Evie startled at a knock on her door. She froze, towel in her freshly-cleaned hair.

Clearly, she’d been more affected by Jimmy’s latest attack than she’d thought if she jumped at such normal sounds. But who could it possibly be at this hour?

She knew, of course. It could only be Alexei.

Evie shuffled to the door, feet dragging in reluctance. She wasn’t feeling up to facing another rejection tonight. Her heart already ached enough from the one earlier, and tears still threatened close to the surface. Why was he here, though?

She pulled the lapels of her terry towel robe closer over her chest and folded her arms around herself. She hesitated at the door. Before she opened it, she could live in a fantasy world. Entertain the idea that Alexei had forgiven her, and would sweep her up into his arms as soon as she opened the door.

But the harsh truth was she’d already blown her chance with him. Whatever he wanted now, it wasn’t a reunion.

She swallowed and slowly eased the door open, peeking her head through the gap and hiding as much of her body as she could. Even though he’d seen her naked, she felt too vulnerable standing there with nothing beneath her robe.

He stood in shadow so she couldn’t see his face, but the size of the figure meant it was unmistakably Alexei.

“Hi,” she said hesitantly.

Alexei shifted, and his face came into view as her apartment light spilled through the gap above her head and onto him. He gazed at her with an intensity that stole her breath, but she couldn’t tell what it meant. Anger? Attraction? Something else?

“Hello,” he said, then stared at her some more.

“Are you…do you want something?”

He blinked and the intensity in his expression dimmed. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” He spoke haltingly, as if the words were new to him, though she was well aware they weren’t.

Her heart melted, even as her gut churned. He was so sweet to her, even though he must still hurt from what she did.

“I am,” she said with a small smile. “Thank you again for all you did.”

He nodded. Evie half-expected him to leave, but he didn’t turn away from her.

Evie waited a second, wondering what he wanted to say. But when no words came, she figured she’d seize her chance. Maybe, maybe, it wasn’t too late.

She cracked the door wider. Alexei’s eyes travelled over her, lingering just a little too long to be just friendly, then reluctantly pulled his gaze to her face. Evie drew in a shuddering breath. He was still attracted to her, at least. Maybe that was enough, for now. Some kind of sign that things weren’t truly over between them. There was still hope.

She grasped the thread of courage that such thoughts gave her and straightened her spine.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “For what I said. I should have known you’d never hurt me. I was just scared.”

He shook his head, as if in denial, and Evie’s heart sank again. It was like being on a rollercoaster, flying and falling every few seconds, her gut sinking and rising with every hill.

“It wasn’t your fault.” He took a step forward and snatched up her hand in his. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

Her heart fluttered against her ribs, like a bird trying to free itself from a cage. Hope crept over her, stealing into her mind, her soul.

“You’ve been nothing but sweet, and I—”

“Evie, stop.”

Evie swallowed, the tears that had been threatening earlier now pooling in her eyes. “No. It was me. I just got too afraid of what I felt, and how vulnerable it made me. And, yeah, I don’t want to encourage violence, but I—”

Alexei cut her off with a kiss. Brief but firm, he stole the words from her mouth.

She tilted her head up to look at him, eyes wide with surprise. He towered over her, so close that with every inhale her breasts brushed against his hard chest.

“What were you feeling?” he asked, voice rumbling through her. His expression softened as hope stole over his features.

Overwhelmed by emotion, the tears spilled down Evie’s cheeks. “I loved you,” she whispered softly, drifting closer to him. “Love you,” she corrected.

Alexei’s arm slipped around her back, pulling her against him. “Good,” he muttered, then kissed her again. There was more fire this time. His passion had been unleashed with her words and he no longer held himself back.

His tongue dipped into her mouth as he hauled her up further onto his chest so she was on tip toes. She kissed him back, breathless, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. The pit that had settled in her stomach since she’d broken up with Alexei disappeared, leaving a bright warmth in its place.

After a long, slow minute, she pulled back from the kiss, eyes still shut as her chest heaved.

“What?” he asked, the word vibrating through her chest.

“Does this mean you love me, too? Or is it too soon for that?”

“Ty moya,” he told her, his eyes darkening.

She swallowed, mouth suddenly dry with desire. “What does that mean?” she whispered.

“It means ‘You’re mine’.”

“Oh,” she said on an exhale. Love and joy welled up in her, obliterating the last of her worries and fears.

“I love you, Evie. And I won’t ever let you go.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I wanted to give you time. The moment had to be right.”

“And in the alley with grime in my hair wasn’t the right time?” she asked him, teasing.

He huffed a laugh. “No. Because then you wouldn’t allow me to do this once we made up.” He bent his knees and swept Evie up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She pressed closer to him, as close as she could get.

He pushed into her apartment and closed the door behind him with a kick. He strode with purpose to her bedroom.

“Does this mean you forgive me?” She had to ask, even as the tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks.

“There’s nothing to forgive. I swear I’ll never frighten you like that again, no matter what it takes.”

Evie wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her forehead into his chest. “Thank you,” she murmured, muffled by his chest.

Alexei lay her on the bed and planted his hands on either side of her. A thrill of anticipation ran through her as she realised what he intended.

He studied her face seriously. “I would do far more for you. I love you, Evie. Always.”

And before she could speak, he kissed her again, and everything was perfect.