Page 119 of Dr. Stone
“Thanks, Ash,” Jace said. “Sebastian will call the person staffed to watch him until we’re ready for him. Let Jake know he’s not stuck with him this time.”
“Don’t worry about us. Go and catch up.”
Jace led me over to the bar lounge seating and smirked. “Well, here we are again. You, me, and a fucking billionaire’s superyacht. Except this time, we’re starting off the right way…”He looked over at the bartender. “She’ll have a cosmo; was that the drink?” he glanced at me with a smile.
“It was,” I said, my heart racing as he ordered what I was drinking the night we met.
“So, what are we doing differently this time?” I asked. “Sharing my room with Duke?”
“Absolutely not,” he took a sip as soon as his drink was set on a napkin in front of him, then he looked at the man. “We’ll be fine with this for now. I’ll notify the staff if we need anything else.”
“Looks like you know how it goes on these yachts,” I laughed as the bartender nodded and excused himself.
“I grew up on these things. My brother sold him this one,” he smiled as he shifted and looked at me earnestly.
“Jace,” I said, “I need to apologize?—”
“No,” he cut me off, “I know everything that happened. The only thing I don’t know at the moment is if you’ll still have me in your life or not?”
“Of course I’ll have you.” My chest ached, swelling with relief and love.
“Don’t ever apologize to me, gorgeous,” he said, his voice steady. “It’s my job to protect you, not the other way around. I know why you did it. I know everything, actually. And I’m not just here tonight with Duke to get my girl back…” His eyes held mine, unwavering. “I’m here with the signed custody papers—Jonathan gave up every right to your son.”
I sucked in a breath, my head spinning. “What?” Tears blurred my vision, relief crashing so hard it knocked the breath out of me. “How? Don’t attorneys and courts?—”
He grinned, sharp and dangerous. “Let’s just say being Everett Stone’s son comes with perks. With my family’s name and attorneys, things can move a hell of a lot faster than you’d believe.”
A sharp exhale burst from me, half-sob, half-laugh. “How did you get Jonathan to sign everything over?”
Jace leaned back, sipping his drink, his eyes darkening. “By beating him at his own childish game. The difference is—he plays. I don’t. My threats were grounded in facts. His were built on lies.” His jaw flexed, his voice dropping low. “He understood when I told him to leave the state. And if I ever hear his name tied to yours again…” His gaze locked on mine, fierce enough to steal my breath. “Let’s just say he won’t get that luxury twice.”
“I don’t even know what to say. How to thank you?—”
“No need. And as for gratitude, you taking me back—giving me another chance—that’s more than I could ever ask for.”
“No, but?—”
“Andie.” He cut me off gently, a smirk tugging at his mouth, humor sliding back into his expression. “You hurt yourself, me, even the fucking dog—all because you didn’t know me well enough to realize I’d protect you from anything that tried to touch you. And if I’d known just how selfless you were, I never would’ve let you walk away so easily.” He lifted his glass, tapping it lightly against mine. “So, right now, we start over—by actually talking about who the fuck we are. I’ll go first.”
His eyes locked on mine, intense. “My favorite color is gold—because of those flecks in your eyes. The way they melt into green and turn them into the most stunning hazel.” He leaned in slightly, playful. “And damn it, it only happens when you’re excited… climaxing—” he raised a brow, teasing “—or smiling at me.” His grin softened, sweet. “Your turn. Favorite color. Go.”
“How am I supposed to follow that?” I laughed.
“Just tell me your favorite color, Miller. No speeches required. I just thought you should know mine. Overcomplicating shit is half the reason we’re in this mess.” He chuckled. “Favorite color?”
“Yellow. It’s happy.”
“I love it.” His grin softened. “I love you. Okay, next—favorite sport?”
“I’m not into sports,” I admitted. “Yours?”
“Football. Which apparently I’ll be watching alone once you and I start living our happily-ever-after.” His gaze deepened, pulling me in. “Your eyes do something to me, you know? The first time I saw you come—watching your face, those eyes—fuck. I’ve never wanted anything so bad in my life. And now I get the chance to make you mine for real.”
So much for cute first-date questions. His mouth was on mine before I could breathe, his arms locking me in as he steered me toward the elevators like a man on a mission. The kiss was possessive, all-consuming, and I was seconds from unraveling.
If he didn’t have me against a wall and inside me the second those doors closed, I was going to come undone right here in the damn elevator.
FIFTY-TWO
