Page 60 of Viktor

It took her a minute to dry off, but she managed that and to get some of the water out of her hair. Viktor’s black t-shirt was the softest thing she’d ever felt. He must use extra fabric softener. Next came her panties. Her mother sent her down granny panties. White things that covered every inch of her. She laughed out loud. Leave it to her mom to remind her not to be letting things get out of hand. Not that she was going to, but still, her mother’s not so subtle hint was cute.

Her fuzzy snowman pajama bottoms slid up effortlessly, and she slipped on her fuzzy socks. Despite the warm bath, she was freezing. Probably a little shock left over from the attack. Sara knew she hadn’t fully let herself deal with what happened earlier. There had been too much going on, and Delia was there. She never let her daughter see her break down. In Delia’s eyes, Mommy was the strongest person around.

Just taking a bath and getting dressed wore her out. As much as she didn’t want to do it, she called for Viktor. He was there within seconds, confirming her suspicion he’d sat on the bed, waiting.

His gaze raked over her, and she felt the blush heat her cheeks. Without a word, he picked up a clean towel and used it on her hair. He worked until it was mostly dry. Then he found a hair brush and pulled it through her hair. He was ever so gentle, and not once did he pull it.

He laid the brush on the sink and took a moment to rewrap her sprained wrist. She’d been too exhausted to do it. Once he was done, he picked her up. Instead of the bed, he carried her into the living room where he had pillows piled up on the couch. He sat her there and covered her with a throw. Viktor left her and went into the kitchen. He was in there for a few minutes, and she strained her ears to see if she could tell what he was doing. She faintly heard the sounds ofMax and Rubyplaying upstairs, so at least Delia was in bed. It might only be a little after eight, but it was important she get into bed. School came early.

When Viktor came back, he had a tray. A cup of hot tomato soup sat on it, along with his half-eaten meatball sub. Two drinks, one with a straw sticking out of it, were beside the food. He placed the tray on the coffee table and sat beside her, lifting her feet and settling them in his lap.

“I could hear your belly growling all the way in the bedroom.” He fussed with her blanket before he handed her the steaming cup of soup. “This’ll help with the shakes too. Getting food in you should settle your nerves down a bit.”

“How did you know I was shaky?”

He smiled that lazy smile she was growing to love. “When I went into my first dangerous situation over in Afghanistan, I was scared. I didn’t let anyone else know that, of course. I was nineteen and cocky. But after it was over, the shakes set in. It was a combination of fear, relief, and the adrenaline rush that finally went away. My sergeant made us all eat. He taught us how to deal with the aftermath of war. Food always helps. Food and some creature comforts.”

“Like my fuzzy PJs and my favorite throw?”

“Yeah, things like those.” He motioned to her food. “Eat.”

She blew across the soup and took a sip. The flavor burst over her tongue even as the heat warmed her hands. Viktor watched her to make sure she could manage before he picked up his own food.

“Why didn’t you eat? I was in the bathroom a long time.”

“Because you didn’t.” Such a simple statement, but there was a wealth of unsaid words behind it.

“I don’t understand.”

“You tried to eat earlier, but I saw how hard it was to open your mouth for the sub. There was no way in hell I was gonna stuff my face when you were hungry and unable to eat. No man puts himself above his woman.”

“I’m not your woman,” she whispered. His words almost caused the waterworks to spring. He’d put her needs above his own. Something Roger had never done. She’d gotten so used to being dead last when it came to her own needs, she’d forgotten what it felt like to have someone take care of her.

It felt wonderful and scary all at the same time.

“But you are.” Viktor squeezed her foot through the throw. “Wanna watch a movie with me?”

“I can do that.” She didn’t bother arguing with him over the whole “my woman” claim. It wouldn’t matter if she did. He’d just keep correcting her.

He turned on the TV and fiddled with the remote until he managed to bring up Netflix. “What are you in the mood for?”

“Supernatural?”

“What’s that?”

“Oh Em Gee…you don’t know whatSupernaturalis? Where have you been living? Under a rock on Jupiter?”

“We didn’t get a lot of TV in Afghanistan, and when I came home, I was so busy getting my company started, I didn’t really have time for TV. I guess I got used to going without.”

“What was it like?” She set her soup down and picked up the drink with the straw, fitting it between her lips. So much easier.

“Hmm?”

“Being in Afghanistan.”

He sat back and kicked off his shoes so he could put his feet up on the table. “It was interesting. Scary as hell every single day. You constantly had to be on your guard. We never knew what was going to happen when we left our base. The stress alone could eat you alive. It made me appreciate home more. I was surprised Conner signed up for a second tour.”

“The twin?”

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