"You should be grateful."
"For what?"
"For the title."
His laughter was quiet.
Genuine.
And for some reason, Elena found herself watching him.
Noticing things she normally ignored.
The concentration in his eyes.
The careful way he handled her injured hand.
The patience beneath his usual arrogance.
It was unsettling.
Far more unsettling than the kiss itself.
Because a kiss could be explained away.
Kindness could not.
"There."
Alaric released her hand.
His gaze lingered for a moment before he leaned back slightly.
The room fell quiet.
Neither seemed eager to be the first to leave.
Eventually, Alaric spoke.
"Clara's staying."
Elena frowned.
"Staying?"
He nodded once.
"She's asleep."
A faint sigh escaped him.
"Apparently she decided this penthouse belongs to her after three glasses of wine."
That sounded exactly like Clara.
Despite herself, Elena smiled.
Alaric noticed.
For some reason, that small smile pleased him more than it should have.
