by A. K. Evans
“I hope it wasn’t.”
“So, you want to be with me again?”
“Already told you we’d give you a day or two to recover. I thought that indicated there’d be another time.”
“Right. Okay. So, between now and then will you…um, actually, never mind.”
I gave her a gentle squeeze again. Something was bothering her.
“Talk to me, Monroe.”
She hesitated and took in a deep breath.
“I don’t know what to call this thing between us. Are we friends with benefits? Fuck buddies? Will you…will you have other women to fill in the days that…”
I pressed a finger to her lips to stop her. She was so worried that she wouldn’t be enough, that she didn’t mean anything to me. The more she spoke the more rigid her body became. I wanted to quell that fear.
“I don’t know what to call this either. I’m dealing with a lot of firsts when it comes to you and I’ve never explored anything like this before you. Told you yesterday that I’m going to do my best to not hurt you and that I’m going to try to treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Fucking other women at the same time we’re exploring what this is between us is doing the exact opposite of what I said I would do. So, if there are nights you and I aren’t spending together you don’t need to worry that I’m spending them with someone else. When it gets to a point where I feel like that’s where I need it to go, I’ll come to you first.”
She let out a breath and her body relaxed.
“Thank you, Stone.”
I decided to change topics.
“So, when is the actual big day?” I asked.
Her brows drew together.
“What big day?”
“Your birthday. Yesterday, I heard you tell your brother that you were going to be twenty-five this week. What day is it?”
“Thursday.”
“Planning anything special?”
She shook her head and stated, “The girls are going to take me out this weekend, but nothing otherwise.”
“Well, if you’ve got nothing else planned I’d love to spend your birthday with you,” I admitted.
She jerked her head back at my statement and exclaimed, “You would?”
“Are we exploring this?” I asked.
She nodded.
“Then, I’d like to spend your birthday with you.”
A smile, the likes I’d never seen before, spread across Monroe’s face.
“I’d love that,” she grinned before she rested her cheek back on my chest.
We stayed like that for a while in silence. I was surprised at the fact that not only did I want to do it, but also that I enjoyed it. I held her because it felt so fucking good to have her in my arms while she ran her fingertips back and forth across a small patch of skin on my chest. I liked having her near me. There was something about her that made me feel content. After a bit, I finally spoke.
“Angel?” I called.
She lifted her head and rested her chin on my chest.
“What do you have planned for today?”
“Was just going to head over to the studio and do some dancing. I’ve been putting the word out about the grand opening and have had a lot of interest. A lot of people have emailed about classes, too. I want to be there in case anyone stops in. I hired my first employee last week, but I still need a receptionist and I’d like another instructor eventually.”
“We can talk to Lexi,” I suggested.
I felt Monroe’s body go solid. “Lexi?”
“Luke’s sister. She’s in college right now, but about to graduate. She stayed local. Luke said she’s been looking for something in her field, but she hasn’t found anything yet. She might be interested in working for you in the interim.”
Monroe’s body relaxed. “That would be awesome.”
“I’ll arrange it for you.”
“Thanks.”
I gave her a smirk and asked, “Do you think you could handle my mouth on you before I have to take you home so you can go to work?”
“Again?” she responded, shocked.
I rolled her to her back and started working my way down her body. “It’s not the kind of thing that you put limits on, angel. Besides, a man’s gotta eat,” I informed her just before I put my mouth between her legs.
“Oh, Stone,” she moaned.
Fuck, I loved that sound.
And the way she tasted.
I spent the rest of my morning eating breakfast in the form of Monroe followed by feeding her breakfast of bacon and eggs that I cooked. Then, I took her home so she could get ready and get over to the studio. After I left her place, I went to work on getting Monroe’s birthday surprise planned.
Chapter 11
Monroe
I walked through the front door of my studio. So much had happened since the last time I walked through that door yesterday morning. Most notable of those things was the fact that I had fallen in love. It’s very likely I had fallen in love before last night; it’s just that last night I knew for certain that love is what it was.
Stone had me spellbound. It wasn’t just what he did to my body last night; though, that was all pretty freaking incredible. What I felt for him was so much more than I could even begin to describe. I wanted to dance out everything I was feeling, so I got to it immediately.
Two and a half hours later, in the middle of a routine I had choreographed, Nikki, Charley, and Emme all walked in with their arms full. One look at them and I knew why they were there. They brought food and were going to demand the details of last night.
“Well,” Nikki began, clearly not wanting to wait a minute longer. “Did he give you the goods?”
I bit my lip and looked at my friends. Then, I nodded as a huge smile spread across my face. The girls all started screaming and jumping up and down. Thankfully, no food ended up on the floor as they all settled down and made their way over to pull me into a hug.
“When Nikki told us that you never came home last night I told Wes that graphic design at Blackman Boards was going to have to wait because I was taking a long lunch break this afternoon,” Charley said.
“I had a day of editing planned, but this news takes priority,” Emme added.
I laughed and ushered the girls into my break room. We unpacked the food and started lunch.
“So,” Nikki started. “Was it good?”
The smile that had been permanently plastered on my face grew wider and I nodded.
“It was incredible,” I boasted. “By far, the best experience of my entire life.”
“Did you tell him you were a virgin?” Emme asked.
“Yes,” I began. “I almost didn’t because every time I was about to say it, he’d do something to my body and make me forget. I finally managed to snap myself out of it and got his attention. Then, I told him.”
“How did he react?” Charley pushed for more details.
“At first, he was upset. I think it hit him hard because he realized what he had said about me on Friday night and that he had clearly misjudged me. After working through that he gave me an out.”
“What?” Nikki asked.
I felt myself grow somber.
“He told me that he’d never be able to give me forever. He knows that I want forever, so he said that if I wanted to save that special part of me to give to someone who could give me forever he’d respect that.”
I took a moment to recall the words he said to me last night. Stone’s words made my heart feel full, but they also broke it. He made me believe that he thought he wasn’t worthy of me. I didn’t know why, but I hoped I’d find out and make him realize he was wrong.
“Monroe, honey, are you okay?” Charley asked, snapping me out of it.
I looked to my friends and blurted, “I’m in love with him.”
They stared back at me, their faces expressionless.
“I know that probably seems crazy and you might think it’s just because he is the first guy I’ve had sex wi
th, but I can feel it. I am in so deep with him it’s like I’m drowning. The thing is, I don’t want to come up for air. Last night, after Stone gave me that out I told him that he was everything I wanted. He gave me what I wanted and he was so gentle about it. He didn’t rush it and he did everything he could to make it special for me. Then, he took care of me afterward.”
“Oh, mama,” Emme started, tears filling her eyes. “I’m so happy for you. And, I’m even more relieved to know that Stone gave you what you deserved last night. I know deep down he’s a good guy. I hope that in the same way he took care of you last night that you’ll be able to take care of him and get him through whatever he’s dealing with.”
“I want to do that for him more than anything else. I just don’t want to push him. Maybe he’ll need some time to open up to me about whatever it is.”
“Love this, babe. I really do,” Nikki insisted. “And, I really want to see you get your fairy-tale ending, but we need some juicy details. Was he good? Did it hurt? How many orgasms did he give you?”
“Three last night, two this morning,” I bragged, giving them a coy smile. “I mean, I know he’s really great at snowboarding and has had an incredible career thus far, but when it comes to sex, that man would get a gold medal from me.”
“Now that’s what I like to hear,” she responded.
Charley and Emme broke out into fits of laughter.
“Okay, give us more.”
So, I gave them more. The girls spent the next hour and a half with me eating lunch and getting all the details of my night with Stone.
After we got the fun stuff out of the way, Charley turned the conversation serious again.
“Hearing how well he treated you and how he made the night all about you, I’m hoping for a really great ending for you, but are you prepared, Monroe? Believe me when I say I don’t want to take away the happiness you are feeling right now and I know how much your heart is already in this, but I’m worried about what will happen to you if what he said is true and this doesn’t last forever.”
“I know. I expect it’s going to feel like the end of the world to me if that happens, but I don’t want to focus on it. It’ll be like I’m sitting around waiting for him to tell me that he’s had his fill and he’s moving on. I want to have hope. I know he might not get there, but I want to believe that deep down he wants more than he’s allowing himself to have.”
Just as I finished speaking, the alarm chimed indicating someone had arrived.
“Oh, maybe I have someone coming to sign up for classes,” I guessed.
“Okay, mama. We’re going to get going and let you get back to it. Besides, Charley needs to get back to work. We’ll follow you out,” Emme responded.
The girls followed me out of the break room, down the hall, and into the reception area. To my surprise, I had an unexpected visitor. Levi, Zane’s older brother and the owner of Cunningham Security, was standing there.
“Hi, Levi,” Emme beamed, walking up and giving him a hug. He wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head. Levi was going to be Emme’s brother-in-law since she and Zane recently got engaged. The guys at his firm were responsible for finding Emme after she had been kidnapped and I loved to see that she had this close relationship with him.
“Hey, babe. Didn’t expect to see you here,” he admitted.
She shrugged her shoulders, “Long lunch for some girl talk.”
“Should I come back?” he asked, looking a little nervous about the fact that girl talk could be on the agenda.
“No. Nikki, Charley, and I were just leaving, but what are you doing here?” she asked, looking a bit alarmed now.
“Got a call from Stone. He told me Monroe needed some security or, at least, something better than what’s here now. He said something about her not being able to hear when people walk in.”
Emme, Charley, and Nikki all shot looks my way.
“What is he talking about?” Nikki asked.
“I dance,” I started, informing them of something they already knew. “I turn my music up…loud. Stone has walked in here a few times when the music was blaring and I never knew he was here. He thinks it’s a cause for concern for my safety and he suggested that we try to see if there are any options to remedy that situation. I think he knows that I don’t want to have to turn my music down. He asked me if I’d consider allowing Levi to come in and check it out. I agreed.”
“He might say he doesn’t want forever, honey, but he can’t deny that he feels something for you.”
“What?” I questioned, turning to Charley.
“If a guy doesn’t give a crap about you he’s not going to take notice to the fact that you can’t hear people coming into your studio and then want to have you do something about it. I’m just saying, he cares more than he’s leading you to believe.”
“Really?”
Charley didn’t answer. This was because Levi spoke up instead. “She’s right,” he began, as I turned my attention to him. “And to add to that, if a guy doesn’t give a shit about you he isn’t going to suggest all of that be done and then tell me that you don’t get a bill for it.”
“Oh no! He isn’t paying for this, too,” I insisted.
Levi shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve got specific instructions to give you the best there is for your situation here and to send the bill to him. He’s the one who hired me, so I’ve got to do what he says.”
“It’s my studio, though!”
Just then, my cell phone rang. I looked at the display and saw Stone’s name. Perfect, I could take this up with him.
“I’ve got a bone to pick with you,” I greeted him.
“Excuse me?” he retorted.
“Levi just got to the studio and told me that you want him to send you the bill for the work he does here.”
“Yeah. So?”
“So?” I countered, exasperatedly. “So, you can’t pay for this, too. You already paid to fix my tire.”
He laughed.
He actually laughed in my ear.
“The tire repair was peanuts, angel. You just moved here and you are trying to get your studio set up. I saw everything you ordered; you’ve spent a lot of money making the place what it is. Security is not going to be a cheap expense. Levi is going to give you the best, which is what I want you to have. You should always have the best. I’m covering this for you, Monroe.”
“I have my own money, Stone.”
“I never said you didn’t, but I suggested this so I’m paying for it. If it bothers you and you want to do something in return, buy yourself something sexy to wear for me when you stay at my place on Thursday night. I’m planning on fully celebrating your birthday with you, so if you want to make it a little more visually pleasing, I can work with that.”
A shiver ran through my body at the mention of staying with him on my birthday and celebrating it in naughty ways. I bit my lip and pressed my thighs together.
“Okay,” I answered, my voice a hair over a whisper.
“Good girl. Now, I was calling to tell you that I had planned to be there when Levi arrived, but obviously I’m not. Had some shit to take care of and won’t make it. Do whatever he suggests; I don’t care what it costs. I’ll call you later after I finish what I’m doing, though. Okay?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, angel. Gotta go.”
“Bye, Stone.”
I disconnected the call and stared straight ahead.
“Monroe?” Emme called.
I blinked my eyes and looked to her.
“You okay?” she asked.
“I think I need to go buy lingerie.”
“Jesus Christ,” Levi said as he dropped his head back to stare up at the ceiling.
Nikki chimed in. “For when?”
“Thursday.”
“I’ve got you covered,” she assured me. “Let’s go girls. Monroe needs her security system checked, Charley needs to get back to work, and Emme and I have lingerie to purchase. Levi
, good to see you. Monroe, I’ll catch you at home.”
With that, the girls walked out, leaving me with Levi and my thoughts. The two of us spent roughly the next hour doing a walkthrough of the studio. Levi asked a bunch of questions as we made our way in and out of each room. Once we finished, he told me that he had the perfect system that would work for my location and use.
“Are you going to be here tomorrow?” he asked.
“That’s the plan.”
“Two or three guys will stop in tomorrow to get it all set up for you. I will give Stone a call later today and let him know who will be coming so you know who to expect.”
“Thanks, Levi. I appreciate you taking the time to come here today.”
“No problem. Stay safe.”
Levi took off and I got back to work. I’m not sure how long it had been, but I knew I’d been dancing for quite a while when I was startled. Stone had just walked in to the room I was in and he had food with him.
Okay, so it was safe to assume it was dinner time.
I gave him a big smile, walked over to turn down the music, and then walked over to him.
I couldn’t help myself. The second he was within touching distance I reached out to wrap my arms around his waist, pressed up on my toes, and kissed him good. I hadn’t realized until he was standing in front of me, my mouth pressed against his and the scent of him filling my space, just how much I missed him. I considered it, but thought it best not to tell him.
When I pulled my mouth away from his, I found his eyes were shining. They still had that hardness to them, but he was definitely in a good mood.
“Hey, handsome.”
“Angel.”
I smiled back at him and said, “I thought you said you were going to call.”
“Changed my mind. Decided I wanted to see you, so I grabbed some food and now I’m here. You hungry?” he asked.
I nodded. I figured I’d let him think I was agreeing to food. I was feeling hungry, but food wasn’t exactly what I was in the mood for.
Stone and I made our way to the break room to eat.
“Did you have a good day?” he asked.
“Yeah. The girls stopped by with lunch earlier. I got the third degree.”
