Page 119 of Viktor

“Um, thirteen days?” she replied without hesitation.

“Thirteen long fucking days. And you know what I did during that time? I’ll tell you what I did.” Viktor brushed his lips to the back of her head. “I thought about you. Every single hour, minute and second. I also thought about what I’ve been doing my whole life. Travel. Parties. Enjoying the finer things.”

“Doesn’t sound so bad.”

“But I did it alone. I never loved. I never felt love. I didn’t allow myself to ever think about the family I once had. I didn’t have a family.”

Waverly turned in his arms to face him, gazing into his eyes, her palms on his chest. “You are my family.”

“I don’t want to live this life without you. I know it’s selfish of me to ask you to give up your mortal life. But I want everything neither one of us has ever had. I want to travel the world with you. I want lazy Sunday afternoons watching movies. I want to spend my life with the woman I love. I want to eat your eggs.” He smiled. “But after what happened to me, I could never do that to you. Bonding forever, staying with me eternally…it had to be your choice.”

Waverly reached to cup his cheek and he kissed her palm. “I choose this...our bond. I choose you.”

“You’re sure of this?”

“I’m sure. Surer than I’ve ever been in my life.”

“Really sure?”

“One hundred percent sure,” she told him.

Viktor’s smile widened; his eyes lit in excitement. He released her and held up his finger. “One minute!”

“Hey. Where are you going?” Waverly laughed as he ran into the house, holding his towel closed with one hand.

Within seconds he returned, and La Vie En Rose began playing through the audio system. Twinkling lights lit up the pool area, and she noticed vases filled with bouquets of white lilies interspersed with candles that had seemingly lit themselves.

“Wait. I want to get this right,” he told her as he sprinkled a red rose petal heart around where she stood. “I’m afraid I’ve missed the actual sunset, but we will have many more together if you allow me. I wanted to do this in France, but I actually think this is quite perfect.”

“Viktor? What are you—” Butterflies danced in her stomach as he dropped to one knee.

“Mo chroí. Dr. LaFleur. My human existence…hell, my entire existence period has been empty, meaningless until you walked into my life.” He laughed. “Or perhaps I walked into yours. No matter how you got there, that day, I still chose of my own free will to go to that bar in Miami. And you were there. It was destined we’d meet.”

“Yes.” She nodded.

“You asked where we are, and we are home. Our home.”

“What?” Waverly released a nervous laugh. “You bought this house for us?”

“Yes, I bought this house.”

“It’s beautiful. It’s amazing. Oh my God. I can’t believe you bought a house here.”

“It’s going to be great. Surfing suits me, don’t you think?” A broad smile formed on his face.

“Yes, yes it does.” Waverly laughed, her arousal spiking at just the thought of him shredding up that wave. “I suppose I could help you get out of your wetsuit from now on.”

“The thing is…I could live anywhere but then you wouldn’t be with me. I want to be with my heart. My love. My wife.” Viktor opened his hand and revealed a black velvet box.

She covered her mouth with her hands, tears welling in her eyes. Waverly’s heart pounded in her chest as she looked down into his loving eyes. Clever and witty, her vampire had once again taken her by surprise.

“Will you marry me, Dr. LaFleur?” Viktor asked as he opened the box.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she repeated as she dropped to her knees.

“This is all very human,” he joked, accidentally reaching for her right hand, then successfully taking her left hand in his. She trembled as he slid the stunning emerald-cut diamond ring onto her finger. “I love you, Waverly.”

She cupped his cheek and pressed her lips to his. “I love you, baby. I’m so glad you came back…came home.”