Page 53 of Sweet Retribution

Three of the four walls are mostly windows, covered with drapes. I wander to them and pull them back. One side is a balcony overlooking the ocean. It’s the side I can somewhat see from my balcony. The wall of windows behind his bed has a partial view of the ocean and a partial view of the vineyard, while the third wall overlooks the backyard and vineyard.

His room has minimal decorations. Since the walls are mostly made up of windows, there are no pictures hanging. With the curtains open on all three sides, I feel like I’m standing outside. The wrap-around balcony has no furniture on it, like he never spends any time on it. It’s sad that I can’t imagine Stone relaxing with a morning cup of coffee, or even a glass of wine in the evening on the balcony.

The view from every angle is stunning. I pick up my shirt and shorts from the floor and get dressed. I’m nosey enough to want to see his bathroom in the light. Last night when I used it, I didn’t turn on the lights. The moonbeams cast just enough light for me to see what I needed to see.

It matches the luxury of my bathroom, and then some. He has a similar marble shower as mine with twelve spray heads. The vanity has two raised sink bowls. One lonely toothbrush sits in a bronze holder by one of the sinks. Other than that, it’s empty.

I open one of the cabinets expecting to find personal items and find only towels. Only one drawer under the sink holds anything personal. Toothpaste, comb, a brush, a razor, aftershave, and a bottle of cologne.

Under the sink is stocked with soaps and refills of the same items I found in the drawer. Stone may appear to be vain, but he’s a minimalist when it comes to selfcare. Next to the bathroom is another door I assume leads to his closet.

I’m not wrong. His walk-in closet can comfortably sleep ten. Most of the space is empty with the exception of one wall. Black and grey pants, shirts, and suits hang neatly next to each other while cubbies hold folded gym shorts and shirts. Around a corner I spot his shoe wall.

Black Italian loafers and a few pairs of running shoes. For a complex man, his wardrobe is quite simple, if not expensive. Not wanting to get caught snooping, I close the door behind me and go back to my room.

I don’t want to shower his scent off me, but I desperately need one after the multiple sweaty workouts I got last night. I’m dressed in a robe, my wet hair wrapped in a towel, when someone knocks on my door. I check my reflection in the mirror wishing I have time to make myself a little more presentable before seeing Stone this morning.

At least I don’t have bedhead and morning breath. I open the door with a smile that faults a little when I see Maria. “Oh, hi. Good morning.”

“Afternoon,” she says with a wink. “You haven’t been down for breakfast or lunch.” She carries in a tray of sandwiches and salad and sets it down on the table in my sitting area.

“Thank you for thinking of me. I guess I slept in.”

“I’m glad. Now eat up before you leave.”

“Leave?”

“Yes. Stone asked me to tell you to be in his office by two. Business attire is requested.”

“Demanded?” I say with a lightness in my voice I don’t actually feel.

“You know him well.” She pats me on the arm and leaves.

A business meeting. Why didn’t he tell me about it last night? My body hums remembering every detail of our evening. And wee hours of the morning. I glance at the clock. I have an hour until I need to be in his office. Plenty of time to pamper and prep.

At two on the dot, I knock on Stone’s office door. I actually wait before entering, my heart racing with nerves. It’s the morning after minus the walk of shame. I’m not sure how he’s going to treat me.

No different in front of his men, I’m sure. I don’t expect him to run up to me and kiss me passionately telling me how much he missed me since he left our bed–his bed–this morning. I’ll be able to read it in his eyes though.

Tio is on the other side of the door and I greet him with a smile. One he does not return. Nor does Marco.

“Am I interrupting? Maria said to be here at two.”

I finally glance at Stone, who sits behind his imposing desk. He doesn’t look at me, and my heart sinks to my stomach. No. I won’t allow him to dismiss me like I’m one of the women he calls up to fuck.

“Can you give us a minute?” I ask his men.

They don’t even wait for Stone’s approval before leaving and closing the door behind them. This isn’t good. Something is wrong and it has nothing to do with our night of passion.

“We’re going to–”

“Sh.” I shush him as I cross the room to his desk. He whips his head up with surprise at my demand. “I get that there’s a serious business meeting, and by the vibes I got from your men, and from you, I’m not going to like it.”

He keeps his focus on my throat, avoiding looking directly at me. I don’t like this distance between us. I close it and sit on his lap. Again, I’ve shocked him.

We’re face to face and I read the regret, the sorrow, lurking behind his eyes. His hands come up to my hips, but other than that he doesn’t move. I don’t believe the regret is about us, it’s about our future, this meeting.

If this meeting is going to go well, I need Stone to get back to himself. I need him to see I’m stronger than he thinks I am. I wiggle around so I’m straddling him, my skirt hikes up to my upper thighs.

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