Page 21 of Viktor

I raise a brow; I must be slacking. There had not been any word about a party from my team. There was nothing on Amaia’s phone or laptop with dates marked. I narrow my gaze.?

Stepping towards her until she’s backed up against my dresser, I ask, “What celebration?”

But she bites her lip and shakes her head. “Just something we do after a week of shows. It’s no big deal. I just need to be there.”?

“Then I’ll go too. One of my drivers will take you home.” I step away from her, opening up a drawer to pass her some boxers of mine so she is at least covered up underneath as I send her home. She opens her mouth to protest, but I shut her up with a kiss instead, leaving the room straight after.

“You can’t come to this,” she calls out, but I don’t care.

I’ll be there. She may be saying no to me now, but I could see it in her eyes. She wants me to be there.?

Instead of telling her that, I call out, “And Joan will box you up some breakfast. She will be insulted if you don’t eat it.” Joan won’t, but using that as an excuse might make Amaia more inclined to actually eat. At least, that's my hope.

Chapter twenty

Amaia

I’mhonestlynotsurprisedthat Viktor said he would see me here. After his driver dropped me off, I ate some of what Joan made for breakfast. It was good, but I couldn’t eat too much. Just a few bites. Training wouldn’t have been easy on a bloated stomach.

I’m surprised I was able to stretch after last night. I’m glad my bite mark has gone down, too. The girls still make comments about it, and Damien can barely look at me. I think he is annoyed with me, but he was my closest friend in the studio. So I caught up with him after training, and we talked. He said I had become distant since meeting Viktor, and the girls are only talking about me because they feel that they are picking up on the movements that I’m failing on.?

So, I took my time to think while getting ready for the celebration tonight. How I am going to get Viktor to back off, give me more time to train. Let me fulfill my dreams. I guess I didn’t even realize that’s what I had been doing.

I decided that tonight I’d wear burgundy instead of my usual black for parties. A beautiful backless silk dress that stopped mid-thigh. I wear my hair in loose waves that end at my waist, just a hint of makeup making my face glow. I finish my look with my diamond tennis bracelet my dad sent me for my eighteenth birthday. I had only worn it once before, out of spite.?

I push my way through the doors of the rented hall, musical instruments harmonize the room with undertones of glasses clinking. A couple of people turn to me. Damien is one of them, calling me over to large french windows with thick deep purple drapes. I walk over the glossy hardwood floors, my heels tap along with each step. He hands me a glass of champagne from the waiter with a tray full of them.

“Thank you,” I tell him, taking a sip. He leans forward, his strong cologne hits me and I try my hardest not to move away. But looks over my head instead, and his jaw clenches.?

“Amaia,” a deep voice says from behind me.

Shivers run over my body, and I turn to face Viktor. I bite my lip, looking him up and down. No matter how discrete I try to be, he smirks and leans in, kissing me.

I stay still, in shock, and when he pulls away, he grins. My lipstick is smeared across his lips.?

“I don’t remember inviting you,” I blurt, panicking when all eyes are on us. Immediately, I wish I could retract what I said.

But he merely brushes hair out of my face and says, “You didn’t have to, little doll. I’ll always be there for you.”

My heart does a little flip, and I try to squash it down. But based on the smirk on Viktor’s face, I wasn’t able to hide my reaction. Instead, I take another sip of my champagne.?

I feel other eyes on me as Viktor wraps his arm around my waist. I nervously chew my lip; this is new to me. I’ve never been very public with affection, maybe at most holding hands. My body has never been pressed up against a man while he kisses my cheek.

It’s bad enough that Viktor marked me before with his bite. His hand sensually drifts down to my hip and draws small circles on the fabric of my dress, as though he is caressing my body subconsciously.?

Looking up at him, I smile. “Can we speak in private, please?” I ask.

He needs to leave. Important people are here. Ones that control my future, if they see me act inappropriately, I might not be considered for Prima.

He guides me to a nearby hallway. We can still hear the chatter through the doors, but for now we have privacy. I open my mouth to speak, but Viktor takes advantage of my silence and kisses me.

His hand fist my hair, tilting my head back. I’m momentarily shocked when he pulls away, and my eyes flutter open. He casually takes a sip of his champagne and presses his thumb on my lower lip. My mouth parts for him, and he leans in, his own lips hovering above mine.

He spits the champagne in my mouth. “Swallow what I give you, Amaia.”

With my eyes on his, I obey.?

“Can you stay quiet, little doll?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.?

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