Tears fall from my eyes and track down my cheeks, and Alek gently wipes them away. “I won’t if you won’t.”
He smiles softly, his eyes filled with warmth, before he kisses me again. “I won’t, I promise. Now go open the door and I’ll bring in the groceries.”
“Yes sir,” I tease with a mock salute, causing him to shake his head and chuckle as he watches me walk away.
I unlock the door, leaving it open for Alek to carry the bags inside. Knowing he won’t allow me to help put away the groceries, I head upstairs to gather and sort laundry.
I smile to myself finding Alek’s laundry mixed in with mine. It seems so natural for the two of us to be living together. I should probably clear out a couple of drawers for him to use so he doesn’t have to live out of his suitcase, not that he’s not used to that.
I’m just putting the last pile of sorted laundry back into the basket when the doorbell rings. Knowing Alek will answer it, I continue what I’m doing until I hear a raised voice I recognize immediately as my ex-husband.
I quietly step out of the bedroom and stand at the top of the landing.
Todd's is the first voice I hear, “Her boyfriend?”
“Yes,” Alek replies cautiously. “And you would be?”
“I’m her husband,” Todd spits back.
I can almost see Alek's posture straighten and I smile to myself.
“You mean ex-husband.”
“Whatever, I still care about her. Now get out of my way!”
“You care for her? Seriously?” Alek raises his voice, followed by an indignant huff, “Like you cared for her when you were married? Last I knew cheating on the woman you are supposed to care about, kind of gives the opposite impression. But don’t worry, I’m loving her and taking care of her exactly as she deserves.”
Todd doesn’t reply, or if he does, it’s low enough I can’t hear him. The next voice I hear is Alek’s.
“I’ll let Rose know you stopped by, but don’t bother doing it again.”
The front door closes and shortly after I hear a car door slam followed by an engine roaring to life.
Footsteps ascend the stairs and Alek runs his hand through his thick dark hair when he sees me leaning against the wall.
His eyes find mine as he blows out a frustrated breath, “Your ex-husband stopped by.”
“I heard. Thank you for handling that.”
His hands find my hips and he pulls me into his chest resting his chin atop my head. “My pleasure. I enjoy being your knight in shining armor.”
I smile against his chest, “Well then, Sir Alek, how do you feel about carrying the laundry basket downstairs for me?”
Alek steps back and performs a sweeping bow, “Anything for you, M'lady.”
I follow Alek downstairs, and start the washing machine while he adds the detergent and the clothes. It’s still too early to start dinner, but the perfect time for me to do some rearranging upstairs so I can surprise Alek. He sits the basket on the floor and follows me out of the laundry room.
“Do you mind if I get some practice in?”
“Not at all. I have a few things to do upstairs anyway. Besides, I love to hear you play.”
“Okay, nothing strenuous though,” he says, raising a brow at me.
I smile as I raise up on my toes and kiss his lips, “I promise.”
I hurry upstairs and walk back into my bedroom. I do a quick check, and decide to clean out the chest of drawers for Alek. Most of the items in the drawers, I can either transfer into the closet or donate since I haven’t worn it in a while.
As I empty out the drawers I create two piles on the bed. The soft sounds of Alek’s violin drifts through the air. He’s already warmed up with the piece he was playing the night we met, and is now playing a Bach piece. When that one ends he begins to play one I don’t immediately recognize at first. As he plays I realize this is the piece he created, the one he said I inspired.
Moments after the music ends, Alek walks into the bedroom. “What’s all this?”
I know what he’s asking but I decide to play coy. “This pile is going in the closet, and that one I’m going to donate.”
Alek steps farther into the room, “Okay, but where did it come from?”
“Well I was sorting the laundry, and I realized that you didn’t have anywhere to put your clothes. I didn’t like the idea of you being here and still living out of a suitcase, so I cleaned out the chest for you to use.”
He looks at the bed then back at me, “All of this was in the chest, and you cleaned it out for me?”
I nod my head slowly, “It’s the least I could do with all you’ve done for me.” He continues to look at me, as if he still doesn’t understand and I’m beginning to second guess my decision. I begin to pace back and forth to the closet adding things to hangers as I begin to ramble. “If this is too much, you can keep using your suitcase. I was just trying to make you more comfortable. If you’d rather I can clean out the one in the spare room for you. Maybe I’m being too presumptuous that you even want to stay any longer than necessary. I mean our circumstances are a little unusual and you have a life and tour to get back to. I shouldn’t presume that…”
I’m so inside my own head rambling, that I don’t notice Alek has blocked my path until I collide into him. Strong arms steady me then move to cup my face as his mouth descends on mine for a breath-stealing kiss.
Ending the kiss, Alek pulls away smiling, “It’s perfect. And like I’ve told you before, I’m exactly where I want to be.”
“Yeah?”
His smile widens, “Yeah. Now how about
