Twenty-Nine

Stone held onto Stevie like his lifedepended on it. At times, he was sure it did. Or it felt like it, anyway.

"I'm sorry about the things I said the other night." Her words were mumbled, broken up by her sniffling.

Reluctantly, he released her when she pulled back.

"I didn't mean them." She wiped her eyes.

"You don't have to apologize. I deserve it."

Her eyes widened. "No, you don't. God, Stone. Nobody deserves to be talked to like that. I had no right, and I'm ashamed of what I said. At the time, I wanted to hurt you." She shook her head adamantly. "But what I said … it's not true."

Stone didn't want to argue with her. He'd accepted the blame long ago. He'd come to terms with the fact he'd fucked up his own life by leaving. He didn't need her to tell him that. If he had stayed, there was a good chance he would've married her, had babies. It would've been hard for them, and he had no doubt they would've struggled to get to this point, but he liked to think they would be happy even though he'd told himself for years that there was no way he could've been what Stevie needed.

Still, he wished he'd given himself a chance. Given them a chance.

"I loved you so much back then," Stevie whispered, her big brown eyes shining with unshed tears. "I was so lost when you left."

"I was, too." He cupped her face, shifting closer because he couldn't not touch her now that she was here.

Stevie's hand curled around his wrist, her eyes imploring him. "I went through all the stages of grief."

Nico had mentioned the very same thing to him, stating that Stevie had hated them both for a long time.

"For a while, I even pretended you were dead. I finally accepted that you weren't comin' back, so it was easier that way. I didn't want to believe you could walk away. I thought we had somethin'."

"We did," he assured her. "We absolutely did. We do. I fucked up. I loved you then, and I love you now, Stevie. You have to know that."

She nodded, holding his stare.

"I thought I was doin' right by you."

"You hurt me."

He swallowed, emotion churning in his gut. "I know. And I'll spend the rest of my life makin' it up to you."

Stevie shook her head. "You can't."

"But I—"

She placed her hand over his lips. "What I mean is, we have to put it behind us. If we're gonna move forward, we can't let the past define our future."

He wanted to believe that. More than that, he wanted her to mean it. A future with Stevie and Nico was the only thing he wanted. He had a lot to atone for, and he was prepared to prove to them he was in it for the long haul this time.

"I want a future with you," she whispered.

Stone pulled her into his lap, hugging her tight to his chest. He was at a loss for words, so he settled for holding her, listening to her breathe, feeling the warmth of her body beneath his hands. Her proximity stirred his body to life, but he ignored it. And he was successful, right up until she kissed his neck, her fingers teasing the hair at his nape.

"I miss the way you used to touch me," she said between nibbles on his neck.

He closed his eyes and got lost in her exquisite touch, her delectable scent teasing his nose. He couldn't count how many nights he'd laid in his bunk thinking about her. When he closed his eyes, he swore he could feel her touch, hear her soft sighs. He'd dreamed about her for nights on end, constantly waking frustrated and angry with himself for leaving.

"Stone?"

"Hmm?"

"Touch me."

He slipped his hands beneath her sweater, her smooth skin teasing his fingertips. She was so soft.

Stevie pulled away, getting to her feet. His brain began working overtime, trying to figure out what he'd done wrong when she pulled her sweatshirt over her head. She held it to her chest for a moment, then tossed it away.

Stone exhaled, flopping back on the couch as air began circulating in his lungs again. He stared at the most beautiful creature in the universe as she unhooked her bra and slipped the straps down her shoulders. Again, she held it there momentarily before baring herself to him.

"You are. So beautiful." His sentence was broken because lust slammed into him, thickening his cock, making his jeans uncomfortably tight.

She reached for the button on her jeans. "Back when we were together, I went after what I wanted without apology."

He remembered. He'd loved that about her.

"When you left, I forgot who I was. I buried that girl down deep." She flashed a smile. "I think it's time for her to reemerge."

Stone caught his breath when she shimmied her jeans down her legs.

"Do you have a problem with that?" she asked as she hooked her thumbs in the elastic of her panties.

"No, baby." He shook his head to reiterate. "No problem at all."

"Good."

And then there she was, naked and gorgeous, nibbling on her lower lip like she was unsure what to do next.

"Don't move," he whispered, soaking up the sight of her, memorizing every curve all over again.

When she shivered, Stone got to his feet. He gripped her waist and lifted her off her feet. When he started walking, her legs went around his waist, her arms circling his neck.

"Where're we goin'?" she whispered, her mouth hovering near his ear.

"Somewhere I can lay you out and have my wicked way with you."

He made his way into his bedroom and headed right for the bed. He tossed her on it, watching as she bounced and laughed. Goddamn. She was everything he'd been missing all these years.

Before she could get too comfortable, Stone grabbed her ankles and jerked her toward the edge of the bed.

Next came the internal conflict. Did he make love to her sweetly, savoring every touch and showing her how gentle he could be? Or did he take what she was freely giving him because the Stevie he loved needed that rougher touch?

Stone decided to reserve sweet and gentle for a later date. Right now, he wanted to remind her how explosive they were when they were together.

Holding her gaze, he ran his hands down her sculpted calves, stopping behind her knees. He leaned down, bending her in half while spreading her legs wide.

"Hold your legs," he ordered.

She took over, gripping behind her knees, spreading herself wide.

"I wanna look at you," he told her, admiring her as he took his shirt off and threw it to the side.

He towered over her, staring down at her beautiful body, loving how vulnerable she was right then. He trailed his finger along her inner thigh, from her knee down, down, down. He teased over her glistening flesh with the lightest flutter of his finger. She shivered again, her eyes locked on him.

"You need my mouth on you, don't you?"

Stevie nodded.

He slid his finger between her pussy lips, lightly, gently. He added a little pressure when he reached her clit.

Stevie gasped. "Stone…"

You want my tongue here?" He rubbed a circle over her clit.

"Yes." She grunted. "Please."

"What about here?" he asked, sliding his finger down to the snug entrance of her pussy. He pushed in to the first knuckle. "You want my tongue here?"

"Yes," she hissed, her eyes closing.

"Me, too." He lowered himself to his knees. "You don't know how long I've dreamed about tastin' you again. Lettin' you fuck my tongue with your sweet little cunt."

She whimpered.

"I'm hungry, baby," he warned, licking her soft pink flesh.

"Stone, please."

He slipped his hands under her ass, lifting her to his mouth. He pressed a soft kiss on her clit, smiling when she grunted her disappointment.

"That's not enough for you?"

"Lick me, Stone," she demanded.

"I think someone forgot who's in charge." He bit her labia, then licked away the sting. "Don't worry, baby. I'll remind you."

***

He was going to kill her slowly.

Stevie should've expected it. And maybe she did. Maybe her inner bad girl was hoping he would punish her the way he used to. The man was responsible for teaching her what she liked. She'd been too young back then to know, but he'd had no problems letting her set her own path. She knew she wouldn't be the woman she was if she hadn't met him.

Stone's tongue trailed over and around, licking, nipping, teasing, but never where she wanted him. She tried to be quiet, hoping he would reward her for her patience.

Only they both knew she had none. Zero. Not when it came to him and his skilled mouth. The man ate pussy like it was both a delicacy and a dessert. Sometimes, he savored; others, he devoured. Problem was, Stevie wasn't sure which he was in the mood for.

"Look at those pretty nipples," he said, his rough words vibrating over her skin. "Pinch them for me."

She wasn't sure how she was supposed to hold her legs back and do what he wanted. It took a moment for her to realize she could do both, but it required her to contort her body into a less-than-comfortable position, her arms curling under her knees.

"That's better," he said as he dipped his tongue into her pussy, fucking her, tormenting her.

Did she mention the position made her even more vulnerable to his wicked tongue? It was impossible to focus while he was doing that. She pinched and tugged her nipples, the sensation warring with the delectable things he was doing between her legs.

But when he circled her clit with the tip of his tongue, she lost her grip, her inner muscles clenching as pleasure stole through her.

"Ahh. That's what you needed, huh?"

"Stone…"

He continued to play with her clit, flicking it, rubbing it with the flat of his tongue, then flicking it again.

"I can't!" she told him, her hands returning to her legs as she pulled them to her chest, desperately urging him to send her over.

Stone chuckled and the vibrations nearly did her in.

"One, Stevie. I'll let you come one time, but only to take the edge off."

"Yes." She rocked, trying to get more friction on her clit, when he licked her again. "Please, Stone. Oh, God. Make me come."

He wrapped his lips around her clit and sucked, sending shards of electricity through her, shorting out her circuits when he ruthlessly flicked the sensitive nub. She detonated, screaming as she let the waves crash over her, through her. She was drowning in pleasure, and she didn't care if it took her under, and she never emerged.

"You do know you owe me, now," he said as he got to his feet. "And I'll take my payment in increments."

She smiled, watching him pull his boots off, dropping them to the floor with a thud. He discarded the rest of his clothes without rushing. She ogled him when he was naked, her mouth watering at the sight.

"Your first installment's due now. The last in the mornin'. Then we'll discuss future terms."

This was the Stone she remembered. Sex with him had always been an adventure. There was no wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am with him. Stone had always taken his time. He was the reason she craved it. And she'd had decent sex with other men, but nothing compared to what she found with Stone and Nico. Separate or together, what they gave her was above and beyond anything she'd felt with anyone else.

"You are so sexy," he whispered as he crawled onto the bed with her.

She welcomed him into her arms as he draped himself over her so she could feel the heat of his body.

His mouth found hers, and she lost herself in the kiss. She could taste herself on his lips, which meant he could, too.

"How should you repay me?" he teased, his lips trailing down her jaw.

Stevie turned her head and whispered in his ear. "Put your cock in my throat."

He growled, a sound so animalistic, chills danced along her arms. "You say such pretty things."

She giggled as he lifted his head, smiling down at her.

But Stone didn't rush to shove his cock in her mouth. He wouldn't. The man had infinite patience, and sex had always been a give-and-take for him. Only, he usually found some way to give far more than he took. Which had always been a conundrum for her since she'd wanted nothing more than to worship him, to give him as much pleasure as he gave her. But ultimately, it was a win-win, as far as she was concerned.

He sat up, straddling her hips, his heavy cock bobbing out from his beautiful body. Her fingers itched to touch him, so she did, curling them around his thick shaft, stroking lightly while she watched him watching her.

His hands didn't remain idle. They skimmed her sides, moving higher, teasing her flesh with the gentlest brush of his skin. She gasped when he gently pinched her nipples, pulling on them until they were once again beaded. Feeling bold and brazen, Stevie angled his cock toward her mouth. She wanted to taste him, but Stone had other ideas.

Shifting, he positioned so that his cock rested between her breasts. She stopped stroking when he pressed her breasts together, pillowing his rigid shaft between them. His eyes heated as he watched his cock tunneling between her breasts.

Stevie loved watching him. His face was so expressive, so otherworldly beautiful. Although that word did nothing to describe his rugged, bad boy good looks. He had a devilish appeal about him, one she'd been drawn to instantly. She'd go so far as to say she'd fallen in love with his roguish charm.

When his lips parted with a groan, Stevie helped him along, pushing her breasts together so he could change the angle of his thrusts. It gave her what she wanted, his cock closer to her mouth. She lifted her head, sticking her tongue out so she could lap at the bead of precum on the tip when he rocked forward.

"Damn, baby. Ah, yeah. I need that sweet mouth."

She flashed a grin when he abandoned her tits and shifted his focus to her mouth. She thought he would lean over and take what he wanted, but this was Stone. She should've known he had something else in store.

In one quick move, he was on his back, and she was laid out over him. He banded his arms around her and laughed, his eyes glittering with amusement.

He was even better looking like that—carefree and happy, living in the moment. She wasn't sure she'd seen that look on his face since he returned, but she was glad it was there now.

His hands cradled her ass, kneading softly at first, but with every passing second, he became more aggressive, and the temperature of the room increased as her desire shot up a few thousand degrees.

Stone rolled his hips, his cock sliding between her thighs, rubbing sensually against her clit. He was watching her, and she knew he was following her lead, using her reactions to set the pace. There was no one better at reading her than Stone Jameson. He always knew what she needed and just when she needed it.

She cried out when he gripped her ass and shifted her so that his cock pressed against her entrance.

"You need my cock, don't you, Stevie?"

She nodded, gasping as he pushed the blunt head inside. Just the tip. Not nearly enough, but the sensation was exquisite.

"You can have it," he crooned. "But you've gotta take all of it. Think you can handle that?"

Stevie met his stare, daring him to give her everything his heated gaze promised. She felt the shift in him, his primal side coming alive. He was going to fuck her. There would be no sweet words or gentle caresses. He was going to fuck her like she needed to be fucked.

"Yes. Fuck me, Stone." She lifted her hips, giving him room. "Fuck me. Hard."

He held himself there for one heartbeat, two. His gaze held warning and promise, and she welcomed both. She knew he would wait until he was ready, so she didn't speak, only breathed. In, out. In, out. In—

Stevie screamed when he drove his cock deep inside her, filling her in one brutal thrust. He held her hips so that she couldn't move. She could only accept what he was giving her as he drilled her rough and hard, pumping into her from underneath, gravity doing its duty as she dropped down on him each time he rammed inside her.

It was just the beginning. Stevie did what she could to hold on for the ride.

"Aw, fuck. Such a tight little pussy. Squeeze my dick, Stevie."

Her inner muscles locked on tight, dragging a ragged growl from him.

"Yes. Just like that. Fuck. Feels. So. Good."

Stone never stopped fucking her. Not even when he flipped her onto her back. His hands were rough as he contorted her body, his cock tunneling deep with every stroke.

"I fuckin' love this pussy," he snarled. "So fuckin' wet for me. Did you miss this, Stevie? Miss the way I own this pussy?"

"Yes! God, yes!"

"I want your orgasm, baby. I want you to come all over my cock. But not yet." He slammed into her again and again. "Not until I'm done with you."

She cried out her pleasure, whispered his name, pleaded for more and more and more. He gave her everything she needed, nipping her skin, tweaking her nipples, pounding her pussy. It was wild, unhinged, and so perfect that she briefly wondered if she would even survive it.

Stone shifted forward, bending her in half, pounding down into her, hitting that spot inside her that made her see stars. He wasn't gentle, and she loved every second. She'd always loved watching the need overwhelm him as he took his pleasure from her.

"Stone!" It was a warning. She couldn't hold back. She was going to come.

"Take it, baby," he hissed, his eyes locked on her face. "Take me, Stevie. I wanna feel you come."

She tried to hold on, not wanting it to end, but the electricity ignited the flame, and it grew hotter and hotter until she was boiling over, every cell in her body charged and sparking.

"Let go," he demanded, his eyes hot.

Digging her nails into his arms, she did as he instructed. She let go. Falling, falling. She was overwhelmed by pleasure, drowning in ecstasy that was far more intense than anything she'd ever felt.

Or so she thought.

She learned how wrong she was when Stone slammed into her one final time.

"I love you, Stevie," he rasped, his eyes closing, teeth clamping together as he pulsed deep inside her.

Intensedidn't even begin to describe the feeling that swept over her then.

***

Stone didn't want to sleep.

He didn't want to miss a minute with this woman.

But after he'd cleaned them both and joined her in his big bed again, the tug of exhaustion was impossible to resist as he held Stevie in the dark, her soft body warm against his. He didn't fight when sleep took him, dragging him into one of the most restful nights of his life. He woke numerous times, stirred by his body's desire for the woman he held in his arms. He ignored that need, content to simply be.

When morning finally came, Stone woke with small, determined hands moving over him. And lips. Those were definitely lips that were trailing across his chest. And a tongue.

He groaned softly when Stevie licked his nipple, teasing it to a little point.

"You're a bad girl." His voice was rough with sleep, so it came out more of a rasp.

"You have no idea," she whispered as she continued to work her way south.

Stone relaxed, letting her have her wicked way with him. Her soft mouth explored his cock, bringing him fully awake with her skilled ministrations.

"What time do you have to be at work?" he asked, staring down his torso at the woman who was making love to him with her mouth.

She paused long enough to lift her head and say, "Seven thirty."

He glanced at the clock. 6:03 a.m. glowed brilliantly red from the nightstand.

They had time.

"You're workin' my dick like you've got a goal," he said, sliding his hand over her hair.

She smiled with his cock in her mouth—which was a sight that every man should witness at least once in his lifetime because goddamn.

"Stevie … baby…" He gripped her hair tightly, watching as her eyes sparked with pleasure/pain. "You sure you wanna do this?"

Her eyebrows rose, but she continued to take him to the root.

"I'll need recovery time before I fuck you in the shower."

Another smile, but this time she pulled off his dick. "I like the way your mind works."

He laughed. "And I like the way your mouth works."

She leaned down and pressed a kiss to the sensitive head of his cock, and he saw stars. Jesus. The woman was going to kill him.

"Shower then?"

He nodded, hoping his legs would work.

She didn't seem to have the same problem because she hopped out of bed like she had springs in her lower extremities. She strolled naked out of the room, her footsteps disappearing.

When Stone reached the bathroom, she was already in the shower, but rather than standing under the water, she was pressed up against the wall.

"What's wrong?"

"Cold," she said, frowning. "Don't people know that instant hot water is the only way to go?"

"I take it y'all have tankless water heaters at your place?"

"Well, duh."

He laughed as he stepped in to join her, turning his back to the barely lukewarm water and shielding her with his body.

"I'll warm you up," he promised, pulling her against him as he leaned down to claim her mouth.

The kiss started slow but increased in intensity when Stevie's hand curled around his dick, her fingers stroking as she attempted to climb his body.

"I thought for sure I wore you out last night."

"I've recharged since then."

She definitely had.

"I can't get enough of you," she said, nipping his lower lip. "Plus, you've got a lot of time to make up for."

There was no animosity in her tone, and the relief that swept through him nearly knocked him to his knees.

"It'll take the rest of my life, but I aim to make it up."

Her eyes were clear and unguarded when she stared up at him. "I'm gonna hold you to that."

She pressed a kiss to his lips but then disappeared as she stepped under the water. He took the opportunity to watch her as she tilted her head back, wetting her hair. When she went to work shampooing her hair, he grabbed the body wash and poured a generous amount in his hand, then started soaping her body, working his way from her shoulders down. He gave his full attention to every inch of her. On his way back up, as the water rinsed the soap away, he took more liberties, teasing her with his fingers.

"Stone…" She whimpered, putting her foot on the small ledge near the floor, opening herself to him. "Keep doin' that."

He fingered her. Slow and deep, surrounding her with his much bigger body as the water rained down on them, loving the soft mewls that escaped when he hit the right spot inside her.

"Stone … I want…"

She gasped when he added a third ringer.

"Tell me."

Her eyes opened, water dripping down her face, droplets forming on her lashes. "Fuck me."

"I thought I was."

She shook her head, grabbing for his hand. His other hand, which was cupping her ass.

"Here," she rasped, urging his fingers between her ass cheeks.

Stone dipped his middle finger along the crack, seeking the tiny hole she was urging him toward. He pressed the tip inside her, and she attempted to spread her legs wider.

He pushed in to the second knuckle, three fingers still buried in her cunt. Water wasn't the best lubricant, but it worked in a pinch. It allowed him to sink his finger in all the way.

"You wanna be filled by both of us at the same time," he whispered. "Don't you, baby?"

"Yes."

"How does it feel?"

"Full."

"Hurt?"

"No."

He slid his finger in and out of her ass, alternating those in her pussy.

"Stone?"

"Hmm?"

Her eyes implored him. "Fuck my ass. With your cock."

"You sure?"

She nodded.

Removing his fingers from the tight warmth of her body, he stepped back. Knowing there was no way he could fuck her in the shower—their height difference made it impossible—Stone turned off the water and took her by the hand.

She giggled when he dragged her out of the bathroom and back to the bedroom. They left a trail of water in their wake, but his cock was too determined to care.

"On the bed. All fours. Ass to me."

While she did that, he grabbed the bottle of lubricant from the bedside table. Ever since he'd seen Stevie again, he'd been jacking off two or three times a day, attempting to stave off the heat. It was a temporary fix but a necessity nonetheless.

Standing behind her, he pressed his hand to the center of her back, urging her to bend over more.

"Chest flat. Knees wide."

She widened her legs, her sweet pussy and her little puckered hole beckoning him.

"You ready for me?"

"Yes."

He smacked her ass. "Liar."

"Ow." She laughed. "What was that for?"

"For thinkin' you could take my cock without any preparation." He chuckled, then smacked her other ass cheek.

When she giggled, he dropped to his knees and licked her from clit to asshole.

"Oh!"

"You like that?"

"Mmm-hmm."

He licked her again, tending to the sensitive nerve endings, rimming her hole.

"Oh. My. God. Stone…" She pushed her ass back. "More."

He paused to tease her hole with his finger. "You ever had someone eat your ass?"

"No."

He licked her some more, teasing her clit with his thumb. He didn't stop until she was rocking against him, whimpering and pleading. When her moans grew louder, he lubed his fingers and her back hole liberally. He started with one finger before adding another, scissoring them to stretch her. He wasn't sure she would be able to handle him this time around, but he was going to make her come regardless.

The entire time, he teased her clit.

"More, baby? Or do you want my cock in your pussy?"

She hesitated, and her lack of certainty was the only answer he needed.

Stone stood up, angling his cock and guiding it into the slick depths of her cunt.

"Fuck me," he told her.

"That's not my—"

He smacked her ass, the crack of skin on skin silencing her.

"Fuck yourself on my cock."

She began rocking forward and back, slowly at first, pulling off his dick and then sliding on again.

"Good girl."

She shivered, and he remembered how she used to swoon when he said that.

"Keep fuckin' me, Stevie. Aw, yeah. Just like that. I love this tight little pussy."

She moaned and gasped, her tempo increasing. While she brought them both pleasure, he pumped lube in his hand and coated his thumbs.

She paused when he pressed against her asshole.

"Don't stop," he growled, keeping the edge in his tone because he knew she loved that.

When her hips began rocking again, he pressed his thumb past the tight ring of muscle, fucking her ass while she fucked his cock. When her sphincter relaxed, he thrust his hips to meet her, driving his cock and thumb in deeper.

"Oh, fuck … that feels good … Stone … don't stop. Please don't stop."

"Make yourself come so I can fill this little pussy."

She cried out as their bodies slammed together, his cock lodged deeper and deeper each time. When she began moaning his name over and over, he thrust his other thumb into her asshole, fucking her with both while he drove his hips forward.

"I'm … Stone!"

She came, her pussy milking his dick, stealing his breath and his release without warning. He slammed into her, feeling the tight pulse of her asshole on his thumbs as he filled her.

"Don't move," he warned, slowly pulling out of her ass.

As soon as he did, she flopped forward with a sigh. "That was…"

"Incredible? Amazing?" He laughed. "Only the beginning?"

She peered back at him over her shoulder, her smile blinding. "I definitely like the way your mind works."

"Remember that when you're beggin' for mercy next time."