Chapter 14 - Riley
I wait anxiously for Gwen. I pace the entrance hall. Viktor left a few moments ago, and it already doesn't feel the same without him here. Last night, though, that didn't feel safe either. That felt… different. I felt aroused. I can't believe it. He clearly has experience I don't have and obviously doesn't want me in that way. I only have to wait ten minutes before Martin comes in.
“Mrs. Milov, your ride is here. I'll be accompanying you to protect you.”
“Thank you, Martin,” I say, walking out of the house toward Gwen's car. Martin climbs into the car behind hers and starts it up. I hug Gwen. “Hey.”
“Hey, sisters,” she says with a grin. “Ready to go eat?”
“Yeah,” I say quietly.
“What's wrong?” she asks as she pulls into traffic. “Viktor hasn't done something bad, has he?”
“No, no. He's been a perfect gentleman,” I quickly say, not wanting to reveal what happened last night, even if Gwen is my best friend. I don't want her to think I'm some stupid child who crushes on the man who rescues her. It's just not who I am. We fall into silence for a few moments before Gwen smiles. “The trip was fantastic.” She glances at me. “Roman and I had a great time after he got over Viktor's little plan.”
“Was he that mad?” I ask. “I hope he isn't mad at me.”
“Not at all. He knows it wasn't your idea. That you were coerced into it. Viktor can be quite charming. All the brothers can be. Watch out for Anton. He's a real player.” She laughs. “Anya will tell you her brothers are full of nonsense. They bicker all the time over everything, and no one ever approves of what the other one does.”
“Even Rigor? He doesn't approve of Viktor and I?” I ask curiously.
“I don't know what he thinks. That's what they're discussing today, I think. Rigor is pretty chilled, though. Apparently, getting married calmed him right down. His wife is lovely. I've met her a few times.”
“Okay,” I say quietly.
“You sure you're okay?”
“It's just weird. We're sisters by marriage now, and it just feels… I don't know. I don't know how to put it into words,” I say. “I feel like everything is backward and I don't know which way to turn.”
“This family can do that to you, but you'll gain your footing really quickly. I did. Everything is going to turn out okay, you'll see.” She pulls into a parking spot and shuts the engine off. Martin pulls into the spot next to us and gets out, glancing around. I get out of Gwen's car, and we head into the restaurant. We're immediately seated in the VIP section, and the server brings us menus.
Once we're settled and have ordered, Gwen says, “I wouldn't stress too much about the family. Like I said, it's going to work out. ”
“It's different for you,” I say after a moment. “From the moment Roman laid eyes on you, he wanted you. Viktor married me to protect me, and to protect the family. It isn't the same.”
Gwen looks at me sadly. “You don't know what can happen.”
“I know what I see and what I feel and what I know,” I sigh and look away. “Viktor is someone who is experienced, and who wants someone who is experienced, and I'm not. I can tell.”
“You might be misreading the situation,” she says gently.
I shake my head. “I'm not stupid, Gwen. I know how it works. I'm not the one Viktor wants. Let's talk about something else.”
Gwen starts telling me about her holiday and the things she and Roman did. I try to pay attention and keep a smile on my lips. I nod at the right moments, but my mind drifts back to Viktor and last night. I remember how that bead of sweat ran down his back—his perfect, muscular back—and his intricate tattoos. God, I'm obsessed. I pull myself back into the conversation, hoping I haven't missed anything important. Our drinks arrive, and we chat about college until our food comes. We fall into a comfortable silence while we eat. I ordered a small salad because I wanted to save room for dinner tonight. I enjoy having dinner with Viktor, even if he goes out of his way to annoy me.
After we finish our food, we each order a cocktail. Gwen then begins discussing her plans for Roman's house and some renovations she intends to make with his approval. He wants her to feel at home.
I listen half-heartedly and I think she can tell that I'm not really paying attention because she finally asks. “Thinking about Viktor?”
“What? No,” I say quickly, but I blush.
“You are. Come on, we're sisters now by marriage, but first and foremost, we are best friends. You can tell me anything.”
I'm about to answer her when my phone rings. I look at her apologetically and pick up my phone. Saved by the ringtone. Except it's Viktor who's looking for me. I glance at Gwen and then answer.
“Hello, Viktor.”
“Hello, Riley, hope you're having fun?” he asks.
“Yes, we are, thank you. What's up? Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Actually, I have plans for tonight, so when you get home, get showered and dressed. I'll meet you at the door.”
“Uh… okay,” I say hesitantly.
“I'll see you at six.” He hangs up, and I put my phone down.
“What does he want?” Gwen asks before my phone is even on the table.
“He wants me dressed and ready to leave at six,” I say calmly.
“It's a date,” Gwen says excitedly. “He's taking you out on a date.”
“Gwen, don't get so excited,” I tell her. “He probably just wants to run errands or something and doesn't want me to stay home alone.”
“No, he would have asked one of us to stay with you then. No way does he want to run errands. Come on, finish your drink. We're going to get you home and ready.”
“It's four o'clock,” I laugh. “He only needs me at six.”
“Exactly. We need to pick out the perfect outfit still. Hurry.”
We down our cocktails and Gwen leaves a tip for the server before we rush out. Martin hurries after us and gets into his car. Gwen pulls into traffic and weaves in and out. “You're going to give poor Martin a heart attack.”
“I know for a fact he can keep up,” Gwen says. “Oh, I'm so excited. Have you got a nice dress at all?”
“I have one, Viktor bought it. It's emerald green,” I comment. “I guess I could wear that. But what shoes do I wear? What if we are running errands and I put on heels and it kills my feet?”
“Walk barefoot if it turns out to be errands. Or make Viktor stop and buy you flats.” She seems to have all the answers.
We arrive back at the mansion, and she shoos me upstairs. She goes into my closet while I shower and wash my hair. Once I'm done, I dry my hair and let it hang over my shoulders. I start applying some light makeup. Gwen's enthusiasm is contagious, and I can feel my heart racing in my chest. Gwen pulls out the dress and lays it on the bed alongside some sexy underwear.
“Gwen, I can't wear that…”
“Why not? You're a married woman now. You need to always look your best.”
“You sound like Viktor now,” I say, pulling a face.
“Just put it on. I'll find you some small heels that won't hurt your feet,” she says, returning to my closet.
I get dressed in sexy underwear and then the dress. I check myself in the mirror and fluff my hair up a little, scrutinizing myself until Gwen comes back with small heels. There's a knock at the door and we both look toward it.
“Who is it?” I call.
“It's Roman, are you decent?” he calls through the door.
“Yes,” I say, slipping on the heels.
He walks in and smiles warmly at me. “You look lovely. Are you going out with Viktor?”
“You didn't know?” Gwen asks. “I thought you were together.”
“He left before me,” Roman says, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “Hello, Beautiful. Rigor's driver dropped me off. I thought we could go home together.”
I look at my watch. “Viktor wants me at the door in ten minutes. We can walk out together.”
I grab a black purse and lead Roman and Gwen out. They hold hands, and I feel a pang of jealousy. I wish I could have what they have. We reach the front door, and Roman and Gwen stop. Gwen hugs me tightly. “Enjoy your date.”
“It's not a date,” I say again.
She grins and takes Roman's hand again, leading him out. I wait by the door for the last five minutes before it opens. Viktor steps through dressed in a suit and I'm floored. He looks so handsome. “Are you ready to jet off?”
“Jet off?” I ask.
“Private helicopter,” he says. “We're going to an exclusive location. It's a short flight.”
“Okay,” I say slowly. “How are we getting to the helicopter?”
“It's in the backyard,” he says with a grin. “I have a helipad out there.”
“What?” I ask, surprised. I hadn't completely explored the grounds, but I would think I would have noticed something that significant. It makes me realize how rarely I go outside to soak up some sunshine and truly notice things. He offers me his arm, and I accept it. He guides me out and around the back, where, to my astonishment, a helicopter is waiting for us. He helps me inside and climbs in beside me. He buckles me in and hands me a headset to wear. Once he's secured, he signals to the pilot, who starts the helicopter. I grip his hand tightly as the helicopter ascends into the air, and then we're off. I relax a bit once I adjust to the motion.
It isn't a long flight, forty-five minutes at most, and we touch down outside a large building. The helicopter shuts down and Viktor helps me out after taking my headset off. I look around curiously. The building looks very fancy with lights guiding a pathway toward the front door. I take Viktor's arm. “What is this place?”
“La Porte Exclusive,” he says. “It's French for the exclusive door. It was the closest restaurant I could find.”
“What do you mean, the closest?” I ask. “The closest to what?”
“You'll see,” he says with a mysterious smile. “Come, first we dine.”
He escorts me to the hostess and gives his surname for the booking. We're led to a private booth, but no server brings us menus.
“How does this place work?” I ask.
“There's a set menu, something different every night. They'll bring us a three-course meal soon along with some wines to sample.” He smiles softly. “Then, afterward, we're going for a little lesson.”
“That sounds scary,” I say with a nervous smile.
“It isn't,” he says. “We're going to do the groundwork for a skydive.”
“We're going skydiving?” I ask in shock.
“Not tonight. You're in too beautiful a dress to skydive, but I want to do the groundwork so we can prepare you for a tandem jump in the next few days.” He reaches for my hand. “It'll do you some good.”
Before I can say anything, a server brings us a shrimp cocktail. The fanciest one I've ever seen. I pick up my fork and start to eat, even though I'm bursting with questions for Viktor. Is he insane? A skydive? What will that accomplish? I'm not going skydiving. I have never wanted to and don't think I ever will want to skydive.
Viktor looks at me and smiles. “You're worried.”
“I just don't understand your reasoning on this one. You're going to have to explain it to me.” I look at him expectantly.
“I had a horrid fear of heights. Like it paralyzed me. I couldn't even go up high-rise buildings without having an anxiety attack.”
“What's that got to do with me?” I ask.
“Well, I conquered my fear by learning to skydive, and once I realized it wasn't so scary, my fear went away. I'm hoping that a skydive will bring you a bit of comfort, a bit of courage, and help you heal, even if it's just a little. You can't tell me that you weren't affected by what happened to you. I'm not blind, and I'm not stupid. Don't blush.” I try to hide my face. “And don't hide. Your feelings are perfectly valid, but I want to do this for you.”
I swallow hard and look up at him. I can feel tears threatening to spill. “That's really sweet.”
“Thank you,” he says. “Although you might not be so grateful when we're hurtling through the open air.”
“I'm willing to give it a try, though,” I say.
After we finish our starters, we're served lemon-seasoned sea bass with garlic and onion rice and steamed vegetables. They bring the wine and three glasses: one rose, one merlot, and one sparking white. Viktor starts talking about the groundwork while we eat, and I find myself completely wrapped up in his instructions—so much so that I don't even notice when they bring out the chocolate volcano dessert.
I groan as I have a bite, and I'm finally distracted from him. “The food has been amazing.”
“I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself,” he says.
“So we're going to do this. For real?”
“For real,” he says. “Whenever you're ready.”
“After dessert,” I say with a grin.
We enjoy our food, and I follow Viktor out of the restaurant to an area where a man is waiting for us for our first lesson.