Trusting Stone by Alexa Sinclaire Page A

Remember that when I’m done. When I’m walking out of this apartment , remember it was you that insisted on knowing and thus ruining this. Okay?”
    “Eden, I can’t imagine that you are going to say anything that will result in you walking out of this apartment ,” he softly said. “You can’t ruin this.”
    Eden closed her eyes. She so wished she could believe him. She kept her eyes closed as she started talking. “Joachim helped me out of a difficult…situation once. It was not very pleasant and Joachim was a good friend.” Looking up to see Sebastian gazing at her, she realized she couldn’t do this.
    It was all moving too fast. She hadn’t even told Mara what had happened to her and now she was about to spill all her secrets to a man she barely knew. New York Eden couldn’t escape Boston Eden as much as she tried. She couldn’t reinvent herself and she clearly wasn’t ready to face her past. Eden felt her throat tightening. The realization that nothing more could happen with Sebastian made her feel nauseous, but there was no way she could continue this conversation. She had to get out of here.
    Shaking her head, Eden carefully placed her napkin on the table. “I’m sorry I wasted your time. Thank you for the lovely dinner, but this isn’t going work,” she managed to mumble through the sobs as she ran to grab her clutch and coat before heading for the door. She could hear him calling for her, but she slammed the door behind her and, thankfully, he didn’t come out as she entered the elevator.
    Sebastian’s doorman was able to quickly get her a taxi and, before long, Eden was safely back in her apartment , humiliated but otherwise unscathed. She texted Mara. Not successful, total disaster. Need to talk! Xx .
    Mara didn’t text back for a while. Eden knew she was probably out with Enzo, enjoying New York on a Friday night. Finally, she responded. I cannot believe you texted me so early. What happened? Don’t even tell me, I’ll be there in the morning. We’ll do breakfast. You better have a good reason! Xxxx .
    Eden shrugged off the silk dress, hanging it up carefully. Perhaps one day she’d have a good reason to wear something so seductive again.
    Crawling into bed with her flannel pajamas , she placed her phone on the side table, hoping she would be able to get some sleep. Her phone buzzed—a message from Joachim. Loved seeing you yesterday, Eden. Don’t be a stranger xxxx .
    Eden turned the phone face down, furious with herself that she was disappointed the text wasn’t from Sebastian. She didn’t expect him to contact her again, not after her ridiculous outburst, but as she slipped under her covers, she knew she couldn’t hide from the fact—she still wanted Sebastian Stone.
     
     

 
    Chapter Nine
     
    Eden woke to her intercom buzzing loudly. She stumbled across the apartment quickly, realizing in her sleepy haze that Mara must be waiting downstairs. Rick’s voice came through, letting her know that Mara was indeed there. She told him to let her up, opening her apartment door before moving to the kitchen to start coffee.
    “No way I’m staying here for breakfast. I need a soy latté and an almond croissant and you clearly don’t have those things here.” Mara’s voice echoed around the bare apartment . “And if you think I’m going to be caught dead with you out in public with your hair looking like that…”
    Eden whipped around. “Mara, give me a break! I just got up, I had the worst date of my life last night, come on!”
    “No, I’m not giving you a break, Eden. You called me to talk this out and we’re not doing that here. Get your ass dressed and sort out whatever the hell is on top of your head.”
    Eden turned off the coffee machine and stomped to the bedroom, dragging out a pair of jeans and a faded tank top.
    “No way.” Mara had followed her in and knocked her aside with her hip, riffling through her closet. “You are making an effort today, Eden. None of