Stone Temptation [Texas Stallions 3]

by Morgan Fox

  He couldn’t stand it any longer, couldn’t hold anything back. He thrust forward, plunging in and out of her in wild strokes. Stone matched his forceful poundings. Together they rode her body, enjoying her as she was enjoying them.

  But James wasn’t ready to find his release. He wanted the night to last forever. He hadn’t even had a chance to taste her pussy, to savor the deliciousness he was sure to find.

  Quickly, he pulled his cock from her body and replaced it with two fingers, swirling and pumping them as if he were still lodged deep inside her. Then he brought those fingers to his lips, licking them clean.

  He was right. She tasted like an exquisite wine that had been aged to perfection. He prayed that there would be more nights like this, nights where he could see the love in her eyes and feel the desire in her touch. Everything was beyond perfect.

  He slid his cock back inside her and began to thrust, feeling Stone just as much as he felt her, the three of them joined once more. It only took a few more seconds for both him and Stone to groan with satisfaction. His balls tingled and tightened as his orgasm slammed into him with the force of a wrecking ball. His body shook from the aftershocks.

  James closed his eyes, his heart flipping in his chest. He didn’t want to hold back how he felt about Gracie. He couldn’t. The feelings that rose to the surface were too powerful to ignore. He touched her cheek gently, reverently, and before he could stop himself, he admitted, “I love you, Gracie Myles.”

  Chapter Eleven

  The air swept from her lungs like a vacuum pulling everything out of her. Never in a million years had she expected to hear those words from James, from anyone. Those words were attached to a fantasy she had had long ago, but not now. Her life had been so hard, so full of pain and disappointment. Gazing up at him, she couldn’t believe what she heard.

  “Say it again, James,” she begged, reaching out to cup his face in her trembling hands. “Tell me again that you love me.”

  He kissed her once more, his lips as soft as the flutter from a butterfly’s wing. “I love you, Gracie. I suppose I always have.” He pressed his lips against hers as gently as the air caressed her skin. His tenderness was so sweet, so passionate. Everything about him was just how she had imagined it would be.

  “Oh, James,” she breathed, weaving her fingers into his hair at the back of his neck.

  He pressed his forehead against hers. “I’ve waited for so long to have you in my arms. To feel your lips upon mine, your soft skin against me, everything about you has always kept me warm at night.”

  Stunned, she couldn’t breathe. What was happening to her was simply unimaginable. She had always felt something for James, a connection that burned hotter than the sun, but to have him now, holding her, kissing her, whispering words of love, seemed too much. Her heart raced, and a wave of anxiety flooded through her body. Something was going to go wrong. She knew it. Nothing could be this perfect, not after the life she had had. Meeting Stone was one thing, but falling in love, that was another story.

  “Let me up,” she said in a panic, pushing James back and sliding off of Stone’s lap.

  Her body was sticky and sweaty, the scent of sex thick on the air. She had nothing to cover herself with, not even the blanket she’d used when she’d first come outside. Stone’s ass was still on it.

  The darkness around her stole her eyesight, but in the near distance she spotted the light off the back of James’s house and aimed for it. Sprinting as quickly as she could, she stubbed her toe and scraped her feet along broken sticks and rocks, doing her best to stay upright. She needed distance from her two lovers, men she couldn’t believe wanted anything more from her than sex. That’s what she was good at. Fucking strangers and getting paid for it.

  She reached the back door and pulled on the handle. As the door opened, a massive body closed in around her, shoving her chest up against the door. As she spun around, Stone glared at her. His eyes were filled with a heated vengeance.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” he asked gruffly. “You can’t keep running away from me every time you get a little freaked out.” He held her solid even though she tried to wiggle out of his hold. “I know what it’s like to be scared, Gracie. I know what it’s like not to trust others.” He took her hand and held it against the scars on his face. “I trusted someone, and this is what happened to me.”

  Her eyes watered, every emotion imaginable surging within her. Staring into Stone’s eyes, she could see the pain of his past and knew he wanted desperately to let those memories go. She wanted the same thing.

  “I don’t know how,” she muttered. “I’m trying to find a way, but I just can’t.” She hung her head and closed her eyes.

  Stone placed his finger under her chin, raising it to meet her gaze. “It will never be easy for us, Gracie. The battle scars we carry are hard to ignore, but together we can sure as shit try.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “It wasn’t fair that James told you he loved you. It wasn’t right that he beat me to it.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Gracie, I’ve been alone for so long, I can’t imagine being without you.”

  She sniffled. “How can you be with me knowing what I was, what I’ve done?”

  He smiled warmly. “Gracie, that doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that you are happy and with me.”

  She arched her brow. “And James? What about him?”

  “So you want him, need him like you do me?”

  She hesitated, gazing up at him. She feared this was a loaded question and the answer would explode right in her face. But if things were going to work between them, she had to tell the truth. “I don’t know why this happened or even how the three of us got here, but I’d be lost without either one of you. My heart wouldn’t survive it, and that’s what I’m most afraid of.”

  He brushed the back of his knuckles over the side of her face. “Then this is how it will be, the three of us.”

  She hadn’t seen James until he stepped up from the shadows, but she had a feeling that he’d been there all along.

  “I’m not going anywhere, Gracie, and from what I can tell, neither is Stone.” James drew closer, and Stone crowded her as if afraid she’d try to run again.

  “It’s just so hard to believe,” she whispered, glancing from Stone to James and back again. “I seem to make a mess of things everywhere I go.”

  “That’s not true,” Stone said sharply. “You’ve done nothing but warm my soul. I’ve never felt so at home in my life, and I owe that all to you, Gracie.” Stone’s voice was raw and rough as he spoke.

  “And if that’s not enough to show you how important you are to us, you should know that had you not shown up in Temptation, I’d still be thinking about the ‘what could’ve been.’ For more years than I wish to consider, I’ve been trapped by the ghost of my past. You helped me let go of all that. I’m ready to start a future…with you.”

  “And Stone?” She asked, a soft smile pulling at her lips.

  James grinned. “And Stone,” he confirmed.

  Stone shot her a crooked grin. “See, you have nothing to worry about. James and I can figure out how to play nice.” He glared at James. “I’m sure of it.”

  James’s smile widened. “Yes,” he said through clenched teeth. “We can definitely play nice.”

  * * * *

  Later that night, Stone watched as Gracie slept. Her sweet face was so peaceful and content. Amber strands of her hair nestled around her face and neck, igniting a soft glow to the color of her skin. The lips he had kissed for hours so full and sumptuous. If he didn’t mind waking her, he’d enjoy sampling them, over and over again.

  His heart couldn’t take much more. She had done something to him. She’d turned him into a man who no longer thought of only himself, but of her. She was heaven-sent. There was no other way to describe her.

  Staring at her, he wondered how long it had been since she slept like that, so serene and restful. The connection the three of them share
d was alarming, and he found himself smiling as he studied the way she and James snuggled together. His arm lay draped over her side, pulling her close, keeping her safe.

  At least with James, he didn’t have to worry so much about her. He knew the deputy would protect her, no matter what. It was no longer just his job that encouraged his need, but his admitted love for the woman he now held.

  Stone felt a tug in his chest, and he knew exactly what that sensation meant. He’d gone and fallen in love. For so long, he’d been a man afraid to get too close. He didn’t want to be hurt the way he had as a child, but watching Gracie and James now, he realized he finally had the family he’d always wanted. If Clay could actually forgive him, that would be a bonus.

  Stone might not truly want to share Gracie with anyone, but something was keeping him grounded about the idea. He wanted her in his life forever, and if that meant James was part of the package then so be it.

  Smiling, he could honestly see himself being friends with James. Lord knew he had very few of those and could use as many as he could get.

  “What are you smiling about?” Gracie’s voice poured over him like warm, buttery syrup.

  His tongue danced behind his lips. He couldn’t get enough of her sleepy, alluring blue eyes. “I was just thinking about you.”

  She stiffened, her body growing rigid. “What about me?” Apprehension filled her words.

  He hated that her first instinct told her to prepare for something awful. He could tell by the way her body reacted that she was worried he was about to say something that would hurt her. Damn, he wanted to help her get past all of this.

  Slowly, he crawled up onto the bed and sat beside her, the cool night air licking his naked flesh. The closer he got to her, the harder his cock grew. She had a way of turning him on without even trying. He stroked the side of her face, loving the feel of her soft, smooth skin.

  “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

  A wave of shyness washed over her. “Stop,” she said, turning her face into his touch.

  “I mean it, Gracie. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. I don’t know how you did it, but you made me fall in love with you, and I never want this feeling to end.”

  Her eyes widened. “Stone?” she breathed.

  He leaned forward and sweetly kissed her lips. “You don’t have to say anything to me. I know it’s fast. I’m already aware that you have feelings for me, and I know you want me. Everything else will happen in time.”

  Slowly, she shook her head, and a rock dropped into the pit of his stomach. “No, Stone, it won’t.”

  He narrowed his gaze, his heart pumping hard and fast. “What are you saying?”

  “It won’t happen in time, Stone, because it already has.” She smiled at him as she sat up. “I can’t explain how it happened, and I really don’t want to. I just know that I don’t want to live another day without you in my life. I was terrified when you were hurt, and I guess it was then that I realized how drawn to you I was. I was meant to know you, Stone. I was meant to love you.”

  A lump formed in his throat, and his eyes watered slightly. Indescribable emotions rocked him. “Do you mean it?”

  She kissed him. Her lips glided over his so delicately. “Of course I mean it.”

  It was then that he knew he needed her one more time before morning. He didn’t want to wait another second to have her in his arms, to be buried deep inside her. He wanted nothing more than to be as close to her as he could get.

  He took her by the hand. “Come with me.” He quietly helped her from the bed and gently held her chin between his forefinger and thumb. “I need you to myself for a little while.”

  She giggled softly as they tiptoed their way out of the master bedroom. As they approached the front living room, Stone heard something that had his skin crawling and his body going on full alert. Without a second to spare, he turned and covered Gracie’s mouth with his hand to keep her from blowing their cover. Someone was outside the house. He was sure of it.

  His eyes went wide as he glanced toward the front of the house and watched through the window as a few shadows moved outside. She noticed them, too, and her body stiffened in his arms.

  They’d been found.

  Whispering as softly as he could, he told her, “Go get James. Tell him we’ve got company.” She nodded, understanding exactly what he meant by company.

  Fear consumed her expression. Her eyes were as big as saucers as she stepped away from him and into the bedroom. He was glad he hadn’t gotten too comfortable at James’s place just yet, his duffel bag was sitting on the floor by the couch, and he quickly grabbed some clothing. He didn’t want to be naked fighting Bullet and his crew. That would be awkward.

  Nothing like a swinging, limp dick sword to threaten an attacker, he thought to himself.

  In his bag, he also kept his pistol, something he never traveled without. He unlocked his cell phone and quickly dialed Clay’s number. Clay picked up on the first ring.

  “Stone?” His husky voice blasted through the phone on a strong whisper.

  “Clay, I’m over at James’s place, and we’ve got company. I’m assuming its Bullet’s crew that’s trying to break in.”

  “I know. I figured Bullet and his crew might show up. Lucky for me, the dumb shits don’t know their head from the hole in their asses.” Clay paused. “I’ve been staking out James’s place for most of the night.”

  Of course he had. “What do you want me to do?” Stone asked, hoping for a little direction. He didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. Especially if Clay had matters covered.

  “Shit, if they enter that house, I expect you to shoot them.”

  Stone’s brow furrowed. “Seriously?”

  “No, bake them a cake,” Clay said with an edge to his voice. “Yes, damn it, shoot them.”

  He had a feeling that’s what Clay would say, but he had to ask, “Kill shot?”

  “Are you really asking me that?” Clay sighed. “Aren’t you the one with military training?”

  His eyes still focused on the potential intruders, Stone couldn’t help grinning. “You know, I really have missed you, Clay.”

  “I’m sure you have. Now shut up and get ready.” The line went dead.

  Stone tucked his cell phone into his back pocket and held his position. James was suddenly at his side. He glanced around but didn’t see Gracie.

  “Where is she?” A protective need suddenly filled him. He was ready to rip James’s head off for leaving her alone.

  “I put her in the safe room. She’ll be fine.” James held his gun in his hand, ready and waiting. Not an ounce of fear showed in his blue eyes.

  Safe room? “You have a safe room?” Why was he surprised?

  James grinned. “Yep.”

  Stone huffed. “Nice.”

  “Thanks,” he replied. “What do we know so far?”

  Stone cocked his chin toward the front window. “I’m not sure how many are outside, but I’d bet all of Bullet’s crew are here. Clay’s outside. Somehow he knew to track them here.”

  James snickered and, with a shrug, said, “That’s what I would’ve done.”

  Scrunching up his face, Stone told him, “You’re such a nerd.”

  James’s smile widened. “Yep, and you’ll be thanking me in about twenty seconds when they bust in here.”

  Stone inclined his head to the side, wondering what the heck James was referring to. Was he about to go all Bruce Lee on their asses? That would be a sight. “Why’s that?”

  Grinning, James murmured, “Just watch and see.”

  A sudden shiver charged up his spine. James’s tone was too upbeat for the situation. The deputy had something in the works, and it might be all kinds of crazy, which could be a good thing because Stone’s nerves were fried. He remembered the ass beating he’d gotten by Bullet’s crew already, and his body was still on the mend. He wasn’t sure how good he’d be if forced to fight physically again.

 
“I don’t do surprises,” he muttered.

  James reached in a bag at his side and handed Stone a pair of thick, dark, goggle-like sunglasses. He scrunched his nose. “Seriously, who are you, Corey Hart?”

  James glared at him. “Who’s Corey Hart?”

  “Seriously?” Stone couldn’t believe what he was hearing, and suddenly he realized that he was much older than James. “What are you, like twelve?”

  Sighing, James told him, “Just shut up and put those on or you might end up blind.”

  “Like I’ve never heard that one before,” he muttered.

  James rolled his eyes and slipped on his glasses. A moment later he did the same. He might not know what was going on, but he trusted James enough to follow his lead.

  This was a new trait for Stone. Normally, he was the one people followed. The feeling was strange, but perhaps it was a glimpse of the life they were prepared to have with Gracie. Trust was just one of the things they needed to make their unique relationship work.

  “Now what?” Stone asked impatiently.

  Calmly, James told him, “Now we wait.”

  Stone was eager to see an end to Bullet and his crew. He didn’t want to worry that he had to look over his shoulder every time he heard the creak of a door, the snap of a twig, or anything else that would have him reaching for his gun. It was impossible for either of them to guard Gracie twenty-four hours a day. No matter how much he wanted to shadow her every step, he couldn’t. Neither could James.

  “You’ll need these,” James said, handing him a few sets of handcuffs.

  He took the cuffs and placed them in the side compartment of his black cargo pants. Glancing back over at his new roommate, he watched as James fell right into his element. Crouching down, he settled behind the sofa. His eyes followed every sound, and his movements were razor sharp. If Stone didn’t know better, he would’ve thought James was a trained soldier. Then he remembered that James worked for Clay, and Clay wouldn’t hire a dumbass.