Page 37 of Wishing Stone

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s hard to explain. Controlling you in the playroom is like having every one of my fantasies come true. A whole combination of things can bring the devil in me to life—your willingness to submit, the texture of the leather flogger, the sound it makes when it hits your skin, seeing your rosy flesh, the heavy smell of sex in the air, the adrenaline rush.” I paused momentarily when I heard her sudden intake of breath, knowing she was imaging everything I was saying. I pictured it too. It made my cock twitch with anticipation, but I forced myself to continue on. It was imperative that she understood why we could not go to the playroom anytime soon. “All of it makes me want to rule you—to own you. Sometimes, my desire to see your flesh turn a beautiful shade of red is overwhelming, and I lose track of all time and space, solely focusing on the task at hand. So while I’m careful not to push you too far, you know how the lines can sometimes blur. It’s why you have a safe word.”

“I’ve never had to use the word sapphire when we were together that way, Alex. I trust you. But I know how important it is for you to experience dominance sexually, and I worry that you aren’t getting what you need when we’re together.”

“It doesn’t matter if you trust me when I don’t trust myself. Not now—not when there’s a chance you could be pregnant. As for me getting what I need, whether it be vanilla or sex with all the kinky bells and whistles known to man—it’s you I will always want. If anything, I should be the one expressing worry after the way you’ve continued to bring up the playroom as of late. Are you sure thatyouare not the one getting bored with me?”

“Don’t be silly,” she said with a playful swat to my chest.

“I love you, angel. I want nothing more than to make sure you are always far from harm—even if that includes me sometimes.”

Pressing her lips into a tight line, she drew her brows together and frowned.

“Speaking of keeping me out of harm’s way, there is something else I had to ask you,” she added, albeit hesitantly. Her apprehension had alarms bells sounding in my head.

“Why do I get the feeling that I’m not going to like what you’re about to say?”

“Just hear me out, Alex. All of this stuff with Stone’s Hope has everyone in a tizzy.”

“What do you mean by ‘in a tizzy’ and who is everyone?”

“The entire staff is threatening to quit because we had to cancel the Christmas party for the moms and kids.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I scoffed. “How will a mass exodus help anyone?”

“Well, they think we can and should do more to help them. They’re right, even if they don’t understand the legal concerns. That said, I came up with an idea. Turning Stone Advertising has no affiliation with Stone Enterprise anymore since I was able to meet the buy out, so I will donate under the advertising business’s name. I’ve already cleared it with Stephen. He doesn’t foresee an issue with it.”

“If Stephen gave you the all-clear, then I don’t see why not.”

“Good. So you’ll be okay if I stop into the shelter to tell them myself?”

Sitting straight up, I twisted to stare down at her, feeling shocked that she would even suggest such a thing after the lengths we’d gone to keep her isolated.

“Are you out of your mind? Absolutely not! There is no way in hell that I’d allow you to ever step foot into a high-risk congregate setting,” I boomed.

“Allow me?” she challenged with raised brows.

“Don’t push me, Krystina. This is not the time to pull the independent woman card on me. The answer is no. It’s too risky.”

“Alex, I really think it will make a difference to the staff if I go. Everyone is just so tired after the past year couple of years. They need a morale boost, and I think I can give it to them.”

“Have Justine do it,” I countered.

“Justine has enough on her plate with the other areas of the foundation. Besides, I’m not going to have her talk to them about a donation coming frommycompany. That’s absurd.”

It certainly was absurd, but it didn’t matter to me. There was no way I would sanction a visit to a large group setting. The shelter was one of the worst places she could be at a time like this.

“Then do it via video conference. Either way, you’re not going to the shelter in person,” I said forcefully.

“Alex, you’re being unreason—”

“Enough. This isn’t up for negotiation. Go to sleep now, Krystina.”

“Not until we talk about this.”

“I said that’s enough!”

I laid back down, pulled the top sheet and comforter over us, then rolled onto my side. With my back facing her, I’d effectively ended the conversation. I waited in silence, hoping I would soon hear my wife’s soft and even breathing signaling that she was asleep. However, after thirty minutes of my silence, all I could hear were her quiet sobs.

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