“Alex, wake up. Your phone is ringing and someone is at the door,” I say, turning over and shaking his shoulder.
Moaning and pulling me closer to him, he replies, “No. You wore me out. I’m tired.”
Just as I begin to cuddle into his arms, frantic shouting joins the knocking on the door. Faintly, I can distinguish that it is Gregory.
“Alex, you need to answer him. Something may be wrong.”
Opening his eyes to look at me, a smile graces his face and he leans forward to give me a quick kiss. Exiting the bed, Alex grabs a t-shirt and pants, then heads downstairs as I lay watching him. Soon, I can hear Alex shout a few words before calling for me to come downstairs.
Grabbing a pair of stretchy pants and a sweatshirt, I brush my teeth quickly and head downstairs. As I turn the corner, I am met with a solemn smile from Gregory and an angry-looking Alex.
Trying to lighten the cloudy mood in the room I ask, “Good morning, Gregory. How are you?”
“I’m fine, Ms. Winston.”
The tension in the room is making me nervous. Nodding vaguely, I walk towards the coffee machine and begin brewing a batch.
“Mallory, we need to talk about a few things,” Alex says with rigidity in his shoulders.
“Did I do something?” I ask cautiously, listening to the comforting sounds of coffee beginning to percolate.
“Oh no, darling. I‘m sorry to make you think that.”
“Ok, well, what’s up then? You guys don’t seem too thrilled.”
“Well, first, the press release from me and Samantha was sent out this morning. Apparently everyone’s going crazy over it, so I need to lie low for a few days.”
“Ok, I understand that. But it was a good thing, right?”
“It was. My mother, on the other hand, is furious that we lied to her, even though she claims to understand why. She was really hoping for a grandchild, though it meant she had to believe her son had cheated on his girlfriend – you - and gotten another woman pregnant. I’m just glad that there is too much snow for her to travel. Otherwise, she would be at my doorstep.”
“She’s your mother; she loves you and wants what’s best for you.” I explain, “She just feels betrayed. You did lie to her, but she she’ll get over it. You’ll make everything right.”
“I appreciate your faith in me. I have a few ideas on how to fix things with her, I’m just hoping that I can do them sooner rather than later.”
Taking my mug from my hands, Alex wraps me in his arms and kisses me gently.
“Gregory has something else to show you. He found it yesterday in my mailbox.”
Standing stiffly, Gregory hands me an open envelope with a letter enclosed inside. Glancing between the two of them, I open the note. Eyes skimming the page, shock and horror form a hard lump in my throat.
Choking on my own oxygen, I read in disbelief the very same threats that I had been receiving in Maryland.
You can run, but you can’t hide. Your gold digging ways have made you easy to find. Chasing you down and slicing your core is what you deserve you cheap little whore. The pleasure is mine to take away your life I’ll kill you myself with 50 rusty knives. Keep your eyes open and watch where you step, I’m coming to get you, you dirty little pet.
“Mallory?”
Whispering, I ask the only words my frantic tongue will utter, “It wasn’t Seth?”
As Alex eases me into a chair, he kneels in front of me and takes the letter from my hands.
Joining our fingers together, Alex whispers, “I never thought it was Seth, but I thought it was over. I promise you, Mallory. I will do everything in my power to protect you. No one will hurt you again, ever.”
“But what if they hurt you to get to me?” I ask cautiously.
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem, plus I have Gregory.”
“You’re not making me feel any better. Gregory has a family too.”
“Look, we’ll figure this out. Gregory plans on helping the police track down the culprit, but until that time I’d like for you to stay here with me, or if you need to go back to your apartment I’d like to be there with you.”
“After everything I’ve been through I’m not even going to fight you on this. I just…,” I begin before breaking into sobs, “I just don’t know what I ever did to make someone want to kill me.”
“Sweetheart, you didn’t do anything. You are absolutely the most perfect and genuine person I have ever met. This person is a psycho, and we are going to do everything we can to track him down.”
“Ms. Winston,” Gregory says, “I have friends in the police department and have already alerted to them not only to this letter, which I need to take over there for evidence, but your previous letters, as well as your kidnapping. They are on high alert for your safety, especially since you’re affiliated with the Lord Alex Stone. It may take a couple weeks, but with our combined experience, we’ll apprehend this person.”
“What can I do?” I ask weakly. “I don’t want to be scared anymore.”
Speaking up, Alex cradles my face, “Just do what we ask, love. Let us protect you. Gregory or I will escort you to your office where we can leave you with Steven. I’ll make sure he doesn’t leave your side. And then you and I will spend our nights together, either here or at your flat.”
I nod. “I don’t know what else to do.”
“Sir, due to the storm I won’t be able to get the letter to the police until the weather lets up, but I don’t think she’s in danger right now. He seems to be waiting out his attack.”
“I agree. Thank you, Gregory. Now go. I can see little Anna outside waiting for you to play.”
“Please let me know if you need anything,” Gregory replies, nodding his head solemnly. “Good day, Ms. Winston, Lord Stone.”
Resting my face against Alex’s palms, I feel far more relaxed than I would have expected. Just as he leans forward to kiss me, Alex’s ringing phone interrupts the moment.
Looking at the number, then back at me, Alex groans and says, “No better time than now. Hello, mum.”
“Alexander Lucian Stone, how dare you lie to me and your family?”
“Mum, please. You’re on speaker, so please calm down.”
“I will not calm down! Your father and I are furious that you made us believe that we finally had a grandchild on the way!” Her voice is at a level of shrill indignation I have never heard before. “We were so happy for you and Samantha to reconcile after all these years. Not that I agreed with how it happened, mind you, but we were thrilled with the announcement non-the-less. And to find out you both were part of a fake relationship-.” She snorts. “I am disgusted! I haven’t spoken with your sister, but your brother and his wife are finding this hilarious, if you must know. We will be the laughing stock at the Banks’ Ball in two weeks.”
“Mother, please. Will you let me explain?”
“What’s there to explain? I read the release.”
“Yes, I’m sure you have. Multiple times. But there is far more to the story. Samantha needed me to keep her in the good graces of her parents. The baby is Will’s, and she knew that her parents wouldn’t exactly be thrilled to have their newly-divorced, pregnant daughter moving back home. I was only trying to help.”
“Did either of you consider your families in any of this?”
“Not to this extent, no. Nevertheless, there is more to it, mum. I would have continued with the façade if I hadn’t seen the love of my life at the charity event.”
“What’s Mallory got to do with this? She’s such a lovely girl.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Stone,” I say shyly.
“What? She’s there? Oh my goodness!” Some of the anger evaporates from her voice. The change in her tone would be almost amusing if it weren’t for the current circumstances. “Mallory, hello dear. How are you?”
“I’m good,” I lie.
“That’s good,” she begins, then gasps with realization, “Wait, it’s only 8:00am and she�
�s with you – does that mean you’re back together?”
“Yes,” Alex says, intertwining our hands.
A shrill shriek pierces through the phone’s speaker.
“Mother, relax. It’s not as if we’re getting married. We just decided to give this another try. I’m hoping to convince her that her job here is far too important to leave in three months and that she will miss me terribly.” He winks and butterflies flutter about in my abdomen at the gesture.
“Whatever you say, dear boy. Mallory, I would like to invite you and my son over for dinner on Sunday. The storm should be over by then and the roads cleared.”
“That would be lovely, ma’am.”
“So polite.” She sighs deeply, as though she has just been through an unspeakable ordeal. “Ok, Alex, I’m feeling better now. I will see you Sunday, normal time. I love you.”
“You too, mum.”
Rising from the kitchen table, Alex moves around the kitchen and begins fixing pancakes. I watch him quietly from the table, sipping a cup of coffee. We eat in a companionable silence, devouring the goodness of a hot, home-cooked meal.
“Do you want to go outside and play with Anna?” I ask.
“Sure. Why don’t you go bundle up, and I’ll meet you outside in fifteen minutes?”
“Sounds good.”
After piling on all the clothes I brought with me I step outside the door and am immediately hit with a sudden onslaught of snowballs.
“This is not a fair fight!” I squeal. “You have Anna to help you.”
Coming up beside me, Gregory offers his assistance and we move as quickly as possible through two feet of snow, towards a clump of bushes. Quickly creating our own stock of ammunition, we take turns peeking above the bush and chucking snowballs towards our enemies. Before long, Anna runs over to our shelter and hugs Gregory – or, more accurately, tackles him. As soon as I rise from my hiding spot to celebrate our victory, a giant snowball crashes on top of my head.
“Got you!” little Anna shouts.
“Alex!” I squeal, turning around to find him running in the other direction.
Trying to run after him, I tumble a few times in the deep snow. To be honest, I’m unsure of exactly where he’s gone, and I stand knee deep in the wet snow, peering around. No sign of Alex. Tilting my head backwards, I let the cold flakes land on my face, the frozen crystals cooling my skin. Before I have a chance to react, two arms wrap around my thighs and chuck me backwards onto the snow. Lying in the wet mush, I stare up at Alex, who stands above me briefly before falling on his back beside me. We lie in silence for a while, hands clasped, allowing the snow to fall onto our bodies.
“Alex?”
“Hmm?” he says, turning his head towards me.
“I’m wet.”
“Oh, really now?” he asks huskily, rolling over on top of me. “I can work with that.”
“I didn’t mean that kind of wet,” I giggle, “but I’m getting there.”
“Oh my dirty girl, the things I want to do to you in this snow. Unfortunately, we have an audience.”
Looking back towards the house, I see Gregory and Anna building a snowman. Resting on my elbows, I lean forward and kiss him.
“We can continue this later.”
“Oh, baby. There was never any doubt.”
We pass the next few hours outside, and Maria joins us to build a snow family in the area connecting the two homes. Once we place the finishing touch on the “Dad” snowman – an old tie of Alex’s - she invites us onto their sun porch to enjoy a warm lunch. Being here with Alex, in moments like this, make me hope that we can figure everything out between us. I want him in my life forever, because everything just seems complete that way. Watching him out of the corner of my eye, I only hope that fate doesn’t throw any more curve balls our way.
Once we finish eating and return to his home, Alex and I are ripping at each other’s clothes the moment the back door closes. The little touches, soft kisses, and heated looks were just enough to have me itching to feel Alex pressed against me. Once he is able to remove both of our jackets, Alex lifts me around my thighs and presses me against the wall of his mudroom. My hands press against the wall as he sucks and nips at my neck and jaw. Releasing a moan from deep in my throat, Alex rocks his growing erection against me while I tug at his t-shirt. Taking my hint, he yanks the shirt over his head and quickly returns to kissing my neck. My sweater rapidly joins his on the floor.
Gazing at me through his heavy lids, he traces the lace of my bra with a tip of his finger. Yanking the cup down to showcase one of my breasts, Alex leans down and sucks on the rigid nipple. Desperately craving the heat of his skin, I let my fingers trail across his chiseled chest, pinching his nipples when I encounter them. Exploring Alex’s body is one of the great pleasures in my life. His beauty compares to no other.
Dropping to my knees in front of him, I am overwhelmed by the need to have him in my mouth. The taste of his skin, mixed with his musky scent that is pure male, is enough to have me begging to suck him dry.
“Please,” I moan.
When he nods his head, allowing me to proceed, I tear at his pants and boxer briefs, pulling them down to his ankles. Frantic in my need to taste him, I don’t bother to remove his socks or shoes; I leave his pants resting at his ankles. Stroking him once, then twice, I lick his thick shaft, caressing his velvety skin with my tongue. Taking him deep in my mouth, far enough to feel him nudge the back of my throat, I alternate between sucking and stroking his rapidly thickening member. Feeling his hand lace through the hair at the back of my head, I slow down my speed so that he can set the pace.
At this moment, I would give Alex anything he asked.
“Touch yourself, Mallory,” he whispers thickly.
The husky tone of his words drips all the way down my core, and I reach my other hand beneath my jeans and panties. Moisture meets my fingertips as I rub my hot, throbbing bundle of nerves.
When Alex’s penis thickens even more in my mouth, I let my tongue dip into the small opening along the tip, immediately triggering his orgasm. The salty taste of his release is enough to toss me over the edge, joining him in utter bliss.
Slumping onto the floor, Alex cradles me in his arms as he leans against the wall. As the heat from our moment expels itself, a shiver passes across my body.
“I’m sorry. You’re freezing out here. Let’s go inside.”
Helping me to my feet, Alex guides me into his kitchen where he sits me on his counter top. Standing before me, Alex’s gaze lingers on my body where I’m clad in only jeans and bra. Skating his fingertips across my exposed skin, I can’t help but squirm under his watchful eye. The way he moves his hands along my body reminds me of an artist moving a paintbrush along a canvas – soft, yet purposeful. Alex’s touch heats my body so profoundly; I sometimes fear that I may catch fire.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs as a finger skims across my bottom lip. “You have such an exquisite flavor that I could drink from you for days.”
Unbuttoning my jeans, Alex lifts me slightly so that he can pull them down my legs. Halted by my boots, he tugs them both from my feet. He pulls my jeans the remainder of the way off, then purposefully dispenses with my socks.
“Gorgeous,” Alex whispers, seemingly to himself.
Leaning me back against the expansive countertop, I release a gasp as my heated skin is exposed to the chilly granite.
“Too cold?”
“No, it’s ok. It was just unexpected. I’m better now.”
Nodding his head, Alex continues to trace his hands across my body
“I’d like to try something, Mallory. If you think it’s too much, or you can’t handle it, let me know, ok? I won’t hurt you, darling.”
“Um, ok,” I say, apprehensive as to what Alex plans to do.
Reaching into a locked drawer within a kitchen cabinet, Alex removes a pair of handcuffs and a blindfold. My body instantly becomes alert, though mixed with the fear is a growi
ng sense of excitement.
Whispering, I say, “Alex, I’m not sure I can.”
“I understand you’re frightened, Mallory. Don’t let him take this away from you. Remember, we used to enjoy this. I’m not dominating you right now, beautiful. I’m trying to help you. Trust me. I can stop at anytime.”
“You don’t want to dominate me anymore?” I ask, an irrational fear developing. Am I too broken for us to continue?
“I do, Mallory, but you’re not ready for that right now,” he says gently, stroking my cheek, his eyes glistening as they stare down into mine. “I will only show my domination over you when you let me know you’re truly ready. I love you too much to hurt you like that, beautiful. Don’t you understand? I need you to trust me fully before we can proceed to anything more. But this will help you with that, ok?”
“Ok,” I murmur, nodding my head.
Clasping the handcuffs around my wrists, he shows me that they are loose enough to slide my hands free if I need to, then moves my arms above my head.
“Keep them up here,” he instructs.
Next, he grabs the blindfold and ties it gently around my eyes.
“Everything ok, sweetheart?”
“Mmhmm,” I moan, working to keep my fear from breaking forth.
Alex begins by caressing the skin on my feet and legs, inching towards my center with every touch. With each caress that nears closer, my muscles clench in anticipation, then suddenly he completely ignores that area and moves to my hands and arms, copying the same movement he used on my legs. I am aware that the granite beneath my legs is cool, but is acclimating to my rapidly ascending temperature. I exhale.
He works at teasing each of my breasts, fingers sliding delicately behind each cup of my bra, grazing my nipple. Soon, Alex’s mouth replaces the trails that his fingers took, mimicking the same teases as before. By this time, my body is so wired that I could come from only one lick of a nipple or my clit.
“Alex,” I moan, hoping to convey the full extent of my need for him.
“Is everything ok? Do you need something?” he asks.
“You.”
“What do you need me to do? Tell me,” his voice dripping with desire.
Stone Unhinged (The Stone Book 2) Page 10
