Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Ava
I don’t see it coming.
That is my constant problem.
I never see it coming.
Viktor’s scent brings images of last night, and I feel how hard he is. His face inches from mine. We are sharing the same breath, and it’s intoxicating. Heat is coursing through my body, and I want to feel his lips on mine again.
I want him.
“Let go of me.” I push him back, but his hold tightens, then my arms are pinned above my head.
“It’s a good proposition,” he whispers in my ear. The heat of his breath makes me shiver.
“I’m…”
His tongue licks my neck, softly biting wherever he leaves a trace. I try to find my voice. No words come.
“Are you going to let me explain the proposition, or are you going to fight me the entire time?”
I don’t want him to stop. In his arms, my body comes alive. What is wrong with me? I can’t let him manipulate me. I need my head clear.
“Fine. Let me go.”
“Is that what you really want?” There’s a wickedness to his voice.
“Yes.”
He chuckles softly and lets me go. I take a deep breath.
“Talk. I need to leave.” I look at my watch. I wasn’t lying when I said I had to get to work. I am cutting it close. I can’t afford to lose this job.
“As I said last night. I’ll pay you two thousand dollars for every week you stay with me and pretend to be my fiancée. You won’t have to worry about paying the hundred thousand dollars next week.”
“Why would you do that for me? Why do you want to help me? You don’t even know me.” My body is a traitor to my mind as it allows him to lead us back to the chairs.
“I know enough. I don’t need the drama a woman brings with a relationship. I need someone who will follow my orders. Someone who has something to gain by going along with the pretense of marrying me.”
“I don’t get it. You’re Viktor Manarch. You can have any woman.”
“I need someone who will play the part dutifully. I don’t have the time or patience to deal with emotions. I don’t do love, nor am I interested in marrying.”
After Nathan, I’m not sure I want anything to do with love either. My interest is piqued. Maybe I should find out more before turning him down. “What does this entail exactly?”
“No one else will know about our arrangement. Just you and me. You’ll move into this house. You won’t work. Your only job will be to do whatever I need you to.”
“I can’t quit my jobs. I need the money.”
“I’ll cover all expenses, and you’ll get an allowance.”
He makes no sense. I am supposed to pay off a debt, but he’s offering me money. I run my hands through my hair. “I can’t leave my dad. We have bills to pay.” Everything coming out of his mouth sounds tempting but too good to be true. There must be a catch somewhere. There always is.
“All I need is one year. Then you go back to your life.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who is giving up a year of your life.”
“What choice do you have?”
I look at him, unsure of how to answer. He is right. I don’t have a choice. He made sure of that, or at least he said he did. But what am I supposed to tell Dad?
“My dad will see right through this. He will know this is a facade. Neither you nor I will fool him.”
“I’ll handle him.”
Saying yes will solve the problem of the loan, or at least give me time to come up with a better plan.
“Can I think about it?”
“The offer expires the moment you leave this house.”
“In other words, you aren’t giving me a choice.”
“Your words, not mine.” His smirk tells me he knows he’s won.
I take a deep breath. “I suppose, as you’ve made it blatantly clear that I don’t have a choice, I’ll agree to your proposition. Now I’m going to work.” I stand.
“Sit. You’re quitting your jobs. I don’t need my fiancée working when I can provide her with all the comforts of life. I expect you to take care of anything you need and return to the house immediately after. One hour should suffice.”
“Is this what I can expect? You controlling my every move? Me just having to do what you say?”
“This is a job. You don’t have to like it. But let me be clear, you will do as I say. I don’t enjoy repeating myself.”
“Fine. I’ll need an Uber to go home and get my things.”
“You’ll have a driver. Going forward, you’ll always have someone with you.”
“A babysitter? Seriously?”
“Call it whatever you want. Your safety will always be my priority.”
“What, am I not safe?” For a split second, I forgot who he is.
“You’ll always be safe with me. You have my word.”
“I don’t know you well enough to take you at your word,” I spit out.
“It doesn’t make a difference to me. Finish eating.”
Again, he’s ordering me, and I don’t appreciate it. But his eyes tell me he isn’t playing, and I need this to work for Dad’s sake.
“I need my cell to call my job. I need to tell the boutique I quit.”
“What boutique?”
“Galeria Chic.”
“I know the owner. I’ll take care of it.”
“I can do that.” His apparently constant need for control annoys me.
“Still, I will do it. You won’t have to call Eros. I own it.”
“Of course you do. Why am I not surprised?” I roll my eyes.
“Don’t roll your eyes. It’s unladylike. What else do you need to do?”
“Go home to pack and tell my dad I’m moving out.”
He takes out his cell. “Oliver, bring Ava’s cell. We’re going to her apartment.”
“You’re coming?” I ask.
“I told you I was going to take care of your father. Any other boyfriends I should know about?”
“I told you I’ve only been with one man.”
He looks at me like he wants to say something.
“I don’t have another boyfriend," I add, annoyed.
“Why did you end things with him?”
The questions irritate me. I am sure Viktor heard my call with Nathan at the restaurant last night.
“None of your business,” I say.
“You’ll be my business for the next year.” He pulls my chair closer to his. I stay quiet. “I’m waiting,” he states.
“He cheated one too many times. I caught him yesterday for the last time,” I say, pissed off that he’s making me tell him something I’d rather forget.
“Good to know. Oliver…” I turn to follow his gaze, “… Ava is moving into the house. Ask Mary to prepare the bedroom across from mine. I need the meeting with my lawyer to be rescheduled.”
“Do you need me to come?” Oliver asks him.
“No. I’m sending you a list of things to be done before my return.”
“Okay.” Oliver hands me my cell, and I smile in gratitude. He returns the smile and quickly leaves. I turn to see Viktor glaring.
“For the next year, I expect you to behave as my bride-to-be. You won’t be alone with any man or talk to them unless I’m present.”
“You sound like the jealous type.”
“I’m not. I demand respect. You are mine. I expect your behavior to reflect that.”
I shake my head. Living with Viktor will not be a walk in the park. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself and demands things without regard for anyone. How am I supposed to deal with that? This will be the longest year of my life.