Stone (The Elite Forces Series Book 3) Read online

  I grab the soap and wash away the last bit of blood on my knuckles. Once I’m done cleaning the rest of my body and rinsing off, I twist the knob, shut off the water, and step out into the steam-filled room.

  “Shit. No clean towels,” I mumble as I open the door to the bedroom. I jerk to a complete halt when I see the room is picked up, the bed is made, and a clean towel is lying on the bed. Oh fuck no, she did not come in here and invade my space. Who the hell does she think she is? She’s another Jade, for Christ sake.

  I grab the towel and quickly dry off. I am fucking livid pissed, and at this point, I don’t care if she is Kaleb’s sister. She needs to stay the fuck away from my shit and the hell away from me all together for that matter.

  It takes me two minutes tops to get dressed and storm out of this room. I’m a man out to prove a point to a woman who has no idea the kind of shit storm she has just created inside of me.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I hiss at her when I see her standing in the kitchen preparing food. She’s fucking cooking? In a dress that shows off every curve of a body that is pure woman? I clench my hands, digging them hard into the skin on my palms just to see if I’m having some kind of lucid dream of an angel dressed in white standing in front of me.

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just yell at me like that and ignore the fact you’re looking at me with that much disgust. Instead, I’m going to say you’re welcome.” She’s calm. Calm enough that it pisses me off even more. The minute the words tumble out of my mouth, I instantly regret saying them, but maybe this time she will listen.

  “You need to stay the fuck away from me. I don’t want you here. I don’t need you here. And I sure as hell don’t like you here.”

  “I wanted to help you. To show you that you have a friend. Someone who—” I cut her off with a lift of my hand and three steps toward her. Christ almighty, she is beautiful. This is the first time I’m truly paying attention to the way she looks.

  Her hair. I have never seen a woman with as much hair as she has. It’s long, shiny, and fits her in a way I can’t explain. She’s simply beautiful, and the fact I’m even noticing that pisses me off.

  “I don’t need a friend.” My glare into her eyes allows me to see how my words hit her. She immediately looks down and takes a deep breath just before the front door flies open. I close my eyes, wanting to kill whoever that is. I’ve seen three people too many today. This one may be the one to do me in.

  “Good, you’re making food. We’re going to need some of that.” Jackson moves straight for Emmy and places a kiss in her hair as he puts his arm around her. Kaleb and the rest of the guys begin to file in one at a time, allowing Jade to be the last through the door. Her weary eyes catch mine, and I immediately turn away from her.

  Ten minutes ago, all I wanted was to be left alone, and now that everyone is strolling on in here like they’re ready to get shit faced, I realize it’s actually the first time in months I’ve felt like hanging out. It’s a much better alternative to being left alone in this house with Emmy and the seriousness that surrounds me. It’s kind of crazy when a minute ago I wanted to choke anyone who came near me, yet all of a sudden, I’m seeing how the distraction is exactly what I need.

  “It’s fucking party time, motherfucker. We need some bro time, and your ass needs to fucking smile a time or two before we leave here.” Jackson leaves Emmy and walks straight over to me with a bottle of beer. His smile and that damn southern drawl pulls at my anger inside and honestly begins to make me feel better with his easy laughter about everything.

  “Do you always laugh, Jackson? Shit, guys, how much alcohol did you bring?” Emmy calls out from behind me over the chatter of the rest of the guys and the sounds of bottles clanking on the bar as they all set down what they carried in.

  “Not enough, darling, and yes, pretty thing, I do,” he answers both her questions and pulls her in tight for a hug from behind. He’s laughing and flirting with her for a few seconds, and I can see his playful personality lighting up everyone in the room, except for me. Emmy pauses to look at me during all the chaos, and I can see her face change from a bright smile to unhappy instantaneously. I regret my attack on her right before they walked in the door and now wish like fuck I could get my shit together and stop the constant destruction I cause when it comes to everyone who crosses into my path anymore.

  “Who needs a shot of tequila? Pierce bought the good shit!” Steele starts pouring shots, and I still haven’t moved a muscle. I know these guys all mean well, but shit, the more I think about it, the more I decide that this is a bad idea.

  “Stone, get over here. You’re first, because I can feel you need to lighten the fuck up over there.” Steele holds a large shot glass in the air. I finally say fuck it and take a step toward the party. Hell, if nothing else, I’ll be able to lighten up a little, and who knows, if I dip into this tequila they claim is the good shit, then maybe I’ll forget for one night and sleep without nightmares.

  Stone. I haven’t been called that in months. The Army called me Harris. Stone is my call name from when I went on missions with the Elite Forces group Kaleb Maverick owns. His call name is Fire, and of course, he named Jade Ice to compliment his own name. Those two are fucking perfect for each other. I look over and see the two of them in each other’s arms as they look at me. I know they just want to see me pull through this heartache, but right now, I just need some fucking time.

  “Alright. I’m grilling burgers. Who wants some?” Emmy starts talking over everyone as Jade reaches to hand her several packages of hamburger meat.

  “Just cook everything you have. We’re gonna be here awhile, Sis,” Maverick calls out to her. I make it a personal mission to lighten the hell up tonight, especially if all of my friends are willing to spend the evening with my cranky ass.

  “Alright, let’s do this shit.” Jackson’s voice is deeper than normal as he steps up beside me and all the guys grab a shot glass. “Does someone have some special toast before we start this shit show?” We all look around and end at Jackson. I’ve been around these guys enough to know this is right up his alley.

  “To Stone making it to the ring today. Even though I heard Kaleb kicked his ass.” Jade turns and half smiles at him before he continues. The asshole smirks like he won some damn medal or some shit. He looks as roughed up as I do. A nice damn shiner to go along with that cocky grin on his arrogant face. “And to all of you motherfuckers. For being like brothers and never leaving a man down. Tonight, we drink, and tomorrow, we sleep, because something tells me this is going to be one hell of a fucking drink fest.” He holds up his glass, and we all follow.

  The tequila is smooth. I hardly feel a burn as it goes down my throat. “That’s good shit. I fucking love ya, Steele.” Jackson’s loud voice erupts just as I set my shot glass on the table, causing me to laugh.

  “Gran Patròn, brother. The smoothest out there. Guaranteed to knock you on your goddamn ass if you flirt with it too long.” Steele’s smooth talking matches the calmness in his personality as he takes the bottle and begins to pour another round. Holy shit, these guys are not kidding around tonight, and to be honest, it’s something I’m now looking forward to.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  HARRIS

  I feel fucking amazing kicked back in a chair on the deck as the night air brushes over my face. The sound of everyone laughing and joking has made my night, and to be honest, it’s obvious this is something I really needed.

  Pierce and Kaleb talked to me briefly about getting my ass to the table on Monday, come hell or high water, so I know that’s going to be inevitable.

  There’s a small part of me that dreads it, but I know I need them. I need this in my life again.

  “Alright, who made the fucking rules about not bringing the pussy to the compound tonight? Because they should be dick punched right now.” Jackson stands in front of everyone and pushes down on his dick. “Fuck me. Why does whiskey make me horny as fuck?” He
turns to Emmy with those fuck me eyes of his, and she laughs while shaking her head no to him. “I’m messing with ya, woman.” He winks at her and puckers his lips to kiss at her.

  I catch a glimpse of her dress blowing around the top part of her legs and literally lower myself in the lounge chair, trying to catch a glimpse of her ass when she turns to say something to him. Nice ass. She must feel my stare, because she pulls the dress down a few more inches. What the fuck am I doing?

  “Who’s ready for another shot?” I stand quickly as I shout to everyone before I stumble over the boots at the door and walk inside. Steele is the only one who follows, and I decide it’s the last one for me the second I feel the burn go down.

  “You know I’m here for you if you need anything. I’m sorry I haven’t been in here to drag your ass out yet. We had strict orders to be nice to you, so I have been. Just know those orders have been lifted, so get used to my pretty face.” He smiles with those pearly whites of his before he shakes my hand firmly. “I’m headed to bed. See you tomorrow.”

  Just as he leaves out the front door, Jade walks in followed by all the rest of them. “I’m tired, so Kaleb and I are leaving. This has been fun. I missed your smile.” Jade steps into my arms and wraps her arms around my back.

  “I missed it too,” I say softly, hugging her back for the first time in months. I missed laughing and joking with these guys more than I’d like to admit, and even though I’ve pushed her away from me, I miss Jade too. Once you’ve been through what we’ve been through together, you tend to feel like they’re a part of you. When they’re not around, you’re missing part of yourself.

  “Alright, don’t make me do this every night just to see it. I’ll be bringing the crew in again if it comes to that. Trust me, you’ll smile just to get them out of here, especially Jackson.” She pulls away with a warning look. I should’ve known she orchestrated this.

  “Got it, Captain.” She smiles wide, and Kaleb literally moans as he steps behind her and pulls her against his chest.

  “Fuck. Don’t call her that. You’ll get me all crazy thinking about our days in the desert again.” His laughter is deep as she wraps her arms over his. I feel a pang of jealousy as I watch their interaction. He lifts her up, hoisting her half-drunk ass over his shoulder before he barrels through the door. Her laughter fills the room, and everyone has no choice but to smile at the two of them. I’m not jealous they’re together; I just miss my happiness, even if it was short lived.

  “Night, guys,” Pierce calls out, leading the way while they all leave me standing in a quiet house. The back door is open, and I realize Emmy never came in.

  Guilt washes over me again as I think about how I talked to her before they all showed up tonight. “Fuck.” I know I need to apologize. She was just trying to help me, but she needs to know when to help and when to stay away. And that the majority of the time, she just needs to stand clear of me, and we’ll get along just fine.

  I step outside and stop in my tracks the instant I see her. She’s stretching near the steps, the landscape light shining straight through her dress.

  This time, her tits catch my attention, because I’m just noticing she isn’t wearing a bra. The curve of her breasts shows through the white material, which is all I get to see before she notices me and steps closer. The light no longer shines through, and damn it, that irritates me. She has perfect fucking tits.

  “Good night.” Her arm brushes mine as she walks past me. Her heels make loud footsteps on the wood floor, echoing through my ears, going straight to my dick.

  As much as I may regret doing this later, I can’t help myself. Her fresh scent is the final straw that has me turning around and taking the steps to follow her down her hall. She stops in front of her door to look at me, confused, just before my lips smash into hers. Fuck me. Tequila and sin. I’m ruined. Her tongue lies flat for one fraction of a second, but when I suck it into my mouth, she groans, and that is all it takes for our kiss to turn into a frenzy.

  She hesitates again, but only for a second as my hands begin to travel down her body. I pull my mouth from hers and bury my face into her neck. And. I. Inhale.

  “I may hate myself for this tomorrow. But right now, I need this.” I can feel her body tense up as I whisper into her ear, and it isn’t until she runs her hands down my arms that I move forward.

  “Do you like this dress?” Any restraint I’ve had is thrown out of the fucking window the more I feel her soft skin under my palms and against my lips. I have to ask her if she wants this dress, because I’m about to rip this fucking thing right off of her.

  She moans a pathetic, “Mhmm,” as I bite her shoulder.

  “Tell me where to buy you another one.” And with that, I rip it off of her. The sound of the material shredding literally lights a fire between us, and we both reach for my belt in desperation.

  I don't think about anything else when I smash her against her door and lift her legs around my waist. My hands grab her ass, and I can feel lace under my fingers. Our kissing gets more intense when I grind against her. My jeans are unbuttoned but still in place as my hard-on holds them up. I can feel the denim against my bare dick, because I chose not to wear any underwear earlier in a rush to yell at her.

  “You’re not supposed to feel this good,” I grumble against her chest as I take one of her nipples into my mouth, biting down just hard enough to make her suck in a breath before I kiss my way to the other one.

  “Neither are you,” she exhales as she runs her fingernails down my back, no doubt leaving her mark. Fuck all the reasons why this is a bad idea. I can only think about the one reason it is a great idea: I need this.

  I reach for her doorknob and carry her to bed. I rip her panties from the sides right as I let her fall to the mattress. She reaches for my zipper and grips my dick tightly before she pulls my jeans down my legs. I reach for my jeans just as the realization hits me.

  “Fuck, I don’t have a condom.” I haven’t needed any for a very long time. I haven’t had the urge to need one in months.

  “I’m on the pill. Don’t stop.” She places her hands on mine and pulls the jeans from my grip. I give in and let her take my dick into her mouth and feel her warm, wet tongue instantly moving across the underside.

  I grab a fistful of her hair when she starts to move up and down on me. My grip allows her to take me deeper as I press into her throat.

  “Fuck.” She knows how to suck cock. She swallows with the tip of my dick in her throat, and I feel my release racing to the surface. No way am I blowing my load in her mouth. I want in her pussy. The need to fuck the hell out her takes control of my mind. I’m about to lose myself as I pound this girl into the mattress until my body can no longer handle it. This is going to be pure fucking and nothing more.

  “Get on all fours on the bed.” She listens immediately, and I stroke my cock as I watch her spread her knees apart and look back at me over her shoulder.

  “I like it rough. I’m not gentle,” I try to warn her, because I know this will be rough sex for me. It’s been pent up so long, and I know how I’m going to explode quickly.

  “Good, because so do I, so don’t hold back on me.” And with that, I slam into her. My grip on her hips is tight and will leave a mark, but that’s only to get her into place. I need to be deeper. Once I get all the way in after a few thrusts, I move my hands to her shoulders and begin to fuck her relentlessly. She arches her back perfectly, and I notice ink on her back, but not the details.

  There’s no dirty talk like I usually do. It’s just friction and fucking like I truly need.

  I pull her torso against my chest and slide one hand over her neck, squeezing lightly. Her reaction to it only makes me thrust faster and causes her quick release as my grip releases around her neck.

  Fuck, she likes it rough, and I’m just touching the surface of what I can do, but I can’t hold back any longer. Her pussy squeezes around my cock, and I’m done.

  My release pours into h
er, and I collapse with her on the bed. My jeans are at my ankles, and my body is drenched in sweat, but I don’t care about anything in the world except sleep.

  ~~~

  I stir when I wake, my eyes adjusting to the light coming in through the windows. My head is pounding, and I’m sweating like crazy, so I’m guessing this is my punishment for the tequila last night. “Shit,” I whisper when I see nothing but a mass of dark hair splayed across my bare chest. The throbbing behind my eyes proceeds to kick up about twenty notches, because I know exactly whose head of hair that is.

  Every damn moment of last night is flashing through my head as I plummet down memory lane. I fucked her. Twice. Son of a bitch.

  How the hell could I do this? It had to be the booze. There’s no way in hell I would take advantage of a chick like her if I hadn’t sucked down half a bottle of tequila. Motherfucker, Maverick is going to fucking kill me.

  I stay still and stare at the hair I had pulled tight in my hands a few hours ago.

  She’s a greedy one; a dirty one too. I wanted her so bad last night that I took it while she gave it willingly. Now, I feel like shit. I hope like crazy she keeps this to herself. I’m not ready to face the consequences of what happened last night. Surely, she won’t want her damn brother up her ass over what happened between us. I need her to keep this quiet.

  I don’t know what got into me. Yes, I do. It was her sweet smell that sent me into a ballistic, horny desperation. Then her soft skin ruined me. She is tight, and just thinking about that is going to corrupt the hell out of me in ways I’m not ready for if I don’t get the hell out of this bed and walk away.

  She stirs, and her tits rub across my chest. I force my cock to stop rousing when she blinks open her eyes. She looks up at me, and I can say I’m shocked as hell. She isn’t looking at me like she expects more from me than the raw, primal fucking we did last night. She’s looking at me exactly how I feel: guilty.