Page 2 of Stone Deep
“Back room with the very willing and very wild Jessica.” I looked back across the bar. Jessica licked her bottom lip and winked. I turned back to my brothers. “She used the words raunchy and punishing. You know I’m all about that. But I’ve got to remind her about her fingernails. I hate the fucking fingernails.”
“Then I guess a game of pool is out,” Hunter said.
“No, of course I’d much rather shoot colorful balls across felt than tie that hot little sweetie up and give her the spanking she’s been begging for all night.”
“Hey, boys,” Jessica’s sultry twang sounded behind me. She turned to me. “I just heard that you are heading up north to work on one of those crab fishing boats.” She stepped in between Hunter and me. “First Colt gets snapped up. Then Hunter gets hitched. And now the last of the hunky Stonebrothers is shipping off to Alaska. You guys just threw cold water on every local girl’s fantasy.”
“The fantasy is still standing right here.” I pounded my chest like Tarzan.
She smiled. “No, I meant the fantasy of a foursome with all the Stone brothers.” She punctuated her words with a nice purse of her lips.
Hunter looked at her. “You mean all of us at once?”
“Yep.” She tucked her hands in her back pockets to give us all a nice view of her ample tits. “All three of you in bed at once wearing just those famous Stone smiles and your tattoos.”
We glanced around at each other, and a simultaneous look of disgust crossed my brothers’ faces.
“Shit, yuck, that’s fucking never going to happen,” I said. “Here’s the key, Jess. I’ll be right there.”
We watched her sashay away. “Damn,” I muttered, “I guess if I leave, and with you two wearing your powder blue, old man sweaters waiting for your women to serve you meatloaf in front of the television, the women around here are going to be wandering the town dazed and horny and wondering how the hell such a dark shadow fell over our town.”
“First of all, the day I show up in a powder blue, old man sweater is the day someone needs to put a bullet in my head,” Colt said. “And the fishing gig would only be a few months. Just think of the welcome home you’d get.” He patted my shoulder. “But, if you do get the job, it’s not going to be the same around here without you.”
I turned to Hunter. He hadn’t said much yet. “Well, bigbrother? What are you thinking about with that massive, ole hard skull of yours?”
He shrugged. “I was just thinking powder blue goes nicely with my coloring.” His expression turned serious. “You still sure about this? I hear it’s really fucking gnarly out there. I know you’re tough as steel but—well, just fucking be sure, eh?”
“I don’t even have the position yet.” I knuckled him on the shoulder. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, someone needs a spanking.” I headed to the back room. When Captain Dell, the man I’d been working for, mentioned he’d heard about a greenhorn position opening on a crab fishing boat, I’d leapt at it. I flew to Alaska to interview for the job. I needed something more solid than the occasional crew member on a local fishing boat. With my brothers both in serious relationships, which, in turn, had caused them to give up drug running for more legitimate pursuits, I’d become a fifth wheel. I needed to get my own life going.
I tapped on the door.
“Come in,” Jessica answered.
I opened the door. She was stripped down to just a lacy black bra and her high heel shoes. I stepped inside and shut the door. “Do you know what I love about you, sweetie?”
“What’s that?” she asked in a silky voice that made my cock harden even more.
“When it’s time to get down to business, you don’t waste any time.” I walked over to her.
A wicked grin curled her pink, glossy lips as she lifted a pair of handcuffs with one cuff already secured around her wrist.
“Carrying your own handcuffs. I love that about you too.” I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her against me. “Now—about that spanking.”
TWO
BRITTON
Iwalked inside, dropped my bags and blinked back the tears. Just when I was sure I couldn’t feel any lower, my mood sank more. The room was even shabbier and more depressing than I’d imagined, but a weekly rate motel room was better than living in the car. Or, at least a little better.
The carpet smelled weird, and I decided it was best if I didn’t try and puzzle out the odor. I could only imagine what previous tenants had done within the yellowing walls of the cramped space. There was a small stove and a stained coffeepot but no refrigerator. The manager told me they used too much electricity. I would have to buy an ice chest.
It was all temporary, I assured myself. I’d save enough of each paycheck to get a down payment for my own place.My ownwere such scary words, yet they gave me a sliver of hope. I was alone for the first time in my life. Completely alone. Someday, I’d get past this horrible, dark period in my life. Someday.
I picked up my bags and carried them to the small closet. A few hangers dangled on the bar, and a small dresser was shoved inside the space. I wasn’t going to unpack. If I unpacked, it would mean I was planning to stay for awhile. And I most definitely wasn’t.
My phone rang. It was the call I’d been waiting for. “Hello.”
“Yes, this is Mr. Towne. You left a message about the house rental?”
