Stealing Grace by Shelby Fallon Read Free Book Online Page B

Most of his work was paper trails, tying up loose ends so no one on the outside got suspicious.
    Elena had been a secretary once for a few months so, she was comfortable with it. Alex seemed happy to see her settle into the office routine so quickly.
    Elena turned the dial on the radio and found an eighties station so she left it there. Alex looked over her shoulder as she prepared the folders he had given her earlier that day.
    “I usually put them in alphabetic order,” Alex said carefully, trying not to hurt her feelings because she was doing it wrong.
    “Well, I saw that but, I used to be a secretary and for me it was easiest to put things in chronological order, by pick up date. That way you always know which ones are about to be due just by looking in this weeks folder.” Elena hoped he took the advice as that and didn’t think she was trying to contradict him. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be pushy.”
    “No. That’s actually a really good idea. I never thought to do that.” Alex sat on the desk next to her. “What kind of secretary were you before?”
    “Home Health Agency...I mostly enjoyed the job, so don’t worry about me. I feel pretty comfortable about it.”
    “Well, good. I’m glad you at least like the work, and you’re good at it. You uh...wanna order us some sandwiches from the sub shop across the street for lunch?”
    “Sure.” She paused. “Can I ask you something?” She continued with his nod, knowing this wasn’t great timing but, there really wasn’t a good time. “What is your plan for me? I mean...I’m not down playing what you did for me. I just want to know what we’re doing. Am I just going to just live with you forever? Cook and clean? Work for you? Are we expected to have kids one day? I’m sorry, I just want to know what my purpose is here.”
    “Well...I really don’t know, Elena. I’m sorry. I wish I could just put you on a plane and that be it but, it just doesn’t work like that here. I’m not sure, I guess we’ll just take it one day at a time. I’m really sorry this happened to you.”
    His face did spell sorry, Elena could see that. She reached over and touched his hand cautiously. He looked down at her face, into her eyes, and watched her closely.
    “I wasn’t trying to make you feel worse. I just wanted to know and as strange as it seems I feel like I could do good here. Maybe be some kind of encouragement for the other girls or something. I’ve had a lot of experience with weird in my life. Just don’t worry about me, I’m fine. Everything happens for a reason...” She trailed off always feeling like she had said too much or something she shouldn’t have.
    He turned his hand over and clasped her fingers in his.
    “I believe that you could do that, Elena,” he said softly. “I just want you to be happy and comfortable. Tell me anything you need or want that would make you that way and I’ll do whatever I can to do it for you.”
    His thumb rubbed across the inside of her wrist once, her breath caught at the zing of pleasure in it and she felt a blush creep across her face and neck. How can I feel like that? Oh. He must think I’m nuts. He saw her reaction and watched her even more closely. He did it again, letting his thumb graze across her skin and Elena cleared her throat and pulled away, pretending to shuffle papers to cover her confusion and furious blushing.

    * * *

    Alex was terribly confused. Elena looked struck by his touch...in a good way. But how could that be? He’d kidnapped her, well not him but it might as well have been. He never imagined she might develop feelings for him, never. He always assumed this was a cause to help someone and he’d live with the consequences. That being a long lonely life with a woman who hated his guts for doing this to her.
    But maybe...No. Elena didn’t feel that way, she was just adjusting, like him, just being nice. She was a sweet beautiful girl that he never expected to live with let