“This is the first day of the beginning.” He breathed against my face with a wicked grin.
“Don’t tear us apart because you feel like you’re suffocating or if I’m expecting too much. Promise to talk to me. Don’t push me away unless you really want to end things, because I don’t have it in me to do the back and forth. Talking our issues out is the only way it’ll work.”
“You have my word.”He grazed the corner of my mouth, lingering for several long seconds. “Any chance you’d consider moving to Houston?”
I sat down on the bed, trying to not let him see the surprise on my face. He followed, sitting next to me. Placing his hand over mine, he dragged it over to his thigh with his fingers intertwined with mine. He was dead serious, and I was screwed, because I’d move that very second if I knew things were going to work, but I couldn’t know that.
“Come on, Avery. The long-distance thing is not going to work. I don’t think you want that either. I need you with me.”
“Can’t you file a request with the state or your parole officer to let you live in a different county?”
“Possibly, though it would make more sense for you to move. It’s not only my parole obligation; my corporate office is also in downtown Houston.”
“I thought you ran everything from your home office.”
He laughed. “I employ thousands of people all over the US, and about a hundred and twenty-five work for me in a high-rise overlooking the Bayou City.”
“How many hotels do you own?”
“Fifty-four.”
“How do you manage the hotels in other states with your restrictions and all?”
“Garrett is my right-hand man, and I named him VP when I purchased my first one in Miami. It’s easier to get a pass to travel about the state, so I usually maintain the ones in Texas. Garrett likes to travel, so it works out well, and I have a strong management team.”
I’d often wondered about Stone’s brothers. Both Garrett and Chad were older than Stone, and equally as hot. When they visited Dovie, all the girls in West Tempie were green with envy because of the eye candy next door.
“What does Chad do?”
“Oil. He works with Dad.”
“How did your parents handle…everything?”
He sighed. “Me with your mother, not so good. They were disappointed, to say the least. I thought me being found guilty after the accident might kill them. I’ll never forget the day they sentenced me and they took me out of the courtroom in handcuffs. Reality sank in and my mother fainted. It was probably the first time in my parents’ lives that they couldn’t buy us out of something.”
“I’m so sorry. It still overwhelms me how someone could have played with all our lives. I mean, maybe it started out as a prank, but as soon as it got out of control, they should have stepped forward and cleared all of our names.”
“It was on purpose, Avery. Every minute of it was planned.” There was certainty in his tone.
I shook my head. “How can you be so sure?”
“I’m expecting the call to confirm it at any time.”
“What are you going to do with the information?”
“Fuck them up, anyone who had a hand in this.”
“Stone, please, just confront them. Let them know you know, but if they have a family, don’t hurt the innocent ones. Picture Savannah if that helps. It was a long time ago. People change. They grow up.”
“You were always the one with the sweet-as-sugar blood inside you.” He paused before adding, “I can’t let it go.”
“Promise me you’ll listen to their side before you do something you can’t undo, and for God’s sake, swear you remember the risk of parole violations.”
He drew my hand to his mouth. “I give you my word, everything is going to be okay.”
“Thank you.”
“Monday morning, I’ll make the call to my parole officer to initiate the process to change my residence. Once it’s approved, I’ll make the announcement and start the move. You and I will find a suitable office for the transition.”
He sounded so businesslike, so matter-of-fact, like this was as easy as deciding dinner plans. It was a maneuver he was willing to make for me, even at the cost of shifting other people’s lives.
“You can’t expect to just uproot people. Is it even possible to run a business in pretty much the middle of nowhere?”
“Whatever it takes, Avery. I’m going to do everything right this time. If I need to come to you, I’ll come to you. The severance will be enough, so don’t worry about the employees. Plus, I have connections to help redirect them to some employment opportunities, for those that stay behind.” His arms slipped around my waist, and he buried his face in my neck.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him close. He smelled like my personal slice of heaven full of sin.
“How’s your headache?”
“Better.”
“I’ll make you something light to eat.”
He held my hand, leading us to the kitchen. The bright sunny morning became even more beautiful, and I silently gave thanks for Stone, for the new beginning, for the hope of something good with us.
“Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I’ll make you some of Gammy’s biscuits.”
“You’re serious?”
He drew out the necessary items like he felt comfortable in my kitchen. Emptying flour from a measuring cup, he gazed at me with narrowed eyes. “You sound surprised.”
“I’ve never found anyone that could make biscuits quite like her, and I haven’t had them in years.”
“Kick back and relax. I’m about to make your mouth water.”
In less than thirty minutes, he set down a pan filled with buttered buttermilk biscuits and two small dessert plates. He poured two glasses of orange juice then slid into the chair across from me.
“If your stomach feels up to it, I’ll make spinach and cheese stuffed chicken breasts for dinner tonight.”
“Do you like to cook or something?”
He nodded. “Or something.”
I bit into the deliciously perfect biscuit. “God, this is good. It tastes just like I remember.”
“I told you. I make them at least once a week.”
“In that ridiculous place you call home—hard to imagine.”
“Next order of business: house shopping. Something Savannah and her hot mom will feel at home in.” He cracked a wide smile and I rolled my eyes.
“I can’t help it. It’s just so sterile and cold, like it’s so frigid, the deadliest of deadly germs couldn’t even survive. It’s like Antarctica. Every time I came over, I’d fear freezing.”
“Come over? Avery, I was talking about us picking out a home and moving in together.”
I stopped chewing and sort of froze. My heart moved to my throat, and I couldn’t formulate a single word. I sipped a swallow of juice, hoping to moisten the dryness. I saw the disappointment brewing in his eyes, but I couldn’t agree to moving in together, not yet. It was too early for a decision like that.
“Give me time, Stone. All along you’ve told me you have issues, and I know you’re doing everything in your power to overcome them, but I have issues of my own—trust issues. It’s not that I don’t trust you.” I tapped my chest. “I know here, you’re a good person, but moving in together is a big step, one I’m not quite ready for.”
He nodded. “Time? You’re asking me to be patient?”
“I’m not asking, I’m telling. I need you to date me.” I reached over, covering his hand with mine, stroking the tops of his knuckles.
He thought long and hard, and I wished I could read his mind. This was one thing I had to stand my ground on.
“So, we’re house hunting for a temporary bachelor pad. I have no other choice than to accept your terms—for now, but don’t think for a minute that we won’t be shopping for a house we’ll eventually be living in together. So, for now, we date.”
“We date.”
“N
ow that all of that is out of the way, Drew—is this someone I need to worry may show up and want to date you as well?”
I had forgotten all about mentioning Drew’s name in my drunken state and started to laugh. “He was a man I danced with, twice, nothing more.”
“Not even a kiss?”
“Not even a kiss.” I left out the part where Drew offered to let me use him in case I needed a jealousy card.
“First the delivery guy, now some cowboy—you have them all eating out of your hand.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re the only one. Even when I didn’t know it myself, you were always the only one.”
“Savannah ever stay the night with your BFF?”
I raised my eyebrows. “Not very often, but she has from time to time.”
“I want to collect on your offer. You owe me a private dance.” He smiled a wicked grin.
“I can make that happen.”
His eyes dilated, hot and dark, flaming with desire. At that moment, they reminded of me of a turbulent storm raging violently to reach the calm, and I remembered how much I loved to chase a wicked storm.
Chapter 24
Stone and I walked Savannah over to Lindsey’s, and when she opened the front door, she smiled, but a look of warning flashed through her eyes as she stared directly at him. I almost grinned at her protectiveness of me. After listening to me carry on about every detail of the latest, I knew she wanted to trust him but held on to lingering doubts. If she’d known the old Stone, there wouldn’t be any questions about his character, and he was worth the fight.
Thankfully she kept her feelings to herself and didn’t spew thoughts mixed with a whole lot of expletives and her signature pointed finger. Hugging her tight, I whispered, “Be happy for me. It’s all going to be okay, I promise.”
She didn’t reply with words, but her giving me a quick squeeze was her way of saying okay. When we turned to leave, she called out, “You guys have a good time.”
Score.
I wanted my best friend’s support. We’d been together through thick and thin, and this meant she was going to try; otherwise she wouldn’t have said a damn thing. I bit back a grin.
“Oh, we’re going to. You can count on it,” I called over my shoulder.
“I don’t think I’m her favorite,” Stone said when we were a few steps away.
“She’s coming around.”
He placed his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close as we walked up the sidewalk. “She’s smart to doubt me. Tonight, I’m going to end our date with a surprise.”
My skin buzzed with the thought of what he had planned, but I also had plans of my own. If he thought he was going to watch me dance with a bedpost, he’d better think again. We were going to my playroom, my comfort zone where I was going to bend like a pretzel in erotic spins, twists, and splits. I was going to show him exactly how my body worked the pole. He was going to get the performance of a lifetime, for his eyes only.
“How ’bout starting with dinner and a movie?”
“Sounds nice, but maybe another time. I’ve already made plans for us.” I shot him a sly grin.
Stone frowned. I’d caught him off guard, and I liked it. He held the front door open, letting me brush by. “And what’s that?”
“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be ready in less than an hour.” I grinned, pulling my bottom lip between my teeth as I strolled past.
“Is this a dress up or jeans affair?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Casual or formal?” His lips were tight. He didn’t want to be dated; he wanted to date. I knew he liked to lead instead of being led, but he didn’t argue, and that scored him some more points.
“I’m wearing a dress, but it’s not formal.” I whirled around, not giving him time to banter about what we were going to wear.
The day had been crazy, but after a few calls and texts, my plan had come together. My body tingled as I thought about the look on his face the moment he saw me on that shiny black stage, dressed like a sex kitten.
My phone chimed as I zipped up the bag concealing all my secrets.
Lindsey: Hope it all works out for you. Just be careful.
Me: I will. I’m happy, Linds. It’s always been him. He’s the one I want.
Lindsey: Knock his lights out. You should go set the DVR so you can get a good look at his face afterward.
Me: Best idea ever. XOXO
Lindsey: Somebody is going to have wild sex tonight ;)
Slinging the mint green and white striped bag over my shoulder, I stole one last glance in the mirror where a plain little Jane stared back at me. With me dressed in a short coral sundress with thin spaghetti straps and matching sandals, he wouldn’t have a clue that in a short while, I was going to pop out of a centerfold. The soft makeup, messy bun, and casual attire would be long gone.
I found Stone leaning against the back of the sofa with his phone pressed to his ear. Feet crossed, he ran his eyes from my head to my toes and back up again. “Thank you for getting back to me…I’ll send the payment once I receive the documents via email…I’ll be in touch.”
He pressed end, keeping his focus on me the whole time. “You’re so damn beautiful, Avery. I’m the luckiest man in the world to get a second chance with you.”
My heart skipped a beat. “You’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself.” I ran my eyes over his pure sexiness. He was dressed in black trousers, a grey designer dress shirt, and shoes that probably cost more than my monthly mortgage payment. “If this is anywhere close to how you dress for the office, I hope your secretary is Dovie’s age so I don’t have to worry.”
A playful gleam twinkled in his eyes. “As a matter of fact, Faye’s in her early sixties. She’s quite beautiful, savvy, and has more class than any other woman there. Her husband happens to be my dentist.”
“I was beginning to think I should be worried.”
“I’m off the market, Avery. There’s this girl that stole my heart long ago, and just thinking about her brings a smile to my face. She keeps me focused, has a witty mouth, and doesn’t take shit from me—never has. She wears the hell out of short dresses, showing off her sexy-as-hell legs without trying, and she has kissable lips I’d spend every dime in my savings to taste over and over again. Tonight, she’s standing in front of me wearing a sweet little dress that I want to peel off. Every man in the world wants to be in my shoes, envies me because you’re my girl.”
He gently kissed the top of my head, drawing his arms around me as if he never wanted to let go. A wicked smile played on his lips and my heart was content. I had to make myself forget about the desire building between my legs, knowing plenty of hot sex was on the horizon.
“Stop tempting me to postpone my surprise.” I pulled out of his arms, putting some space between us.
“Not a chance. I love surprises.” The way he looked at me, boyish and playful, reminded me of a happy time so long ago, and second chances to have it again.
I drew my keys from my handbag. “I’m driving.”
Lines creased around the edges of his eyes and over his forehead. “You can give me directions.”
“Nope, and don’t argue.” I headed to my car without giving him a chance to squabble about it.
Luckily, he didn’t dwell on it and slid into the passenger seat. On the way, we talked about his business, how he got started, and his love for staying at the beach house as often as he could. Because of his low flight risk, good behavior, and past records, his parole office allowed him to travel from Houston to Port Bolivar as long as he let them know in advance.
“I don’t know why you don’t establish your residence there anyway,” I offered.
“I’ve thought about it, but living near the office has always been more convenient.”
“How often do you even go to the office? I mean you’ve been away for a few weeks now, so how important is it for you to go all the time?”
“Faye keeps my itinerary in check. I often work fro
m home.”
“Point made. You could live in coziness instead of that oppressively pristine place you call home. The beach makes you happy.”
He shook his head. “I may have found my ticket to get you to move in with me.”
“Don’t bribe. It’s not nice.”
We chatted more about his parents, Dovie, and his brothers. They had been close growing up and still got together as often as they could, and Garrett had been considering purchasing a home near Dovie’s Sandcastle.
“I hope your family will all forgive me,” I whispered.
“They will, maybe not the day they’re told, but they’ll come around, especially when they see that we’re together and you’re not going anywhere. Things will get easier once they see that we’re happy, that I’m happy, and that we’re a little family of three.”
My heart glowed in happiness. He really wanted this. Us. I loved Stone. I loved him with a vastness I couldn’t put into words.
I pulled into the back parking lot of the building, which looked like a warehouse from the back. On the street side, a neon sign blinked Bombshell Pussycat Club flashed in bright pink colors. Krista’s studio was a workout studio slash entertainment venue. Once a week, it was closed to the public for our class. The other six nights, the place was booked months in advance for private parties, fundraising events, and ‘toy’ parties. Men also booked bachelor parties, securing the hottest dancers to blow their minds with moves on their last outing as a single man.
“What is this?” He looked around the lonely parking lot. We had the back section to ourselves for the night.
“You’ll see.” I led him through the hallway to the first door on the left, which led to a break room, and music vibrated the walls as I hurriedly closed the door behind us. “Wait here. Don’t come out. I won’t be long.”
He seemed hesitant as I pressed one of many buttons on the wall, turning on the music to drown out any noise from the other entertainment areas. He ran his eyes over the hot pink walls and two black round tables with patent leather black chairs. A shiny black refrigerator with a hot pink kitty cat wearing a silver blingy collar and winking its long eyelashes read Beverages for the dolls.
Chasing Wicked (The Mitchell Brothers - Wicked Series Book 1) Page 17
