I had no idea who the Millers were. I started to ask when she added “I can’t believe Claudia is getting married so young. We have years left of our youth. What is she thinking?”

I slowed my pace and wondered if I should turn back to the house. I couldn’t take Geraldine to see Heidi like this.

“I haven’t rolled my hair yet!” Geraldine gasped before she turned and ran back to the house. “I can’t go like this. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I watched her walk inside the house. The cookies and cupcakes I was holding smelled good. I reached for a frosted sugar cookie and took a bite. I chewed slowly and waited. When Geraldine didn’t come back, I knew she wouldn’t be snapping out of this one anytime soon.

Visiting Heidi would have to wait.

Stone

GERALDINE WASN’T ANSWERING HER PHONE. Beulah wasn’t answering hers. It was after seven and the doctor’s office closed two hours ago. Hilda was drinking my good wine and listening to a loud ass reality TV show in the living room.

And all I fucking wanted was to be alone with Beulah. Today had been hell.

Although my lawyers felt positive now that we had proof the DNA said Wills was mine and I had his mother ready to stand by my side to fight for him, they were still worried about the power behind my father’s name . . . or the man I thought was my father.

Wills had called me today, and when Hilda asked to speak to him his entire tone changed. He was nervous. Tense. He didn’t want to talk to her. She wasn’t a source of comfort for him and I understood his feelings all too well. But Wills didn’t have a Geraldine in his life.

I glanced at the clock again and decided I’d look for Beulah. I couldn’t stay here wondering where she could be. My pacing in front of the door wasn’t helping anyone. Hilda’s drunken laughter was also grating on my nerves. She had an affair back in Chicago she would need to get back to eventually. I didn’t expect her to stay here long. As much as I needed her in court, I didn’t need her in my home.

The door knob turned and I froze. My first instinct was to grab it and swing it open, but I waited for Beulah to open it up and walk inside.

She was barely in the door when I blurted out “Where have you been?” It was harsh, and demanding. I cringed at the tone of my voice. My worry and panic had built up and I couldn’t help my reaction.

Startled, she jumped and stood there looking at me with eyes wide with fear. I hadn’t meant to scare her. However, my damn voice had been too much.

“T-today was m-my doctor’s appointment,” she stammered.

“I know that. I’ve been counting down until this day. But the doctor’s office closed at five. It’s after seven.”

Beulah still looked confused by the tone I was using. I was trying to soften it, but it wasn’t working. I was letting my anxiety control me.

“Geraldine had a spell this evening. I couldn’t leave her like that. I had to take her with me. She came back around while we were there. Instead of going back to her house and making her dinner she wanted to go out to eat. So, we did.”

“Why didn’t you call me to help? Or at least answer your phone? I’ve been worried.”

“I should have. I’m sorry. You didn’t call me earlier today and I thought you were busy. I had to turn my phone off at the doctor’s office and forgot to turn it back on afterward. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think you’d be home or I would have called to explain.” Her tone was sincere but she was different. She seemed almost defensive. As if she wanted to yell at me, but was holding back.

“Were you expecting me to call earlier today?” I was trying to decide what it was that she was upset about, but wouldn’t tell me. She’d hide it. Or attempt to.

“Only if you wanted to. I know you’re busy.” Her words were nice. Agreeable. But her tone, the look in her eyes said something entirely different.

“I should have called earlier. I’m sorry,” I said thinking that must be it.

“It’s okay. I’ll keep my phone on from now on.” Her head turned toward the living room where the noise from the television was coming from. We never had the television on in there. It was odd. Out of place. Not the normal evenings we had here. Hilda’s presence was making both of us tense.

“Come with me.” I held my hand out to her. She paused for a second, studying my hand. Finally, she placed hers in mine. I closed my fingers tightly and gently pulled her down the hallway toward my room.

I needed to get away from the reminder of Hilda. All that damn sound.

Closing the door firmly behind us, I turned to her and grabbed her waist to pull her against me. “Did you get the shot?” I asked wanting to be inside her without concern.

She didn’t respond at first. I had a moment of disappointment. I’d been waiting for this day. I hadn’t held back before, I knew, and we still had to be careful. Especially now. I had to fight for Wills. If something were to happen, she would need more support and attention than I had to give right now.

“It’s safe,” she said simply.

Pulling her to me I buried my head in her hair and inhaled. I soaked in her warmth and scent. As always, she calmed me and gave me the reassurance I needed.

The noise from the television was blocked out.

We were alone.

I took that moment to enjoy our solitude. Us.

Only for a moment.

I couldn’t help the thrill I felt knowing I could shoot my release in her. The urge to take her was louder and more commanding than my other feelings at the moment.

I reached under the short skirt of her sundress, found her panties and pulled them down. She shimmied her hips, helping me until they fell down her legs and she stepped out of them.

Grabbing her waist, I picked her up and carried her to my bed and I tossed her onto it. Her legs fell open and her eyes followed my every move. I didn’t have time for foreplay. Not this time. I had to get inside her—it reassured me that she was here and we were okay.

My pants were gone with ease and I climbed over her and eased into her as she lifted her knees and hips for easier access. Gliding through her slick warmth tore a groan of pleasure from me. I’d found myself thinking about this very moment several times today. Now we were here, and I didn’t want to leave.

I grabbed her left leg and brought it over my shoulder making my penetration deeper. Everything felt more intense. Beulah’s head pressed back into the soft bedding and she let out a cry. Then she said my name. Several times. I began to pump into her faster. I was excited by the idea of reaching my climax inside her making my movements become more frenzied.

I was like a fucking addict. Needing this fix.

“Stone!” She moaned and clawed at my back.

I pressed her tightly against me as the sound of our bodies joining faster and harder became louder. Her breathing had become a pant and mine was heavy and fast. Her arms were wrapped tightly around my neck as she met each of my thrusts, pressing deeper.

“Oh, oh, oh.” Her climax was close. Her body began to shake and her nails dug into my flesh. The sweat on her thighs as her skin rubbed against mine made it fast and smooth. “I’m coming,” she wailed and buried her head in my chest as I gave three more hard thrusts and yelled out my release.

She cried out, chanting my name as the heat from my seed filled her.

“Fuck, baby, that’s it. Take it,” I said pulling back on her hair so I could look in her eyes as I filled her. “Feel that?” I asked pressing deeper inside her.