The door shut immediately, and I let my forehead fall to Marek’s. “I’m sorry, I don’t know…I just…”

“Never apologize, Ria. The only one who should apologize is Aleksei.” Marek lifted my head up. “Not for that.”

“Okay.” I let my voice come out as a hushed whisper.

Kissing him again, Marek picked me up this time, moving to the couch where he sat down. My legs were straddling his lap, and I wrapped my arms around him. One of his hands splayed across my back while the ...