Vivianna #2
My heart melted at his words, and I leaned in and kissed him.
His lips were warm and tasted of wine and spices.
His evergreen scent surrounded me, and he enveloped me with his arms, holding me close.
His kisses were full of promises of what was to come and the feelings he had for me.
I was blown away by his gentle confidence, the fact that he had never doubted that I would be his.
He broke the kiss first, tucking my head under his chin and stroking my back.
“Would you have dinner with me tonight?” Rik asked, his voice rumbling in my ear.
“Are you asking me on a date?” I giggled.
“Yes, Viv, I’m asking you on a date. It would be here at the house, but I would love to have you be my first and last date,” Rik answered.
Why is that so disgustingly adorable? You better say yes.
“Rik, I would love to go on a date with you, regardless of where it is,” I said, snuggling in closer to him.
I cuddled with Rik a little longer, then detached myself to change and head down to the workout room. As much as I liked these lazy days, I was anxious to be able to have more freedom. I would have to let the guys know that a week and a half at the safe house was long enough for me.
I started running on the treadmill, just needing to burn energy fast, and even though I hated using one of these things, I knew it would do the trick.
Koit came to join me after a while, using the weight bench to do his upper body workout.
Before he started, though, he took out his phone and plugged it into a sound system I didn’t know was there.
Soon the room was filled with music from Three Days Grace—couldn’t ask for a more appropriate workout playlist.
I got the sense that everyone else was also getting stir-crazy, too, after being in the house for this long. Watching Koit and his crazy intense workout was a dead giveaway. I didn’t even offer to join in, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up.
When I left the workout room, I saw Bartlet guarding Dr. Faulk’s room. I drifted down the hall and found myself standing in front of the doorway, Bartlet watching me with a wary eye.
I really want to ask him more questions, but I don’t know that I want to know the answers.
Will this information change what we are going to do?
No, not really. I just want to understand why my father got involved in all this. If he isn’t a werewolf, how did he know about Dr. Faulk? How did I end up being raised in his household? I just don’t see the connection.
First off, he isn’t your father. He never was. And the decisions of a man like that won’t make sense—he’s power hungry and will only do things that benefit him. Don’t torture yourself with this stuff.
“Viv, everything okay?” Koit said from behind me, making me jump.
I turned quickly on my heel towards him, trying school my face. “Yep, everything is fine. I’m gonna head up and get ready for my hot date with Rik tonight,” I said, kissing him on the cheek as I left.
You know he didn’t believe you at all, right?
Yeah, I know. But it doesn’t matter, because we decided not to talk to him. I’m going to have to let that part of my life go, and not needing to know that crap is the first step.
I headed to my room and jumped in the shower, washing the sweat of my workout away.
I decided to step up my personal care and blow dry my hair.
I had mentioned in passing that I couldn’t find one, and the next thing I knew, one appeared in my room.
I blew it out straight so that it fell in a smooth, auburn sheet, so long it nearly touched the top of my butt.
When we went into town, I’d grabbed some basic makeup, so I put on mascara, eyeliner, and threw on a brow gel to get the shape nice.
When I came out of my room, I found Koit waiting for me on my bed, hair still wet from his own shower.
“Can I help you?” I asked, needing to get used to the fact he and Tav had every right to be in my room now that we were mated.
“I wanted to make sure you didn’t want to talk about what happened downstairs,” Koit replied.
I walked over to the closet, ignoring Koit as I looked through my newly purchased options.
Should I dress up? Or is this more of a casual thing? Does he have any nice clothes to wear? I didn’t see him get much when we were in town.
He’s not going to leave.
I figured. I just don’t know that I need to talk about it.
Why are you acting so stubborn about this? Didn’t we just agree to talk about things after our talk with Tav? Make up your mind, woman.
Because I’m female, and it’s my prerogative to be vexing.
You’re supposed to be vexing to others, not to yourself, my wolf huffed, not liking my answer.
I grabbed a simple blood-red tank top and skinny jeans off the shelf. When I walked past the bed again, Koit reached out and caught my hand.
“Viv, talk to me. I can feel something is bothering you,” Koit said, worry in his eyes.
“Feel how?” I asked, curious if it was the same as with Tav.
“I’m not sure, but I can feel you’re conflicted, hurt, and even a little angry. Did we do something wrong?” Koit prodded.
I sighed and sagged my shoulders, letting him pull me to him. He wrapped his arms around me and snuggled his head on my stomach. I brushed my fingers through his damp hair, sweeping it out of his face.
“It has nothing to do with you guys, it’s more with myself. I wanted to talk to Dr. Faulk, but I decided against it.”
You mean I talked you out of it.
“Correction, my wolf made a valid argument to leave it alone. I wanted more answers from him about my father—sorry, Ambassador Beck. I need to stop thinking of him as my father,” I explained.
“You sure? We can go together if you still want to ask,” Koit offered.
“No, I’m not going to like anything that he’ll have to say, so why bother asking? I need to move on from that life and build a better one with all of you,” I said, pulling Koit’s face away from me. “You guys are my family now. I’m where I belong, and nothing he’s going to tell me will change that.”
Koit smiled at this and bounced up, giving me a peck on the lips. “Sounds good to me, but if you change your mind, none of us will hold that against you. It’s only been a week and a half since you discovered this new world of yours existed.”
“Thank you. If I change my mind, you’ll be the first to know. Now leave so I can get dressed and stay that way,” I said, winking as I ushered him out.