Page 90 of Sticks and Stones (Shadow Valley U)

I am a total fucking goner for him.

“Feel better?”

I nod, and it takes me a minute to remember where we are.

“Then let’s go see this Mary-Lou woman and figure out who’s trying to get information on my girl.” He buttons my jeans and taps my leg, flicking his head to the passenger seat.

I climb over the center console, flushed and sweaty and completely dazed.

Stone opens his door and is on my side before I can even step out onto the pavement.

His damp finger lands on my chin, and he tilts my face. “It’s not your fault.”

“What isn’t?” I rasp.

“Mary-Lou being assaulted.”

I go to argue, because itismy fault, but he pushes me against the side of his car and presses his hard length into my stomach. “But this…”

My hand is suddenly cupping him.

“Is.” He winks and pulls me forward, leading us to the hospital entrance. “Just think of your reward for later.”

A smile plays against my lips, and that’s when I notice my belly isn’t full of nerves anymore but something else entirely.

Stone knows me better than I know myself.

* * *

It is worsethan I thought. Stone’s hand lands on my lower back when we step into her room, because he knows that I need stability even if I refuse to admit it.

Mary-Lou’s blackened face peeks up over her book, and she freezes. “Wren? What are you doing here, sweetie?”

Sweetie.If I were her, I’d hate me.

The gray-blue shade beneath her eyes is the first thing I see. My mouth opens but quickly snaps closed when I see her wince. She’s climbing out of her bed, and she’s in front of me before I can even fathom a word.

“I’m sor—”

Stone’s hand never leaves my back, even as I’m wrapped in Mary-Lou’s familiar embrace.

“It’s not your fault, Wren.”

“That’s what I keep telling her.” Stone’s smooth voice commands the room.

Mary-Lou smiles at him. “Stone Foster.”

“That’s me,” he answers, leading me to the chair off to the side.

Mary-Lou slowly walks back to her bed and sits on the edge.

“How do you know Stone?” I ask.

“I know his father. I’ve seen him command a courtroom like no other.”

Stone’s growl isn’t noticeable to her, but it is to me.

“Please tell me you didn’t come all this way to tell me sorry, Wren.”