Page 49 of Mercenary Princess

Chapter 17

London, England

Sophia’s thoughts had taken a dangerous turn while Viktor was in the bathroom. They’d been lovers for only a matter of days. She must seem insane to him. She wondered if that might indeed be the case.

After shaking her head, she sighed. What did it matter what he thought of her? They were both using each other to get what they needed. This wasn’t the dark ages. She was an independent woman with needs, and he was filling them. He didn’t seem opposed to her desires. In fact, he seemed to know just what to say and do to exploit them to their fullest. That meant she had no reason to be embarrassed.

She breathed in the warm humidity of the pool mixed with the sex in the air. The cushion beneath her cheek felt nice, slightly damp from their swim. Drowsiness lulled her.

Her body actually jerked when she felt a hand on the back of her thigh. “I didn’t hear you.”

He grunted, and his fingers slowly massaged her relaxed flesh. His ministrations didn’t stay there, however. They trailed up her ass to her back and shoulders. This touch wasn’t sexual. It was comfort.

“Do you swim to stay fit?” she asked before she could stop the personal question from escaping.

He hesitated a moment, his thumbs massaging her shoulders. “Yes and no. I like to swim, but I also box and run.”

She nodded, smiling to herself. “It’s the boxing.”

The deep rumble of his voice nearly made her moan. “What’s the boxing?”

“All the muscle.”

He chuckled. “You sound very pleased, Princess.”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing this boxing practice one day,” she mused, feeling soothed by his talented fingers.

A peaceful quiet filled the room, until her stomach growled. Viktor’s laugh rang to the ceiling, a booming masculine sound that earned him an indignant glare over her shoulder.

“Are you hungry, Princess?”

“Obviously.”

His low chuckle made her smile through something that would normally have made her uncomfortable. She sighed and forced herself to turn so she was lying on her back. He sat at her side, staring down at her, his features relaxed.

Her fingers twitched with the sudden desire to touch his stubbled cheek.

“What is running through your head now?”

She’d been thinking things she had no intention of sharing.

“I was thinking of food.” The way his gaze flickered said he caught the lie.

“What would you like?” he asked.

“Pancakes.”

He raised a brow. “Pancakes?”

“I haven’t had pancakes in years.” Not since her late-night carb binges with Riot and Irina at university, she mentally mused.

His lips twitched. “Anything with your pancakes?”

She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “Maple syrup and bacon. I might be convinced to share if you’re good.”

“If?” he scoffed.

“I’ll share for another massage.”

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