STONE AND I ended up on the floor in front of the couch, passing out in each other’s arms only to wake and fuck again. He had used me. He had used me so damn good. Every inch of me hurt. My muscles screamed with protest every time I tried to move, reminding me that the large man beside me was the reason for this throbbing pain.
“We never made it to your bedroom,” I told Stone a couple hours later, curling into his side.
“No.” He kissed my neck, throwing his leg over mine, and pulled me against him. “We didn’t.”
I shivered, placing a soft peck on his collarbone. Brushing my fingers over the tattoos, I kissed each one my hand traced. “I love these pieces,” I said, running my thumb over his pierced nipple. “So damn hot.”
“Creena,” he warned, his voice deepening.
My body burned, the tightness between my legs tingling from how rough he had been. “I guess the other night wasn’t a one-time thing, huh?”
He chuckled, kissing my forehead. “I knew when I first met you that you would never be a one-time thing.”
“Yeah?” I cupped his jaw, brushing my thumb over the scratchiness of his thin beard. “I’m hard to resist?”
“Yes.” He pushed me onto my stomach, sinking his teeth into my shoulder blade. “This tight body was just begging to be fucked by me again.”
“Hmm … it wouldn’t complain if you fucked it right now. Again. For what, the fifth time?”
He grinned.
Much to my dismay, he pulled me into his arms and kissed the side of my head.
“Why haven’t we started fucking before?” he asked, wrapping a blanket around me, and laid us back down on the floor.
“Uh …” I poked him in the chest. “Because you were too busy getting pussy elsewhere.” I sat up. “It’s no big deal. We’re fucking now. That’s all I care about.”
“Yeah?” He pushed up on his elbows. “Why’s that?”
I let my eyes roam down his hard body. Every muscle protruded. Veins popped and twitched. The strength beneath his skin was powerful, and each time he touched me, I felt safe. Wanted. Cared for. “Because.” I looked away.
“I don’t think so, baby girl.” He sat up beside me. “I saw your eyes all over me. Tell me what you were thinking.”
I licked my lips.
“Tell me.” He pinched my chin, forcing me to look back at him. “Creena,” he breathed, inching his mouth closer to mine.
“You make me feel safe,” I whispered, a hard shiver trembling through me.
Stone wrapped the blanket around me tighter before pulling me against him. “You are safe with me.”
“And you’re safe with me,” I said, yawning.
Stone lifted me and gently placed me on the couch before lying down beside me. “Sleep, beautiful.” He kissed my head. “I got you.”
***
(Stone)
I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t. Spending the night with Creena forced me to feel things I didn’t want to feel but I was addicted and couldn’t stop myself.
The need to have her every time I could took over. It was powerful and all consuming. And it drove me fucking mad.
With the soft sounds of her snores and her snuggling up to me, I knew this was what I wanted. I craved the moment I could come home and find her in my house, ready and waiting for me. I wanted to cook for her. To show her I was a good guy with a dark past. Without her telling me, I knew she had a dangerous history as well. Something was bothering her but she wouldn’t tell me.
I wouldn’t push. Not yet. But the more time we spent together, the more determined I was to crack her walls of steel.
Creena was something special.
We became fast friends in the beginning and I found I only wanted our friendship to grow and become something more.
My stomach twisted. Fuck. I didn’t need this.
“Stone?” Creena shifted her weight on top of me. Her knee brushed along my dick sending a shiver straight to my balls. I cupped her ass, sliding my hand down her hip to her thigh, and ground into her.
She moaned when she realized what she woke up. “I was about to apologize for almost kneeing you in the crotch but I guess you liked it.”
I chuckled, kissing her hair. “Never be sorry for how you make me feel.”
She lifted her head, her eyes twinkling in the early morning light grazing around the room. “I’m assuming I’m not leaving anytime soon, am I?”
I checked the time on my phone and saw it was almost six in the morning. “Nah, baby girl. I’ll cook you breakfast in a little bit.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You cook?”
“Just a little bit.” I winked. “Now sleep.” I needed her to have the energy for what I planned on doing to her after breakfast. Although, if we kept going at it like we were, it would be me who needed the damn rest.
***
(Creena)
I woke to a heavy arm wrapped around my middle and Stone’s face pressed into the crook of my neck. His breathing was deep and even. For the first time since I met him, he looked peaceful and at ease with his life. He was absolutely breathtaking. So fucking hot I could eat dirt off of him and climb him like a tree.
His body shifted, pulling me further under him. The powerful muscle between his legs rested against the flesh of my ass. Although it was flaccid, it still sparked a hint of desire inside of me that I had for him.
As much as I wanted to take this further, I needed coffee.
Pushing his bangs off his forehead, I kissed his nose and slid out from beneath him.
“Where are you going?” His deep voice rumbled through me, promising hours of delicious sex.
I shivered. I could never get used to the deep vibrato of his voice. “I’m going to make coffee.”
He grabbed my hand, kissing my fingertips. “I’ll make breakfast.”
“Really?” I asked, savoring the feeling of his lips on my skin. “I thought you were kidding.”
“I’m half Italian. I don’t kid about food.” He kissed my knuckles once more and rose from the couch. Stretching his arms above his head, the muscles beneath his beautiful tattoos rippled beneath his tanned skin. “Fuck. Next time, we’re sleeping in my bed.”
My heart jumped. Next time. Good God, he wanted me again. It took everything in me not to fist pump the air.
He caught me staring and raised an eyebrow. “What?”
My cheeks heated. “You … you’re just …”
He grinned, taking a step toward me. “Yeah?” He wrapped a hand around his cock, stroking from base to tip. “What about me?”
Seeing a part of him grow beneath his touch was something I never thought I would actually enjoy. Other guys I had been with who jerked off in front of me didn’t do anything to my libido, but the man standing in front of me? Stone could sell millions just making videos of him jacking off.
“Creena, Creena,” he tsked, shaking his head. “You are a naughty girl.” Stone tugged the barbell piercing at the tip of his dick.
“Shit, Stone,” I groaned, watching him touch himself.
He chuckled, placing a soft kiss on my head. “I’m hungry.”
“Yeah.” I licked my lips. “So am I.”
“Fuck.” His mouth moved down my face to my lips. “Mmm …”
“Food. I need food.” I pushed him back. “But one of these days, I really need to watch you play with yourself.”
“You would like that, huh?” He kissed the side of my neck. “I think that can be arranged.” He pinched my chin, landing a hard peck on my lips. “Only if I get to watch you do the same.”
I swayed toward him, grabbing a hold of his arms before his kiss forced me to my knees. “Yup. That can definitely be arranged.”
He laughed, pulling me into his arms. He wrapped himself around me, brushing his nose along the length of my throat. His body relaxed, a soft growl leaving him.
I had meant to ask why he did that. Why it relaxed him after kissing my neck. But with his mouth on me, I decided to wait until later.
Stone pulled away and quickly got dressed. “My sister’s stopping by.”
I paused in putting my dress back on. “Sister?”
He nodded, tugging a white t-shirt over his head.
“Oh, I didn’t know you had siblings.” I slid the fabric down my body when his fingers wrapped around my wrist, stopping me. I met his gaze.
“Just one.” He raised an eyebrow. “Why? What’s up?”
“Nothing.” I pulled from his touch and finished getting dressed. “I’m just not used to you telling me about … well … you.”
“You haven’t told me shit about you, either,” he threw back at me, his eyes narrowing in the center.
“You’re frustrating,” I huffed. “You’re closed up tighter than a fucking vault.”
“Finish getting dressed,” he said, his voice flat. “I’ll make breakfast and take you home.”
“So, because I question you, you’re kicking me out?”
“No.” He headed to the kitchen. “I have training today.”
“Moody asshole,” I grumbled under my breath.
“I heard that.”
I sighed, following him.
Stone grabbed all of the ingredients he needed from the fridge and went to work on making me breakfast. I leaned against the wall, taking in the sight before me. With his back to me, even through the T-shirt, I could see his muscles moving fluidly over his bones.
“Are you going to stand there and eye fuck me or are you going to come here?”
“So demanding.” I stepped up behind him, running my hands beneath the fabric of his shirt. “Are you always this grumpy in the morning?”
He spun on me and grabbed my wrists. “I’m grumpy when I have a woman who has more secrets than I do.”
I frowned, pulling from his grip. “We’re having fun. I don’t want to talk about that shit.”
“Yet,” he added, tapping my nose with his forefinger. “I will get it out of you.”
“Whatever.” I hopped up onto the counter, folding my hands in my lap. “Tell me one of your secrets first.”
He barked a laugh. “Good try.”
“Exactly.” I gently shoved him. “Later. Right now, let’s just enjoy this. Please.”
He searched my face. “Fine,” he said a moment later. “My grandmother taught me to cook. Pasta was her favorite. She could turn three ingredients into the best fucking meal ever. But I prefer breakfast.” He stepped around me, brushing his fingers over my knee. “It gives you energy for the day.”
“And for other stuff.” I winked, grabbing his hand.
“Mmm …” He stepped between my legs, running his hands up my hips, and kissed the side of my neck. “Yes, and definitely for other stuff.” His hands moved beneath the straps of the dress, his fingers skimming over my collarbone.
“Stone,” I breathed, tilting my head back to give him better access to my throat.
“Fuck, Creena.” He shivered. “You smell fucking good.”
As much as I wanted him anytime and anywhere I could get him, I needed to find out something more about him. At least one thing. “Why do you do that?” I asked, my skin puckering at the gentle brush of his mouth down my jaw.
“Do what?” His voice came out gruff.
“Scent me.” I pulled back. “Like an animal.”
“I like your smell.” He shrugged, going back to making breakfast. “It calms me.”
A sense of dread washed over me. A wall just went up between us. It was thick to the point it choked me. But I couldn’t worry about it. If he wanted to be a moody asshole, that was fine. He just better not expect me to open up without at least giving me something.
“Why does it calm you?” I asked, stepping lightly on the conversation.
His gaze flicked to mine, but before he could answer my question, his phone rang.
Stone pulled the cell from the back pocket of his pants and grumbled a greeting. “Yeah.” His eyes warmed. “No, I’m not alone. Yes. I think you’ll like her. Okay. Love you too.” He placed the phone on the counter. “My sister will be here soon. You might want to put on your sweater,” he suggested, his finger brushing over a red bite mark he had given me on my shoulder.
I hopped off the counter but not before he caught my arm.
“Don’t put on your panties,” he muttered, his deep voice sliding along my skin.
“Why? Do you want to keep them for yourself, Stone?” I asked, looking up at him.
His eyes twinkled. “No. I want to be able to shove my fat cock inside of your delicious pussy whenever I can. Panties get in the way.” He patted me lightly on the ass. “If I had it my way, you would be walking around here naked with your cunt constantly wet for me. I think you would like that too.”
I pulled from his grasp, breathing through the ache that had permanently taken up residence between my legs since the first time we slept together. “You have no idea what the hell I like.”
He laughed, his fingers gripping my arm tighter. “Oh, little girl. I know exactly what you like and it scares the shit out of you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, lifting my chin defiantly.
“You sure are a challenge.” He kissed my cheek. “I will break you down, baby girl. I will break you down so fucking hard, the only way you’ll be able to get back up is by asking me for help.” He cupped my jaw, forcing me to look up at him. “That I promise you.”
***
(Stone)
The sadistic part of me enjoyed pissing Creena off. No matter what it took, I would get her to open up. She was about to find out something I hadn’t shared with a lot of people. Especially not the guys from Vice-One. I just hoped that by me sharing this little piece of my life, she would give me something in return. I wanted to know more about her before she joined the King’s Harlots.
“That was really good, Stone,” Creena said, her satisfied moan pulling me from my thoughts.
“I like a woman who appreciates food.” I placed the dirty dishes in the sink when I felt a warm body come up behind me.
Creena brushed a hand down my back before joining me at my side. We didn’t say anything as we washed dishes together. Was this how it was supposed to be? Did couples do dishes together? Could we even be considered a couple? I wasn’t fucking anyone else and I knew for a fact that neither was she. No one else could make her scream like I did. She craved my cock. Nothing else could satisfy that dark itch she had.
“I can feel you thinking about me,” Creena said a moment later.
“You can feel me thinking about you?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Is that even possible?”
Her gaze slid to mine. “With the connection we have? Maybe.” She shrugged. “It is what it is but …,” she paused.
“What?” I asked, placing the last dish in the drying rack. “Tell me.”
“I can feel you fucking my mind.”
“I’m good, Creena, but even I know I can’t get that deep inside you.” I cupped her nape, pulling her against me in a rough move, and sunk my teeth into her jaw. “As much as I would like for that to happen, it’s not possible.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She placed her hands on my chest, arching against me. “God, Stone.”
I groaned, rubbing the scruff of my jaw against her cheek. “Hmm … would you like me to try? Would you like me deep enough, you feel me fucking your mind?”
“Yes,” she whimpered, her body shaking against me.
A knock on the front door forced us apart.
Creena laughed, rubbing a hand down her face. “To be continued.”
I grinned, kissed her cheek, and headed to the door. “Well, who do we have here?” I called out as I opened the door. I lowered to my knees just as my niece, Gianna, came running toward me.
She squealed, throwing her arms around my neck.
I chuckled. “Did you miss me, piccola?” I asked, hugging her back and lifting her into my arms.
“I did, Uncle Vince.” Gianna cupped my face, her brow furrowing. “Where have you been? Do you not love us anymore? We haven’t seen you in years and years.”
“I saw you yesterday, silly,” I said, tickling her belly.
She giggled. “Well, it feels like years and years. You should just live with us.”
I rolled my eyes, looking pointedly at my sister, Aria.
She shrugged, her lips pulling up into a grin. “She came up with that all on her own.”
“Right,” I said slowly, shaking my head. “What have you been telling them?” I teased, kissing my younger sister on the cheek.
“It wasn’t me.” She grabbed her son’s hand, pulling him into the house. “I would never tell them anything of the sort.”
“Right.” I placed Gianna on the ground and leaned down to greet Luca. “What’s going on, buddy?”
My nephew shrugged, his dark chocolate eyes looking everywhere but at me.
“Is he okay?” I asked Aria.
“Yeah.” She sighed. “His dad and I got in a fight this morning.”
A tremor rippled down my spine. “What do I need to do?”
Aria patted my chest. “Nothing, big brother. I got this. I’m half-Italian too, remember? I share that same temper you have.”
“I don’t like him,” I told her. “I’ve never liked him.”
“Yes, you’ve made that abundantly clear, Vincent, but let’s try and keep that information a little quieter,” she scolded, pointing at her children.
They both stared up at me with wide eyes.
“Sorry, guys. Your daddy is a meany head.”
“Vince,” Aria cried. “Seriously.”
I shrugged. “What?”
She huffed, gently pushing another little girl towards me.
I picked her up and walked out to the kitchen. Dark brown eyes mirroring my own stared back at me.
Creena was standing by the counter with a cup of coffee in her hands. Her eyes burned into the side of my head but I couldn’t meet her gaze. I wasn’t sure how this would go over. Creena was a nurse. I knew she liked people and babies but I wasn’t sure how she would deal with the fact that I had a daughter.
And never told her.