I decide to let it go for now. “Tell me about Alexi,” I say instead.
His face softens immediately. “What do you want to know?”
“Everything. I met him briefly at the office, but I don’t really know anything about him.”
We end up on the couch, my feet in his lap, while he tells me about his son. About how Alexi was born when he was twenty-five, from a relationship that didn’t last. About how Alexi is the best thing in his life. About raising a kid while building an empire.
“He’s strong,” Ledger says. “Stronger than I was at his age. Smart. Funny. He’s dating this girl Elena right now, and I think it might be serious.”
“I like him already.”
“He’ll like you too. He’s been wanting to meet you properly, but I wanted some time with just us first.” Ledger’s hands massage my feet absently. “Is that selfish?”
“A little. But I don’t mind.” I lean back into the couch. “This is nice. Just being together without work or stress or memory problems.”
“Get used to it. I plan on keeping you here all weekend.”
“What about Monday?”
“What about it?”
“I have work.”
“So do I. We’ll go together.” He grins. “No more south stairwell for you.”
“People are going to figure out we’re together.”
“You’re my wife, after all.”
The possessiveness in his voice makes me shiver in the best way.
The rest of the day passes in a lazy, perfect blur. We settle into the home theater to watch a movie, though I fall asleep before we’re even twenty minutes in. I’m exhausted in a way that doesn’t make sense. Ledger pulls me closer, and I’m out cold against his chest.
Antoine, the chef, comes by in the afternoon and makes us lunch that’s better than any restaurant I’ve been to. Marie brings fresh towels to the bathroom and pretends not to notice when she catches us kissing in the hallway.
By evening, I’m completely in love with this life. With the staff who treat me like I belong here. With the penthouse that feels more like a home than anywhere I’ve lived. With the man who looks at me like I’m his entire world.
As the sun starts setting, Ledger takes my hand. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”
He leads me through the living room to a glass door I hadn’t noticed before. It opens onto a balcony that wraps around the entire penthouse. The view takes my breath away. New York stretches below us in every direction, the city lights just starting to come on as the sky turns pink and gold.
“I used to stand here,” Ledger says quietly, “and imagine bringing you here. After I found out where you were, after I knew you were in New York, I’d come out here and think about what I’d say when I finally got you back.”
I turn to look at him. “What did you imagine saying?”
“That you were mine. That I’d searched for you and found you, and I wasn’t letting you go.” He cups my face. “That I loved you from the moment you laughed at my last name in that chapel.”
“I love you too.”
He kisses me as the sun sets behind us, and it’s soft and sweet and perfect.
Then it’s not soft anymore.
His hands slide under my shirt, and I’m pulling at his, and suddenly we’re desperate for each other again. He lifts me, and my legs wrap around his waist as he presses me against the glass railing.
“Out here?” I gasp.
“Out here. Under the stars.”
