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I’ll be in the office later than normal today. You can expect me in by 11:00 a.m. However, I’ll need an immediate response regarding Boston. Let me know as soon as you have it figured out.

Also, I need you to get in touch with Vivian ASAP. She will need to pick up breakfast fixings before getting here (she’ll know what to buy).

Alexander Stone

CEO, Stone Enterprise

I hit the send button and climbed out of bed. After allowing myself a good stretch, I threw on jogging pants and a T-shirt. The next order of business was a note for Vivian. I retrieved a notepad and a pen from my study and made my way to the kitchen. I jotted a quick note outlining my requests for the day and placed it on the counter for her to see when she arrived.

I really wish that woman would stop being so resistant to technology and get a cellphone.

However, I quickly dismissed the passing thought since she was so good at her job. I could rely on Vivian for almost anything and had committed to concede this one thing for the housekeeper long ago. There would be no changing it now.

You can’t teach old dogs new tricks.

I headed back into the bedroom to grab my sneakers and to check on Krystina. She was still sleeping like a baby, with her arms curled around a pillow and her mass of curls fanned out behind her head. The sun was just beginning to lighten the sky, casting a luminous glow over her skin.

I moved to lower the darkening screen in the room so the light from the impending sunrise wouldn’t wake her. Satisfied she would stay asleep for a while longer, I left her alone so that I could grab a quick workout in my personal gym.

Krystina

A rustling sound caused my eyes to flutter open. At first, I was disoriented, my surroundings unfamiliar. It took me a good thirty seconds to realize I was in the penthouse. In Alexander’s bed. The sunlight peeking out from behind the window shade told me I had been here all night.

Shit!

I hadn’t planned on staying the entire night.

“Good morning, Krystina. Sleep well?”

I rolled over onto my back to see Alexander standing at the foot of the bed, completely in the buff and utterly shameless. He had obviously just showered and was towel drying his wet hair. Droplets of water rained down from his head and glistened on his shoulders and chest. He was a magnificent sight, and I sighed inwardly.

Does he have to look so flippin’ beautiful all the time?

I gazed at him for a moment before chastising myself for ogling.

Focus—you need to get home!

“Very well, actually. What time is it?” I asked, looking around the room in search of a clock. Allyson was probably worried sick. I never stayed out all night.

“It’s just after seven.”

“I have to go.”

“Oh, no, you don’t. Not before you eat something. I’m generally not good in the kitchen, but I can make a killer omelet.”

“No, I really should. Ally is probably crazy with worry right about now. I don’t make a habit of not coming home.”

“You’re always in such a hurry to leave me. You have to stop doing that. Besides, you’re a grown woman, Krystina. I’m sure Allyson will understand,” he said, slipping into a pair of jeans. “Just text her and tell her where you are if it makes you feel better.”

“Fine. A quick breakfast then,” I conceded. Holding the sheet to cover my chest, I sat up. Alexander may have been okay with parading around naked, but I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the concept yet. “Would you mind grabbing my clothes from the bathroom? I left them there last night.”

“They aren’t there. I sent your clothes out with Vivian for laundering when she was here this morning to drop off groceries. They should be back in about an hour. Until then, you can just wear one of my T-shirts. Unless you’re ready to take another crack at the naked thing…” He threw me a suggestive smile.

I frowned at him.

“I’ll stick with the T-shirt if that’s alright with you.”

Alexander shook his head and moved over to his dresser.