Page 52 of The Truth of Our Past

Dimples will be my undoing. Slow-acting kryptonite.

I wake at sunrise, sore and sated. Alec is curled into me and his lashes fan over his cheekbones as he sleeps. He didn’t try to leave last night, putting an ache in my chest. It was almost easier when I had to convince him to stay. Knowing there’s distance between us.

But now the walls are coming down, and I have to remind myself this is temporary. No matter how much I wish to stay, eventually, I’ll go back to Sweden.

I have time, my visa won’t expire for three years. There is no rush to leave and no need to bring it up. He insists it’s a fake relationship.

This will run its course before I leave. For now, I’ll enjoy what Alec’s willing to give me.

Alec has single-handedly dragged me out of the depths of misery. Leaving my sunshine behind won’t be easy. The future is too uncertain to stress over.

Alec’s eyelids flutter and I’m tempted to kiss his lids, but that will wake him. He’s too peaceful to disturb.

Yesterday’s creative surge overtakes my thoughts and propels me out of bed.

“Hey.” Alec grabs my wrist with a sleepy expression of confusion.

“It’s early, but I am eager to work on the designs from yesterday. Go back to sleep, and I’ll bring you breakfast in a couple of hours.”

Alec nods, his eyes shutting again as his hand falls from my wrist. The ideas running rampant in my brain are the only things tearing me away from his irresistible body.

The workroom is empty and will be for hours, so I gather my materials and begin. I organize large pieces of scrap metal for the sculpture I see in my head, but then I work on the custom necklaces.

Alec is right. I can make a name for myself and then work on the sculptures that bring me joy. I snort a laugh at his comparison to Michelangelo. But if Michelangelo could spend years upside down painting a ceiling, I can make a few pieces of jewelry.

I’d already decided that one piece should be a bracelet instead of a necklace. She wants something bold and colorful. She described it as chunky, and a necklace would overpower her petite frame. I forge a wide cuff, hammering in divots and anodizing the metal into a riot of color. Matching dangling hoop earrings complete the look. Next, I create a charm for a necklace. I don’t have the right materials to make the chain, so that will have to wait.

Before I know it, I’ve assembled enough jewelry to fill a display case. I arch my back and roll my neck to get the kinks out.

“You coming up for air?” Alec drawls from the couch, sipping coffee wearing my clothes.

Min killenearly slips from my lips—boyfriend.

I’ve never been one to want what I can’t have.

But him. This. I want.

After crossing the room, I straddle his lap and kiss him. “I said I’d make you breakfast, but you brought it to me.”

“Lucky for you, I’m resourceful, and neither one of us will starve.” Alec holds my back as he leans forward to grab a muffin off the coffee table.

My stomach rumbles and I steal another kiss before savagely biting into the muffin. “What time is it?”

“Almost eleven. I have to go soon.” He picks up a hunk of muffin between us that’s fallen out of my mouth and pops it in his.

“Shit, I’m sorry. I planned to spend the morning with you.” My sister’s words come back to me. I don’t consider other people in my life.

“No worries.” Alec’s hands rub my back and settle on my ass. My cock jumps to life. “I hoped yesterday would give you inspiration to create.” One hand lifts to gesture toward my workbench. “How could I possibly complain? My idea was a success.”

“I have a bad habit of losing track of time when I’m creating.” I slide off his lap to sip the lukewarm coffee he made me.

“I don’t mind,” he assures me.

“I will make it up to you.” I’m not the least bit hungry for food as I lower to my knees in front of him.

Chapter twenty-two

Alec

---