The lights were dim in the kitchen and through the hallway, where he stood in the doorway.
****
“Come on, babe, let’s go,” Stone called to her. His voice was raspy.
Sadie looked over at him from where she sat on the couch. She had gotten dressed while he was in the bathroom. She looked nervous, and definitely uneasy. She scrunched her brows together and her nose twitched. So damn cute.
“Where are we going?” She seemed confused.
“To bed. I’m beat. Come on, it’s late.” He yawned, covering his mouth with his hand. He watched her face change to surprise.
“You’re staying?” Her voice was laced with disbelief.
“Are you kicking me out? Do you want me to leave?” He raised one brow.
“No!” She quickly shot up from the couch.
Stone chuckled. “Then come on already. I’m beat.”
She walked over to him slowly and gave him a shy smile. Stone’s heart beat faster as she neared him. He stepped aside, and let her pass him. He couldn’t resist, he slapped her ass as she walked by. Sadie jumped and spun around, grabbing her ass cheek. Stone grinned. “Damn, that is a sweet ass.”
She gasped still holding her backside. Stone smirked and circled his arms around her waist, picking her up. He walked down the short hallway to her room and fell onto the bed with her. All the while, he held her stare in silence. There was something between them. He just didn’t know what.
Stone dropped a kiss to her lips and moved her out from under him. It was a small bed. They were basically going to have to sleep on top of each other. He had no objection to that.
He moved to his side, wrapped his arm around her waist and curled her into his chest. She sighed and pushed her ass into his groin. Stone took a deep breath. If she kept doing that, they wouldn’t be sleeping very long. He wrapped his arm around her and she placed her hand on his. She kissed his hand and settled it back near her chest. It was a sweet move, a move he liked a lot.
“Thanks for before.” Her voice was soft and quiet.
Stone let out a chuckle. “Oh baby, that was my pleasure.”
Sadie giggled. “No, not that part. Before, with Tyler.” She took a breath. “Thanks for sticking up for me.”
Stone pulled her deeper into his chest. He had the feeling that no one ever stood up for her. That thought angered him—she should be protected.
“I gotcha, Sadie. No one’s messing with you, ya hear me?”
He felt her nod.
They lay in silence. Stone could feel her heartbeat and her even breathing but he knew she wasn’t asleep yet. He’d fall asleep first, she’d need more time to relax. Her heartbeat was still fast. She was either nervous or excited. Or a little of both, Stone thought.
“He lied,” Stone said.
“Who lied?”
“Your douchebag ex.” The thought of him had Stone wanting to put the guy through the wall. When he heard what that asshole said to Sadie he was enraged. The only reason he didn’t beat the piss out of him was because he didn’t want to scare her.
“Lied about what?” she whispered.
“You,” Stone muttered in her ear. “Best I ever had.”
Sadie remained quiet as she cuddled deeper into him and squeezed his hand tightly.
Chapter Ten
Stone lay in bed watching her sleep, something he’d never done with a woman before. He woke up fifteen minutes earlier to find her arm and leg draped over his body, her face pressed into neck. When he shifted to get up, she cuddled in closer to him.
He kept still until he heard the truck pull up and two doors slam. The guys had just gotten there. Stone had sent T a text last night telling him when to pick him up.
He slinked away from her grasp and sat up on the side of the bed. He looked over his shoulder back at Sadie. She looked so peaceful and beautiful.
Stone put on his jeans and T-shirt from last night and walked out of her room. The guys were just coming through the door when he walked in the kitchen.
He gave them a chin lift. “Hey.”
T grunted. “Coffee?”
Stone looked around and saw the pot. He walked over to it and started filling the pot with water. “So, you hear anything else about Cavanaugh?” Stone asked.
“Nothing yet. We’ll get him,” T answered. His face was stern and serious. This job had proved to be anything but easy. But they were good at what they did, and they would get this job done. They had to.
“So, man, I gotta know. Sexy little Sadie live up to her name?” Bogs teased.
“Bogs, I will fuck you up, you call her that again.” Stone pointed at him in warning.
“All right, all right, calm down, I was just wondering how it went last night, that’s all.” Bogs held up his hands in surrender.
“I’m not telling you shit about last night.”
“Ok, fine, I’ll just use my imagination, and my hand. In my shower,” Bogs said.
Stone dropped the pot on the counter and lunged for Bogs but T jumped in front of him. “God dammit, Bogs, shut the hell up!” T pushed Stone back.
Bogs laughed. “I’m joking. Stone, man, it was a joke. Relax! So fucking wound up for someone who got laid last night.”
Stone threw the box of cereal on the counter at Bogs, which he dodged. He continued to laugh while tossing himself onto the couch. He grabbed his phone and fiddled around.
Stone finished making the coffee and turned around to find T staring at him.
“What?” Stone asked.
T shrugged his shoulders and crossed his arms.
