Everything I Want (The Everything Series Book 3)

by A. K. Evans

  “You okay?” he asked in greeting.

  “I’m fine. I just got to my studio,” I answered.

  “Thanks for calling me back.”

  “I knew you’d send in a search party if I didn’t.”

  “It’d be a hell of a way to get us to come out and visit you because you know we’d be the search party, right?”

  I took in a breath and let it out. I had to smile into the phone. I loved how much my family, particularly my brothers, cared for me. “I know,” I said softly.

  “I’ll let you get back to your studio then. Stay safe, kid.”

  “I will. Thanks, Vaughn.”

  I disconnected the call and set my phone down. I still had about fifteen minutes before the delivery guy was scheduled to arrive so I took to getting my stereo set up. Dancing was my life and if I was going to be spending the next couple of weeks sprucing up the place and putting my personal touch on it I needed to have music. I was hoping I’d be able to officially open for business within the next two or three weeks, but I was one person needing to paint the entire space plus add mirrors in all four of the rooms, and a barre in at least two of the rooms. This, of course, didn’t include the chairs, coffee table, end tables, and decorative pieces I needed for the reception area and throughout the rest of the space. I also wanted to replace the toilets because, well, I was just weird about stuff like that.

  I got my stereo set up and popped in a CD, but kept the volume low so that I’d hear the delivery guy come in when he arrived. I walked through my new space. It had, amazingly enough, beautiful light wood floors throughout that were perfect for my usage. The front reception area was spacious and would allow for lots of seating for parents who stayed while their children were getting lessons. I had four separate rooms for teaching dance, which I intended to decorate based on the type of dance I’d want to do in each room. The colors and feel of the rooms needed to be such that they’d only add to the beauty of each and every piece into which my dancers would pour their heart and souls.

  As I stood in the middle of one of the rooms I heard the door chime notifying me that someone had walked in. Finally, the delivery guy was here and I could start making this place my own. I turned around and walked out of the room. I made my way down the hall and began talking before I even made it out into the reception area.

  “I’m coming. I was just down here at the back of the…Oh,” I stammered and halted in my tracks. Stone was standing in my reception area. “I’m sorry. I thought you were the delivery guy.”

  He shook his head indicating that he was not, in fact, the delivery guy. I stared at him. Damn, he made me weak in my knees. Unfortunately, now he also made me want to run and hide.

  “Need your keys,” he said.

  My brows drew together.

  “I have your tire fixed and want to get it back on the car,” he explained.

  “Wow. That was fast,” I began as I walked over to my purse. “How much do I owe?”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Don’t worry about the cost,” he repeated.

  “Okay, so should I just stop down to the garage and pay them?” I wondered, pulling the keys out of my purse.

  “You should definitely not do that,” he started. “I already took care of it. I said not to worry about the cost.”

  He took care of it?

  “You can’t pay to fix my tire,” I insisted.

  “Monroe, it’s the least I can do right now considering I was dick to you a couple weeks ago.”

  Fuck. There it was. Now I really did want to run and hide. Fortunately or, maybe, unfortunately, I heard the chime again. Saved by the delivery guy.

  “Delivery for Miss Archer,” he announced.

  “That’s me,” I claimed, walking over to him.

  “Need you to sign this and then I’ll bring everything in,” he explained as he stretched out his arm to hand me a clipboard with a piece of paper attached to it.

  “Sure.”

  Stone immediately took it out of his hand and advised, “How about you bring everything in and then she signs once she’s certain everything is here?”

  The delivery guy looked to Stone and, for a moment, I thought he was going to say something, but he must have realized that Stone could easily mop the floor with him. At that, the delivery guy nodded and went back out to get my supplies. I stood there motionless.

  “Don’t ever sign for something without making sure they’ve actually delivered what you’ve purchased. It’d be very easy for them to take advantage of you,” he cautioned.

  I swallowed and nodded my head. “Noted.”

  He held his hand out and reminded me, “Keys?”

  I gave him the keys and he handed me the clipboard. He then turned and walked out the door. I watched him as he walked back out into the cold, knowing he was going out there to do something for me. On that thought, I felt warmth spread through my body.

  I stood and waited while the delivery guy and another worker who was with him came in and out of the studio bringing in my two new toilets, several five-gallon buckets of paint, a refrigerator, and all the necessary tools for painting. They also brought in my mirrors. Lots and lots of mirrors. Once they had everything inside, I confirmed it was all there and signed the paperwork for the delivery guy as Stone walked back in. The delivery guy took the clipboard and left.

  Stone handed me my keys and confirmed, “Truck is all good.”

  “Thank you. I’m completely unimpressed with it thus far.”

  His brows drew together.

  “That enormous vehicle out there,” I went on, pointing toward the front door. “I had to get rid of my baby that I drove back in California so that I’d be able to survive the weather out here. Needless to say, I’ve owned the thing just barely over a week and it leaves a lot to be desired.”

  “The flat tire doesn’t haven’t anything to do with the vehicle. You know that, right?”

  I dipped my chin in acknowledgement. Was he going to lecture me on this, too? It wasn’t that I believed this was a bad vehicle; I just missed the Boxster.

  “It’s a good vehicle for the snow. What did you have to give up?”

  I took in a deep breath and let it out. “My Porsche. I miss it so much and it hasn’t even been that long. I loved driving that thing around. This monstrosity is just…ugh, I don’t even know the word to describe it.”

  His head tilted to the side and he looked at me funny, but said nothing in response.

  He turned his gaze from me, looked around the reception area, and asked, “You have someone coming to help you with all this?”

  I shook my head. “I mean, I’m sure the girls will come over and help me here with painting if I ask, but I didn’t ask them to come this weekend since it was a bit last minute.”

  “New toilets?” he began. “I thought you were leasing the place?”

  “I am, but I wanted new toilets so I sprung for them. The landlord didn’t have a problem with it.”

  “Do you have a plumber coming to install them?” he questioned me.

  “Not yet. That was first on my list today. I’m just hoping I’ll find someone who can do it for me soon.”

  “Don’t call anyone; I’ll do it for you,” he offered.

  “You know how?” I confirmed, shocked at this news.

  He nodded.

  “It’s really okay, Stone. I appreciate your help with the tire today, but I can’t ask you to install the toilets here.”

  “You didn’t; I offered. I’ll help you this morning with whatever is next on your list and when we go out for lunch we’ll get the tools needed so I can change the toilets for you.”

  “I’m sorry. What?”

  “Did you not hear me or are you confused about something?”

  “You are talking about helping me and going out to lunch. I’m sure you’ve got plenty of other things you could be doing right now not to mention that the last time I saw you, well, you w
eren’t exactly thrilled to be around me.”

  He shook his head. “Didn’t have anything important planned this weekend. And, I told you a little while ago that I was a dick to you at Emme’s party. You didn’t deserve it and I’m trying to make it up to you.”

  Every time he brought it up I felt more and more humiliated; though, I guess this time I was the one who brought it up. My eyes welled up as I recalled finishing the song that night, looking to him, and seeing him walk out of the saloon like it was nothing…like I was nothing. I turned my head away from him and begged, “Can we not talk about this?”

  “Monroe, look at me.”

  I brought my eyes to his.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for walking out and hurting you.”

  “Stone, please. It’s humiliating. Just let it go.”

  “No. I want you to know that what you did that night undid me. I wanted nothing more than to walk up on stage, throw you over my shoulder, and take you back to my place so I could fuck you senseless.”

  My eyes rounded and my lips parted.

  “I’m not shittin’ you, babe. From the first time I met you, I’ve wanted nothing more than to sink myself between these gorgeous fuckin’ legs of yours,” he said as he brought one hand out to squeeze my thigh.

  His hand was on my thigh. I felt the wetness immediately pool between my legs as a shiver ran through my body. Stone noticed my reaction and pulled his hand back.

  I swallowed hard and barely rasped out, “You have?”

  He nodded and continued to torture me with his words. “The way you dance, the way you look, the way you sing, the way you smell, these fucking legs, and your pouty, pink lips…fuck me, Monroe, I’ve thought about taking you every single day since that night.”

  Oh. My. God.

  “So why did you walk out?” I asked softly.

  “I’ve heard things you’ve said, babe. It’s not lost on me that you’re looking for love — the kind of love your girls have found. You want something serious and you should have everything you want. Unfortunately, that’s not something I can give to you. I walked out not because what you did on that stage was a turn off. Fuck, Monroe — I couldn’t get my ass home fast enough so that I could jerk off to the images now burned into my brain of you singing that song to me while you danced and touched your body.”

  My jaw dropped. Literally.

  Curiosity killed the cat.

  Stone chuckled and continued, “Two of your girls are in serious relationships and engaged to my best friends, men who are like brothers to me. As a result, I expect we will be seeing each other on occasion now that you’ve moved out here. I’m not going to do something to create tension in the group. I realize what I did that night created tension. I’m hoping you’ll be gracious enough to accept my apology, forgive me, and be my friend.”

  Well that stung.

  I’m not sure if I was a glutton for punishment or what, but I continued to ask stupid, freaking questions. “So, let me get this straight. You want me, but you don’t?”

  “Oh, I fuckin’ want you, Monroe. Make no mistake about that. I just don’t want a relationship. And since I can’t offer that knowing that’s what you want, I have enough respect for you, your friends, and my friends that I’m not going to cross that line.”

  I swallowed hard past the lump in my throat and nodded. “Okay,” I murmured as I looked away trying to blink back the tears. I moved over a thousand miles away from my family thinking there was more here. I guess in a way I was right since he admitted his attraction to me, but if Stone refused to act on how he felt it didn’t matter. My brothers were worried about me being out here alone and now I knew they had every right to be. I had Nikki, Charley, and Emme, but there was a void in my life that not even those girls could fill.

  “Fuck,” I heard Stone mutter under his breath. My eyes came back to his and I saw pain in them. “I’m sorry, Monroe.”

  I shook my head attempting to regain my composure, but it was useless and my mouth seemed to have a mind of its own. “I feel like an idiot.”

  “Don’t say that. You shouldn’t feel bad at all. I know this is the worst thing to say to someone, but it really isn’t you. It’s me.”

  My voice was just a hair over a whisper when I looked him in the eyes and admitted, “I left my family behind to come here because I thought there was more here for me.”

  I watched as Stone went solid.

  Trying to get some control over my emotions, I took in a deep breath and let it out. Once I felt I had everything under control I attempted to brush it off. “It’s fine. Don't worry about it. I need to get to work. Thank you, again, for the help with the tire.”

  I walked over to my purse and threw my keys back in. Then, I went back to the first five-gallon bucket of paint and tried to lift it. It was heavier than I expected.

  Shit.

  I started to drag the bucket. I was struggling and I probably looked like a complete fool. The funny thing is that I didn’t care. I’d already embarrassed myself enough in front of Stone so it’s not like this could be any worse. As I was bent over trying with all my might to move the paint, I felt one of Stone’s strong hands wrap around my tiny wrist.

  God, I loved his hands.

  “I’ve got it, Stone. I’m fine. Really,” I insisted, really wishing his hands were wrapped around my body.

  “Let me help you,” he replied gently.

  “Listen if you need me to say that I forgive you for what happened at Emme’s party, then I forgive you. I’ll be nice if we’re ever in the presence of everyone else and I won’t make it awkward, but I can’t have the pity party,” I explained, all while not looking at him.

  “Monroe? Look at me,” he pleaded.

  I was too fired up. I was too angry. I was too hurt. I refused to look at him. If I did I’d burst into tears. Thankfully, at that moment, my phone rang. I let go of the bucket and walked over to my phone. I was in so much of a state that I didn’t even look at the display to see who was calling.

  “Hello?”

  “What’s wrong?” Remi’s voice filtered into my ear.

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  “What? Nothing,” I said trying to play it cool.

  “I called to make sure your delivery went okay. Vaughn called me earlier and told me about your flat tire. I didn’t expect to call and hear you on the verge of tears. What happened? Are you okay?”

  I shook my head, but said nothing.

  “Monroe?”

  “Yes, Remi?”

  “Talk to me,” he urged.

  “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

  “When a woman says she’s fine it means the exact opposite. I know you aren’t fine. What is wrong?”

  “Remi, the delivery went well. And you are right, but I don’t want to talk about it right now.” Or maybe ever.

  “We were worried before you even left here. Hearing you upset like this does not make me worry less.”

  I needed to give him something.

  “I miss you. It’s not easy, but I’m sure it’ll get better soon,” I assured him, knowing I wasn’t telling him the real reason I was upset, but I wasn’t lying either. If Remi, Deacon, or Vaughn were here they’d take care of my toilets, move my refrigerator, and carry my buckets of paint. I really did miss them.

  “We’ll come visit soon,” he promised in response.

  “I know.”

  “Call me later, okay? Want to know you are doing alright.”

  “I will.”

  “Love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  I disconnected the call and tossed my phone back in my purse. I turned around and saw Stone watching me with that same look I couldn’t read on his face. He lifted the paint like it weighed no more than a feather and asked, “Where do you want this one?”

  I let out a frustrated sigh and answered, “Down the hall, first room on the left.”

  With that, Stone turned and walked down the hall. I grabbed the bags that had the paint
brushes, rollers, paint trays, and tarps. Then, after taking a deep breath, I followed behind Stone into the first room.

  Chapter 2

  Stone

  Two weeks. It was funny how time worked. When preparing for a snowboarding contest, two weeks felt like two days. The time passed so quickly when I was training, and before I even had an opportunity to consider how many days had actually passed, it was already time for the contest. But when the world’s sexiest, most beautiful fucking woman walked up onto a stage to seduce me with the hottest fucking performance and I walked out, the following two weeks were absolute, fucking torture. It felt like years had passed. Every night before I went to bed and every morning before I started my day, I was playing that fucking performance in my head. And I’d see it playing in my mind throughout the entire day. I felt like I was walking around with a constant hard-on.

  I knew it was wrong to walk out on her that night and that she had to have felt embarrassed, but it would have been more wrong for me to take her up on what she was offering knowing I could give her nothing in return…at least, not what she really wanted. If she were just some random chick in the bar I’d have no problem picking her up and taking her home for the night. I had done just that many times with women over the years. I never offered more than just a night of fun and they were willing to take it. I couldn’t do that to Monroe. We shared a group of friends and I didn’t want to make that awkward.

  More than that, a few weeks before she and Nikki came out for their two-week visit, Wes and Charley had flown them out for one night so the girls could get together with Emme. It was learned then that Emme’s ex was stalking her and Emme shared a bunch of new information with the girls. While Monroe knew that her best friend had been physically, verbally, and emotionally abused for several years she hadn’t known how bad it was; none of the girls did. When Nikki and Monroe were out here that day, Emme shared with them that she had been raped repeatedly for the last year of her relationship with her ex. Monroe felt that deep and took it hard. I spent quite a bit of time talking with her about it that day. Then, one week before delivering that phenomenal show, I spent the night with Monroe at Wes’ house. Unfortunately, the reason for spending the night with her wasn’t one I would have preferred.