Read Stoned (The Stone Series) for Free Online

I am snapped out of my thoughts when I hear his deep voice.
     
    “What a pleasant surprise Sydney. Are you here to see me?” he asks in that super sexy raspy voice that I realize I have been yearning to hear again since we said good-bye days ago, it snaps me back to reality. His voice brings a calm warm feeling over my body but at the same time causes many chaotic internal responses.
     
    “Um” I’m confused, why would I be meeting him here?
     
    “No, um…I was just heading to campus and then I guess I wondered off course. The next thing I knew I was leaning against this building with these smooth stones, I rubbed my hands over them just thinking about stuff. My mind is a little scattered today I guess. My roommate left today and I’m...I don’t know.”
     
    “Yes, I was afraid of that. I’m glad I found you. Come, let’s talk over lunch” he says as he leads me inside the restaurant by placing his strong hand at the small of my back again. This I can get used to and fast. I welcome his guidance and follow him without question into the restaurant forgetting all about my meeting with Alex to discuss the upcoming auction. Then something he said strikes me as peculiar. Why would he be afraid that I’d be lost without Parker? I didn’t tell him she was leaving.
     
    I’m immediately distracted by the décor inside the restaurant. The stones are carried out inside, there is a gorgeous stone wall that is floor to ceiling on one side of the room; upon closer inspection I realize it’s a water wall. The water is gently running over the smooth river rocks creating a soothing feel for the diners seated next to it. The other walls are painted a sandy color with bronze sconces on the wall. The lighting is subdued and the table linens are a fabulous burnt red, almost the color of my hair.
     
    We are greeted by the hostess upon arrival. “Mr. Stone sir, can I show you to your room?”
     
    “Yes, thank you Andrea, you may.”
     
    Well, at least it’s nice to know I am not the only woman he has this effect on because this Andrea chick is staring at him enthralled by his beauty as much as I am. At that moment something, a feeling, one I have no words for comes over me and I want to slap her face. I don’t like the way her eyes are roaming over his impressive physique, like she’s seen it up close and personal.
     
    Andrea shows us into a private dining room with a table for two in the center of the room. This space is the same as the main dining room, painted a sandy color with burnt red linens. Instead of the stone wall this space has art work throughout; paintings, canvases and prints all depicting stones.
     
    Oh. My. God! It finally hits me, this must be his restaurant. As if he can read my mind Damian says, “Yes, Sydney this is my place. Come. Sit.” It was not a suggestion but rather a command. Damian pulls out a chair for me and I sit as he smiles at me.
     
    Andrea is still staring at him when he dismisses her, “That will be all Andrea. Tell the staff I do not want to be bothered. We’ll have marinated olives for the table with bread, and then to start we’ll have the Calamari, two salads, and for our main course we’ll share the pasta special of the day. They know my taste in wines. Thank you.” Another command.
     
    Andrea leaves us, following his command as if it’s second nature. He turns his attention to me and Damian’s face softens when he looks at me. I have no idea what I am doing here; I am way over my head. I have never been on a date with a man much less one who owns his own restaurant and orders for his dates. But the more I think about it, I’m glad he’s ordered for me. I would never have known what to pick and would have embarrassed myself no doubt.
     
    Damian smiles then speaks, “I’m glad I ran into you. I was going to call you later to see if you’d want to go check out an apartment.”
     
    “Uh, yeah, of course. Where?” I ask.
     
    “On Park, it’s one of my