Page 63 of Heart of Stone

The simple fact was that I knew some stuff, but not a lot. And the more I thought about the subject, the more I realized how limited my knowledge was. Either way, if Alexander thought I was going to parade around looking like the English interpretation of a French housecleaner, he had another thing coming to him.

He eyed me up and down. His gaze was heated with desire, although I saw a flicker of uncertainty in the depths of his eyes as well.

“You think you know what I’m talking about?” he challenged. “We’ll see about that.”

CHAPTER 17

Alexander walked over to the corner of the living room to an elaborate entertainment center. After a moment, music filled my ears. It was a steady drumbeat mixed with guitar strings that were rough around the edges, the beginning notes sounding as if a first year guitar student were playing them. Alexander turned to look at me and his eyes were scorching.

“I don’t expect you to make a decision right now. However, I would like to have tonight with you. I want to give you a taste of my world,” he said, his voice hypnotic as he walked towards me. “Will you let me, Krystina?”

My mouth suddenly went dry.

This is it. This is what I want, right? Then why am I fidgeting?

I stilled my hands immediately before he could see how nervous I really was.

When he reached the table, he claimed a seat across the table from me, rather than sit next to me as he was before. I think he knew that I needed that space between us in order to make a decision. The seconds ticked by as he waited for my answer.

I listened to the music as it evolved; it’s harsh notes transitioning into something darker, the singers voice revealing a slightly raw edge that was potent to my system. If Alexander was trying to persuade me with music, it was working. My pulse beat in a frenzied pace, blood a loud drumming in my ears. The angel began to unroll a white flag of surrender, and the devil had invited a few friends to the Big Top. I was a goner.

“Yes,” I finally answered in a whisper.

“Come here, Krystina,” he said quietly. It was an order, one that I felt compelled obey, regardless of how nervous I was. I stood up and cautiously walked around to his side of the table.

“Sit down,” he said, patting his thighs with his hands.

“What is this song?” I asked, as I hesitantly lowered myself down to his lap.

“Didn’t you listen to the music that I loaded onto your phone?”

“No,” I breathed. Alexander ran his hand up my arm to cup the side of my neck and my heart rate accelerated at his touch. I listened to the music, savoring the feel of his hands as they circled my neck. The song lyrics flowed through me, the words so apropos for my current situation.

“You’re a naughty girl,” he said andtskedat me. “You’ll need to learn how to follow instructions better if you want to be with me.”

“I’ve never been very good at following directions,” I murmured under the heat of his fingertips as they caressed my collarbone and shoulders. I knew I was in over my head. In fact, I was practically drowning. But I couldn’t shake my fierce desire. I wanted to know more about his mysterious world. I was drawn to the unknown. I craved him like he was a drug, as if I were a junkie who needed a fix.

“Such a beautiful mouth,” he said huskily, running the pad of his thumb across my lower lip.

“It’s, um…just a normal mouth,” I could barely speak the words, my breathing coming out in rapid succession, as his thumb continued to trace the outline of my lips. He was making it difficult to concentrate. “I always…thought that…my lips were little too thin.”

“You’re talking too much, Krystina,” he growled suddenly, grabbing my head in between his hands and crushing his mouth to mine.

There was nothing easy about his kiss. His passion was demanding, as he pushed his tongue past my oh-so-willing lips, taking what he needed. Our tongues danced to the titillating music that was playing, consuming me as his hands moved possessively up and down my back.

His grip progressed over my ribs and to my waist, grazing the sides of my breasts on the way down. I felt myself shiver at the contact, my desire building and causing a fervent ache between my legs.

Oh, god…what is happening to me?

I wanted this man like I’ve never wanted anything else in my life.

I couldn’t think, as I felt his hand run down my thigh and then up under my skirt. His breath was hot on my neck, lips nipping their way over the line of my jaw. When I felt the sharp tug of his teeth on my earlobe, I may as well have tuned to putty, malleable and complaisant in his arms.

His hand massaged my thigh, working around past my hips and around to my behind. Cupping me there, he held me firm to him. I couldn’t move in his dominating hold. I could only feel the fire that burned with need in my belly.

His magical lips worked their way back up my neck and he began the ruthless attack on my mouth once again. Without warning, he parted my legs roughly and slipped a finger under my panties. I had a fleeting moment of panic over how quickly the evening had evolved, but it was quickly replaced by desire as his fingers made contact with my most private area.

Oh, yes. Just touch me – please.

---