Chapter 67: Don’t start what you can’t finish

The rhythmic, dragging motion of the cloth blurred into a memory that wasn’t a memory at all, but a vivid, intrusive fantasy. In his mind’s eye, his grip wasn’t weak, he was pinning her against the cold tile wall, his mouth devouring hers, his hands rough and impatient as he parted her thighs.

Lost in the heat of his own thoughts, for Sienna, her mind was working its own pace too, stabbing him and right there and now that he was weak, she could taste freedom again. Her fingers strayed. The washcloth slipped lower, her palm unconsciously brushing against the rigid line of his stomach, tracing downward.

Viktor’s abdomen flexed sharply under her touch. He looked down at her, a low, gravelly rumble vibrating in his chest. "Don’t start what you can’t finish."

Sienna blinked, the illusion shattering instantly. She looked up, realizing just how close she was, her cheeks burning a furious, telltale crimson. She snapped her hand back, her throat suddenly dry.

"I was just... checking the bandage. To make sure it didn’t get wet." She forced her voice to stiffen, stepping back to create a desperate few inches of space.

"Don’t get flattered. That’s it. I’m done here."

She turned to step aside, but Viktor’s left arm, the good one, shot out. His fingers coiled around her wrist, surprisingly strong despite his injuries, and jerked her back into his space.

"I just get started," Viktor murmured, his voice dropping an octave as he pulled her flush against his bare, damp chest. "And I’ll go slow."

Sienna caught her breath, her heart hammering against her ribs. "You arrogant fool," she whispered, though she didn’t pull away as his fingers began a slow, torturous descent along the curve of her waist.

With a sudden burst of willpower, Sienna tore herself from his grip. She didn’t look back as she hurried out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, her hands trembling as she quickly peeled off her damp clothes and changed into something fresh, trying to scrub the feel of him from her skin.

She was just buttoning her shirt when the bathroom door opened again.

Viktor walked out. He was completely naked, save for a low-slung towel riding dangerously high on his hips, damp hair clinging to his forehead.

The air left Sienna’s lungs in a sharp, audible catch. She tried to look away, tried to force her gaze toward the window where the pale morning light was just beginning to break, but her body betrayed her. Her eyes traced the hard cut of his jaw, the heavy muscle of his shoulders, and the dark hair V-ing down into the towel.

Viktor caught her looking. A dark, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "You like what you see?"

"Not interested," she lied, her voice tighter than she intended.

"You sure?" Viktor took a slow, deliberate step toward her, closing the distance until she could feel the heat radiating off his skin.

"Your body is probably telling a different story right now."

"Why don’t you go to your room?" Sienna challenged, backing up until the edge of the mattress hit the back of her knees. "It’s already morning."

"This is my room," Viktor said softly, taking the final step into her personal space.

Sienna’s composure was entirely gone, fracturing under the sheer weight of his presence. She put her hands up against his bare chest, less to push him away and more to keep herself upright.

"You promise me. No sex. Remember?"

Viktor didn’t back down. He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear, while his large hand slid firmly onto her thigh, gripping the soft skin.

"It was a bad promise. You broke it the moment you looked at me like that." His thumb stroked a slow, deliberate circle. "You want me."

A soft, broken moan escaped Sienna’s lips a sound she tried desperately to swallow, but it slipped out anyway, echoing quietly in the still morning air.

"You like this more than you wanted to admit, don’t you?" Viktor teased, his voice a low purr. His hand moved higher, his fingers tracing the sensitive skin of her inner thigh.

Another quiet gasp escaped her.

"There it is," Viktor whispered against her skin, his lips brushing her jaw line. "That little whimper. I have been waiting to hear it." He tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his dark, predatory gaze. "I will make you scream next."

"I... I..." Sienna stammered, the words dying in her throat as her brain entirely abandoned her, leaving nothing but the electric pulse of desire rushing through her veins.

"Warn me all you want, baby girl," Viktor murmured, his grip tightening just enough to anchor her to him. "You are mine."

Then, he leaned down and drowned out the rest of her protests with a deep, agonizingly slow kiss that tasted of heat, surrender, and absolute ruin.

Sienna stepped back. Viktor slowly lifted her head up to meet his gaze. Despite the teasing smile on his face, there was something softer in his gaze now.

Something quieter. More sincere. "You stayed." The words caught her off guard.

For a second, neither of them moved. The teasing disappeared. The jokes faded. Leaving only the truth between them. Sienna swallowed.

"You got shot." A small smile appeared on Viktor’s face.

"And you stayed." His voice was almost gentle. The look in his eyes made her heart stumble. She quickly grabbed the towel on the bed and thrust it into his hands.

"Dry off before you catch a cold." Viktor chuckled.

The sound was low and warm. As Sienna turned to leave the room, his hand lightly caught her wrist. Not enough to stop her. Just enough to make her pause.

When she looked back, his expression had softened completely.

"I want you, Sienna." The sincerity in his voice surprised her more than any flirtation ever could. For once, she had no sarcastic reply. So she simply smiled and walked away.

And for the first time that day, Viktor’s smile wasn’t playful. It was genuine.