Page 81 of Sticks and Stones (Shadow Valley U)
“That was Stone’s idea.”
“Oh,please,” I whisper.
My fingers wrap around the doorknob, but I stumble backward when Stone’s hands fall to my hips.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
Stone pulls open the door at the same time he shoves me behind him. Once Ally speaks, I pop out while shooting him a dirty look.What the hell?
“Come in.” I smile and brush Stone away.
“I brought dessert.” Ally whooshes forward like she owns the place, and by the looks on my housemates’ faces—besides Stone’s—she is about to own all of them.
“We love you.” Taylor stands and pulls her into the kitchen.
They come back a few seconds later with bowls, spoons, and the containers of ice cream.
The guys pile their bowls to the top. Ally and I are a little more respectful and scoop a proper amount before settling into the couches. Stone’s lips brush my ear. He smells like chocolate and cherries, and my mouth waters.
“I always knew you were a vanilla girl.”
I snort after licking my spoon clean. “Vanilla girl? I’m with you, aren’t I?” I raise an eyebrow, and his eyes drift to my lips.“Absolutely not,”I whisper. “And what was that earlier? You practically levitated to open the door.”
Stone pulls back, and I notice the shadows along his jaw flicking back and forth. There’s a loud commotion on the TV from the movie, so he leans in closer. “Wanted to make sure it was Ally.”
“Oh,” I tease, snuggling back into his chest. “Acting chivalrous now, are we?”
His arms wrap around my torso, and the soft kiss he places on my hair turns my stomach into mush.
“Shut up and watch the movie.”
Before I know it, the movie is almost over, and half the guys are asleep, along with Ally. Her head is resting against Taylor’s shoulder, and her legs are draped over Archer’s lap. Stone’s breathing is even—something I’m not used to. He’s always soangryor tense. Worried too. But right now, he’s relaxed. His fingers continue to roam against my lower belly, like they’ve been doing the entire movie, but he’s been on his best behavior. Chills covered me at one point when his finger swooped down low, but he pulled it away—like he had lost control for a second.
“You want to go to bed?” I peer through my sleepy eyes.
Stone nods. We both look over at Ally.She’ll be fine.I don’t have to worry about her, and even though the guys have been talking about how hot she is, they would never cross a line. They’re annoying, but they’re still good guys.
I stand first and then grab Stone’s hand. He towers over me for a second, dropping his gaze to my mouth, but then he follows me up the stairs after checking the lock on the front door.
It’s cute.
His need to be protective is alluring.
“What?” he asks, closing the bedroom door.
His quick glance is worrisome, and it leaves me confused.What is with him?
I panic, and words fumble out of my mouth. “Why are you being so nice and protective? You’re on your best behavior, and I—”
“You what?” Stone tilts his head. “You don’t like it?”
I have butterflies. Like, full-on rapidly flying butterflies. “No. I do.” In fact, it has me thinking dangerous things—like how I don’t want to live without him. “I just…don’t understand.”
Stone laughs. His head falls, and I can’t read him like usual.
“Sticks, what don’t you understand?”
“Wh—”