All Chapters of Claws of Stone: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Rebecca’s storyI knew it would be hard, but at the same time, I knew I wasn’t alone. “Miss Holland, in front of you is an exercise table I use on patients who have mobility difficulties. So I’m going to put you on that table too,” the doctor explained, and I could already hear my heart pounding to break my chest. I didn’t know if it would be painful, or how long the recovery would take. All I knew was that in the next few seconds, we’d get started. “We need to start with some light warm-up exercises. Dominic, will you help me, please? To get her on the table?” Dominic picked me up so lightly. On impulse, I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning my head up against his chest. I didn’t need to do that. I just sensed I had to. He was like a magnet that was inevitably luring me in. My body was putting up no resistance. It seemed so perfectly normal, this nearness between us.I often tried to explain to myself why I was so attracted to him. And it wasn’t just that he saved me, it was s

Rebecca’s storyI didn’t expect it to be so hard. Things that before the attack I used to do with ease now seemed painful and exhausting. I only got tired from a few exercises. With all the training I had done in my life, it was impossible now to believe that this was all I could do. But I would not quit. I was going to fight back and go all the way. Damn, this was really tough! I was struggling to hold myself together and not slip or fall in the shower. The last thing I wanted was to worry Dominic. He had so much on his mind; I had to show up, too. So I had to be ten times more careful about what I was doing. I carefully washed, rinsed and dried my body and hair a bit, then covered myself in the cotton towel Dominic gave me. It was so tender, like the touch of a man...like his touch...It’s just that I can’t help wandering off my thoughts into the deepest parts of my brain. And those thoughts were so full of guilt that a bitter-sweet ache rippled from my belly to my femininity. I cl

Dominic’s storyDamn all this. How was I going to tell her that the man she was asking for was actually her fiance? The man she was going to marry one day? And why the hell was I feeling jealous of a dead man?I didn’t prepare an explanation concerning Tom. What was certain was that in Rebecca’s mind, this Tom didn’t have a face. Only what she remembered from her dreams, if she remembered anything at all. And I couldn’t even go into the motives. She was very vulnerable now, anyway. So I’ll take the shortest possible way. “We’ll have time to talk about Tom, who you only see in dreams, anyway. There’s been enough excitement for one day, Rebecca. You’d better rest now.” For the first time in a long time, she gazed directly into my eyes. I knew she could see me so well. But there was still a void in her eyes. I helped her gently onto the bed, supporting her carefully. She looked so fragile, especially now, when something she so long longed for had happened in her life. “Maybe you’re ri

Rebecca’s story I hardly thought Dominic and Declan were talking about Tom like I knew him. Now I had to confront Dominic because I didn’t hear that part. They both looked at me as if they hardly believed I was the one standing in the doorway and heard them talking. I was no longer an invalid and no longer blind. I knew what I heard and saw. “Yes, Rebecca here! And you’re going to tell me right now what connection I have with Tom?” I could definitely say that I had surprised them, but I would not sit and watch. That’s what we had to discuss now.“Let’s go home and talk. Declan, please excuse us!” The doctor looked at us worriedly, first at me, then at Dominic. But the look on his face towards Dominic was so much different from the way he gazed at me. To be honest, I didn’t even realize it when we arrived home. Declan was really nervous, but maybe I was the one in a position to ask for an explanation. They were keeping me in the dark. So who had the right to be upset here? Was me

Dominic’s storyWhat I experienced the day before was probably the best feeling of my entire existence, but also the hardest to keep myself from going further. Although Rebecca invited me with her whole body, I had to restrain my urges and desire. The week was almost over and we had to get ready for the Treasure Awards Gala.All these days it seemed to me that Rebecca avoided me as much as she could, or maybe it was all in my imagination. But today the entire afternoon was ours. My footsteps led me to her room, and after two soft knocks, her voice from beyond the door invited me in. “Come on in” As she avoided me until now, I became aware of how much I missed the tone of her voice. As soon as I saw her, my heart started racing. She was beautiful!“Rebecca...do you think you can be ready in ten minutes?” I asked with a tremor in my voice. I wasn’t aware I had. “Definitely yes. Actually, I am almost ready,” she replied, and her voice penetrated deep into my soul. Only now did I realiz