Page 26 of Stone Rules

I’ve needed men before. To provide for me. But I’ve neverneededa man before. Not on the visceral level that is tugging on my insides right now. Not in the sense that I feel as if we were meant to cross paths. Not in the sense that has me believing that maybe my mother’s death purposefully brought me to him.

Then again, that would make her death meaningful. There was nothing meaningful about that woman, except that I suppose she provided entertainment to millions and lined the pockets of thousands with her talent that simply wasted away because of her determination to stay wasted.

“I’ll teach you how to shoot,” he says. “A single woman in the city should know how to protect herself.”

I’m reminded of the gun that was strapped to his calf when we had sex. I feel a wave of heat run up and down my spine thinking of it. I quickly swallow my emotions. “What makes you think I can’t protect myself?”

He narrows his eyes at me. “This doesn’t have anything to do with the information I gave you the other day, does it?”

“What? No.” I scratch my head, then, realizing what I’ve done, I immediately put my hand to my side. Piper always says that’s my tell. If he knew me better, he’d know it, too.

He eyes me skeptically.

“Ask Piper Mitchell if you don’t believe I can take care of myself. We both took self-defense classes over in London.”

“Good. That’s good,” he says, slowly backing away from me. “We’ll take those drinks now.” He turns to leave, hesitating as if he has something else on his mind. “Random guy?” he asks quietly over his shoulder.

“Just seeing if you were paying attention, Stone.”

“I’m always paying attention, Tate.”

I smile at what seems to have become our exchange of endearments.

“So, no itchy rash?” he asks.

“Not unlessyougave it to me,” I say.

Even as he walks away, I can see his triumphant smile.

I pour a cold glass of water but don’t put it on my tray. I down it myself, drowning the fire that man set in my belly simply from his close proximity.

The rest of his lunch is spent with me making only quick visits to their table.

I make small talk with Kyle and Levi when I bring their food and the check. Each pass by the table, I sense Ethan’s growing frustration over the fact I’m all but ignoring him. But he’s too distracting. The way his eyes follow me around. The way I can feel his heated stare. The way my body reacts to him.

It’s been one of the longest damn hours of my life.

Chapter Thirteen

Devon Totman. Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Endlessly-Cocky. The man does not take no for an answer. He sees me enter the gym and proceeds to follow me through the workout area. I make idle conversation with him, not wanting to piss off gym patrons since I’m here for free, but not wanting to lead him on at the same time.

As I reach the ladies locker room, he asks, “How about I join you for your swim?”

“That’s okay,” I say. “Mrs. Buttermaker is my swimming partner and I really don’t want to offend her by replacing her.”

“That old bat? She can barely doggie paddle from one end of the pool to the other.”

“Yes. Well, thatold batis just about the nicest lady I’ve ever met. You’ll do well not to piss her off or speak badly of her around me.”

He holds up his hands in surrender, looking confused as I duck into the locker room without another word.

When I enter the aquatics area, I see Ethan helping Mrs. B out of the pool. I could swear I see her blush through her thin, wrinkled skin. She laughs, touching his arm as they have a conversation I’m too far away to hear.

She’s flirting with him. And from the looks of it, he’s flirting back.

She passes me by on her way out and it’s obvious she’s not sticking around for my swim. “That one’s sweet as sugar, he is.”

“If you say so, Mrs. Buttermaker. Did you have a nice swim? I’m sorry I’m late. My shift ran over tonight.”

---