Page 143

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 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 fundamental fact neither of us could deny. The club would only complicate our 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 a person needed to have before walking through the doors of Club O, and Krystina had anything but the 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 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 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,” he acknowledged.

Once the glass 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 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 to take me home!” Krystina demanded.

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

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Krystina

Ipaced 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.

“Krystina, sit down, please. You’re going to wear a hole through my carpet.”

“I’m fine standing,” I told him but stopped pacing. I rubbed my temples in an attempt to ward off the imminent headache.