Stone's Prisoner

STONE’S PRISONER

Jade James

www.loose-id.com

Warning This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id® e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Stone’s Prisoner Jade James This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Loose Id LLC 1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924 Carson City NV 89701-1215 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © June 2008 by Jade James All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-720-7 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Heather Hollis Cover Artist: April Martinez

Dedication Special thanks to my husband, Carlos for always supporting me. A huge kiss for my two darling brats. You’re in my heart always. And to Barbara for her valuable advice and superb skills.

Prologue

Stone Bane lay on his bed, his body coated with sweat as he desperately tried to push away the recollection of his wife, cradled against the arms of his worst enemy, Dexter Franklin. But sleep eluded him as his worst nightmare replayed itself over and over in his head.

“Are you okay, brother?” Stone grimaced as he felt the psychic connection he shared with his twin brush his mind. At times like this, he cursed the vulnerability that sleep brought him, and the fact that he couldn’t block his brother from his emotions. He didn’t want to draw Seth into his predicament, because the last thing Stone needed was Seth talking him out of his plan.

“I’m fine. Just another nightmare.” “If you need anything, Stone, I’m here for you. I know the past year has been rough for you.” “Just a nightmare, bro. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.” “Goodnight, Stone.” “Goodnight.” Stone blocked the connection, so his brother wouldn’t glimpse any of his emotions.

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Unfortunately, this particular bad dream had been just a shadow of the reality he’d been forced to face. And for the rest of his life, Stone didn’t think he could ever forget the look on his wife’s face as she woke up drowsy, her expression a perfect picture of arousal, her lover cradling her body from behind. But her appearance had quickly changed into worry when Stone grabbed Dexter by the neck, hauled him out of his bed, and proceeded to pound his face black-and-blue. Stone had spent the rest of that night in jail, reliving the agony of losing the most important person in his life. The next morning he had filed for divorce.

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Chapter One

Stone shielded himself in the cover of darkness and watched her from the alley. After a year of being apart from her, he still thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. He watched as Valerie closed her sex shop for the night, her silhouette clearly visible under the large street lamp. His cock grew, hardening as his gaze roved over her voluptuous form. With just a glimpse of her curvy body, Stone couldn’t deny that she still turned him on. She was dressed in a tight skirt that fell to her knees. A white, sleeveless, buttoned shirt framed her breasts and black-heeled sandals graced her feet. The strands of her long, red, curly hair touched her ass. The sight flashed him back to a time when he loved grabbing her backside, feeling the softness of her ass as he pounded his cock into her tight cunt. The memory quickly dissolved, as he felt his twin brother Seth’s happiness at finding true love with Lila vibrate through their psychic link. He couldn’t suppress the surge of jealousy that sprang forth. Valerie was supposed to be his wife for always. All Stone had asked of her was to trust in him and be faithful. She had shown that she couldn’t and broke his heart.

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It hadn’t been easy to rid himself of her. She had tried to convince him of her innocence, coming up with ridiculous excuses about not knowing how Dexter ended up in their bed. And that had hurt even more than the adulterous act itself. How she could think that he was stupid enough to believe something like that was beyond him. She had shattered their marriage, breaking it into tiny, irreparable pieces. And he kept reliving the pain of that moment every single day. The divorce had taken nine months, and Stone had made sure his wife walked away without a dime. Not that she had asked for any monetary compensation. The only things she’d ended up with were their house and her beloved sex toy shop, and that was because she’d started the business on her own, years before they’d gotten together. Valerie had managed to walk away with her head held high, still proclaiming her innocence. He hadn’t seen her in months, and he had to admit that, with each passing day, he missed her with a desperation that made his heart ache. But he wasn’t going to let that deter him from what he had to do. Now that he had the perfect chance, Stone was going to seek his revenge, and find out why she’d ended up in his enemy’s bed. The rise of anger heated his blood and Stone tamped the feeling down, forcefully pushing the raw emotion beneath and concentrating on the vision before him. His gaze settled on the way her skirt molded to her ass. Her back stiffened and she swung around, peering into the night as if there was something unsettling her. She sensed him. Good. She should be more than afraid that he was coming. He wanted to take her now, take her to the ground, fast and furious, expending the energy that built in him at the sight of her. But he would wait, biding his time until he captured what was rightfully his. It had been a year since she’d broken his heart, shattering their future. But the perfect opportunity for revenge had appeared three months ago, and Stone couldn’t pass it up. It had taken that many months to plan it all, down to the last detail. And tomorrow Valerie would become his prisoner.

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She turned away and walked to the curb, where her car was parked. Stone backed into the wide alley. He straddled his motorcycle and secured the helmet around his head. He waited until she had started her car and pulled out of her parking space, before flipping the helmet visor down and turning on his bike. He maneuvered the motorcycle onto the street. He would follow her home and make sure no harm came to her. At this moment, Stone couldn’t afford to lose control. He was looking forward to tomorrow. He had the upper hand, and it would remain that way.

***** It had felt like someone had been watching her last night, and Valerie Malone hadn’t been able to shake the feeling all day. Maybe she was just being silly, but tonight she’d arm herself with pepper spray before she made her way to her car. She pushed the idea away for now and glanced at the wall clock quickly. Five minutes to closing time, and then she could go home and soak her tired body in a hot bubble bath. It would relax her muscles temporarily and, hopefully, set her mind at ease for a few muchneeded minutes, freeing her from the constant worry about her business, her finances, and her mother. She didn’t want to think about her mom. Thinking about her mom worried her, and set her nerves on edge. Though it had hurt, Valerie had been forced to put her house and business up for sale three months ago. But the outcome had outweighed the loss. Valerie had gotten a final visit from the buyer’s lawyer last week. She’d read the forms, signed them, and the lawyer had handed her a cashier’s check on the spot. She’d cashed it that same day, placing her mom in an excellent Alzheimer’s care facility for the elderly, where they’d been holding an opening for her. The lawyer had stated that the buyer would allow her to live in her home, and continue to run her sex toy shop for a rental fee. She was to meet the owner on Monday to

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discuss the terms. She really couldn’t ask for anything better than the fact that her mom would now receive the medical help she needed. She teetered on the ladder as she placed the last piece of her latest shipment on the top shelf. She climbed down as the bell to her shop rang, signaling the arrival of a new customer. “Mrs. Bane?” She couldn’t stop herself from grimacing at the name. She hadn’t been Mrs. Bane in three months. Longer, if she were counting since the day her ex-husband walked out on her. “It’s actually Ms. Malone.” She turned around, and her stomach fluttered at the sight of the tall, dark man standing before her. There was a scar on his cheek, carved into a letter C that ran from the corner of his nose to his chin, the end of it curving right before his bottom lip. And because of that mark, he looked frightening. “How can I help you?” “My name is Heath Crain.” “Do I know you from somewhere?” Valerie wouldn’t forget such a strong, chiseled face. There was something familiar about him that she couldn’t quite place. His pale gray eyes were a direct contrast to the black hair on his head. He wore his hair loose, its length touching his neck. Before he could answer her question, the store bell rang once more, indicating the presence of another customer. She tried to peer around Heath, but he didn’t move, his large body blocking the door completely, making it nearly impossible for her to see who it was. “Are you still in?” The voice came from a man standing behind Heath. Heath nodded once. “Yes.” “Then wait for me in the car.” Recognition hit immediately. That voice had haunted her dreams for the past few months, and at times she would wake up aroused, missing his touch, wondering where her ex-husband and she went wrong. Her muscles tightened as Heath winked at her, stepped to the side, and turned, leaving the store.

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“Valerie.” The emotional pain blindsided her, causing her heart to skip a beat and her mouth to dry up. Stone said her name softly, but she caught the hint of anger in his tone. God, she wasn’t ready for a confrontation. It was the last thing she wanted, after all the cruel words he had thrown her way. She was a whore in his eyes, a slut who would never measure up, but still… She lifted her gaze to his. Stone’s blue eyes had always set her insides melting, and that fact hadn’t changed, even though they were divorced and so much pain stood between them. She should hate him, cursing his name to anyone who would hear her, but she found herself eating him up with her eyes. The length of his brown hair was something new. Stone had never worn it this long. It reached past his shoulders, unbound, and he looked more like a pirate than the corporate man she was familiar with. He wore boots, a sleeveless black shirt and ripped blue jeans. He used to wear suits on a daily basis, working seven days a week, but this casual appearance made him sexier, more rugged. And she couldn’t help but notice the weight he had lost. He appeared leaner, though his muscles looked more defined. And his stance was rigid, as if he were battling some internal struggle. It pained her to see him this way. But why the hell should she care anyway? She lifted her gaze to his. Her stomach felt like it had been overtaken with butterflies, wondering why the hell he was here. They hadn’t spoken in months, and she couldn’t think of a reason of such urgency that her ex-husband would come to her store. “What are you doing here?” He lifted his brow, and frowned. “No ‘how are you doing?’” She fisted her hands, hoping her nerves wouldn’t show. “We’ll get to the pleasantries later. What are you doing here ?” “I needed to speak with you.”

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She crossed her arms over her chest, but stopped herself from tapping her foot in annoyance. “About what?” “There are things that weren’t settled with the divorce.” “You’re mistaken. Our lawyers settled everything.” He narrowed his eyes. “You owe me.” He bit the words out, his voice deep with fury. She’d never seen such a mean side to him. He had been ruthless before when it came to business, using any means to secure the deal, while still holding a cool and calm façade to his competitors. But this time he appeared ready to pounce, his muscles tight, his cheeks flushed with anger. Valerie uncrossed her arms, taking a step back. Deep down inside, she knew Stone wouldn’t hurt her, but his words sent a chill down her spine. He was here for a reason, and she could see that he had yet to come to terms that they were over. She couldn’t blame him. Valerie still couldn’t get used to the idea that their marriage was over. “What are you talking about, Stone?” Valerie shifted her gaze as he moved his hand up behind his back. She licked her lips, and her mouth fell open as he revealed a pair of handcuffs. “What are you going to do with those?” “I’m going to take you away for the weekend.” She heard the sureness in his tone. “You’re out of your mind.” She took another step back. If she could make it into her office, she’d be able to lock the door until he left. “You’re not asking, are you?” He grinned, changing from fury to seduction with just a smile. “No. You have no choice in this.” She looked around her shop, hoping to snatch up anything to use as a distraction until she made her getaway. But all she saw were the sex toys, and she doubted tossing a dildo at him would have any effect. “Why are you doing this?” He took a step toward her. “There are things that were left unsaid.” She swallowed. “And you couldn’t say them over the phone?”

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“I had desired a face-to-face confrontation.” “Confrontation? So you’re looking for a fight.” Stone shook his head. “I don’t expect one. Not in the physical sense, at least.” “I cannot leave with you. I have a business to run. Say what you have to say here.” Valerie didn’t give him a chance to respond. She whirled around, reaching the hallway in seconds. Her hand was on the doorknob to her office, and just as she was about to turn it, Stone’s body landed against her. She was pinned between the door and his hard chest, and all she could concentrate on was the feel of his hard muscles pressed along her back, and the way he was breathing into her ear. And then she felt it. His erection was thrusting against her backside. He still wanted her. And even though he had caused her so much pain, for some odd reason, she took joy in the fact that he still held a physical attraction for her. But she wouldn’t do something as stupid as hope for a chance between them. “You didn’t think escaping would be that easy?” She could hear the haughtiness in his tone, the sureness that he wouldn’t be letting her go anytime soon. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, heating her blood, and she struggled to calm herself. “I would’ve been disappointed in myself, if I hadn’t tried.” “You’re still as sassy as ever.” “And you’re acting like an overbearing jerk.” He captured her wrist in his hand, pushed her arm down and then behind her. She tried to twist her body to the side in an effort to escape his hold, but moving wasn’t an option, at least not with his weight pinning her in place. She held her breath as the cold metal circled her wrist and Stone locked it. He was five times stronger than she was, and it was just as easy to handcuff her other wrist. Fear threatened to swamp her, but she forced

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herself to calm down. This was Stone, and he was once her husband. And even though he didn’t know it, he was still the man she loved. Stone turned her to him. “Comfortable?” She tried to sound as nonchalant about this as he did. “If comfortable is what you wanted, we could’ve discussed this over dinner.” He laughed, and for a second it lit up his eyes, reminding her of a part of him that had endeared him to her. “You would have never gone out to dinner with me.” He hit it right on the nose. Valerie wouldn’t have gone out with him. Being anywhere near him would give him the chance to hurt her again, and she had wanted to maintain her distance. “You’re right. I wouldn’t have.” “Where are your shop keys?” “Why?” “Stop stalling. I need the keys to lock up. Otherwise, I’ll leave the front door open.” He would do it too. “There in my bag. My purse is underneath the cash register, on the bottom shelf. The key to the shop is the large silver one.” She watched as Stone quickly went to the register, picked up her bag, opened it, and took out her keys. He then flung her large purse onto his arm as he walked over to her. Without a word, he bent, pressing his biceps against her stomach, and hauled her body up and over his shoulder. A fireman’s carry was the last thing she had expected. She squirmed uncomfortably, his hard collarbone digging into her stomach. A stinging slap landed on her ass. She gasped, and a flash of heat spread through her. “That wasn’t necessary.” He walked to the front of the shop. “I’m in charge, and I’ll say what’s necessary or not.” Her face was inches away from his lower back. “Where are you taking me?” He pulled the door closed, locked it, and walked over to Heath and the waiting car. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

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Chapter Two

Stone concentrated on the road ahead of him, but it took great effort with Valerie sitting in the passenger’s seat, and Heath in the rear, watching them intently. He felt his cousin’s gaze on the back of his neck, burning through him as if he was judging him. He had been shocked that Heath finally had accepted his proposed plan to kidnap his ex-wife, because his cousin’s first suggestion to Stone was to reconcile with Valerie. Heath had wanted nothing to do with it, claiming that Stone had gone off the deep end. But when Stone had outlined his plan, detailing every step, Heath had finally agreed, though he’d accused Stone of still having feelings for Valerie, insisting that he should try to make things work out with her. Stone clenched his teeth, gripping the steering wheel harshly. Yeah! He was going to work things out with her, all right. But it wasn’t going to involve any long talks, or apologies about the past. Stone was simply going to use the weekend to fuck her out of his system, and then reveal his trump card. Ruthless. That’s what Heath had called him. And he hadn’t defended himself one bit. The time he had spent away from her had only shaped him into a cruel, merciless human being. He couldn’t blame Heath for thinking it, though. And perhaps his cousin was right

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when he’d stated to Stone: The only reason you’d go to so much trouble is because you still

feel something for her. Stone had to admit, at least to himself, that deep down there were feelings buried, and taking that into consideration, maybe he was going too far with his plan. But the fact remained…Valerie owed him, and he was going to collect. “I think you’re being ridiculous about this.” Stone tossed a second long look at her, before returning his gaze to the road in front of him. “You owe me, Valerie.” Through his peripheral vision, he saw her face redden with anger as she began to tug on her right hand, which was now cuffed to the passenger door. “I owe you nothing.” “I disagree. You find yourself in this situation because you’ve created it. If you would have been honest with me about Dexter, then none of this would be taking place right now.” “I’m not going to relive this with you. I was your lover for two years, and after that, your wife for a year. Regardless of what you saw that night, I should’ve had your trust. I should’ve had your love. You should’ve had faith in us.” He tightened his fingers around the steering wheel. “And I should’ve been the only man to share your bed for the rest of your life. But you broke everything we built by crawling into bed with that bastard.” “I’ve never fucked anyone but you. You’ve hurt me more than anyone else ever could. But I’m an angry woman, and it’s going to take a hell of a lot more than a weekend getaway to resolve any issues between us. Maybe this weekend is exactly what I need to get you out of my head, to take my frustrations out on you. But I won’t play any games with you, Stone. You pushed me away and accused me of being another man’s whore. That is ultimately what broke us, Stone. There is no going back for us.” “Good, Val. I have no interest in turning the clock back. As to what this weekend entails, you will have to wait until we get to the house to find out.”

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Valerie shook her head, twisting her body to the side, as much as the cuffs would allow, to face Heath. “I have a question for you.” “Shoot,” Heath replied. Stone glanced at the rearview mirror. Heath was smiling at Valerie. He hoped to hell his cousin didn’t reveal what Stone intended to do with her. “How in the hell did my ex-husband ever convince you to back up his little plan of kidnapping?” Valerie continued to squirm, tugging on her arm as if she were able to break through the metal. “Aren’t you sane enough to realize this is wrong?” Heath winked at her. “As his cousin, I’m duty bound to help him. But it didn’t take too much convincing, once I knew we were going after you. You are, after all, an incredibly lovely woman.” She released a breath as she turned to face the front. “You both are insane. Certifiably, absolutely insane.” Stone grunted. Perhaps he was a tad crazy. But he deserved to be a little nuts, after what she’d put him through. “I suppose you heard what happened to Dexter. The police are still investigating his murder, six months later.” “I read it in the newspaper.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “They questioned me, you know. Dexter caused us pain, and I believe he was out of his mind. But he didn’t deserve to die for it.” Stone flexed his hands. What the hell could he say to that? He had envisioned beating Dexter until he bled, or strangling him even, time and time again, but Stone knew he would’ve never actually murdered the man. Dexter had been one sorry excuse of a human being, but being pushed off the ledge of a twenty story building was a horrible way to die. And deep down inside, Stone couldn’t help but admit that someone had cheated him out of his revenge. “Since our divorce was public knowledge, the cops interrogated me too.” Public scrutiny was the downside to being wealthy and owning shares in an oil company.

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“After a week of on-and-off interrogations, I was finally cleared when no evidence could link me to the murder.”

Valerie turned to him. She could use this as an excuse to cause him extreme pain, just as he had caused her. This was her chance to hurt him like she had been hurt. But accusing him of murder would not only be a vile thing to do, it would also be a huge lie. Stone was angry. Hell, she was equally if not more angry, but neither one of them was capable of taking someone’s life. “You wouldn’t have done it.” “How do you know that?” “I simply do.” Stone tossed a quick glance at her, before returning his attention to the road. “Trying to get on my good side, huh?” He was making an offhanded joke, which was odd for him. But then this whole situation was strange. “I’m hardly trying to be on your good side. In fact, if you drop me off at my shop right now, this whole plan you’ve put into motion can be forgotten.” “Nice try, but reasoning with me isn’t going to work. In fact, I’m sure we’ll all enjoy you being my prisoner this weekend.” She turned her head to the side to watch him. She didn’t know what to make of his words, and that in itself made her nervous. “What is that supposed to mean? I can assure you, I will find no pleasure in what you have planned this weekend.” “Want to bet on that, Val?”

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Chapter Three

“I’m not here to play games with you.” She tried desperately to represent a brave, nonchalant front as he carried her to their destination. Upside down and over Stone’s shoulder, Valerie only caught a glimpse of the house and the trees surrounding it. But before she could concentrate on exactly where they were, Stone entered the front door, deposited her on her feet, and cuffed her hands in front of her. Heath stood in the entryway, silent, watching them. “This weekend will be filled with hot, erotic nastiness that will blow your mind. A ménage filled with heat, lust, and multiple orgasms. Every inch of you will be explored by both of us,” Stone replied taking a step toward her. “Every one of your orifices will be filled with my cock or Heath’s. And you’re going to enjoy it, Val. Because I know you better than you know yourself, and if I were to press my hand against the panties covering your cunt, I’d wage a million dollars that you’re hot and wet right now.” Valerie licked her lips as Stone crowded her. She ignored the way her nipples were beaded tight, rubbing against her bra, and the way her pussy spilled its cream in response to his words and to him. She tried to remain calm, but the feat was impossible with the way her heart was hammering against her breast. Maybe she had just imagined the words he had

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spoken. That could be a possibility, since Stone and Heath were both handsome men in a rugged, rough, hot way, and imagining herself with them would be no hardship. But the way Stone watched her, the way he crowded her space, left very little doubt in her mind that she hadn’t imagined his words. And he knew her in certain ways, better than she knew herself. He had been the one to introduce her to the kind of bone-melting, aggressive sex that sparked her desires. She had loved being tied down by him, loved it when he took charge and had taken what they both needed, all because he knew the way she was built inside and out. She couldn’t deny his words, even though she wanted to just to spite him. Valerie took a step back, but that only gave Stone the opportunity to pin her against the wall with his hard body, his arms on either side of her head, caging her in. A wash of heat flowed through her, sending a tingling sensation right to her clit as his cock pressed against her belly. For a second, she thought about forcing her hands up to grab his dick and show him that he was just as turned on by the idea, but she decided against it. She didn’t intend to become a one-night stand, even if it was with the man she loved. His body pressed closer to hers, and he bent down, placing his lips against her ear. She shivered as he nipped her lobe with his teeth, and flicked the skin with his tongue. He pulled away, brushing his lips on her cheek before speaking. “Can you really say that a ménage isn’t something that has ever caught your interest, Val? Don’t even think of denying it. I can see the truth in your eyes.” The urge to rub herself against him was strong, but she willed herself not to react to his nearness. “Some women fantasize about ménages. That doesn’t mean we act on them.” He brought his mouth within inches of her lips. She was tempted to reach out with her tongue, to snatch a taste of him and grab him unawares, just as he had shocked her by kidnapping her and by pushing her to this aroused state.

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“Are you testing me, Val? Do you want me to see if you’re as cold and indifferent as you pretend to be? One touch is all it will take and I’ll return you back to your shop or home.” And once he touched her, Stone would know that she was wet with her cream, hot and horny, all because his take-charge attitude drew a reaction from her. “No.” He pushed up, lifting himself a few inches. “That’s what I thought.” She saw the way his lips twisted into a smirk, as if he knew she would say no all along. And she wanted to wipe that grin right off his face. Without giving it further thought, and partially because there was a little devil inside of her who wanted to do it, Valerie rose to her tiptoes and swiped her tongue at Stone’s bottom lip. His surprised grunt allowed her to pull her hands up and force them between their bodies. She grabbed his cock, tightened her hands around his dick as he groaned, opening his mouth, and Valerie took the opportunity to slip her tongue inside. His hands moved to her hair, holding her head still as he took control of the kiss, eating at her like he was starved. She was okay with that, because she was just as hungry, and even though fate had deemed that they be apart, Valerie missed him fiercely. His cock pulsed in her grip, and she began an up-and-downward stroke that had him thrusting into her hand. His fingers shifted from her scalp down to her breast. She turned her head to the side, breaking the kiss. A minute passed before she grasped some semblance of control and faced him. “And this proves you’re not as cold and immune as you portray yourself to be.”

She’d switched it up, and instead of her being the vulnerable one, he felt exposed. And Stone didn’t like the feeling one bit. Stone felt his face flush with a sudden rush of anger as he stepped back from her, giving them both some much-needed space. She’d kissed him to prove that he could still be weak

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around her. “The only thing this proves is that my body still wants to fuck you.” The words fell out of his mouth, even though deep down inside he knew it was untrue. Her cuffed hands tightened into fists. “If that was true, then my words wouldn’t have caused such a reaction from you.”

Fuck ! Stone cursed silently. Did he have his emotions written all over his face? What the hell did she see? “I won’t deny that my cock is hard because it wants inside your cunt. But other than that, I don’t know of any other response.” Valerie frowned. “Haven’t you learned?” “Haven’t I learned what?” “That lies will get us nowhere. Stone, what am I doing here? If there is no future for us, then this weekend is a waste. Just let me go now, before one of us gets hurt.” He didn’t want to dissect his feelings and figure out what he felt for her. Not now. He retrieved the keys to the cuffs from his pocket and walked to Heath, handing them to him. “I can certainly assure you that I won’t be the one in pain. Heath, show her to her room.” “So you’re going to pretend that there’s nothing left between us? That this weekend tryst you have planned had nothing to do with what you still feel for me?” “All we have to share is this weekend. I won’t let you use me again, Val. Now the tables are turned, and they shall remain so.”

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Chapter Four

“He isn’t as cold as he pretends to be.” Heath released Valerie’s arm as they entered the bedroom. He turned and grabbed her wrists, unlocking the cuffs in seconds. He tossed them on the bed, but didn’t release her, and instead stroked the skin at her wrists. Since he’d been away on business, Heath had been unable to attend Stone’s wedding, so other than pictures, tonight was the first time he’d seen her. And up close, Heath could see why Stone had fallen in love with her. She was lovely, and there was a fire in her eyes that he found himself wanting to explore. A weekend ménage was an affair he was definitely looking forward to. But the primary objective was to get Stone back together with Valerie. And that’s why Heath had ultimately agreed to this weekend. Stone’s crazy plan had been a good way to get Valerie and his stubborn cousin talking. Any fool could see they belonged together, and he didn’t for one minute think that she’d ever cheated on Stone. The love she had for him radiated from her, and Heath could see it in her eyes, even in the way she touched Stone, that she still felt for him deeply. Stone had relayed Valerie’s side of the story to Heath. The only way Valerie could not have remembered being with Dexter, or how she’d ended up in his arms, was if Dexter had

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drugged her somehow. But Stone would never consider that Valerie had been telling the truth, because he had seen Dexter and Valerie with his own eyes. And evidence such as that would be hard to disprove, especially since Dexter was dead. There was absolutely no way Heath could physically prove that Dexter had planned this down to the tee. Heath and Seth had tried to reason with Stone, but he wouldn’t hear any of it. His mind had already labeled Valerie as a cheat, and his heart was crushed by it. Heath could only hope that this weekend would help heal their old wounds, before Stone and his destined-to-fail plan damaged them for good. Valerie pulled her hands from Heath’s grasp. “I promised myself I wouldn’t let him affect me anymore, but even now his words hurt me. Maybe I can reason with you. Let me go, Heath. This weekend can only lead to more pain.” He shook his head. “If I release you from here, Stone would kill me. And after he’s done with me, it still wouldn’t stop him from coming after you again.” She arched a brow. “So I’m just supposed to sit here and let him have his way with me?” He didn’t see her as the sitting down and staying quiet type. “I would hope not. This weekend wouldn’t be any fun if you weren’t participating with us.” Valerie walked to the window, and pulled back the curtain. “Not participating is exactly what I had in mind. But I’ll be honest, it’s extremely hard when Stone corners me. The stubborn man has a way of setting me on fire. I’ve never had a reaction to anyone else like that in my life. Is this your home?” Heath noticed how she changed the subject rather quickly. But he wasn’t going to be deterred. “This is Stone’s vacation property. He bought it six months ago and hired an interior designer to furnish it for him.” “It’s very nice.” “It is indeed. There is a question I have to ask.”

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Valerie turned to him, crossing her arms under her breasts. “Go ahead.” Heath doubted that she knew just how tempting she looked to him. “Stone has stated his wants for this weekend. Are you agreeing to a threesome?”

He had taken her by surprise, asking such a personal question. She saw a heat in Heath’s gaze, heard the flare of interest in his tone. He spoke his mind -- straight to the point, in fact -- and she had to admire that in him. Valerie watched him. The resemblance between Heath and Stone was strong, and she was an idiot for not seeing it as soon as he had entered her store. Their facial features were similar, and both were tall men. Except for the darker shade of Heath’s hair and the differences in their eyes, both could have been brothers instead of cousins. She couldn’t deny that the image of both men naked in her bed fired up her lust. A ménage wasn’t something she’d ever thought she would have. She’d been happy with Stone, and he had fulfilled every one of her physical needs. But now that she was here at her exhusband’s home, secluded with both men, the prospect of a threesome within her reach, Valerie found herself considering it. But could she be as cold as Stone was so intent on being? Did she have the strength to relieve her sexual needs, without inviting her heart into further pain? Valerie licked her lips as Heath stepped closer to her. “I won’t deny that you are extremely handsome. And I’m sure sex with Stone and you would be amazing. But I’m not sure I can withhold my feelings from him. He was once my heart, the very air I breathed. When you pledge an eternity of happiness to the person you consider your other half, breaking up is one of the hardest things to go through.” She fought the tears that burned in her eyes, blinking rapidly so they wouldn’t spill. “I’m just not sure that I can expose myself to such pain.”

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Heath wrapped his arms around her, and Valerie released the tension in her body, silently ordering herself to relax, even if it was just for a moment. He felt warm and good, smelled wonderful, and she took comfort in the seconds he held her. “Am I interrupting something?”

Stone. She pulled back from Heath, and turned around. Stone stood at the doorway, watching her as he gripped a large black duffel bag in his right hand. “Love isn’t easy, but it’s definitely worth fighting for.” Heath whispered the words softly into her ear and gave her shoulders a squeeze from behind, before walking toward the door. “I’ll see to dinner.” Stone nodded, entering the room as Heath left. “How are you feeling?” Valerie sat on the edge of the bed, watching him warily. She hated feeling so unsure around him, but she didn’t know what to expect anymore. “I’m tired and confused.” Stone walked over to her and placed the bag on the bed. “A nap will take care of the tired part. Dinner should be ready in about an hour. As to the confusion…what are you confused about?” He sat next to her, and she found herself leaning toward him. “Us. Why this weekend? Why now?” Stone frowned, his brows narrowing. “Why not now? Just because we’re divorced, Val, didn’t mean you would escape me so easily.” She wanted to strangle him when he acted so condescending. She twisted her body fully, turning so she was even closer to him. “I had no intentions of keeping my distance from you. But you took that choice away from me when you filed for divorce.” “That decision was the hardest one I’ve ever had to make.” His words came out in a whisper, and, for the first time, she not only heard the pain in his voice, but Valerie also saw the hurt in his gaze. He looked so wounded, and her heart

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ached for the torment they had both gone through. She reached up and touched the corner of his left eye as a tear began to slide down his cheek. He looked vulnerable, lost in the pain, and this was the first time she had ever seen him hurting like this. Her own eyes watered up, emotions forcing her own ache to the surface, and she gasped as Stone turned his head, bringing his lips to her palm. His mouth was hot against her flesh, and she watched as Stone closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Oh, God ! It was in that moment that she hated Dexter with a passion that bordered on murder. She missed Stone desperately, missed his touch, his taste, the way the heat of his body warmed her at night. Her heart beat quickly in pain, and she released her breath, realizing that she had been holding it just as he had been. His breath came out in a quick puff and he opened his eyes. “I don’t know if I have the willpower to let you go a second time, Val. But nothing is going to stop me from seeking my revenge.”

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Chapter Five

Cadie Franklin lifted the DVD player remote and paused the picture. Her brother’s grinning face glared back at her, and she closed her eyes, wishing that what she now saw wasn’t true. But the proof was in front of her, and, even worse, Dexter was taking great joy in explaining each step, laughing jovially for the film recorder. Cadie still couldn’t believe her brother was dead. It didn’t matter that six months had passed and that they weren’t as familiar in adulthood, having gone their separate ways. He was still the only brother she’d had, and she missed him. And now she wished she had resolved the conflicts between them and sought a closer relationship. But she hadn’t really known Dexter. The man in front of her was nothing like the normal, obsessed-with-work guy he had portrayed himself to be. When had her brother snapped into a deranged man who just wanted to cause hurt? Dexter had staged a plan to ruin Stone’s life, and apparently, he had succeeded. He’d destroyed the marriage of his business opponent, laughed at the outcome, and claimed he’d beaten Stone by taking Valerie away from him. The camera had appeared to be positioned next to the collar of his shirt as he had captured everything on film, including the drugging of Stone’s wife. Dexter had followed

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Valerie from behind, before he’d wrapped an arm around her waist and placed a white handkerchief dipped in chloroform over her nose and mouth. Valerie hadn’t stood a chance, and her body had slumped in Dexter’s arms. She had been on the steps of the home she shared with Stone, and had been in the process of inserting her key into the lock, before he attacked. And her brother’s strangely unfeeling, robotic-like voice narrated it all. Cadie had almost thrown up as she watched Dexter undress Valerie and placed her naked body in a robe. Mercifully, Dexter hadn’t gone beyond taking off his own clothes, remaining in boxers. He had then arranged Valerie in front of his body, as if they were lovers and had been in the midst of passion. The recorder even caught when Stone had found them in that position, and that’s when all hell had broken loose. Cadie cradled her head into her hands, still shocked at what she had seen. It was more than odd that after six months, the bank that Dexter had done business with had chosen to mail the key to her brother’s safe-deposit box. And that was where she’d found the DVD. There hadn’t been anything else in the metal container. North Fork Bank owed her some answers, but fixing this mess took priority. It hadn’t taken very long to find Stone’s company, Oil Exports, on the Web. He was apparently a co-owner along with his brother Seth, and just as rich as Dexter had been in his oil firm. Both were the two largest competitors in their field. “I need to speak with Stone Bane.” Cadie’s hand gripped the phone tightly, her stomach a bunch of nerves at the thought of how Stone would react. The Web had also brought up news on the painful divorce of Stone and Valerie. And now, since Dexter was no longer alive, Cadie was the only one who knew the truth and had the proof. She still couldn’t believe that Dexter had ruined so many lives just because of jealousy and hatred. All she could do now was try to undo the harm her brother had caused. “Mr. Bane is away for the weekend, and won’t be in until Monday.”

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“Is this his secretary?” “No. This is his answering service. If it’s an urgent matter, I can page his brother Seth.” “Please do that.” Cadie hung up the phone, after giving the operator her home number. Even though she’d never laid eyes on Stone or Valerie, she had to try to make things right for them. Now the only thing she could do was sit and wait until Seth called.

***** After her shower, she had dressed in the new clothes Stone had bought her. She knew exactly what to make out of the short sundresses, thong underwear, and bras that were a bit too sheer. She’d bet Stone had bought every scrap of material in that bag with the sole intention of seduction, but she would select an outfit for today, because the idea of wearing the same clothes all weekend held little appeal. Well, that and the fact that each time she and Stone were in the same room, her resolve to remain aloof dwindled. Maybe it was time she confronted the fact that she wasn’t over him. But could she use this opportunity to fight for the love they’d once had? Valerie pushed the thought temporarily away and took a few minutes to explore the second floor of his home. Upstairs were four large bedrooms, lavishly decorated, each with its own marble bathroom and Jacuzzi-sized tubs. And as she peered through the windows, she found that the room assigned to her had a view of the back of the house. Wherever they were, the scenery was extremely beautiful, the landscape cut neatly, and the backyard included an in-ground pool. Valerie’s stomach rumbled with hunger as she descended the stairs and followed the wonderful scents that were leading her to the kitchen. “Do you have everything ready?” She stilled at the entryway of the kitchen as soon as she heard Stone’s voice. “I purchased all that was on the list.”

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Valerie shook her head and entered the kitchen. She didn’t want to know what that part of the conversation was about…at least not before she had some food in her stomach. “So what’s for dinner?” Stone looked up from slicing lettuce. His gaze traveled from her head, slowly down to the short, red, strapless dress she wore. She shivered under his scrutiny, her nipples beading tightly. He lifted his gaze to her own. “I’ve made your favorite. Cajun lime tilapia with garlic mashed potatoes, and a tossed salad. We also have a bottle of Merlot.” She remembered how comfortable he felt in the kitchen and the times she would find him cooking for her. Their kitchen had been designed by one of the finest chefs in Paris, and Valerie longed for the times when she’d simply watched Stone, out of sheer enjoyment, as he created his tasty dishes. She walked over to him, eating him up with her eyes, just as he had done to her. He looked devastatingly handsome in jeans and a black T-shirt. His hair was pulled back, tied at the bottom. “I’ve missed your cooking.” “I’ve missed cooking. Have a seat. I just served the meals. By the way, you look absolutely stunning.” She seated herself in a mahogany chair and lifted the silver-domed lid. The food smelled and looked wonderful. “The clothes are not my usual reserved taste, but I bet keeping me covered was the last thing you wanted. Nevertheless, you have wonderful taste in clothes.” “You’re right. Keeping your modesty intact wasn’t my top priority.” “Where’s Heath?” “He’s taken his dinner and decided to give us some time to ourselves.” She didn’t know what to make of that. She had assumed Stone didn’t want to be alone with her. “That was very thoughtful of him.”

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Stone walked over to the table, sat down, and placed the salad between them. He opened the wine and poured two glasses. They ate in comfortable silence, and when Valerie was finished, she reached for her wine. Stone sipped from his glass. “So tell me what you’ve been up to for the past year.” Valerie drank, before answering. It was hard to believe sometimes that so much time had passed, and they hadn’t spoken to each other since the divorce was finalized. “Mom showed signs of Alzheimer’s about four months after you filed for divorce. At first, I thought I could run the shop and take care of her at the same time, and I kept it going for a few months, but in the end, it proved to be impossible. The disease was accelerating at a rapid pace, and I needed to find a way to pay for her healthcare. I put my home and business up for sale three months ago, and just last week the deal was closed, and I was able to put my mom in a care facility that specializes in Alzheimer’s.” He reached over and took her hand in his. “Val, why didn’t you call me? I hadn’t known any of this. I’m sorry.” She heaved a breath in, and then slowly released it. “I didn’t want to burden you with any of my problems.” An odd look crossed his face, but before she could question him on it, he began to stroke her skin, and her flesh heated at the contact. “Val, I would have made sure your mom got the best in healthcare. I wouldn’t have denied you that.” He was right. He wouldn’t have told her no, if she had simply worked up the nerve to go to him. But it wasn’t as if she could run to him with her problems, and lean against his strength. She took two more sips of her wine, the sweet taste filling her mouth as the alcohol relaxed her tense muscles. “We hadn’t spoken in weeks, Stone. How would it look if I showed up at your doorstep asking you for money? I had more pride than that.”

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Valerie rose from her seat and took the dishes to the dishwasher. She bent, placing them inside. She turned, surprised to see Stone directly behind her, holding two more filled glasses of wine. Her gaze drifted to the unopened bottle tucked under his arm. “If you’d told me the reason why, I would have taken care of it. You should have been able to put your pride on the sidelines for your mother.” Stone turned away from her. “Let’s move this conversation to the living room.”

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Chapter Six

Valerie followed him there, and Stone handed her one of the glasses. She sat on the brown leather sofa and took a sip as she watched him. He placed the bottle and his own glass on the coffee table and sat next to her, leaving no room between them. God, he’d missed her. Her scent was driving him crazy with need and she looked absolutely delicious in that dress. The way she sipped her red wine, and then licked her lips, set a blazing path from his stomach to his groin. His gaze drifted to the hard nipples, the tips raising the fabric of her dress. His cock rose in response, straining against his pants, and he had to resist the urge to jump on her like a ravening beast. Why was he even doing this? She was absolutely right that this was only going to lead to more heartache. He should let her go and move on. But time hadn’t healed his wounds. Throwing himself into work hadn’t provided him with the means to move on, and going on dates had been a dead end. He still needed her, still wanted her with every bone in his body. And that was the ultimate reason he’d kidnapped her from her store and brought her here. “My mom is fine now, Stone. She has the best care there is, and I’m able to relax now, knowing she’s safe.”

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His ex-mother-in-law might have the best care, but Valerie didn’t know that Stone had been the one who’d bought her business and home. His intentions had been to rent them both to her, and to keep her guessing as to if or when he would sell either of them. His plan was a cruel guessing game, and the thought of going through with it now sickened him. He’d caught a glimpse of pain in her gaze, and that shadow of hurt forced him to realize that she didn’t deserve any of this. “Have you dated since the divorce?” Even as he asked the question, the thought made him physically ill. Did he really want to know if she had been with another man? It shouldn’t matter, but way down deep, Stone knew it did. And what in the hell would she think when she found out that he had slept with his brother’s wife, Lila? The truth would hurt her, just as he would feel the pain if she’d allowed someone else into her bed. He was a selfish bastard, completely disgusting even to himself. And he hated feeling this way, especially with the memory of Valerie in Dexter’s arms. But instead, he felt like he was the one who had cheated on her. His gut clenched at the thought, his breathing erratic as anxiety filled him. If he revealed it to her, chances were he would lose her forever. But he’d be making it worse by withholding the truth from her. She drank the last of her wine, set the glass down on the table, and twisted her body to the side to face him on the couch. She looked flushed, a reddish tinge from her cheeks down to her jaw. “That’s a personal question.” She licked her lips and he silently groaned at the gleaming wetness that appeared on her mouth. His gaze drifted from her lips to her eyes. “One I want you to answer.” “I don’t owe you anything, but I’ll answer your question anyway.” Her tone of voice was haughty, and her eyes were slightly glassy. It was a heady mix of bravado and sultriness backed by the two glasses of wine she’d drunk, and he wondered what she would say or do next. “I haven’t dated anyone. Have you?”

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“I’ve dated --” He never got to finish his words, and for one second he remained frozen in shock. “You backstabbing bastard!” Valerie jumped up from the couch, and whirled around to face him. She teetered on her heels as her mouth parted in surprise. Stone reached up and grabbed her around her waist before she could fall. But with the momentum and his hold on her, her body slid forward, and she landed with her lower half across his legs, her breasts mashed against his face. Before he could even appreciate that her tits were near his mouth and within sucking distance, and before she could regain her balance, Stone lifted her up and maneuvered her legs to the outside of his thighs. Now she was sitting astride him, and his body tensed up, adrenaline and sexual frustration pounding through his blood. With great determination, Stone forced himself to relax and cherish the curves of her soft form against his hard one. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and rose about an inch as she pushed him in an attempt to get away. “What are you doing?” He tightened his hands around her waist, pulling her back down, the friction between them causing his cock to harden further. Even through his jeans and her panties, he felt her moist heat. But he struggled to concentrate, finding the truth hard to spill. “Easy, sweetheart. I’ve never lied to you about anything, and I won’t begin now. The night I found Dexter in your arms tore my heart out. I’m not using it as an excuse, but I want you to understand the reason behind it. It was as if I couldn’t live without you, or I had no will to live. Seth asked for my help one evening. He had been dating a woman by the name of Lila Barton, and we all went away for the weekend.” Her eyes began to water as she dug her nails into his forearms. “You slept with her.”

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It wasn’t a question, but more like an affirmation. “Yes.” It fucking broke his heart to confirm it, but he did it, knowing that a future with her would be impossible if it was filled with lies. “It was one weekend, and it was because Seth needed me, Valerie.” “I needed you,” she yelled, the tears disappearing from her eyes, anger quickly replacing them. “I was broken, Val. And God help the both of us, if with this confession, I’ve ruined us beyond repair. But at the time, I thought there was no hope for us. I wish I could take it back. I wish I could take it all back.” She struggled to get off him, but he wasn’t going to make it easy for her. She stopped moving and lifted her hands to his chest. “How can I believe that? How can I ever trust you again?” It hurt to breathe. When did he become a man who didn’t care about repercussions? Three months ago, he swore his revenge…swore that he would hurt her just as she had him. Or had it been all an act to steel himself against the pain? “You have to trust me on this.” Her hands crept up to his face, her thumb flicked over his bottom lip. “The same way you trusted me?” He’d known that was coming, but the knowing didn’t lessen the force of her words. Yet, instead of it being a slick-ass comeback, he couldn’t help but note the sadness in her voice. And it wounded him to realize he was the one who’d put it there. He closed his eyes, shutting out the pain in her gaze. He felt her pull her hand back, and when she moved, her warm breath flitted over his mouth. He opened his eyes just as she whispered, “I’ll always love you.” She was so contradictory. One minute, anger making her eyes brighter and the next minute, whispering her affection for him. His heart jumped and his blood heated as he realized in that precise moment that his feelings for her had never left him. He loved her more than life itself, and he should have

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been man enough to make it work between them. He’d let selfishness and revenge get in the way of what was always there -- their love. It made him realize that purchasing her store and home had been a way to get close to her, and remain a part of her life, without admitting that he had been wrong all along. He was a complete idiot. The truth had to come out, and he would beg on his knees if he had to, hoping that their love would be strong enough to mend their broken hearts. She kissed him -- a soft, sweet meeting of mouths as her tongue slipped inside. He groaned, the tips of his fingers digging into her thighs, and he lost himself in her, heart and soul.

Valerie didn’t know what possessed her to kiss him, let alone give Stone a declaration of love. Heaven knew he didn’t deserve it. She thought her heart was going to explode, imagining him in another woman’s arms. The thought sickened her, and she swallowed hard against the bitterness rising in her throat as she silently called herself stupid a dozen times. But the feel of him finally surrounding her brought such comfort to her, even though she recognized that it was in direct contrast to how she felt inside. Denying the both of them the need coursing through her veins wouldn’t make her any happier. And voicing the fact that he would always be in her heart gave her some hope that maybe they hadn’t ended. She closed her eyes, momentarily disoriented between the pain in her heart and the fact that his cock was pressed so close to her pussy. The wine gave her the daring little push she needed to take what she wanted from him. As she tangled her tongue with his, Valerie realized at that moment that no one would ever hold a candle to him. It was probably the reason why she had turned away at least three men who’d wanted to date her in the recent months. Valerie reached her hands up and felt for the tie that held his hair together. She pulled it off, arousal creaming her thong as she delved her fingers into the soft strands. “I’ve missed

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touching you,” she moaned as he pushed down the top of her strapless dress, baring her breasts. Stone broke the kiss as he ground his dick against her panty-covered clit. “Do you feel that, sweetheart? Our clothes aren’t even off yet, and I could still come just from rubbing my cock against your pretty pussy.” She whimpered as he bent his head and placed his lips on her nipple. Her pulse raced faster as white-hot heat rushed through her. He took the tip of her breast between his teeth, flicking his tongue against it, causing a delicious friction. “Stone, I need you.” “I know, babe. I’m going to give you what you crave.” He lifted her off him and onto the couch. “Lie down.” She did as he requested, leaning her head against the arm of the couch, unable to rip her gaze from him as he pressed her legs apart, and then pushed her dress to her waist. His fingers reached for her thong, and with a strength that surprised her, he ripped the material from her body. His show of power sent butterflies racing through her stomach as her hips stung slightly from the tearing pull. He bent his head closer to her pussy and she felt his warm breath against her heated flesh. A ripple of ecstasy ran through her, stiffening her body with impending orgasm. Oh, God! She was on the verge of coming, just from his breath, rippling over her clitoris. “You’re so hot.” He followed that statement up by licking the honey that was coating her slit, and she arched closer to his mouth. Instinctively she tried to close her legs, but he held them open with his hands. She was too turned on, her body wrapped tight in lust, to make it last. He must have sensed that within her, too, because his hands tightened on her inner thighs, and with a wicked grin, he murmured, “Feel free to come as often as you’d like.” Before she could even respond to his invitation, his lips surrounded her swollen clit. His tongue rubbed against it, the bristles of his goatee heightening her elation. And when he

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forcefully sucked her sensitized clit, Valerie screamed, her orgasm whipping through her, her cream flowing into Stone’s mouth, down his throat. She heard him growl as she wrapped her legs around his head, her nails gripping his scalp and holding him still, so she could grind herself against his face. Tears erupted, spilling from her eyes as her orgasm began to die down. She’d missed the ecstasy he gave her, but it was the love pounding in her heart that shoved this display of emotions forward. The intensity of it shook her. She just hoped Stone didn’t feel the need to question her about it, because if he did, she doubted that she could hold back the waterfall of tears. She turned her head as she forced herself to release his hair, and with her hand, she dried up the evidence of her weeping. She placed her hands on either side of her thighs on the couch, and tried to scoot up. But his hold on her was unbreakable, and she had no other choice but to meet his gaze. She almost closed her eyes against the powerful emotions she saw in his stare, because she couldn’t decipher them. Was he just as affected as she was? “I see I’ve missed the party.” Her stomach clenched, and she fisted her hands in nervousness as two thoughts hit her at once. Stone’s mouth hadn’t moved, and that led to the realization that the words had to come from Heath. She turned her head, and sure enough, he was standing in the entryway, clad in only a pair of jeans.

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Chapter Seven

Damn it ! His cousin had awful timing. Stone was on the verge of telling Val how he truly felt, but Heath interrupted the moment with his words. He removed his hands from her thighs, allowing her to sit up and pull her dress down. He could still taste her cream on his lips. His cock was hard, his balls heavy with the need to be deep inside her. But theirs was an affair that couldn’t be rushed. It surprised him that he was now thinking beyond this weekend by not hurrying with her. But then again, the strength of his feelings astounded him. He was far from over her. And his plan for revenge was a thing of the past. Re-igniting their love would pave the way to their happiness. Stone rose to his feet, watching as Valerie’s eyes rounded in surprise. He’d seen the emotion in her gaze, right after she’d turned away from him in an attempt to hide her feelings. But he wasn’t going to have it. He hadn’t started this weekend with the intention of reliving any feelings for her…with her. But everything had changed when she whispered the words, I’ll always love you. And even that hadn’t been what had him on the verge of spilling his own declaration of love. It was the intensity of her gaze, burning bright with the

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knowledge that she would always feel love for him, no matter that he had been a true bastard to her. And if he was feeling that way, could it be Valerie had been innocent all along? Stone pushed that thought away. He would reflect on that later. “You’ve got awful timing, Heath.” “Looks to me I came just in time. Hell of a show. Valerie, you’re hot.” Stone turned to him. “Don’t be crude.” Heath laughed. “Me. Crude? Hardly.” “I’ll leave you two to talk. I’m heading up to unpack some clothes.” She was nervous, and that was probably the reason for the lame excuse. Stone could hear the fragility underneath her voice, the layer of nerves in her tone. He turned just as Valerie made it to the stairs, but he decided to let her go. She needed time to recoup herself, and he felt just as shaken up by their connection as she obviously was. “Let her go. We need to talk. How’s she doing?” Stone couldn’t help but notice the genuine concern in Heath’s voice. “She’ll be fine. You just surprised her…us. I hadn’t realized you would be watching.” Heath shrugged. “I hadn’t planned it. But I won’t apologize for it. Valerie is beautiful, inside and out. I wanted to give you a chance with her, to reconnect, which is why I took my meal upstairs. Are we still on for tonight?” Stone’s body heated at the thought of a ménage and of how much pleasure it would bring Valerie. “Yes, we’re still on for tonight. But aren’t you the same man who tried to talk me out of kidnapping her? You sound like you’re looking forward to our little threesome.” “I’d have to be dead not to notice Valerie. And you’d be one lucky bastard if you’d pull your head out of your ass. I still say, cousin, a woman like Valerie wears her heart on her sleeve and falls head over heels for life. There’s something wrong with the Dexter picture. And the phone call I received from Seth confirms my suspicions.”

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Stone knew exactly what Heath’s suspicions were. But he had to admit that if he allowed himself to believe his cousin, then he alone was the one to blame for the destruction of their marriage. He’d been blocking his brother telepathically. He hadn’t wanted Seth to get any idea of what his intentions were. “What did he want?” “I don’t think it was a good idea to leave your cell behind this weekend. Luckily, I had mine.” Heath walked over to the minibar and poured himself a drink. He lifted the glass. “Care for a glass of rum and coke?” Stone clenched his teeth. Heath loved to draw things out. “No. What did Seth want?” “Your answering service received a call from Cadie Franklin. Seth forwarded me her information.” Now they were getting somewhere. “Dexter’s sister? What the hell did she want?” “I took the liberty of giving her a call. She needed to speak with you about her brother. She wouldn’t explain it over the phone, but she stressed it was urgent. Claims she has something in her possession that you need to view. I’ve set up a meeting with her. She should be here tomorrow around noon.” The idea of seeing Cadie didn’t sit well with Stone for a number of reasons. The fact that she was related to Franklin was on the top of that list. And what the hell could she have to show him that was so urgent? “I shudder at the thought of meeting a relative of Dexter’s.” Heath drank his drink in two gulps. “It definitely has something to do with Dexter. And I have a feeling that what she has to show you is going to change your life.” Stone nodded, still wondering what in the hell Dexter’s sister could want with him.

***** Valerie flopped onto the bed, giving up on refolding the clothes that Stone had bought. It had been a stupid excuse, just so she could run from Stone and Heath. She had been angry

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with herself, giving in to Stone’s appeal when her first instinct was to rant and rave. But how in the hell were they both going to move forward, if anger and distrust stood between them? She sighed as her thoughts shifted from the future to Heath’s reappearance. He had unnerved her, and after that mind-blowing orgasm that led to some heavy-duty revelation of feelings, Valerie couldn’t deal with his presence. But the thought of a ménage still lingered in her mind. Being taken by both Stone and Heath would be intense both physically and emotionally. And the emotional part was what terrified her. Not because she had any feelings for Heath, but because just a half an hour ago, a connection had been recreated with Stone. She didn’t want to see that fragile line break over a one-weekend threesome. But maybe she was thinking about it too hard. It was Stone who had set all of this up. That was a clear indication that he wanted this, perhaps more than she did.

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Chapter Eight

Stone couldn’t rip his gaze from the tantalizing vision she made, stretched out on the bed, her arms tied with silken scarves to the headboard, and her ankles secured to the footboard. It had been his luck to find her napping, a soft snore emerging from her parted lips. And it hadn’t taken much time to bind her to the bed. With a couple of quick ties, Valerie was now at Stone’s mercy. The one other time he had experienced a threesome was when Seth had needed his help to give his now sister-in-law, Lila, a fantasy that she craved. And once he had spilled his release, his body temporarily sated, Stone had been momentarily jealous at the bond he felt between Lila and Seth. He had wished with all his heart that he and Valerie still had that connection between them. Now, with the help of Heath, Stone could give Valerie a taste of forbidden pleasure. Deep down in the bottom of his gut, there were nerves threatening his common sense. He wanted to leave her tied forever, open to his body, to his heart. And he now realized that in some way, he had scheduled this ménage with her in an attempt to reestablish the bond they once had.

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He kept his gaze pinned to her. He couldn’t wait to reclaim what had been his. His cock throbbed at the thought of being fully seated in her ass, while Heath pounded into her cunt. Thankfully, Valerie still wore her strapless dress. It had been easy to lift the material to her thighs, the hem barely covering her pussy, giving him a teasing glimpse. It took every ounce of control not to fall to his knees and eat her, slowly savoring her essence. She had tasted sweet, her pussy devoid of any hair, her flavor light and spicy, and he swore he’d suddenly developed an oral fetish, because he couldn’t get her taste out of his mind. Stone unbuttoned his pants, giving some much-needed relief from pressure to his hard dick. He had planned this seduction down to the last detail, and even visited a sex toy shop for nipple clamps. It was something he’d never tried on her, which was an odd thing, since she owned her own adult toy shop, but he knew how sensitive her nipples were. So he’d placed the clamps he’d purchased for this special night on the nightstand, along with a feather, a tube of lube, and a pair of scissors he had taken from his office. He had tied her with her clothes still on, because he wanted to cut the clothes from her body, wanted to see her reaction to his savagery. The thought aroused him, and the need to dominate her rose from within him. Heath was set to come into the bedroom in about thirty minutes. And all Stone had to do was bring Valerie to the point where she wouldn’t be able to deny him anything. That wasn’t going to be hard. He’d give her the world if he could just move forward with her, and not remain trapped in the past. Stone walked to the nightstand and picked up the ostrich feather, along with the clamps. He went to his knees on the bed, and carefully maneuvered his body between her parted thighs. He brushed the feather on the inside of her knee, and slowly drifted it up to her rosy colored cunt. Even in sleep, she was aroused. His gut clenched, his penis hard and throbbing. He could stay here forever, watching her pussy glisten with her cream, the scent

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of her filling his lungs. A slight summer breeze blew in through the open window, causing her nipples to tighten further under the material of her dress. He circled the tips of the feather around her clit. She moaned, and he lifted his gaze as he continued to caress her, swirling it around her pussy, feathering her with teasing strokes. She was awake, her lids half-closed in arousal as she arched her ass off the bed, seeking more of the pleasure he would give her. “Stone, what are you doing?” she whispered, her eyes opening wider as she tugged at the scarves secured to the headboard. “Why am I tied up?” He stilled his hand and gazed at her, knowing he loved her with all his heart. He heard the craving in her voice, the arousal whipping through her. She wouldn’t be able to deny herself the hunger flowing through her veins. But he needed to at least try to explain how he truly felt. “I need to beg you for forgiveness. I need to show you that you mean more to me than anyone else. I can’t go another day without being buried deep inside of you, Valerie. But it’s more than that. We were connected once, heart and soul. I want to feel that again, and I could’ve sworn that if Heath hadn’t interrupted us on the couch, we would have reconnected. I’m on the verge of claiming you now as it is, but I promised you a ménage. And I assure you, love, both Heath and I will take good care of you.” Her eyes widened as she licked her lips. “Stone, please.” Her plea was soft and hungry as her gaze drifted down to his cock. “I’m going to please all of you, Valerie. After today, there will be no doubt in your mind that you will always be mine.”

More than anything else in the world, she wanted to believe in him. But being hurt by him once was hard enough to get over. If they gave a relationship between them a chance, and if she were hurt twice, surviving it wouldn’t be possible.

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Valerie bit back her moan as she raised her hips from the bed, silently wishing that there were no scarves to keep her from touching him. She wanted to be close to him, so she could take her time running her hands over his body, before reaching his cock and fondling that thick stalk of flesh. She clenched her stomach, arousal causing her body to shiver in delight. She could remember a few times she and Stone had played with bondage. And she had loved the feeling of being helpless and at his mercy, her sole job to concentrate on the pleasure he was bringing her. It was something she’d thought she’d never feel again, until now. Stone circled the feather around her pussy. The soft touch sent an ache through her, building her craving for him. Valerie moaned and watched as he placed the feather aside, and began to touch her with his fingers, rubbing them around her pussy, soaking his digits in her cream. She held her breath as he moved his hand toward the entrance of her ass. And Valerie remembered the time when he had first introduced her to anal sex. Her release had been hard, stealing her breath as her vision blacked out. It had been an extremely intense sexual experience, and she had reveled in the pain-pleasure of his mastery. He knew her body…knew what brought her to the edge, over and over again. And she missed that. No toys or masturbation could bring her the ecstasy she had attained with Stone. Valerie whimpered as he pushed two fingers into her ass. Her body tightened, her heat level rising as her orgasm rose from within, surprising her at how swift and hard it came and then burst, setting a fire through her, forcing her eyes closed as a scream erupted from her throat. “You look good enough to eat,” he growled, bending low and brought his mouth to her cunt. He licked her, a slow, thorough, hot flick of his tongue that shot through her, and then he rubbed his goatee against her clit. He alternated between his chin and his tongue, and then finally he surrounded her sensitive nub with his mouth, sucking greedily. Valerie

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screamed as rumbling noises erupted from his throat, adding a vibrating pressure that tightened her muscles. He raised his head and licked his lips, looking so deliciously devilish. “I’ve missed this.” Her body hummed and tingled with anticipation. “I’ve missed you.” She whimpered his name, her muscles tight with anticipation. Now he was holding her on the very edge of ecstasy, without allowing her to tip fully over, and she could swear she was going mindless with hunger. She was on the verge of begging him to eat her with his wicked tongue, fuck her with his hard cock, and just as she parted her lips to plead with him, another voice intruded on her thoughts. “I’m a lucky man to have caught you twice in this position.”

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Chapter Nine

Stone rose from his place and turned his head at the sound of Heath’s voice. He was wrapped up in Valerie and hadn’t heard his cousin come into the room. A second more, and his cock would’ve been deep inside her, and at that point, nothing would’ve been able to stop him from taking her. His cousin was already undressing, his gaze riveted on Valerie, and Stone couldn’t blame him one damn bit. Valerie was stunning in her desire, her nipples hard, the scent of her cream filling the air. It made him want to fall on her and ravish her, devouring her inch by inch, but taking his time was important, not just for him but for her. He wanted this seduction imprinted in her mind forever, and perhaps this could be a new beginning for them. “Heath, hand me the scissors on the night stand, and the lube too.” She narrowed her gaze, blushing as she parted her lips. “What do you need a scissors for?” He smiled because, instead of afraid, she sounded breathless with yearning. “Your dress is in the way. I want nothing between us when I put my lips on your breasts.”

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Heath handed him the items, and Stone lifted the dress away from her body as he cut through the material, discarding it quickly. Her chest rose and fell at a rapid pace, a clear sign to him that she was just as aroused as he was. He turned from her, giving Heath the shears, and picked up the clamps. His gaze fell on hers, his cock pounding fiercely at the sight of her naked body. He bent and took her nipple into his mouth, flicking at the hard tip with his tongue. He alternated between biting lightly and sucking hard, and she arched her chest up, closer to his mouth. He withdrew, blowing at the distended tip before taking her nipple between his thumb and index finger, and fastened the clamp on. She whimpered. “Oh, God. This feels too good.” He smiled. She had always loved a bite of pain with her sex. He bent, paying the same attention to her other breast, sucking and raking the tip softly with his teeth. He secured the clamp on and rose from his position. Heath climbed onto the bed. “She looks stunning.” And she absolutely did. The clamps suited her as if they’d been made for her. It made him want to ask her if she would consider piercing her nipples for him. He reached over and untied her hands and feet. Stone and Heath took a few minutes to massage her soft flesh. But Stone couldn’t go any longer without feeling her mouth on his cock. “On your knees, Val, and face my dick.” The beast in him relished the crude words. It matched the animal in him, wanting to get out. Her eyes flashed, and for a second Stone thought she would refuse, but she obeyed. “Would you like Heath to fuck you, Val, while I thrust my cock into your mouth?” Through his peripheral vision, Stone saw Heath already sheathing himself with a condom and placing himself behind her. She moaned, and then breathed out, releasing a puff of warm air over his hard cock. He couldn’t wait any longer; he had to have her now. Stone

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gripped her hair, and guided her head to his shaft. Her mouth opened, and he slipped right into heaven.

Valerie’s scalp tingled with the pressure from Stone’s fingers, but it added to the pleasure coursing through her body. She flicked her tongue under the heavy vein of Stone’s cock, causing him to tighten his hand in her hair. She steadied herself, making love to him with her mouth as Heath began to enter her pussy. Heath gripped her hips and began a slow thrust as Stone continued to fuck her mouth. It was heaven, being pleasured by these two men, and she took a second to close her eyes and savor it. It had been a fantasy of hers, but it was something she never thought would be fulfilled. And now that it was here, she wanted to explode in ecstasy. She gazed up at Stone, and he watched her as his shaft stretched her lips, the head hitting the back of her throat. A string of semen shot from his cock, filling her throat, and she swallowed, drawing the mushroom-shaped head deeper into her mouth. She felt Heath pull out of her pussy, and she whimpered. She moaned as Heath circled his finger along the entry of her ass, before pushing the digit in. She clenched her stomach against the need to beg them both to fuck her. She felt it when he pulled his finger out, and seconds later a cool sensation filled her ass, causing her to momentarily stop her rhythm in sucking Stone. Lube and anal sex. She had wanted the pleasures of a ménage, dreamt of it even. “Enough.” Stone gripped her hair, easing his dick from her mouth. She rose to her knees and watched as Stone covered his cock with a condom, and then reached for the lube. He crawled closer to her. “Kiss me.”

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She opened her mouth, and slipped her tongue past his lips, while sliding her hand to his, taking the lube from his fingers. She squeezed some of it into her hands, and then stroked Stone’s cock, applying it from root to tip. His cock jerked in her palm and Stone reached up with his hand, breaking the kiss. Stone’s gaze darkened as he took the lube from her hand, throwing it over his shoulder. The mattress moved and Valerie turned to watch Heath lie in the center of the bed. “Ride him.” Stone whispered the words into her ear, and she twisted her body, facing him. “Are you sure?” While Stone hadn’t given her any indication there would be a future for them after this weekend, Valerie believed there was still a small hope for reconciling their relationship. She wouldn’t ruin their chance, even though it was a slim one. He must’ve caught the wariness in her gaze, because he lifted his hand and captured her chin between the tips of his fingers. “I’m sure.” He released her chin, sliding his hands to her waist. “Go ahead, Val. It’ll be sexy as hell to watch you being pleasured by both of us. I want this just as much as you do.” Valerie nodded, turning from him and climbing on top of Heath’s thighs. She grabbed his pulsating cock, placing the head at her entrance, while Stone positioned himself behind her, running his hands down her spine. Her nipples beaded tight as Heath reached up to tug at the tips. The clamps gave her an acute awareness of her breasts, and it sent a wave of heat to her pussy. Both men worked with their hands, and arousal climbed higher at the feel of their rough skin touching her. Helpless to stop her cream from spilling, or the want tightening her gut, Valerie descended on Heath’s cock. His shaft felt different from Stone’s, his a bit wider where Stone’s was longer. But it felt so good. Heath reached up and placed his big hand on the back of her head, pulling her face toward him. “Kiss me,” Heath murmured, lifting his hips from the bed, thrusting his dick

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deeper. She complied as more cream gushed onto his cock, and she opened her mouth, allowing him to slide his tongue in between her lips. She began to move her hips, grinding her pussy against Heath’s shaft. Stone’s hands shifted down her back as he pushed her closer to Heath’s chest. “Stay still.” She broke the kiss, willing herself not to move as Stone aligned his cock, and pushed slowly into her ass. He sank in, moving past the ring of tight muscles as he dug his fingers into her hips. She was stretched to the point where she felt a slight pain, but the pleasure was even more overpowering, blending to where she only felt satisfaction when Stone was finally seated fully inside. Valerie couldn’t remember another time when she felt this physically complete. Emotionally was a whole other story. “Now we fuck.”

She heard the words, and before she could capture her breath, both men began to move within her. Their cocks took possession of her body, thrusting in perfect synchrony, their arms roaming from her breasts to below. She locked her gaze with Heath as he reached for her clit, rubbing it in a circular motion while fucking her. She tilted her head to the side, catching a glimpse of Stone’s face. He leaned over, and caressed her lips with his tongue. Her stomach clenched, her pussy spasming as her juices spilled, coating their dicks. Stone placed his lips on her neck and sucked. The tension built; the heat surrounded their sweat-coated bodies. Just one more hard lunge and she would arrive in heaven. Stone groaned against her skin as Heath pinched her clit, and that was all it took for her to explode. “Stone!” She screamed his name, her ass and pussy clenching on their cocks, her eyes closing as the rapture stole her breath. Male grunts filled the room as Stone thrust deep, his cock

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expanding and jerking before filling the condom with his cum. Heath quickly followed, groaning as she tightened around him. It seemed like eternity, trapped in that place where only ecstasy mattered. Hands roved over her body, taking her down from the orgasm high slowly. Stone slipped out of Valerie’s bottom, and lifted her off Heath’s cock, settling her in the middle of the bed. She closed her eyes, trusting in Stone to take care of her body and hopefully her heart.

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Chapter Ten

Cadie reached up and rang the doorbell, nerves causing her to ring the bell a little longer than necessary. She turned her head, observing the quiet, grassy area. If she weren’t here to fix a wrong, she would’ve loved to sit down and enjoy the serene beauty of this place. But right now, that was impossible. She’d come here for one purpose alone, and she supposed she felt the heavy burden on her shoulders because Dexter had been her only sibling. She clutched her bag tighter as she waited for someone to answer the door. God, she hoped she was doing the right thing, because the thought of keeping the DVD a secret made her stomach churn. “Can I help you?” The voice was strong and clear, disrupting her thinking. Damn! She had been so caught up in her thoughts; she was unaware that the door had opened. She turned, her gaze resting on a man who made her feel even more nervous. He looked like a certified bad boy, with long hair and a scar running across his cheek, curving into a letter C. The mark should’ve made him look terrifying -- instead it added to his manliness, and it appealed to her. His eyes were a pale gray, and it was a color she had

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never seen, until now. She dropped her gaze to his naked muscled chest, and there was a gleam of sweat coating his skin, which had her wondering if she’d caught him in the middle of working out. “Can I help you?” Shit! Where the hell was her tongue? Did she swallow it while ogling him? And why couldn’t she stop staring at his cock? And how about the fact that it seemed to be growing right in front of her eyes? Too many questions, and she would appear a bit insane if she asked them aloud. She forced her gaze to his and took a deep breath, praying it would help get her mind back on track. She licked her lips and cleared her throat, just to make sure she still actually had a voice. “I’m sorry. I’m Cadie Franklin. I’m here to see Stone Bane. I spoke with Heath on the phone yesterday, and he suggested I stop by around this time.” The man in front of her merely grunted, his gaze traveling over her body, inspecting her from head to toe. He did it slowly, lingering at her breasts as her nipples tightened under her sleeveless blouse. The intensity of her reaction surprised her. It made her want to rip her clothes off and jump on him, even though she probably should have been infuriated at him ogling her. The man stepped aside. “Come in.” She still hadn’t gotten his name. She walked past him, turning to face him as he shut the door. “Stone will be down in a few minutes. I’m Heath.” Ah! So he was the one she had spoken with. “It’s nice to meet you.” She extended her hand to him. He narrowed his gaze, his eyes glanced from her hand to her face. “Ms. Franklin, why are you here?”

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She gritted her teeth, and dropped her hand. He might be sexy, but he sounded like a condescending jerk. Luckily for her, she could play the game just as well. “It’s Cadie. And my discussion is with Stone, not with you.” “Cadie.” He almost seemed to spit her name out. “Stone is my family. As a matter of fact, he and Seth are like my brothers. So if you’re here to cause him problems, then you’d better leave now. Otherwise, you’ll have me to deal with.” She crossed her arms and stopped herself from tapping her foot. “Assumptions make asses out of people. I’m not here to cause any problems. In fact, I have something Stone needs to see. I wouldn’t have bothered him if it weren’t urgent.” “The fact that you’re Dexter’s sister does spell trouble. Though I never met Dexter, I’ve heard of the asshole through Stone. And I’m going to give you a friendly warning: cause Stone or anyone in my family trouble, and I’ll be coming after you.” Son of a bitch, but the blockhead was being even more than an ass. She did not have to take any of his shit. She could respect the fact that he wanted to protect his family. She could even understand him calling Dexter an asshole, because frankly, her brother had been one. But presuming that she was there to cause trouble -- well, that pissed her off. She uncrossed her arms, and fisted her hands, stepping closer to him. Even though he had to be at least seven inches taller than her five feet six, she rose up on her toes and looked him square in his eyes. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to prove that she wasn’t to be fucked with, and she wouldn’t begin playing the meek woman role now. “I can be reasonable and commend you on wanting to protect your family, but judging me based on my brother’s actions would make you look like an ass yourself in the long run. If you don’t mind, I’d like you to show me to a room where there is a DVD player.” Mentally she counted the seconds that passed by. She was up to thirty when he spoke. “This way.” Surprisingly, he took the lead without uttering another word.

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She followed him down the hall, her gaze falling to his rippling back. What in God’s name had happened to him? There were scars there, too, little slashes from the back of his shoulders to the waistband of his sweats. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Heath had been tortured. She swallowed against the sudden tightness that formed in her throat. She couldn’t stop staring at his back, and that was probably why she never realized that Heath had stopped walking, or noticed the fact that they had entered the living area. She crashed into him, holding her hands out in reflex, teetering on her shoes. Heath twisted his body around, capturing her shoulders, steadying her. He lifted a brow in acknowledgement of her clumsiness. “Are my scars that horrid that you would lose your concentration on something as simple as walking?” His question caught her unaware, and she found herself momentarily speechless. But then she realized what he was accusing her of, and that made her even madder. “I wouldn’t judge anyone’s scars, whether they were physical or emotional. Yes, I bumped into you because I was staring. But I was wondering at the hurt you must’ve gone through.” She watched him warily, waiting for what he would do or say next. He reminded her of a trapped animal that trusted no one. He narrowed his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. “Wait here.”

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Chapter Eleven

Cadie’s stomach churned as she turned off the DVD player. Her gaze fell on Valerie first. She looked physically ill, her skin pale and her arms wrapped around her stomach. She shifted her gaze to Stone, who appeared enraged, his face red, his chest heaving up and down as he clenched his fists. He grabbed Valerie’s hand, holding it to his chest as if he had no intention of ever letting her go. But it was Heath who made Cadie feel the most uncomfortable. He stood against the wall, watching, assessing her as if she were guilty of some crime. The tension in the room was thick, and she watched their faces go from looking sick to full-blown anger. She was under the trio’s scrutiny, and as a cop, she should’ve been used to this sort of attention. But she’d never met a man like Heath before. It was his gaze that had her feeling antsy. Still, she didn’t doubt that this had been the right thing to do. Cadie swiped her dry lips with her tongue. “My apologies to you and your family. I had no idea that Dexter had such an evil streak in him, and it’s unfortunate that I had to discover who he truly was so long after his death. I only found the DVD yesterday. It had been placed in a safe-deposit box at Dexter’s bank. If I had known sooner, I would have brought it to your immediate attention.”

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“It isn’t your fault. None of this is your fault.” Stone was still clutching Valerie’s hand as he spoke, and Cadie could see how difficult it was for him to keep his emotions in check. “We appreciate you coming forward with this.” Heath pushed his body away from the wall. “Why would Dexter’s bank wait this long to give you the key to his deposit box?” He had a valid question, one Cadie had thought of herself. “I don’t know, but that’s something I intend to find out.” She picked up her bag and left her card on top of the DVD player. “As far as I know, Dexter only had one copy. I’ll leave the DVD here along with my card. Both my cell and home number are on it. If you need to talk or have any more questions, call me.”

Stone tightened his fingers around Valerie’s hand, still in shock at what he had just seen. Dexter had admitted that Valerie and he had never had sex. It had been a game of revenge for Dexter, because Stone had outbid him on a new venture, a crude oil refinery in Venezuela. And instead of talking to Stone face-to-face, Dexter had planned and videotaped his horrific scheme. He’d even listed his reasons, and seemed elated at causing Stone and Valerie such heartache. Stone was vaguely aware of Cadie leaving, hearing her car start off in the distance, but it took all of his strength and concentration to control the anger building in him. He glanced at Valerie as she pressed her left hand against her forehead, her eyes closed. How the fuck could he fix this? He’d been wrong all along. The realization caused his heart to pump faster, his blood to sizzle in rage. He was the one who’d thrown away their marriage, after he’d promised to love her forever. He should’ve trusted her all along, should’ve believed in her. All of the time they’d spent apart, time wasted, when they could’ve continued living as soul mates. How could he have thrown away their love as if it

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were nothing? He felt like smashing his fist against the wall. He wanted to scream his pain at anyone who would listen. Valerie tugged her hand away from his and rose to her feet. “I need to be alone right now.” She took a step away from him, her body rigid. He jumped to his feet, fisting his hands, holding himself from taking her into his arms. “Val, let’s talk about this.” She turned to him, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Not now, Stone.” He watched helplessly as she ran out of the room. His body felt drained, his mind weak, and Stone knew that if it were possible, Dexter would be laughing from his grave. “The person to blame for this is six feet under. Don’t kick yourself too hard, Stone. Look at it this way. Life just gave you another chance.” Stone lifted his gaze to Heath. He appreciated his cousin’s attempt at support, but he saw no way to repair the damage that was done. “How can you be so optimistic? I screwed up badly. It’s over.” He sat silently as Heath walked over to the bar and poured them both a drink, and then handed a glass to Stone. “It isn’t over, cousin. The fact that Valerie’s still here says a lot.” “Did you see the look in her eyes, Heath? It was as if I tore her heart out with my lack of trust in her. I saw her pain and I would do anything to make sure she never felt that way again. But to know that I was the one who caused the hurt to begin with? I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for it.” “Things will work…” The sound of a car starting blended with Heath’s words. Stone held up his hand, silencing his cousin.

Valerie. Stone ran to the foyer, skidding to the front door, and watched as she pulled the car out of his driveway, and out of his life.

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Chapter Twelve

After visiting her mom on Sunday evening, Valerie felt marginally better. It had been a rare day, when her mom was lucid enough to remember her daughter’s childhood and her wedding day. But Valerie hadn’t had the heart to remind her mother that she was a divorced woman now, on her own, with no one to depend on. So she’d played along, content to see the smile on her mother’s face, while Valerie spoke about Stone, and how well they were doing. But in reality, her heart had been breaking inside. Stone hadn’t attempted to call her, nor had he tried to stop by her home. And it pissed her off that he hadn’t made the first move. Yeah, she was in love with him, and she was strong enough to admit that she would always be, and that was the reason why she ran out on him this weekend. She couldn’t bear to see the anger in his face, the hurt in his eyes as he punished himself over and over. Dexter had deceived them both, and he was the one who deserved full blame. They would have no future at all, if they couldn’t get past their own mistakes. Valerie pushed aside her thoughts of Stone for now. She had an interview with the company who’d bought out her store and home, and she needed to sign the lease that would

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allow her to rent both on a monthly basis. After that was done, she would hunt Stone down herself. There was unfinished business between them, and the need to sort things out once and for all weighed heavily on her heart. Valerie straightened her red suit and entered the twenty-story glass building. She licked her lips and wiped her palms against her skirt, silently hoping that today would be a better day than yesterday. She couldn’t help but be a tad nervous at meeting the person who now owned all that she had worked hard for. But there was an upside to everything. She would continue to pay rent for her store, and the business would be enough of an income to get her by. The new owner had stated in the contract that he would allow her to stay at the home for a rental fee. She opened the door to the building, signed her name on the clipboard at the security guard station, and waited patiently for him to issue her a visitor’s pass. The guard shifted the clipboard toward him, and held the pass out to her. “You’re Valerie Malone?” “Yes.” “I have instructions for you to head to the twentieth floor as soon as you arrive. The elevators are on your right.” It took only three minutes to reach her destination. After giving her name to the receptionist, she sat patiently in the waiting area, thumbing through a magazine. “Valerie.” Even before she saw him, she knew who had spoken her name. Her heart felt like it had dropped down to her stomach. And she found herself clutching her bag tightly to her body, needing something to hold on to as her mind caught up to the fact that he was right in front of her. She looked up, and there he was, standing rigid, but looking even more handsome than the first day she’d met him. “Stone.”

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He’d never been this nervous in his entire life. Being jittery was new to him. He was always the assertive one, the man who went after what he wanted. He didn’t like this case of nerves one bit. But he didn’t have time to analyze it. His heart began to race, forcing him to take deep breaths to calm himself. He knew that after all that had happened this past weekend that his plan could potentially backfire right in his face. She had no reason to stay, had absolutely no motive to hear him out. And yet, there she stood, watching him, her eyes round in surprise, expecting an explanation. It was time to make his move. Stone couldn’t feel any worse than he already did for purchasing her home and business, and for what he’d initially planned for the past weekend. He felt like crap actually, and at this point, it was all or nothing for him. He stepped close to her, took the magazine from her hands, and grabbed her elbow, pulling her to her feet as he turned to his secretary. “Make sure I’m not disturbed for the next hour.” He didn’t wait for her response. He headed to his office, with Valerie right by his side. He closed the door, locking it before walking over to his desk. He sat on the edge, gripping the wooden table tightly. She crossed her arms underneath her breasts. “I didn’t know you’d changed office buildings.” “We needed more space. We moved here three months ago. Would you care for something to drink?” She shook her head. “Adding two and two together isn’t going to be hard. I can safely assume that you are the new buyer of my home and store.” Admitting the truth wasn’t the hard part. Her response to his deceit was. He nodded slowly, feeling like an even bigger ass. “That is correct, but I want you to hear me out first, Val.” “And I can also assume that you planned this as a means of revenge.”

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“I wanted you to feel the pain I felt.” He spit the words out, disgust filling him. She took a step back from him, and, just as he realized her intent, she made her move, rushing toward the door. He jumped to his feet as she reached the handle to unlock it. He pushed his weight against her, trapping her as he grabbed her wrists and extended her arms upward, caging her with his body. “Let me go!” She hissed the words between her teeth, turning her neck to the side, resting her cheek on the door. “Never!” “Are you resorting to kidnapping again?” “I’ll do anything to convince you that we are meant to be. The pain was too much, Val. And as irrational as that sounds, revenge is what kept me looking forward to tomorrow.” “At least you’re honest. But it almost sounds like you hate me.” “Val, how can you say that? I know I have to work on my communication skills when it comes to emotions, but after this weekend, I thought you realized how much I love you. You are what keeps my heart beating.” Before she could say another word and condemn him for life, Stone released her arms, took a step back, and turned her around. She was now facing him, her eyes wide with confusion. She gasped as he leaned his body in, his hard cock cushioned against her soft stomach. He wasn’t above using her sexual attraction to his advantage. Hell! He’d do anything, if it meant her being in his life. “Val,” he whispered, before lowering his head and capturing her lips. Her body was stiff, but he coaxed her mouth open with his tongue, and in seconds she softened against him, encircling her arms around his neck. He broke the kiss, and maneuvered her over to the seating area he had in the corner. He pushed her down gently, until her bottom hit the leather sofa, before going to his knees in front of her. He would grovel if necessary, because he simply couldn’t spend one more day without her. It was more than time to try to make amends.

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“Give me three minutes, Val. Three minutes to explain it all. After that, if you still want to walk out that door, as hard as it will be, I won’t stop you.” She chewed at the corner of her lip, and then released her breath. “You can have your three minutes.” “I’ve made many mistakes in the past, the biggest one being divorcing you. I should’ve trusted in you from the beginning, but when I walked into our house, and saw you in Dexter’s arms, I became an enraged beast, and I wanted to kill him for it. For the first time in my life, I felt like a monster, wishing someone dead.” Tears spilled onto her cheeks, and Stone reached up, wiping one away. “Don’t cry, love. I hate seeing you hurt because of me. When I planned your kidnapping, I initially wanted to spend the weekend preparing myself to be rid of you. But in a couple of hours, my plan changed and suddenly the weekend had more to do with me reconnecting with you. I won’t apologize for that part. I’d do anything for you. It’s like I’ve fallen in love with you all over again, even though now I’m pretty sure I never stopped. I was wrong and a coward for not believing in you. I’m sorry for all of the pain I’ve caused you. Do you know the exact point when I realized how much I loved you?” Valerie shook her head. “Way before Cadie showed me the DVD. It was when you whispered your love for me on the sofa that I realized no matter how much I act like a snake, you would know the truest part of me. And that was the point when the wall I’d erected around my heart broke, and I began to acknowledge that no matter what happened between us, I would never stop loving you. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, if you’ll have me. Can you forgive me for all that I’ve done?” Her hand encircled his, and he took strength in the warmth of her flesh. “You have no reason to believe in me, Val, I know that. I’ve lived in hell for the past year, and it took me that long to realize that I can’t live without you. How can I fix this…how can I fix us ?” His

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heart ached with desperation. He could have kicked himself a thousand times for not seeing what was right in front of his face. He closed his eyes, scared of the rejection he might see. “Stone.” Valerie reached up and traced his lips with her thumb as he took a deep breath and met her gaze. “I’ve always loved you, Stone. And that feeling isn’t ever going to go away. If we try to make it work again, our relationship has to be built on trust, otherwise we won’t survive. I want us to start clean, and I believe then we can move on. Together.”

A fresh start. That’s what they both needed. A slither of fiery heat washed over her, and suddenly she needed him with a desperation that should have frightened her. Instead, it made her sure that she was making the right decision by giving their love another chance. She pressed her lips against his as her hand moved to the top of his shirt. She wanted him naked, and the need to feel his throbbing dick inside of her consumed all of her thoughts. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, and she began to unbutton his shirt. But Valerie noticed that his motions seemed just as desperate as hers and he took control, ripping it open. He rose from his position, discarding the rest of his clothes. Valerie took the opportunity to do the same, throwing her suit, shoes, and underwear to the floor. There was no need for foreplay; their sexual needs were intense. They were both there, on the very edge, riding that fine line, frantic to complete their newly formed bond. He understood that perfectly as he grabbed her hips, lifting her against him, and she wrapped her long legs around his waist. Her nipples brushed against his smooth chest, and she moaned as she felt a pulse of hunger wash over her. With a shift of his knees, his cockhead entered her, and stretched her to accommodate his girth. He thrust, plunging him all the way in, her juices easing the way for his cock. She delved her fingers into his hair, and pulled his head down, so she could taste him once more.

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His hands dug into her hips, adding a delightful pain-pleasure that threatened to consume her too soon. But he didn’t slow down. He fucked her like a starved animal, and Valerie took delight in knowing she could make him lose control this way. The orgasm built in her womb as she tightened around him. Her sensitive clit brushed against his groin hair, sending a pulse of electricity throughout her body. Her hands moved up to his head, and she pulled the tie that held his hair back. He thrust deeper, his cock hitting her G-spot as his hips moved at a demanding pace. Her fingers grabbed the strands and she tugged his head back, her gaze locking with his. “I love you.” One more penetrating stroke, one more brush against her clit, and Valerie exploded. Her pussy squeezed his erection, stealing her breath. Her cream rushed down, coating his shaft with her slick juices. Stone held her tight, and released a stream of seed deep inside of her. His gaze was filled with an eternal love she would keep in her heart forever. “I love you more than anything, Val. Forever and always.”

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Epilogue

Heath Crain scanned the streets, making sure no one was about to see him break in. He took his time, gazing at the houses across the road from where he was standing, and then shifted his stare back to the quiet avenue. He waited until a lone car passed by, and then made his move. He slid a metal pick into the lock, jiggling it a few times before it gave and the door opened. He closed the door, left the lights off, and made his way through her foyer, and into her living room. The sun was just setting, and only a few rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains. He spotted a chair in the corner and sat down, tightly gripping the manila file folder in his hand. He ran his fingers through his hair, frustration eating at his gut. He had never found himself in this particular predicament. With his last fifteen years as a bounty hunter, and his previous military experience, Heath should have been used to surprises. But nothing had prepared him for what Aaron Tames, his favorite snitch, had given him earlier in the day. A file with information on a hit. And it wasn’t a normal hit by Mafia standards, a you owe me money, you die hit. No. It couldn’t have been that simple, because if it was, Heath would’ve handed the file and all information over to the local precinct.

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This particular kill order was for one Cadie Franklin. The same Cadie Franklin who had changed his cousin Stone’s life by coming forward with evidence that helped Stone and Valerie reconcile their relationship. Fuck! He was beyond irritated. He’d spent the next fifteen minutes asking questions of Aaron, who had lifted the pictures and file off the desk of the hit man, while smoking a joint with the murderer. But unfortunately, other than the file, and the time and place of the supposed hit, Aaron had nothing else. He’d paid Aaron for his time and information, sending him on his way. And after notifying his boss -- who had, in turn, notified the local police station to pick up the alleged hit man -- Heath had impulsively offered to protect her, supposedly to save the precinct from having to putting an officer on her. Instinctively, he reached in his shirt pocket, searching for the pack of cigarettes he usually kept there. Then he remembered that he’d quit smoking six months ago. Shit! It was times like this that he craved the nicotine to calm him. Now he had to face the woman who had been locked in his mind for the past two months. And during that time, Heath had visualized making love to her in every nasty position he could think of. He often awoke with a raging hard-on that masturbation couldn’t sate. There were several things about her that he found attractive. Her sassiness and her ability to stand up to someone like him were just a couple of them. The physical reaction he had to her scared him. But it intrigued him even more. He wanted to fall to his knees and lick her, starting at her toes, and inch his way upward. Her mocha-colored skin beckoned him, and, oh, how he wanted to take his time tasting her. Her brown curly hair fell to her shoulders, and the strands appeared so soft that he found himself wanting to bury his fingers in them, as he tilted her head back for his kiss. His cock hardened at the thought of her wet lips against his.

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The sound of keys jangling knocked him out of his thoughts. Heath sat up in the chair as he heard the lock open. She was home, and he was suddenly nervous as to what her reaction to his presence would be. Mere seconds passed, before she made it to the living room and kicked off her shoes. She pulled her shirt out of her waistband and unbuttoned it. Heath gripped the sides of the chair, holding himself down, when all he really wanted to do was back her against the wall and fuck her. But he shook the thought away. He was here for a job and nothing else. Mixing business with pleasure often led to more problems. Heath watched as Cadie moaned, stretching her body upward. That position put her breasts out, her arms in the air. Now all they needed was a bed, and he’d be able to make love to her all night long. Hell, he’d do it standing if it meant that he’d be inside of her. Heath then leaned to the side of the chair and flicked on the lamp. “What the fuck?” Her voice was full of shock, and he felt like an ass for intentionally scaring her that way. But the feeling quickly faded to astonishment. He watched, amazed, as her arms dropped, one swinging to her back, only to bring it forward with her gun aimed at his face. His cock rose, swelling hard against his jeans. Oh, he was one perverted fuck, getting hard at the sexy-as-hell sight she made. But he was smart enough to know that any sudden moves would most likely have her firing that gun. Her eyes grew wide, surprise etched into her face, her gaze flicking from the top of his head to his booted feet as she lowered the gun. “So, you’ve resorted to stalking me now?” He smiled. That wasn’t the response he was expecting. He raised his brow. “It caught your attention.” “So would a phone call.”

Jade James I was born and raised in New York City, and I'll probably live here for the rest of my life. I'm 31 years old and have been married to my husband for nine years, and I'm a mother to two adorable children. I’ve learned a lot about writing a good story filled with suspense and my goal is to give my readers an escape from everyday life. Feel free to drop me a line at [email protected].