I gripped the side of my neck. “I might have spent some of it on other stuff.” I took the chair next to her and rubbed my hands together. “That heat feels good.”
She handed me a glass of water. “Long day?”
I slouched in my seat. “Too long. I’m so glad to be home.”
She froze as she poured herself some hot tea. “Spinach artichoke dip?” The offer was stiff, like she couldn’t quite get her bearings. This was quite the set-up. A romantic one if I wasn’t misreading things. Even if the night ended with us only sharing a meal and having a few laughs, I’d be okay with that. More than okay. Because Muriella was trying.
She pushed a steaming dish surrounded by tortilla chips toward me.
I scooped some dip up and into my mouth. “When’d you get the lights?”
“You haven’t seen them before?”
“Nope. I remember you talking about it, but didn’t know you’d ever put them up.”
“Daniel helped. Vivian directed.” Her lips twitched as she recalled the day.
“Elliott strung these up?” I didn’t bother to hide my disbelief.
“You’d be surprised what he can do.”
“Like what?”
“He fixed my leaky toilet once.” She popped a chip into her mouth.
“You got proof?”
Her eyes glittered with mischief. “Next time I’ll take a picture.”
I took a swig of my water. “Elliott fixed a toilet.” I shook my head, unable to visualize it. “You heard from them?”
“Just a couple of texts. I think they’re afraid to call me.” She shifted in her chair.
“He doesn’t want to mess things up with you any worse than they already are.” Some guys were smart enough to realize sometimes the best thing to do was keep their mouth shut rather than risk saying something stupid.
“I miss them,” she confessed. I felt bad I’d kept her from her family on a holiday even though I selfishly loved she’d been with me. “They’re my life. Until recently, it never really occurred to me to get my own.”
“Is that what you want?”
She swallowed hard. “I want both. Does that sound crazy?”
“Not at all. You can have both.” I set my glass down. “Truth be told, I think you already do.”
Muriella looked away like she couldn’t stand to hear it. “The children loved you coming by Paths today.”
“I guarantee I enjoyed it more.” Hanging out with them let me go back to being a kid myself.
She lifted her glass to her lips, tipping it back before she carefully set it in front of her. “When I saw Corey grab your hand so easily, the blind trust she had…she inspired me to try harder.” She twisted toward me. “If she can trust after what she saw with her mom and dad… Did you know she saved her mom? That she was the one who called 9-1-1?”
“I didn’t,” I said through a lump in my throat.
“She shouldn’t have faith in anyone, but all of those kids—” She sniffled and took a second to compose herself. “You’d never know they didn’t have the perfect life.”
“You’d never know you didn’t either.” Other than her wariness toward me, Muriella had always appeared happy on the outside. I’d felt her sadness, but she kept it so well hidden sometimes it was easy to forget to be cautious with her.
“I didn’t talk for a long time after I came here. Not just because I couldn’t speak English.”
My throat closed up. I’d asked Daniel what she was like when they’d met, but he’d refused to tell me. I pictured a little girl so terrified she couldn’t speak, yet so brave she kept going.
“Everyone deals differently. Doesn’t make it right or wrong.”
She fiddled with the collar of her sweater. “I know. I just—I think that’s why I like being around the children. They remind me that the world is good.” She straightened. “We should eat before it gets cold.”
“What have we got?” I asked as she unwrapped something.
“Drip beef sandwiches.” She placed it on a plate in front of me. Next came a pile of homemade potato chips.
I hadn’t been doted on since the last time I’d been home. Sure, I’d been served a thousand meals, but it was different when someone who cared put it in front of me. It made Muriella happy to see after the people she cared about. Mothering was natural to her, even when it was Daniel, Vivian, and me on the receiving end of it.
I didn’t need another mother, though. I wanted a woman who would take care of me the same as I would her. It was coming home to her after a long day, talking…I’d always wanted exactly this. She’d been right here for six years, but I’d let Daniel’s warnings and my determination to make sure the ranch was set dictate my actions. And I’d been afraid of pushing her away.
I dug into the sandwich and grunted my approval around a mouthful. “That’s good,” I said after I swallowed.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Mind if I make a confession? Maybe an apology?” I wiped my mouth with a napkin.
“I guess not,” she said warily, setting her own sandwich down.
“I think I’ve done wrong by both of us.”
“I don’t follow.” She picked up a chip, but only held it.
“I knew pretty much right off the bat you were the one.” The potato chip snapped between her fingers, and I held up both of my hands. “Don’t go freaking out on me. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know.”
“Stone…”
“What I’m trying to say is I was afraid. Daniel warned me enough to let me know I couldn’t just bulldoze my way in like I wanted to.” Instead of taking charge, I’d left things to circumstance. A mistake I was attempting to rectify.
She pushed her plate away. “Don’t.”
“If I’d been more brave, things might have been different. We could have had a lot of years together already. I was scared I’d lose any chance, so I did nothing.” I slid down in my chair and tossed my napkin on the table.
“You were my friend. That was something. I never let anyone past the acquaintance barrier.”
“You didn’t let me much past that stage either, darlin’.” She knew I was right. “I should have been stronger for both of us. Because this right here…it’s what I want.”
“You’ll find it.”
Was she just pretending not to understand me, or did she really not get it? “With you, Muriella. Only you.”
“I—”
“Don’t say can’t. Just try to open your mind to the possibility of a lifetime of lunches.”
She slouched in her seat. “If I do that, I’ll end up disappointed. I’ve found a place that works for me. I don’t want to leave it.”
“What if there’s a better one?” No matter how I promised myself I’d take this nice and easy, I couldn’t stop pushing. Tonight had been a taste of something, and I wanted more.
“Are you glad you left the ranch? Is this better?” She threw back at me.
“Fair enough,” I conceded. “It’s not easy being out of your comfort zone—”
“If it were that simple, don’t you think I would have tried? I’m not scared of life. But this—” She waved her hand back and forth between us. “It will launch me back to hell. And maybe I could handle that. But I’ll drag you with me, and that will never happen.”
I ground my teeth. I’d rather be in hell with her than not be with her at all. “Have you ever talked to anybody about this?”
“A therapist? No.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Don’t tell me I should. I’ve handled it.”
“I’m not telling you anything. Just asking.”
“Speaking about it won’t help. I know what happened. It will never go away, even if I tell the whole world.” She seemed to think for a minute. “I know it’s beneficial for people. Some of the kids at Paths go. It’s just—I don’t need it.”
She shivered, hugging herself.
“Let’s go inside. It’s freezing.” I stood, stacking our plates
and placing them back in the basket.
Muriella wedged between me and the table and grabbed the front of my jacket. “Do you want to see what you’re asking for?”
She didn’t wait for me to answer. Her hands locked behind my neck and she stretched, slamming her mouth against mine.
I gasped and she took advantage of the opening, slipping her tongue in my mouth.
Automatically, my arms banded around her. “M—”
She ignored my protest, and reality set in. She was trying to prove this would all go to hell. This was my chance to show her otherwise.
I pulled her against me. Her body molded into mine, a perfect fit. I angled my head, deepened the kiss.
She hummed as I slid my hand up her spine and into her hair. Silk. Pure silk. My dick pressed against my jeans, begging for the chance to prove we were meant to be.
I tried to ignore him, concentrated on her mouth against mine. Damn if it wasn’t natural. I nipped at her lower lip, feathered kisses up her jaw to her neck. She rolled her head to the side, no hesitation, just trust.
Her fingers dug into my neck. I slipped a leg between hers. Her body moved against mine as I gently sucked on her neck. She tasted so good I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to stop.
“Stone…”
That breathy little moan was so much better than my fantasies. I kissed my way back to her mouth. She licked at my lips, and this time, I was the one who groaned.
I was fast losing my grip on my control. I peeled my mouth from hers. When she craned her neck to follow, like she didn’t want to stop, it was all the encouragement I needed. I’d take this as slow as she wanted, but I wouldn’t quit until we were together.
Our breathing was labored. I dropped my forehead to hers and held her like I’d never let go. Her heart pounded against me, but she was relaxed in my arms. Not a trace of tension.
I pressed my lips to the top of her head.
“That’s exactly what I’m asking for.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Muriella
I couldn’t catch my breath. A swirl of emotions I’d never experienced rushed through me, desire the most potent of all.
Reality clicked back in place a piece at a time.
His hair tickled my fingertips. Strong arms had me in their grasp. Our heads were locked together.
And I…
“I’m okay,” I whispered in wonder.
I tilted my head back. A slow grin spread across my face. “I’m okay.”
“So damn brave.” The reverence in his voice touched me to my soul.
“You know I was trying to prove I wouldn’t react well.”
“But you were willing to take the risk.” He brushed his thumb across my lips. “What does this mean now?”
“I’m not sure.” A little bit of panic crowded out my elation.
“Think you’d be open to more possibilities?”
I inhaled deeply. Was I? Part of me wanted to say no. I’d checked another thing off the list: been there, done that, and never have to do it again.
He searched my face. Fear crept in. One kiss was different than more of everything. What if this was a fluke? What if next time was the trigger?
“I—” Was he worth the chance? Was I?
How much longer would I let him have control of my life? In Stone’s arms, the rightness of being there, it became clear the past had ruled me. I was the only one with the power to end that.
I swallowed hard. “I’m open.”
He smiled as if he’d known what I’d say all along. He picked me up and twirled me around, laughing in a carefree way that helped to cement my choice. Choice. It was mine, and he gave that to me.
“We’ve been together all this time. Just not together together.” He set me on my feet and bent so his face was only inches from mine. “May I?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
He brushed his lips against mine and squeezed his eyes shut. I couldn’t take mine off of him. He was beautiful, his features sculpted by the outdoors. Pleasure, genuine and unadulterated, eased the creases around his eyes.
His kiss was gentle, yet sure. He didn’t hesitate or treat me like I was breakable. He explored, and I succumbed, giving over to the feelings I’d denied for far too long.
I stretched to tangle my fingers in his hair. He hardened against my stomach. A prick of fear edged into my brain. Instead of giving in to it, I focused on how good his touch felt.
My hands explored, drifting across his shoulders down his chest. A rumble vibrated from him into me. Everything else disappeared. All that remained were the two of us and the possibility for more. The things I’d dared not hope for crept in. I shared them through the kiss until both of us were breathless.
When we came up for air, I was trembling with need.
He rubbed my arms. “You’re cold.”
“I’m a lot of things, but cold definitely isn’t one of them.”
His pleasure at that revelation was evident on his face. “This doesn’t count as our third date.”
“I thought we were past that.”
“We are. But I still want to take you to lunch.” He stood taller, determined.
“You have to follow through, don’t you?” His commitment to everything he started caused me to consider the possibility he wouldn’t give up on me, even when things were difficult.
“Something like that.”
“When do you want to go?” The idea of a date with him wasn’t nearly as frightening as it had been before.
“Haven’t decided yet. I’ll let you know when I do.”
“Do we have any ice cream?” he asked, his head inside the freezer.
“Top shelf. I think there’s vanilla and butter pecan.”
“And caramel apple pie flavor.” He produced a small tub.
I blushed. “I didn’t want you to find that.”
“You’d keep something from me?” His attempt to appear wounded failed when the lines around his eyes crinkled. “I thought we shared.”
“Mostly.” I offered him a spoon.
His phone vibrated.
“Do you mind?” he asked.
“It could be important.” He put the phone on speaker.
“Kane Zegas, you aren’t charging me double for calling after hours, I hope.” He sounded lighter. I hoped I had something to do with that.
“Next time you plan on making headlines, could you at least give me a heads up?” The attorney did not sound pleased.
Stone tensed, his shoulder muscles flexing. “I’m in the news all the time.”
“Not for making threats against people.”
“What are you talking about?” He paced in front of the stove.
“If you tell me you don’t know a Randall Hedley, it’ll make my life a lot easier, but that tape sounds a hell of a lot like your voice.”
“Tape?” He stopped and looked at me for answers. I shrugged helplessly.
“It’s all over the celebrity gossip sites. You threatened him that if he comes back to Burdett—”
“I didn’t threaten his sorry ass!” he exploded, his cheeks turning a deep red.
“Did you speak with him on the phone?” Zegas continued calmly as if Stone’s outburst hadn’t occurred.
“Yeah. Last night.”
“Did he call you?”
“No. I called him.” He deflated against the counter.
“Where were you when this conversation took place?”
“What difference does that make?”
Zegas let out an exasperated sigh. “Because if you were in a state that requires two-party consent to record a phone call, it makes a fuck-ton of difference.”
I grimaced.
“In New York. I assume he was in Texas.”
“Don’t assume anything,” he said sharply. “I’ve already filed a cease and desist, but once this shit is out there, it’s impossible to get it back.”
“This is the last thing I need.” Stone looked defeated. So far, there was no
good news in this conversation.
“Doesn’t matter now,” Zegas continued. ”You’ve got it. Where can we meet?”
Stone silently asked if it was okay for his attorney to come to my apartment. I nodded. “You can come to Muriella’s.”
“Be there in a half hour.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Stone
Five seconds into the recording, I shut it off.
“It’s been spliced. He left out some of what I said and pretty much everything he did.”
Zegas made a note on a legal pad. “I want to go through exactly where, and then I want you to tell me everything you know about this guy.”
The theme song from Dallas played. The film’s producer and the president of the studio had already called. Headlines concerning me were never unsavory.
“It’s the ranch.” I swiped to answer.
“Stone? I’m sorry to bother you, honey, but there’s a lot of fuss at the gate.” Mama’s voice was calm, yet wary. “It’s been a long time since we had this many visitors. I thought I’d better check on you.”
“Everything’s fine, Mama. I’ll get some extra security.”
Muriella held up her phone and moved toward the living room, already on it.
“Ruby’s bound and determined to do it herself. She caught one jumping the fence. I didn’t ask what happened after that.”
I fought a smile. Leave it to my grandmama to make me feel better in the middle of chaos.
“I’ll make sure they get there quick.” I switched the phone from one ear to the other. “Everybody’s home?”
“We’re all here. Gabby’s basketball practice finished up early, so they got back before the circus came to town.”
“I’m sorry for the nuisance.”
“As long as my baby’s happy pursing his dream, it’s okay.”
I swallowed back the guilt for all of my lies. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.”
I tossed the phone on the kitchen table. “The wolves have descended.”
Zegas leaned back in his chair and tapped the end of his pen on the notepad. “You know how fucking lucky we’ve been in that respect over the years. It’s a wonder it’s not like that all the time there.”
Three Dates (Paths To Love Book 2) Page 14