Page 43 of Sweet Little Thing

And I believed him.

Chapter

Thirty-Two

Jasper

I’d sent Beulah to spend time with Heidi before coming to work. I wanted to make sure she saw her several times a week. The one thing I could get Beulah to do for herself was go see her sister more than just the weekends. When I told her to go, she didn’t argue. Beulah left with a smile on her face that made me feel like a goddamn king.

In life, I hadn’t been taught to trust. This started with my parents. They lost my trust at an early age. After that came friends and eventually girls. The only friend I had that I trusted without question was Stone. He was honest, even if it hurt. He didn’t hold back any punches. You got his opinion without hesitation. His father was the same way. Figuratively and literally speaking. It was part of the reason Stone was so dark. Impossibly hard to get close to.

Beulah was the first female that I had ever trusted. She made it so damn easy to do. When I watched her walk away, I neverwondered if she was actually going to see her sister. I knew without a doubt that was exactly where she would be. It relieved me and gave me confidence, like a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders.

Initially, coming home sounded like moving into the deepest pit of hell. I’d done it to see if I could fill the place my father left for me. Now, it was time to try. He’d left me more than I thought I was capable of handling, but I’d returned for him and the corporation. I had hated all of it. But then, I’d found Beulah. It was as if my father had sent her to me. Knowing with her, I could handle it. I’d grow up for her.

The door to my office opened without a knock. Before Stone stepped inside, I knew who it was; he was the only one who did that, barging in unannounced. Even Beulah, who I was completely obsessed with, would knock because I couldn’t get her not to. She was determined to make me believe that knocking was polite and necessary for her and everybody else. It made me smile to think about it. Stone would never be someone she liked or understood. I was okay with that. I’d never have to worry that she’d be drawn to him. Which I loved because I didn’t need anything else to fucking do. Trying to learn how to be the captain of this company was enough.

Stone was wearing a white button-down—rare—a button-down with jeans. He hated dressing like the man he’d one day replace as boss. If my father had beaten me until I was old enough to stop him, then I’d feel the same way.

“It’s official then? You’re in a relationship with her?”

“Yes, Stone, you knew it was going that way before you even had to ask.”

He looked annoyed. “I thought you’d be smarter. But it’s your life, and I can’t live it.”

“No, Stone, you cannot.”

He sat in one of the leather chairs across from my desk. “Gotany coffee?”

“I can have some sent up.”

“Where’s your secretary?”

“She’s visiting her sister for a few hours. I made her go. She didn’t ask.”

Stone winced like he’d been stabbed. “I should have seen that coming.”

I called down to Brandy Jo for coffee. I then turned my attention back to Stone. “How were things in Manhattan? As thrilling as ever?” I was being sarcastic. Stone hated it there.

He sighed. Furrowed his brow. “Yeah, we managed not to kill each other. That’s always a positive. Avoiding murder. Especially within your own family. Harsher sentence, I guess.”

Stone was referring to his father. They were both tall, well-built men. His dad lifted weights, and his newest wife was only three years older than Stone. The wife before her had been thirty. The older he got, the younger his wives got, having to have a trophy on his arm to make up for his own inadequacies and a son that fucking hated him. The rich and powerful can buy better memories. Most other people can’t. Even I know that.

“Assuming you know about me and Beulah from either Sterling or Tate, you also know that Maisie showed up at the house.”

He sneered as if her name disgusted him. “Yes, I know, and it was Sterling who called me. He’s coming into the city next week and wanted to have drinks at Raoul’s.”

A knock stopped our conversation. “Come in,” I called out.

Brandy Jo stepped inside with two coffee mugs and a smile that would never vanish. I shouldn’t have slept with her. She always looked at me like she was ready for round two, even after I made it clear that the sex was a one-time thing. There would be no repeat.

“Here you go, gentleman. Can I get you anything else?” The tone of her voice made Stone roll his eyes. He knew I’d fuckedher.

“No, that will be all. Thank you, Brandy Jo.”

As I took the cup, she brushed my fingers. I grabbed the handle and gently snatched it, coffee threatening to slosh before I turned my attention back to Stone.

“ Are you going to Spain next month?” I asked.

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