Page 64 of Allured
A rumble of contentment sounds from his chest, echoing as I lower my hand into his and guide him up the stairs. Once we reach the top, we see the loft area that looks over the den and foyer. As we stare down, I can imagine family gatherings in this house with Alek’s siblings and my own family mingling and enjoying each other’s company.
I think Alek imagines it too but the wistful smile on his face tells me he is not fully believing it could happen.
Without letting go of his hand, I show him to the rest of the second floor. A few rooms, the ones that had belonged to Elizabeth and her hobbies, sit empty now. Sadness lines his features as I explain how the house had felt empty, even when my ex—wife had lived here. I explained how there were times when we hadn’t seen each other for weeks with our busy schedules, and over time, we discovered that we simply wanted time away from each other.
“I’m sorry, Ez,” Alek sighs beside me as we continue down another hallway, true concern in his voice for what I divulged.
“I do not want to sound horrible saying this but much of our marriage felt like an obligation in the last few years. Elizabeth had mentioned that it felt like we were robots playing house when she first brought up the idea of divorce. I couldn’t find it in me to fight for our union because I knew she was right.”
I stop us in front of a set of dark mahogany doors.
“Alek, I need you to believe I have found closure and I’d like you to know a huge part of my healing journey started when I met you. You are not my rebound, as you stated earlier tonight. You are my reason to fight.”
“I believe you, angel.” Alek dares to blush at the moment as if he didn’t already know I felt so strongly for him. The pink tinge of his cheeks has me desperate to pull him into my arms and kiss him senseless.
“I would be honored to show you my favorite room, if you allow.” I free my hand from his, only to push open the double doors of my study. During our video call, Alek had peeked glimpses of my most sacred space, but now, he is one of the only few people I’ve allowed in my sanctuary in years.
“Holy shit, I knew you were a nerd but damn, Ez. There’s gotta be thousands of books in here.” The shocked look stays on his face as his gaze roams over my bookshelves.
“Truthfully, I lost count of my collection about ten years ago.”
Alek lets out a full body laugh and it has me giddy with emotion.
“Don’t tell me you’ve read all these books?” He looks at me, eyes wide and mouth agape in a look of a mix of fear and admiration.
“Well, no. I’ve read a good majority,” I admit, walking along the shelves on the opposite side of the room. “But it is not as if they expire anytime soon. There are books for reading and there are books for collecting. Many consider them to be separate hobbies.” My fingers roam over a small pile of books on the corner of my desk. They are the ones I wish to read within the week.
Alek catches my movement and walks over to see what books are in my pile.
“The Theory of Dance, and a post—apocalyptic romance?” Alek questions, taking the two books at the top of my stack. “Scratch that, post—apocalyptic, reverse harem romance? Sounds fucking hot.”
“Quite so, actually. I would be happy to read it to you sometime.” My tone is dangerously at the edge of flirtatious and of course, Alek picks up on it immediately.
“Maybe we should set this down in your bedroom, then.” Alek tucks the book at his side, his way of letting me know he’s ready to see my bedroom. Though it is not the last room I need to show him.
“The door behind you leads directly into the bedroom,” I motion toward the lone door off the study. I follow Alek closely as he steps into my bedroom. The room is undressed for themost part. Once Elizabeth moved her things, redesigning the bedroom had been the last of my worries.
“How’d my stuff get up here?” he asks, looking over his shoulder as I close the door behind me. When I turn back around, I see him set the book down on the bed beside his overnight bag.
“I brought it up while you were taking ten minutes to admire the pot filler in the kitchen,” I playfully remark.
“Oh c’mon, you don’t see those in houses really often, you can’t blame me.” Alek explains.
“It is yours to use, Alek.” I step closer to him, removing his hand from where he was rubbing it nervously against his head. “There is one more room I would like to show you before the night is over.”
Alek responds with a nod in agreement. My hand finds its place within his once again as we walk out of the bedroom and into the far end of the hallway. I open a slim door that leads to another set of stairs.
“Seriously, you have a whole other fucking floor?” Alek asks incredulously.
I simply lead him up to the wide and open area. Mirrors line the wall of the simple dance studio. There are ballet barres on parallel sides of the room and a speaker system that lines the back wall.
“Ez? What is this?” Confusion takes over Alek’s expression.
“It was originally my playroom when I lived here with my parents. As you know, after their passing, I lived with my Aunt Harriett and Knight. Harriett had been able to arrange for the upkeep of my family home as she raised both Knight and me. When I came of age and moved back here, the playroom no longer sat right with me. I had it changed into a simple room that we mostly utilized for storage while Elizabeth lived here.”
Alek follows along patiently but I see the curiosity burning in his eyes.
“I wanted to show my commitment to you by giving you a permanent space within my home as you have taken a permanent space within my very being.”
