Free Mastering Kyla (Stone Cellar Erotica) by Aubrey Stone Page A

rush? That storm’s not letting up any time soon.” He sat on the bench beside Kyla. “You look like you’re half-drowned already.”
    “I’m really not looking for company,” Kyla said.
    “What do you know, that makes two of us.” He leaned closer to Kyla and she felt his warmth. It made her skin crawl, but she didn’t have much practice deflecting unwanted attention. When she used to go out it had always been with Michael, who’d kept an arm tossed possessively over her shoulder. “If you’re looking for some place a little more private...”
    “Kyla, there you are.”
    Kyla turned in surprise at the strong, sure voice. Jackson curled one hand under her jaw, tilting her face upwards to give her a firm kiss. The touch of his lips sent an electric shock through her core, kindling a warmth between her thighs that startled her. Jackson pulled back, giving her a bland smile, then turned his attention to the stranger.
    “Want to introduce me to your friend?” Jackson’s tone was decidedly unfriendly, and the stranger blanched.
    “Sorry.” The stranger stood and gave Kyla an irritated glance. “She didn’t say she was meeting anyone.”
    Jackson took the vacated seat. With his back to the stranger, he gave Kyla a wink. She felt a rush of gratitude toward Jackson, but could only stare at him. The stranger shifted his feet, uncomfortable. Kyla realized he probably wanted his money back. Tough shit.
    “Thanks for the drink.” She gave him her sweetest smile.
    The stranger looked ready to chew nails. “Sure thing.” He turned and stalked out of the bar, defeated.
    Jackson chuckled, turning away from Kyla to flag down the bartender. She was by his side instantly, eyes bright. Kyla had to resist the urge to sigh. The Jackson magnet was clearly still on in full effect.
    “Another scotch?” the bartender asked.
    “Please.”
    She had the drink poured and in front of Jackson in record time, winning one of his gorgeous smiles for her trouble.
    Kyla took a gulp of wine, ready to put this bar in her rearview mirror.
    “Long time no see, Kyla,” Jackson said.
    Kyla set the glass down and forced herself to swallow. “Not since the wedding,” she managed.
    “Yeah, that was a shitty day.” Jackson shrugged and took a sip of his drink. “But it wouldn’t have worked out between you two anyway.”
    “Excuse me?” Kyla felt rooted to her seat. No one,
no one
had dismissed her broken heart this cavalierly.
    “You and Mike, you were a recipe for disaster.” Jackson didn’t seem to sense her mounting outrage. “Asshole did you a favor, ditching the wedding like that.”
    Kyla’s hand was flying for Jackson’s face before she knew what was happening.
    Jackson caught her wrist before her palm made contact. He looked at her with a dangerous glint in his eye. And then he smiled.
    The smile unlocked some part of Kyla hidden deep inside. Her panties flooded with a silken dampness and her breath caught. He held her wrist a moment longer, and then released her. Kyla let out her breath. She felt her cheeks flush and bent her head, hoping her wet hair would hide her embarrassment from Jackson’s penetrating gaze.
     
    ***
     
    Jackson couldn’t believe it when Kyla walked into the bar, drenched through and through. Damn, if she wasn’t even more gorgeous than the day that asshole Mike had stood her up at their wedding. Jackson watched as she entered the bar, shaking down her gorgeous mane of hair. The sight of her stole his breath. Jackson felt his lips twist in a wry smile. He’d been nursing a crush on Kyla since Mike had first brought her back to their dorm room freshman year, but there had never been an opportunity to get to know her independent of Mike. Jackson swirled the scotch in his glass, considering his next move. When he glanced back at her, she was staring at him, her face twisted in displeasure.
    Jackson felt a stab of disappointment. Well, what did he expect? She’d met him when he was an arrogant