Page 43 of Viktor's Temptation
When she finally remembered how to breathe, she opened her eyes to find Viktor staring down at her, his eyes smiling but his jaw tight as he fought back his own pleasure.
“Ready for round two?” he asked.
He didn’t give her a chance to reply. Gracie had a moment of panic, not sure she could endure that kind of release again. But Viktor didn’t give her the option to refuse. He thrust into her, stimulating every nerve ending with the friction of his erection. He pressed himself against her to ensure that every inch of her, especially that now overly sensitized nub included, felt his thrusts.
Gracie cried out as her body arched, needing something she hadn’t even known existed until now. “Please!” she gasped, rolling her hips to find that elusive release. It came moments later and she screamed again, her throat already raw from the last release.
Viktor wasn’t done though. He didn’t pause this time. Gracie whimpered, her legs trembling as they tightened around him.
Thankfully, he released her wrists and she grabbed his shoulders. His thrusts came faster now and she clung to him, her body already primed and…sure enough, this time, it was a softer release, her body’s muscles too stimulated for anything more powerful. But it was still beautiful. And this time, she heard Viktor’s roar as his body tightened with a final thrust and a part of her knew that he was finding his pleasure, but she was just too exhausted to help.
There was one more whimper when Viktor collapsed on top of her, his body as limp as hers now. But that movement stillgave her a little zing of pleasurable aftershock and she wanted to push him away. Unfortunately, Gracie didn’t have the strength left after such a cataclysmic series of explosions.
All she could do was sigh with happiness when Viktor pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to her temple. In the circle of his arms, Gracie slept.
Chapter 22
Gracie stepped out into the expansive living area the following morning, her gaze sweeping over the elegant yet subtly imposing decor.
She paused, her heart fluttering, sensing his presence before she saw him. A low, familiar chuckle came from behind her, sending a pleasant shiver up her spine. Gracie spun around, her hair swishing with the movement, and there he was—leaning casually against the doorway, his eyes glinting with mischief.
“Were you looking for me?” Viktor asked, his deep voice laced with amusement as he crossed the space between them and pulled her into his arms.
Before she could reply, his lips met hers in a sweet, lingering kiss that sent sparks racing through her veins. Gracie moaned softly, her body melting into his as her eyes fluttered closed. But almost immediately, the familiar stirrings of desire began to coil low in her belly.
“No!” she gasped, breaking away and pressing her hands to his chest, which was as solid as the marble coffee table. “No more! Not today, Viktor.”
He chuckled, his silver eyes shimmering with restrained heat. His hands slid around her waist, pulling her back against him, and he nuzzled her neck, his breath warm against her skin. “I agree,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing. “Yesterday was a bit of a marathon.”
Gracie tried to stay annoyed, but the intensity in his gaze made her stomach flip. “It’s not normally like that with yourother lovers?” she asked, her tone light but edged with genuine curiosity.
Viktor sighed and took her hand, leading her to the cream-colored sofa. He sat down and gently tugged her onto his lap, his strong arms circling her waist. “I generally avoid talking about past relationships with my current lover, but no,” he admitted. “I’ve never been this… voracious for anyone before.”
His silvery eyes roamed her face, and Gracie felt heat creep up her neck under his scrutiny. “There’s something about you I don’t completely understand, something incredibly appealing.”
Gracie leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. The warmth of his body, the quiet strength in his embrace, made her feel safe yet giddy. She loved the snuggling, the intimacy, but after the past twenty-four hours, she was painfully aware of where snuggling with Viktor might lead. As much as she hated to admit it, she was simply too sore for another round, no matter how earth-shattering the experience had been. She doubted she’d be sore for much longer though. Already, she could feel her body healing, rebounding from the strenuous lovemaking from the previous night.
“What did you discover about the number nine in your research from yesterday?” Viktor asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity as he ran his hands down her sides, his fingers stopping to cup her hips.
Gracie gasped and playfully swatted his hands away before sliding off his lap. “Focus!” she chided, her cheeks flushing as she tried to ignore how easily he distracted her. “I can’t hide here in your penthouse forever.”
“Why not?” Viktor asked, his tone almost lazy, but his eyes glimmered with interest.
Gracie blinked, startled by his question. “Because… well, don’t you want your life to get back to normal? Don’t you have business to oversee?”
He shrugged, the movement drawing her eyes to his broad shoulders. “I’ve been handling it while teaching you.”
Her jaw dropped slightly. “How? When? You’ve been with me almost constantly!”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a knowing smirk, but before she could press further, Viktor’s silver eyes began to shimmer again. “You’re glowing,” he muttered, his voice thick with desire as he lifted her hand and kissed her fingertips lightly.
Before she could reply, Trent strolled into the room, a stack of papers in his hands. Viktor’s second in command’s easy confidence filled the space as he tossed the stack onto the coffee table. “Thank goodness you two have come up for air,” he quipped, his tone dry.
Gracie’s cheeks flamed, and she looked away, though she couldn’t help the laugh bubbling up.
Trent ignored her reaction and addressed Viktor. “We’ve got a new pile of bodies, but this time, only eight people died. And here’s the kicker—they’ve been drained of blood.”
Viktor’s expression darkened as he flipped through the pictures. The atmosphere in the room shifted, the earlier warmth replaced by a chilling sense of purpose.
