Page 145 of Heart of Stone

“Your mother?”

“Yes. My father was an abusive man and she always blamed herself. Don’t be that woman, Krystina. Don’t allow yourself to be the victim. You’re tougher than that. Your admission today tells me as much. By overcoming what happened and moving on from the horrors in your past, you become the champion. The minute you stand proud and strong, Trevor becomes nothing but a weak little man.”

While I knew that there was truth in his words, I couldn’t help but to zero in the mention of his parents.

“What happened to your mother and father, Alex?”

He tilted his head up to the ceiling and closed his eyes. When he looked at me again, his expression was pleading.

“Angel, please don’t ask me that. I’m sorry, especially after all you have told me about yourself tonight. But I…I can’t tell you.”

It hurt that he wouldn’t open up to me. Only the torment that was written on his face stopped me from pushing him further, despite the fact that I was dying to know the truth. Alexander had his own demons that he was battling. It wouldn’t be fair for me to pressure him if he wasn’t ready. Because if there was one thing that I learned tonight, revealing the deepest and darkest parts of your soul was a decision that one had to make on their own.

“It’s okay,” I told him. “When you’re ready to tell me, you’ll know it.”

He looked doubtful, but he didn’t truly understand. For me, I felt that the truth had quite literally set me free. And as I stood in the penthouse with Alexander, the remarkable, alluring, and captivating man that he was, I realized something else. Our time together thus far may have been short, but it felt like we had known each other for a millennium. He wasn’t really the stranger that I thought he was, but familiar to me in ways that were rooted deep and unexplainable.

There was a silent understanding between us as I took hold of Alexander’s hand and led him to the bedroom. There would be no barriers between us tonight, as the past was finally behind me and there would be no looking back.

CHAPTER 40

I tightened the belt of the plush robe that I wore and followed a petite Asian woman down the main corridor of the Mandarin Day Spa. Allyson and I had only made it half way through the day, and I was already feeling like a pampered princess. My face felt revitalized after an herbal facial, and my bones were like liquid after the therapeutic oil massage. Next up was a hot stone pedicure and I could hardly wait.

“This is our Serenity Suite, Miss Cole,” the Asian woman said once we reached our destination. “Please, take a moment to relax here while you wait for your friend. Miss Ramsey should be joining you momentarily. There is bottled water for you on the buffet, both sparkling and still. Feel free to help yourself to whatever you’d like.”

“Thank you,” I graciously accepted.

After getting a bottle of mineral water, I made myself comfortable on a sprawling chaise longue. I lay back and closed my eyes, taking note of the soft music that played from a hidden source within the suite. It sounded like a bamboo flute, the melody almost hypnotic.

I could go to sleep right here.

“Oh, I don’t think I’ve ever felt so good!” I heard Allyson exclaim through the tranquility of the room.

Or not.

I opened one eye to peer at her.

“Good massage I take it?”

“That masseuse was gifted the hands of a god!” she swooned. She tossed a wicked smile at me. “And he kind of looked like one too.”

“You’re bad,” I laughed, shaking my head. I sat up and gave into a good stretch. “Things not going well with Jeremy?”

“Oh, Jeremy is fine,” she said offhandedly. “However, we’re not til’ death do us part or anything. I’m still allowed to look.”

The Asian woman that brought me into the room came in quietly behind Allyson. Her peaceful demeanor versus Allyson’s boisterous entrance was almost comical.

“Would you like to relax here for a bit? Or are you ladies ready for your pedicures now?” she asked Allyson and me.

“It’s up to Krys. I’m up for whatever.”

“We could go now,” I said.

“Then please, follow me this way,” the small woman said, motioning for us to follow her.

“This place is amazing,” Allyson appreciated, taking in every detail of our surroundings as we walked.

“I agree,” I concurred, sharing in her sentiments. “It’s just what I needed. It’s been a complicated couple of weeks.”

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