AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, is that right?” I ask, although my mind races. Is he hinting at something? Is he into me as much as I’m into him? God, I hope so.
“Mmhmm,” is all he says before stopping and turning to face the ocean.
I stop to look at the view, too. The sun is setting on the horizon, and the sky is painted with blue, purple, pink, and orange. Stone is right––thisisa beautiful part of the world.
Neither of us say anything while we admire the view. Then, a thought comes to my mind, and I want to know the answer. I figure now’s as good a time as any, so I go ahead and ask him, “Does your mom still live in Tacoma?”
Stone glances at me, then looks back at the view. “No. Not really, anyway. She passed away three years ago. She’s buried in Tacoma, though, so in a way, she’s still there.”
My heart falls. I was afraid that’s what he was going to say, based on how he used past tense to talk about his mom yesterday. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I miss her every day, of course, but what can I do? Cancer sucks.”
“What kind of cancer did she have?” I wish I could wrap my arms around Stone to help him feel better. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to lose my mom at such a young age.
“Pancreatic cancer. It spread fast, and there wasn’t a lot they could do. She fought hard, but she lost the battle.” He sniffs, then sticks his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
I don’t know what to say. Is he getting teary eyed? Now I feel awful for bringing it up. “I’m so sorry,” I say again.
He wipes his eye, then looks at me. “It’s really okay. No need to apologize.”
We stand there, side by side, watching the sunset. I can hear music in the distance, from whatever band is playing at the festival tonight. It’s a few miles down the beach, too far away to see from here, but we can faintly hear it.
“I like it here,” Stone says out of the blue. “I could get used to living this close to the ocean.”
“I love it,” I say, unsure of what elsetosay, other than tell him he should definitely move here, closer to me. But I can’t say that. I’d sound batshit crazy.
“We should head back,” he says. “It’s pretty dark now.”
As we walk back to the house, Stone tells me more about his mom, as well as his sister, who I didn’t know about before. She’s in college, and he tries to help support her as much as he can. I didn’t think Stone Ryder could get any more perfect than he already is, but this sets him over the top.
When we get back to the house, I grab my book off the chair.
“Are you going to read more tonight?” Stone asks as we walk toward the back door of the house.
“Probably,” I say casually. However, the real answer ishell yes, I am!I want to know
what happens next between Mick and Selena––especially since they’re in the middle of getting it on. I want to know what kind of sex scene Stone can write. How dirty does he get? Does he know what women like?
Stone stops at the back door, taking me by surprise. I stop within a few inches of him, and he turns toward me. “I hope you’re enjoying the book.” It’s dark outside, although there are lights on the deck, as well as the light coming through the kitchen window and door, so I can still see his gorgeous face.
“I am,” I reply, my mouth going dry as I admire his good looks. He’s standing closer to me than he’s ever stood before, and I can’t stop staring at his kissable lips.
“Can I tell you something, Olivia?” he asks, taking a step closer to me. He’s close enough, he could just lower those perfect lips to mine…
“Yeah,” I say, although it comes out as a whisper.
Stone’s sexy lips lift in a smile. “I like you.”
A shiver runs through my body. Did he just say that? I’m left speechless.
Suddenly, his hands cup my elbows. “Can I kiss you?” he whispers as he lowers his head closer to mine.
I’m stunned. I can’t speak. Is this happening?
All I can think to do is nod my head, and the second I do, his lips land on mine.
He takes it slow at first. All my senses go into overdrive as my mind goes blank. His tongue licks the seam of my lips, asking for access, and I’m all too eager to grant it to him. Our tongues meet, and he goes all in, kissing me with fervor. I drop the book I’m holding, and my hands fly to his firm shoulders, while his slide up my arms to my face, cupping my cheeks, holding me to him. Our tongues volley back and forth as the heat between us amplifies. My whole body is in tune with his. I’ve never been kissed quite like this, and the feelings I was beginning to have for Stone increase ten-fold. I want this man, and I don’t want to deny myself the pleasure.
