Twelve

Monday, January 15, 2024

"You look like shit."

Stone glared at his brother. Only ten minutes into their meal and CJ was readily passing out insults. Just like old times.

"You know what y'all can do with your opinions?"

CJ chuckled. "Who's y'all?"

"You. Reilly. Donovan."

"So the consensus is you look like shit?"

Stone picked up his coffee mug, arranging his fingers to discreetly flip his brother off.

"Back atcha." CJ sat back in his seat. "We just tell it like it is, bro, and you, my friend, need a haircut and some…" CJ made a circle with his hand toward Stone's face. "I don't know what that needs, but, man."

A laugh bubbled out of him. He couldn't help it. CJ had always been like that. Maybe because he was the middle child, the youngest of the boys. Or maybe because he was only a couple of years younger than Stone, so he was old enough that Stone had given him crap growing up. Whatever the reason, CJ hadn't changed much in the time Stone had been gone. Aside from growing up and making something of himself. He'd done things right somewhere down the line. Too bad all those life lessons hadn't given him an attitude adjustment.

Stone wished his brother would lay off just a little. He usually appreciated that his brothers and sisters didn't pull their punches. But considering he'd been back for three days and the consensus seemed to be his appearance was lacking, Stone wasn't all that fond of this morning's ribbing.

"Rough night or what? Not gettin' much sleep, huh?"

The last thing Stone wanted to think about was rough nights. It was all he could think about these days. And yeah, he was getting plenty of sleep. The problem had nothing to do with his ability to close his eyes and drift off. It was what happened when he did. Nico and Stevie plagued his damn dreams, and it didn't matter how many hours he clocked horizontally, he continued to wake up hard and unsatisfied.

"Shouldn't you be winin' and dinin' that girlfriend of yours?" Stone asked, trying to change the subject.

As was the case whenever someone mentioned Jamie Collier, the girl CJ'd been mooning over for years, his expression blanked. "She's not my girlfriend."

"She could be."

CJ shook his head and grabbed the bottle of Tabasco, applying a generous amount to his eggs.

"It's been what? Two years? Why haven't you sealed the deal yet?"

CJ's eyes narrowed.

Stone recognized the look. "Fine. I'll back off."

"Thank you."

"Just as soon as you tell me what the hold up is," Stone added, grinning when his brother rolled his eyes.

"That's the question of the hour," CJ replied. "So what is the holdup?"

Stone frowned. "With what?"

"You've been back three days. Mama said you've been holed up in the barn. I thought you'd be makin' rounds, lookin' to see who's willin' to sell you some land."

That had been the plan. Right up until he pulled into town. Now that he was back, Stone wasn't sure his dream of owning a cattle ranch was in the stars anymore. The worst part was, if he wasn't dreaming of a ranch of his own, he had nothing. It was the only thing he'd wanted for as long as he could remember. Now that he was questioning it, he felt … empty.

CJ tilted his head as though that might help him figure Stone out. "You thinkin' about ridin' again?"

Stone chuckled. "Hell no." That much he knew for a fact.

Bull riding had been a means to an end. A way for him to make money that he could put directly into savings. He'd made a name for himself working on the Double J and spending time on the rodeo circuit. With a few championship buckles under his belt, Stone could probably write his own ticket. But sitting astride a fifteen-hundred-pound beast and riding for eight no longer thrilled him. And not only because the last time he'd ridden—almost seven years ago—resulted in several compound fractures in his back. Those had healed nicely, but he wasn't getting any younger. Bull riding was a young man's game. Or a fool's errand. Take your pick. And Stone was neither young nor a fool.

Between the championship purses he'd won and working at the Double J, he had more money than he needed to buy up a decent parcel of land, a few heifers, and the semen from champion bloodline bulls. It was all he needed to build the legacy he'd always dreamed of building. But would it make him happy? He wasn't so sure anymore.

"You could always buy the Lassiter farm. They've got some chickens and goats. I think a couple of alpacas."

Stone flipped his brother off again as he sipped his coffee.

"What? I think you'd do fine out there feedin' oats to goats. Get yourself a rockin' chair and some Metamucil. Right fine life, if you ask me."

"No one asked you."

CJ forked eggs in his mouth and immediately reached for his orange juice.

The bells over the diner's door chimed, drawing Stone's attention as it had the last dozen times it opened. This time, he felt something kick hard in his chest when he saw Stevie walk in.

Stone put his hand on his chest as it suddenly tightened. It felt like someone had sucked all the air from his lungs. He couldn't even gasp for breath because he was incapable of moving, his eyes tracking the only woman he'd ever loved as she walked up to the hostess.

Holy Jesus. She looked the same as she had back then: long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, big brown eyes, and those perfect, perfect lips. Her face was more contoured, her cheekbones more prominent—the result of age—but she still looked as young and as sweet as the girl he'd given his heart to. And yes, she was still the most beautiful girl he'd ever laid eyes on.

"Earth to Stone," CJ said, waving a hand in front of his face.

His gaze slid to his brother. "What?"

CJ glanced over his shoulder. When he turned back, he was grinning but not making eye contact.

Stone forced his gaze to remain on his brother. "What's that look for?"

"Nothin'."

Stone kicked him under the table.

"Ow. Fuck," CJ hissed, his voice low. Even as he glowered, he didn't stop laughing.

Stone leaned forward. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I was just thinkin' about somethin'."

"About what?"

"Somethin' that happened a long time ago." CJ's idiot grin got bigger. "Long, long time ago."

Stone frowned.

"I saw y'all," CJ said, his voice lowered to a whisper. "Right before you three went into the barn. And didn't come out until the next day."

Stone sat back, wide-eyed.

"Don't worry. It wasn't my business then, and it ain't my business now."

Stone pushed his coffee away, his eyes sliding to Stevie. He couldn't help himself. The second he saw her, something raw and untethered churned inside him. A hunger that hadn't been sated in years. Like then, he was starved for her, and it only took one look.

Only then did he realize Nico was standing behind her, that little dog in his arms.

Were they wearing matching coats? What the fuck?

He forced himself to look at the table, the floor, his brother. Anywhere but at the two people waiting to be seated.

CJ glanced back.

"Stop lookin'," Stone hissed.

"If it's any consolation, they're watchin' you the same way you're watchin' them."

Of course, Stone had to look, and CJ wasn't wrong.

This time, when CJ turned, he motioned for them to come over.

"Jesus Christ. What the hell are you doin'?" Stone whispered harshly.

"Figured you needed some company." CJ tossed his napkin on his plate. "I've gotta get home and get some sleep. Thanks for breakfast."

Stone snarled. "I wasn't buyin'."

CJ's grin grew too wide for his face. "You are now."

"Don't ever call me again," Stone muttered as Stevie approached, Nico right behind her.

"Hey, Stevie," CJ greeted. "How you been, sweetheart?"

"Good." Stevie smiled up at CJ, but her attention quickly shifted to Stone.

Their eyes met and held. He got lost in the dark brown depths the same way he had back then. He didn't want to, but manners had him getting to his feet. He stepped toward her, closing the distance without realizing he was.

She tilted her head back, her eyes locked with his, an expression of surprise on her face.

Heaven help him. Stone was pretty sure this was what an out-of-body experience felt like. As though he was hovering elsewhere in the room, watching this interaction because the emotions that churned within him were too much for his tired brain to process.

"Hey, girl," he said in a rough whisper.

She swallowed hard. "Hey."

The soft rasp of her voice caused a chill to shoot down his spine. Because it was awkward not to, Stone pulled her in for a hug, his arms going around her. He swore he heard her gasp softly as she put her arms around him, hugging him back.

And just like that, everything he felt came rushing back, flooding his limbic system. For one brief moment, it was as though he'd never left, like the past fifteen years hadn't happened, because this—right here with Stevie in his arms—was the only place he'd ever wanted to be.

She smelled incredible. Some spicy, fruity blend—definitely strawberries—that went right to his head. One touch and every feeling he'd thought was lost forever returned, overwhelming him—mind, body, and soul.

Fuck, he had missed her, but he hadn't realized how much until this moment.

"Good to see you, man," CJ said to Nico. "Talk atcha later."

Stone forced himself to release Stevie, meeting her gaze one more time before returning to the booth. His movements were awkward, but he wasn't sure what to do or say, so he motioned for them to join him. He didn't sit down—not at first. But then he became self-conscious, so he slid into the booth.

Stevie took the puppy from Nico and set him on the floor. It took only a second before the little fluff ball had his front paws propped up on the booth beside Stone.

"What's up?" Stone asked the dog, unable to resist the urge to scratch between his ears.

"Sit," Nico told the dog, gently urging his hind end down to the ground.

The dog sat.

"Impressive."

"Not really," Nico said, although he was smiling. At the dog, of course.

"You two sit," Stone told them, pointing toward the side of the booth that CJ just vacated.

Stevie looked up at Nico as though … what? Was she seeking permission? Or sending him a silent plea for help?

"Didn't sound like a question," Nico countered, his gaze bouncing between him and Stevie.

Using his own words against him. Clever.

Stone gestured toward the seat and said, "It wasn't."

Something flashed in Nico's dark blue eyes. He looked at Stevie one more time, and she gave a slight nod. A second later, she shrugged off her coat and scooted into the booth, leaving room for Nico to sit beside her.

"Sit," Nico told the puppy again.

"He got a name yet?"

"No."

"Why not?" Stone grinned down at the puppy trying to sit but unable to keep his hind end from wagging uncontrollably.

"His name's J?ger," Stevie answered, elbowing Nico in the arm.

"J?ger? As in…?"

"J?germeister," she said. This time, there was a taunting gleam in her pretty eyes.

"We haven't agreed on that yet," Nico noted. "I thought about callin' him Trouble. Suits him."

Stone's gaze shot to Stevie. We? He was proud of himself for holding that one in, but he couldn't resist glancing at their hands, expecting to find wedding bands. When he saw there weren't any, his relief nearly sent him to the floor.

"I remember someone else who used to be trouble," Stone said, his full attention on Stevie.

"Still is," Nico added.

Stevie elbowed him.

Nico grunted, then looked at Stone. "Seems I'm attracted to it."

She giggled, her eyes lowering even as her smile widened. "Yeah?"

The waitress came over, earning a puppy lick on her ankle while she refilled Stone's coffee.

"What can I get ya?" she asked Nico and Stevie.

"The usual."

Her gaze shifted to Stevie. "You, too, hon?"

"Yeah."

"Comin' right up." She looked at Stone. "You good?"

"Yep."

He looked at Nico and Stevie when she walked away. Real good, in fact.

***

Stevie wasn't sure why she bothered toorder food. There wasn't a chance in hell she would be able to eat it. Her belly was flip-flopping like a fish out of water and had been from the moment she saw Stone from across the room.

The man she hadn't seen in fifteen years looked almost the same as he had back then. Same dark hair, same hard body. Only this version of Stone was more rugged, more refined. Definitely older. Bigger. Sexier. He had laugh lines around his eyes, and he'd lost the youthfulness in his face. It was replaced by a harder jawline and a slightly crooked nose.

But his eyes were the same. Not only the green-gold color but the heat and mischief that glittered in them.

"How've you been?" Stone asked her.

"Good." The word came out too quickly and without an ounce of inflection.

"Yeah?"

She nodded, feeling like an idiot. For the past few days, she'd been practicing what she wanted to say to this man when she saw him again after all this time. And she knew she would, despite the over-the-top avoidance plans she'd been trying to come up with.

And since it was inevitable—Coyote Ridge just wasn't that big—she'd come up with a variety of possible greetings.

Heard you were back. When are you leaving?

Stone who? Can't say I remember you.

Sorry, don't have time to talk. I've spent fifteen years pining for you, need to figure out how to move on with my life.

In all the different scenarios, not one time had she even considered hugging him. Punching him in the nose had crossed her mind a time or ten. Kicking him in the balls had been at the top of the list, too.

Sitting at a booth with him and Nico had not been part of the plan.

Yet here she was.

Stevie glanced at Nico, trying to figure out how he could be so calm. He didn't appear wracked by nerves or even the slightest bit put off. He was watching Stone as though he wanted to have him for breakfast instead of pancakes and sausage links, which were the usual he'd asked for.

Stone sat up straight, resting his forearms on the table, his eyes zeroed in on her.

"What?" she prompted.

"You look good, Stevie."

She didn't thank him for the compliment. Hell, her tongue was so twisted, she couldn't.

"So what're you two up to this mornin'?" Stone asked, this time directing his question at Nico.

"Headin' to work."

Stone gestured toward the logos on their shirts. "D and S Landscape Solutions."

When he looked at her, Stevie raised her eyebrows, encouraging him to read between the lines. It didn't take him long.

"Daugherty and Shepherd," he said. "Very nice. How long've you been in business?"

"Eight years," Nico answered.

Stevie chewed on her bottom lip, spinning the silverware wrapped in a paper napkin. She didn't bother opening it because they wouldn't be staying. Their usual included a to-go bag. Thank God.

She could feel Stone's eyes on her, and it took every ounce of self-control to keep from squirming. She inhaled deeply, wishing someone would turn down the heat.

She saw Stone's hand move, gesturing between them. "Are you two a couple?"

"No," they both said at the same time.

"But you live together."

"Yeah," they answered in unison again.

"Roommates?"

"Yep," they both chimed.

Thatwasn't creepy. Not at all.

A slow smile curved the corner of Stone's mouth, and Stevie felt the tension in her core. Her pussy actually clenched. That damn smirk was what had attracted her to him in the first place. Looked as though she wasn't immune to it now, either.

"Interesting."

"Why's that?" she asked, wishing she had the nerve to say something else. Something with substance. Something that didn't make her look like she was stunned (and maybe a little happy) to see him.

Which she was, of course.

But he didn't need to know that.

***

Nico wasn't sure why his ass wasplanted in this seat.

He'd told himself last night after he'd jerked off in the shower to the memory of Stone that he would steer clear of the man. As soon as he'd seen his truck parked in the diner's lot, he should've pulled back onto the road. Ventured elsewhere.

Instead, he'd asked Stevie if she was hungry and pulled right in, not bothering to tell her that was Stone's truck they'd parked next to.

Yeah, it was safe to say he was attracted to trouble.

"Reilly tells me you're a landscape architect," Stone said, looking at him once more.

Nico nodded, wondering whether or not he'd solicited that information from his sister or if she merely offered it. Or why that might possibly matter. Who cared if he asked around about him? So what? That weird swelling in his chest was probably nothing more than pre-indigestion. If it wasn't a thing, well, it should be.

"I am," Nico confirmed. "Stevie runs everything."

Once again, Stone looked at Stevie, but Nico couldn't read his expression. He looked somewhat forlorn. As though he'd spent all these years pining for the woman he'd left behind. Nico wouldn't blame him if he had. Stevie was one of those people who was impossible not to think about. Very much like Stone.

At least for Nico, anyway.

The waitress delivered two cups of coffee in paper cups with lids, a small bowl with sugar packets, and another with little cups of cream before darting off.

Stone was still looking at Stevie. "You go that route, too? Landscape architect."

When Stevie didn't answer, Nico did for her. "She's a botanist."

"The study of … plant biology, right?"

Stevie nodded, continuing to spin the napkin-wrapped silverware on the table.

"But we both get our hands dirty," Nico said. "We're not above workin' hard."

Stone's shoulders relaxed, and he leaned back, his fingers sliding on the side of his coffee cup. "Why should you be?"

Leave it to Stone to make him look like a defensive asshole. He wasn't sure how to respond to that. He swore the other day he'd seen a hint of distaste in Stone's gaze when he thought he was a landscaper. Which he was. Technically, he wore many hats when it came to business. As did Stevie.

"What about you?" Nico doctored his coffee, adding sugar. "You workin'?"

"Not at the moment."

"Plans?"

Stone's gaze shifted to the table, and he fidgeted with his coffee mug. "Thought I had some. Up in the air right now."

"You gonna hit the road?"

Stone tilted his head. "That's the second time you asked me that. You tryin' to get me outta here?"

"No."

Aaandhe might've said that a little too quickly.

"You want me to stay?" Stone grinned, glancing between the two of them, and Nico felt that damn smirk on the head of his fucking dick. Damn, the man was potent.

"I didn't say that."

Stone's shoulders tensed. "Is there somethin' you'd like to say?"

Nico lifted his coffee cup to his lips and locked eyes with Stone. There were a lot of things he'd like to say to this man. Most of which he hadn't even thought about until the other day when he saw Stone for the first time after a decade and a half. Okay, fine. Maybe he'd reflected back on them a few times in the last fifteen years. But only briefly. Definitely not often.

Dammit. What the fuck am I doin' here?

"Here you go," the waitress said, depositing the to-go bag in front of Nico.

Perfect timing. "Thanks."

"Y'all get your usual to go, huh?" Stone asked, leaning back in that casual way that made him look even hotter.

"Things to see, people to do," he said.

Stevie chuckled, and Stone barked a laugh.

It was then Nico realized what he said. "You know what I mean."

"I certainly do," Stevie said, patting his arm.

Stone leaned forward, his voice low and intensely seductive. "If y'all have an openin'"—his gaze shifted between them—"I'd like to get on your calendar. For the latter."

If Nico had ever had a reason to call in sick—which he'd never done before—that would be it. For fifteen years, he'd wondered if he would ever hear that guttural baritone again, ever have a chance to be with a man who could single-handedly tilt his world on its axis. Stone still had the ability to ruffle his feathers and make his dick stand up and take notice at the same time. No one else could do that to him. Not even Stevie.

However, letting this man seduce him was a terrible idea. Worse than agreeing to marry a woman he hadn't been in love with after she hounded him endlessly. In the end, he'd broken her heart. In this case, should he give in to Stone, Nico had no doubt he would be the one with the pain in his chest. He hadn't fallen for the guy fifteen years ago, and he was grateful for that. No sense tempting fate again. No, thank you.

With that said, Nico wasn't above pushing the envelope.

He drank half of his now lukewarm coffee and reached for the to-go bag. As he shifted to get up, he met Stone's sexy stare.

"We're both partial to ribeyes and baked potatoes. I'm not usually much for wine, but Stevie prefers an expensive red with dinner. A restaurant isn't a requirement, but if you don't know how to cook, I suggest you get reservations."

Stone's eyebrows shot to his hairline. "And for dessert?"

"Surprise us." Nico got to his feet, glancing down at the puppy as he waited for Stevie to get out of the booth. "Come on, boy. You ready?"

"My place," Stone called out as they were walking away.

"Don't know where that is," Nico grumbled.

"The barn behind my parents' house," Stone supplied, sounding undeterred. "Both of you. Friday. Seven o'clock."

Stevie didn't look back when she called out, "If you're lucky."

He heard Stone's sexy laugh as he walked out the door with Stevie and the little dog leading the way.