Page 69 of Heart of Stone

My phoned chimed almost immediately with his response. I looked at the clock. It was one thirty in the morning. I was surprised that he responded right away, but happy that he was still awake.

I couldn’t have planned this more perfectly if I tried.

1:31 AM, Alexander:What are your terms?

1:32 AM, Me:I want to meet.

1:34 AM, Alexander:Tomorrow night at 7.

1:35 AM, Me:I don’t want to wait. Come to my apartment now.

1:36 AM, Alexander:No. It’s late.

Well, didn’t that just suck…I want a piece of Mr. Danger-licious now.

I went to type my response, and found I was struggling to spell properly. Even the spelling auto correct wasn’t recognizing my mistakes. I glanced over at the empty bottle of wine on my nightstand.

Geez – I’m really drunk.

I should have known better. I knew that I was a lightweight and two glasses of wine was typically my limit.

Who in the hell gets drunk alone?

I turned my attention back to the phone, now wishing that I had waited until morning to text him. He was right. Meeting up tomorrow would be better. It was late and I needed to get my drunken ass to bed. I threw the first plan out the window and focused on plan B instead.

1:43 AM, Me:Fine. Tomorrow then. Where should we meet?

1:45 AM, Alexander:I’ll have Hale pick you up. You can come to my place again.

1:46 AM, Me:Ok – see you then.

1:48 AM, Alexander: Don’t disappoint me.

1:50 AM, Me:Don’t worry Mr. Danger-licious. I won’t.

1:50 AM, Alexander:???

Oh, now you’ve done it, you stupid lush.

I wished there was a way to unsend the stupid, made-up word. I was trying to think of how to respond, when the phone started vibrating in my hand. Alexander Stone’s name popped up on the caller I.D.

Crap! He’s calling – now what?

Pure panic set in as I stared at the ringing phone, trying to decide whether or not I should answer it. Talking to Alexander wouldn’t be very smart, especially considering my current state of mind. I had way too much wine in my system.

The phone continued to ring as I tried to make a decision. I didn’t think that I could handle him at that particular moment. But then I reconsidered. Maybe I could.

Okay, Stone. It’s time to have a little fun with you.

A sly smile formed on my lips as I slid my finger along the touchscreen of the phone.

“Hey, sexy,” I purred.

“Krystina?” he asked hesitantly.

“Yes.”

“Where are you?”

---