Read Online Mastering Kyla (Stone Cellar Erotica) by Aubrey Stone - Free Book Online

 
    Chapter 1
    Kyla tugged the collar of her jacket closer around her neck and hurried down the sidewalk. Not that it made much difference to the storm. Rain showered the street around her, kicking up impact splashes that drenched her new heels and trickled icy lines down her bare legs. It served her right for heading out into a spring morning in Portland without her umbrella. The cafes and boutiques she passed were full of people waiting out the deluge, but Kyla wasn’t in the mood for company right now—even the company of strangers.
    The perfect icing to my shit-cake week,
she thought. And then she saw a familiar silhouette exiting a car up ahead. Blond hair, broad shoulders, trim lines... could it be him? The man turned and Kyla’s shoulders eased. Not him then. Just a stranger with a similar build. Her nose gave a painful twinge and she fought down the rising tears. It had been six months since Michael had left her waiting at the altar like a fool. Six months, and she was still jumping at shadows.
    “Screw this,” Kyla muttered. She scanned the street quickly and then, spotting the bar, hurried forward without letting herself dwell on the decision.
    The bar was dark but warm, full of the hoppy scent of beer and the comforting drone of a TV. There were only a handful of patrons, but Kyla wasn’t surprised; it wasn’t even lunchtime. Kyla bypassed the little tables and headed straight for the bar. She swung her petite frame up onto the barstool and pulled the pin out of her auburn hair, running her fingers through to shake out some of the rain. As she gave her hair an irritated toss, her eyes landed on a face she did recognize across the bar. She froze.
    Jackson Scott. The one person she wanted to see even less than Michael. Jackson had gone to college with Michael and Kyla. Yes, Jackson had won the genetic lottery. He was smoking hot, with devastating blue eyes that he’d used to great effect, sleeping with half the co-eds on campus before he graduated. But Kyla had never been able to stand him and his smug arrogance. She’d been beyond pissed at Michael when he’d announced he wanted Jackson to be his best man at their wedding.
    I suppose that should have been another warning sign,
Kyla thought, mentally kicking herself for the millionth time.
    Jackson suddenly noticed her staring. He smiled that cocky half-smile of his and raised his glass to her in silent salute.
    Kyla dropped her eyes, blushing. He always knew exactly how to unsettle her. Kyla almost stood and fled the bar, but at that moment the bartender approached, running a rag over the counter.
    “You look like you could use a shot of something strong.” The bartender didn’t look much older than 21, but she had a friendly face.
    Kyla smiled. “Just a glass of wine. Your house cab should be great.”
    The bartender nodded and reached for a glass. She poured a healthy serving of the crimson liquid and slid it toward Kyla.
    Kyla reached for her wallet, but before she could unzip it, a stranger slapped a ten-dollar bill down on the bar.
    “Allow me, beautiful,” he said. Kyla looked up, startled. The stranger gave her a pleasant smile, but his eyes danced over her body, lingering a little too long on the valley between her breasts. Kyla reached for the collar of her coat again, suddenly aware of her shirt beneath it, plastered to her frame.
    “No thanks,” Kyla said, fighting to keep the anger out of her voice. “I’ve got it.”
    “Please. It’s my pleasure.” He shoved the bill across to the bartender. “Keep the change.” The bartender glanced at Kyla, but when she made no move to stop it, the bartender shrugged and took the bill, heading for the cash register. The stranger’s eyes twinkled and Kyla’s hand tightened on her jacket collar.
    “I just wanted to grab a quick glass of wine and be on my way,” Kyla said. Her voice trembled, and Kyla cringed inwardly, debating whether she should just abandon the wine and go.
    “What’s the