fun. Will you make me a smart lad, Kendall?” He follows that up with another, longer kiss, which only succeeds in scrambling my brain.

When my mouth is mine again, I do my best to respond to his question, even though I don’t understand what he’s asking of me. “I’d do anything for you—”

“Fly to San Francisco after work tomorrow,” he says quickly. “Spend the weekend with me. My shoot may take up most of Saturday, but you can come along, or enjoy a spa day at the hotel, shopping in the city, or a little of everything. Saturday night and Sunday will be all ours. We can sight-see, or order room service and spend the entire time in bed. Whatever you want. Just don’t make me go two long days without this smile.”

He touches the corner of my mouth and I realize I’ve done it again. I’m grinning and completely unable to say no to this man. “You are a smart lad,” I manage, before he kisses the rest of my acceptance right out of my smiling mouth.

Kissing leads to shedding clothes. Naked bodies leads to twisted sheets and salty skin.

Not to mention a perpetual smile.

If only it could last.

Chapter Twenty-One