Page 35 of Set In Stone

My little devil friend twirled with glee as the angel erupted into flames. Luca was getting closer and closer, his arms laden with a tray or something or another. Probably food. I didn’t really care what it was. Alexander had to stop this madness. At the sound of Luca’s voice, my head snapped to attention. I was sure my cheeks were flushed, but I put on the most innocent smile I couldmuster.

“May I present the first course of the evening. Artichoke Parmesan Crostini and marinated olives. I see you are enjoying the bread andbagna cauda.Can I get you anythingelse?”

Bagnawhat?

I couldn’t process Luca’s words. Alexander’s woodsy cologne combined with his wandering fingers clouded my thinking. I grabbed my wine and took a sip in order to avoid speaking. The wine warmed my throat as it went down. I had barely swallowed when Alexander pushed a finger inside, twirling and teasing around my clenched entrance. I wanted to grind shamelessly into his hand, but I couldn’t. We were in a restaurant. Luca was only a mere few feet away. However, none of that mattered to Alexander. He was intentionally driving me to the point ofmadness.

“I’m all set for now. Everything looks delicious,” Alexander told Luca. “Krystina? How about you? Do you needanything?”

I was thankful that I already swallowed my wine. If I hadn’t, I might have spit it out all over the table right then and there. I looked to Luca who was patiently awaiting my response. I tried not to think about the fingers that were still probing my sensitivetissues.

“I’m good,” I told him, my voice sounding strained to my own ears. The warm trail that began with the wine was now ablaze with flames brought on by Alexander’s mercilessexploration.

“Very good then.I’ll be back to check on you momentarily,” Luca responded with a slight bow before leaving our table once more. He seemed completely unaware of my suffering, yet how I managed to get through that was beyond me. Air expelled from my lungs in a whoosh and I started totremble.

“My, my. That was an Academy Award winning performance, Miss Cole. I’mimpressed.”

“I can’t believe you did that,” I hissed, struggling to maintaincontrol.

Heat pulsed through the blood in my veins as he continued to stroke. Regardless of our setting, Alexander always knew how to get me off. My orgasm was building. I could feel it. I wanted nothing more than to spread my legs wider and grant him full access. I was so close, desperate to feel the incredible height that only Alexander could bring meto.

However, I was intensely aware of the people around us. I would need to deliver more than an Academy Award performance if I wanted to conceal the pleasure that was seconds away from tearing through my body. My gaze met his. His stare was intense as he continued to massage my clit with rapid circles. I couldn’t look at him. Instead, I closed my eyes and tried to be still, as if nothing out of the ordinary was goingon.

My core had just begun to deliciously tighten, when all at once the incredible release I craved was viciously snatched away. I opened my eyes in shock and looked at Alexander. His hand was no longer under the table, but reaching to sample the crostini. I stared in awe as he casually took a bite, chewed, and then slowly licked his fingersclean.

“My favorite,” he said and eyed me seductively. I knew he wasn’t referring to thefood.

He’s toying withme.

Just fifteen minutes earlier, I was aghast at the idea of doing anything sexual in the middle of a crowded restaurant. However, in the blink of an eye, Alexander had me throwing caution to the wind, helpless under his magic. Now here I sat, about to combust from overwhelming sexualfrustration.

A wicked smile wrapped around the finger he sucked, making me suspicious of the casual way he slid each finger between his lips. I knew then that this was not agame.

“You aren’t going to let me finish, are you?” I whisperedincredulously.

“Only I say when,angel.”

My scowl turned into a full-blown pout. This was, without a doubt, the worst punishment he had ever doled out. It was nothing short of torture. I picked up my wine and threw back a huge gulp. Flustered by my desire and newfound irritation, I channeled my emotion into the food by adding a few olives to my plate. This was going to be the longest dinner of mylife.

13

alexander

Krystinaand I exited the restaurant and made our way across the sidewalk to the awaiting limousine. The hired driver held open the door for us as we approached. I guided Krystina inside, before glancing over my shoulder to see Hale just a few feet behind us. Before he had the chance to climb into the front passenger seat of the limo, I motioned him over tome.

“Any word from Justine?” I askedquietly.

“No, sir. I can go to her condo if you’d like,” Hale offered. There was sadness in the eyes of my security detail. It was an emotion that was uncharacteristic and somewhat alarming. Given the situation, I should have asked him what he knew about Charlie’s story. But, for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to form the words. Just as I was stalling a more fervent attempt to find Justine. Something didn’t feel right in my gut, compelling me to proceed withcaution.

“Just wait. I’ll give her another couple of days and then go theremyself.”

“Yes,sir.”

I turned back to the limo and climbed inside beside Krystina. Once the driver closed the door, she slid over next to me and rested her head against myarm.

“Everything okay?” sheasked.

I moved to wrap my arm around her, brought her head to my chest, and traced small circles on her shoulder with the tip of myfinger.

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