Page 22 of Viktor

He shot her a sheepish grin and turned onto the main road that led into town. “Where is the grocery store?”

She gave him directions and settled back. She waved to a few people who were just opening their shops. Anything to distract her from the scent invading her space. He smelled masculine in a way Roger never had. This scent was slowly driving her crazy. It was bad enough in the house, but in a closed in area like the SUV? Not good.

Viktor finally pulled into the local grocery store and cut the engine. Sara latched onto the handle, eager to escape into fresh air, but he reached out and gripped her arm, stopping her. Again, that jolt of electricity shot through her.

“If we get separated, all you have to do is shout if you see your ex. I’ll be right there. Fucker won’t get near you.”

The promise in those words sent a shiver down her arms. He leaned closer, staring into her eyes, and this time the shiver had nothing to do with Roger, but all Viktor. Those beautiful black eyes dilated then started to glow with intent. He leaned closer, and her breath hitched. Was he going to kiss her?

Sweet baby Jesus. He was going to kiss her.

Viktor caught himself right before he kissed her.

Fuck.

He pulled back and let go of her arm. His fingers still tingled from where they’d been pressed into her skin. He’d been so careful not to get too near her this entire week for fear he’d end up hauling her close and kissing her. Fuck, fuck, fuck. He should have had Gabe bring her to town.

Everything in him rebelled at letting Gabe anywhere near her. She was his to protect, and no one else’s. His nostrils flared at the thought. Shit. He was in trouble here. She wasn’t his. She was a client.

“Viktor?”

Her whisper brought everything back into focus, and he gave her an easy smile. Viktor knew he was scary as fuck, but he could be just as charming as his brothers, and suddenly he wasn’t so scary. That was the smile he tossed her, the one that got him anything he wanted.

And right now he wanted her to forget his lack of control.

“Ready?” He got out, hurrying around to open the door for her. She didn’t get out right away. She looked up at him, confused.

“Were you…” Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head as if to clear it.

“Was I what?”

“Nothing,” she muttered and got out.

He knew exactly what she was going to ask, but like her, he let it go. No need to complicate an already complicated situation.

“Do your parents have a separate freezer?” They each collected a shopping cart and Viktor followed her to the vegetable tables.

“Yes, downstairs.” She wouldn’t look at him, and that didn’t sit well with him at all. “Why?”

“I’m going to load up on meat since Gabe and I eat enough for a small army.”

“You really don’t have to do that.” She picked through the tomatoes as she talked. “I swear these people have no idea how to handle produce. Look at all the bruising.”

She was babbling, and he let a smile slip. Sara was nervous around him. He pissed her off, but it didn’t dispel her nervousness.

“Sara Jane!”

Viktor turned to see a woman striding over to them with purpose written in every step. She appeared to be in her sixties, and her bleached blonde hair only added to the lines around her face. She wore a pinched expression that was definitely not friendly.

The way Sara stiffened confirmed this woman was a danger to her, at least emotionally, and Viktor stepped closer, ready to shield her if necessary.

“Elizabeth.” Sara turned to face the oncoming storm.

“How dare you lie about my son?” The anger radiating from her could have ignited the flames of hell itself. This had to be Roger’s mother.

“I didn’t lie, Elizabeth.” Weariness coated her words, and Viktor put a hand against the small of her back.

Elizabeth’s eyes zeroed in on the movement, and she made a sound of disgust. “Oh, I see what’s going on. You went and got yourself another man and decided to make my son out to be some kind of wife beater so you can go off and fornicate. You ain’t nothin’ but a skanky whore trying to keep my grandbaby away from her daddy!”

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