Stoned (The Stone Series)

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Stoned (The Stone Series) Page 4

by Berry, Kitty


  Andrea leaves us, following his command as if it’s second nature. He turns his attention to me and Damian’s face softens when he looks at me. I have no idea what I am doing here; I am way over my head. I have never been on a date with a man much less one who owns his own restaurant and orders for his dates. But the more I think about it, I’m glad he’s ordered for me. I would never have known what to pick and would have embarrassed myself no doubt.

  Damian smiles then speaks, “I’m glad I ran into you. I was going to call you later to see if you’d want to go check out an apartment.”

  “Uh, yeah, of course. Where?” I ask.

  “On Park, it’s one of my buildings. It’s actually the one I live in. We’ll discuss the details later. I want to talk about you now.”

  “I can’t afford…” I begin but he cuts me off. “I said later. You, I want to talk about you now” he says brushing off my statement.

  “Um, okay. What about me? I’m not all that interesting.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that and so far I think you are intriguing. You don’t seem like a city brat like me so I’m guessing you grew up somewhere else and came here for school?” he guesses.

  “I grew up in Connecticut” I say without adding any other details of my life, hoping this will be enough to quench his thirst for knowledge but I’m wrong.

  “Don’t be difficult Sydney. Tell me everything. Siblings, parents, school, friends…” Then with a venomous look in his eye he adds, “Boyfriends.”

  All areas I want to avoid.

  “Um…I’m an only child, my parents are divorced, my mom is still in Connecticut but my dad lives in New Jersey. I was a decent student in high school but not popular, I hated the four years I had to spend there. I never had a best friend until I met Parker, my roommate, the one that left for Paris this morning. She’s a model; I think I told you that already. She’ll be gone for a month or two and I already feel lost without her.”

  He is staring at me as if I should know why but I have no clue. His eyes feel like they are looking inside me making my mouth go dry but my lady parts go wet.

  “Continue, I believe you left out one item I inquired about. Perhaps on purpose, Sydney.” It wasn’t a question but rather a statement and I have no idea how I should respond, I knew I couldn’t avoid it any longer or protest.

  A very attractive waiter arrives with our olives just as Damian is finishing his inquisition and Damian stares at him sending chills up and down my spine. The waiter puts the olives on the table and backs away slowly like one would do in a jungle after discovering that they are face to face with a puma. No sudden movements don’t make eye contact, back away slowly then run for your life. It makes me wonder if I should be doing the same.

  Abandoning for now his questioning, Damian very seductively pops an olive into his mouth then leans forward towards me with another in his fingers and I instinctively open my mouth like a baby bird. The olive is strong tasting and salty. I taste vinegar, garlic and basil on Damian’s finger that he leaves lingering in my mouth for just a second. As I chew and swallow my gaze never leaves his eyes even when I taste the heat of the red pepper flakes from the olive. Wow, that was hot, both the olive and the experience of being fed by this sexy man sitting across from me. Damian has managed to awaken my coma induced sex drive in a matter of seconds and she is hungry, very hungry.

  When he pops another olive into his mouth I lean forward hoping to receive the same treatment as the first time and I’m not disappointed. This time when his finger lingers just a fraction of a second longer than necessary I suck on it, he closes his eyes and a low grumbling moan escapes him. It happens so quickly I’m not sure if I’ve imagined it or not.

  We continue to eat three more olives each in the same manner before the waiter reappears with our Calamari and I find myself excited to see how we’ll eat this course. He also pours us each a glass of a wine. We both take a sip while looking at the other over the rim of our wine glasses. The Calamari consists of perfectly breaded hoops of octopus artistically arranged on a platter. Alongside is a spicy Fra Diavolo sauce and sliced lemons. Damian looks at me with those piercing blue eyes and says, “It’s your turn Sydney, I’m waiting” while he leans forward with his lips slightly parted. “And I’m not a patient man.”

  Guessing that he wants me to feed him this time I dip a hoop of the calamari into the sauce then slide it around my index finger before offering it to him. Damian takes it off my finger with his teeth and starts to chew as he leans back in his chair. “Eat, Sydney. I want to watch you enjoy some first then I want you to feed me more” he commands.

  I pick up another hoop and dip it into the sauce before popping it into my mouth. I close my eyes and block out all of my other senses, all I have left now is my sense of taste. When the exquisite flavors explode on my taste buds I moan and allow my head to fall back. When I open my eyes Damian’s eyes look glassy and he raises an eyebrow at me as he shifts in his seat. I repeat the dipping with another hoop and lean towards Damian who opens his mouth and once again uses his teeth to snag the calamari from around my finger. When he starts to chew I leave my finger on his lips. After he chews he nips at the pad of my finger.

  “Ow. What was that for?” I ask.

  “Couldn’t help it. More please” Damian demands with a slight raise of the corner of his lips. I obey and feed him hoop after hoop watching as he nips them off my finger. When he’s had enough he leans back in his chair and tells me it’s my turn again. I finish off the last of the calamari as the waiter returns with our salads. There’s this growing feeling in the pit of my belly, a burning feeling and I don’t know if I can eat another bite.

  Damian tucks into his salad and once I taste mine I know why. I instantly taste the romaine mixed with eggs, lemon juice, olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Damian finishes chewing what he’s placed into his mouth, wipes his mouth then asks, “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure, I’m all yours” I say.

  “Interesting choice of words, Sydney. You know eating is a very sensual experience but I’m wondering what you enjoyed more, me feeding you or when you fed me?”

  “Um…if I’m being honest” I begin but Damian interrupts. “You will always be honest with me Sydney; I won’t have it any other way.”

  “Um..okay. As I was saying, if I’m being honest, which I am, I enjoyed feeding you. But it made me a little uncomfortable. I liked being fed better. Why do you ask?”

  “We’ll discuss that at another time but that’s what I thought. You seem apprehensive when you’re the one controlling things, you seem much more comfortable when I take the lead. Good to know, I like. Now I believe there is still another question that you have left unanswered. Boyfriends.”

  I give up and decide to finally stop eluding his question. “I have never had one so there’s really nothing to say” I admit with my head slightly down, embarrassed about the truth while Damian munches on more of his salad.

  As he uses his pointer finger to lift my chin so I am once again looking at him in the eye he says, “Sydney, come on. Do you honestly expect me to believe that? I told you, only the truth. You are striking; your hair alone can bring a man to his knees. I feel like I’ve been on mine since I met you. Your eyes put a hold over the person looking into them and I won’t comment on your body as it would be rude not having the privilege of personal knowledge of it but Sydney, but you are flawless.”

  I become breathless from his words; they overpower my senses and send me into a tailspin. I manage to tell Damian that I am telling the truth and that in high school I was an angry kid after my parents got divorced and my mom got a new boyfriend so I kept to myself. I conveniently omit the real reason for my less than charming personality during those years. I tell him that I did whatever I could to cover myself up and make myself as invisible as possible. All I wanted to do was blend in; I didn’t want anyone to know I was there. I didn’t want to be touched; I wanted to be left alone. “When all t
he other girls wanted to be some exotic flavor like Tutti Fruitti all I wanted to be was vanilla” I admit before taking another bite of my salad.

  “Is that what you still want Sydney, vanilla?” he asks.

  I finish chewing and wipe my mouth before I say, “No, I think I want to be anything but and lately since I met…well for the first time I think I just might be able to let myself find out what it’s like to be Tutti Fruitti.”

  Damian smiles at me and tells me that his new favorite flavor is Tutti Fruitti but that he’s always thought of himself as dark chocolate.

  My cell phone begins to chime. Damian tells me to answer it so I look at the screen, I mouth to him, “Its Alex” and he puts his hand out asking for my phone. Not able to deny him anything apparently I hand over my phone. I am only able to hear Damian’s side of the conversation.

  “Alex, it’s me…we’re having lunch…no, at my place, Stone’s…she’s not going to make it, I’ll tell her to call you and reschedule…I have to go, I’m being rude to my guest.” And with that he hangs up looks at my phone and says, “I told him you’d call him back later and you need a new phone.”

  The chef arrives with our main course of pasta. He smiles at me and nods at Damian then takes his leave after pouring us each a glass of a full-bodied Italian Vermentino.

  The bowl of pasta is set on the table between us and Damian uses his fork and spoon to twirl the long, flat ribbons around before saying, “Open up” then he puts the first bite in my mouth. It is heavenly, the explosion of flavors on my tongue.

  He alternates between feeding me then himself until I beg for mercy, full beyond my limits. He smiles and asks if everything has been to my liking and I admit my favorite part of the meal has been the company. “Same here” he says “Shall we head to that apartment now?” Damian rises from the table and holds out his hand for me, I rise and take his hand allowing him to lead me out of the private room. As we get to the door he pauses and says, “I almost forgot about dessert.”

  Just as I try to protest that I can’t eat another bite his lips are on mine, soft and gentle barely brushing over them. He looks at me, his lush mouth still so close to mine that I could stick out my tongue and touch it. His mouth is strong but soft and it makes my body weak, I lean in closer to him, waiting for his kiss to come, waiting for him to brush his supple lips across mine. He slightly backs up as if asking permission to continue and when I don’t protest he brings his hand up to my hair and pulls me into him for a deeper kiss. This time he makes our lips touch and our eyes instinctively close. I feel his breathing quicken and I know mine is off the charts. His smooth tongue runs over my bottom lip then slides into my mouth. My tongue moves to meet his and something inside me explodes. It is my first kiss and I imagine the best I will ever have, even if I’d been kissing boys my whole life something just tells me this one would stand out above the rest, way above. My hands reach up and find their way into his silky hair then I use it to pull him harder against my mouth. He wraps his other hand around my waist and when he pulls me closer into his body I feel his erection staining against his zipper and at that I break our kiss. He smiles at me then kisses me gently on my forehead.

  “Mmm…you are better than any dessert we serve. You are doing…something to me Sydney that I don’t understand. I don’t usually feel this way; it’s a new experience for me. One I’d love a chance to explore more of but for now, come, we have an apartment to look at. I think we’ll have to table this until you’re ready for me. I’ll know when you’re ready for more.”

  What? I’m ready for more now. I’ll even beg for it, but because I no longer can speak I remain quiet and just nod.

  When we step out of the restaurant the Escalade is waiting for us at the curb. Mac steps out and opens the back door. “Sir” he says to Damian as he gestures me into the car before Damian climbs in behind me. Damian tells Mac to take us to his apartment building.

  The leather seats feel smooth under my bare legs making me happy that I choose my halter dress. It’s sleeveless and ties at the back of my neck. It’s one of my new favorite purchases. I put it on this morning for my last meeting with Alex to discuss the benefit auction he’s talked me into but now I’m glad I have it on while I’m with Damian. It makes me feel pretty and even a little sexy if I dare. I turn to look at him and find him staring at me with this sultry look in his eyes. “What?” I ask.

  “You’re beautiful. I can’t help it; I could look at you all day. I was watching you while we were eating and I am fascinated by you, intrigued even. By the way your mouth moves when you speak, when you eat. Your skin is flawless with that perfect blush that sweeps across your cheeks when you get embarrassed or is it a flush of desire? Either way it’s beautiful. I’d love to show you how I can bring that pink hue to the surface of your body, all over your body under the touch of my hands” he murmurs as his thumb gently brushes my cheek sending chills through my body.

  I don’t know what to say to that, don’t know how to respond. It makes me uncomfortable so I blush and turn to look out the window at the traffic passing by. I picture him touching me and I instantly blush further, giving him the effect he was looking for.

  “We’ll have to work on you taking a compliment. I can tell I’ve made you uncomfortable. I just don’t know if it’s because you don’t know how stunning you are or if it’s because you’re not used to being told things like that. Either way…” he trails off but his eyes remain on me.

  Thankfully, we arrive at the apartment building, Mac climbs out and opens the door for me and Damian is behind me guiding me with that strong hand of his again at my lower back. It feels like possession. As we go through the doors I see that the front of the impressively tall, even for the city, building is stone just like the restaurant. We are greeted by everyone on staff trying to make an impression on their boss but he just waves them all away never taking his attention away from me or his hand from my back.

  The lobby is stunning with modern clean lines and I instantly know who decorated this space… Alex. The colors are all subdued, silver, chrome and grays with a touch of black and white. The absence of color makes the space look massive and elegant. There are more of the stone paintings like in the restaurant throughout the space but the focal point is the floor to ceiling wall of stones that is in the center of the space. It goes from the lobby straight up, showing each floor as the eye looks up. The space is open and bright, clean and airy. Of course this is the work of Alex; his best friend would be the interior designer on all of his projects. Now that I think of it Stone’s was most definitely another of Alex’s designs. It makes me smile thinking that maybe once I am working for Alex I’ll be able to see Damian again and maybe even work on one of his projects too. I have had such an amazing time with him that I don’t want it to end but I’m cautiously reminding myself that this man is way too experienced for me. He probably does lunch with a different woman every day. I’m sure from that kiss that he’s had more than his fair share of practice. I’m just another lunch date to him and once he’s shown me this apartment he’ll be done with me no doubt.

  Damian releases the hold on my back and takes my hand. He entwines our fingers together and I melt. I remember the days in high school when the popular kids were paired up and would walk around the hallways with their hands laced together. I wanted to be like that with someone so desperately but I couldn’t be with anyone, not then, not with everything that was happening. Who would have wanted to be with me? I was tainted goods and anyway, I had never met a boy that could take away my fears. One who could replace the horrid memories with the good, one who could make me forget. I had to protect myself at least at the times that I could, I was so helpless at other times. I hadn’t met that person until now. The only problem is with Damian having the power to make me forget, to replace the bad with the good he also has the power to destroy me forever if all goes wrong.

  We walk to the bank of elevators and ascend to the first floor. Damian never lets go of my hand,
we stand side by side on the ride and when the doors open he leads me to apartment 101. He presses a code into a key pad and the lock releases. Damian pushes open the door, holds it open for me and gestures for me to enter, his manners hitting me in the heart again.

  The apartment is empty and painted a pure white. It has an open space living area with kitchen and bar all in one space. The kitchen is a state of the art space composed of stainless steel, granite and mahogany that mixes light, sleek and rich elements resulting in an ultra modern feel. Against the back wall of the kitchen is an oven and range with cook top, steamer and fryer. The most amazing mirrored steel oven hood I have ever seen and a microwave oven. On the wall to the right is a side by side refrigerator freezer. Across from the range is a curved bar that houses the sink and warming drawer. I can only imagine that the limited natural light in the evenings is combated by the nickel and other reflective materials as well as the crystal light fixture above the bar.

  The living space is large and has a floor to ceiling black fire rock vent-free system that is a modern, contemporary fireplace. The facade is covered in the same stones that I have been seeing everywhere I go; I have never seen so much stone in my life as I have over the last few days. Have I just not noticed it before?

 

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