Chapter 9 - Viktor
As the days pass, I realize this is not going to be as easy as I thought it would be. Riley is skittish and afraid of me one minute and fiery with me the next. For example, on Sunday morning, I come down for breakfast, and the minute she sees me, she leaves her breakfast and coffee and goes to the living room. I walk after her to speak to her.
“You can have breakfast with me. I don't bite,” I say calmly.
“I really don't want to,” she says calmly, plopping onto the sofa. “I'll come back when you're done.”
“I'll have breakfast in my office,” I say. “I'll let Rachel know.”
She doesn't respond to that comment but instead looks up at me with a fiery gaze. “When can I go fetch my car? I need it to drive to campus.”
“You can use one of my cars,” I say coolly.
“I don't want to use your car. I want to drive my own. If you won't let me go fetch my things, at least send someone to get them. I need all my study materials from my room and my clothes as well.”
“I'll send someone to pick up your car and study materials, but the clothes are a no-go. As my wife, you need to dress the part. You have more than enough clothing upstairs to be comfortable.”
“It's not comfortable,” she says. “I don't like wearing designer things. I want my comfortable everyday clothes.”
I grin at her. “Don't be such a brat. The clothes I buy are more than comfortable. You're just not used to them.”
She crosses her arms and shakes her head. “I will get my clothes.”
“You are to go to campus and come straight home. It's for your own safety.” This is not a request.
She stands up and is a few centimeters from me. “I have a life.”
“You didn't when I picked you up. You went to campus and back to Roman's and that's it.”
“I went for lunch…”
“To my family's restaurant with Gwen where you were safe,” I point out. “Gwen isn't here at the moment, and you want to travel alone. Campus and home, I mean it.”
Riley turns and walks out, back to the dining room and I go to the kitchen to let Rachel know I'll be having breakfast in my office.
I had Martin collect her car and study materials and bring them to the mansion. He's the one I trust the most with anything to do with Riley. She doesn't even thank me; she just takes her things and goes upstairs to her room. When I check on her, she tells me to go away so she can study.
Riley avoids me on Monday and Tuesday, going to campus and then going straight to her room. She doesn't go to Roman's to get her clothes, but she wouldn't be able to because I told the guards not to let her in and to send her straight home. They would have let me know if she tried.
On Wednesday, she finally joins me for dinner. The chef has made roast chicken, roast potatoes, a rich gravy, rice, cauliflower in cheese sauce, and broccoli. I glance at her as she sits down. “You're not eating in your room?”
“Is it a requirement?” she asks.
“No, it's nice of you to join me. I just… you've eaten your last few meals in your room, so I'm surprised is all,” I say.
Riley doesn't say another word and we start to eat. I want to ask her how her classes are going. I want to ask her if she's feeling at ease around campus. I want to ask if she's being safe.
There are so many things I want to ask her, but most of all, I want to bring out her feisty side. I like when she's feisty. I like to tease her, but right now I'm scared she'll leave the dinner table if I push her too far. I don’t want to push her buttons too much and yet, at the same time, I want to push them all and watch her explode.
“What?” Riley asks.
I realize I've been staring at her and quickly look at my food. “Nothing.”
“No, you were staring at me. What are you staring at?”
“Well, you just said I was staring at you.” I can't help but tease her.
Riley huffs and goes back to her food. “Yes, but why? Have I got food on my face or something?”
“Maybe it's because I find you adorable when you're irritable,” I say.
Riley's face turns red, and I worry she'll get up and leave. Instead, she stabs her chicken with her fork and bites into it. I chuckle softly and continue to eat my food.
I'm surprised when she joins me for dinner on Thursday again. This time, we're having tomato soup and toasted cheese and garlic sandwiches. Perfect for the windy day we've had. As she sits, I smile brightly. “Two nights in a row. This might become a habit.”
“If you don't want me here, just say so,” she growls.
“I'm not saying that at all,” I grin. “I'm saying I'm happy you're joining me. We can pretend we're actually husband and wife. You can start by telling me about your day on campus.” I raise an eyebrow.
“Nothing happened. I went to class and came home. Gwen is back in two days, so next week I'll probably do lunch with her,” Riley says. She blows on her hot soup before she eats it. She breaks her sandwich in half and dips it into the soup before taking a bite. I smile at her and eat my own.
She looks at me seriously and asks, “So, when are you going to fetch the rest of my things from Roman's house?”
“Like what?” I ask, knowing exactly what she means.
“My goddam clothes,” she says angrily.
“Why are you so insistent on getting those rags back?” I ask. “As husband and wife, we have an image to uphold.”
“I don't want to uphold any image. I want to be comfortable. Look at what I'm wearing.” She stands up to prove her point.
It's a designer dress, and it's form-hugging. It's emerald green and stops just above her knees. The shoulders are open and her breasts look incredible. Her skin looks as soft as the sheets I sleep in, satin-like. I want to touch her; I want to caress her skin with my lips and draw goosebumps out of her. I can feel my cock twitch slightly in my pants at the thought of her naked underneath me.
She sits back down and stares at me. “What are you staring at now?”
“I was looking at the gorgeous dress you're wearing. That's what you wanted, isn't it?” I ask, eating some of my soup.
“You are so full of shit,” she says as she goes back to her food. I laugh and sip my wine.
“Do you want some wine?” I offer, picking up the bottle.
She pushes her glass toward me silently. I fill it until about halfway full and then I put the bottle down. “I shouldn't be letting you drink. You're underage, aren't you?”
“I am perfectly capable of holding my alcohol, thank you very much,” she says, sipping her wine.
“Okay, okay,” I hold my hands up. “No need to get testy.”
“I'm not testy.”
“You're absolutely crazy,” I joke. “I never know what's going to happen to you.”
“I am not crazy,” she says, her mouth dropping open. “I just want my stuff.”
“You are crazy. Any girl would kill to have new designer clothes bought for them,” I say, egging her on.
“Well, I'm not just any girl,” she says as she finishes her food. “Gwen should have told you that.”
“I think she tried to warn me, but I didn't listen,” I tease.
She gets up and walks out. I get up and go after her. “Come on now, don't be upset.”
“I'm not upset. I have to study,” she says as she goes up the stairs.
I follow her and grab her hand at the top of the stairs. My hand practically engulfs hers. I pull her toward me. “You are upset and I feel bad. I just like it when you're annoyed.”
“Why? What normal person likes to annoy people on purpose?” she asks, trying to pull her hand away. I keep ahold of it and step one step closer to her, our bodies inches apart.
“Maybe it's because I like you feisty,” I say quietly.
Her breath catches, and she licks her lips. “Well, all you're being is annoying. It does nothing but upset me.”
“Oh no,” I say quietly still. “I'll have to make it up to you.”
“You can't,” she says. “There's nothing I want from you.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, stepping closer.
“Viktor!” I hear Anya's voice ring out from downstairs. “There you are.”
I let go of Riley and roll my eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“Gwen called and apparently I have a new sister-in-law,” Anya says happily. “I came to hang out.”
“It's late, Anya. Come back another day,” I say. “Shouldn't you be in bed already?”
“I'm not twelve, big brother,” she laughs, punching my arm as she reaches me. She smiles broadly at Riley. “I know we already have met, but I'm so happy to hear you're my sister-in-law.”
Riley smiles at Anya. “Yes, Viktor swept me right off my feet.”
“No doubt a hair-brained scheme of his. He's always getting up to something reckless,” Anya says.
“Enough,” I say. “There's no need to go into details.”
“Oh, I would love to hear the details,” Riley says. “In fact, I don't think I finished my wine. Anya, do you want some wine?”
“No,” I say. “This is a bad idea.”
“I think it's a great idea. I haven't had any company except you and Rachel for the whole week. Come, Anya.” Riley takes my sister's arm and leads her downstairs triumphantly.
I sigh and follow. “Are you hungry, Anya? I can ask Rachel to fix you a plate.”
“What's for dinner?” Anya asks as we enter the dining room.
“Tomato soup and toasted cheese and garlic sandwiches.”
“No, I'm fine.” Anya sits next to Riley. “So, what do you want to know?”