“But you did. That means a lot. I haven’t had any relationships outside of clients, so I have no idea how I am with them.”
“You haven’t?”
“When would I have had one?” She raises an eyebrow. “I’ve spent my whole life on the street. It’s not exactly the kind of place to find boyfriend material.”
“You never had anything with a john? I mean, something…something different?”
“Never.”
I consider the idea that I’m actually more experienced in my love life than a hooker. The whole idea seems ludicrous, but what she is saying makes sense. When would she have found someone to actually date? If she did, how long would he put up with her given profession?
“So, I’m your first?” I glance at her.
“I guess you are,” she says softly. “Is that what this is, Evan? Is that what you want?”
I swallow hard.
“Do you?”
“Oh no!” She sits up and pushes me off her. “You don’t get to deflect this one.”
“But I’m good at that!” I laugh.
“You don’t like the idea of a girlfriend. That’s what you said.”
“And you kept telling me that’s exactly what I really wanted, and I’m just too lazy to go find one.”
“I didn’t say you were lazy.” She lies back down beside me, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “I understand how complicated relationships can get, especially with…well, with what you do.”
I raise an eyebrow at her. I’m still uncomfortable with her speaking of such things aloud.
She nods, understanding the meaning of my look, and then crosses her arms and looks at me pointedly.
“You still haven’t answered the question,” she says. “Is that what you want?”
“Yes,” I finally say, “I want that.”
“In that case”—Alina sits up a bit, leans on one arm and looks down at me—“I understand that when people are experiencing great loss, they can get very caught up in their emotions. I know how that can happen, and I forgive you.”
She takes her finger and places it under my chin, tilting my head toward her.
“But don’t you dare let it happen again.”
I smile.
“It won’t. I promise.”
“Good. If it did, we would not be having a
pleasant conversation right now.”
The look in her eyes is wondrous and intense. I tilt my head in her direction.
“Are you laying claim to me?”
“Why yes, Evan Arden, I do believe I am.”
My heart pounds but no longer from fear.