Forty-Two

Stone watched as Stevie closed the doorbehind Leah, preparing himself for whatever tongue-lashing he was about to get. He deserved it, of course, and he could only imagine what was going through her head. If he'd been in her shoes, he would've been livid. Hell, if he found a half-naked man coming out of her bedroom, he would've gone fucking postal.

Stevie turned and leaned against the door. He held his breath, gearing up for her wrath.

Only when she opened her eyes, he didn't see anger glittering in the dark brown depths.

She took a deep breath and lifted her hand, pointing at … well, he wasn't sure who she was pointing at. Either him or Nico. Maybe both. They were standing side by side, and her gestures weren't animated enough to clarify.

"You are done with her," she said, her index finger stabbing in their direction.

Again, she could've been talking to either of them, but he suspected the "her" in question was Leah.

"It's not—"

"Shh," she hissed sharply.

The sound caused J?ger to bark, drawing all their attention.

"Hey, little guy," Stevie crooned. "It's all good. You're the only boy here right now who's not on my shit list." She cocked an eyebrow. "Keep it that way."

J?ger sat, his tail thumping on the floor.

When Stevie looked at him, Stone opened his mouth.

"No. You don't get to talk right now."

He probably shouldn't get turned on by the fierceness of her tone, but his dick thickened as though her lips were wrapped around it.

"And you," she glanced at Nico. "You're done with Melanie."

"I—"

"Shut it," she snapped, cutting him off. "From this point forward, I don't want excuses from either of you. No more ghosts from the past sneaking up on us."

"That goes for Oscar, too," Nico stated.

"Who's Oscar again?" Stone asked, glancing between them.

"No one," Stevie said at the same time Nico said, "her pain in the ass ex-boyfriend."

"Oh, right." Stone nodded. "I remember now."

"Why bring him up?" Stevie huffed, rolling her eyes.

If he wasn't seeing things, there was the hint of a smile on her mouth.

Her question was clearly rhetorical, but Nico answered anyway. "Only so you know the rules apply to you, too."

"No," she said firmly, walking toward them. "I'm beyond the rules at this point."

"Is that right?"

"From here on out, I get to make them."

Stone grinned. This was the feisty girl he'd fallen in love with all those years ago. The girl who took shit from no one. He could see the fire burning in her eyes, the flames licking at everything in the room.

"No more ex-girlfriends, and—"

"Or ex-boyfriends," Stone and Nico said at the same time.

"Or ex-boyfriends," Stevie amended, although she wasn't happy about it. "We're leavin' it all behind us. Starting anew. Everything that was before isn't."

Stone leaned toward Nico, speaking out the side of his mouth. "Is it me, or does she sound like Yoda?"

Nico snorted.

Stevie marched forward, ignoring them. She stopped directly in front of him, tilting her chin up and meeting his eyes. "I will fight for what's mine, Stone Jameson." She stepped to the side and looked up at Nico. "That goes for you, too, Nico Daugherty."

"Did she just last name us?" Stone asked, glancing at Nico.

"I think she did."

"Make fun if you want," Stevie continued. "But I'm not playin'."

"We're not either," Stone assured her, taking a step toward her.

Nico did the same. "The same goes for us. We'll fight for what belongs to us."

"And you, baby, belong to us," Stone said smoothly. "Don't ever forget that."

Her eyes widened, but there wasn't an ounce of fear in them. "Do you mean that?"

"Of course we do."

"Then prove it."

Stone looked at Nico and saw he was looking at him. In that brief moment, he could practically read Nico's thoughts, and they were on the same page. He gave a slight nod.

"What was that?" Stevie asked, her eyes darting back and forth between them. "That look."

Neither responded as Nico moved, grabbing her before she could slip away. Stone stepped in front of her, crowding her between his body and Nico's.

"I told you the other day that I'm ready for the next phase. Remember that conversation?"

"Briefly." Her breathy tone contradicted her bold lie.

"I think it's time we do somethin' you'll remember forever."

"If you think I'm havin' sex with—"

Stone dropped down to one knee, Nico mimicking the move behind her.

"What are you…?" Stevie gasped, but it turned into a laugh. "Get up. Both of you. Right now."

She tried to dance away, but they grabbed her arms, stopping her before she stepped on J?ger. The puppy joined in the fun, pouncing around her feet.

"Stop!" She laughed, a sound so damn sexy, Stone felt it throughout his entire body. "This is silly. Quit it."

"Not until you agree to spend the rest of your life with us," Nico stated firmly.

"This is dumb. Get up."

"Marry us, Stevie," Stone said softly.

Although they'd turned this into a game, Stone's breath lodged in his chest because he wasn't kidding. He wanted to marry her. Maybe it wouldn't be in the traditional sense, but he wanted forever with them. He didn't care what that looked like as long as they were together.

"You know that's not a thing, right?" she countered.

Stone canted his head. "And how would you know that?"

"I looked it up."

Stone glanced at Nico. "She looked it up."

"Sounds promising to me," Nico added.

"This is crazy," Stevie said, giggling. "Let me go."

"Not until you agree," Stone told her.

"And what?" She snorted. "Become Stevie Jameson-Daugherty?"

Stone looked at Nico again. "Sounds kinda good."

Nico's mouth twisted. "Or, you know, we do it alphabetically. Daugherty-Jameson."

"I like that, too," he acknowledged.

"Hello!" Stevie shouted, drawing their attention back to her. "This is insane."

Stone looked at Nico again. "She's right. Plus, I'm not sure it's workin'."

Nico pursed his lips and nodded. "We should bring out the big guns, huh?"

"Good idea."

"What're the big guns?" Stevie asked, backing up, although they were still holding her arms.

"Don't worry, baby, we'll show you."

"We can't! J?ger's here."

"Did I mention I picked up a kennel for him the other day? Even got him some toys." Stone told her. "Figured he might need it for nights y'all stay over here."

He continued to crowd her toward the bedroom.

"Any more excuses?" Nico asked.

She giggled. "No. No, no. We're not doin' this. We're supposed to be havin' a serious conversation."

"We can be serious when you're naked."

With Nico beside him, Stone took off after her when she made a break for it toward the bedroom.

***

Stevie had no idea how they'd gottento his point. One second, she'd been ready to dress them both down for the shit day she'd had, thanks to the women from their past. Next, she was racing to Stone's bedroom in an attempt to get away from them while at the same time hoping they would catch her and break out the big guns like they promised.

Her head was spinning, and euphoria-induced laughter bubbled out of her. Seeing them on their knees, asking… God, she wasn't sure they'd been serious, but secretly, she hoped they were because the thought of spending the rest of her life with them was the only way to erase images of that bitch coming out of Stone's bedroom wearing only his shirt. Or listening to Melanie go on and on about how she regretted ending things with Nico and how desperate she was for a second chance.

One would've been bad enough. Two was simply cruel.

But she couldn't deny their reactions to those situations had done wonders for her ego.

Stevie squealed when big arms curled around her, lifting her off her feet. She giggled as Stone carried her into his room.

"We're so not done with you, baby," he whispered, his breath warm on her neck.

Before she could say anything, Stone spun around, still holding her up in the air. Nico appeared a few seconds later, his eyes blazing with an emotion she hadn't seen before. It was a mixture of so many things—lust, love, maybe even adoration—and it sent a frisson of heat zinging through her bloodstream.

"Where's J?ger?" she asked, buying time.

"Safe and secure with his new toy," Nico answered.

She giggled and twisted when Nico reached for the button on her jeans, his intentions clear. With Stone holding her the way he was, she was at their mercy. The only sound in the room was her muted grunts and uncontrollable laughter as Nico proceeded to tickle her while he stripped her from the waist down. Only then did Stone lower her so her feet met the hardwood. He didn't release her, holding her still so Nico could eliminate the rest of her clothing.

And then she was naked, and they weren't.

It was a heady feeling, especially when Nico looked at her like she was dessert.

Another squeal bubbled up when Stone grabbed her and tossed her onto his bed, the mattress cushioning her fall. Her brain kicked in, devising a plan to get away because that was the game, but she didn't get far before he was on her, straddling her hips and pinning her arms to the bed.

His smile was wickedly sensual.

"Find somethin' to tie her up with. Check the closet," Stone told Nico while his heated gaze remained locked on her face.

Her clit pulsed with excitement at the thought of them tying her down. He'd never done that before.

Nico's voice sounded far away for a moment but then clearer as he returned to the bedroom. "Do you wear these?"

Stone glanced over his shoulder. "Only if I have to."

"I'm intrigued," Nico said, appearing at the side of the bed, two neckties dangling from his fingers.

"Silk." She looked at Stone. "Nice."

"They'll look much better on you." His eyes heated even more.

Then they were testing that theory, tying her hands to the narrow posts on the headboard, stretching her arms wide. When they were done, Stone got off the bed, standing beside Nico as they ogled her.

Fresh heat crashed over her, sending chills skating across her skin, her nipples pebbling, her pussy growing wetter by the second.

"You have a footboard, don't you?" Stone asked Nico, his tone casual.

"I do."

"Probably better for this. We'll have to keep that in mind for next time. For now, we'll work with what we've got."

Stevie expected them to join her, but Stone clearly had other things in mind because he moved, standing behind Nico, his arms coming around him. She lifted her head to watch Stone raise Nico's shirt, revealing all those deliciously defined muscles. She watched every second like this was her own personal strip tease as Stone peeled Nico's clothes from his body.

She was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling like she'd run a marathon, but her cardiovascular system only thought it was in chaos. Her heart rate double-timed it when Stone reached around Nico, curling his big fingers around Nico's cock. He stroked him while he kissed his neck.

Nico moaned and grunted, accepting the pleasure while his eyes caressed her from head to toe again and again.

It was exquisite torture, tied to the bed, forced to endure and not participate.

Stevie was so caught up in the sensual show, she flinched when Nico grunted. She looked up to see Stone fisting Nico's hair roughly, yanking his head back. Nico's neck stretched, his chest muscles bunching.

She didn't hear what Stone whispered in Nico's ear, but when Stone brought Nico's head to level once again, his mouth was open, his eyes wide, his features drawn in what looked to be pain. But Nico didn't pull away, didn't attempt to stop Stone from manhandling him, shoving him forward, bringing him closer to the bed.

Nico's movements were jerky as he put his knees on the bed, not fighting as Stone dragged him closer to her.

"Spread your legs, baby," Stone instructed. "Show me how wet that little pussy is."

Stevie gasped, spreading her legs because she had no resistance when it came to this man's dirty commands.

"Look at that." Stone used his free hand to tease her, dragging his finger through her slickness.

Then he was forcing Nico's head down, down…

Stevie gasped when she felt Nico's heated breath on her sensitive flesh.

"Nice and slow," Stone told Nico. "Don't make her come, but you have my permission to bring her to the edge."

When Nico's tongue lapped at her, she gripped her restraints, holding on for dear life as he tormented her with languid strokes over her clit.

"I could watch that all day," Stone said, standing beside the bed, stripping off his clothes, making it impossible for Stevie to focus.

Between Nico's wicked tongue and the intoxicating sight of Stone's naked body, she was trapped in a blissful state of purgatory, lingering between heaven and hell and never wanting it to end.

***

Stone had never felt as alive ashe did in that moment.

Here, with Stevie and Nico. Nothing else mattered except the three of them coming together like this. It allowed him to block out everything else because it paled in comparison.

It didn't matter that Zane held his future in the palm of his hand because that took a backseat to this any day of the week. Stone would do what he needed to do to take care of these two people. He would find something else, do something else, be something else. It was inconsequential because the whole of his happiness existed right here in this room.

It wasn't even about the sex. That was a bonus, a way to take the edge off their amped-up emotions. It was about connecting on a wavelength that brought them back to where it all began. Rough and dirty was what they all craved, but it was so much more than that. Those things added fun and excitement, but they weren't what bound the three of them together. The only thing powerful enough to do that was love.

"Please!" Stevie hissed, writhing under the onslaught of Nico's ministrations.

"Good girls ask nicely," Stone teased, putting one knee on the bed.

She whimpered. "Please." Her back arched. "Make me come!"

"Still didn't ask nicely." He pinched her nipple, earning a guttural moan. "Is it not enough?"

Stevie shook her head, her eyes closed, mouth in a thin line.

She was beautiful like this. At their mercy, capable of taking only what they were willing to give her. It was how he'd planned it.

"You need more," he said, purposely not phrasing it as a question.

"Yes."

"Hmm." He stretched out on the bed beside her, propping his head on his hand and using the other to pull her leg back, opening her up to Nico's mouth.

Leaning forward, he took her nipple between his lips, lightly teasing the little nub with his tongue. She whimpered, relaxing as he caressed her softly, sweetly. When she began to mewl, he bit her nipple.

Stevie cried out, her back arching. "Again!"

He did it again.

"You think she deserves to come yet?" he asked Nico between intimate nibbles.

Nico lifted his head. "Not yet."

"When?" Stevie cried out. "I can't take it!"

Stone chuckled, releasing her nipple and turning his attention to her face. He pressed his fingertips to her chin, turning her head, forcing her to look at him.

"Say yes."

She frowned. "To what?"

"To marrying us."

Her eyes closed as she shook her head.

"Finger her," Stone instructed Nico.

Stevie cried out when Nico plunged his fingers inside her, his lips wrapped around her clit.

"Don't you dare come," Stone warned Stevie, pinching her nipple again, letting her ride the fine line between pain and ecstasy.

"I … I … oh, God! Please."

"We'll give you everything you want as soon as you say yes."

She shook her head. They tormented her some more.

"Are you ready to say yes?"

Stevie nodded, but she said, "No."

Stone chuckled. She was purposely toying with them, and he loved that she could do that. Loved that she knew they wouldn't give up on her. Saying no meant they would work harder to be what she needed them to be. It wasn't rejection. It was a demand for them to give her everything she deserved.

And this beautiful, sexy woman deserved everything. She deserved the best that life had to offer. Not in the form of money, because Stone had learned a long time ago that money wasn't everything. In fact, it was nothing when you had no one. And he'd spent fifteen years regretting that he'd thrown away the best thing in his life for a dream that was nothing without her.

"Do you love us, Stevie?"

Her head turned, her eyes opened. "Yes."

"Say it."

Nico stopped, lifting his head.

"I do," she whispered, her eyes glittering.

Stone reached for Nico, urging him to move up. He did, propping himself on all fours so he was hovering above her while Stone remained beside her.

"Say it," Nico rasped.

Stevie looked up at him, then back to Stone. "I love you. Both of you."

"Then say yes," Nico's tone was more insistent, but his eyes held a wealth of emotion.

Stevie huffed a laugh. "Fine. Yes."

Stone reached down, thrusting two fingers inside her. "Mean it, and we'll both fuck you."

She giggled. "Then, by all means, yes."

He removed his fingers, reaching for Nico's cock and dragging it along the slick seam of her pussy, teasing her clit.

Stevie arched her back. "Oh, God!"

"Mean it," Nico told her. "Promise to spend the rest of your life with us."

"You promise first," she snapped back.

Stone released Nico's cock, getting to his knees so he could look down into her face. He met her stare, held it for several heartbeats. "I will spend the rest of my life loving you both. That's a promise."

A tear leaked down her cheek.

Nico was there, brushing it away. "This is the only thing I've ever wanted. You. Stone. The three of us. I promise."

More tears streamed, but Stevie nodded. This time, the word was breathless and rife with the same promise. "Yes. A lifetime."

Stone smiled. "You're not sayin' that so you'll get fucked, are you?"

"No," she insisted while nodding her head.

God, he loved her.

"You're a bad little girl. You know what happens to bad little girls, don't you?"

Her eyes flared with heat.

Nico moved, shifting to her other side, giving Stone the room he needed to spank her pussy. She squealed, bucking her hips.

Stone did it again as Nico kissed her, muffling her cries.

The mood shifted then, still sultry and laced with a desperate hunger, but the connection had been made.

Stone spanked her pussy again, but when Nico moved, so did he.

Nico straddled Stevie's chest, his knees under her still restrained arms, gripping the headboard with one hand.

"Open your mouth," Nico groaned. "Let me feed you my cock while Stone fucks your pussy."

"God, yes. Please." Stevie moaned, spreading her legs.

Stone didn't hesitate. He guided his cock into the sweet, hot depths of her body, gripping her ankles and raising them high in the air. The wet sounds of flesh entering slick holes sounded, combined with their grunts, as they drove her to the pinnacle and beyond. Stevie's cry was muffled by Nico's cock, her pussy clamping down on him.

"Fuck. That's it, baby. Come all over my cock."

Nico roared next, his body jerking and twitching.

Stone waited until he moved before dropping her legs so he could lean over her and pound himself into her, holding her gaze, willing her to see everything. His plans hadn't gone as he thought they would, but nothing he could've dreamed up would ever be as good as this.

Stevie. Nico. Stone. Together. Forever.

The mental image sent him soaring as he came.