I was curious to find out more about her for myself. Even if she was not the kind of distraction I came here for, there was no harm in becoming friends with the woman. As much as my housekeeper nagged me to get out of the lodge more, it would be good to have someone else to talk to while I am here.
With that thought in mind, I stepped away from the desk, content to leave my phone there for the evening. I rarely stepped away from the device for longer than a few minutes, but I didn't think I could handle any other phone calls tonight.
“Alex?” Asta called from the kitchen. “Will you be joining us for dinner?”
I rolled my eyes at the redundant question. She knew very well that I intended to eat with them. She had requested that I do so. This was her polite way of telling me to get into the kitchen so I did not appear rude.
I straightened my simple black tee shirt and slicked my hand over my hair, urging it to stay in place before I pulled open the door and stepped into the hallway.
“I apologize for my tardiness,” I called as I strode into the kitchen. “I had to take a work call.”
As I stepped into the room, Agotia’s presence enveloped me like the warmth from a winter’s hearth. The plain white sweater she wore hung across her shoulders like it was knitted for her. She looked so casually confident in her natural beauty that I stumbled over my words.
“I-it’s nice to see you again, Agotia.”
Doing my best to exude her calm confidence, I walked up to her, picked up her tiny hand, and pressed a kiss to the back of it in greeting.
“Hello, Alexander.”
Chapter eight
Agotia
Myheartpoundedhardagainst my chest; I was sure it would fall out of my ribs at any moment. I had been nervous about seeing Alexander again since I woke up this morning. Every hour closer to dinner increased my anxiety. Butterflies danced in my stomach as I pulled into the gated driveway and the huge house came into view. I tried to talk myself up, to convince myself everything would be fine.
And then he waltzed into the room like he owned the air I was breathing. Technically he did since we were standing in his kitchen, but it was more than that. It was as if he wanted to claim the breath from my lungs. The way he stared at me put me in the spotlight, like a piece of art at a museum on display for a private viewing. When he kissed my head, my whole body flushed. He had been so sophisticated, and all I could say was, 'hello, Alexander.' I wanted to smack my forehead in embarrassment.
Neither he nor Asta seemed to catch on to my riotous emotions as he continued the conversation with practiced ease.
“Whatever you are making smells wonderful, Asta,” he complimented.
"Thank you, Alex," she smiled at him, their closeness evident by the use of his nickname. “Could you fix our guest a drink while I finish this up?”
“With pleasure. What would you like, Agotia?”
His intense focus was back on me, and I wanted to squirm. I held myself still and forced myself to look him in the eye as I answered -
“I’m not sure. What do you have?”
He motioned for me to follow him, and we walked through a door off the kitchen and down a spiral staircase. The temperature dropped quickly as we descended. Lights flickered on to showcase a wall of wine.
“Take your pick,” he said, gesturing to the expansive collection.
“Umm,” I murmured, more than a little overwhelmed with the options. “I wouldn’t know the first thing about any of this. Why don’t you choose for me? I am not picky.”
He nodded with a small smile before pulling two bottles out of their holes. We stood there for a moment, the silent tension growing. He didn’t take his eyes off me, and I shifted on my feet, wrapping my arms around myself to ward off the cold.
“Shall we?” he finally asked. “It is rather chilly down here.”
I regretted taking my jacket off so soon. My sweater, while warm, was short and covered nothing of my lower half. I was confident in my skin; typically, having someone's eyes on me didn't faze me much. But the man behind me was proving to be different in every category.
“Oh, Agotia. Please forgive me,” Asta said as soon as we emerged from behind the door.
“What is it?” I asked, crossing to stand next to her.
"I completely forgot that I promised a friend I would help her with a few errands tonight as she is not feeling well. I cannot back out on her now. We could get together tomorrow and visit the flower market while we catch up.
I glanced back at Alexander, who had his arms crossed and eyes narrowed as he listened to Asta’s vague explanation.
