Page 15 of Stone

I can’t help it. As soon as that Stone guy leaves, banging the door behind him, I stand, turning my back to the two remaining guys and let the built-up frustration manifest itself as a shower of tears.

“He’s being a dick,” I hear the older guy Wolf huff out.

“I agree, but until he finds a way to let out all the pent-up anger and pain that’s drowning him, then he’s gonna be an obnoxious prick.” The taller guy says, trying to add reason behind his rudeness. “Don’t worry, I’ll sure as fuck be having words with him, try to knock some sense into him.”

How can a man as smoking hot as Stone be such a rude, grumpy assed, dick-nob?

Stone might not be your atypical clean cut wholesome, and handsome kind of man, but then again, I’ve never been into pretty boys. He is all man. Rugged, rough around the edges, and definitely a bit of me, with his dark hair cut short, thick beard and tash, eyes darker than molasses. His nose was narrow at the top but fleshy at the bottom, a perfect size against his heavy eyebrows and strong cheekbones. His neck is thick, shoulders broad and wide, with muscle so defined that you don’t need to touch them to perceive how solid they are. Powerful, heavily tattooed and corded arms and his tight denim jeans didn’t hide the strong, heavyset thighs beneath the fabric.

My first sight of him knocked me for six. I knew I was acting like a tongue-tied groupie meeting their pop star hero for the first time. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I’d never have imagined someone that oozed animalistic sex appeal like he does.

Over the months, I’d cried enough tears, and I’d learned to deflect negativity, control my emotions so that I could take on anything and be strong. But this grade-A asshole had reduced me to tears with his snide nastiness, and that pissed me the hell off.

I quickly wipe my face with the sleeve of my hoodie and turn back around to see Smoke slam the door behind him.

“You okay, sugar?” Wolf steps closer and places a warm, gentle touch on my shoulder. “Don’t take it personal, Stone has had a lot of shit to handle.”

“That doesn’t give him the right to speak to or dismiss me that way.” I sniff, wishing I had a Kleenex to wipe my nose. “Nothing excuses a person for being out right rude and bullish.”

“Not even a fatal accident that has left his niece an orphan and subsequently forcing him into being a replacement parent overnight?” Wolf fires back, catching me totally off guard. I had been taken aback when he mentioned that the child, I would be taking care of was his niece and not his daughter, but my attention was on getting the job rather than surmising the reason behind it.

“I’m sorry,” I say sincerely, which he must realize is genuine when I see his demeanor soften. “I had no idea. Do you mind telling me a little of what happened?”

“I’ve probably said more than I should, but what I will say is that Stone adores his niece and that he is crazy protective. Anyway, that’s irrelevant now, so come on, let’s get you out of here.”

I follow Wolf as we leave to find Stone standing right outside, leaning against one of the posts of the deck area.

“Thank you for coming, Oriana,” Wolf pats me softly on the shoulder while casting a ‘you’re-well-out-of-order-asshole,’ glare at Stone. “If you want to give me five, I’ll grab some wheels and give you a ride home.”

“That’s not necessary,” I decline, keeping my attention wholly on Wolf, and ignoring the intimidating, tattooed mountain of muscle standing a few feet away from me. “I’ll catch the bus.”

“No, you won’t,” Stone interrupts. “Wolf, message Diesel, get him to grab a toolbox. He can go with you to look at Oriana’s car. If anyone can fix this motor of hers, it’s him.” Wolf raises an eyebrow at me, a smirk threatening on his lips. Wolf’s response to Stone is an expression that clearly translates that he’s ‘glad-to-see-you’ve-got-your-head-out-of-your-ass’.

“You’ve got a couple of days to get your shit together, Oriana.” Stone grunts. “You start on Friday on a trial period, so don’t go giving up your apartment just yet.”

“Friday?” I gasp out, eyes wide, jaw dropping to the floor with surprise.

“That’s if you want it, or do you have a ton of frat parties planned for the weekend that’s more important than your shot to prove to me that I’m not making a mistake at taking a chance on you?”

“No, no parties, never been one for hanging around with douchebag immature boys or able to tolerate their Alpha, Sigma, Kappa, whatever fraternity garbage. I’m not into drink…”

“Just get here at one o’clock.” he barks, cutting me off. He’s probably had enough of me for one day. “And cut out the rambling, it drives me insane.” It’s a habit, mainly when I’m nervous, but I’m not going to tell him that and give ammunition that might have him quickly regretting his decision. “We’ll take it from there, okay? Wolf, take care of it, will you? I need to get back to the cabin. Cub will likely shit himself if Sasha wakes up from her nap before I get there.”

“Sure thing, brother,” Wolf replies while punching out a text on his cellphone. “Come on, Oriana, Diesel’s in the garage as usual,” he nods his head towards the outbuilding a few hundred yards away from the main clubhouse. “He’s got the truck, so we can take that.”

Wolf takes off, and I follow close behind him. I can hear the clunk of Stone’s heavy boots just behind me as he follows us down the steps. I turn to see him making his way towards a track down the side of the clubhouse that leads up the hill and towards what I assume is the cabin.

“Stone!” I shout out loud enough to get his attention. He stops in his tracks,

“What the fuck now, woman? Are you trying to get on my very last nerve?”

With feet apart, shoulders hunched and his fisted hands resting on his hips, he glances over his shoulder, casting me a dark, intimidating stare.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity.” With that, I quickly turn and double-step to catch up with Wolf.

“Well,” Wolf sniggers as we continue towards the outbuilding. “I’m glad to see that at least one of you has manners.”

ChapterTwelve

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