Stoned (The Stone Series) (13 page)

“I sorry, never drink this much. I must have had too many” I slur.

“Yes, you did. Five shots, three beers and a mixed drink is way too much for someone your size even if they are a seasoned drinker which I assume you are not. Now go to sleep, we’ll talk about this more when I get home. This isn’t over. Good night Sydney” he says before he hangs up.

I’m too tired to take off my clothes or wash my face. I fall asleep sitting up on his couch and don’t wake up until an attractive older woman enters the room. She introduces herself as Damian’s housekeeper, Mrs. Ford. We exchange pleasantries and she offers to make me breakfast. I decline saying I need to check on my apartment. We say our farewells then I head back downstairs feeling my hangover coming on me fast.

My head is foggy and my brain hurts. I can’t process everything happening with this man. Damian seems to own every place I walk into in this city, he has more money than God, he has cars, maids, drivers and body guards. And what was up with him being so pissed off about me having a good time last night and a little too much to drink? I’m a big girl; I can take care of myself. The problem is he like every other normal person thinks bad things happen to people who bring it on themselves. What he doesn’t know is that nothing worse can happen to me than what already has and I wasn’t looking for trouble when I was fourteen years old and in my own house.  He also said something about it not being over. What’s he going to do? Ground me for a week? Take away my phone? Or maybe he’s going to put me over his knee and give me a spanking. Ridiculous.

I enter my apartment to find that the floors have dried and the men are painting the walls. They should be done and out of my way in an hour or so. I thank Pete for everything and head out for a cup of coffee to give them time to finish without having me in their way.  I have an appointment at a salon in an hour so I don’t have much time for something I need to do. When I get to the coffee shop around the corner I settle in and begin an email to Damian. I know I’ll be much braver this way and I have things to say and questions I need answered.

From: Sydney Cooper

Subject: So much to say…so scared to say it

Date: May 2
6, 2012 10:27am

To: Damian Stone

Da
mian,

First let me say that I am sorry for upsetting you last night. I know getting drunk was a stupid
, immature thing to do. It’s just I felt so lost when Parker left but then I met you and felt grounded again. When you left for California I felt scared and completely lost all over again. Getting drunk helped me to feel better for a while; this morning was kind of rough! I promise not to do it too often but you might need to cut me some slack form time to time, I am at a time in my life where I think I’m ready to experiment a little.

There is so much that I
want to tell you about myself, need to tell you but I can’t seem to find my voice when you are in my presence. When I’m with you I feel as if you take up every molecule of air around me and I find it difficult to breathe.

Don’t take that the wrong way, it’s a good thing
, I am very attracted to you and I have never been attracted to a man before. No, I am not and never have been a lesbian. Before you I was afraid of men and for good reason. I never really tried to put my past behind me and move forward because there never seemed a point. I want to try now. Knowing you has made me want so many things but what is it that you want? I am not brave enough to raise my questions with you in person so I admit to taking the chicken’s way out here but please bare with me and excuse my rambling on a bit. I am very new to this “relationship” thing if that’s even what this is, what you want.

I love the feeling that I get in my stomach when I hear your ringtone, I love that you have a ringtone. I love the way my heart speeds up when I hear my phone chime with a new email or text because I want it to be from you. I love when it is and get disappointed when it’s not. I love the way I get excited when you come through my door. I love that you have spent nights just holding me and that you were respectful of my feelings and didn’t try more. I hate that I couldn’t give you more. I want to give you more; I want more for me too. I enjoy spending time with you, just getting to know you over morning coffees and bagels or over dinners, fancy ones or pizza out of the box. I love when you feed me. I really love when you feed me! I love that you take care of me, make decisions so I don’t have to, keep me safe. Sometimes I need that. You seem to also know when I don’t. I appreciate all that you have given me already. All the materialistic things that show me you want to make my life easier, want to take care of me but more importantly all the other things you do for me that are free, those are the things that matter the most to me. Things like making me believe I’m beautiful, giving me confidence in my work, making me feel love, comfort and security. These are things I have never had before or maybe I did at some point but they were taken away too soon. I hope you know I don’t like you because of your money. Actually, I’m nowhere near as rich as you are but I have enough money to live a comfortable lifestyle I just choose not to use it, its blood money (my blood)and even though I deserve every last penny of it I can’t bring myself to spend it. I just don’t ever want you to think this is about money for me; it couldn’t be farther from the truth. I love that you feel like home to me. I’ll be honest…I love that you’re hot! And that splendid view gets me every time, Mr. Perfection!! I love the new feelings I get in private areas when you kiss me. I have never had those feelings before. I seem to be getting them now even when I think of you. I can’t get enough of the way you kiss me or touch me and I want more!

And now for the things that scare the shit out of me
. I am scared to death of the depth of my feelings for you and how fast they happened. I am petrified that I have allowed myself to trust you so completely and so quickly. I am afraid I will end up hurt very badly. I am worried that you won’t want to be with me once I show you all of my demons; they’re uglier than you think. I am afraid to have sex with you. I am afraid not to. I am afraid you don’t return my feelings. I am worried you will leave me. I am nervous that you have demons too and combined with mine that they’ll be too much for one relationship to handle. What are your demons, Day? I am afraid to hide things from you but more afraid to let you see them.

There it is, all on the table. Well, most of it anyway. I’m heading out now to a salon to get waxed, have my hair, makeup and nails done and then I’m off to this auction that Alex roped me into.

I miss you and can’t wait to see you tomorrow night. I hope we can talk about the points above then. Hey, by the time you get back I’ll be a college graduate.

Wish me luck tonight…I’m scared. Wish you were going to be there, I’d feel better just knowing that you were in the audience.

I’ll call you tonight after the auction.

Have a great day, Day

Me…

After reading and rereading my email to Damian I finally h
it send. I finish my coffee and head to the salon. It’s called Smooth as Stones. I tell the cabbie the address and that I need to go through the employee entrance on the side, all the girls from the club get to use this salon free of charge. When I get there I am pleasantly surprised to learn that after having my mani/pedi done I will also be given a full body massage of my liking and a facial. I pick hot stones for my massage; the stones remind me of Damian. I spend the next two hours experiencing pure heavenly bliss. Next I am ushered into a private room for my waxing. I get my eyebrows shaped up and a full Brazilian. The hot wax feels so good when they drip it over my bikini area. I have been feeling this area come to life since I met Damian and this experience is helping to wake the whole area up. The ripping out of the hair hurts just enough to make it feel good. I think I understand now why people do kinky things with hot wax. I think I might even be open to trying it out if Damian is the one dripping it over my body. When it’s over I am taken to have my hair washed, colored then cut and styled. Once my makeup is completed I’m on my way home.

When I arrive at my apartment the desk clerk, Pedro, tells me that a package was delivered earlier. He says he’ll send it up now. “Oh, and by the way Ms. Cooper I hope you don’t mind my saying so but you look stunning” Pedro says.

Pedro is a sweet older gentleman who has a family he’s trying to support. He is always kind and courteous and I know from conversations with Damian that he adores him too.

When I get into my apartment I pour myself a glass of wine to calm my nerves, it doesn’t work. I am planning on wearing the dress Damian bought me for our night at the theatre but I wait to get changed. I figure the package must be some item I purchased for the apartment and I don’t want to be half naked when the knock on the door comes. The apartment looks amazing. It’s completely done except for an accessory here and there that I’ll pick up as the spirit moves me. Pete and his team did a great job.

I hear the knock on the door and find one of Pedro’s men holding a Calvin Klein dress bag and three smaller ones. I thank him and take the packages over to my new sofa. Damian!

The dress bag holds a short strapless dress in charcoal gray. It’s gathered bandeau neckline will reveal my shoulders and upper back and the high V of the short skirt will show off a whole lot of leg. A smaller bag contains a pair of size six platform strap sandals in a lighter shade of gray. The second smaller bag has a strapless bra and a pair of thong panties in gray. The final bag is from Tiffany. Inside is an Enchant Diamond Necklace. It has a platinum setting and alternating sizes of diamonds, it must be at least a five carat piece. I can’t even guess how much this cost. In the Tiffany bag I also find a note from Damian that he must have faxed over because it is handwritten…

My Sweetest Sydney,

I’m sorry I could not respond to your email. After reading it something urgent came up but I want to talk about each point in great detail
with you upon my return.

Please accept my gifts…I am rich and I will not apologize for that or for spoiling you
, you deserve so much more than I can give you.

The dress is going to look amazing on you; I’m just sorry I won’t be there to see it. As for the necklace, I choose it because I am enchanted by you
and after reading your email I am in awe of you as well.

I’m sorry I can’t write more but I must go, we’ll talk when we’re together again…soon
, my love.

D-

I am overwhelmed
and tears sting my eyes. I fight back the onslaught of tears not wanting to ruin my makeup. I look at the clock and rush to get dressed. He wrote “
MY
Dearest Sydney”. His!

When I fly out of the apartment knowing I’m going to be late if I can’t get a cab right away I see the Bentley at the curb and Jonesie steps out and opens the door for me. I never expected to find him there waiting to drive me to the auction. Mac is in California with Damian so having a ride is a surprise. I didn’t realize that Jonesie was also at Damian’s disposal.

“Ms. Cooper, you look much better than the last time I saw you” he teases me.

“Yes, well the night’s still young, Jonesie” I give it right back to him. He shoots me a warning look and continues, “After what Mac said about Mr. Stone’s reaction to last night I wouldn’t chance it if I were you.”

We chat comfortably as he drives and it keeps my mind off the impending auction. Jonesie pulls the Bentley up to the curb of The American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side and opens my door for me. My nerves take over and I turn to climb back into the car.

“Ms. Cooper, you look gorgeous this evening. It would be such a waste not to show off a little. And Mr. Stone would be so disappointed that you didn’t get a chance to wear your necklace. It looks great on you, by the way” Jonesie tries to settle my nerves but just the mention of Damian and the reminder that he’s not here but rather on the other side of the country makes things worse. I hate being put into these awkward social situations. The last time I was in an awkward social situation was when I met Damian and I pretty much offered him a blow job so God only knows what I’ll say to someone tonight.

“Go on now” Jonesie encourages. “You can do it honey and when the night’s over I’ll be right here waiting for you, okay? Now go. Mr. Smith is probably having a fit right about now.”

I turn and smile at Jonesie. “Thank you” is all I say before I take a deep breath and turn to enter the museum knowing he’s right about Alex having a fit if I’m late.

I am ushered into a large space where a stage has been erected and at least a hundred tables are set up. I am brought to table number sixty five right near the stage. Alex is nowhere to be seen and it’s then that I realize I won’t be with Alex, I’ll be alone at this table without a clue what to say to the people I’m sitting with or how to act. I don’t even know if I’ll use the right fork when I eat. My mind goes back to the night when Damian fed me and how much I enjoyed it. I wish he were here with his big firm hand on my leg steadying me under the table as I know he would.