Page 98 of Sticks and Stones (Shadow Valley U)

He nods, and it’s polite, but I’m not fooled by his feigned charisma or handsome face. Daniel Foster isn’t a good man.

“Can you excuse us for a moment? I have someone here that wants to chat with Stone.”

Stone steps forward. “She can come.”

It’s painfully obvious that his dad doesn’t trust me, and I’d rather not go through the embarrassment of him making up an excuse.

“No, it’s okay. I’m going to use the restroom.” I smile at Stone, but he can see right through me. “I’ll come find you in a few.”

I turn and head for the main house.

I don’t breathe again until I’m safely tucked inside and directed to the bathroom.

* * *

I never imaginedwhat Stone’s childhood bedroom looked like, but now that I’m standing in the middle of it, it’s hard to imagine him growing up here.

There isn’t a single thing in this room that tells me it’s his other than a photo of him with our high school hockey team celebrating the championship our senior year. I run my finger along intricate markings on the frame before I tiptoe over to the window overlooking the party. It’s still in full effect. Ritzy-looking couples are slinging back flutes of champagne and laughing about something other equally ritzy couples have said.

I find Stone’s dad immediately. Martha is beside him, doting on him as she straightens his tie. I don’t see Stone anywhere.

“Don’t you know the upstairs is off limits?”

I smile but keep my back to him. “Is it? I wasn’t aware.”

The door latch catches my attention, and before I know it, Stone’s arms are wrapped around my torso, and his hot breath is on my neck.

“Liar.”

I shrug. “I like to break the rules sometimes.”

I feel his cheeky grin against my neck, but it disappears quickly. His loud swallow catches my attention, and I crane my neck back to look at him. The only light is from the party down below, but even so, I see that he is on edge.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, spinning around in his arms. I trap him with mine around his neck.

His jaw flexes. “I hate it here.”

I nod. “I know.”

“I’m sorry he was an asshole to you.”

I roll my eyes and brush him off. “You think that’s bad?” A sarcastic laugh lingers in between us. “My dad is a junkie, and he let his thug friends touch me. Your dad is nothing compared to him, Stone.”

His throat moves with a slow swallow as he stares down at me. I push away a strand of his gelled hair as soon as it falls against his forehead.

“You know, I’ve never fucked a girlfriend in here.”

I squint. “That’s because you’ve never had a girlfriend, Stone.”

He crushes me to his strong chest. “Until you.”

My mouth opens a second before he pounces. Stone’s tongue swipes inside as he deepens the kiss, flinging me backward so fast I crash into the wall beside the window. His hand flies to my neck, and I break our kiss, tipping my head backward.

“Are you asking to fuck me in your childhood bedroom, Stone?”

“I’m not asking.”

I shake at the urgency in his tone.