Free The Promise Pact (Promise to Love Book 1) by J. A. Fraser

toy store exploring each section. First, she explored the bedrooms, then the bathroom, then the open den and finally the southern, rustic kitchen. She spun around the charming home and drank in all its warmth.
    “Oh my Max, this is simply wonderful.”
    He watched her become a child in front of his eyes. It was encouraging to see her let her guard down but after the look of disgust on her face the night before, he needed to keep his distance.
    “I’ll place your bags in your room!” He stated without looking directly at her.
    “Thanks, I’ll get started on lunch.”
    ***
    Kaya opened the kitchen window and let in the crisp ocean breeze. Next, she rummaged through the stocked refrigerator and took inventory of its contents so she could decide what to prepare.Fresh seafood, veggies, cheese, and a variety of wines forced a deep growl to escape from her tummy. Taking a quick check of time, she decided to keep it simple and settled on preparing fresh, wild peppered salmon with ginger asparagus. As the food simmered on the burner she grabbed a worn down cutting board from the cabinet so she could prepare some light appetizers for them to munch on. She sliced a few pieces of cheese, popped open a jar of black olives and took out some pesto spread from the cupboard. Finally she poured two glasses of vintage Merlot. She grabbed two small plates and headed to the open deck.
    She stopped dead in her tracks when she caught a glimpse of Max leaning over the balcony looking out into the ocean. His dark jeans curved perfectly on his chiseled rear showing off his muscular thighs.
    Stop looking. Don’t stare. Get back into the kitchen.
    But it was too late, she was already deep in thought as her eyes zoned in on what she was really hungry for, him .
    Her first visual bite was his masculine, defined, broad back. Oh how she loved raking her fingers over his needy flesh the night before. Her eyes then trailed to his tight lower back muscles. Her legs felt weak as she imagined gripping his tight waist, as he moved slowly in and out of her wet being. Next, her eyelids fluttered at the site of his bulging triceps, she knew that muscle well. It was the same one that had lifted her the night before and slammed her on the cold granite countertop. Why couldn’t his fingers come out to touch, tease and play with her now? Finally her eyes were glued to his neck. It was long and lean. Damn, she wanted to pepper small wet kisses on each section, soft and slow, until he shouted her name.
    “Oh, mmm ,” she mumbled. Max King had the physique of a ravenous Roman Gladiator and she was ready for battle. Battle underneath the sheets. Then it happened… Oh shit!
    Max turned and caught her sex hungry gaze.
    She stumbled. Her eyes became wide. Then she cleared her throat so she could speak. “I-I was bringing out some appetizers before lunch is served,” she managed to utter trying to pretend the moment hadn’t occurred.
    He looked away.
    She felt flushed and quickly moved towards the small table sitting on the deck, so she could get control of herself. Unfortunately, Kaya was inexperienced in the art of passionate desire. Having only had few uneventful sexual experiences she didn’t know what was happening to her. As a nurse, she technically knew what an orgasm was but at 33 she had never experienced one.
    “You should sit Kaya, you look a little pale. Ill grab the food.” He said as he walked into the house. She was thankful he didn’t mention the moment.
    Minutes later he reappeared with the delectable treats. Silently, they sipped on the wine and looked out at the ocean. They avoided eye contact until he finally broke the tension.
    “Look, I know you don’t want to be here. I’ve been thinking a lot about this entire situation and I’ve decided we take shifts so we aren’t working on the garden at the same time.”
    “What? Why did you say that Max?”
    “The look in your eyes last night reminded me of the pain I caused you many years