Between last night and this morning, Stoney has made me feel not only amazing from the orgasm he’d given me but with the tenderness he’d shown last night with his kisses. I’m not even sure how long we simply laid next to each other with our mouths fused together. Between both times I felt more special than I’ve ever felt in my life.
Sure, Lucien made me fall for him and treated me great until I found out who he really was. That’s when he’d joke about how he’d fuck me then go to the clubhouse and take one of those whores. I’d never been enough for him. In fact, I was nothing but a joke to him and his club. It’s why I’ll never understand his refusal to let me go.
Shaking my head, I refocus on the man who is holding my daughter in the cradle of his arms. “Umm, you can just put Corinne here on the bed. I’ve got all her and Luca’s stuff right here. I’m sure you have things that need your attention,” I say clearing my throat. Not meeting his gaze, confusion fills my head as I think about the fact the twins’ father, actually let me rephrase their sperm donor, didn’t even hold either of them the way Stoney is.
“I’m good here Doll,” Stoney says as he sits on the bed next to me. “I intend to help you get these two changed and fed, then I’ll help you downstairs so you can eat as well.”
God knows why he has to be so sweet right now. What happened to the asshole from yesterday? I’m not sure how to handle him being sweet toward me.
“You don’t have to do any of that. I’ve got this. Go ahead,” I murmur as I reach for Corinne.
“I know I don’t have to do a damn thing, but I want to. And since I want to help with these two, then that’s what I’m goin’ to do. Now, grab the diaper bag from the other side of the bed and let’s get these two changed,” he orders. Though Stoney keeps his voice down, it’s firm and gravelly.
Straightening my shoulders, I narrow my eyes on him. “Just because we had sex doesn’t give you the right to boss me around,” I snap.
“Woman, don’t even start that bullshit. Besides I told you yesterday, you’re my property. So, if I tell you to do something fuckin’ do it. If I want to be nice and help with these two then I’m gonna fuckin’ do it. Because I’m claiming them too. That fucker who got you pregnant with them ain’t gonna have shit to do with them. They’re mine the same as you,” Stoney rasps as he places Corinne down on the bed next to Luca in front of me.
“And like I told you, I don’t belong to anyone, you big heaping pile of monkey butt.” Did I seriously just call him that? I mean, sure, I do my best not to cuss around my children even at ten weeks old. But couldn’t I have come up with something better than ‘heaping pile of monkey butt’?
“Think what you want, woman, but it doesn’t change the fact that you indeed belong to me and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Besides being my property is also for your protection,” he grumbles as he reaches over me to grab the diaper bag sitting on the floor right next to the bed.
“My protection, my ass. I’m not your ol’ lady bes—”
“Did I say you were my ol’ lady? No, I fuckin’ didn’t. I said you’re my property. Huge difference there, Doll.” I’m barely able to contain the flinch at not just Stoney’s accusation but what it means.
I’m no better than a joke, same as I was for Lucien. And why wouldn’t I be? I did just let him fuck me.
Yep, I’m a no one who people only want to possess, not actually be with.
Worse part is whatever thoughts I had about my crush on him went down the drain.
I need to get him out of the room, and get the twins to my cousin or at least to Momma B. She’ll make sure they’re safe. Then I’m getting the fuck out of here. I’ll do what I planned. After that, I’m picking my kids up and leaving.
Property, my ass. I’ll never let anyone own me. Not in this life or the next.
Without another word to him, I change both my kids with his help, unfortunately. He might have made it easier getting them ready for the day, but damnit, I hate him at this moment.
“Come on, Doll, let’s get downstairs and grab something to eat,” he says, lifting his hand to touch the side of my face. At the last second, I turn my head away from him.
“I need a shower before going down there.” Yeah, to maybe scrub away the invisible dirt that seems to coat my skin. “I’ll just come down with the twins when I’m finished,” I mumble.
“How about we take one together?” he suggests as he grips my chin, forcing me to face him.
“No, thank you,” I say as I move out of his reach. Picking up Luca, I place him in one of the playpens and do the same with Corinne, all while I feel Stoney’s eyes following my movements.
Let him stare, it's not going to change a thing. Not his view of me, anyway. I know what I said, but still, that doesn’t mean I want to be viewed as lower than a clubwhore, a person everyone can laugh at.
Because in this world, that’s exactly what Stoney meant when he said there was a huge difference between being claimed as property and being an ol’ lady. Property means you’re at the very bottom of the food chain.
9
Stoney
The moment the bathroom door closes, I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding. I swear Rachel is the most exasperating woman
