33. Wren
WREN
I’m flushed and nervous. Stone’s teasing hand on my leg during the drive didn’t help matters either. His head kept turning every few minutes with a longing stare, and each time I tried to catch him, his jaw would flex.
“You seem tense,” I whisper. I lengthen my spine and hold my chin up high, pretending to be someone we both know I’m not. “Are you sure I look okay?”
He bought the dress for me, something I was—and still am—less than thrilled about. I found the price tag in the bathroom trash. The amount he spent on a stupid dress for his father’s birthday party confirms that we are not the same.
His teeth snag my ear as he places tender kisses against my jawline. We’re outside of his house, and it’s bigger than I remember.
“You look too good,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”
I gasp when he grabs my hips and presses me flush with his body. My bare back hits the front of his perfectly fitted tux, and my thighs clench with how hard he is.
“I’m going to fuck you so hard after this.”
I’m counting on it.
“And you’re keeping the heels on.”
I shake my head at his demand and refuse, but we both know that Stone has a way of getting what he wants.
“Ready?” he asks, slipping his hand into mine.
I let him help me up the cobblestone steps like a child.
Why am I so nervous? I have met his father before.
It was a brief introduction. Stone’s dad was always in a rush, never having the time for a full conversation with Evan’s parents.
He was married to his job—something that Stephen mentioned a time or two.
He also mentioned that Daniel Foster was one of the top defense lawyers in the United States, and after taking in the pristine entryway of his home, I would guess he is one of the wealthiest too.
“Good evening, Stone.” A butler appears out of thin air.
People actually have butlers?
“Hello, Gerald. It’s good to see you.”
The older man smiles, and I almost trip after seeing Stone return the favor with his own smile.
“Your father’s party is out back.”
“Thank you.”
My heels click against the shiny marble when Stone drags me forward. I’m still in awe over his genuine smile. He doesn’t smile nearly enough.
“Wow.”
Stone stops, but the closer we get to the party, the more tense he becomes. “What? You’ve never been to a fancy party before?”
“Well, no. But that’s not why I said wow.”
His eyebrow rises, and I’m half tempted to run my hand through his gelled-back hair. He is too handsome for his own good.
“I just didn’t know you were capable of smiling.”
I giggle at his glare, and suddenly, I’m crushed into his chest. His hand cups the side of my cheek, and he smiles again, only this time it’s directed at me. It takes my breath away.
“I love it when you laugh.”
Butterflies fill me, and I know my cheeks are pink.
“Let’s go. The sooner we get through this, the sooner I can strip you out of that dress.”
My teeth sink into my bottom lip, and I flush harder, but all thoughts of Stone undressing me leave when we make it through the open archway. It’s beyond clear that we had very different childhoods.
The backyard is as big as the trailer park I grew up in, but instead of half-broken, flickering street lamps lighting up the area, there are string lights hanging from every tree, casting the prettiest glow over everyone.
Waiters come from every direction, holding their shimmery silver trays filled with champagne glasses, bubbling with a golden liquid, and enough food to feed a village.
My jaw unhinges when my head sways to the left and then the right. Although the party takes place in a backyard, it isn’t your typical backyard party . It’s lavishly decorated, dripping with gold and glittering decorations that steal my attention.
I glance down to my dress, and I’m suddenly thankful that Stone made me wear it. We fit right in.
“This is…” My sentence trails off.
“Absolutely ridiculous and over the top?” Stone mumbles.
He places his hand at the small of my back, and I laugh.
“I was going to say extravagant.”
“Martha knows no limits when it comes to party planning.” He pauses. “Especially when she has my father’s Amex.” His shoulders bunch up for a moment before his lips flatten. “Speaking of the step-monster…”
“Stone,” I warn.
It’s hard not to feel slightly resentful with his digs toward his parents. I understand that he didn’t have the most loving or attentive father, but what I would have given to grow up with privilege instead of poverty. At least Stone’s dad isn’t a junkie.
“There you are!” Martha makes a beeline for Stone with open arms and a slightly dazed smile.
Her pretty blue eyes are glossy, and I choke on air when she shoves me into her chest, crushing me with a soul-sucking hug.
Stone grunts with humor. I shoot him a glare, and he rolls his eyes.
“When Stone told me he was bringing his girlfriend I almost fell out of my chair.”
Stone whispers behind me, and I’m thankful Martha didn’t hear. “It was probably all the cocktails.”
“The party is beautiful,” I say, complimenting her. “Stone told me that he wishes you’d throw him a party like this one day.”
I smirk.
Stone steals a flute of champagne off a butler’s tray and chugs it.
“Oh, I wish he’d let me!” Martha’s excitement is obvious with the high-pitched noise she makes. “Oh, just wait! Maybe I’ll be planning your wedding one day.”
Stone wraps his arm around my waist. “Oh, look, time to go.”
He starts to back us away, but Martha’s hand falls to my shoulder.
“Wait! Here comes your father. Make sure you tell him happy birthday.”
My heart skips a beat, and suddenly, I feel anxious. Stone stiffens, and his arm falls from my hip. He reaches his hand out and shakes his father’s. Daniel Foster is just as tall as Stone and just as intimidating too.
“Good to see you, son.”
Stone keeps their handshake short. “Happy birthday.”
I inhale a short breath and smile. Daniel is clearly unaware that it is impolite not to thank someone who has wished you a happy birthday, but I smile, nonetheless.
“Dad, this is Wren Da—”
Daniel’s cheek lifts, and his hands find their way into his pockets. “Wren Davis. Yes, I know who she is.”
It didn’t sound like a good thing, but I’m used to that.
“Happy birthday, Mr. Foster.” I fake a smile and shift closer to Stone. A strange sense of protectiveness flies through me, and just like that, I’m ready to leave.
“Thank you.”
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 imagined what 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.
A gasp escapes me when his fingers bite into my thigh, spreading me wide.
I hook my leg around his back and wait for him to notice that I’m not wearing any panties.
I suck in a breath when his fingers touch me.
He pulls back and tightens his grip around my neck, gently pressing his palm against my windpipe.
“Are you trying to kill me?”
My teeth sink into my bottom lip, and I smile. He growls when he plunges his fingers into me. Fuck. Stone’s eyes roll into the back of his head, but he rips his hand away.
“Hands over your head.”
I do as he says because I’m too drunk on lust. The zipper at my back is loud with the tugging. He strips me out of my dress.
“Fuck.” He drags his shadowed gaze down my body.
I’m completely naked except for my silver heels. Stone undoes his pants.
“On your knees, Sticks.”
I swallow and do as I’m told because I’m pretty sure I want this more than he does.