2 Christopher Stone

The carriage ride was long and tiresome. We had easily traveled four hours before I drifted into sleep, and who knows how many more passed as I slept. The carriage halted, slinging me forward slightly.

The carriage driver walked around to my door, opening it and lending me his hand to step down. My legs felt weak hitting the gravel after having sat for so long. When I stepped out I faced an entrance way to what I am assuming is the house I will be staying at.

It was stunning.

There was a large fountain which sat in the middle of what I could tell was a flower garden, although due to the fall weather most the plants were dead. Wrapping around the fountain and gardens was a large gravel driveway which the carriage had arrived on. Where the two sides of gravel road meet there was a large, iron gate with stone pillars on either side. As the coachmen stepped back onto his carriage seat and pulled out, I slowly turned around to face my new home.

Turning around I was faced with what was more of a palace then a home. It was huge, both lengthwise and height wise. Large pillars, white stone like the ones on either side of the gate, framed the entrance way and a large Juliet balcony sat on the floor above it. There were two staircases, one to the left and one to the right, which came together, leading to another staircase right up the center.

I began to climb the majestic staircases, in awe of the luxurious house that stood before me. As I reached the large oak doors at the entrance of the house I took a deep breath and then knocked.

Shortly after my knocking the door opened to reveal a short, slightly plump man who looked to be in his mid to late fifties.

"Welcome to the Stone resident's ma'am, we've been expecting you." Said the man who had opened the door. He appeared to be some sort of butler based on black uniform he was clothed in.

"Thank you." I replied with a small smile.

"Mr. Stone will be with us shortly, can I get you anything while you wait ma'am?"

"I don't need anything, thank you. But I do have a question… do you know why I'm here?"

The man pondered my question and then sighed.

"sorry ma'am, all I have been told is that the Stone's knew your mother and that you would be staying here until further notice."

I nodded a response, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and interlacing my hands together. Everything about the home was lavish, though this was just in the entryway there was a large, glistening chandelier that hung from the high ceilings and white marble on the floor.

As I was continuing to scan the room I suddenly heard footsteps coming down the hallway. I swallowed and smoothed out my black dress. The footsteps grew closer, and the butler who had let me in stood up straighter, almost looking as nervous as I was. Soon a young man turned the corner and my green eyes widen as I saw him.

He was very handsome. His dark brown hair was messy, but not like he didn't care more like he didn't need to put effort in for it to look good. He was tall, with a strong jaw and chiseled facial features. His body was muscular but still lean, not bulky, and the all black suit he wore clung to his body perfectly. He was breathtaking, but of all his perfect features the one that drew me in the most were his eyes. He had these dark, brooding eyes that almost demand you pay attention to him.

" Mr. Stone, Sophia Williams has arrived sir." The butler said bowing his head in respect.

"Well yes I can see that." The man responded with an annoyed tone.

His eyes wandered my body, looking me up in down, lingering at my lips for a moment and then meeting my eyes again. He walked closer to me, not once dropping eye contact. Once he was directly in front of me he started to lean down, reaching his arm out. This made me incredibly nervous.

Is he about to touch me? He was so attractive I could hardly focus.

His arm moved passed my body and grabbed a small key from the table that stood behind me but while leaned over, his body came incredibly close to my own. He had a musky aroma that I could have breathed in all day, but sadly it only lasted seconds. He looked to the butler, handing him the key.

"Go clean out a room in the west wing for Miss Williams." He spoke an authoritative tone that made me nervous. He looked back to me, with the same straight face he had held since he entered the room.

"I hope you don't mind sleeping in my room tonight, I have been busy and hadn't yet found the time to clear a room for you."

My eyes widened at the thought of sharing a bed with such an attractive man. A small, deep laugh escaped his lips.

"Well look how red you've gotten," he said, smirking, "there's a couch in my room that should accommodate you just fine for the night."

"Oh, yes of course." I said, feeling slightly embarrassed for assuming we would be sleeping together.

I followed him down the large entry hallway, the clicks of our shoes on the marble echoing through the large room.

We turned left and began walking up the grand staircase leading to the second floor. I ran my hand across the railing of the staircase, still in awe on the breathtaking architecture of his home. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Mr. Stone's stern voice filling the space once more.

"We have dinner at six, don't be late. I despise tardiness." He spoke with such superiority, demanding respect with every word.

"Yes, of course." Silence momentarily filled the space again as we reached the top of the staircase before my curious nature led me to another question.

"Mr. Stone?"

"Hmm?" he muttered, clearly uninterested.

"What is your full name? It's just that I don't remember my father ever mentioning you."

He stopped in front of one of the many large, oak doors we had been passing responding to my question while turning the knob.

"Christopher Stone." He said

"Oh, well thank you so much for allowing me to stay here Christo-"

"It's Mr. Stone or sir as far as you're concerned." He said interrupting me and glancing over his shoulder with a look of disgust. I nodded in response, scared of saying something else wrong.

The room he had led us to was very large, but only the basic furniture was within it. A large bed clothed with deep, wine red sheets and comforters and dark wooden furniture. I looked to my left seeing a small, grey couch and assumed this must be his room.

I walked over to the table that stood beside the little couch, running my fingers along the many trinkets that sat a top it.

"Ouch!" I squealed, recoiling my hand.

"What happened?" Mr. Stone asked, suddenly standing right beside me, his eyes locked on the small drop of blood that oozed from my finger.

"Oh, it's nothing, I just nicked my finger is all." I said shyly, embarrassed that I was causing him concern.

I followed his eyes as they looked back up at me and then traced my body all the way back down to my bloody finger. He took a deep breath, reaching out and grabbing my hand.

He licked his lips as he watched the blood trickle down to my hand. I laughed slightly, uncomfortable by the situation. Soon, he began to lean down towards my hand. He started at my wrist and began licking the blood up.

"Mr. Stone what are you do- "My squeals of protest were interrupted however.

"Shut up and don't move, am I clear?" He said harshly staring down at me, his dark eyes suddenly filled with lust. He continued tracing my hand with his tongue, sucking the tip of my finger where the source of the blood was. After he had thoroughly cleaned me he dropped my hand and wiped his mouth. Stopping almost as abruptly as he had begun.

"Don't forget that dinner is at six." Then without another word he turned and calmly left the room.