Stoking the Fire (Salus Security #1) - Teodora Kostova Page 0,97

to reconnect?”

“I doubt it. He looked as surprised as Adri when they saw each other yesterday.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s a text from Alec.

Alec: I have an appointment to check out an apartment in half an hour. Wanna come with?

I scowl at my phone as I read the text.

“What is it? Trouble in paradise?” Evie asks.

I let out a dramatic sigh. “Alec’s going to see an apartment tonight and asked if I want to go with him.”

“When are you going to tell him you don’t want him to get his own place?”

I eye her through my lashes. “Who says I don’t?”

“Zach.” She inclines her head to the side as if she’s coaxing a toddler to admit he’s eaten all the chocolate.

I type a quick text to let Alec know I can be downstairs in ten and stuff my phone back in my pocket.

Evie huffs, her piercing gaze burning a hole in my side. Rounding the counter, I hug her and kiss her temple.

“I gotta go, but I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

“Fine. I’ll let you off the hook. For now.” She wraps an arm around my waist and pats my back. “When you decide to ask him to stay, I know he’ll say yes,” she whispers as if it’s a secret.

“How do you know?” I whisper back.

“Because when someone looks at you the way Alec does, it’s real, Zach. And it’s forever.”

Maybe she’s right.

But what if he doesn’t want me if I don’t need saving anymore?

I have a week left of my vacation, and I’m spending it prancing around Manhattan, helping Alec choose a place to live when I don’t even want him to move out.

Not that he has officially moved in.

Officially, he’s staying temporarily while he’s looking for his own place.

“I think this one is a serious contender,” Alec says as he walks around the empty apartment. “Along with the one we saw yesterday in Soho.”

I shrug noncommittally. Trying to keep my cool and be supportive is taking a toll. The thought of not waking up next to Alec every morning is making my anxiety flare up, not just because he makes me feel safe in ways nobody ever could. But also because I fucking love him and don’t want to wake up without him.

Why can’t he see that?

“Zach?” Alec waves a hand in front of my face to get my attention.

“Sorry.” I rub at my eyes. “I’m not sleeping well. I’m a little tired.”

Alec frowns at me, his hawk-like eyes not missing anything. “I was asking if you like this place? It’s decent size, has a view, and it’s close enough to your studio.”

I shrug again, biting my lip. “It’s fine.”

He arches an eyebrow at me. “I think we’re running low on options at this point. You’ve hated every single apartment we’ve seen so far.”

“I don’t hate them,” I say, avoiding his gaze.

“You do!” he exclaims, exasperated.

And I can’t take it anymore. I can’t not tell him how I feel because I’m sick and fucking tired of running around in circles, chasing my own tail.

“Well, yes! I do!” I say, my voice rising. “Because I don’t want you to move out! I want you to stay. In the studio. With me.”

The confusion in his eyes mixes with surprise, a frown appearing between his brows as he tries to figure out what I’m saying.

“But you said you only wanted me to stay while I was looking for a place,” he says, slowly, as if making sure he’s quoting me correctly.

“I only said that because I was too much of a coward to ask you to move in right away! I thought you might refuse and wanted to kinda ease you into it.” I look away when his frown irons out, and a smile makes his eyes twinkle.

“Ease me into it?” The teasing in his voice makes my cheeks heat.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake! Do you want to move in with me or not?” I’m projecting confidence and a healthy dose of annoyance, but inside? Inside I’m trembling.

Alec steps into my space. “You’re the most exasperating man I’ve ever met.” His lips on mine are soft at first, but then the kiss deepens, growing more insistent.

Placing my palms on his chest, I gently ease away from the kiss. It takes all the willpower I have.

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

Alec shakes his head, his smile growing wider. “Yes, Zach. I will move in with you.”

I jump into his arms, and he catches me, hands under my ass as I wrap my