Page 26 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

I fan myself slightly, watching him. He must also be getting hot from the cooking. His skin is glistening in the bright light. A bead of sweat forms at the back of his neck and drips slowly down his muscular back. I can feel a heat both in my face and in my panties. There's something about a strong muscular man sweating that is just appealing.

I turn to look away, not wanting to be distracted by him any more than I already am.

When he moves, I turn back and see him taking down two bowls. He comes over and hands me one. “Dish up your pasta and then you can dish up your sauce.”

I dish up for myself and he follows behind me. I'm acutely aware of how close he is to my back. I can feel the heat radiating off his body. I sit at the kitchen island as he gets us cutlery. He hands me a spoon and a fork. “Enjoy.”

“Thanks,” I start to eat and I groan. “That's so good. It really hits the spot.”

“I'm glad,” he says with a smile as he starts to eat. We're sitting beside each other and our legs are touching. I find myself glancing down at his legs more than once and I keep forcing myself to look at my food before he notices. He clears his throat and I glance at him. I meet his gaze and quickly look away.

“You okay? Your face is a bit red.” He reaches out and strokes my hair out of my face. “You have sauce on your cheek.” He reaches for a napkin and gently wipes my cheek. I lean into his touch and sigh again.

“Riley,” he says quietly.

“Viktor,” I reply, looking up at him with wide eyes.

He looks so perfect and I can't deny I'm attracted to him, but I realize he probably has a lot of experience with this. With sex. I'm a virgin. I've never even had someone go… down there. It suddenly becomes too hot and uncontrollable in the kitchen. I get up hurriedly.

Viktor stands up quickly. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing. I'm done.”

“You barely touched your food,” he says. “Is it not good? I thought it tasted nice.”

“It is nice. I'm just… I'm tired,” I stammer my words. “Goodnight, Viktor.”

“Goodnight, Riley,” he says. Is he amused?

I hurry out of the kitchen and up the stairs. My hunger is clearly forgotten, though I don't know how I'm going to sleep after all that. I take off my robe and climb into bed, shivering slightly. The room is so much colder than it was in the kitchen. I curl up in a ball to get warm and briefly imagine Viktor's arms protectively around me. That thought lulls me into a sense of safety and, once I warm up, I start to fall asleep.

Chapter 13 - Viktor

I suppose the inevitable has to happen. I’ve set up a meeting with my siblings, including Rigor. We need to discuss what has happened, and I need their input now that Roman is back. To say he's unimpressed with me is an understatement. I don't think he's ever been this angry with me. Gwen hasn't come by either, but I know she's talked to Riley on the phone. I'm sure they'll make plans to see each other soon. I'm not looking forward to the inevitable ass-whooping I'm going to get from my brothers. They should be used to my impulsiveness by now, but it always seems to catch them by surprise.

I drive to Rigor's offices, where my brothers and I are going to meet. I leave Riley at the house to her own devices and tell her not to leave until Gwen is there. Gwen is coming over to catch up with her. They’ll probably go for lunch or something at the family restaurant.

After last night, it seems like she's shying away from me again, which is disappointing because I am sure I felt electricity in the kitchen last night. It was so damn hot, and she was in that flimsy robe and pajamas. The things I wanted to do to her in that kitchen. If she had stayed any longer, I would have. I give myself a mental shake and take the elevator up to Rigor's main office. My brothers are already there, sitting on the sofas in the corner. Rigor looks over at me and waves me over. “Grab a whiskey and join us.”

“Thanks,” I say. “It's good to see everyone in one room.”

“We should do it more often,” Rigor says. “Preferably not because you've gone half-cocked on some idea.”

“I wasn't half-cocked. I bet those were Roman's words.” I take my whiskey and sit next to Anton, opposite Roman and Rigor.

“I said you were reckless and hot-headed,” Roman admits, sipping his whiskey. “But Rigor says what is done is done.”

I look at my oldest brother. “Is that so?”

Rigor nods. “We need to discuss the problem, though. What are the Vultures up to?”

“They've been following Riley around campus. According to Anton, there's more than one following her now. I'm sure they want to take her in order to force our hand,” I say testily.

“I don't think so,” Rigor says. “At least not now. I don't think they will. Not after what we did to them. They know they don't stand a chance against our forces.”

Roman nods in agreement. “I think they are just trying to threaten us to see how far we'll go.”

“Then we should meet them and destroy them,” I say. “That way, they'll know their place on the food chain.”

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