Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ava
A few days later…
W hen I think of Viktor, my first thought is the way his lips feel on me. His burning touch. The trace of heat his fingers leave behind when he caresses every inch of me.
He’s possessive.
Demanding.
Controlling.
His desire for me consumes every inch of me, and being near him is intoxicating. After the dinner with his board members, Viktor seemed different. It was like he didn’t or couldn’t keep his hands off me. By the time we got to the house, he explored all he could before leaving me hot and bother. I was so annoyed but I knew it was for the best.
Afterwards he ignored me until last night. I can still smell him on my skin. It triggers memories of our most recent time together…
“Viktor,” I moan, my voice shuddering with need.
“Let me show you how much I desire you.” His eyes are deep, dark pools that draw me in even deeper.
This isn’t right. I shouldn’t be here. I swore to never be alone with him again, but I cannot resist his touch. My body craves him, needs him. How can I stay away from a man who makes my body feel so alive? A man who owns every inch of me. I don’t dare look him in the eyes because I know what awaits. Instead, my eyes are closed, trying not to see the fire burning. My fingers grip the desk, aiming to stay grounded.
This is so much.
Too much.
He takes my shirt off effortlessly, then his lips trace the lace of my bra, softly biting through it. His saliva feels like lava when it touches my skin. The thin layer of fabric does nothing to protect me from the heat his touch leaves behind.
He finds the hook of my bra and snaps it with ease, freeing my breasts. He moves slowly, like he has all the time in the world. He doesn’t care that someone could open the door and find me on his desk as he explores, bites, and tastes.
A man like him doesn’t have to worry about such things. He acts as if the world revolves around him. Almost everyone follows his orders without question, and lately, so do I.
“Viktor,” I whisper, my voice hoarse from the moans I’ve released.
He bites my earlobe. “Enjoy the moment.”
His lips find mine again, but there’s an intensity in the kiss I don’t recognize. He’s never taken so much control, and I’ve never experienced a desire like this. His hands touch as much skin as he can cover. He commands my body. Even though I want more than anything to be his, I can’t.
I shouldn’t let him claim me. So much stands in our way. I’m not ready for a man like Viktor. I don’t think I’ll ever be. But it’s getting harder and harder to fight whatever is happening between us. I don’t know if I should stay anymore. I should go. Damn the consequences…
There’s a knock at my door, interrupting my thoughts of the night before. I don’t know if I’m upset or relieved. Viktor is not the kind of man I should think about. It will do me no good to think of him. He’s a man I should run away from not to.
“Come in,” I call, reaching for a glass of water to calm my nerves.
The door opens, and Mary enters.
“Hi, Mary.”
“Sorry to interrupt, Ms. O’Brien. The car is waiting.”
“Car?” I ask, confused.
“Mr. Manarch called. He wishes you to meet him at Eros.”
I take a deep breath before replying, “No thanks.” While exhaling, I walk to my closet. Viktor is not going to run my life like he does everything else. Just because we have an arrangement doesn’t mean I have to jump every time he says so. I am not his puppet.
“He’ll be angry,” Mary adds quietly.
With a determined smile, I spin to face her. “Let him.”
He will be angry. I am sure of it. He made it clear he detests my defiance. But I know he’s lying. I see the lust burning in his eyes every time I defy him.
“Ms. O’Brien—” Mary starts again with a pleading note in her voice.
“You can tell Viktor you told me. Please tell Marco I won’t be going anywhere.”
“As you wish,” she says, leaving.
I enter the over-packed walk-in closet I didn’t ask for. I swear it feels like it grows every day. The man wants to control everything, even what I wear. I won’t stand for this. He is not my boss. Well, he kind of, but I’m not telling him that. This defiance will cost me, but I don’t care. I am tired of his constant control. If I don’t stand up for myself, this will be the longest year of my life.
Since I’m staying in, I might as well go to the backyard and get fresh air. I grab a cashmere sweater and put it on. The money spent on the sweater could pay my light bill and put food on the table for a few weeks. Viktor throws money around like it grows on trees. He has no regard for it, but the sweater feels good on my skin. It makes me feel beautiful and cared for.
I can’t believe that, just a few months ago, I was peering out of my bedroom window, wishing for excitement. Now I wish things would be boring and I could be anywhere but here.
I am not sure this was a good idea. He is gaining more from this arrangement than I am. Not to mention that he has all the power, whether I want to admit it or not.
There is one thing that excites me about this damn mansion. The beautiful garden in the backyard contains a pond with a waterfall. It feels as though I’m in my own private botanical garden. It is peaceful, and I don’t need to think or worry about a thing while out there. I can escape my reality, even if just for a moment. I don’t think of Dad or his gambling, and I don’t think about Viktor.
If I’m honest, it’s a lie. I think about why someone like Viktor would lend my dad, the gambler, one hundred thousand dollars. Dad doesn’t have a penny to his name. Then I think of Viktor’s hands all over me when I’m in his bed.
That man is going to drive me crazy.
I need to stop thinking about him. If I don’t, he’ll consume me. So, I leave my bedroom and make my way downstairs. The mansion is quiet, so I’m undetected when I go outside.
Once outside, I go straight to my favorite spot, a bench overlooking the pond, and sit.
“I ordered you to meet me at Eros,” a deep voice snaps out behind me.
I don’t need to turn to know it’s Viktor. My body is screaming for him, but I won’t move. I won’t let him have his way or give him the satisfaction. I will stand my ground.
“I’m not going.” I don’t turn when I speak. If I do, it will be game over for me.
“It wasn’t a suggestion.” There’s no mistaking the tone of command in his voice. “Get dressed. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”
I clench my fists by my side while saying in a controlled voice, “Have fun.”
“Ava.”
His gravelly bark demands my attention, but I continue to stare at the pond. “Viktor.”
“I’m not in the mood. I told you to get ready.” When he stands in front of me, I startle. I didn’t even hear him move.
“I’m sorry to hear that you’re not in the mood.” My mind races for an excuse. “I don’t feel well.” The lie falls glibly from my lips.
He takes out his cell, and panic suddenly overwhelms me. “What are you doing?”
“Calling the doctor.” His sardonic smile tells me he’s calling my bluff.
“I don’t need a doctor,” I mumble.
“How do you know? Are you a doctor?” His sarcasm isn’t lost on me.
“I know my body,” I plead desperately.
He ignores me and dials.
“ I. Don’t. Need. A. Doctor. ”
“Only the doctor gets to decide that.”
I can either sit here and let him call the doctor or go to Eros. I am tempted to be stubborn, but the doctor will have wasted a trip. There’s nothing wrong with me, and it’s not the doctor’s fault I need to stay away from Viktor.
Against my better judgment and desire, I stand.
“Dr. Smith, I need?—”
“Hang up. I’ll get dressed.” I roll my eyes at him, turn, then walk toward the house.
Viktor says, “False alarm,” as his long strides catch up with me. “And you…” he grabs my arm, “… when I say something, it’s an order, not a suggestion. You will do as I say. Repeating myself is not something I enjoy. Do I make myself clear?” I try to pull my arm free, but he grips harder. “Ava?—”
“Yes,” I reply sullenly.
He lets go of my arm. “Ten minutes. I left what I want you to wear on your bed.”
He says more, but I can’t hear him because I don’t want to. How am I supposed to survive being with him for a year? Being near him for a minute is exhausting.
I fight to calm my anger as I go upstairs. I must do whatever he asks. My dad’s life and freedom depend on it. I don’t want to imagine what will happen to him if I don’t stick to my end of the arrangement. Viktor takes what he wants and damn the consequences. He exudes control and demands respect. His drive isn’t money. It’s power. Power exudes from every pore of his body, and I’m not immune to him. It’s like I lose all control of myself when I’m in the same room as him.
I find a black dress on the bed when I reach my bedroom. On closer inspection, I see it is a deep V-neck, sleeveless mini dress with open straps on the back. Something suitable for a nightclub. Figures, since we’re going to Eros. There is also a Louboutin shoe box. Viktor might be infuriating, but whoever he hired to buy my wardrobe had expensive taste. I would never be able to afford an outfit like this, not even in my dreams.
I gallop to the bathroom to change. Wearing a bra is out of the question. He probably did it intentionally, but damn, the dress looks good on me. The V-neck is deeper than it appeared at first glance. It almost reaches my belly button. Even though they’re mostly covered, the sides of my breasts are exposed, and my sternum is visible.
This man is insane. Is he parading me? What is he trying to accomplish by dressing me this way?
I keep my makeup simple—dark smoky eyes and deep red lipstick. I sit on the bed and open the Louboutin box. The box declares that the shoes are red ‘So Kate’ five-inch heels and to say they’re gorgeous is an understatement.
Mary knocks on the door as I’m sliding the first shoe on.
“Yes, Mary,” I say as I put the second shoe on.
“Mr. Manarch wanted me to check in on you. Do you need anything?”
“I’m fine…” I look up at her briefly, “… I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Very well. I’ll let him know you’ll be down shortly.” She swivels to leave. “He’s waiting in the sitting room,” she adds as she leaves the bedroom.
I let her exit without a response. I’m being rude, but I’m not in the mood to be polite. Mary is a nice woman in her early fifties, still physically in good shape, slender, and has blonde hair, cut short to frame her face. I don’t know what their relationship is, but I can tell Viktor cares about her.
Perhaps if I’m a bitch long enough, Viktor will get tired and send me packing. Damn the debt. Damn the arrangement. I need to do whatever I can to leave this place. Any excuse to gain my freedom. I want to be away from Viktor. But something tells me he won’t grow tired of me. He likes to win. It is written all over his face.
One last look reveals how sensual I look. The heels put me at five-seven, and the dress molds to my hourglass figure. My athletic-toned legs are on full display. I have pinned my long brown hair to the side, where it falls sleekly over my left shoulder.
If someone saw me walking down the street, they wouldn’t recognize me. Shit, I barely recognize myself. Maybe this is why I’m hesitant? I come from the wrong side of town, the public housing projects, but everyone calls it the projects like it’s the worst place to live. Viktor is one of the most eligible bachelors in the city. Every woman wants his ring and his children.
I just want out of his life and back to mine.