“That’s them!” I cried out, reaching in the notch to pull out the two priceless snuff boxes. We both stood as I handed them to Alex, excitement coursing through me.
"I can't believe we found them. Now you would not get sued, and we can use this as further evidence against Lucas."
“I can’t believe you found them. Thank you, Agotia.”
Alex threw his arms around me and pulled me in tightly for a hug. I wrapped my arms around his middle and held him close, savoring the closeness. But when he tilted his head back to smile at me, something in the air shifted between us. His eyes darted from mine down to my lips, making the butterflies in my stomach swirl around.
My heart pounded against my ribs hard enough that I was sure he could feel it. He didn't seem to notice as he leaned down, closing the gap between our faces. He hesitated, only an inch away from me, and without a second thought, I lifted myself onto the tips of my toes and pressed my lips against his.
The movement stunned him; he didn't move for several seconds, but his grip tightened around me, and he kissed me back. I poured every ounce of affection I had for him out in that kiss, allowing it to say all the words I had been trying to figure out all afternoon. I wanted him to know that I cared for him beyond the business deal and the fake marriage. I just wanted the man he is. His kiss was laced with the same heavy emotion I was feeling.
“What are you doing here?”
At the sudden voice, we jumped apart. Alex moved to stand in front of me as we scanned the trees for the owner of that voice. Lucas emerged from the bushes, his face still bloodied. He looked wild and unsettled.
“We found the snuff boxes, Lucas,” I called out from behind Alex’s shoulder as gently as I could. “It’s over.”
Alex’s hands reached out to me, and he placed the boxes in my hands, his focus never leaving Lucas.
“It’s not over. Nothing is over until I say it is.”
“There’s no need for any of this. Don’t make it worse for yourself than it already is,” Alex warned.
That set Lucas off. He charged towards us, his hands balled into fists, swinging furiously. Alex dodged a hit and stepped to the side, pulling Lucas away from me and towards himself.
“No, stop this!” I cried out, not wanting to see any more violence, but Lucas refused to listen to logic.
The two men danced around each other in circles, but it was clear that Alex outmatched Lucas ten times over. His punches always landed, and he swung hard. It was over almost as soon as it had started. Lucas was on the ground, the contemptuous look he had been wearing wiped off his face. It was difficult to tell where the old blood ended and the fresh blood started. Alex, on the other hand, was left untouched.
“Are you okay?” I asked, rushing to Alex’s side.
“Other than some bruised knuckles, I’m fine. We need to call the police.”
Lucas was taken, his hands in cuffs, by the local police. It was oddly relieving to know that he would not be interfering with anything anytime soon. But the thought of telling Asta about it all was gut-wrenching.
I rode with Alex back to the lodge. Neither of us had said much since Lucas first emerged from the woods. I was still reeling from our kiss, and Alex seemed equally lost. The distance between us grew wider again, even though we sat less than a foot apart.
Chapter twenty-three
Alexander
Afteraweekofchaos, the last two weeks of peace were so lovely to have. Asta was surprisingly coping well with the fact that her nephew was going to prison. She, of course, was worried about him, but she had also been concerned for Agotia and me. We all agreed that Lucas needed mental help more than anything else, so we collaborated with a judge to arrange that for him.
Agotia and I had taken a day to drive to the museum and turn over the snuff boxes in person. We decided to stick around and enjoy the museum's exhibits. The director had been kind enough to show us the plans for the snuff boxes; an entire wing named after my grandfather made it all worth it.
Otherwise, it felt as if we had all found our new normal. Agotia settled into the lodge well, providing Asta with the company on the days when she didn't go to the farm. Renovations at the farm were coming along nicely, and I hired enough workers, so she didn't have to be there unless she wanted to be. We would wake up together and enjoy breakfast with Asta before going our separate ways for work. Dinners were always at the same time, and often, we spent our evenings curled up in the library as we were now.
I ran my fingers through her hair, brushing them out of her face as she read. I pretended to be absorbed in my book, but I was immersed in her. We had not talked about our kiss or what that meant for us in the future. As much as I wanted the chance to kiss her again, I was content letting things take their course. If the rest of my life could look like this, I would die a happy man.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” Agotia said, pushing herself up, so her head was no longer in my lap.
“What?”
“I can hear your gears turning from here. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I was just thinking about the future -"
Right on cue, my phone rang. Every time we tried to have a serious conversation, there was some interruption that couldn't wait, and tonight would be no different.
