Page 3 of Set In Stone

It was over and time to move on. However, I knew Alexander was right. While I may have thought he was overreacting about the press, Charlie was still a very big concern. If Alexander felt I needed my own personal bodyguard, so be it. It would be smart to concede this onething.

“What’s the name of the security detail that will be coming to see me?” I acquiesced, knowing that I would have a bodyguard whether I agreed to it ornot.

“Samuel something or another,” Alexander replied absently as he shrugged into his suit coat. After knotting and straightening his tie, he glanced at his Rolex. “It’s almost seven. Hale will be here shortly. Are you sure I can’t convince you to take the morningoff?”

“I’m sure,” I told himfirmly.

“Alright then. I just need to grab a few things from my home office and then we can be on our way. Oh, and one more thing,” he added. “I have a stylist coming by in the morning to fit you for a dress for Matteo’s grandopening.”

My eyes widened insurprise.

“A stylist? Are youserious?”

He looked at me, seeming perplexed by myquestion.

“Of course, I’m serious. Why would I joke? I’m not sure if anything I purchased for your wardrobe is suitable,” he stated matter-of-factly and motioned to the closet full of clothes that he provided for me. “The restaurant is named after you, after all. You’ll need to be dressed for theoccasion.”

I thought of the massive walk-in closet full of designer clothes, none of which I purchased for myself. In fact, the only name brand clothes I owned prior to meeting Alexander had been purchased by mymother.

“Well, yes. I suppose…” I trailed off, at a loss for words, wanting toscream.

Maybe I want to shop for a dressmyself!

“Good. The stylist will be here at nine. That should give you plenty of time to choose something,” he informed me, oblivious to myastonishment.

Speechless, I nodded. I could only wish that there was a way for us to go back to the place we were last night. Naked, in each other’s arms, as if the world and all its troubles did not exist. But, that was out of my control; just as dressing myself apparently wastoo.

2

alexander

After walkingKrystina to her office in Cornerstone Tower, I made my way to my own office. Entering the elevator, I punched the code into the keypad that would take me up to Stone Enterprise on the fiftieth floor. As the elevator ascended, I mused over Krystina’s behavior from themorning.

She was off. Veryoff.

I saw her bristle when I mentioned the stylist, but it was for her own good. Hitting Fifth Avenue on her own would leave her vulnerable. If I could take her shopping myself, I would. Unfortunately, my day was full. I had too many contracts to review and I couldn’t rearrange any of mymeetings.

Nonetheless, I thought there was something more than just the stylist that was bugging her. I could not put my finger on it, but Krystina hadn’t been acting right for a few weeks. Our relationship seemed tense, her temper was shorter than normal, and she seemed visibly exhausted. I attributed all of it to the long hours she had been working. While this week might have been her first week back to Turning Stone Advertising since the accident, she had poured over client files for a solid week before hand. It was apparent that the rigorous schedule had taken its toll on her and burnout wasimminent.

I urged her to take it slow, but she was too damn stubborn. She went in with a full head of steam on day one. It was time I put a stop to it. I missed my angel. If it meant I had to tie her down to keep her healthy, so beit.

I envisioned Krystina being tied down. Naked. Instinctually, my cocktwitched.

I haven’t pulled out the ropes lately. Perhaps I shouldtonight.

I mused over the thought as the elevator chimed the arrival to my floor. I exited the lift and acknowledged Laura, who was already behind her desk tapping away on the keyboard of hercomputer.

“Morning,Laura.”

“Good morning, Mr. Stone,” my assistant greeted in return. “Your schedule for the day is printed and on your desk. Will you be needing me to go over any of it withyou?”

“No, Laura. I looked over the emailed version of it on the ride here. If I need anything, I’ll let youknow.”

“Very good, sir. I just forwarded you an email from The Carnegie Corporation. You’re being considered for the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for the contributions the Stoneworks Foundation makes to the city. The winner will be announced at the Governors CharityBall.”

Fucking great. Another dinner toattend.

Being considered for the award was an honor, but I didn’t need the recognition. The Stoneworks Foundation did a lot for the city, but it was not the only foundation to do good deeds. As far as I was concerned, there were many others that deserved the recognition and publicity overme.

---