The Heirs: The Silver Knight

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Aleks

I'm not 100% positive that Imogen is more excited to see me than she is to spend time with the dog. Walter and Imogen are attached the hip. She gets up from the sofa, he follows dutifully. She uses the bathroom, he wants outside. This morning, I woke up with Imogen in my arms and Walter in hers. I'm trying to teach him not to sleep in the bed, but it's completely fruitless.

I smile as I stare at them, snapping a photo. I know she'll want that for her collection. I push myself carefully out of bed, grab a quick workout and shower before starting breakfast. I'm showing Imogen around the city today.

I put on some coffee before starting on breakfast – eggs, bacon, and Blini.

Imogen appears just moments after the bacon aroma fills the air. I smile to myself. Someone must be hungry.

"Morning," she smiles sweetly, wearing nothing but one of my t-shirts. Her hair is a mess, her glasses falling down her nose.

"Morning kotenok," I smile, bending down to kiss her. Imogen meets me with vigor, throwing her arms around my neck and deepening our kiss.

I feel a bit off balance when we part, but that's nothing unusual.

I watch her grab the mug I left out for her and fix her own coffee. I know she has a particular way she prefers it. Therefore, I watch each and every move she makes so that I can memorize it for next time.

"Smells good," she says, sniffing the air dramatically.

She curls up on the sofa next to Walter and I bring her a plate, along with a small golden box.

"Dig in," I nod.

"What's this?" she asks, eyeing the box.

"It's your birthday present from last month..." I grumble, taking a big bite of food as I think about what to say next, worried she won't like it. "After all the craziness of what happened, I never got a chance to give it to you."

"Aleks..." she smiles, putting down her plate carefully. "You didn't have to get me anything."

I shrug, running a hand through my hair. "Open it."

Imogen giggles and I love the sound. I want to bathe in it.

She carefully pulls the shabby ribbon job I did and then opens the box. Her entire face lights up and crinkles as she pulls out the bracelet. It's the same color and finish as her locket – I figured she would want them to match.

There are two charms on the bracelet – one is a Juliet Rose, the other is a dog that looks freakishly similar to Walter.

"It's Walter!" she coos, making the dog wiggle between us excitedly. "I love this!"

I'd contemplated so many different gifts – all of them practical – books or something she could use. I landed on the jewelry because I wanted her to have something that was light and fun and frivolous for once.

"Here, let me let," I say. Imogen holds out her wrist and I carefully hook the clasp. She wiggles her hand happily.

"I love this. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Happy belated birthday."

Imogen leans forward and throws her arms around me again, kissing me nice and deep, letting me taste the coffee on her tongue. I'm unable to hold back my groan when she runs her tongue along the crease of my lips.