Page 49

What is he so unsure about?

It was baffling.

“What is it, Alex?” I asked, my tone coming out clipped with impatience.

“Have dinner with me again tomorrow,” he said, suddenly taking hold of my hands and entwining his fingers with mine. I could see the pulse pumping at his neck, the firm set of determination in his jaw. There would be no denying this man, but I had to try at least.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Alex. I need to go home, and…I just need to think.”

He took a step closer, the predatory look in his eyes returning. His nearness sent my heart racing, causing blood to thrum loudly in my ears. I could feel the heat coming off his body, his delicious scent taking over my senses, wafting tantalizingly in my nose and making my head spin. He was so close. His warm breath mingled with my mine, his lips only mere inches away.

“Alright. If that’s what you really want,” he said huskily. “But when you get home, I want you to think about what it’s going to take for me to get inside of you.”

“Vulgarity is not going to help–”

He left me no time to react, cutting off my words as his mouth covered mine.

Holy hell. Alexander Stone is kissing me.

His mouth was tender, with just the right amount of pressure. It was soft. Delicious. And everything I had imagined it would be.

Without warning, the kiss deepened, his mouth demanding more. He kissed me with a passion I had never felt before. Nobody had ever kissed me this way. Heat exploded through my veins. My mouth surrendered beneath his as I returned his kiss with newfound passion—a passion that had been long dormant yet filled with an intensity I hadn’t known was in me. I moaned into his mouth, and he pushed his tongue past my parted lips, tasting me with gentle flicks.

He pulled my hips sharply against him, forcing my back and neck into a slight arch so he could have better access to my mouth. I found myself reaching up to run my fingers through his soft waves, pulling him closer to me and deepening the kiss, encouraging him to take more. He groaned against my lips, the vibration causing my nipples to stiffen in response. He ravished me like he was a starving man who couldn’t get enough.

His fingers tightened on my hips, then moved around to my backside, effectively crushing me against his hard torso. Forgotten were my reservations, my doubts, and my hesitations. All that existed was Alexander’s kiss, all-consuming, chasing away the pains of my past. A heaviness began to build in my chest and welled in my throat. I felt as if an enormous weight had lifted from my shoulders, and I almost sobbed from the relief. It was so good just to feel again.

Much to my regret, Alexander broke the kiss and pulled slightly away. I was left breathless. His kiss was beyond intense—it was electrifying and charged me to the very depths of my core.

“God help me, Krystina. I want you. I shouldn’t, but I do,” he murmured, his voice hoarse and ragged, sapphire blues a blazing inferno of desire. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, inhaling his scent that was already becoming so familiar.

A noise from the kitchen startled me and caused me to take a step back, forcing away Alexander’s fiery gaze and lifting the fog that seemed to settle over my brain.

I was disappointed when Matteo stepped into the room, yet almost grateful for the distraction. I desperately needed a moment to absorb what had just happened, and being pressed up against a heated Alexander Stone certainly wouldn’t help.

“Leaving so soon?” Matteo asked, glancing at my purse that was still slung over my shoulder. “What about dessert?”

“No, unless Krystina wants something, I think we’re all set. Krystina?” Alexander asked, looking at me. My legs were trembling so bad I thought I might collapse.

Speak, Cole! Speak!

“I’m good. Thank you for everything. It was wonderful,” I said with a shaky smile.

“Good, I’m glad you enjoyed it!” Matteo said, oblivious to the static current crackling in the air.

Alexander gave Matteo a light slap on the back. “Thanks, man. I knew you wouldn’t disappoint. Everything was amazing! I can’t wait until you get the place opened.”

“No thanks needed. This restaurant would still be a dream if it were not for you. I owe you, my friend,” Matteo said sincerely. Watching the easy interaction between the two men made me realize they were precisely that—friends. Their natural camaraderie showed they were more than just business associates.

“Don’t sweat it, Matt. Now go home. I’ll take care of locking up the place,” Alexander offered.

“I’m just going to do the dishes, and then I’ll go. Krystina,” Matteo said, turning to me and taking my hand as he had earlier in the night. “It was a pleasure meeting you, my dear.”

He placed a soft kiss on the backside of my hand. His lips lingered just a little too long. I was still so keyed up from Alexander’s kiss that my cheeks instantly went pink at the intimacy of the gesture. Matteo looked up at Alexander and flashed him a look even Satan himself would be jealous of.

“Get lost, Matt!” Alexander said with a scowl. Matteo laughed and released my hand.

“You make it too easy!” Matteo chuckled. He made quick work of collecting our dinner dishes and exited the room. I could hear him laughing all the way to the kitchen.