AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You aren’t allowed in the kitchen,” Viktor grumbled.
We both jerked to face him. His eyes were still closed, his voice laced with sleep, but when Gabi made an indignant noise, he smirked. It was the first time I’d seen that look on his face, and I was glued to it until Gabi spoke again.
“Shut up! I’m not that bad. I’m not as bad as Jo, anyway. But I said eat with me, not have me cook for her. Dmitriy is making waffles.”
That made Viktor snort, and he finally opened his eyes, shooting her a look.
“What did you do to earn that?”
When she flushed dark red, Viktor chuckled. I eyed them curiously. I didn’t know what was so funny, but I was too embarrassed to ask for an explanation.
“Whatever. Are you hungry, Rosie?”
I was going to shake my head. It was awkward enough for Mariana to cook for me without adding the seven foot tall, angry Russian that was Gabi’s husband to the mix. But my stomach chose that moment to growl and gave me away. My cheeks burned, and I grimaced.
Gabi snickered. “I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll let Dmitriy know. Did you need help to get up, or–”
“I will help her.”
Viktor stretched beside me and rolled out of bed. He was still in his suit, decidedly rumpled, which wreaked havoc on my brain. Why did he have to be sweet and good looking? What woman could survive that?
Gabi left while Viktor came around to help me out of bed and into the bathroom. He still hovered, even though it’d been a few days and I was managing on my own, but when I asked to take a shower first, he set everything up and left me alone. I was pretty happy he didn't offer to help. The embarrassment alone would kill me, not to mention my ever present crush tempting me to say yes. My mind flashed to the kiss from the night before and I felt my cheeks burn. I shouldn’t have let it happen, but…
I shook my head roughly, trying to clear the thought out of my head. I couldn’t be thinking like that. There would be no happily ever after. Not for me.
It took longer than normal for me to get clean. Lifting my arms above my head was painful, but I felt accomplished when I finished on my own. Exhausted, but accomplished. And Viktor was still waiting for me when I got out. He helped me brush the tangles out of my hair and let me hold his arm for support to walk down the hallway to Gabi’s place. He didn’t bother knocking, opening the door, and ushering me inside. I was hesitant, it felt weird to come in without being invited, but Gabi was sitting on a stool at the island and she beamed when she saw me come in.
“Oh, good! You got a shower in. I was going to offer my help later if you needed it.”
I nodded quickly. It was still embarrassing that they all saw me naked and at my lowest, but at the time, I couldn’t have done it on my own. At least now, my pain was managed by the meds, even though it was a little rougher without the extra strength ones. I still refused to take those this morning, much to Viktor’s annoyance. I wasn’t willing to make myself sleepy, no matter how much I kept wincing when I took deep breaths.
“She is in pain. She cannot sit on the stool.”
Viktor’s grumble made me purse my lips against a scowl. He was cranky after my adamant refusal to take the meds Doctor O’Connor had left me. I hadn’t planned on mentioning the discomfort to Gabi because I needed them to see that I was fine so that they’d eventually let me leave. I knew there were people looking for me, but that had been true even before I met Viktor. I knew how to hide. I didn't need to stay here.
“That’s fine. We can sit on the couch. Are you staying for breakfast?” Gabi queried, hopping off the stool. When Viktor shook his head, I didn't know whether I wanted to be relieved or disappointed.
“I need to work. She is a flight risk, though. Do not leave her alone.”
ChapterFourteen
I let outan indignant sound before I could process it. I flinched automatically, waiting for him to get angry, but when nothing happened, I peeked my eyes open at him. He looked a cross between concerned and frustrated. I winced internally. It must not make him feel nice that I kept flinching from him.
“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean–”
He sighed, stepping closer to press his lips to the top of my head. “I am not angry with you, ?????. My frustration is with the one who made you afraid to speak your mind. Enjoy your breakfast. I will check in later. Stay with Gabi. It is not safe for you to leave on your own.”
When he stepped away, he lifted his eyebrows, giving me a significant look. I knew he wouldn’t leave until I gave in, so I nodded once to appease him.
Gabi had been watching us curiously and when Viktor finally left and I turned to face her, she looked like she was holding back a smile.
“Is… something wrong?”
She shook her head, pursing her lips in a poor attempt to hide her expression. “Nope. I’m good. Come on, let’s get you comfortable on the couch. Do you want syrup or whipped cream? I used to be a syrup person, but I tried it with whipped cream at Jo’s once and I’ve been addicted ever since.”
My brow furrowed as I followed her to the couch to sit. “You put whipped cream on waffles?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “With fruit. Wanna try it?”
