I can only imagine the chaos of a house with not one, but two Novotny hellions running amok. “I didn’t know he had a twin sister?”
Viktor finally manages to detach Mouse from his head, cuddling her to his chest. She purrs smugly, the little terror. “She's in Moscow with my aunt, learning the ropes of the family biz. You're in for a treat when you meet that hot mess.”
“About that,” Mrs. Novotny cuts in, pinning me with her stare. “Viktor will need to go to Russia for a few weeks this summer. I trust you'll be accompanying him? If you're serious about him, that is.”
It's phrased as a question but feels more like a command. I straighten my spine, meeting her gaze head-on. “Yes, ma'am. I'll be there. And I’m in for the long haul. Your son . . . He means everything to me.”
Her lips curve up, something like approval warming her gaze. But Viktor scoffs, rolling his eyes hard enough to strain something.
“Wait until you see what the family business is, Becks,” he mutters, a sly grin playing about his mouth. “Might change your tune real quick.”
“On that note, I should be going. I have a flight to catch.” She levels one last look at me as she stands, her eyes glittering with some unspoken warning. “Take care of him, Mr. Harper. And the next time my son might be in danger, I expect you to notify me immediately. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
She leans down to press a kiss to Viktor's hair, murmuring something in Russian. He nods, his expression uncharacteristically solemn. And then she's gone.
The second we're alone, I lunge at Viktor, pinning him against the cushions. My mouth crashes down onto his, my hands frantically roaming every inch of him, needing to feel him, to reassure myself he's here and whole.
“Don't you ever fucking scare me like that again.” I rasp against his throat, my teeth grazing his jumping pulse. “I thought . . . I thought I lost you. Thought he'd gotten to you.”
“As if.” He tilts his head to give me better access, wrapping one leg around the back of my thigh. “He won’t be a problem anymore.”
I exhale a slow breath and pull back a bit. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not.”
“Your parents are going to hate me if whatever you did comes out. They’ll blame me.”
“Mom was there. She knows.” His brilliant, icy blue eyes search mine, uncertainty flickering in their depths. “I really am sorry for worrying you. I couldn't let him fuck up your life anymore. You're my home, Becks. I protect what's mine.”
I crush our mouths together once more, holding him so tight, he squeaks.
“Becks.” Viktor sighs into my mouth, “I know I'm a lot to handle, but—”
“Shut up. You're perfect, you hear me? I love every wild, chaotic, batshit part of you.”
His smile right now could rival the sun. “Then you better put a ring on it.”
My heart damn near stops. But he's already trying to wriggle out from under me, his grin turning wicked.
“Think there’s a message in my voicemail about getting spanked center ice.” He looks down at that fancy blue watch of his. “Yup, Idefinitelydidn’t meet the time limit you gave.”
“Fucking brat.” But I'm laughing as I hoist him up and wrap his legs around me. “That smart mouth is gonna get you in trouble.”
He slaps at my arms. “Wait, wait! Your back!”
I pinch his ass cheek, chuckling when he yelps. “My back won’t be stopping me from tanning this ass for all the gray hairs you gave me.”
“Looking forward to it,Coach Harper.”
As I carry him to bed, both of us laughing, I feel it in my bones. This, right here?
It's forever.
Chapter 23
Viktor
