Chapter 52
Chapter Fifty-Two
Viktor
T o calm my unexplainable rage, I take a seat. Seeing her leave doesn’t help whatever is brewing inside of me. Seeing her near another man is unacceptable. I was looking forward to spending time with her after a shitty day, which included a meeting with my father that didn’t end well. The tension with our men is only growing by the minute. When she said she loved me it caught me off guard. I know she loves me. I want to tell her I love her too, but I don’t know how.
“Can I come in?” Oliver asks as he’s halfway into the office. I nod. “Marco left with Ava. Everything ok?”
“Yes,” I snap. I’m not in the mood to talk. “I need a drink.” I leave my office, trying to clear my head. Oliver gets the idea because he doesn’t add anything.
At the bar, I ask for a scotch neat and a bottle to be taken to my office. The last thing I want is to deal with people. Shit is getting worse with the clan. I keep seeking a way for us to all get what we want. But my father’s need for power supersedes everything. He made it clear today he doesn’t have a problem putting a bullet in my head if it gets him what he wants. My cell beeps.
Fiona: Hi babe, free tonight?
She’s relentless. She’s been texting me non-stop since dinner at my parent’s house, and showing up at places I’m at. Someone seems to be telling her my every move. Probably my father. I’ve told Fiona we’re done every time. I’ve told her I want nothing to do with her every chance I get. She doesn’t get it or simply doesn’t give a fuck. I told her I’m marrying Ava. She needs to move on. I’ve managed to keep everything from Ava. But she’s smart. I’m sure she realizes things are bad and I’m lying to her. I don’t want to, but I must. Ava would leave me if she knew the scope of how bad things really are.
Two hours have passed when I look at my watch. The bottle of scotch on my desk is more than half empty, but I still don’t want to talk. Driving home isn’t an option. With no other suitable alternative, I walk over to my couch and lay down. I haven’t heard from Ava, which upsets me. Despite our fight, I expect her to inform me of her every move, even if she’s at the house. I close my eyes hoping the spinning will subside. I’m usually good at managing my limits but with everything happening I let my guard down. I can’t remember the last time I got drunk.
My eyes shoot to my office door when it opens and the lights are turned off.
“Who the fuck is here?” I sit up, finding myself disoriented.
“It’s me.” The voice is low.
“Ava? You’re supposed to be home.”
“Shh…” I barely hear her.
I can’t believe she’s here. This isn’t like her, but right now I need her. This is what I’m missing. When we aren’t on the same page I find myself off balance. Ava is my everything.
“I’m sorry, baby girl,” I confess hoping she’ll forgive me.
“Shh… It’s okay,” she whispers.
I grab her arm and pull her to me. I want and need her. In front of me, I wrap my arms around her. This is the only place I feel at peace. Then something covers my eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“Shh…” Her lips are softly kissing my neck. Before I know it, I’m blindfolded.
She sits on my lap. Our mouths are not finding each other soon enough. Her kiss feels different. But it’s probably because this is something she’s never done. I never let her have control. Her taking control is turning me on. I’m desperate to be inside of her. To feel her warmth. She pushes her dress up leaving herself exposed. Ava doesn’t exactly smell like herself, but I’ve also had more than half a bottle and we’re in my office. Without any more hesitation, I free myself. She’s eager and hungry and sinks me inside. This is what I need. A moment with her. Just the two of us away from the Manarch drama. This is the woman who makes me happy.
“I love you, baby girl,” I confess as I find my release. I want her to know I love her. She should never doubt it. I should’ve said it a long time ago.
“Hmm…” she whispers in my ear.
We collapse on the couch. My body is finally letting go of whatever tension I’m holding. Perhaps this is what I needed. To feel her submit to me. I’m going to tell her everything that is going on. I know she deserves to know. But somehow, I lose track of time. The sound of my cell brings me out of my peace. I try to get up, but Ava grabs my arms to keep me in place.
“I need to get that. You know better.” She moves to the side. I zip my pants and hit my shin with a table. “Fuck. Turn on the lights, Ava,” I say reaching my desk. The screen reads Oliver. “What’s up?” I slur.
“You need to come out right now.” Oliver’s tone is worried.
“What’s wrong? I’m with Ava.” I look in her direction but all I see is her silhouette since the lights are off.
“That’s not Ava.”
Suddenly everything makes sense. The kiss, the smell, the feel, none of it was hers. I end the call and walk to the couch. There’s only one person who would have the balls to pull some shit like this. Suddenly I’m stone cold sober.
“What the fuck, Fiona?”
“What?” She flirts. “It’s just like the good old days. Tell me you didn’t enjoy yourself.”
“Get the fuck out.” I grab her by the arm. “I don’t know what game you’re playing. You need to leave and stay out of my life.” I’m not sure if I’m angry at her or angrier at myself for not knowing she isn’t Ava. How did I miss the signs?
“Come on, babe. Don’t be like that. It’s just you and me here. We always had so much fun. It’s time to rekindle our love.” She gets closer, trying to kiss me. I push her away.
“Get the fuck out. I won’t repeat myself.”
“I’m leaving, but not because you’re telling me. Just because I must go. Lots of things to do. Wedding plans to finish.” She laughs.
“I want you gone. Don’t you get it? We. Are. Done. I. Am. Done.”
“We’ll see about that.” As she walks toward the door it opens and Oliver walks in. Where the fuck was he? Why didn’t he stop her from coming to my office?
“I just found out,” he says reading my mind.
“How did she get in here?” I sit and pour another drink.
“A fight broke out. She must have been behind it.”
“How did you find out? Are you conspiring with her?” I drain my drink. I’m being an asshole. Oliver would never betray me any more than I would him.
“That doesn’t dignify an answer. One of the waitresses was babbling and one of our men heard her.”
“How many people know?”
“I don’t know.”
“Fuck.” I rub my temples and pour another drink. Like shit isn’t complicated enough. “Have you heard from Marco?”
“Ava is fine. He said she was quiet on the drive. Went straight inside without a word.”
Her silence means I hurt her. She would never admit it. But she can’t ever know about Fiona and me. She won’t stay with me, and I can’t lose her.
“I’m going home. See to it that no one speaks about tonight.”
“Understood.”
I leave Eros pissed at myself. I let Fiona trick me. How could I confuse them? They’re nothing alike. They’re night and day. Fiona doesn’t care about anyone other than herself. What I once found alluring now repulses me. Tonight should have never happened. My head’s all over the place. The shit with the Irish and my father needs to end. I’m at risk of losing Ava forever.
Before I know it, I’m pulling in front of the house. Outside the house, everything looks quiet, and my men are at their posts. My watch reads two in the morning. Ava is most likely asleep. All I want is to shower to get Fiona’s stench off me. Upstairs I notice our door is ajar, which is not like Ava. Inside, I find the bed is still made. She isn’t here. Sheer panic comes over me. Oliver said she was home, but our bed says otherwise. For the sake of not losing it, I walk to her old bedroom. The door’s locked. She’s inside.
After a quick shower, I take the bedroom key from my dresser. I unlock the door and walk inside. She’s laying in the middle of the bed. Her breathing is slow, letting me know she’s fast asleep. I can’t help myself. Close up, I smell sweet lavender. How did I miss that earlier? Wherever Ava goes, she leaves her scent behind. I bend down and pick her up. She stirs and looks at me, confused.
“Go back to sleep. I’m taking you to our bed.”
“It’s best if I sleep here tonight.” She yawns.
“I want you in our bed.”
If she wants to say more, she doesn’t. Instead, she wraps her arms around my neck. I lay her in our bed, and she peacefully turns to her side. She’s my undoing. I see it now. I lay beside her and pull her into my arms. I need to feel her. I need to know she’s here, and she’s mine.
“Hmm…” she mumbles, making me instantly hard.
I let the moment guide us. I kiss her neck, and she purrs. I bite her shoulder, and her breathing deepens. My hand travels down her stomach. Her body responds by pressing toward me. Her need is just as strong as mine. When my hand goes between her legs, I see how ready she is for me. Another reminder she’s mine. I don’t get to enjoy it long before she faces me. She effortlessly turns me onto my back and climbs on top. Her eyes are pure fire. With one hand on my chest to steady herself, she uses the other to guide me inside of her. She slowly brings herself down inch by inch. Her moans are music to my ears. When I’m completely inside her, she stays still, enjoying the fullness. Her walls slowly squeeze, showing me who really is in control. After what feels like hours, but is merely seconds, she begins to move. Slow with precision.
“Fuck.” I let out. She doesn’t stop. She picks up pace. I’m meeting her every thrust until the intensity is too great. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to come.”
“I don’t see the problem.” And there isn’t a problem. She’s mine to claim. Mine to keep. Mine to possess. I roll us so she’s on her back. I want to be in control. I kiss her with the same passion and intensity she’s showing me. “Viktor, I’m…” This is what I want.
“Come for me. Scream my name.” She screams my name as she comes. I can’t help but follow and collapse on her. After a few seconds, I roll off. Her eyes are closed as I stare. Her breathing slows down. “I love you, baby girl.” Before I know it, I’m asleep beside the woman I’m spending the rest of my life with.
Ava O’Brien will be my wife.