That morning, while he was still half asleep Alec had promised to be gentle, but Lottie was more intrigued by the rather commanding aspects of his nature. She liked needling him because even though he could have easily dismissed her, Alec always found a way to engage. To push back. But so far he had retained much of that stony facade. What, then, would it take to make him crack completely?

Just as her knees began to quiver at the thought, a pinch-mouthed docent loudly cleared her throat and threw an icy glare in their direction. Lottie inhaled and straightened, breaking from Alec’s hold. Their stance was decidedly inappropriate for a house of worship.

“Sorry,” Alec mumbled thickly, as if he had been roused from a dream.

Lottie stepped away and turned her attention to the architectural wonder around them. She had come here to see the many treasures of Venice. Not to engage in acts of public indecency. As they slowly made their way through the grand cathedral, Lottie silently marveled at the Byzantine mosaics, the great golden altar, and the relics of Saint Mark. All the while Alec kept a safe distance, just out of touch but never quite out of mind. Thank goodness Lottie wasn’t particularly religious, as the direction of her thoughts would surely damn her for all eternity.

She was still flushed when they stepped back into the square. Without a word Alec took her arm once again and led her around the basilica’s bell tower. She kept her eyes on the redbrick building, a world-famous symbol of the city, while Alec pointed out various features, like the golden weather vane crafted to resemble the Archangel Gabriel and the lion faces that topped each of the five bells. It was a pleasure to listen to him. Alec had a lovely speaking voice, low and smooth, and clearly knew much about the subject.

“Do you fancy going to the top?”

Lottie shook her head as she took in the lofty spire. “Not really. I don’t care for heights.”

“Hmm. And yet I seem to remember you had a habit of climbing out of your bedroom window.”

She did her best to school her smile and continued to take in the structure’s details. “I hadn’t developed the fear then. Besides, I wouldn’t exactly call it a habit. I only did it a few times.”

And always in order to meet him.

“Come,” Alec urged. “This is your one chance. Don’t let fear win.”

Overhead, the bells of San Marco pealed, as if beckoning her. A sharp pain twisted inside her, born of both forgotten memories and impossible futures. She could not bear to go with him and make even more. Lottie shook her head. Alec let out a soft sigh, but he pressed her no further.