It wasn’t forgiveness.
But it was a start.
Elena Archer
I was tired down to my bones and honestly, I didn’t think I could handle this conversation. I sipped my tea and avoided Aleks’s gaze. I was curious about him tracking down my address and flying straight here. That showed—something. But I couldn’t be his support system, not when I was the one responsible for exposing the truth that had hurt him.
I put my mug on the counter and drew a heavy breath.
“I can’t do this right now, Aleks. I’m shattered. I need a shower and to sleep.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have intruded.” He put his mug down and stepped into the narrow hall. But he didn’t head for the door, he looked around, getting his bearings in my meagre flat. He set his sights on the bathroom, opened the door and started the shower running. I followed him into the hall and frowned at him as he busied himself. He hoisted my case as if it weighed nothing and put it on the end of my sofa. He opened it and fished out my toiletry bag. I opened my mouth to object, but no sound came out.
He fetched a towel from the small linen closet next to the bathroom, moving with calm precision, and took my hand as he passed me, leading me into the nicely steamy bathroom. He placed my things on the closed toilet lid and turned to face me. He kissed my forehead and smiled, a rare sight.
“Get freshened up. I’ll take care of everything.”
“You’re prying, you know? Going through my things like this.”
He shrugged and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. I was too tired to really object, and part of me had to admit that it was incredibly sweet.
I stripped out of my travel clothes and stepped into the shower. It was nice to be home, around my own things. I’d been travelling for nearly six weeks. But I’d also gotten used to hotels and being waited on—food, cleaning, laundry, all taken care of. Maybe Aleks being here and nurturing me like this was a welcome transition back to real life.
Once I was done in the shower, I brushed my teeth, patted myself dry, and got into my favourite nightdress - a long, baggy t-shirt with a sleepy kitten on it. It wasn’t sexy, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t in the mood for any of that. If Aleks didn’t like me like this then he wasn’t right for me anyway.
I made my way to my bedroom, not seeing Aleks on the way. I found him finishing making my bed, the bedding I’d lefton it when I went away in a pile at the foot of the bed and fresh sheets crisply turned down for me.
“You have to be kidding.”
He turned to face me and cocked his head. “They were musty from not being used for so long. I thought you’d like fresh sheets.”
“I don’t believe you. Who taught you to be so thoughtful?” I moved into the room, seeing him in a whole new light.
He shrugged again. “I’ve always travelled a lot and know what I like. I assumed you’d be the same.”
Okay, maybe I was starting to feel a tingle of interest in sex now. He was being unbelievably kind. Especially given what my article must have put him through already.
I sat down on the bed, drawing my feet up under my hip. I patted the bed next to me and he sat, kicked off his shoes and moved over to be nearer to me.
“What happened at Obsidian?” I asked.
He looked down. Drew a breath. Looked back at me. “What had to happen.”
“Tell me.”
“I read the article. I went to confront Ross. I heard him on the phone to Hartmann—” he stopped and looked at me with hard eyes. My heart sank a little. I could read it in his face, his tight shoulders, his twitching jaw. He wasn’t sure how much he should say.
“Aleks,” I reached out and cupped his cheek in my warm palm. “Off the record. I promise.”
He nodded once and leaned into my touch slightly, his face relaxing a fraction.
“He was yelling, saying he wouldn’t be the one to burn for this. He demanded Hartmann find the leak. You might want to warn your source.”
I nodded and withdrew my hand slowly.
“Thank you for telling me. What happened next?”
“I went in and we argued. Voices were raised. Harsh words exchanged. Mac—he was there, he knew. He knew everything. I trusted that man like a father.”
