Twenty-Seven

Stone smiled down at Stevie. "Tired?"

She shook her head.

"Want more?"

He laughed when she nodded. Damn, the woman was perfect. Sweet and sexy. Deviously mischievous. Wanton and proud of it. He loved that about her. Hell, he loved everything about her. He always had.

"Can you handle more?"

"Try me."

"I want that ass," he said, holding her stare, gauging her first reaction.

"What're you waitin' for?"

Oh, yeah. She was still a wild cat. Stone was pretty sure she had no boundaries. Not when it came to sex.

Because he knew she thought he meant he wanted to fuck her ass—which he certainly did, just not at the moment—he held up his belt, shifting the narrative.

Her eyes widened, but not from fear.

"Turn over," he commanded.

She rolled slowly onto her stomach, then shifted onto her knees, her chest flat on the mattress.

He rubbed the smooth, rounded globes of her perfect ass, then trailed his finger along the crack, his fingertip brushing lightly over the tiny, puckered hole. "You know the belt's gonna hurt, right? It's vastly different from my hand."

Her response was a shake of her ass.

"How many?" Stone asked Nico.

Nico pondered it for a moment before he said, "What's a fair number, Stevie? Three? Five?"

She turned her head toward Nico when he joined her on the bed. Stone couldn't look away, admiring the long, delectable length of Nico's impressive body. He was ripped, his muscles highly defined because of his lean stature. It was obvious his body was honed from manual labor, and Stone was more impressed by that than if Nico spent hours a day at the gym. He was a work of art.

"Can we try one, and then I'll decide?"

Stone chuckled. Apparently, she wasn't as sure of herself. Not that he blamed her. He'd never spanked anyone with a belt. He wasn't even sure how he'd feel about it, but he was willing to give it a shot. Admittedly, he'd practiced before he left the house, trying to get a good grip on the leather, figuring out the best way to swing. It was how he figured out that he had to remove the buckle to avoid a mishap. After all, he wasn't out to hurt her, merely to give her the pleasure she sought.

He cupped her pussy, teasing her with a gentle touch while he let the anticipation build. When she relaxed, he rubbed her buttocks, grinning when she flinched. He continued to play, allowing her a few minutes to catch her breath after her orgasm. He wanted to build her back up slowly. Tonight was about her, even if she didn't know it.

When she came inside the house, Stone took the opportunity to share his plan with Nico, wanting to ensure they were on the same page.

Stevie finally relaxed when Stone dragged the leather down her spine, lightly caressing. He swept it across her ass. Back and forth, again and again. When he pulled it back, he kneaded her ass.

"Right here, baby." He patted her ass softly. "I'm gonna warm you up. I'll put the belt right here. You ready?"

"Mmm-hmm."

Stone focused, pulling his arm back, angling the leather so the swing would land where he wanted it. He delivered three rapid smacks, using very little force.

She moaned softly, shaking her ass. "More, Stone. Please."

He looked at Nico. He was watching him, and his subtle nod was the encouragement Stone needed.

He spanked her with one well-placed hit, landing it on his mark.

Stevie whimpered.

"Another?"

"Yes."

He spanked her again, landing the blow in a different spot.

She moaned again, louder when Nico reached between her legs to fondle her cunt.

"Darlin', you're wet."

"Mmm-hmm. More, please."

Stone remembered the first time he'd spanked her. They'd been fooling around up in the hayloft. Stevie had teased him with her mouth but stopped before she finished him off. He'd threatened to punish her for it. Her response had been to taunt him more, pushing him until he made good on his promise. He'd smacked her ass with his hand, and she had begged for more. He'd tested the waters, landing one of the smacks directly on her pussy. Stevie had orgasmed from the impact, surprising them both. It was then that Stone realized she wasn't merely playing along to please him. She craved a rougher touch.

From that point on, they'd experimented. He'd learned what she did and didn't like, and they went from there. He had trusted her to tell him when it was too much, and that was how their bond had formed.

"Two more," Stone told her. "You want me to leave a mark?"

Stevie turned her head, peering back at him. "Yes."

He wasn't sure he was capable of delivering that mark with the belt since he was still uncertain about his ability to land it without hurting her, but he would try. And if that didn't work, his handprint would look just as lovely on her sexy little ass.

Stone delivered the next one with force and precision. Stevie shot forward, crying out. Instantly, she pushed her ass back.

"One more! Now, Stone."

He could feel Nico's eyes on them as he did her bidding, spanking her again, this time as hard as he was comfortable with.

Stevie cried out, her back arching.

Stone dropped the belt and thrust two fingers inside her. Her pussy spasmed around his fingers.

"Jesus, baby. You're comin'."

She nodded and whimpered as she tried to fuck his hand.

"Get under her," he instructed Nico. "She needs to be fucked."

While Nico gladly shifted into place, Stone pulled his fingers from inside her and went to the nightstand to retrieve the lube.

He paused when he noticed something was different. The last time he'd been here, there hadn't been anything on the nightstand. Now there was a little white alarm clock, one of those colored bands Stevie used to pull her hair up, a tube of watermelon-flavored lip balm, and what looked to be a romance novel.

All of the things that had been on the nightstand in Stevie's room.

Had she moved in here? Were they now sharing a bed?

Stone swallowed hard, ignoring the hurt that took up residence in his chest. He'd been hanging onto the notion that they were still roommates, and the three of them were exploring this thing together.

Evidently, he was wrong.

He cleared his throat and opened the drawer. The box of condoms was still there. As was the pump bottle of lubricant. Stone retrieved both, intending to give Nico a condom, but when he turned back, it no longer mattered.

Stevie was sitting astride Nico, his cock lodged deep inside her.

Stone tried to hide his surprise, but he knew Nico saw it.

"She's on the pill."

"I know." And he did, but it didn't lessen the pang of disappointment that ripped through him. Stone had fucked her without a condom, and as he'd told her before, he trusted her. He knew Nico would as well. But still. Stone had mistakenly believed that this was something new for all of them. Right or wrong, he felt betrayed, and that … well, it fucking hurt.

Not that he didn't deserve it.

Shrugging off the emotional turmoil, Stone pumped lubricant into his hand, coating his fingers before rubbing a generous amount on Stevie's asshole. When he did, she stopped moving.

"Just my fingers this time," he promised, his tone flat.

When she began rocking again, fucking Nico, Stone made good on that promise even as it felt like his heart was crumbling into dust.

***

"Stone…" Stevie wanted more but he wasn'tdelivering. "Please."

She wanted all of him, but she knew that wasn't his intention. She wasn't sure whether he was punishing her or himself, but no matter how much she begged, he wouldn't fuck her ass. But this was good, too. Or it would've been, except he wasn't putting much effort into it.

"Stone?"

"Lean forward," he ordered, pressing one hand on her back when he put one knee on the bed.

Stevie dropped her chest to Nico's, relaxing against him when he claimed her mouth while his cock tunneled deep inside her. It felt good, but she wanted more. She wanted to feel them both inside her at the same time.

She whimpered when Stone added another finger. He stretched her back hole, but she could tell he was holding back. She wasn't sure what had changed, but she'd felt the shift as soon as she seated herself on Nico's cock. If she hadn't been watching their reflections in the glass door, she would've been none the wiser, but she'd witnessed Stone's surprise when he turned back to find Nico buried to the hilt inside her.

He didn't say anything, but the way he'd tossed the condoms aside told her what he wasn't saying. And then Nico had clarified that she was on the pill, and she knew what his problem was.

Why? That was the question. Why was he bothered by it? He trusted her, right? He'd said he did. Did he not trust Nico? Or was this some fucked up male pride that was getting in his way?

Whatever it was, it was ruining the mood, and that pissed her off.

"Stop," she said, pushing herself up.

Nico stopped instantly, his concern etched on his face as he stared up at her.

Stone backed off, too, but rather than wait to see what she had to say, he disappeared into the bathroom.

She heard the water turn on, figured he was washing his hands.

"What's wrong?" Nico asked, his voice low.

"That's the question, isn't it?" she retorted, climbing off of him as Stone joined them. "Are you mad that we're not usin' a condom?"

"Mad? No. Surprised? Yes."

"Why?" she snapped. "You didn't have a problem fuckin' me without one. Why should Nico?"

His eyes darted to the nightstand as he started to say something, but he closed his mouth and shook his head.

"Tell me," she bit out. "I deserve that much, don't I? Or do you plan to run away again?"

His head snapped up, his eyes slamming into her. His flinty gaze narrowed as he took one step forward, then another.

"I'm not runnin'," he growled.

"Coulda fooled me." Stevie knew she should probably leave well enough alone, but she couldn't help herself. This confrontation had been a long time coming, and though the trigger wasn't what she expected, she knew it had to be done.

Nico sighed. "Stevie, we should—"

"He's pissed," she told Nico, cutting him off. "He's pissed because we're not usin' a condom."

"I'm not pissed."

"Yeah, you are. Admit it. You wanted to be special. You wanted to be the only one, didn't you?'

The muscle in his jaw bunched, but he didn't argue.

"Well, tough shit, Stone. It's our choice. Not yours." She snorted. "You fucked me without a condom when Nico wasn't here. How's that any different?"

"It's not."

"Damn right, it's not. I love him," she blurted. "And he loves me."

"I know." Stone swallowed. "And I know you don't love me."

Stevie's eyes widened. She hadn't expected that. To maintain this anger, she needed him to be angry, too. But he wasn't. He sounded … defeated.

Stone remained there, unmoving, which pissed her off more. So much so that she ignored the hurt that flashed in his eyes. She pretended not to see it because she didn't care. It was the least of what he deserved. After all that he'd put her through, Stone should feel some of that ache she'd grown accustomed to for so long.

She talked to Nico while she stared at Stone. "He pretends he's okay with this, but deep down, he's selfish. He wants—"

"I'm jealous, all right!" Stone bellowed. "But it has nothin' to do with—" He waved his hand toward her nightstand and took a deep breath, his tone cooler when he said, "The condom. I thought this was new for all of us. I was wrong."

Stevie was confused. What the hell was he talking about?

She glanced at the nightstand when he looked over again.

And there it was. All her stuff, probably glaring right in his face.

"I moved in here," she told him, tipping her chin up, daring him to give his opinion. She didn't care. Plus, she was still riding the wave of retribution. The need to make him feel a fraction of what he'd made her feel when he left her all those years ago was too powerful to ignore.

"I see that." He took another deep breath. "I was mistakenly under the impression this would be a conversation the three of us would have. Clearly, you two had it without me."

A second ago, she'd wanted to blast him with hurtful words. Now, she was on the verge of tears. It wasn't fair. She shouldn't care.

His voice was low, tormented. "I get it, Stevie. I do. I'm the third wheel."

"You're the one who likes to share," she managed. "This shouldn't be a problem for you."

Stone nodded. "I'm tryin' to be okay with it."

Nico sat up, and Stevie could feel his eyes on her.

Stevie gritted her teeth. This wasn't supposed to happen. They were supposed to be having fun, right? That was all she wanted. So why was Stone making this so hard?

Stone reached down to pick up his jeans. "I need—"

Stevie lost it. She bounded off the bed, racing over to him. She grabbed his jeans before he could and flung them in the opposite direction.

"You don't get to run," she hissed.

He stood tall. "I need a minute, Stevie. I wasn't goin' to leave."

"Liar!" She wasn't sure what came over her, but her anger and frustration gripped her by the throat. The next thing she knew, she was hitting his chest with her fists. He didn't stop her, and he still didn't stop her. She wished he would because she couldn't stop herself. Her anger, her hurt … it was a living, breathing thing inside her. She didn't want to love this man, but it seemed no matter how hard she tried not to, she was succumbing to it.

"Stevie," Nico barked from behind her.

"I hate you," she told Stone, realizing that tears were streaming down her face.

His tormented expression broke her heart.

She hit him one more time, then fell forward, pressing her face to his chest. His arms came around her, holding her tight.

"I don't want to love you," she sobbed, sliding her arms around him. "It's easier to hate you."

"I know," he whispered near her ear. "I've hated myself for a long time."

She believed him. And that was one of the reasons she loved him.

***

Nico had known from the moment helearned that Stone was back in town that this inevitable collision was coming.

Stevie was good at pretending she didn't feel anything, that Stone's reappearance hadn't affected her, but she was only fooling herself. Nico knew better. She would end up processing it in some way that didn't involve pretending she didn't care. This was it. This was her coming to terms with the fact her life had come full circle.

He wasn't sure what to say, so he kept his mouth shut. The moment was lost, but that was okay because this was more important. Stevie needed to get it out so they had a chance of moving forward. He knew deep down she wanted this as much as he did, but as he'd told her before, he didn't harbor the same animosity toward Stone as she did. Yeah, he'd been disappointed when Stone left town, but they'd shared exactly one night together. His life had been altered, but not the way hers had.

"I'm gonna give you two a minute," he told them, grabbing his sweatpants off the floor.

Stevie pulled back. "Don't go."

"I'm gonna get some water and check on J?ger," he assured her. "I'll be right back."

Nico met Stone's eyes as he pulled on his pants. He saw more emotion in those glittering brown-green depths than he'd ever seen before. Stone was tormented by what he'd done because he'd hurt Stevie. It was evident that walking away from her was something he'd spent the past fifteen years regretting.

As Nico walked past them, Stone reached out and grabbed his arm. Nico stopped, looking down at where Stone's big fingers curled around his forearm. Stone's thumb brushed back and forth over his skin, and Nico didn't realize how much he needed that small reassurance.

"I'll be back," he promised, then slipped out of the room.

J?ger was in his crate, head lifted, eyes widely curious. Figuring he might need some attention after hearing raised voices coming from the back of the house, Nico got him out and took him out to the yard. It was cool but not cold—too much humidity to allow for that—and since he was half-dressed, he appreciated it.

While the puppy sniffed the grass around the patio, Nico sat down and waited. His chest felt oddly tight because he was on edge. Not from the argument but from the concern that Stevie and Stone might not be able to reconcile their differences the way Nico hoped.

He wished he could help them. Wished he knew how to put the past behind them. It was far easier said than done, though, which meant he had to let it play out however it was going to.

J?ger bounded over, tail wagging. He looked almost proud of himself for doing his business in the yard versus the house. It was enough to make Nico laugh as he got to his feet and led the way inside. He offered J?ger a treat, which he gleefully took, before putting the puppy back in his crate. J?ger snuggled right into the blanket, obviously appeased that all would be okay.

Nico wished he could be as sure.

Still, he headed for his bedroom, not sure what he would find.

He paused in the doorway. Stone was sitting on the bed, Stevie standing in front of him, both of them still naked. Stone's big hands rested on her hips while hers teased his hair.

Stone noticed him first, jerking his chin in the signal for him to join them.

Hesitantly, Nico made his way over.

Stevie's cheeks still had tear tracks running down them, and it broke his heart to see.

"I didn't mean what I said earlier," she said, looking at Nico.

Since she'd said a lot of things, he waited for her to elaborate.

"I do love you," she told Stone before looking at Nico again. "And I love you. It's a curse, I guess." She forced a smile, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes to go with it. "I want to pretend all is good now, but I can't. However, Stone kindly reminded me that we've got a lot of time to make up for and there's no reason to rush anything."

Nico agreed. At the same time, he didn't want to go backward. The progress he'd made with Stevie wasn't something he was willing to give up.

"I'm gonna do my best to be more open about what I want," she told them both. "And not just with sex. Although…" She stopped playing with Stone's hair and put her hands on their chests. "I'm gonna be more vocal about that, too."

Nico glanced at Stone. "I didn't think she was havin' trouble with that. Did you?"

Stone's smile was small, but it was there. "No."

She smacked their chests lightly. "Hush it."

Stone reached for her, but she danced back out of the way.

"Are you playin' hard to get?" Nico asked, curious what her end game was.

"No. I'm takin' a step back."

"Why?"

She looked at Stone. "Remember how you said seein' me and Nico together is an aphrodisiac?"

He nodded.

"It's the same for me when I see the two of you together."

Nico continued to stare at her. He wasn't sure where she was going with this, but he got the feeling he was going to enjoy it.

"I say we get up in that bed and get comfortable, and perhaps y'all might let me watch for a little while."

"Tonight was supposed to be about you," Stone told her.

"In that case, I definitely want to watch you two together."

Nico frowned. "I'm lost."

"No, you're talkin' too much," she said, the teasing note returning to her voice as she moved around them and climbed onto the bed.

Nico twisted to look as she pulled the blankets back and got under them.

"Come on. Join me."

"You good?" Nico asked Stone, keeping his voice low.

Stone nodded. "As long as y'all aren't kickin' me out, then, yeah."

Nico didn't bother telling him he'd prefer he stay forever. Now didn't seem to be the time to make any significant adjustments to their future plans.

With that in mind, Nico walked around to his side of the bed and climbed in with Stevie. A moment later, Stone joined them.

This was exactly where Nico wanted to be.

Only he would've preferred there to be some spark left in Stone's eyes.

Unfortunately, it wasn't there. And Nico had no idea how to get it to shine again.