Page 63 of Her Vampire, His Ruin

“Unwelcoming?” he acknowledges.

“Well, yes. Anyway, I apologise we left so abruptly, and as for Elizabeth⁠—”

“How is my ray of sunshine?” he interrupts.

I lift my brows. His ray of sunshine?

His twinkling grey eyes meet mine, and he laughs. “Apologies, that’s very overfamiliar. I just meant I’ve never met anyone like her before. She’s not afraid of speaking her mind or threatening a man with a blunt knife. I liked her, even though she wasn’t terribly fond of me.”

“Elizabeth is as protective of me as I am of her, and whilst you didn’t get to meet the best version of her, she really is a wonderful person.”

He nods, thoughtful. “I sensed that… So, to what do we owe the pleasure?” he asks after a beat.

“I was hoping to see Dorian, actually. Is he here?”

“No,” Viktor replies, shaking his head. “He’s still at the club. He’s there most nights. Would you like me to message him?”

I chew on my lip, my courage faltering. So far, it’s been Dorian chasing me, not the other way around, and a thread of unease settles within me. What if he’s only attracted to me because I’ve played hard to get? “Perhaps I’m being a little presumptuous.”

“Hardly. I’m sure he’ll drop everything to see you.”

I let out a rueful laugh. “Am I being foolish, Viktor?”

“What makes you say that?” he asks, cocking his head to the side as he regards me.

“I’m a forty-four-year-old woman, and he’s a beautiful, younger man who could have his pick of any⁠—”

“Your age is irrelevant,” he replies, cutting me off. “Dorian is single-minded when it comes to what he wants, and believe me. He wants you.” There’s kindness in his tone, but also something else that feels like a warning. I’m not quite sure what to make of it.

“It’s only been a few days since we last saw each other. Maybe he’s already lost interest,” I admit, old insecurities bubbling up. I exhale, trying to steady myself.

“You’ve met up with Dorian since the night we had dinner?” Viktor asks.

“You’re surprised by that. Why?” I throw back.

“Normally, when Dorian is pursuing someone, he makes Logan and me aware. For his safety, of course.”

His answer leaves me reeling, unsure where to begin. “So, is this a habit of his? Chasing women?” I try to sound casual, but jealousy prickles beneath my words.

“Please don’t misunderstand me,” Viktor quickly says. “Dorian isn’t with anyone else. Rest assured, he is very much focused on you.”

“But he didn’t tell you he met with me last week.”

“Ordinarily, he would tell either Logan or me what his plans are.”

“And you think he needs protection from me? I can assure you, I’m no threat to Dorian unless he doesn’t like detentions.”

“Detentions?”

“I’m a primary school teacher.”

“Ah, I see.” Viktor grins. “Well, in that case, I think he could use a little punishment every now and then. It would do him a world of good.”

“You think?”

“Most definitely.”

I can’t help but smile as I finger the stem of my glass. “So, back to the safety aspect of Dorian meeting up with me and not telling you. Is he in danger of being harmed?”