Page 1 of Stone (Claimed and Protected #3)

D aniella

“You are such a bad girl! I’m going to punish you for this!”

Giggling, I managed to dodge the big, brooding man, darting around the back of his truck and racing toward the overlook near the big, beautiful neon star.

There was no real hunt, barely a chase before he grabbed me around the waist, easily flipping me up and over his shoulder. He was huge, six foot three and one hundred and eighty pounds of muscle.

Gorgeous and toned, his strong jaw giving way to dimples when he smiled. And every time he did, I swooned.

“Let me go, you brute.” I pummeled my fists on his back, laughing when my wiggling almost allowed me to escape. He hoisted me up again, playfully cursing under his breath.

“You’re getting a harsh punishment for teasing me relentlessly.” His deep voice penetrated my mind and I couldn’t stop shivering. He had that kind of effect on me.

“You can’t punish me. It’s not allowed!”

“You wanna make a bet?” He cracked his hand against my bottom and I squealed in return. The sharp slap of his palm hurt, the pain driven all the way down both legs.

He threw open the door to his truck, letting me down, but keeping a hold. Before I could even think about scrambling away, he tossed me over his lap, jerking up my skirt and exposing my new thong.

“All bad girls need to be punished.”

The rasp in his voice made me shiver. When he brought his hand down three times in rapid succession, I was shocked.

“Oh! That hurts.”

“Yup.”

I wiggled in his lap, fighting to claw my way onto the other seat. He was having none of it, keeping one hand on my back and pinning me down while using the other to spank me.

Every crack of his hand brought a wave of anguish, but the sensations became electrified. Almost instantly, I felt the rush of endorphins. My pussy throbbed, wetness slickening my thighs. He’d playfully spanked me before, but this felt different.

More intimate.

Dominating.

I sucked in my breath, shifting my body once again until I felt his hardness. His cock was throbbing as much as my pussy. I was blinded by the rush of emotions and needs, a burning desire that was stronger today than ever before.

He didn’t stop, bringing his hand down, moving from one side to the other. My panties were soaked and my heart fluttered as the pain morphed into pleasure. How was that possible? I clawed at the seat, shocked how much my nipples ached.

After sucking in his breath, he caressed my skin, rolling the rough pads of his fingers back and forth. My bottom was on fire, but not nearly as much as how heated my core had become.

“Maybe I should do this every day,” he breathed.

If only that was possible.

I couldn’t stop panting long enough to answer. The fact my entire body was more alive than I’d ever felt was a crushing blow, considering the events about to unfold.

Tomorrow was the day I’d lose him, possibly forever.

I cinched my eyes shut as the spanking continued, but his touch became lighter, his fingers finally caressing my skin. When I shifted on his lap, he groaned. I’d created friction and the wave of desire was intense.

He cracked his hand down twice more before rolling me over and shifting me into a sitting position.

The look of reverence on his face was something I’d never forget. Just like his quirky smile and the way he furrowed his brows when he was thinking about something that he couldn’t quite put his finger on how to answer.

I loved that about him and almost everything else.

He brushed his fingers across my cheek, allowing his thumb to dance over the seam of my mouth before pressing our foreheads together. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Anything you want?”

His chuckle was full of angst and he gently pushed me into the passenger seat. I pulled my legs free, doing everything I could not to become emotional.

Our last night together.

How was that even possible?

Blinking, I tried to ignore the questions that continued to defy my sense of joy in just being together. Seconds ticked away, two full minutes passing in silence.

“I received a letter from the Royal College of Art in London.”

His face registered shock, but his eyes crinkled as he smiled. “And?”

He knew more than anyone how important my art was to me. I’d been drawing since I could remember, turning to using oil paints when I was nine or ten. My parents had thought it an excellent hobby since I was so shy. Now my father hated that I wanted to build a career on my art.

Eventually, I wanted to teach what I’d learned, showing how joyful being lost in sketching or painting could be.

I shook my head, feeling defeated. “I couldn’t read it.”

“Are you kidding me? Dani. All you’ve talked about since I met you was painting, teaching others about art and art history, and having dozens of gallery showings.”

“You remember that.”

“Of course I do. I don’t think I’d forget anything about you. Ever.”

Shrugging, I dug into my purse, pulling the letter into my hand. As I stared at the typed address, my lack of self-confidence reared its ugly head. “What if they don’t accept me?”

“They’d be crazy not to. You’re brilliant. All you’ve ever wanted to do is go to art school and head to Paris.”

“Only if you’re with me.” A dream of silly young girl.

“Give it to me.”

“I don’t know.”

“Dani.” Stone’s voice was more authoritative than I’d heard before.

Begrudgingly, I gave it to him, immediately closing my eyes when I heard him ripping open the envelope. He cleared his throat and I moaned.

“Dear Miss Vale.”

When he hesitated, I winced and opened a single eye. “I wasn’t accepted.” I couldn’t tell by his expression one way or the other.

His expression changed, his smile huge. “Dear Miss Vale. We’re happy and pleased to inform you that you’ve been accepted to the Royal College of Art?—”

I didn’t allow him to read another line before squealing and jumping up and down in my seat. “Oh, my God. I can’t believe it.”

“I can. You know you’re good. Very good. This is everything you dreamed about.”

“Yes. It is.” I noticed his face falling as he handed me the letter. “That doesn’t mean we can’t see each other. We can make arrangements when you’re allowed some time off. Plus, that’s in the fall. It’s still summer.” Which would be months, if not longer.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m so proud of you. What did your parents say about your application?”

I grimaced. “I haven’t told them.”

“Oh, Dani. You can’t keep something like that from them.”

“You know how Daddy hates my art. He wants me to become an attorney and follow in his footsteps.”

He placed his index finger on my nose. “This is your life, Dani. You need to follow your heart. Just tell your parents how important this is for you. I’m sure they’ll eventually be happy.”

“I don’t know about that.” What I did know was that even suggesting I follow my heart would create another argument in the household. My father didn’t like taking no for an answer.

“Promise me you’ll do what you want to do.”

“I’ll try.”

We sat back and I slipped the letter into my purse, wondering how the next few years would go. We rarely had any tension but tonight was different. I felt like it was the last night of my life. I’d never felt so sad, so uncertain of the future.

“The star is beautiful,” Stone said quietly.

I leaned against his shoulder, both of us staring out the windshield at the Mill Mountain Star only yards away from where we were parked. A single bulb from the giant artistic piece was blinking, but otherwise, it was the perfect backdrop.

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the stars twinkling in the heavens.

‘Chasing Cars’ by Snow Patrol was on the radio and we were all alone, not a single other car parked anywhere close.

“Yes, it’s amazing.”

He shifted in his seat, using his index finger to lift my chin.

“You’re really leaving?” I knew the answer to the question, yet I couldn’t believe he was leaving me.

“It’s something I gotta do, Dani. You know how important it is to my dad.”

A single tear slipped past my lashes. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t cry. “But what about us? What about all the years we’ve been together?” My questions were silly since I’d just been accepted to a college far away.

He’d been my boyfriend for two years, an entire lifetime. He’d taken me to the prom, even though my father had thrown a fit. An older man dating his young daughter. Oh, the horror.

Stone’s eyes opened wide. “Don’t cry, baby girl. You know I’ll be back. Or like you said, we’ll meet up in London and you can show me the sights.” He rubbed the single tear away with his thumb. Every breath he took was exasperated.

Stone enlisting in the Navy hadn’t been a shock. He’d talked about being a Navy SEAL since day one when we met in the ice cream store where he worked all through college. That didn’t mean the ache wasn’t horrible.

“How do I know that? How? You’ll end up in some exotic location where the women are beautiful and you’ll forget all about me.”

He chuckled and I pummeled my fist against him out of frustration. “You’re my beautiful girl. I don’t want anyone else, Dani. Just you. You know I love you.”

I wrapped my fingers around his shirt, pulling him close. As he lowered his head, our lips almost touching, another swell of heat pulsed between my legs. “I love you so much, Stone Bellows.”

He took several deep breaths and I leaned in for a kiss.

As he brushed his fingers down my cheek, every inch of my skin felt alive from his touch.

When I was with him, nothing else mattered.

I couldn’t focus, couldn’t see clearly. He was my everything and I was his.

The way he’d looked at me all night was intoxicating.

“You’re so special to me,” he whispered, the heat of his breath mingling with my own.

I dragged my tongue across my bottom lip, crowding as close to him as possible. When he finally pressed his lips against mine, I shuddered from the explosive heat deep within my core. He was gentle as always, savoring the quiet moment of intimacy as desire shoved aside every anxious moment.

Everything about him was enthralling. He was so good looking, so tall with shoulders that filled a doorway.

His whiskey-colored hair danced across his collar.

I loved running my fingers through the thick, wavy strands.

And his eyes were dreamy, the most incredible spring green pools reflecting his passionate soul.

His touch was almost too much to bear, too perfect and too intimate. I was swept up in a whirlwind of longing that good girls shouldn’t think about. But tonight, I didn’t want to be a good girl. I wanted to feel him, to experience his scalding touch over every inch of my body.

As he slipped his tongue inside, he fisted my hair, holding me in place as if choosing never to let me go. His hold was possessive and comforting, exciting and pushing me closer to the edge of longing.

He rolled his hand down my back, caressing as his hold firmed. I was lost in the beautiful haze, ignoring everything else around me. The taste of him was almost as incredible as his scent. But his aftershave drove me crazy. Musky and woodsy, it was primal in a way that suited him perfectly.

When he pulled his lips away, he let out a deep, throaty moan. “You’re just too beautiful, Dani.”

We were both panting, struggling from the intense rush between us. How many times had it happened before? He sat back, rubbing his hand across his jaw. “Jesus. What are you doing to me, baby?” Groaning, he closed his eyes. His smile held satisfaction while I continued to suffer.

The throb between my legs was increasing. Nothing made any sense any longer except the thought of being with him. I wanted him to be my first. I also wanted him to be my forever.

“I have something for you,” he said in a throaty voice.

“You do?”

He opened his eyes, his boyish grin exactly the one he gave the day I met him.

Leaning across me, he opened the glove compartment, pulling something into his hand.

“What do you have?” I asked. Suddenly, every nerve ending was on fire.

“Close your eyes.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

“Then you won’t get the present.” His expression was so authoritative, just like I adored. He was so commanding, so handsome, all of my friends were jealous.

Laughing, I finally squeezed my eyes shut. The excitement was killing me.

“Okay, you can open them now.” There was so much excitement in his voice.

When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t have been more shocked. There was a beautiful little ring in a box, the lovely stone the centerpiece. “Stone. Are you…”