Pinky Promises
One night. One pinky promise to remember.
Brynn Macallister and Callum "Cal" Murphy have been best friends since before they could walk. His calming touch brings her peace in the stifling society life they've grown up in and grounds her like nothing else can.
When that touch turns to more than comfort, it ignites a fire within Brynn she never knew existed. Suddenly the lines of friendship look a little blurry—and neither of them are ready to go back.
But when Cal's father pushes him toward marriage—to someone else—they're forced to admit there's more between them than they're ready to let go of.
As lies and deceit threaten to unravel them, will they have the strength to overcome it, or will their pinky promises be a thing of the past?
Excerpt
He begins to close the distance between us, forcing me to back up until my back hits the rough bark of a tree. I wince at the scrape against my skin, but Callum doesn’t stop his stalking towards me until he places his palms above my shoulder on the bark, caging me in.
“Truth or dare?”
“It’s not your turn,” I tell him, watching his eyes dilate as I swallow thickly. Being pressed against Cal typically feels like coming home, yet it feels completely new. He’s no longer the man I’ve known since birth but a total stranger I feel a strong attraction to. Then again, he’s never had me pressed up against a tree like this either.
“I don’t give a fuck. Pick one, Brynn. Truth or dare?” My fingers claw at the bark, trying to keep me from falling—both physically and figuratively. The intensity in his eyes has the word dare leaving my lips without a second thought. I let out a small gasp in shock, but my mind also wonders what he will do next.
“I dare you to admit that something is happening between us,” his gaze never leaves mine. There is a brief ache in my chest. His words tangle their way between the arteries and veins, making a direct line to my heart.
“What if I don’t,” I lower my voice in hopes of hiding the tremble. My fingers tingle with the need to reach out and touch him, but instead, I dig them even further into the tree, not caring that I'm ruining my manicure.
“That’s not how this works, Brynn.” The hairs on the back of my neck rise in anticipation.
“I change my answer to truth,” I hold my breath waiting for his next move.
“Fine.” He leans in, his lips just a hairbreadth away. “What would you do if I kissed you right now?” The heat radiating off his body and his whispered breath against my skin have me ready to burst up in flames. “Would you stop me?” I’m so lost in the moment to mention that there were more than two questions. The rules of the game be damned.
He bends down and runs his nose along my neck—my pulse beating erratically. Nervousness and anxiety quickly overpower me as I close my eyes.
“I…I…” my mouth parched, yet my panties are suddenly damp with arousal.
“You what?” He lowers his voice into a hushed tone matching my own.
Cal is just inches from my face when I open my eyes, close enough to feel his breath on my lips. All it would take is a light breeze, and my lips would be on his. What would his lips feel like on mine? Would he pull away once our lips touch? Would he slip his tongue into my mouth? What sort of kisser is he?
This is all just too much. I feel the panic begin to set in.
“I should go.” I quickly dip under his arm, escaping the Callum Murphy spell I was just under before we both did something we might regret tomorrow. I grab the straps of my shoes and rush down the path to my suite, ignoring him shouting my name behind me.