An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [31]
Her face filled with color at the memory of their kisses. She couldn’t believe the liberties Alek had taken with her earlier that afternoon. Worse, liberties she’d encouraged and enjoyed. She would be forever grateful that Mr. O’Dell had arrived when he had.
Julia had eventually drifted off. Because of her nap, she was unable to sleep that evening. Hoping to sidestep any questions from Alek, she’d gone to the hospital to visit Ruth later in the afternoon.
The condo was empty when she returned and Julia guessed Alek had gone to the lab to work. Feeling somewhat guilty, she microwaved her dinner, hoping he’d pick up something for himself while he was out.
He wasn’t back by the time she showered and readied for bed. She should’ve been grateful; instead she found herself waiting for him. It was nearly eleven when she heard the front door open. Light from the kitchen spilled into the hallway outside her bedroom as he rummaged around, apparently looking for dinner.
A second bout of guilt didn’t improve her disposition. Knowing next to nothing about cooking should prove beyond a doubt what a terrible wife she was. Another, more domesticated woman would have been knitting by the fireplace, awaiting his return with a delectable meal warming in the oven. Forget that it was summer; this imaginary dutiful wife would have a cozy fire roaring anyway.
Then, when he’d eaten, she’d remove her housecoat and stand before him dressed only in a sheer nightie.
But Alek hadn’t married the ideal wife; instead he was stuck with her.
“Julia?”
She was so surprised by the sound of her name that she lifted her head from the pillow.
“I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No…I hadn’t gone to sleep yet.” She sat up in bed and tugged the sheets protectively around her.
His shadow loomed against the opposite wall like…like some kind of fairy-tale monster. But try as she might, Julia couldn’t make him into one.
“How’s your grandmother?” he asked.
She shrugged hopelessly. It became more apparent with every visit that Ruth wouldn’t last much longer. A part of Julia clung to her grandmother and another part struggled to release Ruth from this life and the pain that accompanied it.
“You were at the lab?”
Alek nodded.
“Is it really necessary for you to work so many hours?”
Alek crossed his arms and leaned against the door-jamb. “Work helps me deal with my frustration.”
He didn’t need to clarify his answer. Julia knew he was referring to the sexual disappointment of their marriage.
When she didn’t respond, he sighed and added, “I know why everything went so smoothly with the Immigration official. You, my dear wife, are in love with me.”
The audacity of the comment was shocking. “I’m what?”
“In love with me,” he repeated.
“You’re badly in need of some reality therapy,” Julia said, making her words as scathing as she could. “That’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said.”
“Wait, I promise you it’ll get better. Much better.”
“Much worse, you mean,” she said with an exaggerated yawn. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to get some sleep.”
“Later. We need to talk.”
“Alek, please, it’s nearly midnight.”
“You’ve already admitted you hadn’t been to sleep.”
“Exactly,” she said. “And I need my rest.”
“So do I.”
“Then leave it until morning,” she suggested next.
“You’re my wife. How long will it take before you live up to your end of our bargain?”
“I…already explained I need time…to adjust to everything. Why are you doing this?” she cried, furious with him for dragging out a subject she considered closed. “I refuse to be pressured into making love just because you’ve got an overactive libido.”
“Pressured,” he echoed, and a deep frown formed. He rubbed his hand over his face, sighing audibly. “I’ve been waiting for you since our wedding night. You agreed that we’d be married in every sense of the word.”
“It’s only been a few weeks,” she protested.
“Ah, but you love me. You proved it this afternoon. There’s no need to wait any longer, Julia. I need