Page 122 (1/2)

Gratitude brushes away the darkness, igniting a spark of exciteether “Thank you”

“For what?” she asks, letting her hand drop back to the bed as if holding up her arm takes too much effort

“For knoho I aardless”

“I do I love you, Alex,” she says with a gentle light in her eyes, giving me the confirmation I crave

A smile starts in ood, this smile that comes from inside Nor but a nonverbal form of communication that my mind dictates in suitable circumstances But this one comes from the heart I haven’t s I’ve forgotten how a man is supposed to smile

“What?” she asks, her lips curving in a similar fashion

Brushing her hair away from her forehead, I take in her beautiful face “Here we are, in St Petersburg, only not under the circuined”

“No,” she agrees “It didn’t exactly turn out the way I expected Did you call my mom?”

“Not yet I wanted you to wake up first” I figure it’s her call to make

“Good” She relaxes visibly “I don’t want her to worry I’…”

“Thinking what, kiska?”

“That she doesn’t need to know everything”

I nod “I respect your wish”

She searches o home? I mean, to New York?”

“As soon as you’re back to normal”

Her expression turns hopeful “Do you mean that?”

Another bout of guilt tightense met We’ll have to come back here every once in a while, but I promise you it will be under much more pleasant circumstances, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t interfere with your job”

Exhaling a breath, she says, “I can live with that”

I lift her hand to hto ask so of her I don’t deserve “Katerina,” I start,you here…”

“I forgive you,” she says before I can continue

I stare at her, processing the gift she offers There’s only one way I can repay her Soleain”

She grins “I’ll hold you to that”