Page 92 of False Promises

I inhaled, but it did nothing to cool the anger smoldering inside me.

If only the floor could open up and suck me in.

I pasted a calm mask over my face—or I hoped I had—and led her away.

We were almost at the elevator door when she squirmed out of my grip.

“Don’t touch me, Carter. I’m a big girl. And I’m sure someone here would fuck me since you won’t.” I stood there, numb, about to burst into an inferno, while she lurched back toward the party.

It took a few seconds for me to react. Once I did, I stormed after her and clasped her elbow, pulling her into my arms. Leaning in, I whispered in her ear. “Don’t make a scene here. You’re not in the right state of mind. Now, let’s go.” My words sounded harsh. They gave her no place to argue.

The night was over.

Riley neared me and whispered, “Ed is waiting for you in the car. The hotel manager will meet you downstairs and show you the way through the service entrance. Your ride is parked there.”

“Thanks.”

“You good on your own?”

I could see the worry dancing in his eyes. “Yep. I’ll be fine. I’ll text you later.”

I gave him a final nod and pushed Savannah into the elevator, stabbing the button so the doors closed before she could attempt another escape.

On the way down, I exhaled, trying very hard to keep my fury locked in.

The drive to the hotel took less than ten minutes, but the entire time, I sat rigid as a board next to Savannah, silence permeating the car. My molars would fuse at the way I was grinding my jaws. Suffocated, I unfastened the top buttons of my shirt, hoping more oxygen into my lungs meant chasing away my wrath faster.

In the bedroom of the hotel suite, I helped an intoxicated Savannah settle in bed before retreating to the bathroom. When I caught my reflection in the mirror, I winced. My relationship had taken a toll on me. I could see it now. Dark shadows under my eyes, wrinkles, and the lack of sparks in my gaze confirmed I had to walk away. No way would Savannah Prince ruin my life more than she had already done.

In the confines of the shower, the hot stream relaxed my back muscles and flushed some of my anger away.

The night replayed in my head. I wasn’t built for a life of drama. With my eyes closed, I tilted my head back until it pressed against the glass wall, breathing easier for the first time today. Soon I snapped back to reality when a warm mouth engulfed my soft cock. All of it.

My eyes sprang open.

With both hands, I pushed the now naked Savannah back, but she tightened her clasp on my ass cheeks, with her long fingernails, like claws tearing through my flesh, holding me in place.

“Stop. Why aren’t you asleep? Get away from me.”

It had been fucking long since the last time we touched each other or shared affection.

With both hands, I pushed harder. “Let go of me.”

She tumbled back and finally released me. With a firm grip on her arm, I supported her so she wouldn't crash on her ass.

“Enough. I’m going to bed. Stay away from me.”

She watched me with big eyes as if I’d spoken another language. Her pupils were still dilated, proof she was still high as fuck.

Seconds later, with a towel draped around me, I returned to the bedroom, and after I got dressed—no way would I sleep only in boxer briefs tonight—I grabbed a blanket and a pillow, ready to spend the night on the L-shaped couch in the living room section of the suite that offered a perfect view of Central Park at night.

Restless energy coursed through me. My mind wished I would run a dozen miles to clear my head. My body refused to move, exhausted by the day.

Slowly, my mind lost the battle, and I drifted into an agitated sleep. This time, it wasn’t Jeff’s life I saw through that glass wall, but mine. And it scared the shit out of me.

* * *

The next morning, I tiptoed out of the room, and after I exhausted myself with a run around the park, I showered and met Sam and Riley, who were having breakfast at the restaurant downstairs.