Page 18 of Set In Stone

“Both of them?” I asked, genuinely surprised that he would think I needed two securityguards.

“Yes, both. Samuel is a little wet behind the ears. While my expectations for him are clear, shadowing Hale for a day or two will be beneficial. However, I understand that having them there might seem intrusive. I’ll make sure to tell them to stay out of sight. You won’t even know they are there,” he tried toassure.

“Hmmm…we’ll see about that,” I murmured. I tried to imagine how two men, as tall and broad shouldered as Hale and Samuel were, could manage to stay hidden in a dress shop. The idea was almostlaughable.

“I’m happy to see you show some eagerness for the wedding, angel,” he told me as he tenderly tucked a stray curl behind my ear. “Is this why you’ve been so distant whenever I’d bring it up? Because you want to have asay?”

“Yes,” I told him with a nod, pleading with my eyes for him tounderstand.

He ran his hands up and down my armssoftly.

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner? I thought you were just trying to put meoff.”

I closed my eyes and released a sigh. Shifting so that I could lay back down beside him, I nestled into the crook of his arm and placed my hand over hisheart.

“I love you so much, Alex. I didn’t mean to seem like I was putting you off. I can’t wait for the day I become Mrs. Alexander Stone. But I know how you need to be in control. I just let it go too far this time. Before I knew it, I felt like I was suffocating. I’m sorry for not speaking upsooner.”

“I will admit, you’ve been a royal ball of sass these past few weeks. At least now I know why,” he said with a lightlaugh.

“Let’s not fight anymore,” I told him and snuggled incloser.

“I’m a realist, Krystina. I know with you that will never bepossible.”

“Maybe,” I admitted with ayawn.

Alexander tucked the satin comforter around us, wrapping us together in a tight cocoon. My eyes grew heavy as I stared out the massive windows that covered the far wall in the bedroom. Wispy clouds moved slowly over the quarter moon, mesmerizing me into a near dreamlike state. When Alexander reached up and began to stroke the top of my head, I sighed incontentment.

“At the risk of sounding like I’m ordering you around, I’m going to tell you to go to sleep. You’ve had a long week and I don’t want you to be too tired for tomorrownight.”

“Yes, it has been a long week,” I agreed sleepily. “How do you suppose the turnout will betomorrow?”

It was all I could do to stay awake to hear hisanswer.

“It’s my oldest friend’s restaurant and it’s named after my fiancée. Curiosity over that alone will draw a large crowd. The press is inevitable, but Matteo needs the publicity. All reporters that will attend have been thoroughly vetted. Still, you should be prepared for the gossip mill,Krystina.”

“People are sonosey.”

I could feel his chest vibrate as he laughed lightly again, but he never stopped rubbing myhead.

“Yes, they are. But don’t worry about that now. Just go to sleep,angel.”

Not needing any further coaxing, I closed my eyes. Exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. In a matter of seconds, I felt my body slip away blissfully until all conscious thoughts ceased to exist, falling into dreamless and much neededsleep.

8

alexander

Iplacemy hand on theknob.

Fear consumes me. I know what’s on the otherside.

Justine.

Andhim.

I don’t want to open it. I know I have to because I’m the big brother. Justine needs me. The door swings open, but everything is wrong. It’s not myhome.

What’s this? Where amI?