Page 28 of Stone

It was bad enough for Dad to try to rev Mom up with me in the same room, but doing it in front of Elise was mortifying.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here.” Grabbing Leesy’s hand, I pulled her through the back door and out into the warm evening sunshine, calling, “See ya later.”

Elise’s steps faltered as she looked up and noticed my truck parked outside. “Aren’t we going on your bike?”

“Not with you in that dress, baby.” I spun her so she faced me, crowding her until her back hit the passenger door of the truck. “You look stunning.” I lowered my face and touched my mouth to hers, sucking gently on her bottom lip.

She let out a soft groan, and my cock kicked in my jeans.

The instant Elise turned sixteen, I saw her differently. She grew up almost overnight, turning from a child to a woman instantaneously. My girl was beautiful and sexy in a sweet, wholesome way. I wanted her and knew I’d make love to her eventually. But deep down, something worried me. Physically, Elise was an adult, but I wondered if she needed more time to grow up and become who she was always meant to be before I took her virginity.

However, since my birthday, I’d seen her maturity. I’d noticed how Elise’s extreme shyness sometimes masked her capabilities. My duchess handled the club and what went on without batting an eyelash. Over the weeks, she’d become closer to Mom and Iris, hanging out with them in the kitchen more and coming out of her shell.

I was beginning to see I’d been wrong. Leesy’s shy demeanor didn’t equate to weakness. If anything, it made her stronger,because not only did she have to get through everyday life like the rest of us, but she had to do it battling herself, too.

And it made me love her even more.

As I kissed my girl silly, leaning against my battered old truck, I decided those condoms would be put to good use later.

The sound of Elise’s giggle wrapped around my heart, hugging it lovingly.

Just for a second, I ingested it, made it part of me, so on the cold, lonely nights when I missed her until it hurt, I could draw some comfort from it.

My fingers tied the cloth of the black bandana securely. “Can you see anything?”

“No,” she replied softly with another sweet laugh. “I can’t wait to find what you’ve been up to.”

“It’s a surprise,” I muttered. “No peeking.” Throwing the truck door open, I jumped out and jogged around the hood. Then, I opened Leesy’s door and gathered her securely in my arms, bridal style.

“What are you up to, Stone?” she demanded, her fingers touching the bandana covering her eyes.

“Like I said. It’s a surprise, baby.” I began to pick my way carefully over the uneven ground leading toward our special spot at the creek.

It had taken a week of careful planning to arrange this for my girl. Elise wasn’t impressed by grand gestures or expensive gifts. The thought of going to a fancy restaurant filled her with dread, so to make her birthday memorable, I’d had to improvise.

Elise’s arms slid around my neck, and she laid her face against my chest. “I love you so much,” she whispered. “If I forget later, I want you to know I had an amazing time tonight.”

A stabbing pain shot through my chest.

Leaving Leesy would be heart-wrenching. It was why I’d gone to so much trouble tonight. I wanted us both to have something to remember, something that was just ours. In a few days, I’d have to leave my girl, and the consequences of my decision were beginning to wear on me.

Still, we had tonight and a couple more days together, and I was determined to ingrain her so deeply inside me that even when she was a thousand miles away, I’d still feel her.

A wide grin spread across my face the second I caught sight of the spot where I’d arranged for my brothers to set up. I had to admit, they’d outdone themselves. It looked amazing. Tiny lights hung on the branches of our tree, giving the area an almost ethereal vibe. On the ground, they’d laid a blanket on which they’d placed a portable cassette player and Tupperware tubs filled with food. Dimly lit lanterns had been positioned strategically around the blanket, which added to the overall romantic feel.

It was perfect.

“Putting you down now,” I told my girl, placing her gently on her feet. Moving toward her back, I placed my hands on her shoulders and bent forward to murmur in her ear. “You ready, baby?”

She dipped her chin. “Yes.”

“Here we go.” Slowly, I pulled on the knot.

The instant it fell, Elise opened her eyes, and with a gasp, her hands flew to her mouth. “John! It’s beautiful.”

I leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Happy birthday, Duchess.”

She spun to face me and flung her arms around my neck. “It’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. Thank you.”

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