Page 32 of The Champion
My heart was beating incredibly fast, and I was trying to act as if staying in Victor’s apartment for the next five weeks was no big deal. Internally, my thoughts were running wild.
It’s a bad idea. I’ll fall hopelessly in love if we sleep together for five weeks.
I already am, so in a way the damage is done.
If the damage is already done, why not enjoy the five weeks and grieve later?
What if my family finds out?
“Come on, Freya,” Celeste had exited and was waiting for me.
“Wait, my father would bring me home if he knew I was staying in Victor’s living room. You can’t tell anyone. Especially not Marco or Shelly.”
“We won’t,” Celeste assured me. “How many times do I have to tell you that now it’s your time to be free?”
Victor stood leaning against the wall in the elevator with his subtle smile of victory that I had seen in trade dealings so many times. “See you in a few minutes,roommate.”
I felt like I’d lifted from the ground with the number of butterflies filling my stomach. Celeste was jabbering about how generous it was of Victor to offer to host me while I packed my things in a haze of confusion.
Shelly was here and from our half hour together I could already tell that she was as eccentric and interesting as I had heard.
Victor had wanted me to stay in his apartment. There was no doubt in my mind that he had played a game with Marco to shake off the protector my father had appointed. I couldn’t blame Victor because I didn’t want Marco breathing down my neck either.
“Is that all of it?” Celeste asked when I closed my bag.
“Yes, I think so.”
Shaking her blond hair out of her eyes, Celeste grinned. “I would tell you to have fun, but I have a feeling you and Victor will be arguing morning, noon, and night.”
“I hope not.” Walking to the door, I turned around. “But just in case…”
Celeste smiled and touched my shoulder. “You don’t have to ask. Your face is programmed in the recognition system. Come whenever you need to. If you hear voices from my bedroom, just sleep on the couch.”
“Thank you, Celeste.”
“Any time, sweet Freya. Now go beat him in chess or something.” When she winked at me, I wondered if she knew that Victor and I had slept together or at least suspected that it was in the cards. “Don’t let him boss you around or talk you into doing things you don’t want to do.”
“I won’t,” I said, but part of me was aware that my declaration of us never sleeping together again was about to be challenged.
CHAPTER 8
Forbidden Feelings
Victor
I paced my apartment waiting for Freya to get here.
At the sound of the first knock, I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath to steady myself before opening the door.
“Come in.”
Freya walked in and seemed on edge when she placed her bag next to the sofa and sat down. “You did this on purpose.”
Sitting down opposite her, I admitted, “Of course. You said it yourself, you don’t need a protector and besides, I’m your favorite French person so it makes sense that you stay with me.”
Freya’s pretty face with her green eyes was beautifully framed by her long dark hair. She was watching me closely. “Sometimes.”
“Huh?”
