Heart of Stone

by Ari McKay

  Stone flushed. “I reckon I ain’t exactly the smartest guy in the world. I’ve been tryin’ to tell you for a while now, but somethin’ was always happenin’ to get in the way. I was gettin’ worried I’d messed it up so bad, you’d just pack up and leave.”

  “Well, I was about to,” Luke grumbled, but there was little heat in his voice, and he rested his hands lightly on Stone’s shoulders. “I reckon you ain’t so smart if you ain’t figured out a man stickin’ around after bein’ turned away and havin’ a ranch burned down around his ears means he still wants you.”

  “Well, I ain’t exactly experienced when it comes to someone wantin’ me,” Stone admitted. “And I’ll probably still worry about somethin’ bad happenin’ to you because of me, but I can’t take seein’ you unhappy anymore.” He rested his palm against Luke’s cheek. “I miss your smile. I didn’t even realize how happy seein’ it made me until you didn’t smile no more.”

  “I ain’t had much reason to smile without you.” Luke leaned into the touch. “I know you don’t want nothin’ to happen to me, but I could break my neck tomorrow gettin’ thrown off a horse. If you waste your life worryin’ about what might happen, you won’t never live it and be happy.”

  “Yeah, I guess I finally figured that out,” Stone admitted sheepishly. “So, speakin’ of bein’ happy, do you want to stand here all night jawin’ about how stupid I am, or do you want to go to bed?” He was quite willing to listen to anything Luke needed to say to him, but he hoped Luke would prefer actions to words.

  “Bed,” Luke decided at once, and then he gave Stone a look. “I ain’t done jawin’, though, so don’t think you’re gettin’ off the hook that easy.”

  Stone gave him a wicked smile. “If I’m good enough, you won’t have the strength to jaw. Not for a while, at least.”

  “Well, that remains to be seen, don’t it?” Luke gave a little snort of amusement. “You better be able to back up those big words, or you’ll give me somethin’ else to jaw about.”

  “I think I can find a better way to keep your mouth busy.” Feeling better than he had in months—maybe even better than he ever had in his life—Stone captured Luke’s hand and pulled him toward the stairs. The worst seemed to be past, and he was looking forward to starting over again with Luke. And this time, he intended to make sure Luke knew in his arms was the only place Stone ever wanted to be.

  24

  AS THEY headed upstairs, Luke kept glancing at Stone, still a little in shock at this sudden, unexpected turn of events. He had no idea what had prompted Stone’s change of heart, and part of him wondered if he’d end up being rejected again in the morning once Stone had time to sleep on it and maybe change his mind.

  “Your room or mine?” he asked once they reached the top of the steps.

  Stone squeezed his hand as though he could see Luke fretting. “Mine. At least until we can pick which one we want to make ours.”

  “You sure about that?” he asked, searching Stone’s face intently. It was foolish, maybe, to worry so much, especially since he’d just fussed at Stone about doing the same thing, instead of just enjoying himself for however long it lasted. He couldn’t be casual about this, not when he was in love with Stone. For all he’d blustered about finding a man somewhere else, he knew that wouldn’t be possible until he’d managed to get Stone out of his system, which wouldn’t happen for a long, long time.

  “I’m sure.” Stone pulled Luke into his bedroom and closed the door behind them before looking at Luke somberly. “I know I ain’t given you much cause to trust that I’m goin’ to be there for you in the mornin’, but I swear I will be. I ain’t good with words, but….” He stepped closer and reached out to stroke Luke’s cheek. “I love you, Luke. I never said that to any man before, and I ain’t goin’ to say it to any man but you. No matter what happens, you’re the only one I want, and I’m goin’ to stick by you. Unless you decide you don’t want me no more, and even then I’m goin’ to do everything I can to change your mind.”

  Luke knew he was staring at Stone like a fool, but he couldn’t help it. That was the last thing he’d expected to hear Stone say, and for a moment, he wondered if he was dreaming and he’d wake up to find out things were just like they had been for months.

  “I’ve been stickin’ by you, and I ain’t goin’ to stop now. I love you too, and I ain’t leavin’ unless you make me go.”

  There was a fierce light in Stone’s eyes, and he pulled Luke against him, wrapping his arms around Luke and holding him tightly. “I’d marry you if I could, but since that ain’t possible, I’m willin’ to put it in writin’ that you’re my partner, if you want.”

  “I don’t need nothin’ in writin’,” Luke replied, wrapping his arms around Stone in return and pressing close. “I got what I need right here. Just don’t ever tell me we can’t be together again, ’cause I ain’t hearin’ it.”

  “I won’t never say that again,” Stone promised. “Once I learn my lesson, it stays learned.”

  “Good,” Luke replied fervently, pulling Stone closer. “Now how are you plannin’ to make up all those long months of sleepin’ in a cold, lonely bed to me?”

  “Well, how about I let you do anything you want to me?” Stone asked with a slow, sexy smile. “Or I can do anything you want to you. I ain’t particular, so long as it makes you happy.”

  Luke studied him for a moment, considering the options. Although he hadn’t been waiting for Stone to come around since he wasn’t hopeful that would ever happen, he had been loyal for months, and he thought maybe it was time for a little recompense.

  “It’d make me right happy if you showed me just how much you do love me and want to make it up to me.” He raised a brow. “Maybe if you’re good enough, it might even make me smile.”

  “And if you don’t, I suspect my pride’s goin’ to take a bruisin’,” Stone replied, moving his fingers to the buttons of Luke’s shirt. He unfastened them slowly and brushed the backs lightly over Luke’s skin. When he got to the last one, he tugged Luke’s shirttails free and eased the shirt off Luke’s shoulders, baring him to the waist. Heat rose in Stone’s dark eyes as he placed his palms flat on Luke’s chest, caressing him with wonder. “You look good. Really good.”

  Luke hummed softly with pleasure, closing his eyes briefly as he savored Stone’s long-desired touch; he had worn the memories of their one night together thin. Reality was so much better.

  “You feel good,” he murmured, arching into the caresses in a silent hint for more.

  Stone chuckled softly, continuing to stroke Luke’s skin. He caressed the muscles of Luke’s shoulders, and then down over his chest again before circling his thumbs over Luke’s nipples teasingly. “Do you like that?”

  Luke gasped and nodded, grasping Stone’s shoulders tightly to keep himself upright. He hadn’t felt much like pleasuring himself over the past few months, and he knew he was going to pay for it now, getting wound up so quickly he wouldn’t be able to last long.

  “I like it a lot.”

  “Good.” Stone continued to tease Luke’s nipples until they were taut and aching, and then he moved his hands lower, slowly mapping each rib, then the muscles of Luke’s stomach. Finally he moved even lower, his warm hand brushing over the hard length of Luke’s cock beneath the tight fabric of his jeans. “Well, well, is this all for me? I feel like I won first prize at the county fair.”

  “Yeah, it’s all yours.” Luke squirmed at the teasing touches that were insufficient to offer any relief. “Ain’t no one else ever goin’ to touch me again but you.”

  Stone looked at him, an unmistakable light of possessiveness in his eyes. “Damn sure better not be. What I have, I aim to keep.” He continued to tease Luke for a moment, and then he swiftly unfastened Luke’s fly. “But I’m goin’ to make sure you get touched all you want.” With that, he pushed Luke’s jeans down his hips and drew in a breath as he looked at Luke’s cock, wrapping his fingers around it and slowly stroking from base t
o tip.

  Shuddering, Luke clenched his fingers on Stone’s shoulders, unable to hold back a low moan; he needed this so much, and after months of deprivation, every little touch brought exquisite pleasure that sent a rush of heat through him.

  “I want a lot,” Luke replied, his breathing already turning shallow.

  “You’ll get it. But let’s get you more comfortable first. I want to take my time makin’ you scream.”

  He slowly walked Luke backward to the bed, reaching around to strip the quilt before lowering Luke to the edge of the feather mattress. He knelt, removing Luke’s boots and socks and pulling his jeans the rest of the way off. “Lie down,” Stone ordered, before pulling off his own boots and tossing them aside. “I’m ready to take what’s mine.”

  Luke wasn’t sure where all this aggressiveness had come from, but he liked it, and he didn’t hesitate to climb on the bed and stretch out, putting himself on display. If Stone was going to tease him, he was going to tease right back, and he stroked his chest idly and shifted his hips to give Stone a good view.

  “Well, hurry up,” he demanded, giving Stone a mock frown. “Ain’t you made me wait long enough already? You better get over here before I die of old age.”

  Stone huffed as he unbuttoned his shirt. “You sure are demandin’ for a foreman.” He stripped away his clothing as fast as humanly possible. In another moment he was bare, and he walked toward the bed, not at all shy about letting Luke see how aroused he was. Stone was bronze in the lantern light, lean and hard muscled, with a light sprinkling of black hair making him look even darker. “You’re lucky I’m the forgivin’ sort.”

  He crawled into the bed, moving over Luke and pressing down against him. “I want this to be good for you. If I get too rough, tell me to stop.”

  Luke laughed softly as he wrapped his arms around Stone, savoring the feel of Stone’s warm, bare skin against his own; he had missed this more than he thought possible, and all seemed right in the world now that Stone was back in his arms.

  “You can’t get too rough for me, boss,” he drawled, stroking Stone’s back from shoulder to hip, wanting to reacquaint himself with Stone’s body. “I’ve been wantin’ you too much for too long to care about bein’ gentle and slow. I want you to take me and prove I’m your man.”

  The warm light in Stone’s eyes blazed into outright fire, and he swooped down, capturing Luke’s lips again, kissing him as though trying to steal the very breath from his body. Then he pulled back, opening the drawer of his nightstand and pulling out a small bottle of oil.

  Kneeling between Luke’s legs, Stone opened the bottle and coated his fingers, and then he put the bottle back on the table. He met and held Luke’s gaze as he touched the puckered skin at Luke’s entrance, then circled his fingers for a moment before Luke felt him press harder, slipping one finger just inside.

  “I seem to recall a certain night where I was wantin’, and someone made me wait.” The finger slid a little deeper. “You know what they say about gettin’ what you deserve.”

  Moaning, Luke let his bent knees fall open, and he rocked his hips up, feeling a prickle of heat as his skin flushed with arousal. “Aw, damn, can’t you pay me back some other time?” he pleaded. “Please, Stone, I need you. Don’t make me wait!”

  Stone smiled wickedly. “You’ll wait until I say you’re good and ready.” A second finger joined the first. He placed a hand on Luke’s abdomen, stroking him soothingly. “It won’t take long, I promise, but I don’t want to hurt you. Besides, I like seein’ you like this, needy and wantin’ and desperate for me. It’s damn hard to hold back from just shovin’ into you so I can feel you around my cock, all tight and hot.”

  Stone’s words set off an explosion of pure, hot need in Luke, and he stopped just short of begging Stone to do exactly that, knowing it would be to no avail. But the image of Stone taking him hard and rough wouldn’t leave his mind, and his moans turned to needy groans as he lay quivering beneath Stone’s hand.

  “I am desperate,” he replied, a hint of a growl in his voice. “I need more’n your damned fingers in me!”

  “Well, when you put it that way.” Still grinning at him, Stone removed his fingers and picked up the bottle again, pouring more oil in his hand. He quickly coated himself before grasping Luke’s hips, lifting Luke so he could feel Stone’s cock nudging against his entrance. Eyes dark and intense, Stone eased into Luke’s body, burying himself deep.

  “Yes!” Luke braced his feet on the bed and rocked his hips up, wanting to send Stone deeper. The stretching burn faded quickly, leaving only the pleasure of being joined at last, and he clamped his hands on Stone’s firm ass, urging him on. “Do it, make me yours,” he demanded, his voice rough with need. “I ain’t goin’ to break!”

  “You’re mine,” Stone growled, punctuating the possessive words with another deep thrust. “No one but me gets to take you. No one but me gets to touch you.”

  “No one else,” Luke agreed readily, his toes curling at the pleasure of each delicious thrust. This was right and good, and after months of loneliness, he felt like he couldn’t get Stone close enough or deep enough to satisfy him. “I’m your man, and you’re mine. Ain’t no one else ever goin’ to touch you or take you but me.”

  Stone smiled. “Fair enough.” He ran one hand over Luke’s chest and then moved it lower, wrapping his fingers around Luke’s cock again. “Now that we got that settled, I’m goin’ to start makin’ up for lost time.” Stone pulled out almost all the way, and then moved forward again slowly, stroking Luke at the same time. “Is that how you want it?”

  Luke heard someone whimpering and could scarcely believe he was the one making that low, needy sound. Stone was torturing him; there was no other word for it, but he couldn’t bring himself to make Stone stop, not when it felt so damned good.

  “Yes.” His voice sounded strangled even to his ears. “More! I need more!”

  Apparently Stone was determined to kill him, because he began to move, but slowly, drawing every moment out until it was a torment. Not that Stone was unaffected; his skin was flushed, and a sheen of sweat made him gleam in the low light. But there was determination in his eyes as he leaned over and pushed in even deeper. Luke moved with him, matching Stone’s rhythm, and his whole world dwindled to nothing but heat and need and the feel of Stone on and in him. Desire blended with desperation until he was writhing helplessly, gasping for breath and not thinking clearly enough to beg. All he could do was moan as he clung to Stone, the only solid thing left in his world.

  Stone’s control seemed to crumble. He was breathing hard, and he began to move faster, claiming Luke roughly, driving into him even as he stroked Luke’s cock in counterpoint. “All mine,” he groaned raggedly, his expression fierce. “I ain’t never goin’ to let you go.”

  The part of Luke’s mind that was still partially functional agreed with that sentiment completely, but he was in no condition to voice it. The quicker pace was driving him to the edge, and all he could do was hang on for the ride. The pleasure-tension coiled tighter, his entire body grew taut, quivering as Stone took him to heights of pleasure he’d never imagined before. Then he fell, calling out Stone’s name as ecstasy overcame him.

  “Yes!” He heard Stone’s encouragement as Stone continued to stroke him, wringing every last bit of pleasure from him. Then Stone groaned, his movements becoming more desperate, until he threw his head back and let out a shout as he came.

  Utterly sated, Luke sank back against the pillows and managed to lift his heavy arms enough to slide them around Stone’s shoulders, smiling lazily up at Stone. “I’m gettin’ the idea you’re a bit possessive. It’s just a thought, mind you. I could be wrong.”

  Stone raised a brow. “I must notta been as good as I was hopin’, if you can still think,” he replied. “But yeah, I ain’t much for sharin’ certain things.” Then he grinned. “But at least I made you smile.”

  “Well, I finally got somethin’ to smile about.” Luke r
ested his palm against Stone’s cheek gently. “As for sharin’, I don’t reckon you have to if you don’t want to. Keep on lovin’ me like that, and I won’t never be able to walk right again, much less muster up much interest in any other man.”

  Stone pressed his lips against Luke’s palm. “Then I’d best keep lovin’ you just like that.” He chuckled as he drew back and collapsed by Luke’s side with a heavy sigh, one arm draped across Luke’s waist. “Even if it kills me!”

  “Least you’ll die with a smile on your face.” Luke was unable to suppress a grin. He felt lighter and happier than he had in months, and he shifted closer to Stone, basking in the warmth of Stone’s body pressed against his. This was where he’d longed to be since their first night together, and this was where he belonged.

  He’d once asked Priss how she managed to stay in love with one woman for so long. She’d simply smiled and said it wasn’t that hard when you were with the right person. He hadn’t understood back then, but he understood now that he’d found the right man. He saw years stretching out in front of him, years filled with days spent tending to the ranch and nights filled with loving, and Luke wanted every last one of them and more.

  Stone chuckled softly. “True. But I’d just as soon not die quite yet.” He trailed his fingers over Luke’s skin. “I have a lot to make up to you. And a lot I want to do, startin’ with puttin’ your name on the deed to the ranch, right next to mine. If we can’t get hitched, at least we can be partners, right?”

  “If that’s what you want to do.” Luke rolled onto his side to face Stone. “I don’t need no piece of paper sayin’ we’re partners, ’cause you ain’t never treated me like I’m just another hand, but if bein’ your partner comes with special privileges….” He trailed his hand down the length of Stone’s body and let it come to rest on Stone’s inner thigh, smirking wickedly. “I ain’t goin’ to say no.”