Stone Unhinged (The Stone Book 2)

by Renee Harless

  I love you,

  Your fiancé

  Smiling as I hold the note to my chest, I decide to go into work, albeit a bit late, but I’m sure my staff will understand.

  I get dressed quickly and send a message to Scott, hoping he can escort me today. He knocks on my door twenty minutes later ready to take me to work.

  Exiting the doors of my complex, I’m immediately onslaught by press, clamoring for a story on my second kidnapping. Noticing my distress, Scott works to move the reporters aside so that I can get to the car. I almost make it to the door, until one reporter yanks at my purse, shoves a camera in my face, and asks if I’m happy that I broke up one of their beloved families. Completely taken aback at his accusations, I stare dumfounded into the camera lens.

  “Why? Why would you say that?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

  Freeing me from the reporters grasp, Scott shoves me quickly into the vehicle before racing out of the parking spot with a squeal of the tire.

  “Miss, don’t listen to anything they say, they’re just trying to make up a story. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Scott states, noticing my silence from the back seat.

  Unfortunately, his kind words do little to brighten my mood. What if I did break their family apart? Is that something I can live with? Is that something Alex can live with?

  Solemnly making my way into my office, I ignore all of the stares and sympathetic looks until I reach my door. Turning around, I acknowledge my employees by telling them that I’m fine and instructing them to go about their day as usual.

  Opening the door to my office, my senses are immediately taken aback by the powerful smell of flowers - purple roses specifically - hundreds of them. Vases full of deep purple roses cover every available surface. There must be at least twenty vases. A small brown envelope lies on my desk. I skirt around some of the vases on the floor and take a seat in my chair.

  My beautiful fiancé,

  I hope that you’re thinking of me as much as I am thinking of you and I hope that you enjoy your flowers; you’ll find a rose for every day that I’ve known and loved you. I can’t wait to see you tonight.

  Love always,

  Your fiancé

  Smiling as I re-read his letter, I think about all we’ve gone through to get to this point. We’ve had more drama in our short relationship than most people have in a life time. Resting my head on my arm, I sigh, and a few lone tears fall onto my desk. In a moment that should be celebrated, my engagement to Alex will forever be haunted by my second kidnapping, and by the loss of his brother.

  “Hey, Mallory. You have a call on line three,” Bea’s voice crackles through the intercom.

  “Thanks.” Picking up the receiver, I answer hesitantly, “Hello?”

  “Mal? Oh my god! Why aren’t you answering your cell phone?”

  “I’m sorry Madison. I should have called everyone yesterday, but… you know… it was a pretty rough day. Plus, I need to replace my phone.”

  “Rough day? Mal, that is the understatement of the year. Your soon-to-be husband’s brother tried to kill you and I read about it on the internet. THE INTERNET!” She adds for extra emphasis, as if I could have missed this the first time, “Is everything ok? Are you ok? Really?”

  “I’m as good as I can be. Much better than last time, actually. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not that I feel completely unaffected.”

  “How’s Alex?”

  “He’s sad, angry, and ecstatic that I’m alive. He lost his brother, his childhood hero. His whole family is having a hard time. They won’t even look at me Madi. It’s like I’m being blamed for this.”

  “Don’t you dare let them blame you. It’s not your fault that their child was crazy.”

  “I know. I just don’t want that hanging over me for the rest of my life. What if Alex decides that I’m too much of a reminder to him and his family? What if he decides that it’s better to be apart?”

  “Stop. You’re being ridiculous. That man is head over heels in love with you.”

  “I know. I have about 250 roses here telling me that he loves me.”

  “See. Now, perk yourself up because when I get there, I don’t want to see some sissy, Mallory.”

  “You’re coming here?”

  “Yep, so be ready.”

  “Oh, Madi. I cannot wait to see you. This is just what I need.”

  “I know it is,” she says brightly. “Listen, I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you in two days. Love you.”

  “Love you too,” I reply, looking forward to Wednesday.

  Chapter 20

  I stand outside my apartment entrance in a long sleeve, black dress that hits my legs mid thigh, I shiver underneath my pale pink pea coat, waiting for Alex to pick me up at 7:00pm. It’s already 7:20pm. Luckily, Scott waits alongside me so that no reporters try to catch me for an interview. Finally, as my watch shows the time as 7:27pm and I was beginning to get pretty concerned, Alex pulls up to the curb.

  Opening the door, Gregory nods to Scott for dismissal while I slide into the backseat beside Alex. He kisses me gently before handing me a small box.

  “I’m sorry I’m late, I needed to pick this up for you. And, really, I had no way of telling you.”

  Opening the cardboard box, a small phone slides out into my palm.

  “That’s ok, Alex. Thank you! I wasn’t sure when I’d have time to pick up a new one.”

  “It’s already programmed with all your old information and I sent a text out to your family to give them the new number.”

  Reaching across the center console, I grab his face in my hands and place a heated kiss onto his lips.

  “I love it, and I love the roses, and I love you. You’re wonderful.”

  “I love you too, darling.”

  “How’s your mom?” I ask, biting my lip in curiosity.

  “Honestly, not good. I think she’ll get better, but right now she’s having a tough time.”

  Frowning, I stare out the window, unable to make eye contact with Alex.

  “Love, she’ll be ok.”

  Turning back to look at Alex’s concerned face, I quietly reply, “I’m so sorry I did this to your family, Alex.”

  “Stop it, Mallory. You’re going to make me angry and I really have no desire to punish you right now - but I will if I need to. You didn’t do this, ok? It was all Nicholas.”

  Nodding my head, I sit back in my seat, staring out the window at the passing street lamps.

  Upon entering the luxurious restaurant, I let the hostess check my coat. Holding hands with Alex as we follow her to our table, I can feel his grip tightening with each table we pass.

  Leaning close to my ear, Alex whispers, “Every man here is staring at you in this dress, and I don’t like it.”

  “Alex, it’s only because of the news. And they probably are looking at you.”

  Tilting his head to look at the back of my dress, which scoops down to my waist, revealing my skin, he comments, “No, it’s definitely this dress. When you sit down, take off your panties.”

  “How am I…?”

  “Just do it,” he interrupts. “I don’t care how, Ms. Winston,” Alex commands.

  As the hostess stops at our table she blatantly apprises Alex in his snug suit. I can’t say I blame her and luckily he pays her no mind. He’s used to the perusal.

  Fortunately, the table cloths are long, so when we sit down I’m able to reach up and shimmy the silky material down my legs. I quickly pull my panties over my ankles and place them in my clutch. Sitting as close to me as possible, Alex quickly begins to trail his fingers up and down my thigh, rendering my mind blank. Alex orders both of our meals, filet mignon, so I’m able to focus on the feeling of his fingers caressing my soft skin. Swiping ever closer to my womanhood, I spread my legs slightly, hoping that he’ll accept the invitation, but to my chagrin, he declines.

  Even as our dinner arrives, Alex continues making small circles on my inner thigh, only brushing cl
ose enough to my throbbing nub and wet folds three times, definitely not enough to feed my insatiable desire for him.

  “What would you like for dessert?” He asks, his fingers trailing tantalizingly.

  “You, please,” I respond bluntly.

  Chuckling, he replies, “Oh, you’ll have me, but I’m enjoying playtime right now, Ms. Winston.”

  With a huff, I slouch in my seat, trying to scoot closer to his hand, but he only stills his movements until I return to sitting up straight.

  “You’re killing me, Alex.”

  “I know.”

  For dessert, Alex and I share a piece of tiramisu, taking turns feeding each other small bites.

  “This is the best tiramisu,” he says, savoring the cake.

  Unable to hold back my smile, I look at Alex and murmur, “I’d prefer you were eating it off of me.”

  This seems to get his attention and his torturous finger play stops, his hand just close enough to feel the electric sparks pulsating through my clit. It never fails to amaze me how tangible our chemistry becomes once it starts sizzling.

  Rising quickly from the table, Alex grabs my arm and makes his way towards the back of the restaurant. Stepping into a private room, he closes the door quickly. He turns me so that I rest against the wall, his erection presses into my stomach through his pants. Bending his head, he devours my lips; the flavors of tiramisu and wine swirling in my mouth. Hitching my leg up around his waist, Alex grinds pelvis against my center, the fabric of his trousers all that separates our bodies.

  “Alex,” I moan, breaking away from our kiss.

  He’ll have none of it. Possessing my mouth and tongue again, Alex begins undoing his pants as I let my hands glide under his shirt, relishing in the feel of his taught muscles. Once his erection springs free, he guides it to my center and thrusts upward, completely sheathing himself in one quick pulse. Rocking into me faster and faster, he uses his mouth to swallow my screams of pleasure.

  After exploding together, Alex finds a few napkins to clean me up with before helping finger brush my hair.

  “You look beautiful, as always.”

  “Thanks,” I reply, grabbing his tie and pulling him closer. “I’d really like to have you again, Alex. That wasn’t nearly enough.”

  “I know, love. We can play when we get home.”

  Wriggling in anticipation, I follow Alex out of the private room and through the restaurant, grabbing my clutch and jacket along the way. Once he has finished paying and we reach the car, I decide I have another plan in mind.

  Settling into my seat, I locate the partition button for the vehicle and begin to raise the soundproof, frosted glass that separates the front and back of the car. Looking at me questionably, I take off my seat belt and move onto Alex’s lap, straddling his legs.

  “Alex, sir, I’d really like to continue, please.”

  “Oh, baby,” Alex replies, yanking down his pants at record speed.

  Stroking his hand through my folds, he seems surprised to find me drenched again. Grabbing my hips, Alex urges me onto his shaft and then uses his strength to pulse me up and down at his preferred speed.

  “You feel so good, Mallory. So tight and wet. Fuck me, beautiful. Ride me hard.”

  Convulsing at his words, I use all of my leg strength to rock onto him as hard and fast as I can. When I begin to tire, Alex tilts me back so that I rest along his legs, grabbing my hips to rock into me. In this new position, he hits my spot at every thrust.

  “Alex, oh god. I’m so close.”

  With a swipe of his thumb on my clit, I detonate around him, triggering his own release.

  Pulling me to rest against him, I remain on his lap for the remainder of the trip with his still hard erection inside me. Once we arrive at his home, he settles me onto the seat beside him and whispers to me to go get ready before he exits the car.

  Anticipation pulsing through me, I gather my things and head down to the dungeon, practically running along the way. Sinking into my position, I don’t have long to wait before Alex comes sauntering down to the basement. Unable to see the emotion in his eyes, I can’t tell if this will be playful, or punishment.

  “Stand, Ms. Winston, and lean over the whipping horse.”

  His tone tells me what I dread: it is indeed a punishment.

  Easing myself over the leather-clad furniture, I wait for Alex to explain more.

  “Ms. Winston, do you happen to know what you are being punished for?”

  Struggling to wrap my brain around the things that occurred tonight, I finally land on the one thing that made Alex angry: the dress.

  “Yes, sir. I didn’t warn you ahead of time about my backless dress. I’m sorry, sir. I thought you would like it,” I comment, defeated.

  Leaning down into my ear, Alex whispers, “I did like it and you looked beautiful, as always. But every other man in that room liked it, too, and I am having a hard time dealing with this emotion that they call jealousy.”

  “I’m sorry, sir.”

  “You will receive five spankings. Please count them.”

  Bracing myself for the sharp swat of his hand, I’m surprised to feel just a spiky tap on each cheek as count out to five. The vampire glove. I forgot how much I enjoyed it when he used that to stroke my skin the last time we were together. On the final count of five, Alex uses the glove to pat at my pussy, instantly causing my arousal to amplify. Holding back my moan, I lie restlessly against the leather bench as he trails the glove up and down my legs, tickling my skin.

  As I release a whispered plea, Alex continues to stroke my body, then he stills and tosses the gloves onto the floor. Whirling me around so that my butt rests against the bench, he takes my face in his hands and punishes me with a smoldering kiss. My body is so turned on right now that I can feel my liquid heat running down my thigh. Knowing I cannot roam my hands over his body until instructed, I am thrilled when he unbuttons his pants and plunges inside me, leaving my legs quivering.

  Thrusting into me fast and hard, Alex tugs at my bottom lip as he breaks our kiss.

  “You’re body drives me crazy, Ms. Winston. I can’t get enough. Give it to me. Come now.”

  Synchronizing his release with mine, I rest against the bench as Alex leans his head on my shoulder.

  “Was that punishment too bad?”

  “No, sir. I like those gloves. I was hoping we’d use them soon.”

  “I can tell you like them. Do you know why your punishment wasn’t too harsh?”

  “No, sir,” I ponder.

  “Because, Ms. Winston, you looked remarkable in that dress. You could draw all of the attention in the room by wearing a burlap sack.”

  “Thank you, sir,” I say, furiously trying to hide my blush.

  “Come, let’s go to bed. I’m sure you’re exhausted; and if my sources are correct you have a best friend coming to stay with us for a few days.”

  “Oh, Alex, I cannot wait to see Madison, but she can stay at the apartment.”

  “Don’t be silly, she’s your family. She is more than welcome to stay here. We have enough room. Besides, this will be your house soon.”

  “My house?”

  “Sure, darling. Where did you think we’d live after we were married?”

  “I don’t know,” I say, glancing around the dungeon that he has shared with other women. I’m not sure if I’m comfortable living forever in a house that he has previously shared. “I hadn’t thought about it.”

  Reading my face, I know he can sense my emotions; he has always been able to. Nodding at me as I try to push away my jealousy, Alex grabs my hand and escorts me upstairs. Determined to change my sullen mood, he makes love to me late into the night, helping me remember that I’m the only one he’ll ever want.

  Chapter 21

  Waiting at Heathrow airport with Gregory, I continuously bounce on my toes as I wait for Madison’s plane to land. I haven’t seen her in what feels like years, but is actually only a few weeks. I can’t help my excit
ement - she is the sister I never had and I have missed her fiercely. I finally see the door of her terminal open, and I wait as businessman after businessman exits the gate. Noticing a shimmer of bright blue along the bridge I rush forward. Madison must have noticed me at the same moment, because she pushes through the throngs of people and wraps her arms around me in achingly familiar embrace.

  “Oh my gosh, Mal. I’ve missed you!” she exclaim in my arms.

  “I’ve missed you too, Madi! I can’t believe you’re here.”

  Walking arm in arm through the airport, we follow Gregory to the baggage claim before loading Madison’s luggage into the car.

  “So will I get to actually meet your fiancé? Since we weren’t on the best of terms last time?”

  “Definitely. He’s excited to meet you, officially. I’ve told him a bunch of stories of us growing up together. I’m sure he’ll ask you for some that could embarrass me, so go lightly ok?”

  “Does that mean I can’t tell him about the time you stuffed your bra with the chicken breasts on the first day of classes in middle school?”

  Turning completely red-faced, I look up in the rear view mirror to see Gregory hold back a laugh.

  “No, please not that story or any like it. I may never recover,” I say, embarrassed but chuckling as well.

  It feels incredible to be this free with her.

  “Oh you’ll be fine. You’re boobs finally came in so it’s not like you need to stuff your bra now.”

  Giggling along with her in the back seat, I make sure to point out all the attractions I want to take her to see while she’s visiting. Once we arrive at Alex’s home, I show Madison to her room before searching for my beautiful man. Spotting him in his office, I rush into the room, jumping into his lap while he sits in his desk chair. I seal my lips against his while we spin aimlessly in the chair from the force of my jump.

  “What was that for?” he asks, pleasantly surprised.

  “I’m just so happy today. I get to have the love of my life and my best friend together for two whole days.”

  “I’m delighted to see you smile, beautiful. Let’s go find your friend; I have dinner waiting for us.”