Page 141 of Heart of Stone

“I’ve been walking around all day with this necklace on, advertising that I’m a part of a world that I truly know nothing about. The only experience that I have is with you!”

“What’s your point?” I asked, somewhat irritably. I was beginning to lose my patience for her little temper tantrum.

“You’re so tight lipped about your past, that hoping for a straight answer from you regarding anything is like wishing for snow in July. Then there’s this whole business regarding your alternative lifestyle – that’s an entirely different beast. I know there’s more that you’re not telling me, and it’s probably nothing that I can read about on the internet,” she paused to take a breath, then looked me square in the eyes. “I need answers. I want to go to your club.”

So that’s it…she wants to go to Club O.

I wondered why she suddenly decided to press the issue. Whatever the reason was, I knew that I couldn’t take her there – at least not anytime soon. Krystina had yet to fully understand the meaning behind a true Dom and Sub relationship. It was built on trust and honesty. They went hand in hand, and neither of us had fully given that to each other as of yet. There were too many secrets between us – a very important fact that neither of us could deny. The club would only complicate our already fragile start.

“Krystina, I already told you. I don’t want to take you there. You’re not ready for it.”

“And who are you to decide what I’m ready for? I don’t need you to be my protector. I can handle it and I want to see and learn for myself. It’s barely after ten. I’m sure it’s not too late to go now.”

Now! As in tonight! She’s out of her fucking mind…

There’s a certain mindset that a person needed to have before walking through the doors of Club O, and Krystina had anythingbutthe right frame of mind at that moment.

“Not a good idea – especially not tonight. I think it’s been a long week for both of us. Let’s just go back to my place and relax.”

“No, I want to go home,” she said, folding her arms across her chest in defiance.

“Krystina, we agreed that you would stay the weekend with me.”

“Or what? You’ll threaten to punish me for not giving unconditional obedience again?” she barked.

My head jerked back, shocked by her outburst. It was probably better that she did go home – at least until the bug decided to crawl out of her ass.

“Fine.” I leaned forward to hit the button that would lower the privacy glass. “Hale, Krystina will be going back to her own apartment tonight.”

“Yes, Mr. Stone,” Hale acknowledged.

Once the glass was raised back to its original position, I heard Krystina sigh.

“I’m sorry, Alex. I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” she said in a resigned voice. “I just think we’ve been spending too much time together, that’s all.”

What is this now?

I was completely flabbergasted.

“What are you talking about? I just got back into to town!”

“Yes, I know. And I appreciate the surprise. But honestly, I have an early morning spa day planned with Ally, and then I’ll be by your place after to spend the night. I think one weekend night is enough.”

She’s pulling away from me.

I leaned forward and hit the privacy glass again.

“Change of plan, Hale. My place.”

“What? I said take me home!” Krystina demanded.

“No. Not until we sort out whatever issue it is that you seem to be having. You’re all over the board tonight and I want to get to the bottom of it.”

CHAPTER 39

I paced Alexander’s family room, trying to calm my mounting fury. I didn’t know who I was angrier with – him for bringing me to his house despite my protests, or myself for acting like an inconsolable teenager.

Alexander wanted answers for my behavior, and rightly so. But if I couldn’t explain to myself how I was feeling, I had no hope of explaining it to him rationally. I had been back and forth for days – one part of me wanted to put some space between us, yet another part of me wanted all in. Space was a safer choice, but I didn’t know how to separate my emotions. The alternative would force me to open my heart and bare my soul, an option that could potentially cripple me.

---