Page 98 of Addicted

My heart pounded harder with each step he took.

When he reached me, he got nose to nose with me, so close I could feel his breath on my face.

“You was real adamant about coming to LA today,” he said quietly. “How I know you ain’t make plans to see that nigga?”

I glared at him. “Fuck you, Stone! I wanted to see my best friend, that’s it!”

His hand came up and wrapped around my throat, squeezing slightly. His other hand gripped my waist firmly so I couldn’t move.

“I will kill you, and that nigga, before I let y’all be together,” Stone said, his voice deadly serious.

I tried to free myself from his grip, pushing at his chest.

“Let go of me! If you think I’m such a hoe that I’m trying to fuck with another nigga, then go ahead and kill me! You fuckin’ psycho!”

Stone’s nostrils flared and his jaw ticked.

He had that overly intense look in his eyes. The one that usually turned me on. But right now, I was too mad to be turned on. Too hurt. He had me fucked up coming at me like this. He was threatening to kill me over some bullshit when I was in love with his stupidass.

No other man could ever make me turn my head his way. Because Stone was the only man I wanted. The only man I needed.

I loved him.

As crazy and possessive and infuriating as he could be, I really did love him. And the realization, combined with the anger and fear and frustration, made me start to cry. I saw Stone’s expression soften slightly, but not completely.

“Stop crying,” he commanded.

“I can’t!” I yelled, tears streaming down my face. “I can’t stop crying because I’m in fuckin’ love with your dumb ass and you’re threatening to kill me over a nigga who don’t mean shit to me! So, fuck you!”

The words hung in the air between us, and I watched as Stone’s cold demeanor instantly fell away.

For a moment, he looked weak. Vulnerable. Like I’d just knocked the wind out of him. Then he spoke, his voice rough.

“You mean that shit? You in love with a nigga?”

I refused to look at him. I hated that I’d confessed my feelings and shown my hand before I was certain he felt the same way.

“Look at me, Indigo,” Stone said. “Answer me.”

I finally forced myself to look into his eyes.

“Yes, Stone,” I said, my voice breaking. “I fuckin’ love you.”

His hands came up to cup my face like I was the most precious thing in the world. And then he kissed me gently. Softly. It was softer than any kiss he’d ever given me.

When he pulled back, he pressed his forehead tomine.

“I love you, too, baby,” he said quietly.

We stared at each other for a heavy, intense moment, and then Stone lifted me into his arms and carried me toward the stairs. He took me to the bedroom. The same bedroom where we’d had sex for the first time. Where everything between us had started.

Stone laid me down on the bed gently, and then he took his time removing my clothes. His movements were slow and careful. He kissed all over my face and body as he undressed me.

My sneakers came off first. Then my skirt. My top, my bra, my panties.

When I was completely naked beneath him, Stone stared down at me, his eyes filled with something I’d never seen before. It was love. Real, genuine love.

“You so fuckin’ beautiful, Indigo,” he murmured.