One

Fifteen years ago…

Friday, May 15, 2009

"You hungry?" Stone Jameson asked his girlfriendas they walked into his mother's bright and airy kitchen.

Stephanie Shepherd, whom everyone lovingly referred to as Stevie, had texted him as she was leaving school, just as she'd done every day since they started dating exclusively in July of last year. And just as he always did, Stone shot back a message, asking her to come over.

It was a phenomenon he'd never experienced before, but he found if he went a few days without seeing her, he started jonesing like an addict seeking a fix. It was so intense sometimes that he figured he could likely find satisfaction by sitting across the street and staring at her from afar. Not that he'd resorted to stalking—that was insane—but he would admit he'd come damn close a few times.

He didn't have to worry about that tonight because she was there. They didn't have any formal plans, yet she'd come over anyway.

That was another surprising marvel about his relationship with Stevie: he didn't even care if they spent the evening watching movies on the couch while his mom and dad stood over them. Spending time with her, being in the same room, smelling her sweet strawberries-and-cream scent, was enough for him.

And when the hell that had become a thing, he honestly didn't know. Stone might've believed it was because Stevie was his first real girlfriend, but his lack of relationship—the sort that had a name and defined parameters—had always been his choice. Until her, he'd never had the desire to be monogamous, always worried he would find himself tied down and something better would come along. With Stevie, he didn't worry about that. He was convinced there was no such thing as something better than her.

"I won't say no to food," she said, her stomach rumbling in agreement.

"Did you skip lunch again?" He smiled down at her, trying to sound stern.

"I had an orange," she said succinctly, a hint of pride ringing in her tone.

He'd bet money that was all she'd had that day, too. "That's not lunch, baby. That's a snack."

She smiled so sweetly he had to fight the urge to wrap her in his arms and kiss her to see if she tasted the same. He would have if his mother weren't in the next room.

"Anything sound good?"

"I really hope you aren't plannin' to cook for that girl," his mother called, her voice growing closer with each word.

Stone turned to see her coming into the kitchen, a wide grin on her face.

"Hi, Stevie," she said, walking over and hugging Stone's girlfriend as though she'd been a member of the family her whole life rather than only having been introduced a few short months ago.

"Hi, Mrs. Jameson." Stevie hugged her back. "I love what you've done with your hair."

Stone stared at his mother, trying to figure out what was different. Did she cut it? Dye it? He had no idea. She looked the same to him. As she always did. Like a mom.

Stevie fluffed imaginary hair near her cheek. "Very hot."

His mother giggled.

She actually fucking giggled.

And were her cheeks turning pink?

Confused by what was happening, Stone said, "You don't hug me every time I see you."

"You got plenty of hugs growin' up." She laughed as she came around the island, her attention shifting to Stevie. "I fear for your health if you let this boy cook you anything."

"Hey," he said, feigning insult. "I can cook."

"You can." His mother nodded slowly. "Provided it comes in a can, and you can pour it in a bowl and pop it in the microwave."

Stone winked at Stevie. "It counts."

Stevie's eyes lit up with amusement. Damn, the girl was so fucking cute. Especially when she had her long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, her bangs sweeping across her forehead. Her little bow-shaped lips and those big brown eyes … God, he loved looking at her.

"What's the plan for tonight?" his mother asked, opening the cabinet beneath the stove to get whatever pan she needed to make a meal.

"We don't know yet," he told her. "We thought we might just hang out here."

Behind his mother's back, Stone quirked an eyebrow at Stevie. He knew what he wanted to do.

"Well, I'll make somethin' simple. That way, you can have some now and more later if you're up late. Dad took Reilly and Tate to a birthday party at the skatin' rink. Won't be home until after nine. How about soft tacos? They can heat ‘em up when they get home."

"Perfect." Stone honestly didn't care. The only thing he was hungry for was Stevie. "And while you do that, we'll—"

"Goddamn you, Nico Daugherty! You are such an asshole!"

Stone looked at his mother as Chelsea's high-pitched scream echoed through the house, followed by her stomping down the stairs.

Deborah shook her head. "I don't know what's goin' on with those two. Chels left for school pissed off at him. Came home in the same state."

Stevie was staring toward the front of the house. A second later, the front screen door slammed. Chelsea continued to shout obscenities, but now she'd taken it outside.

Stone walked around to Stevie. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the temple. "Give me a minute."

He could feel her staring after him as he headed for the back door, choosing to walk around the house so he could keep an eye on Chelsea without interrupting. His sister was capable of fighting her own battles—she'd told him as much—but according to what his father told him and his brothers, their job was to keep an eye on her. According to Owen Jameson, that was what big brothers were for.

So that was what he would do.

"I fuckin' hate you, you stupid bastard!" Chelsea shouted at Nico, the guy she'd been dating for the past few years.

That was the term Chelsea used, anyway. Stone wasn't sure it could really be called dating. Those two broke up more times than Chelsea changed clothes in a week. And that girl thought she needed a different outfit for every damn thing—sleeping, breakfast, school, homework. He swore she changed at least five times a day.

And socks. Jesus. His sister paired her socks to match her freaking clothes, and if they didn't, she flipped her shit. Hell, Stone was content to wear the same socks until the damn things stood up on their own. Or he had right up until he met Stevie. These days he was paying a little more attention to detail. But as God was his witness, he would never match his socks to his fucking shirt, thank you very much.

"It's not what you think," Nico told her, holding his hands up in front of him.

Nico Daugherty. High school senior, star tight end for the Coyote Ridge Roughriders. One of two Coyote Ridge natives scouted by colleges in the past few years—the other being Beau Bennett, a quarterback whose plays had become standard in the coach's playbook. Unlike Beau, who'd shattered his arm in a car crash and ended his possible career in the NFL, Nico was still trying to determine whether he wanted to go to UT or LSU on a full ride. That was the rumor, anyway. Stone didn't understand what the hold-up was, but according to Chelsea, he was "being an idiot" because no one passed up the opportunity to go to the NFL one day.

Then again, Chelsea was pissed at Nico because he was entertaining colleges that she wasn't going to. Among other things.

Chelsea threw something at him. "You can take back that stupid bracelet."

Nico huffed. "Come on, Chels. Don't do this."

"Fuck you."

She threw something else. "And there's that stupid pin you gave me."

A second later, a small (probably stupid, too) teddy bear went flying across the yard next.

Obviously, Nico had done something wrong if she was giving back everything he'd given her. Too bad, honestly. Stone liked Nico. He didn't know the guy well, but he knew a hell of a lot about him. Not only because Nico was dating Chelsea but also because Stevie was Nico's sister's best friend. What he hadn't picked up on from Chelsea, he'd learned from Stevie.

As he stared at Chelsea, Nico made no effort to pick anything up off the ground.

"And your stupid jacket!" Chelsea squealed, making dramatic movements as she threw it on the ground, where it joined everything else.

Nico sighed.

Stone laughed. Thankfully, he was out of sight and earshot. Otherwise, his sister would've turned her wrath on him, and Stone had far better things to do than get a dressing down from his sister. He'd had more than his fair share, so he was content to let her focus her outrage on someone else.

With that said, he found it amusing as fuck that Nico wasn't placating her with bullshit. It would've only added fuel to the fire, and based on Chelsea's animated hand gestures, the flames were already hot enough.

"You're a jackass. A stupid. Fucking. Jackass."

The girl had a mouth like a sailor.

"You and Jenny deserve each other!"

Hold up. Stone stood taller, his sister's words registering. Jenny? As in Chelsea's best friend? No fuckin' way.

"Nothin' happened, Chels," Nico drawled. "I swear to God."

"Swear all you want. You're a fuckin' liar."

Since Nico continued to back up with each step Chelsea took, Stone figured it was safe to let them hash this out alone, so he headed back into the house. As fun as it was to watch, he had a girl waiting for him inside, and he already spent far too little time with her.

Since she was still in high school—only a few weeks away from graduating—Stevie's schedule and his rarely meshed. Not to mention, her parents weren't exactly keen on the idea of their eighteen-year-old daughter dating a twenty-one-year-old who was filling in at his parents' store until he could figure out what he wanted to do with his life. If the rumors were true, Stevie's father thought Stone was a deadbeat without a future and had no business preying on his little girl.

Unfortunately, the deadbeat part was spot on. Yes, it was true. He hadn't yet figured his shit out, but he was working on it. As for the preying part, well, that part of the rumor wasn't accurate. Stone had done right by Stevie, keeping his hands to himself—mostly—until she turned eighteen back in August. They'd spent almost a month in each other's company before he even kissed her.

But Stevie's folks were the only ones who seemed to have a problem. Stone's parents didn't seem to mind that Stevie was eighteen or that she was still in high school. Then again, they'd always trusted his judgment. The same went for his brothers and sisters. Deborah and Owen Jameson were lenient right up until their kids gave them a reason not to be. Stone did his best to straddle the line between right and wrong, never deviating too far in either direction.

"She's in the living room," his mother told him when he walked inside. "Dad won't be home for a while, so I'll give you two some privacy. I'll put the food in Tupperware so you can get it when you're ready."

"Thanks, Mom."

Stone went to the living room and joined Stevie on the couch, where she sat, remote in hand, flipping through channels. He sat beside her, stretching his arm out, teasing the end of her ponytail with his fingers. Her hair was silky soft and smelled like strawberries.

"Miss me?"

She giggled, leaning into him.

He loved that she did that. Loved that she was always touching him somewhere. Holding his hand, rubbing his back. What he loved the most was the way her hand slid over his thigh, the edge of her pinky grazing his dick every so often. As he said, he'd never once preyed on the girl, but Stone wasn't sure the reverse was true. Stephanie Shepherd knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it.

"You better be careful with that hand, little girl," he whispered, nipping her earlobe.

A shiver rocked her small body.

"Payback's a bitch," he promised, pressing his fingertips to her chin so he could turn her head toward him. "Is that what you want?"

Her expression was one of sweet innocence. The little minx. She knew exactly what she was doing to him.

"Kiss me, Stevie," he whispered against her mouth. "Show me how much you missed me."

Her lips met his, lingering in a sweet caress for a brief moment before he tilted his head and claimed her. Instantly, she was pliant in his arms, her hand cupping his cheek, her tongue slashing his in barely restrained hunger. This always happened when they were together. Didn't matter if he'd seen her that morning. His hunger for her simmered in anticipation, threatening to boil over as soon as he saw her again.

"God, baby," he mumbled. "Keep that up, and we'll have to take this somewhere else."

"Lead the way," she whispered, her eyes sparking with the same burning desire that threatened to incinerate him.

The girl was a handful. A tiny, sexy fucking handful.

Back when they'd first started talking—sometime in June of last year—she'd been a little shy. A friendship grew organically from their conversations whenever he saw her at one function or another. Then, one night, he asked her to grab a milkshake at the diner. She said yes, and that was all she wrote. They started dating exclusively shortly after that, taking things slow. She was the first girl he'd been with who'd captured more than just his dick's attention.

He wasn't sure if it was because she'd been seventeen at the time or what, but their relationship had started off platonic for the most part. Talking at first, then holding hands. They progressed from there. A little kissing, some light petting, but nothing more than that. Right up until she turned eighteen. That was the night she'd given him a birthday present when she asked him to screw her. Her exact words: "I'm tired of waitin', Stone. Screw me already."

Stone hadn't been able to tell the sweet little virgin no. He was incapable. And yeah, his ego had wanted to claim her virginity because it thrilled him that he was her first. He'd been given something no other man on the planet would ever have. He would admit he didn't cherish much, but from the moment he slid inside her, he knew what a gift it was.

Since then, he'd been doing his best to keep up and loving every second. Whatever she wanted, he was bound and determined to get it for her. And if that involved certain parts of his anatomy, so be it. The girl was kinky as fuck, and the more he introduced her to, the more she wanted.

It was safe to say he'd never met a girl like Stevie. And he seriously doubted he ever would.

"I hate you!" Chelsea screamed from the front porch.

"Shit," Stone muttered.

Please don't come in expectin' to chat.

"Go fuck yourself, Nico. I never wanna see you again!"

The screen door flew open, and Chelsea stormed inside. He looked up and saw tears in her eyes. As soon as he did, he patted Stevie's thigh and shot to his feet, heading out the door. He didn't think twice. The fucker had made his sister cry, and he was going to get a beat down for that. It was one thing to piss her off, but to break her heart … the bastard didn't get to just walk away.

Nico was grabbing the things Chelsea had thrown on the ground as Stone walked up to him. As soon as the guy was upright, Stone reared back and punched him, throwing a right hook that got him in the mouth.

Nico stumbled back, dropping the shit in his hands. "What the hell'd you do that for?"

It took everything in him not to punch the guy again. "You're a shithead, Nico."

"What the fuck did I do?" Nico popped off. "Your sister's fuckin' crazy."

Stone kept a firm grip on his control right up until the asshole licked the blood on his lip and grinned.

"You bastard," Stone snapped as he threw another right hook, this one harder than the first.

Nico tripped but caught himself before he hit the ground. "Goddammit, Stone. What the fuck?"

"You broke her heart, you fucker. You deserve worse."

Nico's laugh lacked humor. "Have you met your sister? No one breaks Chelsea's heart."

Stone watched as Nico gently touched his lip with his finger and then his tongue. He didn't smile this time. No one said he wasn't smart.

"Talk shit about her. I'm itchin' to hit you again."

"I ain't talkin' shit. She's the one tellin' everybody—" Nico rolled his eyes. "Fuck this shit."

Nico pivoted on his heel and made a beeline for his truck. Stone followed, not letting him put any distance between them. Just as Nico reached for the door handle, Stone shoved him. Nico stumbled, putting his hands up to break the fall. He rebounded back, spinning around.

"What the fuck is your problem?"

Stone didn't stop, barreling into Nico's personal space, getting right up in his face.

Nico stumbled, his back hitting the truck. Stone took advantage of his surprise, leaning in, glaring at the man. He had plenty of time to throw another punch or two, but something stopped him. Maybe it was the hint of fear in Nico's ocean-blue eyes or the gleam in his eye. Hell, it could've been the trickle of blood on his lip.

Whatever it was, his desire to break and maim turned into something else entirely.

"Seriously, man. I didn't break—"

Stone gripped Nico by the throat, careful not to apply too much pressure. He wasn't interested in killing him. He wanted to prove to the man who was in charge here.

As soon as he felt the prickle of stubble on Nico's jaw, Stone's dick kicked in his jeans. He was already rock hard from being around his girl, then add in the adrenaline rush from the fight. But every drop of blood in his body detoured right to his dick the moment Nico surrendered.

Stone remained there, holding him in place as he skimmed every inch of his face.

Nico Daugherty was, for lack of a better word, hot. There was something about the chiseled lines of his narrow face, the aristocratic nose, the high arch of his eyebrows. From the first time Chelsea introduced him to her boyfriend years ago, Stone had dropped Nico into the "I'd do him" category. And thanks to the rigorous football regimen, he was ripped. It was about the only thing Chelsea ever talked about because, according to her, being a tight end wasn't nearly as cool as being quarterback, which was why Chelsea was always harping on Nico to be better.

Then again, nothing and no one was ever really good enough for Chelsea. Stone loved her, but Jesus, was she a spoiled bitch.

But bitch or not, she was still his sister.

"What was Chelsea tellin' everybody?" Stone asked, wanting the complete story—Nico's version, at least.

"She gave me an ultimatum," Nico said, holding Stone's gaze, his chest still heaving. "If I don't go to Texas Tech, she's not interested in me anymore."

That sounded like Chelsea. She was annoyingly self-centered. Never mind that Nico had a scholarship opportunity, Stone could see her insisting he follow her around like a puppy.

What Nico probably didn't know was that Chelsea's view on relationships wasn't much different than Stone's. He figured that was partly why she'd dated Nico on and off for the past few years. She had someone to fall back on when she needed him, and when she didn't, she could push him aside, knowing he would always come back.

"What about Jenny?" Stone prompted. "You fuck her?"

Nico's eyebrows slammed down. "Hell no. She's Chelsea's best friend. I'm not a complete asshole."

"So what happened?"

Nico's blue eyes skimmed his face, but he still didn't attempt to shove Stone away. "I flirted with her. Figured it would get back to Chelsea, and she'd have a reason to dump me without feelin' bad about it."

Well, hell. Maybe Nico wasn't as clueless as Stone thought he was.

"You want her to break up with you."

"It's what's best for her," Nico said, his voice lowering. "Above all else, we're friends. It's easier for her to hate me now than to lose that."

Stone's ire dissipated, replaced by a new respect for the guy. It sounded like he genuinely cared about Chelsea. Enough to sacrifice his pride.

"You two done? For good?"

Nico nodded. "It's been over for a while. This just makes it official."

"Good."

"Why?"

Stone smirked. "Because I said so."

He let his gaze slide to Nico's mouth, and he imagined all the wicked things the guy could do with it. It didn't matter that Nico's lip was split, he still wanted to know how good those lips would feel wrapped around his cock.

When he looked up, Nico was still watching him. Only now, he was breathing harder despite not having moved an inch.

"Where's Stevie?" Nico asked, obviously bringing her up because he thought Stone had forgotten about her.

He hadn't.

Rather than tell Nico that Stevie was standing only a few feet away on the other side of his truck, listening to every word, he said, "Where do you want her to be?"

Stone's gaze shifted to his girl. Her eyes were wide, but the way she nibbled her lower lip told him she wasn't worried. She was watching them with intrigue glittering in her pretty brown eyes.

He held her stare for another second, and that was when he saw it. Her left eyebrow rose slowly. He swore he heard her silent question: Is he the one?

Their last intimate conversation replayed in his head. The one where Stone told her he was bisexual and asked if she'd one day be up for bringing another guy into the mix. A one-night-only kinda thing. An experiment. For both of them. Granted, he'd only been partially serious, but Stevie hadn't hesitated to agree when he asked.

Not only that, but Stevie had talked about Nico more than once in the past several months. Since Nico was Stevie's best friend's brother, she was around him a lot. More than Stone had been comfortable with back in the beginning. At least until Stevie assured him she simply thought Nico was hot. She wasn't interested in being with him.

So, was she suggesting Nico as their plus-one?

Stone kept his eyes on her as he tilted his head toward Nico and raised an eyebrow.

Her response was a slow nod.

Damn, but the girl never ceased to amaze him.

Stone remained where he was, keeping Nico pinned to the truck, neither of them speaking. The guy should've been shoving him away, trying to free himself, but he wasn't. No, he was standing there like a deer trapped in the headlights of a speeding truck, those big blue eyes wide as he anticipated the inevitable crash. But the flash of heat Stone saw in them intrigued him.

Nico was turned on.

That acknowledgment had a groan rumbling up from his chest. Tempted to see how far Nico would let him push, Stone kicked the man's feet, forcing him to widen his stance so Stone could move closer. He kept his hand on Nico's neck as he pressed their bodies together, maintaining control.

Nico could've easily shoved him off. He wasn't a lightweight. But he wasn't moving. The only thing he did was glance over his shoulder toward the house.

"She can't see us," Stone assured him. They were hidden from view of the house. Even if Chelsea were looking out the kitchen window, she would only see the top of Stone's head over the roof of the truck.

Stone let Nico hold some of his weight, testing the waters, seeing how far he would let him go. Again, Nico made no attempt to fight him off.

"Push me away, Nico."

Nico's hands shifted to Stone's hips, but he didn't push.

Stone lowered his voice. "That's all you hafta do. Push. Me. Away."

He was so close now he could feel Nico's breath. Tilting his head, he leaned in, letting his lips brush Nico's ever so slightly.

"Say no, Nico."

Nico didn't make a sound.

"Tell me to stop."

Stone ground his hips forward, feeling the hard ridge of Nico's dick against his own. As he did, he scanned their surroundings, ensuring no one else was out there. Convinced they were safe, he turned his attention back to Nico.

"I didn't realize you played for both teams," he taunted.

"I don't."

"No?" Stone reached down with his free hand, grinding his palm along the outline of Nico's dick. He was hard as fucking steel.

A rough groan escaped the man, spurring Stone to continue.

"Coulda fooled me."

Nico grunted again when Stone continued to rub.

"You like this. You like it rough."

He hadn't phrased it as a question, but Nico gave an almost imperceptible nod.

"You want me to do dirty fuckin' things to you, don't you?"

Another groan, and this time Nico pressed his hips forward, grinding against Stone's hand.

Stone shifted his hand off Nico's throat, sliding his thumb along his lower lip, gently caressing the injury. "You ever had a cock in your mouth?"

"No."

When Nico's mouth opened, he pushed his thumb inside. "Suck."

There was only a brief flash of hesitance before Nico's lips closed around his thumb, and he sucked. His eyes were flinty, his expression one of defiance, but there wasn't an ounce of resistance in the action.

"Fuck." Stone leaned more of his weight on him. "I want those lips wrapped around my cock."

He pulled his thumb from Nico's mouth and pushed two fingers in. His gaze shot to Stevie's again. She'd moved closer, watching Nico as Stone's fingers hooked on his lower teeth.

"I wanna fuck your face. Bury my cock in your throat until you can't breathe." He lowered his voice. "Then I wanna bend you over and drive my dick in your ass."

Nico hummed softly, but he didn't stop sucking Stone's fingers. His eyes glittered, his coiled muscles loosened. Oh, yeah. He was turned on by the picture Stone painted.

"I'm not sure you can handle me, though. Rough and dirty are the only way I know how to fuck. Ain't that right, Stevie?"

"Yes," she said, her voice trembling.

Nico's eyes darted left toward Stevie, but Stone held him in place, making it impossible for him to turn his head.

"My girl likes rough and dirty," Stone told him. " What about you? You wanna try rough and dirty, Nico?"

There was a brief hesitation, but then his surrender was complete. This time, Nico's nod was clear as day.

"Say it." He pulled his fingers out of Nico's mouth so he could respond. "Tell me how you want it."

His dark blue eyes flashed with definite heat. "Rough. And dirty."

Stone leaned in, his lips lightly brushing Nico's. "Good. Because that's what you're gonna get."