Page 99 of Stone Promises

Chapter Twenty-nine

Chad

It’s been two weeks since I’ve held her. One since I’ve seen her gorgeous face. She didn’t want to video chat this week. She said it would make it all that much better when we saw each other today. And damn, my proverbial balls are bluer than a whale in the pacific. I can’t wait to get her alone.

She’s spent a better part of this week making all the arrangements at our new place. I was happy to have her make the choices as far as decorating. It’s the least I could do after not consulting with her about the quick purchase. But I couldn’t care less how it looks; the only room I want to see is the bedroom.

I look at my watch. Four o’clock. I stare through the tinted windows of the back seat, eagerly waiting for her to emerge from the school. Every time the front door opens and someone walks out who isn’t her, I pout.

Cole laughs quietly in the front seat, amused by my childlike impatience. I’m glad he decided to come to New York with me. I know it’s not permanent; he’s a certified west-coaster. But he said he’d stay on until I could find a replacement. I’m hoping I won’t necessarily need one. Mallory got me thinking on our talks this week. She said it’s refreshing being somewhere she doesn’t get recognized. When she was in L.A. with me, she couldn’t even go into a grocery store without someone taking her picture. It’s different here, she said; everyone is anonymous. I intend to test that theory before I go hiring anyone new.

Five minutes go by and then I see her. She exits the school with Melissa and another teacher, and then I notice a familiar guy walking up to the three of them. I could swear he works for Ethan.

More teachers are spilling out of the building behind them, so to prevent causing a scene I ask Cole to fetch Mallory for me. I watch her eyes when she sees him. Her face lights up with excitement and her eyes scan the cars lining the curb in front of the school. I crack the window so she can see me. She squeals and runs to the car. I open the door for her and she pile-drives me into the back seat, planting a long-awaited kiss on me.

I laugh. “Are you going to greet me like this every time I pick you up?”

She pushes up on her elbows. “Will that be a problem, Mr. Stone?”

“I’m gonna go withno.” I bring her lips down on mine and kiss her once more.

She giggles. “I thought we were meeting at Kyle’s.”

“Couldn’t wait,” I mumble between kisses. When I come up for air, I ask, “Was that one of Ethan’s employees out there? Is he dating one of your co-workers or something?”

She shrugs, pulling me back to her. “Less talking. More kissing.”

She doesn’t have to ask me twice. Cole gives us another minute before getting back in the car. When he opens the door, Mallory quickly extricates herself from on top of me and sits over on her side of the back seat. I ask Cole to take us to our new place.

“Actually, Cole,” Mal says, “can you swing by Kyle’s first? I’d like to pick up my things.”

“Sure thing,” he says.

Damn. I’m going to have to wait that much longer to get her alone. On the way to Kyle’s place, Mallory sends a few quick texts and then relaxes back into her seat. Except she’s not exactly relaxed. I study her for a minute. Her body language is all wrong.

“What?” she asks, turning to look at me.

I look into her eyes. “Something’s not right.”

She shifts uncomfortably. “What do you mean?”

“You.” I motion my hand up and down her body. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing,” she says, trying to make her face look all innocent.

I give her my bestyou’re-full-of-shitstare.

“What? Nothing,” she insists.

“Mallory, how long have I known you?”

She shrugs. “Eighteen years, on and off.”

“I’ve been able to read you since we were kids. Now spill.”

She rolls her eyes, looking guilty. I can tell she’s battling with herself over what to say to me, and quite frankly it’s starting to make me a little scared. “Fine,” she says, blowing out a deep sigh. “But don’t tell meI’mthe one who ruined the surprise, Nosey Nellie.”

“Surprise?” My eyebrows shoot up. “What surprise?”

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