[Secrets of Stone 01.0] No Prince Charming

by Angel Payne

  A laugh cracked his lips as well. He leaned and planted a fast kiss on my lips. “We both have histories, baby. I know that. I can’t help being a little pissed that other men have touched you, but I’m not an idiot.”

  “Well,” I mumbled, “not all the time.”

  In retaliation, he pressed his lips harder. He paused to dip another piece of bread, but this time, he lifted it to my mouth with his fingers underneath to catch the dripping cheese. When I finished chewing, I leaned forward to suck the savory goo off his fingers, capturing his stare with mine as I swirled my tongue around the tip of each long, beautiful digit. His Adam’s apple throbbed with a hard gulp. I didn’t relent. With the edges of my teeth, I nipped at the pad of his thumb, which didn’t have a trace of cheese on it. It was time for this silly game to be over.

  He pulled his hand back and took a sip of wine without breaking our eye contact. The charge in the air between us was tangible. When he spoke, his voice was a husky grate. “Your turn, fairy.”

  “But I really liked the new game we were playing.” I said it with my best pout, making him laugh. I had to admit, getting him to open up was exhilarating. He was as movable as a mountain when an action plan wasn’t his idea.

  “Fine. Truth or dare?” I added a nice eye roll for good measure—though this time, he stunned me with his answer.

  “Dare.”

  I snapped wide eyes at him. Sucked in a hard breath.

  “Ohhhh, the possibilities, Mr. Stone.”

  He pressed close again, his burnished features a mesmerizing portrait of rigid and soft, command yet need. “Indeed, Miss Montgomery.”

  Screw the possibilities. There was only one thing I wanted right now. Needed. Screwed up my courage to demand from him.

  “I dare you to make love to me, right here, on your living room floor, in front of the fireplace.”

  By this point, my stomach was a damn trapeze act of anxiety—but another part of me cheered. Phrasing anything to this man in the form of an ultimatum, even in the parameters of a game, felt like telling the president to strip naked in front of Congress. It just wasn’t done. Killian’s authority was like his skin. He wore it, wielded it, and protected it with a ferocity I couldn’t explain.

  Which meant I succumbed to a dozen kinds of insecurity as he rose and walked out of the room. Despite my dread, I couldn’t peel my stare from him as he turned toward the bedroom. I heard movement but had no idea what was going on. In a motionless mix of apprehension and excitement, I waited for him to return—hopefully.

  He prowled back into the room carrying a large throw that was some type of faux fur in silver and black. I pushed the ottoman out of the way, taking care not to jostle the wineglasses, as he spread the blanket on the floor in its place. Still not uttering a word, he tossed the large pillows from the sofa on top of the throw. The result was a scene from some divine romance movie—as well as my wildest fantasies.

  Killian toed off his loafers and kicked them to the side of the blanket. He guided my hands to his shoulders as he bent and unzipped my boots, tossing them in the same direction after I stepped from them.

  For a long moment, we simply stood looking at each other. I tried to focus on getting enough air as I comprehended that, for this perfect bubble of time, this beautiful man was all mine.

  The rain began again outside. Drops trickled down the huge window panes, but the fireplace kept everything warm inside—as if I needed those flames, with the radiance of the man who now slipped to his knees in front of me. When he tilted his head and gazed up at me, the coal of his eyes reached into all the corners of my heart, heating me from the inside out. The song on the radio flowed around us, sweet harmonies on top of beautiful words.

  And if you fall, you’ll always land right in these arms…these arms of mine…

  “Claire.” He uttered only that while resting his head against my stomach. I filtered my fingers though his hair as he wrapped his arms around my hips, worshipping me. Holding him tighter, I battled the feeling that if I didn’t, I would be suddenly lost.

  In that singular moment, our relationship shifted to strange new ground. We really did peel back masks, opening ourselves, being bare…being scared. Without words, professing our acceptance of each other’s secrets and still wanting each other despite them. Because of them. A gift given mutually, freely, perfectly.

  I’d never felt more beautiful in my life. More desired. Forever. I pleaded the word to heaven. Couldn’t this simply go on forever? At the same time, I acknowledged my gratitude for it by refusing to rush anything. With slow care, I sank to my knees as well. We weren’t one above the other anymore—and because of that, I resolved my mind and heart to a significant decision.

  I wanted to tell him everything. I would tell him. After he made love to my body, I’d trust him with my truth. For the first time since Nick, I felt close enough to someone to take this chance. It had been nearly three years. I wanted to finally make this leap of faith because of this beautiful man. Killian would keep me safe. He filled my mind with his strength, my heart with his devotion, my spirit with all of his spirit. He gave me everything I needed to trust him.

  Our lips met on a sigh at first. I kissed him tenderly, showing him what I wanted to give him—my heart. The intensity of his posture, his touch, and his face all showed how he saw and understood. He returned my kiss with reverence.

  “Claire Montgomery, you are an amazing woman.” He looked into my eyes, brushing hair away from my face while kissing his way down my jaw, neck, and collarbone. “Thank you, baby. I will never betray your trust. Never.”

  His kisses were as earnest as his words. He tipped me down and covered my body with his, but he never ceased those caresses. While his lips still suckled and nuzzled my neck, he skated his fingers along my rib cage, taking the fabric of my sweater with them. I helped him pull the garment over my head, letting it fall behind me to the floor so I lay before him in my bra and skirt.

  He pulled in an audible breath, releasing it with slow reverence while bending to kiss and lick my newly exposed skin. I sighed as his praising whispers rained over me, sending tingles through parts of my body that had likely never known arousal before. He covered every dip and swell, awakening torrents of pleasure through me, as I stroked the graceful muscles of his back and tunneled my hands through his thick hair.

  My bra was an early casualty, as was the skirt. Soon I only wore a lacy white thong and was spread out for him like a virginal offering to a dark and glorious god. When Killian’s gaze raked over me, I felt exactly that perfect too…that expectant and new. If that was really the case, the sacrifice would’ve been a willing one. I stared up at him with that thought in the forefront of my mind, hoping he knew how far I was in this with him. He hungrily wet his lips while running the tips of his fingers over my nudity, grazing his fingers from my shoulder to my hip bone and back again.

  “So beautiful.” The syllables spilled from him on fierce grunts. “So beautiful and so mine.” His black gaze drilled into mine, daring me to say otherwise. As if that were an option anymore.

  “Yes, Killian. Yours.” I was done running. I didn’t have an ounce of fight left in me now. I didn’t want to fight any longer.

  In a passionate sweep, he tore off his sweater and tossed it atop my things. He stood to kick off his pants too. Good God, he’d already ditched the underwear. I sucked in a ragged breath when his arousal sprang free, stretched and stiff and proud. I would never tire of seeing the effect I had on this man. It made my ego stand and curtsy. Yes, girlfriend. You did that to him.

  Before he could lower to me again, I was compelled to rush forward instead. He was as breathtaking as a bronze Greek statue with the firelight dancing across his defined nudity—especially the steely shaft between his thighs, glistening with the moisture that announced his body’s readiness for me.

  In a word, he looked…delicious.

  I have to taste him.

  Before Killian could protest, I knelt in front o
f him and took him in my hand. I savored every inch of his cock in my fist before looking up, beholding his face in the most beautiful combination of agony and ecstasy.

  “You’ve slain me,” he grated. “Because honest to fuck, I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

  I smiled up at him as I moved closer, sneaking a little lick of the drops on his tip before fully wrapping my mouth around his erection. His smell and flavor filled my senses, affecting me like an exotic drug, making me moan in appreciation. His head fell back as I slid my lips down his length, taking him into my throat as far as I could before having to stop.

  “Claire!” he rasped. “Sweet God, that’s so—”

  His own groan served as his interruption, strangled as if begging me to stop, but I didn’t heed. While tightening my lips, I flattened my tongue to the underside before sliding back up to his cock’s dark-purple head, licking generously at the crest when I reached it.

  Killian dug his hands into my hair. He squeezed harder when I took him to the back of my throat, this time pumping my hand around the base and skimming my fingers across his heated sac. A few repetitions had him groaning my name—and my heart leaping with joy. The thrill of serving him like this yet wielding such power over him… It was a giddy new sensation for me, and it intensified when he twisted his fingers into my hair, prickling my scalp with something close to pain. I sneaked another look up, finding his eyes screwed shut as he panted for air. His chest, hard and gleaming bronze in the firelight, was an even bigger turn-on to behold because of the erect pinpoints of his nipples.

  “Stop!” He stilled my movement by holding my face.

  I peered up at him with his cock still buried in my throat, feigning innocence in my wide eyes. “Hmm?”

  His eyes narrowed as if contemplating reprisal, but he slid his flesh from my mouth instead. “Stay right where you are.”

  He circled around and then fell to his knees behind me. “I need to be in this sweet pussy when I come—at least this time.” His tone was a devilish growl in my ear as he nudged his moist length against the entrance to my equally wet sex, prodding me, inciting more arousal along my trembling hole.

  “Killian.” It was my turn to gasp for air. He sucked at the sensitive skin of my nape while snaking a hand around to my front and pinched my breasts and nipples. With the other, he teased at my inner thighs and clit until I cried out in need. “Killian, dear God!”

  “That sounds so perfect, sweet one.” He bit the bottom of my ear to grind in his point. “My name always sounds wonderful on your lips but even more when you beg me with it.”

  “Th-Then I’m…officially…begging. Please, Killian. I need you inside me!”

  “Mmmm. I could get really used to this.”

  “Killian! Damn it!” I was going insane. He’d started to pitch and roll his hips. It always felt like paradise when he did it from the front. Now, it felt like purgatory—a hot, sinful, decadent damnation that I longed to burn up in, cell by glorious cell.

  “Are you wet for me, Claire?”

  I managed to nod. I could barely think. And was embarrassingly ready to have him inside me.

  “Say it, baby. Say the words.”

  “Yes, I’m wet for you, all right? God…Killian…my pussy is always so ready when you’re around.”

  “That’s my beautiful, dirty girl. Now bend forward and let me see.”

  I mewled a little, beyond self-conscious with the action. He’d already felt my readiness, so why did he have to observe it too? But when he pushed me forward to my hands and knees and prodded my legs apart, exposing my pussy to his gaze, I couldn’t deny the hot sluices of new arousal that coursed from me.

  “Shit,” he muttered. “My sweet Claire. Look how juicy and ready you are.”

  With one hand on my hip, he used the other to swipe at my folds, gliding easily through my wetness. My head dropped. He knew how to make me feel like the trashiest slut and the most treasured lover in a single, amazing moment.

  “Show me more,” he ordered. “Spread wider for me.”

  I complied without thinking. I would do anything he wanted right now. Gripping my hips, he seated his cock again at my core, working his shaft into my wetness, pressing in with aching slowness. Inch by searing inch, he filled me deeper and deeper until his thighs butted against my ass.

  “Finally.” Though his voice was a whisper, his grip was a command. “Home. Right where I belong.”

  He slid out fully and then slammed back in. Again. Again. His thrusts rocked me forward, making me cry out from the agonizing pleasure.

  “Killian!”

  “I know. I know, baby.”

  “Please…don’t stop.”

  “Never.” He spoke it against the top of my spine before pressing a kiss there. “I never want to stop with you, my fairy. Ever.”

  “Oh,” I whispered. His words wove as much magic into my soul as his sex pounded into my core. I became aware of every breath he took. Every groan he emitted. Every thrust he dealt. We were twined. Joined. One fire. One fever.

  “Hold on, baby. Hold on tight.”

  He started moving. Really moving. If that wasn’t enough, he braced a leg next to my waist, positioning his cock to drive deeper into me. I swore my eyes crossed. I could barely breathe as my orgasm mounted, fast and furious and blinding. I couldn’t find my voice to warn him to slow down. I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

  “Killian,” I finally panted. “I c-can’t s-stop it.”

  “That’s it,” he growled back. “Let it go. Come with me, baby.”

  We both stilled as our releases tore through our bodies. I could feel his cock twitching in my sensitive channel as he exploded, spilling his hot fluid. I cried out and gripped the rug while my pussy clenched him tighter, my eyes rolling back in my head while my orgasm continued in wave after wave of shimmering, stunning bliss.

  Holy hell, what this man could do to me.

  Finally, I closed my eyes and collapsed to the floor. Killian fell with me, still inside me. We lay together, joined intimately for long minutes, enjoying the effortless combination of our bodies while rain pelted harder at the windows. After a while, Killian pulled the fur up around me, and we listened to the fire and the rain duel each other.

  The world, with all its drama and threats and strife, was nonexistent. We were untouchable.

  “I want to freeze this moment.” I knew it was silly, but it was what I felt. Pure. Uncomplicated. Or, as he’d expressed in another context that still oddly applied, home.

  “I know what you mean, baby girl.” He played with my hair, his naked form spooned behind me.

  I pulled in a deep breath. The time had come. There would be no moment more perfect than this for leaping into the hugest trust I could show this man.

  “Killian?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Ask me now.”

  It was the ideal time. I had to keep telling myself that. I’d just shared the deepest parts of my body with him. Why shouldn’t the darkest parts of my past follow?

  “Hmmm?” Though confusion edged his voice, he continued stroking my hair and back in a languid flow. “Ask you what, fairy?”

  “The game. Truth or dare.” It felt easier to do it that way. If it was a game, the confession couldn’t really hurt me, right? “Ask me now.” I rolled over and gazed at him, conveying my deeper meaning. “Ask me, and I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

  His return stare held the solemnity of understanding. “Truth or dare, fairy.”

  I breathed in deeply. “Truth.”

  He did the same. He knew. I sensed it just by studying his face. Somehow, he already knew that this information might change everything for us. But he asked anyway. “What is Margaux holding over your head?”

  I settled in his arms and told him the entire story. I didn’t leave anything out, from the day she and I met in college until the day our parents became engaged. I cried—more than once. He wiped my tears every time and then held me closer. Not once did I feel hi
s judgment or condemnation, only his listening ears and open mind. I was stunned yet wondered why. I should’ve given him the benefit of the doubt sooner.

  When I finished with the last ugly detail, I finally had the nerve to look up into his eyes. For some weird reason, I still expected to see disgust and rejection hiding at the back of his gaze. Killian only wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer.

  “That’s what you were afraid of all this time?” A grin sneaked across his lips.

  I fired back an exasperated glare. “Would you be serious? I’m a criminal! I’m scared to trust anyone.” I lowered my head, pushing it into his chest. “I was terrified to trust you.”

  “Because from the second we met, you felt the walls around your heart start to crumble.”

  I shot my gaze back up. “You could tell?”

  “Don’t worry. You covered it well. I only know it’s what I felt.”

  Despite how his words made my pulse race, I ran a soft hand over his sculpted chest. “So now you get it. The last time I trusted someone with my heart, he shattered it—and turned me into a drug-fencing accomplice. When keeping someone’s secrets has led a girl to a broken heart and a potential rap sheet, you can understand why she isn’t so eager to try again.”

  He laughed—laughed—in answer to that.

  “Being young, naïve, and in love doesn’t make you a felon.” He kissed the top of my head. “But it does add wicked appeal, which means I’m doomed.”

  I turned my caress into a little smack. “I was an accessory to a crime, Killian. And Margaux knows it. She won’t stop holding it over my head until the statute of limitations runs out on this thing, and maybe even after that. If anyone finds out…if my father finds out…” I hadn’t spoken the words in so long. Doing it now made my voice crack, unlocking the dam on a torrent of helpless tears too.

  “Whoa,” Killian murmured. “Fairy…come on. It’s not horrible.”

  “No,” I sobbed. “It’s worse. It was stupid, and now it’s hopeless. Futile.”

  He huffed, clearly perplexed. “I don’t understand how this involves me. And us.”