The knock comes again. It’s firm, but not loud. I cross the room. When I open the door, she’s standing there.
“Eva,” I say.
Her voice is low and unsteady. “Can I come in?”
“Of course.” I step aside and take her coat.
The wrap dress she’s wearing clings to her hips and waist. My chest tightens. My hands burn to touch her, to caress those curves, to claim her as mine for the night, and ignore every reason why I shouldn’t.
But I resist. I fold her coat over my arm, force my eyes away, and lock my ungentlemanly urges down.
She slips past me. Against her presence, the white walls, steel lamps, and dark wood floors of my apartment feel even starker. She doesn’t comment.
I gesture toward the living room. “Drink?”
She shakes her head but then changes her mind. “Yes, please. Just water.”
I pour her a glass of mineral water. She sinks into the enormous sofa before taking the glass. But she doesn’t drink. She cradles it between both palms, as if for anchor.
I sit down too, keeping my posture casual and my eyes off her cleavage.
“What brings you to Pombrio?” My voice comes out level, detached.
Her eyes sparkle with humor. “An urgent matter. It really couldn’t wait. So, I got in the car and drove here.”
I recognize the wink at my stunt last night and smile. But beneath our private joke, the tension hums palpably.
“So, what’s your emergency?” I ask.
I suspect this is a booty call, but I need her to say it.
She sets the glass down on the low table. “I need to tell you something.”
“I’m listening.”
“Alex…” She inhales, her hands restless. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
I keep my face blank.
She presses on. “I want you. I respect you. I admire you. I trust you.”
What is she saying?I search her face.
“I want you in my life,” she adds softly. “If you’ll still have me.”
38
ALEX
Eva’s words crack something open inside me, but I don’t let it show. I could be misreading her meaning, jumping to conclusions, hearing what I want to hear…
“What kind of relationship are we talking about?” I ask.
She hesitates.
My tone clinical, I clarify, “Where would you place us on the scale from fuck buddies to public coupledom?”
“My darling,” she says, “I’m here to ask you to marry me.”
