Portia shook off those thoughts. There was no time for sadness or bitterness. She was meeting Aleks for breakfast, and while it was likely to be a boring business meeting, she’d let herself enjoy his company.
She stepped out into the misty Seattle morning. Loose fog blanketed the city, though it didn’t obscure the buildings today, the way it did some mornings. Instead, the fog gave everything a hazy overlay.
“Good morning, Portia.” Aleks’s deep voice came from her left.
She spun around to greet him and the words caught in her throat. He was dressed for the unpredictable Seattle weather, where autumn could bring anything from rain and sleet to unseasonably warm sunny days. Black jeans hugged firm thighs that she’d gripped with her own. An old-timey bomber-style leather jacket over a white shirt covered his broad chest. He held two cups and a small bag. But it was the grin on his face that made her heart skip a beat.
“Good morning.” The greeting came out huskier than she intended and heat tinged her cheeks.
“Thank you for meeting me, especially on such short notice.” His sincerity flustered her. He handed her one of the cups.
“I was surprised to get your message this morning. Especially after the call last night.” The words came out a little sharper than she intended and she hid a wince.
He exhaled sharply. “I’m sorry about that. Ignoring my employers isn’t something I can do lightly. They expect immediate and absolute loyalty.” A shadow passed over his face.
“Dealing with my father was frequently like that.” Crap. She had definitely not intended to say that. She needed caffeine immediately.
Taking a tentative sip of the drink he’d handed her, she let the contents roll over her tongue. Coffee, slightly sweet and balanced with steamed milk. “It’s perfect.” She looked up at him in surprise.
“Flat white, two sugars,” he said smugly. “I used your dossier for something other than its intended purpose.”
She should be concerned that the Solveigs’ dossier on her was that detailed but decided to be amused instead. It was the kind of thing Tommy would have done. The thought made her smile. “Is that breakfast?” She nodded at the bag.
“Yes. There’s a little European coffee shop near Pike Place Market.” His smile brightened the morning.
“There is?” Coffee was still big business in Seattle. The reigning corporation had gotten its claws deep into the city years and years ago. Sure, rivals cropped up from time to time, but the odds of survival were low. The other coffee companies either faded away quietly or they were made to disappear... violently.
Aleks looked at Portia, laughter in his deep-sea eyes. “Yes. Tucked in a corner, only a few tables, known for delicious pastries?”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t sound familiar.” Admitting that felt like failure. How could she not know about a hidden gem of a coffee shop in her city, only a few blocks from where she lived? And itwasher city.
Portia glanced from him to the bag of pastries. It was a sweet gesture, one that touched her a little too much, since it would have been so much easier to eat at a restaurant. At least then she wouldn’t have to wonder where he intended them to eat. “Did you want to eat at your hotel suite? Or did you want to come up?” Panic nipped at the words. It felt too—soon? Too much? Too personal?—to invite him into the home she’d shared with Tommy. The apartment had been their place. Her escape from the pressures of work. The only person they’d ever had over was Killian.
“I thought we’d just walk, if that’s okay with you.” He was watching her closely and she worried about what her expression may have given away.
“Yes, that’s great,” she said, her relief obvious in her tone.
Aleks discombobulated her. He worked for the enemy and yet he made her feel things she hadn’t expected to feel again. It was as infuriating as it was special. He made her want to lower her defenses, but that had proven to be a mistake two nights ago.
Yet here she was, meeting him for breakfast in broad daylight. Or at least fog.
“We can play tourist in your city.”
Be a tourist in her own city? Portia had never even considered that. She was actually surprised that Tommy had never suggested it either. Then again, maybe she wasn’t. He’d probably done everything there was to do in the city while she was working.
“I’d like that,” she admitted. “But not today. I do have time for coffee and pastries, though.”
Maybe Tommy had been right. Maybe she did need to spend less time in the office.
Chapter19
“This dossier of yours.Does it say what kind of pastries I like?” Portia’s smile was shy, her tone a little bit flirtatious.
Aleks’s brain raced to catch up with this unexpected turn of events. He’d been up too late researching the Vyne situation and studying his options. After too few hours of sleep, he’d left the hotel in search of coffee. The coffee shop had been recommended online and he was desperate for a reminder of home.
Messaging Portia this morning had been an impulse move, born of insufficient sleep and caffeine deprivation. Her agreement had brought a burst of happiness; suddenly he’d been awake and his mind clear. Every neuron was focused on seeing her and his synapses danced with pleasure at the thought.
Which had to be another unexpected malfunction in the brain chip. Instead of overthinking it, he decided to enjoy this unexpected moment.
