Page 46 of Still Yours
Mrs. Stalinski puts a hand to her forehead. “I raised you better than this.”
“You’re tired.” I come between them, ending the war in my body by going with my heart this time. “I’ll help you to your room.”
“No.” Stone’s large form steps in front of mine. “I’ll take her.”
She folds into his arms and they take the stairs together. I remain a respectful distance behind, separating from them when I reach the top of the stairs and heading to the guest bedroom to shower and change.
The stale smell of garlic and tomatoes has dulled my senses and I’m tempted never to make another pasta dish again. I eagerly twist the shower faucet and strip out of my ruined scrubs, noting the stains leaked through onto my white bra and underwear. Moo appears through the open bathroom door, sniffs at the discarded clothing, kneads it with a loud purr, then does one circle and curls up on it.
“Not you, too,” I moan. “If you don’t get off that pile of store-bought sauce, I’ll take you in the shower with me to wash the smell off.”
Moo blinks his green eyes at me.
“I swear I will,” I threaten.
Moo licks his chops and stares blandly.
Aware that I’m lecturing my cat while naked, I give up and step into the shower. The cleanse feels good, the water hot and my familiar soap sudsy and comforting. I take longer than necessary before finishing and wrapping a towel around myself.
I’d left the door ajar for Moo to go in and out of and I’m not surprised to find him gone when I pull back the shower curtain.
My relaxing spa moment ends when I push the bathroom door the rest of the way open and find Stone sitting at the foot of the bed petting Moo, who is curled up on his lap.
I greet him with a choked scream and clutch my towel.
Stone raises his head, his hair damp. He’s dressed in a new pair of slacks and button-down.
I expect a comment about my grasp for chastity when he’s seen all there is to see of me and it’s nothing new to him. I brace myself for it.
Stone’s gaze runs down my body, snagging on my most sensitive parts, his ice-blue eyes melting at the sight before re-hardening when he comes back to my face. He says nothing.
“Can I help you?” I prompt. “If you don’t want to knock first, at least respect my privacy and let me get dressed.”
“I knew what I was doing when I punched that man.”
I pause, then pad closer to him. “What?”
“It was obvious who she was and who was with her, and I did it anyway.”
I ask tentatively, “Why?”
“Because I’m angry.” Stone chuckles darkly, pausing his stroking of Moo to cast his gaze to the ceiling. “I woke up at three this morning to get to Rome’s ranch by four, because Ma wanted me to. I submitted to a tutorial from a teenaged ex-druggie on how to stack hay bales, then listened to my former best friend explain what a screwup he thinks I’ve become. This, of course, is after I realized how you truly feel about me and having to face the reality of my mother dying. I exploded. I wanted the fight. I fuckingrelishedit.”
I clear my throat and pull my towel tighter around me. “So you’ve come in here because you want me to feel sorry for you.”
Stone’s eyes lock on mine, growing small with surprise. Moo, sensing the tension, leaps off Stone’s lap and finds a spot on the rug.
“Did you expect me to console you?” I boldly continue. “Because what I saw in that store was a complete disregard for everyone, including yourself. You’re from here, Stone. This isyourtown, and you’re fully aware how dangerous and vindictive the White Tigers are. If you think your public figure status makes you untouchable?—”
“That’s not what I’m saying.” Stone rises from the foot of the bed, his hands clenched at his sides. “I’m trying to explain to you the thoughts behind my actions, because I can’t stand the way you’ve been looking at me all afternoon.”
“How have I been looking at you?”
Stone releases a disbelieving scoff at my honest confusion. “Like I’m someone you don’t know anymore. Like I’m a stranger.”
“You are.”
“No. I’mnot.I’m still me and I’m sick of this entire town assuming my career has poisoned me or that I’m a spoiled rich asshole who’s forgotten his roots.”
