Reeling, I closed my eyes, every other sense trained on the sound of running water filtering from the bathroom, and definitely not on the fact that fuckingViktorwas fuckingnakedon the other side of that door. The slash on my torso itched. I focused on that, and the soft thump in my temple, and finally got my shit under control.
I wasn’t here to fuck Viktor.
Or even think about fucking him.
I was here cos heneededme, even if he didn’t know it yet.
The shower shut off.
My eyes flew open, razor-sharp awareness dragging me out of my lean-to with the doorway just in time for Viktor to emerge from the bathroom.
It wasn’t the first time I’d seen him in a towel in the last twenty-four hours, but I was better prepared for it on my second go. For the roped scars marring his too-pale skin. For the subtle tattoos I’d convinced myself I’d never pressed my lips to in the low light of his Leeds living room, mandy and dubstep pulsing my blood.
You definitely did that.
Viktor left his bedroom door open. On purpose or cos he wasn’t used to company, I couldn’t tell. Didn’t matter. I wasn’t strong enough to control my wild imagination, but I had the manners—just—to avert my gaze before he dropped the towel.
“You have everything you need?”
Fuck. My eyes flashed open again to find Viktor right in front of me. Dressed, thank the lord, but with his wet hair slicked back enough that I just about died. “Need?”
Pretty sure my subconscious had already covered that, but maybe he was talking about something else.
Viktor leaned closer. “I do not know you as well as I used to, but if you are the man I remember, you travel light, no? I’m wondering what you did not think to bring with you.”
“Like what?”
“Clothes. Sun protection. A book. I live a boring life,Asher. You will need to occupy your time when you figure that out.”
I would never get bored of him saying my name like that. Of the orange-blossom scent that clung to him whatever chuffing state he got himself in. And sun protection could fuck off. I couldn’t wait to smoke a cigarette with some rays on my back. Just give me a minute to not worry that he was gunning to sneak off and score. “Thanks for the concern, but I’m pretty mint at entertaining myself.”
Viktor shrugged. “Okay then.”
He clicked his teeth and he and Lida moved off, heading for the patio doors.
I followed him, of course. Every day, every hour, this was my church.
Viktor stepped outside and headed for the billion and one fruit trees that filled his property. A maze of them that made the air smell just like him. Funny that. Of all the things I’d dreamed of learning about him, I hadn’t had Satsuma Island on my bingo card.
Or sunshine hikes, but I dug it. And the view? The mountains, the ocean, and his lithe body?
Yeah.
Take the Monster Munch back, I’d do this shit for free.
Jakov hasn’t paid you yet.
Viktor headed down the mountain, past his sister’s property, largely ignoring me until I saved Lida the trouble of running between us and caught him up.
“You have seduced my dog.” Viktor glanced my way. “She does not leave me for anyone else.”
“She knows I’m good for you.”
“Jake is good for me. She would still never walk at his side over mine.”
We broke the cover of the trees and the sun hit my face. “What does that tell you?”
“That she ate weed when she was with you in Devon and she has never been the same since.”
