Page 84 of Heart of Stone

I lifted my head to look at him, my eyes full of disbelief. I could never do this stuff.

He’s out of his mind. Over the top, mad as a hatter, crazy.

I took another long swig of my drink, the contents stinging my throat.

“What is this stuff?” I asked, swirling the last remaining drops of the potent liquid around in my glass.

“It’s a tawny port.”

“It’s gross,” I said.

“I can get you something else if you’d like.”

“Oh, no – this is working just fine,” I told him, then tossed back the rest of the liquid encouragement.

“Talk to me, Krystina. I want to know what you’re thinking.”

“That you are certifiably insane.”

CHAPTER 23

Krystina’s eyes were impossibly large in her lovely face, and I could sense her frayed nerves. I knew that she was nearing her breaking point before I even had the chance to really push her. I was so close, but her lack of knowledge kept getting in the way.

She thinks I’m a lunatic.

I was scaring her, and now a crossroad had presented itself. I had to ease her fears, or I’d risk her walking away from me forever.

The entire situation was not only new for her, but new for me as well. I’ve never taken on a regular Sub before. All of my exploits had only been a one or two night fling, having never wanted anything more than that. But here Krystina was, sitting there wide eyed and confused, her perfect skin begging for me to take all the time in the world to kiss and explore every inch of it.

The mere idea of her leaving caused a feeling of dread to descend upon me, although I wasn’t sure why. I only knew that I wanted her to stay.

“Do you want to leave?” I asked.

“No, of course not. I’m just trying to grasp…all of this,” she said hesitantly.

I tried to mask the feeling of relief that washed over me.

Good. She wants to stay. Keep the dialogue open.

“You know you can ask me anything that you want,” I offered. “I think we’re beyond keeping barriers now. I’ll give it to you straight.”

She cast her gaze down and began to fiddle with the hem of her snug cotton shirt. I knew she had a question that was balancing on the tip of her tongue, and I waited patiently for her to ask what was on her mind. I could only pray that she kept her questioning to the subject at hand, and avoided any prying into my past.

“Have you done this stuff with a lot of women?”

Shit.

The question was unexpected and potentially dangerous. Although it was a fair one, I was curious as to why it was a concern to her. I had to be careful with the answer, because one question could always lead to another.

“There have been a few,” I evaded.

“That’s not exactly giving it to me straight, Alex,” she said sarcastically. Normally I would be offended, but I found her ability to call me out refreshing and I told her as much.

“Cutting through the BS to discover the truth. You really are a breath of fresh air. I’m not used to people being that way with me.”

“So? Have you?” she pushed.

“Yes, Krystina. I have.”

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