Page 69 of Addicted

As Javion pulled away from Aurora’s building, I looked back and saw her standing in the window, waving.

I waved back, feeling lighter than I had in weeks.

***

The drive back to the estate felt shorter than the drive out.

Maybe because I was in a good mood. Maybe because I was actually looking forward to going back. To seeing Stone.

The thought made me pause.

When had I started looking forward to seeing him? When had I stopped thinking of the estate as a prison and started thinking of it as... home?

I pushed the thought away as we pulled through the gates.

Javion parked in front of the house and opened my door.

“Thank you,” I said as I stepped out. “Both of you. For today.”

“Anytime, Miss Indie,” Javion said with a nod.

I walked into the house and immediately went to check on Ish. He was in his room playing video games, and I sat on his bed for a few minutes, telling him about my day with Aurora.

“That’s dope,” he said, pausing his game. “I’m glad you got to see her. You seem happy.”

“I am,” I said, realizing it was true. “I am happy.”

After chatting with Ish for a bit longer, I headed to the master bedroom.

I was tired from the long day, and all I wanted was to relax.

I ran a bubble bath in the deep jacuzzi tub, adding some of the bath oils stocked nearby. Then I stripped out of my clothes and sank into the hot water, letting out a long sigh of relief. The bubbles surrounded me, the scent of lavender filling the air.

I closed my eyes and let myself relax completely.It had been weeks since I felt anything close to that kind of peace.

***

After my bath, I dried off and lotioned my entire body with some expensive-smelling body butter that left my skin soft and glowing.

I slipped into a black lace nightie that barely covered my ass, the material soft against my skin. One of the ones Stone had bought for me.

No underwear.

I climbed into bed and turned on the TV, flipping through until I found something to watch. I was halfway through the movie when I heard the door open and looked up to see Stone.

He was still dressed in the clothes he’d worn to handle business. Dark, expensive pieces fitted to perfection, a leather jacket thrown over a black tee that showed off every inch of his build. His jewelry flashed with each step, quiet but heavy. He looked fine as hell.

Our eyes met, and something passed between us. Something charged.

Stone walked over to the bed, his gaze intense and focused entirely on me. Then he leaned down and kissed me. It wasn’t rough or demanding like usual. It was passionate and deep, like he’d been thinking about me all day. When he pulled back, his dark eyes searched mine.

“You have fun with your friend?” he asked, his voice low.

“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “Thank you for letting me go. And for the money. I bought Aurora a bunch of shit.”

“Good,” Stone said. “That’s what it’s for.”

He straightened up and started walking towardthe bathroom.