E


    “I was looking for music,” I blurted out.


    Alexander blinked. His grip loosened ever so slightly on my wrist, although he didn’t fully let go. “What?”


    “Music. I was trying to find out what kind of music you like.” My cheeks burned with embarrassment. For tonight. For the full moon. I wanted to… I wanted to n something nice, but I realized I don’t know what music you listen to, and it seemed stupid to ask because what kind of wife doesn’t know that about


    her husband?<b>” </b>


    Alexander released my wrist. He hesitated for a moment in front of me, warm breath fanning across my face, before he nodded and took a step back.


    “I’m sorry,” he said, taking me by surprise. “<b>I </b>thought-<b>” </b>


    “I know what you thought.” <b>I </b>lifted my chin and willed my face into a mask of calm even though it was so fucking heartbreaking that my own husband couldn’t trust me in his office because of my father’s actions. “<b>You </b>thought I was spying.”


    Alexander’s throat bobbed, a silent confirmation. I quickly looked away and held up the CD. “Here. I’m sorry I walked into your office without permission. I was just trying to surprise you.”


    Alexander stared at me for a moment, but didn’t take the CD. “It’s alright. That one is actually one of my favorites.<i>” </i>His voice was a little softer now, and when I looked back at him, his mouth was lifted into the faintest of smiles. The sight made my heart flutter. “I do wish you’d asked me, but a surprise would have


    been nice.”


    Well, the surprise was ruined now. Not by mine or Alexander’s fault, but my father’s. I hadn’t realized just how bitter about that whole situation I was until now–when the reminder that Alexander couldn’t fully trust me because of it came back in full force.


    Alexander looked at the CD I was still holding in my hand, then walked over to the shelf and pulled out several more. “Here. Take these too.”


    <b>“</b>You don’t have to…”


    He shoved the stack into my hands before I could keep protesting. “I like a little variety,” he said.


    I stared at the albums in my hands. “Thank you.” I took a deep breath, then said, “Are you free tonight?<b>” </b>


    Alexander nodded.


    “Good. Meet me by the old oak tree in the forest at ten o’clock.”


    Before he could answer, I turned and fled out of the office with the CDs clutched to my chest like a


    lovesick schoolgirl


    The rest of the day dragged by agonizingly slow, I checked and rechecked everything at best three times The nkets were spread out perfectly under the oak tree in the forest clearing a short walk from the mansion. The food was packed and ready. The candles were arranged just right rd even made a ylist from Alexander’s CDs and loaded it onto a small portable speaker.


    By nine–thirty, I was pacing back and forth across the pic setup<i>, </i>wringing my hands


    I wasn’t even sure if Alexander would show up tonight. Maybe he wouldn’t. And I hated how sad it made me to think that he very well might note to see me.


    At five minutes to ten, I was seriously considering packing everything up and pretending this had never happened. But then I heard footsteps on the gravel path.


    Alexander appeared through the trees, and my heart nearly leapt out of my chest Held changed out of his work clothes into trousers and a dark sweater. He paused at the edge of the clearing hands stuffed in his pockets. Red brows shot up when he saw me standing next to the nket with the candles flickering around me.


    “You came,” I blurted out, hating how small and vulnerable my voice sounded


    “Of course I came.” Alexander looked around at the setup, and for a moment, he said nothing. I began wringing my hands nervously again.


    “I swear I’m not going to sacrifice you,” I muttered.


    <b>1 </b>


    Alexander snorted, and to my surprise, he crossed the clearing and took a seat on the nket. “Well, it would be a very nice sacrifice,” he replied. “Good night for it.” He gestured around. This is really lovely, E. You made this all yourself?”


    My cheeks heated. “Yes, but it’s nothing fancy. Just sandwiches and stuff.”


    “Well, it’s perfect.” Alexander scooched over on the nket and patted the space next to him. “Come here.” I took a seat beside him, suddenly feeling like my heart was going to pound out of my chest. I was so silly -getting worked up like this over the man I’d been married to for five years and made love with twice. I wanted to me my heightened emotions on the full moon or the pregnancy, although I knew that would be a lie.


    <b>X </b>