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She shook her head at him. "You're impossible."
"I've been called worse,” he said.
"I bet you have,” she teased.
He almost smiled again—almost. It was strange because she’d begun looking for those tiny almost-smiles. It was as though each one revealed a little more of the man beneath the cold exterior.
"I owe you an apology." Soren's words caught her off guard.
"For what?" she asked.
"I accessed your financial records,” he admitted. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
He crossed the room to stand in front of her. He was standing so close that she could feel the heat radiating off his body. "I thought you didn't apologize."
"I apologize when I'm wrong,” he corrected.
"So, you’re admitting that you were wrong?"
"No,” he breathed.
She rolled her eyes at him. "Then why apologize?"
"Because I should have told you before doing it,” he said.
She stared at him. “What if I had said that I didn’t want you to snoop in my finances?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I guess it wouldn’t have mattered much.” At least he was being honest with her.
“Then why ask me in the first place? Why not just go behind my back, like you did, and snoop without telling me?” she asked.
“You’re right,” he said. “But I stand by my apology, even though I’d still do what I did, even if you protested.”
"I still don't like that you did it,” she grumbled, “but I appreciate you being honest with me.”
Soren inclined his head slightly, and it felt oddly like respect. The realization startled her. Most disagreements she'd had with men ended in shouting—or worse. But Soren simply listened, even when he refused to change his mind.
Her thoughts drifted to the list of rules he'd written. She still hated them. Especially the one about telling him where she was at all times, but she wanted to meet him halfway. "I'm in the library."
Soren looked mildly confused. "I can see that."
"You said I had to tell you where I was at all times,” she whispered.
Understanding dawned in his eyes. "You remembered the rules."
She nodded. “Yes, but I was being sarcastic."
"I know,” he said.
"So—” She folded her arms over her chest. "I'm telling you where I am."
"The rule wasn't meant for while you’re inside the house."
"Oh,” she breathed.
"It was meant for when you leave the house."
She felt a little foolish. Soren, mercifully, dropped the subject. Instead, he glanced at the clock on the mantel. "You skipped lunch."
