Page 31 of Set In Stone

I sputtered, unable to finish. Luca raised his eyebrows, but recovered quickly before excusing himselfawkwardly.

My cheeks flushed crimson as Alexander leaned in to whisper into myear.

“And command you, I will. I’ll have you begging to get out of that sexy dress of yours. But the necklace and heels, you’ll be leaving thoseon.”

My hand reached up to finger the intricate swirls of the triskelion emblem as I looked down at my dress. Smooth lines of royal blue chiffon poured down my body, held expertly in place with sapphire straps that ran over my shoulders and lined my back. It was the perfect dress for the woman who would be on Alexander’s arm for the night. I knew he would beproud.

I leaned away from him, away from the lips that hovered just close enough to my ear to send shivers down myspine.

“Don’t you have a crowd to workover?”

“Don’t remind me,” he groaned. “I’d rather be working over something else right now. With you in that dress, I might be too distracted to be of any use toMatteo.”

“I doubt that,” I laughed. There was still the proverbial elephant that loomed around us, but our casual flirting allowed us to push it aside. “Let’s go to the banquet room before all the hors d'oeuvres aregone.”

We made our way into the banquet room and found an open cocktailtable.

“Stay here, angel. I’m just going to get us somechampagne.”

I watched him walk away, enjoying the view as he went. There were very few things in life that made me catch my breath in awe. Alexander in a tuxedo was one of those things. The room buzzed with conversation, as wealthy businessmen, politicians, and restaurant reviewers mingled about and sampled the array of delicacies Matteo had set out. All were dressed formally, but only Alexander truly stood out in thecrowd.

I watched him cross the room with a champagne flute in each hand as he came back toward me. His hair was smoothed back, his waves almost as black as the tuxedo that hugged his broad shoulders. His stride was fiercely elegant and unmistakablysexy.

And he’s allmine.

The love I felt for him surged through me. It didn’t matter if he was Alexander Stone or Alexander Russo. I knew the man he was inside. I knew his heart, and it had capturedmine.

When he reached me, he passed me a champagne flute before resting his hand on my hip in a blatant display ofownership.

“There’s no doubt about it. You are the most beautiful woman in here,” he whispered into myear.

I laughed, the bubbly champagne matching the bubbly mood I suddenly found myself in. Curious eyes glanced in our direction, but I didn’t care. Being with Alexander in such a public setting was a rare occurrence. He made me feel like a princess among peasants. It was a heady sort offeeling.

“I’d like to say that flattery will get you nowhere, but then I’d be lying. Just wait until tonight,” I saidpromisingly.

“That’s twice you’ve teased me this evening, Miss Cole. Are you trying to give me a hard on inpublic?”

“I would never dream!” I admonished and laughedagain.

“Krys! Overhere!”

I turned and saw Allyson waving in our direction. She was off in a corner and appeared to be talking to a man whom I didn’trecognize.

I looked up atAlexander.

“You go do your thing. I’ll go hang with Ally for a bit. Besides, I want to drill her about Matteo,” I told him. His eyebrows rosequestioningly.

“Matteo?”

“Never mind. It’s girlstuff.”

“Don’t get too chatty,” he warned. “I might have to punish you if you’re gone toolong.”

His voice was a low rumble as a bad boy smile tugged the corners of his lips. It made my stomach flutter in anticipation of what that punishment might be. I rose up on my toes to brush a soft kiss over his lips. Despite my jeweled four-inch stilettos, he still towered overme.

“I can assure you, Mr. Stone. I’m counting onit.”

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