Page 3 of Mistaking Stone

“Turner, you were splitting threes and double-downing face cards.You were the laughing stock of the table the last shoe.Hell, it got to the point I didn’t want anyone to know I was with you.”

Ahh, so maybe she does know a little about cards.

“Here, let me help you up.”I grab onto her elbow while she struggles to get to her feet.“Don’t say another word to him.He’s been kicked out of the casino more times than I can count.”

“Fuck you, Stone.And fuck you, too, Bree.”Turner continues with his insults, but his words are meaningless to me.It’s not my first bout with my brother and I’m sure it won’t be my last either.

I signal for one of the cabs parked along the curb then shove my brother in the back seat as soon as the driver pulls up.“Get him out of my face before I...I kill him.”I toss a fifty at the driver then slam the door shut.Goodbye and good riddance to his sorry ass.

“Can I take you home or at least get you a cab?”I ask.It’s the least I can do, considering she’s left to fend for herself tonight.

“Uh, sure.I promise, I didn’t take any of his money.He was giving it to me to hold on to, but when the cards turned—”

I raise my hand for her to stop.“You don’t have to explain anything.I know my brother and I know him well.It’s one of the reasons my father refused to grant him access to his inheritance until he’s thirty.Maybe then he’ll have learned a thing or two.I’m sorry for the way he treated you.I hope this doesn’t happen often.”

The attendant pulls up with my car and I’d rather just take her home myself rather than put her in the back of a cab alone.I hold the door for her to climb inside, then wait until she’s situated before closing the door.I wonder if she even realizes her dress has slipped from her shoulder again or if she’s purposely leaving it this way...for my viewing pleasure.

I get in behind the wheel and blow out a deep breath before driving off.The thrill from tonight’s winnings is long gone.“You’ll need to put an ice pack on that eye as soon as you get home.It’ll be nice and colorful for a few days but should go away in time.”

Bree swipes her finger across her cheek as she chokes back a sob.“Just when I thought he was really starting to care about me.”

“My brother doesn’t care about anyone, including himself.I’m sorry to say this, but he’s reckless and out of control.” I know it’s not what she wants to hear, but she needs to know this before she gets anymore attached to him than she already is.Turner Arlington is a loose cannon, waiting to explode.

“I’m starting to figure this out.The hard way.”Reaching over, she rests her hand on top of mine then pulls her legs up into the seat.

Whoa!What the—

“Cold?”I ask and press a couple buttons on the dash to adjust the temperature inside the car.

She pulls my jacket from behind her and drapes it across her lap.“I’ll be fine in a few moments.I’m still a little shook up is all.”

“Your dress,” I begin, then reach over and lift the strap back up on her shoulder.“You’ve been giving me quite the show.”

“My apologies.I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“No need to apologize.And I’m certainly not offended.”I shake my head at her innocence.So much to learn at her age.

“Turner promised me I could have them enlarged—”

“There’s nothing wrong with what you have.”My gaze travels down to her tit and I resist the urge to flick my finger against her pebbled nipple.Fuck me, I’d give anything to clamp my teeth on that pink flesh.

“Oh, yeah?”she asks and slips her hand inside the front part of her dress to expose the other one for me.There’s hardly anything for her to push together, but I’d damn sure slide my dick in between them if she’d let me.

“Are you going to tell me where you live?Or am I supposed to guess?”I can’t help but wink.Oh, to be young again.

“You’re no fun,” she pouts and sticks her tongue out.“See, I can’t even reach my own nipple.If they were bigger, I could.”Lowering her face to her chest, she glides her tongue over her milky-white skin.

“I could take care of that for you, but I don’t—” I hold my thought when I realize the impact it could have on her.

“You don’t what?Do your brother’s seconds?”Using her finger, she traces the area around her nipple then puckers her lips, pretending to kiss the air.

“Are you aware how hard it is for me to concentrate on driving right now?”I shake my head at the absurdity of it all.Turner Arlington had his hands full with this one.

“So pull over,” she purrs and tosses her head back against the headrest.“Ouch.That hurt.”

“I’ve got some ibuprofen at home,” I reply without looking over at her.

“Does this mean we’re going to your place then?”

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