Again, Nico remained mute.
***
Nico had no idea what he wassupposed to say to that. It was exactly what he’d hoped to hear from Stone, but he damn sure hadn’t expected it.
Stone lowered his voice. “Is that an option, Nico?”
Was it?“Maybe.”
It was apparent his answer wasn’t what Stone expected. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
As soon as Stone turned to leave, Nico reacted. He grabbed his arm, gripping but not hurting, wanting to halt his progress but unsure what else he wanted.
Stone decided for him, grabbing the front of his shirt and jerking him forward. Nico nearly plowed him over, but Stone was prepared, cupping his jaw to steady him as their mouths crashed together.
He was shocked, but not enough to pull back. He kissed Stone like the starving man he was, his tongue sliding into Stone’s mouth, battling for dominance. Stone let him take the reins for a brief moment, but as was the case all those years ago, Stone’s dominance won out. The grip on Nico’s jaw tightened as Stone grabbed his belt loop with the other. In one swift move, Stone pivoted, and Nico found himself against the wall, Stone’s big body pinning him in place.
Stone wasn’t kissing him, but he wasn’t moving away. They stood there, lips hovering for several heartbeats before Stone finally spoke.
“The desire’s never gone away. For her or you. I’ve wanted her since the day I met her. That hasn’t changed. ButIdid. That night. I had a taste of somethin’ I didn’t think even existed.”
Nico was trying to process the words, but he wasn’t sure if Stone even had a point.
“I’ve wantedyousince that night. The same as I want her. That’s what scared the shit out of me. I didn’t want to go back to what it was before. I wantedboth of you. Together. Stevie didn’t sign on for that. Neither did you.”
But Nico would have if Stone had simply stuck around long enough to find out.
And suddenly, it made more sense. Although Nico wanted the same thing back then, Stevie hadn’t signed up for that. She’d been Stone’s girlfriend at the time. The two of them in a monogamous relationship.That nighthad been an anomaly, a one-time thing. Or it should have been. If Stone wanted more, it made sense that he’d distanced himself.
Not that Stevie would understand since she was the one Stone left. Nico got it, though. He understood because he’d felt the same way.
Stone’s eyes implored him. “Does somethin’ like that even work?”
“A threesome?”
“No. I know that works. But does it work when two turns into three?”
“Yes,” Nico said, his hand fisting in Stone’s shirt.
Stone pulled back, meeting his gaze. “You think so?”
“With Stevie? Yes.” Nico truly believed that. “But you should know I love her. I’ll do everything in my power to protect her. Even if it’s from you.”
“Is that a threat?”
There was no vehemence in Stone’s tone, but Nico answered seriously. “It’s a promise.”
To his dismay, Stone released him and took a step back. “I’m sorry. That was…” He exhaled heavily. “I keep forgettin’ you and Stevie are together.”
“We’re not,” Nico said, but he didn’t reach for him. He remained against the wall, fearing his legs wouldn’t hold him up. “We’re friends.”
“With benefits?’
Nico nodded.
“And you love her?”
“Yeah.”
