Page 15 of Theo (Stone Brothers #6)

THIRTEEN

THEO

W e'd dropped Cormac and Crusoe off, stopped for some sodas and fries at the local burger stand and then took our food to the motel.

It wasn't as crummy as it looked from the highway.

The teal green exterior was faded, and most of the landscaping was dead, but the inside of the room was clean.

There were even little soaps in the bathroom, something Lacey pointed out with an "oh how you spoil me, Theo" comment.

We sat down at the small table by the window to eat fries and sip soda. "Remember when we got lost after that music festival and couldn't find your car?" she said as she pushed a fry between her lips. I had a hard time focusing on the conversation because of those lips.

"Shit, that's right and then those assholes started following us and trying to get your attention," I said.

"Then you turned around and belted one so hard the rest of them ran off. It took us hours to find your damn car."

"Yeah, not one of my finest hours," I said. "I guess I was so out of my mind over my beautiful companion I forgot to take note of which street we parked on."

"But we did find that shop with the amazing fries." She ate another one and closed her eyes to savor it. "So delicious. I've been avoiding fries and chips and pizza and?—"

"Everything good?" I asked.

"Yes, everything good. My mother-in-law …

Oops don't have to call her that anymore.

Joan was a real stickler about my weight.

She'd literally roll her eyes if she thought I was overindulging.

It's a good thing she didn't have a daughter.

That girl would be so messed up. As it is, her son—her pride and joy—also has a few quirks that need to be ironed out to make him more tolerable. "

"But you were going to marry him," I reminded her.

She sighed and tilted her head at me. "Mean."

"Sorry but true. And, might I add, he looks like a supreme asshole."

"He's not that bad, but after we got engaged and after his mom decided to throw her wealth behind the wedding of the century—all for him, not for me—George started controlling all aspects of my life.

I grew more miserable and more detached each day, but he didn't seem to notice or if he did, he ignored it.

" She blew out a puff of air that pushed the light wisp of hair on her forehead back.

Lacey put down the fry she'd just picked up and slumped back against the chair.

"What have I done? This is going to be bad.

" She looked at me with those blue eyes that could bore a hole straight through my heart.

"I can't believe you came all the way out here. "

"Yes, you can," I said.

"You're right. I can." She reached over and took hold of my hand. "Shit, Theo, I missed you."

"Yeah? But I haven't heard from you at all … ever."

"Well, first I thought you'd cheated on me, so I walked away wounded and hurt and feeling all kinds of betrayed.

And wow am I glad I don't talk to Everly anymore.

I think I'd have more than a few words to say otherwise.

Then I got on with my life, and somehow, I convinced myself that I needed to be free of Trayton for good.

I came back to see my parents, of course, and one time"—she twirled the straw around in her soda—"I saw you.

You and Mac were riding bikes through town.

I was in Mom's car, so you didn't notice me.

I badly wanted to say something, but, seeing you, I felt like crying.

I realized how badly I missed talking to you.

How badly I missed you kissing me. How badly I missed?—"

I tugged her hand, and we both stood up. I took a second to admire the dress. "I'm really fucking glad that prick isn't going to be taking this dress off of you." I pulled her into my arms, and our mouths pressed together so hard, our teeth clacked.

My hands smoothed along her back. "I like this backless and mostly frontless style dress," I said smugly.

I reached for the button on the collar of the dress, the only button that needed to be dealt with before the dress slipped down to the floor in a silky pile.

Lacey was wearing two patches to cover her nipples and a satin pair of panties that were held on by thin pink ribbon.

"Oh wow, I think I like this whole wedding dress arrangement. "

Lacey wrapped her arms around my neck. "Enough commentary, Theo Stone. Take me to fucking bed already."

"Right. Good idea." I helped her step free of her dress. She pulled off the nipple covers and reached for the panties.

"Nope, don't you dare. Those are mine." My mouth covered hers as I reached down to the panties and ripped one side open. She gasped and giggled lightly against my mouth as I tossed the panties through the air.

I was still fully clothed, and she was entirely naked as I pulled her into my arms. "Holy shit, Ace, do you know how long I've waited for this?

" She laughed as I swept her up in my arms and carried her to the bed.

I freed one hand and yanked back the covers before setting her down on the white sheets.

"You are a fucking picture, Lacey, a fucking thousand-word picture.

" I knelt down next to her and whipped off my shirt.

She lifted her arms up above her head and arched her back in an erotic stretch.

"Hell, you might even be a million-word picture.

I'm going to shut up now. Guess I'm nervous. "

Lacey reached up and stroked my chest with her long fingers. "Theo Stone nervous? I don't think so, pal." She reached up and pulled my face down to hers. We gazed into each other's eyes for a long moment. I was still having a hard time believing this was real and not just a dream.

"Fuck, Ace, I don't know how I made it all this time without you.

" I moved my mouth down to her neck. She pressed her head back and smoothed her hand over my back as I trailed kisses down to her breasts.

I swirled my tongue around each nipple to make them taut and then I nibbled each one gently.

Her breaths shortened, and she reached around to unbutton my fly.

Her hand slid into my pants and underwear, and she wrapped her fingers around my cock.

A groan rolled up from my chest. My hand slid down her belly to her pussy. She dropped her legs open. As my fingers dipped inside of her, she tightened her grip on my cock.

I took a deep breath, lifted up and looked at her. "Gentle, like I love you, or a little rough, like I fuckin' love you?" It was a question I used to ask every time we were naked together, and she hadn't forgotten.

She laughed. "That's right, our code. Hmm, I think after this morning and the fact that we haven't been together in years, a little rough like you fuckin' love me."

"Yeah, baby, fuck, I missed you." I stood up long enough kick off my shoes, push off my pants and cover myself with a condom. Lacey bit her lip shyly as she stared up at me … waiting.

I stared down at her, making her fidget nervously. "You're killing me with this, you know?" she asked.

"Oh, I know. It's all part of my strategy.

" She squealed as I lunged at her. I lifted her up and turned her over, then yanked her up to her knees.

Her elbows and forearms stayed down on the pillows.

Her fine ass was high in the air. I gave it a sharp smack.

She squealed again and wriggled it to let me know she wanted more.

I spanked her again, then growled in frustration.

"Need you now, baby. We'll save playtime for the next round.

" I spun her around onto her back and collapsed down over her.

I pressed my mouth down hard over hers. She responded by wrapping her legs around me.

She cried out as I plunged into her. I pumped into her so hard, the bed smacked the wall behind it.

We were both clawing at each other hungrily.

I couldn't get deep enough, and she couldn't take in enough of me.

Her fingers dug into my shoulders. I reached down with one hand and pushed her ass higher so her pussy could meet my thrusts.

"Fuck yes, Theo. Harder," she pleaded. I was sure the wall behind the bed would collapse from the beating it was taking.

She gripped me with her legs, and her fingers dug into my flesh as I pounded into her like a jackhammer.

"Yes!" she cried out. Her body trembled beneath me as her pussy tightened in orgasm.

My body went rigid, and I came right after her. The small, dank room was filled with the heat and scent of sex. I collapsed down to the side of her and pulled her into my arms.

We lay like that, facing each other, staring at each other as if the other person was just a hallucination. At least that was how I felt.

Her neatly pinned hair had fallen down around her shoulders. I'd always loved her thick brunette hair. I tucked a strand back behind her ear. "Never thought I'd have you in my arms again, Ace. It was a fucking bitter pill to swallow. That's for damn sure. And now here you are."

She smiled weakly. "Here I am."

"You're freaking out, aren't you? I can always tell because the right side of you lip does this little twitch thing when you're upset." I mimicked her with my own mouth and made sure to exaggerate the movement.

She slapped my shoulder. "Stop. I don't need meanness right now. There are at least three people, George and his parents, cursing me to hell right now. And they're rich and powerful. Ah shit, Theo, what have I done?"

"Your mom didn't seem too upset about you not going through with this," I reminded her. "And that was even with me standing down the steps, ready to take you away."

"My mom always liked you," she insisted.

I laughed. "That is so fucking hysterical that laughter doesn't seem like enough."

"She did. She just didn't always show it. You were a Stone, which was both a strike for and against you. Mostly she just wanted me to?—"

"Move on from Trayton. She wanted you to be successful, and hanging out with a Stone was probably not great for that plan."

"It took me a few years to realize that success meant you were pleased with yourself and your accomplishments.

I was working for a big law firm, and I hated what I'd become.

Ridiculously expensive clothes and having to smile politely and work hard to defend people, rich, ruthless people who were obviously guilty.

Worst of all, having to put up with unwanted advances from one of the law partners.

The job was sucking away my soul. Now I work for Justice for All, for people who need legal assistance but can't afford it, and it's rewarding.

I love it. George, however, was not impressed.

He's been working behind the scenes to get me back into a big law firm. "

"I'd have nailed his fucking head to the wall," I said.

Lacey looked at me. "You mean George?"

"No, that law partner. George, too, for being a fucking dick."

"See, that was the response I wanted from George, but he was too worried about me losing my position at the firm.

I guess he would have preferred if I just ignored the guy's hand on my ass.

" She shook her head. "Let's not talk about this.

Let's pretend we're still teens in Trayton and the whole world hasn't become complicated and ugly and messy yet.

" She yawned. "I'm so tired. This has been an impossibly long weekend, and I've hated every minute of it. "

"Hey," I said, insulted.

Lacey took hold of my face and kissed me. "Right up until the last few hours."

"That's better." I smoothed my hand down to her ass and gave it a little spank. "Now, Ace, it seems like we've got a few years of sex to catch up on."