“Where the hell are you going?” Sadie flinched at his tone. He knew he sounded like an asshole but he didn’t really care right now. The conversation with T had him on edge. Now seeing her ready to leave only amplified his tension. Why was she leaving? She should stay here; his place was nicer and a shitload safer than her place.
“I’m just going to call a cab and go home. It sounds like you have business to take care of. I’m going to get out of your way,” she responded with a small bite in her own voice.
Get out of his way? She did not just say that. The air in the room intensified. Stone knew deep inside Sadie thought she was doing the right thing but he saw red with her words. How could she get in his way? He was making her part of his life. Sadie remained in her spot. Stone knew she was waiting for him to say something but he just glared at her.
Roxanne hopped in front of Sadie. “Don’t go. Stay. Stay here, they don’t mind. Right, guys?” She looked back at T and Stone. They both appeared tense and harsh.
“Uh no. I’ll just head home.”
Stone stalked to Sadie and grasped her hand. He dragged her back to his bedroom. He would not do this in front of an audience but there was no way she was leaving without a good reason. He pulled her into his bedroom, turned on the light, and slammed the door.
“What the fuck?” His face was red and his fists were clenched. He needed to calm down.
“What? You’re leaving so I’m going home.” Sadie was firm and Stone could hear the slight anger in her voice.
“Are you kidding me?” He ran his fingers through his hair and pulled at it. “Are we back to this shit again? Yes, I’m leaving, but I’m coming back!”
Sadie glared at him and straightened her back.
“I know, but you don’t expect me to stay here,” Sadie replied with irritation.
“That’s exactly what I expect.” He shouted louder and threw his hands out to his sides. Sadie was motionless in her spot. He released a heavy aggravated sigh and scowled at her.
Throwing up her hands, Sadie yelled, “Well, how am I supposed to know that? You didn’t ask me to stay.” She marched in front of him, pointed at him and shouted, “You just got up, got dressed and walked out.”
“I thought you went back to sleep,” he said through gritted teeth. He hadn’t checked back on her, she was right, but he just assumed she went back to sleep.
“Well I didn’t, and you’d know that if you bothered to say something to me before you walked out, asshole!”
Sadie was seething. His sweet little Sadie had fire. Stone continued to glare at her for a second before realizing she was right. He fucked up. Before Stone could think to apologize, Sadie charged to the door, grabbed the knob and opened it. Stone could see her hand shaking. Stone rushed to the door just as it opened slightly before he slammed it shut by the force of his hand. Stone caged her between the door and his body.
“I want to go home so you better back off!” Sadie shouted at the door, her voice trembling.
Stone whispered in her ear. “Stay.”
“No,” she snapped.
“Stay, Sadie.” He rested his chin on the top of her head.
“No,” she muttered.
“I fucked up. Just stay!”
Sadie shook her head.
Stone was angry at himself. He was being a stubborn hothead and driving his woman away. He let his frustration and anger fall on the wrong shoulders and now she was angry, upset, and if he wasn’t mistaken from the sounds she was making, she was crying. Fuck! He made her cry.
Stone brought down his arms from the door and gently took Sadie’s hand. He led her to his bed. He sat down and placed her between his legs while holding both her hands. Their eyes met and he released one hand and wiped her tears.
“I’m doing this all wrong. I’m sorry. This thing, you and me, it’s new to me. I just want you here. I want you safe when I’m gone. It sucks I’ve got to leave right now but I’ll be back, and I want to know you are in my bed waiting for me.” Stone knew he was being a bit of a caveman about this but he was very protective of her. It was an instinct he hadn’t had with the women he slept with in the past. But Sadie was different, she was his.
“Then why not just say that at the beginning?” She sniffled.
Stone pulled her down into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “Well, because, as you pointed out earlier, I’m an asshole.”
Sadie started to laugh. He kissed her softly and leaned back to meet her eyes.
“You’ll stay?’ Stone asked.
Sadie nodded.
Chapter Thirteen
After Stone and T left, Roxanne announced they were spending the day together. She wanted to do a day of shopping, manicures, and end with a slumber party. This was new territory for Sadie but she went along with it. Roxanne really didn’t give her much of a choice. She couldn’t decline because technically, she wasn’t asked, she was told. At nine a.m. Roxanne showed up raring to go.
They went for breakfast at Harlow’s Café. Sadie had never been there but she had heard about it. Harlow’s was gourmet and very expensive. Roxanne insisted they had the most amazing omelets. She was right, they were fantastic. During their meal, Sadie quickly realized that Roxanne loved to talk. The girl was an open book. She talked about her friends in Houston and how she missed them. Her best friend, Emory, was planning a big girl’s night out when she got home.
Roxanne talked about school and getting her Associate’s Degree in business six months ago. Now, she was currently working on getting her Bachelor’s
