Perfect timing. “Thanks.”
“Y’all get your usual to go, huh?” Stone asked, leaning back in that casual way that made him look even hotter.
“Things to see, people to do,” he said.
Stevie chuckled, and Stone barked a laugh.
It was then Nico realized what he said. “You know what I mean.”
“I certainly do,” Stevie said, patting his arm.
Stone leaned forward, his voice low and intensely seductive. “If y’all have an openin’”—his gaze shifted between them—“I’d like to get on your calendar. For the latter.”
If Nico had ever had a reason to call in sick—which he’d never done before—that would be it. For fifteen years, he’d wondered if he would ever hear that guttural baritone again, ever have a chance to be with a man who could single-handedly tilt his world on its axis. Stone still had the ability to ruffle his feathers and make his dick stand up and take notice at the same time. No one else could do that to him. Not even Stevie.
However, letting this man seduce him was a terrible idea. Worse than agreeing to marry a woman he hadn’t been in love with after she hounded him endlessly. In the end, he’d broken her heart. In this case, should he give in to Stone, Nico had no doubt he would be the one with the pain in his chest. He hadn’t fallen for the guy fifteen years ago, and he was grateful for that. No sense tempting fate again. No, thank you.
With that said, Nico wasn’t above pushing the envelope.
He drank half of his now lukewarm coffee and reached for the to-go bag. As he shifted to get up, he met Stone’s sexy stare.
“We’re both partial to ribeyes and baked potatoes. I’m not usually much for wine, but Stevie prefers an expensive red with dinner. A restaurant isn’t a requirement, but if you don’t know how to cook, I suggest you get reservations.”
Stone’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. “And for dessert?”
“Surprise us.” Nico got to his feet, glancing down at the puppy as he waited for Stevie to get out of the booth. “Come on, boy. You ready?”
“My place,” Stone called out as they were walking away.
“Don’t know where that is,” Nico grumbled.
“The barn behind my parents’ house,” Stone supplied, sounding undeterred. “Both of you. Friday. Seven o’clock.”
Stevie didn’t look back when she called out, “If you’re lucky.”
He heard Stone’s sexy laugh as he walked out the door with Stevie and the little dog leading the way.
Thirteen
“I cannotbelieveyou did that,” Steviesnapped when Nico got into the truck. She punched him in the arm for good measure. “What were you thinkin’?”
“The same thing you were,” he said, avoiding eye contact as he started the truck and put it in gear.
“I’m not goin’,” she told him, yanking on the seat belt, trying to clip it as he pulled out of the parking lot.
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not,” she insisted, even though she didn’t believe it either.
She wanted to. God, she wanted to. But there wasn’t a rational bone in her body that thought it was a good idea.
Seeing Stone for those few minutes had brought everything flooding back. So many emotions she’d locked up broke free, filling her with sensations she’d thought she would never feel again. It was almost like he’d never left, and she was back to being that carefree eighteen-year-old who had fallen in love with the sexy bad boy with the devilish smirk.
Only she wasn’t that girl anymore. She was a grown woman. She had a business and bills and … and she had Nico.
Not that she was in a relationship with Nico. She wasn’t. They both agreed on that. However, she cared for him.
No, shelovedhim.
