This was new. Usually, Stevie was the one who touched him first. Or, at the very least, she said something to trigger a response.
“Us,” he said firmly. “Not me.”
Stevie swallowed, not sure what he expected from her. She wanted the same thing. Of course she did, but she knew it wouldn’t be good for her. Certainly not until she at least understood why Stone was back and what his intentions were now that he was.
“I don’t think I can,” she admitted, sliding her hand along his jaw.
She rarely touched him like this. When they weretogether,it was very much like the day in the shower. Both caught up in the heat of the moment, unable to deny the chemistry they had. But kissing was rarely even on the menu because it brought a certain level of intimacy that they both tried to leave at the door.
“But you should have dinner with him,” she urged. “I know you need what Stone can give you, Nico. Don’t be ashamed to go after it.”
“I’m not ashamed.”
A small smile pulled at her lips. “Good. Then it’s settled?”
He shook his head, still holding her tightly against him. “Not without you.”
Stevie instantly shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Then we won’t go.”
Frowning, she pushed on his shoulders, and he instantly released her. That was Nico. He was always so careful with her even though he was well aware of the fact she liked it rough. And she trusted him more than she’d ever trusted any man. With the exception of Stone. But she’d understood Stone in a way that hadn’t made much sense to her at the time. They’d connected so completely that it had blown her mind when he had simply walked away from it.
And that was another reason she wasn’t interested in getting mixed up with Stone again. She had no desire to nurse another broken heart. Hell, she wasn’t done nursing the one he’d given her fifteen years ago. If she were, his appearance would have no effect on her. Instead, when she looked at him, she felt everything she had back then. All the love, the lust … it came flooding back as though not a minute had passed. Stevie didn’t trust that feeling. She wasn’t that naive girl anymore.
Nico got to his feet and thrust his hand through his hair, ducking his head as he walked toward the door. He stopped without reaching for the doorknob.
“Did you mean it?” he asked without looking back.
She could’ve pretended not to know what he was talking about, but she figured she owed him the truth. She wasn’t completely on board with pretending their encounters were accidental anymore, so she didn’t feel the need to lead him on about it.
“Yes,” she said simply. “I meant it.”
When he turned, she expected to see disappointment on his face. She was asking more of him than he’d ever offered, which wasn’t fair. They had a good thing going. She was a fool for—
“I do, too, Stevie.”
She scrunched her face and turned slightly, pursing her lips as she tried to tie that response back to what they were discussing. She couldn’t.
“Do, too,what?”
Nico started toward her again. The look in his eyes told her he wasn’t going to answer with words. He was going to show her exactly what he meant.
***
“I want…” Nico wasn’t sure how toput it into words.
Hell, he wasn’t even sure what he wanted. Ever since he saw Stone on Friday, the man had been a constant in his head, stirring up memories. Making him remember how he’d felt that night and the days that followed. Nico had felt whole for the first time when he’d been with Stevie and Stone. They’d somehow reconciled all the confusion and gave him hope that he could have everything he wanted.
Then Stone disappeared, and that hope deflated as surely as if someone had taken a pin and poked a hole in it.
His reappearance was making it flicker to life, and though Nico knew there was a good chance he was delusional, he couldn’t help but think there was still a chance. Based on the way Stone looked at Stevie that morning … how could there not be?
“Nico? What’s happening?”
He realized he’d closed the distance between them, but this time, Stevie was standing up, staring at him as though he’d lost his mind.
He had. At least temporarily, because the only thing he could think about was claiming this woman to ensure no one took her away from him.
