Page 4 of Vienna Bliss

“Do you have a map of this place? Or architectural drawings?”

“No,” he called out, voice echoing slightly.

Alena gathered some energy and followed him, whistling in appreciation when she saw the bathroom, which was the size of an apartment all on its own. There were marble vanities with carved wooden mirrors. Light fixtures of wood with opalescent glass gave the space a craftsman aesthetic.

“Is this a bedroom?” she asked.

Alexander paused, a vanity drawer open, and looked at her. “No, this is a bathroom.”

“Ha ha. I mean this,” she threw her arm back to gesture at the room behind her.

“Yes, it’s…it’s actually my room.”

Alena’s breath caught. “You mean the master suite.”

“There are several master suites, but this is mine. My private space.”

He fished out a box and held it to her. Alena popped two tablets out of the blister pack, thought about it, and popped out a third before handing it back.

“I’ll bring you water.”

Alexander walked out, and Alena followed behind him as he went to a heavy wood sideboard positioned in the part of the room that made up the longer part of the L.

And from there, the alcove that contained the bed was visible. From the door, no one would be able to see the bed, and it was set far enough back from the windows that no one would be able to see it from the outside either.

His phone was plugged in on the nightstand, and it was such an unexpectedly normal sight that she just stared at it.

“Your phone is in Vienna.” Alexander held out a glass of sparkling water with ice in it.

“I wasn’t thinking about that, though thank you for telling me.” She popped the pills into her mouth and washed them down.

“What were you thinking about…? If you’re willing to tell me.”

“I was thinking that this really is your bedroom. In Vienna you took me to a guest room.”

“In Vienna you lied to me.”

The words were gentle, a reminder, not an accusation.

“I did. And I suspect you have many questions, though hopefully the most critical ones have been answered.” She walked to the sideboard, and started opening drawers and doors—one of which concealed a small fridge. Stocked with sparkling water, soda, and juice—all mixers—it clearly went with the liquor bottles neatly lined up in another cabinet, and the plethora of wine.

She stopped when she found what she was looking for. A coaster.

“You were looking for that?” He pointed at the small square of felt-backed stone.

“The woodwork on this piece is lovely.” She stroked the glossy top of the sideboard. “It would be a shame to damage it.”

“Alena.” His voice was soft. “Come here. You’re swaying.”

“More commands?” But she went to him, sliding back into his arms.

“Can you sleep in those clothes?”

“Do you have a t-shirt and some boxers I can borrow?”

“You…want to sleep in my underwear.”

“Clean ones, you pervert. But yes, boxers aren’t that different from sleep shorts.”