Page 293 of Eternal
That silenced them.
A long beat passed. Viktor blinked slowly. Kat tilted her head. Then they smiled.
Warm. Surprised. Maybe even a little emotional.
Viktor cleared his throat. “Well. Damn,Kroshka.”
Kat gave a soft little snort. “About time you said it out loud.”
“I mean it,” I added, voice smaller now. “I…reallymiss you.”
Another pause, then Viktor nodded, his voice gentler this time. “Okay. In three days, we’re sitting down and you’re telling us everything.”
“Every word,” Kat said with a wink. “Until then…”
“Have fun,” they said in unison.
“Don’t be too irritating,” I muttered, trying not to smile again.
Viktor waved. “Stay out of trouble.”
“Try not to break anything,” Kat added.
“Bye.”
I hung up, heart heavier and lighter all at once.
In the distance, I heard the water turn off, the bathroom door creaked open, and steam rolled out like fog. Damir walked out shirtless, a towel slung low around his hips, dark hair wet and dripping slightly onto his chest, still shining from the heat.
I tried not to look and failed immediately.
Because God, he knew exactly what he was doing. All smug, golden skin stretched over a strong solid and muscled body, tattoos curled around his ribs, his arms. I hadn't quite memorized them last night, not with my face smashed into the pillow and his hand holding my leg open.
His eyes caught mine as I lingered, too slow to mask the very obvious ogling.
“Partner,” he said, voice low and warm, “you called Viktor back while I was gone?”
I blinked, blinked again. “Yeah.”
He grinned. “Fuck. I missed it. You didn’t wait for me?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Wait for what?”
“To watch you blush,” he said, stepping closer, still damp, still beautiful. “You always look so pretty when you're embarrassed. I would’ve liked that.”
“Don’t,” I muttered, heat crawling up my neck.
He laughed, head tipping back slightly, the sound unguarded and pleased with itself.
I wanted to hate it, but I couldn’t.
It made something low in my stomach tangle and pull, tenderly.
As he moved past me, his fingers ghosted along my throat, and then he paused. “Wait,” he said, leaning in again.
“What now?” I whispered.
He bent close and brushed his thumb over the column of my neck, his mouth was right near my ear when he spoke, “You have a hickey the size of the fucking earth right here.”
