Chapter 33

Stone~

I was standing in front of Rylee’s motel room again, and it was a testament to how much power this girl had over me. Never in my life have I ever backed down from a challenge, but here I was, choosing to working things out with her, instead of unleashing hell on her family and friends.

After Alexander had left my condo, I had taken a shower and had thought about his parting words. They had sounded like a warning more than a piece of advice, and I wondered if he’s always known about August’s fixation on Rylee, and he was hoping that, by marrying her, it would put August in check.

Whatever Alexander’s reasons were for that low-key warning, I found myself back at Rylee’s motel room to work things out because the alternative wasn’t going to help anybody.

It wouldn’t give me Rylee.

And at the end of all this, that’s what I wanted. I wanted Rylee. I wanted her for my wife, my partner, my love.

I knocked on the door, and if I had to break it down to get inside, I would. I knew she was here because her white KIA was parked right in front of the door, and it was already past ten at night. Granted, she could be with someone, but I doubted it. Rylee wouldn’t be out partying her problem away. She was the type to be sitting on the other side of this door, plotting her strategy and revenge.

The door swung open, and Rylee was standing before me, dressed in a simple white t-shirt, a pair of lavender pajama pants, and socks on her feet, proving my theory right. Partying was the last thing on her mind. The girl had probably spent her evening sewing together a voodoo doll of my liking.

Let me in.” I didn’t ask because I knew what her answer would be.

She eyed me for a brief second before stepping back and letting me inside. I was surprised that she’d given in so easily, but I didn’t count that as a good thing. Whatever Rylee’s reasons were for letting me inside the room, I knew they weren’t good.

Still, I wasn’t afraid of a good fight.

I walked past her and into the middle of the room, much like I had last time. When I turned around to face her, she remained by the front door. Déjà vu sucked in this instance because the only thing missing from this scene was the robe.

What do you want, Stone?” she asked, her voice frosty.

Now there’s a question.”

Rylee crossed her arms over her chest. “Shouldn’t you be in an underground basement, somewhere, planning my family’s demise?”

In three strides, I was standing in front of her, her back against the door, unsuccessfully trying to gain some space from my imposing frame. I had one hand wrapped around the side of her neck, my thumb running back and forth over her jaw.

Fuck, she really was stunning.

Tell me I don’t have to fuck up your entire world and everyone in it, Rylee,” I told her. “Don’t turn this into a bloodbath if it doesn’t have to be.”

Her blue eyes narrowed. “Even your apologies are threats, Stone,” she replied. “You do realize that, right?”

My other hand came up until both hands were cradling her face. “Tell me I don’t have to ruin you,” I repeated. “Tell me that you’re going to let me love you, even if you can’t find it in yourself to forgive me.”

She didn’t push me away, but she didn’t give in, either. “I’d have to be an idiot to forgive you,” she said. “Besides, you’ve done nothing to earn it.”

I told you I was sorry-”

Rylee jerked her head from my hold and walked away from me until she was safely on the other side of the room. Standing where the bed stood between us. “Sorry for what, Stone?” she spat from across the room. “What exactly are you sorry for?”

I slid my hands in my pockets as my back straightened. “If you think I’m going to apologize for dragging you into my world, you’re wrong. I’ll never apologize for that. I’ll never apologize for doing what I had to in order to get you to that abandoned house. I’ll never apologize for tricking you into signing the Hera contract. I’ll never apologize for forcing our relationship.” I made sure I held her gaze, so she’d know I was serious. “And I’ll never apologize for whatever I do in the future to make sure I end up with you at my side. Whether you believe it or not, nothing is more important to me than that one outcome.”

After two weeks?” she asked, her voice full of disbelief. “This…all this, after only two weeks of knowing me?”

I never claimed to be able to explain it, Rylee,” I told her. “It is what it is, and I’ve decided not to fight it. I want you. Forever. Period.”

I could see the struggle to believe me written all over her face. Her eyes were wary, and her body was fidgeting with indecision. I didn’t blame her, though. I was asking her to hand over the rest of her life to me after treating her horribly.

She was right.

She’d have to be an idiot for forgive me.

So, what are you sorry for, Stone, if you’re not sorry for any of that?” she repeated.

I’m sorry that I didn’t trust you,” I answered. “I’m sorry that I let jealousy and insecurity get the best of me.” A lone tear escaped, but Rylee quickly wiped it away. “I’m sorry that I ruined our first time together. And if it’s any consolation, that regret will eat away at me for the rest of my fucking life.”

Her next words sliced me right down the middle. “How do you expect me to ever let you touch me again, Stone?” Her voice was raspy and emotional, but strong. “Do you have any idea of the things that were running through my mind while I was on my knees-”

I practically ran across the room until her face in my hands again. “Don’t.”

Why not? You deserve it,” she spat. “You deserve to hear how used you made me feel. You deserve to hear how I felt nothing but guilt at the knowledge of how I enjoyed what you did to me, then scrubbed myself raw in the shower afterwards.” She was literally killing me. “You deserve to hear how I was so crushed by what you did to me that I spilled my guts to virtual strangers, begging for their help.” Her eyes were wide and clear as she continued to gut me. “You deserve to hear how your touch makes my skin crawl.”

Fuck, she was a fighter.

And while everything she was saying was true, that last bit was a lie. If my touch made her skin crawl, she wouldn’t let me within five feet of her. And this was twice, now, that she’s let me cradle her face after the lesson she dished out earlier today.

You’re lying,” I said, calling her on her shit. “You might hate me, and you might hate yourself for the way you feel about me, but my touch doesn’t make your skin crawl.” I leaned in further. “I’d bet it’s quite the opposite, and that’s why you’re so fucking mad.”

And you’re proud of that?” she asked, not denying it.

My thumbs skimmed over her jaw. “Baby, I just want you,” I said, breaking it down to the basics. “I just want you, Rylee. That’s it. That’s all.”

Her head shook a little. “You’re an asshole.”

I know.”

You’re the biggest bastard I’ve ever met,” she continued.

“I know.”

You deserve to suffer.”

“I know.”

“I hate you,” she hissed.

I know that, too,” I replied right before I crashed my lips to hers. When Rylee’s hands fisted in my shirt, and it wasn’t to push me away, I knew I had her.

I’d won.

Rylee’s mouth opened beneath mine and her tongue battled with mine, my aggressiveness derived from desire, hers derived from hate.

Still, I’d take it.

Pushing her up against the wall, my hands held her prisoner as my mouth devoured hers. She let out a throaty moan, and my dick was hard as fuck from that alone. The feel of Rylee’s body pressed up against mine felt divine. However, kissing her was always going to be my favorite thing about her.

I already knew what it felt like to be insider her, and I was dying to take my time tasting her pussy, but kissing her?

There was nothing like kissing Rylee.

Breaking the contact, I stared down at her, my voice rough and breathless. “Tell me you’re going to marry me, Rylee,” I demanded. “Tell me you’re going to marry me, baby.”

Convince me,” she challenged, and I wouldn’t have expected anything less.