Chapter 31 Stone
THIRTY-ONE
STONE
I can’t stop the low groan that rumbles out from my chest as if I’ve finally released a weight I’ve been hanging on to all this time.
She said yes, which means I don’t have to lie to her anymore. I was happy letting her think it was an accident, but now she fucking wants it? God damn, I can’t even describe this sensation.
I’m consumed with this desire to fuck her raw until her belly starts to swell, then fuck her again because she’ll be the most alluring creature I’ve ever set my eyes on. Jesus, there’s something wrong with me, but I’m too wrapped up in Vanna to care.
The next hour is spent naked in the bed, on the floor, against the dresser until we’re both panting, sweating, and sore.
Vanna collapses against the mattress again and I fall beside her, pulling her body against me. With her back to my chest, I wrap an arm around her and slide my fingers inside her pussy to keep my cum from spilling out.
“What are you-”
“I just like knowing it’s there, inside of you.”
She shivers at my words.
“Don’t get your hopes too high. I’ve been taking my pills up until today. Plus, I’m past my ovulation window.”
I know this, but I obviously don’t say so. Instead, I just slip my fingers out and run them along her bottom lip. She laps it up, gifting me a sleazy smile. In a few short days, we should find out if we’re going to be parents.
There’s something so wholesome about watching Vanna lay out by the pool, makeup free and in a bikini. She looks comfortable like this, despite all her scars out on display. Perhaps it's because she trusts me and that only solidifies my affections for her even further.
The eclipse I cause with my body blocking the sun forces Vanna to open her eyes. She peers up at me, serene and a little pink from the fading SPF.
“Hey, Darkness.”
Her lips fight a grin, “Hey, Lover Boy.”
But they lose the battle and her mouth curls into a full-blown smile when she sees my own.
“I invited my dad over for lunch, I hope you don’t mind. You mentioned wanting-”
“I do. I want to meet him.” She stops me, sitting up. “I’ll go get dressed.”
Reaching out a hand, I pull her to her feet and follow her into the house like the goddamn puppy I am for her.
In the bedroom, she pulls a black, crochet sweater over her swimsuit, paired with jean shorts of the same color. Stepping in front of the mirror, she tugs the ponytail from her head, and her hair unfurls in light waves down her shoulders.
My personified darkness.
Stepping up beside her, I grip her face in my hands and smash my mouth against hers. Her little hands wrap around my wrists, and a groan escapes me. I can’t get enough of her.
Her sweet taste.
Her earthly beauty.
Her flowery scent.
She’s everything in this world that grounds me, rooting me to this life.
Before I can push her against the dresser like I desperately want to, the front door opens, and my father’s voice rings out.
“Stone?”
Pulling away, I give the tip of her nose a gentle nip, then tug her along behind me to the living room.
“Hey dad.” I don’t bother fighting the proud smile when he catches a glimpse of Vanna.
“This must be Vanna.” He peers around me.
“Hi Mr. Carter.” She gifts him one of her rare smiles as she offers her hand.
He scoffs, rolling his eyes, and tugs her hand until she’s tricked into a hardy hug, “Call me Ace.”
My muscles tense, unsure how she’ll handle a stranger embracing her, but when the sound of her giggles flit around us, I relax.
“Okay, Ace. It’s so nice to meet you.”
Vanna joins my side once again, curling up under my arm and my chest swells with content. Like this is how it always was and always will be.
“Come on, I’ll get some chicken on the grill. Grab yourself a drink and we can head outside.” I tell him.
He nods and leads the way into the kitchen.
As I prep the food, he finds the liquor cabinet and turns to us both.
“Vanna, what’s your drink of choice?”
“She’s not drinking.” I quickly announce before she has a chance to answer.
He stills for a moment, his eyes widening, then clears his throat.
“Does your mother know?”
“Dad, don’t. It’s nothing. She’s just not drinking. It’s as simple as that.”
He pinches his lips and nods, certainly not believing a word I’ve said. When I peer over to Van, her face is flushed pink.
“And yes, mom’s met Vanna.”
“So, she knows you’re engaged?”
I nod, picking up the food and heading outside.
Vanna and my dad take the table just beside the grill, next to the pool. Sipping his drink, he studies her, but not in a suspicious way, just one of a parent wondering how the hell their son ended up with this person.
“You know,” I can hear him start, “I met Stone’s mother when we were about your age. We were in our twenties, dumb and eager to get life started.”
I throw him a warning look, but he doesn’t seem to catch it.
“It was a whirlwind romance. We met and after our first date, there she was… pregnant. I thought I was doing the right thing by marrying her and giving her a life she could love, but sometimes it’s not about doing what you think is right by someone else.”
“Then what’s it about dad?” I press.
“What I’m trying to get at is, whatever this is between the two of you, make sure it’s right for both of you. It only gets harder from here.”
“Says the bitter divorcee.” I grumble.
He throws me a warning glare.
Vanna adjusts in her seat, seemingly uncomfortable by the tension.
“I’m not sure what to say.” She admits, her eyes finding mine.
“You don’t have to say anything.”
“Sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to make this awkward. It’s just, you both barely know each other and my son,” he throws a pointed look at me, “he tends to obsess over new things and in time, grows bored.”
“Dad!” I bark. “What the fuck?”
“It’s true. You and I are the same person. Does she know?”
My glare hardens as my jaw clenches shut.
“Know what?” Vanna presses.
“Do you know that he’s mentally ill? The lengths he goes to pursue his obsessions? The intensity of his fixations?”
Vanna flushes pink because she does know, firsthand in fact. I wait for fear to wash over her, but it never does. Clearly, my father’s admissions don’t bother her.
She shrugs, “I think we are all a little unwell at times.”
My dad stares at her with a blank expression before letting out a chortle. Her words seem to ease him up a bit and he slinks back in his chair again.
“Fair enough. Vanna, what do you do for work?”
I finally release the breath caught in my lungs, ready to be expelled in rage if it weren’t for Vanna deescalating the situation.
The two get to know one another as I remove the chicken from the grill and plate it up. We eat and converse for another hour. Thankfully, my dad seems to be past his weariness of her.
He’s warned me time and time again that wealth will attract all kinds of women, but mostly women willing to overlook our red flags. What he doesn’t know is that Vanna didn’t pursue me, didn’t even know I had money, so this I’m not worried about.
Besides, my Darkness is colorblind, only able to see one shade and that makes us perfect together.