Something flashed in Stone’s eyes, but she couldn’t make out what it was. Nico must’ve thought he was taking too long because he did the honor of removing it for him.
Nico still blocked much of her view, but not all of it. Stevie gasped when she saw that Stone had her name tattooed on his body. It arced along the curve of his shoulder muscle; the calligraphy letters, probably originally done in a rich black ink, had faded some. Enough that she was prompted to ask, “When did you do that?”
Stone glanced down at his shoulder. “About two years after I left.”
Two years? He’d still been thinking about her after that long? And yes, that lent credence to his confession that she was the only woman he’d ever loved, but still, it didn’t make sense. He was the one who left. He’d walked right out of her life. Why? If he’d loved her enough to tattoo her name on his body, why hadn’t he ever come back? Or just called?
Nico didn’t say anything, and she briefly wondered if it bothered him. But then he stepped to the side, and she saw the reason he was speechless. On Stone’s other arm, covering his entire arm from his shoulder down to his elbow, was a finely detailed Mayan design made up of circles and blocks. As she looked closer, she saw what was inside those blocks. Nico’s name wasn’t as obvious as hers was, but it was there nonetheless.
Stone was looking at Nico. “I told you it changed me.”
“What?” Stevie asked, realizing she hadn’t been privy to whatever conversation he was referring to.
“That night.” He looked like he was ashamed to admit that.
“Tattoos are permanent,” she mused, staring at her name again.
“So are my feelings.”
What was he trying to do? Make her blubber like a moron? She didn’t remember Stone being quite so honest about his feelings.
Stevie wasn’t sure what to say or do, but Nico didn’t seem to have that problem. He grabbed Stone by the back of the neck and slammed his mouth over his. They stumbled back, but Stone kept his feet under him. Stevie watched as the passion ignited all over again, only it was like someone had added jet fuel to a grease fire. It burned hotter than before.
Except it didn’t last as long. Nico released Stone and turned to her. He closed the gap between them, approaching slowly. But when he reached her, his kiss was as intense as the one he’d planted on Stone, only with less momentum. But then he was gone, and Stone was there, drowning her in ecstasy as he kissed her hard and deep.
A switch had been flipped. All reservations had disappeared. Her fingers curled along the indention of his waist, shifting higher, her fingertips tracing the sexy hard slabs of muscle that created a masterpiece. She kept going, purposely clipping his nipples with her fingernails before gliding her thumbs between his pecs. Higher still, to the long, strong column of his neck. Wanting more, Stevie wrapped her arms around Stone’s neck, tasting his hunger and the same driving need she’d felt all those years ago.
Stone gripped her hips, lifting her off the counter with ease. She wrapped her legs around him and held on as he relocated to the living room.
“Where’s Jäger?” she asked when he leaned down, depositing her on the couch as he hovered over her.
Nico was the one who answered. “Under the kitchen table. Sound asleep.”
Hopefully, he would stay that way. At least long enough for her to sate the ache that was building with each passing second.
Stone attempted to stand up, but Stevie made it impossible, holding onto him, pulling him down with her. He settled his knee between her legs, balancing over her with one hand planted on the couch.
“You sure about this?”
“I think we all are.” Stevie looked up at Nico to confirm. “Right?”
He responded with a nod, followed by, “But I think we need to move this to a bedroom.”
“What about Jäger?”
“I’ll move him,” Nico said.
She met Stone’s gaze and nodded. She was ready.
Eighteen
With her arms wreathing his neck andher legs wrapped around his waist, Stone picked Stevie up again. This time, he followed her directions, making his way down a short hallway.
“Ignore the mess,” she whispered.
Stone laughed. “What mess?” He was unable to see anything beyond her. Not because she blocked his view but because he was so focused on what he’d ached for all this time that he didn’t see anything else.
He dropped her on the bed but didn’t move with her this time. He wanted to look at her—reallylook at her—so he could gauge whether she was ready for this or if this was a momentary lapse in judgment. He did not want to wake up tomorrow and find that Stevie hated him all over again.
