Paxton's Promise (Gloves Off #3)(4)

Eyes blurry, I ran smack dab into a wall and almost fell over, but a set of hands grabbed onto my arms, keeping me in place. Once stable, the guy let me go and I quickly rubbed my eyes and looked up at him. It definitely wasn’t a wall I ran into. On the contrary, it was a tall, young man—a few years older than me—with ash blond hair and chocolate brown eyes. He was shirtless and sweaty, with blue running shorts hanging low on his hips.

“I am so sorry,” I apologized. “I should’ve watched where I was going.”

“No problem. I’m glad I could help. My name’s Cliff,” he replied, holding out his hand. “I just moved in upstairs a couple of days ago.”

Taking his warm hand, I shook it and let go. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Gabriella. I live upstairs too.” I started up the steps and he followed alongside me.

“Not that it’s any of my business, but are you okay?” he asked. “You look upset.”

“It’s never easy when you end a relationship.”

We were already to the second floor and he kept going to the third. He must be my neighbor. “Trust me, I know how that goes. I just got back from a tour in Iraq and came home to find my fiancé f*cking another man—in our bed.”

“Ouch,” I muttered. That had to suck ass. My situation was nowhere near as bad as his. “So you’re in the military?” My eyes couldn’t help but roam over his perfectly toned muscles. He was definitely built to be a fighter.

“I was,” he answered, grinning over at me. “I decided not to reenlist. Once I got home and realized everyone’s lives had moved on while I was away, I decided to pack my shit up and move. I like it better here anyway.”

We finally got to my door and I stopped. “Well, this is me,” I said.

“And that’s me,” he countered, pointing to the door diagonal to mine. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear me moving in this week.”

“I wasn’t here. I was visiting my friends at their cabin.”

“Ah, I see. Well, Gabriella, it was nice meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you around.” He turned to walk off, looking over his shoulder and smiling before opening the door to his apartment.

I had a freaking hottie for a neighbor. Too bad he did nothing for me. My traitorous body wanted what I didn’t want it to have. And I definitely wasn’t going to give in.





IT WAS ALREADY Sunday, and I had no clue what time he would be at my place. I resolved myself to face the facts . . . I needed to get ready. What would’ve been a twenty minute packing job took me almost three hours. I wanted to kick myself in the ass when I questioned every single thing I put in my suitcase. I shouldn’t care what I looked like in front of Paxton, but I did. I hated myself for it.

My phone buzzed and I couldn’t help feel it was fate texting.



Paxton: Be there in ten.

Me: Yippee…

Me: Why can’t I just drive to your house?

Paxton: This way I know you can’t run.



The more I convinced myself I didn’t want to go, the more I’d believe it. If I kept pounding that idea in my head, I would eventually have to think it was true, right?

Opening the refrigerator, I opened a bottle of wine and chugged it. I only got in a few gulps before Paxton knocked on the door. I strolled over to the door and opened it wide, bringing the bottle to my lips. His eyes went wide and he let out a deep belly laugh. I didn’t see what was so funny.

“I’m turning into an alcoholic over this shit. You might want to rethink your terms,” I grumbled.

Coming inside, Paxton took the bottle from my hands and placed it on the counter. He was dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a neon green T-shirt that looked amazingly hot on his tanned skin. Fuck, I need more wine.

“Not going to happen, sunshine. If you resort to binge drinking I know just how to sober you up. Or better yet, drink more and maybe it’ll loosen you up. I’m sure we could have a little bit of fun. Your boyfriend would hate it though.” By the smirk and the lustful look in his eyes, I knew what he had in mind. No more alcohol for me . . . unfortunately. “I trust you handled that situation already?”

Gritting my teeth, I rolled my eyes and nodded. “You have nothing to worry about. He’s gone.”

“For good?” he asked, wide-eyed.

“Can we not talk about it?” I snapped. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the smug bastard smile.

“Sure thing, sunshine. I would be more than happy to not talk about your douchebag ex, it leaves room to do other things. In fact, I think I know what’ll help. Is that what you’re bringing to my house?” he asked, nodding toward my three suitcases sitting on the floor.

I waltzed over and lifted the handle to one of them. “Yes, this is it. And how exactly do you think you’re going to help?”

“You’ll see.”

“The only way you could make me happy is to let me stay home. Trust me, you’ll probably hate me once this month is over.”

Before I could get out the door, he blocked it with his arm and leaned over, his warm breath fanning across my neck. “Fighting this will only make it worse, Gabby. You can lie all you want, but I can always tell when you’re not giving me the truth.”