The Promise (Wolfe Creek Duet #2)

20

WESLEY

“I’m adding ten pounds to each side today,” I tell Thea as I grab a plate, then place it on the bar. Grabbing another ten, I walk around the weight bench and slide it on the opposite side. She’s lying on her back, waiting for me to finish, so that I can spot her.

When we first started our workouts, she’d argue anytime I tried to push her harder. Now, she accepts it because she knows she can do it. And if she fails today, she’ll succeed tomorrow.

Standing behind Thea, I watch her relax her body before she presses her shoulders and upper back to the bench while arching up the middle of her back. Her knuckles are white, gripping the metal bar.

“Ready?” I hover my hands just below the bar, there to help if she struggles.

She nods, then lifts the bar off the rack. Her arms shake a little as she lowers it to her chest. I encourage her as she powers through wanting to quit until she’s lifted the bar all the way back up. “Again,” I instruct. She does it three more times before her arms nearly give out beneath the weight.

“Fuck,” she pants out. I chuckle, knowing that feeling all too well.

“You did great.” I run my fingers over her bicep. “I’m seeing the difference already.”

She sits up, giving me a doubtful look. “It’s only been a couple of weeks.” She looks down at her arm, trying to see what I see. She’s too critical of herself. We all are.

Leaning over, I give her a peck. “You’re doing good. Just keep going.” She grabs my shirt and pulls me back to her, trying to deepen the kiss. I want Thea. I never don’t want her, but I’ve been off my game lately. “How’s the property coming along? I mean, I know it’s only been a couple of days. Damian said he sent dozens of workers out there yesterday.”

She lets me go and chugs some water before answering. “It’s going good. A lot faster than I expected, actually. It’s still a lot to juggle with the clients I have booked and helping Cass with her wedding.”

“I’m sure. That sounds like a lot. Need my help with anything?”

Thea raises an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m sure you’d love to come wedding dress shopping. And picking out the perfect flowers at the florist.” Jokes on her—I’d totally do all of that. Better than what I actually have going on.

“Listen, I have killer taste and Cassie would be lucky to have me help her choose between a mermaid or an A-line cut. I also know the best florist in town, and I’m sure he could get me a great deal on peonies.” Her jaw goes slack. That was probably a mistake. No guy should know that much about wedding shit. I roll my eyes. “It’s not that big of a deal. Plenty of guys are into weddings.”

“You’re into weddings?” She questions suspiciously.

I admit, “I mean not like in a weird way. I’ve had clients who were planning their weddings and when you’re on a four-hour hike, that’s the only thing to talk about sometimes. You can only talk about the weather so much.” I run a hand through my hair. “But I mean, yeah… there was a time when I thought about marriage and all that.”

It’s not something any of us talk about. It wouldn’t really work in our dynamic when, legally, only one of us could marry the woman we’re dating. Screw legality, though. Commitment ceremonies are a thing. So yeah, I’ve thought about going all out and having a ceremony one day for the woman I love, even if she’s also with my brothers. I feel my cheeks heat at these thoughts. Fuck, she’s going to see that.

I meet Thea’s sparkling blue stare. She’s smiling sweetly. “That’s really nice, Wes.” Then her smile falls. “I’m sorry it’s not as easy as that these days.” Her hand reaches out and I take it. My thumb brushes over the spot where a ring would rest. I wonder if she’s giving up that dream by being with us.

“Did you ever want to get married? Is that something you want?”

Her gaze drifts elsewhere, but comes back quickly. “I think a long time ago I thought it was important. But I don’t know if I actually thought it was important or if I felt that way because it’s the norm. These days, it doesn’t cross my mind. I’m happy with how things are and I don’t have any question of the commitment all of you have with me. This is good for me.”

I’m not sure whether I’m relieved that she doesn’t expect marriage because that may not ever be a possibility with us or sad that I may never have that with her. I stop the thought as soon as it hits me. We’ve only been dating a few months—marriage shouldn’t even be crossing my mind.

Thea leans in and kisses me again. I know she wants more. I feel like an asshole.

“What’s wrong, Wes? Things don’t feel the same lately? You didn’t even catch me in the haunted house. You know I can’t outrun you.”

My throat bobs. I can’t tell her why I’ve been distant. I’m not sure anyone would understand.

My past came rushing back in the day we picked up Adrian and not just because of my brother. That message I got in the car threw my entire world off its axis. She’s all I’ve been able to think about and I can’t tell Thea that. I’m still trying to figure it all out myself.

“Nothing’s wrong, I promise.” I hate lying to her. “I’ve just been distracted by work lately. I’m sorry.” I cup the backs of Thea’s knees and slide her forward on the bench. “Let me,” I say as I kiss over her neck before continuing, “make it up to you.” I sink my teeth into her shoulder.

Her fingers dig into my thighs instinctively as she arches her body toward me. I need to give her something. I’m happy to do it.

Standing, I wrap my hands around her waist. Her legs wrap around me and I carry her to my room.

THEA

Wesley and I bounce off the walls as we undress each other on the way to his room. His mouth is hot and urgent against mine. His fingers grope me roughly, making me gasp with every touch.

He pushes me into the bathroom—my body hits the glass shower wall so hard I think it might shatter. “Stay,” Wes commands as he lets go of me and my feet hit the floor.

My breath comes fast. This is what I’ve been needing from him. I watch him turn on the water. It isn’t until the steam is billowing across the bathroom floor that he pulls me in. Hot water pours over my hotter skin. I hardly have time to enjoy it as Wes pushes me into the cold tiled wall.

He kisses me hard, pulling away with my lip between his teeth. The sharpness of his bite makes me wince and when he lets go, I taste blood. It sets me on fire.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him down to me and lick over the skin of his neck before clamping down as hard as I can. His fist hits the wall next to my head. I laugh against his skin, then I feel his chest vibrate with laughter, too.

“So fucking feisty.” His voice comes out low and rough. Warmth pools between my legs, making the throb of my clit match the throbbing of my split lip.

“You started it,” I retort as I stare up at him with innocent doe eyes. I know he doesn’t buy it, but for a second I see his eyes soften before he remembers I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

He grins devilishly. “I’m also going to end it.” I’m about to ask what that’s supposed to mean when he dips his head and takes my nipple between his teeth.

Wes bites down just enough to make my moan dance between pleasure and pain. He releases me and moves to the other, but this time, he bites down on the top of my tit so hard that I know it’ll leave a bruise.

I yelp. Grabbing him by his hair, I yank his head back so our eyes meet. He smirks, my flesh still between his teeth. “Animal,” I grate out.

He lets go, flicks his tongue over the imprint he’s left, and corrects me. “Wolf.”

I look down at him, not amused, then grip his chin roughly. “Fine, sit boy.” My mouth tugs into a smirk as I watch a series of emotions play over his face. Outrage, confusion, and then something akin to bashfulness.

Then he listens. Sinking down to the floor, he folds his legs beneath his body. Him listening to my command sends a rush of power through me that makes the tension in me coil tighter.

“What now, blue eyes?” Wes’ hands slide down my belly, rest on my hips briefly, before coming to my thighs. The red gems of his ring catch my attention briefly, then he lifts my leg over his shoulder and I’m drawn back to him. I can’t think of anything to tell him. “This?” I stare as his mouth kisses over my leg, sending little electric waves of excitement through me. Each agonizing touch making me impatient.

I nod. “Yes,” I say in a desperate whisper.

I run my hands through his hair, urging him to put his mouth where it really matters. However, he doesn’t let me rush this. He pulls away momentarily, letting me know he’s in control. I’m not sure whether to be grateful or bitter that he has so much restraint. “Not so commanding now, are we?”

Resting my head against the wall, I huff in frustration, mostly because he’s right. My power over him is fleeting. Instead of trying to take it back, I savor every touch, letting the anticipation build.

He must be satisfied with my obedience because, finally, I feel the first lick of his tongue, making me gasp. Looking down, I watch as his mouth covers me and his deep brown eyes peer up at me, taking in my reaction.

“Wes,” I pant out in a needy whine. I push myself closer to him, eager to be consumed entirely. And he doesn’t disappoint.

He alternates between sucking and licking, pushing me to the edge until my body shakes uncontrollably. Only when he’s brought me close a handful of times just to back off does he give in. Wes slips two fingers inside of me, teasing me from inside and out until I’m clenching around him, screaming his name.

My feet slip against the wet tiles. He throws a hand out, gripping my throat and forcing me to stay upright as I ride out my climax and he feasts on fruits of his labor. I can hardly breathe against his hold, but something about that makes me come a second time.

I can hardly stand by the time I come down from the euphoria. My legs shake and I’m only upright because of Wes’ hold. He pulls back from me, looking thoroughly satisfied, then gently lowers me to the floor to recover.

The earlier workout and now this one has me weak. So he washes my body and hair, taking his time to scrub every inch of me while peppering me with kisses.

Wes wraps me in a towel and sets me on the toilet lid, then starts brushing his teeth. “Don’t forget your meds,” I remind him. It’s as much of a reminder to him as it is to me. I need to get back to my room and take my birth control.

His phone dings.

He spits into the sink, rinses his mouth, and swallows down his pill. “Thank you,” he says, smiling and kisses me.

“I’m going to get dressed. See you upstairs?”

He nods just as his phone dings again.

I turn to leave, hugging the towel tighter to me. It’s not the same , I tell myself. Besides, I have something more pressing to worry about. I’m not eager to have the conversation I’ve been rehearsing in my head for the last couple of days, but it’s now or never.