by A. K. Evans
People changed, though.
I could put in effort.
I already told the woman I was coming back for her. Of course, I hadn’t intended for it to be so soon, but this was even better. It would show her I was determined, that I was going to follow through on what I said I was going to do.
That or she was going to call the police on me for being a crazy stalker.
I wanted to laugh.
This usually worked the other way around. Typically, we were the ones who had to worry about someone stalking us. Now I was here, desperate to figure out a way to convince Demi to give me a shot.
“Alright, we’ll go back,” I told them.
“Good. Now we need to get out there and put on a show,” Walker advised. “Do you think you’ll be able to handle yourself?”
Grinning, I said, “At least I won’t have to worry about the groupies.”
“More for me,” Roscoe declared, standing up.
“I’m with you on that one,” Killian chimed in.
That was me. That was how I’d always been, too. It blew my mind that I didn’t even feel the slightest hint of jealousy that they’d have that and I wouldn’t.
I didn’t want it because I wanted her.
With that, the rest of us got up and started moving to exit the dressing room. As I made my way there, I couldn’t help but recall the conversation I had with Demi. It made me think about how I was going to approach her when I returned. I didn’t think I’d be able to completely pull back from being the guy I’d always been.
I was confident; that wasn’t going to change.
And truthfully, I didn’t think that was a problem for Demi. Even if she thought I was being cocky, she didn’t seem to have an issue handing it right back to me. That’s what I liked so much about her.
She kept me on my toes and constantly surprised me.
I just hoped I’d find a way to get her to open up a little bit more when I returned. She stunned me a bit by opening up just a touch when we were on the phone. The things she’d said to me that indicated she didn’t approve of my behavior with women made me think that perhaps she’d been burned by an ex.
Maybe I needed to be myself while also trying to be mindful of whatever it was that made her shroud herself in a protective bubble.
There was no boyfriend, and there was a definite attraction between us.
This was going to be new for me. This was going to require effort. But just as I told her on the phone, I was up for the challenge. I needed something different in my life.
And once I got her, I didn’t think that feeling was going to fade.
I’ll be back for you, Demi, I thought as I smiled to myself just moments before we walked out on stage.
Then I envisioned those perfect lips of hers and felt my cock stiffen.
Well, there I had it.
It still worked.
Feeling relieved about that, I joined the rest of the band on stage as the crowd went wild.
Five
Demi
“Oh, my God. It’s totally true.”
That came from me and was directed at my best friend, Sam, and my cousin, Cal.
It was Thursday, and Sam and Cal had decided to have a mini-celebration with me tonight. I’d finished my last day of work at the hotel yesterday—something I very desperately needed—and my best friends thought it was worth celebrating.
I had just arrived and walked up to the bar, and for the first time, I saw them with their lips locked. For years, I watched as the two of them danced around their feelings for one another, holding back from giving in to what they both wanted. They were perfect for each other, so I was happy to see they’d finally found a way to express those feelings.
Of course, they’d only officially gotten together over the weekend, so I was just now seeing them like this for the first time. I always had a feeling it would happen for them, but it still caught me off guard to see, so I needed to make the declaration.
At the sound of my voice, I watched as they both broke out into a smile while not pulling away from one another. In fact, Cal gave Sam another peck on the lips before they separated.
“Why do you look so surprised?” Sam asked.
Feeling the shock wash over me, I shook my head and answered, “I know you told me you and Cal were finally together, but I guess I just didn’t prepare myself for seeing it in the flesh. And you’re both now going to do this flaunting thing.”
“Flaunting?” Cal repeated.
Nodding, I clarified, “Yeah. You know, where the two of you have to let the entire world know how much you love each other and are unable to keep your hands off one another.”
They both laughed.
“It’s not like that,” Sam insisted.
I didn’t believe that at all. That’s when Cal chimed in and proved me right. “It is for me.”
Sam rolled her eyes at him, but she also smiled. It was like that for her, too. And the truth was, I might have been pretending to give them a hard time, but I was really happy for them.
“We’ll be on our best behavior tonight since this is your party. How was your first full day no longer working as a hotel manager?” Sam asked.
I settled my ass in the stool beside her just as Cal placed a drink in front of me. Then I answered, “It was glorious. Honestly, I didn’t know it would feel this wonderful. Now, I’m going to fully enjoy these next few days because I’ve got to get down to business on Monday. I’m making it my mission to take Granite to the next level, and with a live band playing next week, it’ll be a great way to start.”
“Just a heads-up on that,” Cal interrupted. Sam and I turned our attention to him. Cal smiled at her before he focused his gaze on me. “Sam and I were talking before you got here. I told her to get some business cards made up and to get a few shirts here. We can display them, have the staff wear them, and maybe drive some eyes to her website.”
Cal was one of the few amazing men in the world. Sam was so lucky to have him. For years, she’d had a side business, dipping her toe into the world of designing and selling T-shirts. She was incredibly talented, but it had been hard to really get things moving for her. That’s why she still worked at the hotel as the event sales director. To know that Cal was now doing something to help spread the word about her shirts made me happy.
“That’s a great idea, Cal,” I declared.
Standing up from his hunched-over position, Cal held his hands out to his sides and said, “What can I say? We can’t all be this brilliant.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled. I turned my attention to Sam and asked, “So, how was your day?”
For the next few minutes, Sam filled both Cal and me in on her day at work. It wasn’t so much that she filled us in on what happened at work, rather she filled us in on a phone call she’d received from her ex. He’d realized what a mistake he made in the way he treated her during their relationship, and now he wanted to talk about reconciling.
Thankfully, not only was Sam happy with Cal now, but she was also a smart woman. She didn’t listen to any of the garbage her ex tried to spew and hung the phone up on him.
“What a clueless jerk,” I declared when she finished.
Nodding her agreement, Sam said, “Yeah. Anyway, it’s done and over, and tonight is not about him. We’re celebrating Demi.”
Yes, we were. But in the back of my mind, we were also celebrating Sam and Cal. I just didn’t need to tell them that. I tossed back the remainder of my drink and ordered, “You’re coming with me.”
“Where are we going?” Sam asked.
I beamed at her. “To dance.”
“Can I join you?”
At the sound of the voice that made my body want to simultaneously burst into flames and melt into a puddle on the floor, I froze.
Cash.
That was Cash’s voice.
I’d spent time earlier in the week telling Sam about how I didn’t care that he’d called the hotel because I wasn’t going to be ther
e much longer. He would have no way to reach me.
But now he was here.
Just like that.
And damn, did he smell good.
No way was I going to let that steer me off the course I’d been on for a long time. I narrowed my eyes at him and barked, “What are you doing here?”
The change in my mood didn’t affect Cash at all. He didn’t seem to care that I was showing my rage. I knew this because the corners of his mouth twitched.
What I told Sam earlier in the week was true. The angrier I was, the more I pushed back, the more turned on he became.
With a voice as smooth as silk, he answered, “I came back for you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I questioned him, feeling beyond irritated. This was supposed to be a clean break for me. I had made up my mind. I had left the hotel for reasons unrelated to Cash. There had been a few moments of weakness where I daydreamed about what a man like him could do to my body. Everything about those daydreams had been magnificent. But I quickly remembered what a man like Cash could do to my heart and was instantly relieved that I was leaving the hotel without him having any means to contact me. I’d made peace with that decision.
And yet, now he had found me.
“It means exactly what I said,” Cash began. “I was on tour with my band, and we have a short break before our next show, so I told them we were coming back here.”
“And what exactly are you hoping is going to happen with your big band here in this small town?” I pressed.
“This trip isn’t about the band,” he shared. “It was about me needing to make a statement. You see, there’s this girl I like, and she’s… struggling with how she feels right now. I tried contacting her over the phone, but progress has been slow.”
He was not serious.
I cocked an eyebrow. “I see. So, you show up here hoping you can strong-arm your way into getting what you want? Are you honestly that hurt by this? I mean, why not just move on to your next conquest? Or, is it just that you can’t handle having a woman turn you down?”
“Because you’re the one that has me intrigued right now, darling,” Cash shared, his voice a low hum. “And when I find something I like, I go after it.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I did not need Cash Morris talking to me in a voice like that while saying things like that. Time to shut it down.
“Well, then I’m sorry,” I apologized. “Because you’re going to have to figure out how to tell that big ego of yours that he’s not getting his way this time.”
Before Cash could respond, Cal interrupted.
“Cash?” he called, taking a step to the side so he came in line with him.
“Yeah?” Cash replied, lifting his gaze from mine.
Cal extended his hand to him and introduced himself. “Calvin Gates. I’m the owner of Granite, and Demi is my cousin.”
Cash reached for Cal’s extended hand, and his arm crossed directly in front of my body. I couldn’t help myself. It was the closest I’d ever been to him, and he smelled so incredible. I closed my eyes briefly and inhaled the scent of him. I might have been angry, but I wasn’t immune to natural reactions.
“Pleasure to meet you, Calvin,” Cash replied.
“Cal.”
Cash gave him a nod of understanding. Then his eyes moved around the entire bar. They hesitated momentarily on the stage, and when he finished his survey of the space, he declared, “This is a great place you’ve got here.”
It was a great place. But I had to wonder if he meant that or if he was simply trying to butter Cal up and get on his good side.
“Thanks, man,” Cal responded. “I’m definitely honored that you’d stop in and check it out, even if it’s only to try and warm up my cousin’s cold, dead heart.”
I was going to kill Cal.
Cash’s eyes immediately came in my direction. “That’s not true, is it? Do you need me to warm up your heart?” he asked. He was very clearly enjoying himself.
“What part of the word no don’t you understand?” I countered.
Something sparked in his eyes, and they grew intense. “I understand the word just fine,” he assured me. His voice was all seduction once again. “The problem is that the rest of you is telling me what your mouth won’t.”
“You’re crazy,” I spat.
“And you’re lying. To yourself and to me.”
My lips parted in shock. How dare he?
Okay, that’s what I wanted to say.
But I didn’t. Because I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that this infuriatingly handsome man could read me the way he was.
Not only that, but Cash looked away from me and returned his attention to my cousin. “Do you have live performances here?” he asked.
No.
No, no, no!
I knew exactly what he was going to do, and I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. Once again, I couldn’t.
Because this would be a dream come true for Cal, and I’d never take it away from him.
“Yeah, we’ve been doing them for a while now,” Cal answered. “Mostly local cover bands for now, though.”
Cash grinned.
Sam grinned.
I did not grin.
“If you don’t already have someone booked, I can talk to the rest of the band and convince them to play here on Saturday night,” Cash offered.
Cal smiled at Cash and shared, “Well, personally, I’d say yes to that since we don’t have anyone booked. The problem is that booking the bands is no longer my job.”
Cash’s brows shot up. “It’s your bar,” he countered.
“Yep. And I just hired Demi to handle all of the entertainment and events for me,” Cal informed him.
It was official. As soon as I could figure out how to do it without getting into trouble, I was going to kill Cal.
For now, I had to hold back because the cocky musician was looking at me again. “So, what’s it going to be, Demi? Are you and I going to be working together to get this nailed down for Saturday, or are you going to deny Cal from having what could possibly be the biggest thing to ever happen here at Granite?”
I scowled at him. “I don’t start my new job until Monday,” I seethed. “And tonight, I’m here celebrating, so if you want to play here on Saturday and Cal wants that, he can work it out with you. Sam and I are going to dance right now, and we’re doing it alone.”
With that, knowing I needed to get away from his sexy voice, killer body, and masculine scent, I slid off the stool. Cash didn’t step back, which meant I ended up even closer to him.
I reached for Sam’s arm, yanked on her wrist, and stepped around the rock star. Then I dragged my best friend toward the dance floor and away from temptation.
Cash
This day was turning out way better than I had anticipated when I first arrived in New Hampshire.
Earlier today, I’d arrived at Demi’s hotel only to learn that she no longer worked there. Panic had immediately consumed me.
Had I lost my shot?
Despite being unable to get any of the staff at the front desk to help me reach Demi, I still found her.
Because just as I was about to lose my mind, I heard someone call my name.
“Yeah?” I replied, looking in the direction the voice came from.
A woman was moving toward me and asked, “Are you looking for Demi?”
I nodded.
“I can’t tell you where she lives, and I’m not going to give you her number, but she’s my best friend, so I’m going to give you something,” the woman started. “But I swear to God if you hurt her, you’ll be answering to me.”
In any other situation, I might have laughed that a petite woman like Demi’s best friend was threatening me like she was. In this situation, I didn’t. While I wanted to blame that on the fact that I’d been slightly panicked only moments before, I knew that wasn’t it. I simply didn’t like the idea of Demi being hurt. And it hit right then just how dee
p I was for a woman I barely even knew.
I stared at Demi’s friend and said, “Okay.”
“Follow me outside, and I’ll tell you where you can find her tonight,” she said.
I didn’t hesitate. I followed her outside.
And now I was here at her cousin’s bar struggling to remain unaffected by the discomfort I felt below the belt.
Demi was out dancing with Sam, and she was gorgeous. Her dress fit her perfectly, her legs were long and muscular, and she had curves I itched to touch. I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off of her.
“She’s fragile.”
That came from Cal. I twisted my neck in his direction and said, “Pardon?”
“Demi,” he clarified. “I know she shows the world, especially you, this tough side. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a strong woman. But underneath that tough exterior, Demi holds a lot of hurt in her heart. I’m telling you this partly because I want you to understand that you can’t go into this hoping for a score before you just up and move on. She’s important to me, and I’d hate for you to use her like that. The bigger reason I’m telling you this is because I don’t think that’s what you want. I think you see just how special she is and you might be a bit more serious about her. If that’s the case, Demi stands to gain a lot. She deserves that.”
Fuck.
I was dealing with a woman who, based on the way she’d been with me and now this new information I’d been given by Cal, had experienced some serious emotional trauma. Some might say I didn’t need that in my life. Surprisingly, it didn’t bother me.
Well, the fact that she’d been through something horrible bothered me. But knowing that there might be some stuff to work through with her before I could make any real progress didn’t bother me.
I told her before that I was up for the challenge. This new information didn’t change that.
Because when I glanced back out at her on the dance floor, saw the way her body moved, and felt my cock stiffen, I knew I wasn’t walking away.
Focusing my attention on Cal again, I said, “I appreciate the heads-up. You’re not wrong about what I want, and I’m glad you can see that.”