Page 50 of Viktor's Temptation
Gracie hesitated before shaking Sorcia’s hand. “I’m Gracie… and I guess my title would be ‘the newbie vampire’,” she said with a nervous laugh.
Sorcia’s green eyes softened as she clasped Gracie’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard about your ordeal. You’re incredibly brave to have survived what you did. Truly remarkable.”
Gracie felt herself flush at the praise, glancing down at her hands. “I’m not sure about brave. Maybe just… lucky?”
“Luck had nothing to do with it,” Anikka said, flopping onto the nearest plush armchair with a casual grace. “You’re a badass, Gracie. Own it.”
Sorcia reached into her elegant leather tote and pulled out two bottles of wine, setting them on the coffee table with a theatrical flourish. “We’re celebrating your badassery. Wine?”
Gracie eyed the bottles wistfully. “I’m not sure what wine does to vampires.”
“Only one way to find out,” Anikka said, grinning as Sorcia snapped her fingers. Three crystal wine glasses appeared on the table in a flicker of soft green light.
Gracie’s eyes widened. “That’s… so cool.”
“Perks of having a witch around,” Anikka said with a wink. “Wait until you see what she can do at parties.”
Sorcia laughed as she poured. “Parties aren’t really my thing. I prefer books and quiet evenings. But for new friends? I make exceptions.”
The three women toasted, their glasses clinking lightly. Gracie took a sip and let out an audible moan. “Oh, wow! This is incredible! The blackberries, the oak… wait, is this French oak?” She paused. “How do I even know that?”
Anikka and Sorcia exchanged wide-eyed looks, then burst out laughing.
“Vampire taste buds,” Sorcia explained between giggles. “Apparently, they’re extraordinary. Who knew?”
Settling into the cozy atmosphere, the three women began swapping stories about their lives, punctuated by sips of wine and bites of decadent chocolates that Sorcia conjured with another snap of her fingers.
As they talked, the conversation naturally turned to the men in their lives.
“Jace is a handful,” Anikka admitted, grinning. “Alpha to the core. Always thinks he knows best. But I’ve learned how to keep him in check.”
Sorcia snorted. “You’ve tamed him. That’s no small feat.”
“Tamed?” Anikka scoffed. “Please. He’s as stubborn as ever. But I’ve mastered the art of putting him in his place when needed. You just have to out-alpha the alpha.”
The three women laughed, and Sorcia added, “Viktor’s no different, I’m sure. Men like them think they can get their wayjust because they’re strong and commanding. But we all know who really runs the show.”
Gracie laughed along with them, but when Sorcia said Viktor’s name, a strange pang twisted in her chest. Her laughter faltered, and she couldn’t shake the image of Sorcia’s radiant smile directed at Viktor. She tried to brush it off, but the thought gnawed at her. What if there had been something between them?
She barely registered the conversation until Anikka nudged her with an elbow. “Earth to Gracie. What’s with the brooding?”
“Brooding?” Gracie blinked. “I’m not brooding.”
“You totally are,” Sorcia teased. “Something on your mind?”
Gracie hesitated, then shook her head. “No, it’s nothing.”
But it wasn’t nothing. When the elevator doors opened and Viktor stepped into the room, Gracie’s heart leapt—and her jealousy flared when his silver eyes immediately found Sorcia.
“Thank you,” Viktor said, walking toward Sorcia. “Your coven’s help was invaluable.”
He reached out as if to embrace her, and before she could think, Gracie was standing between them, her back pressed against Viktor’s chest, her hands clutching his thighs, and a low, involuntary hiss escaping her lips.
The room went silent.
Viktor chuckled softly, his arms wrapping around Gracie’s waist as he pressed a kiss to her neck. “Gracie,” he murmured, his voice a soothing caress, “I’m all yours. She’s just a friend.”
Gracie’s tension melted, but the embarrassment lingered. She turned to Sorcia, her cheeks flaming. “I… I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
