Page 108 of Stone
Ending the call allowed me a moment of elation. I closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths until I was completely calm.
Almost immediately, I felt Stone’s hand on my shoulder and all the tension, every last moment of anger faded. Just from his touch. From his care. From Stone being such a strong and powerful influence in my life. For that, I would be forever grateful.
As he moved onto the deck, he brushed his fingers over my shoulder and down my arm. The light touch tingled every nerve ending. We’d spent the early afternoon enjoying lunch at a favorite little spot of his where more islanders had greeted us both, even knowing my name. The family atmosphere had been exactly what I’d needed.
Even if I’d shed a few more tears.
Spending just one day with my son hadn’t been enough but forcing him to be in our lives wasn’t something I was willing to do. I would honor his choices, unlike how my father had refused to do with mine.
Stone stood at the railing, staring out at the water. I could tell he was waiting for me to say something. Anything. And it was killing him. The telltale signs were the bulging cords in the side of his neck. I enjoyed the quiet moment of simply being in the same airspace while basking in the view.
Even the backs of his knees were sexy. With my wine in my hand, I finally joined him at the railing, crowding his space on purpose. “How’s my favorite hunk of a man?”
His slight growl would always bring a smile to my face. “I better be your only hunk of a man or I’ll be pissed.”
“Are you going to beat him up?”
He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me even closer. “I will. Just tell me where he is.”
I punched him in the gut playfully. “You’re a pussycat.”
“Apparently, you weren’t awake when I rescued you. Didn’t you see the Hulk exploding into the room?”
“Are you talking about Kage or Maddox?”
His laugh was deep and husky, allowing the shivers from before to become electrified. “Both.”
“Then, yes, I did.” I leaned my head against his chest, savoring every moment together.
As a quiet moment settled between us, I was surprised I felt no tension. None. Sadness? Yes. Remorse and regret? To a degree, but I was relieved Stone knew all my secrets and I knew his. If I never learned what my father was hiding, so be it. I’d learn to live with any possible consequences.
“I wonder if we’ll ever see Tyler again.” My words were barely more than a harsh whisper.
“We will. He seemed to enjoy his time with us.”
“He did, but he’s a young man on the cusp of the rest of his life.”
He eased his arm from around me, turning sideways and leaning his elbow on the railing. “That doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t value his extended family. He certainly doesn’t know us well, but he went to great lengths to discover who we were and found the courage to introduce himself.”
“You’re right,” I said and it was the first time I’d felt pride for my own son. “He did so by confronting his father for the truth.”
Stone grinned and pinched my chin between his thumb and index finger. “Sounds like someone else I know.”
“You mean like his father?”
I did so adore his laugh and after everything we’d been through, the dangers he’d put himself through, watching him more at ease brought tears to my eyes.
“Don’t cry, Dani. Everything will be okay.” He shook his head as if trying to drive aside my pain.
“I’m not crying because I’m sad, but because of how much I love you.”
Maybe he wasn’t expecting me to so blatantly admit what he already knew, but the surprise in his eyes kept prickles of heat shifting down my legs.
He said nothing at first, merely taking a few seconds to pull my glass of wine from my hand, placing it on the table. As he continued to crowd my space, I couldn’t help myself, placing my palms on his chest.
“Dani. I’ve never felt so strongly about anyone in my life other than you. Maybe you didn’t know it, but you brought such light and joy when I wasn’t entirely certain who I was or what would be best in my life.”
“Really? You were always so confident.”
