AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Clearly, my family thought I was insane to shack up with him, but I’d known that would be their opinion. Subconsciously, it was why I pulled the trigger and invited him to the wedding. The result was gloriously disastrous.
Stepping out of the dining room, I took my first real breath since entering. “Thank you, Tor,” I said as we walked down the breezy hall. It was hard to admit, but if he hadn’t pulled me away, I’d been in danger of drinking myself under the table just to get through the meal.
Viktor winked. “That’s the job of the boyfriend—to be your shield.”
A soldier to stand up for me. That should grate on me and make my inner goddess rise in rebellion. But the thing about pantheons was that a goddess wasn’t cut from the same cloth. Because for now, I realized I didn’t need to be doing the heavy lifting. Viktor was a valuable weapon in my arsenal, and I would be foolish not to allow him to fight for me, especially when I was exhausted—mentally as well as physically.
When we reached the end of the hall, I pulled away, heading toward the elevators so I could escape to my room. I didn’t get far.
“What’cha doing, suits?” Viktor asked, holding my hand tight. With a tug, he pulled me back into his side. “Ocean’s this way.”
I stared at him. “You weren’t serious about swimming, were you?”
“Hell yes, I was. What’s the problem with that?”
That chuckle, it was sexy and masculine, warm and smooth, and for the briefest of seconds, I imagined what it would feel like if it brushed against my throat. Or maybe somewhere lower like my inner thigh....What’s wrong with me? This is Viktor!
My voice was harder than I intended. “It’s late and I’m tired. Besides, my swimsuit is in my room.”
“It’s early,” he countered, “and this will help you sleep better. And you don’t need a swimsuit either.” For each of his responses, he tapped my nose.
Unbelievable! I gaped at him. I’d never seen Viktor quitethisplayful. There was usually a tightness to him, always offering a hard exterior of control. But now, that mask of control was all but gone. Viktor tugged on my hand again. “I can see every protest bubbling in your brain. Squash them all, suits, and let’s go.”
“Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend’s brother?” I blurted out.
“I’m in a living daydream, and I’m not wasting a damn second of it.” The heat in his gaze sent a cascade of shivers down my spine.
“Alright, Tor.” Swallowing back a squeal, I let him drag me away into the landscaped jungle that matched the interior décor. He bypassed the pool, where a lively group of resort guests were enjoying the adult-only resort’s amenities, then pulled me across a planked boardwalk.
I yanked at his hold. “Viktor, wait!” I panted. “Just a second.”
It wasn’t until I hopped on one foot, trying to release my stiletto’s strap, that he slowed down so I could kick my shoes off.
Once barefoot, Viktor tugged me onto the sand, avoiding the wooden path altogether. He charged through the thick foliage, clearing a path. I kept close behind him as he pushed the plants aside. Cursing when I stepped on downed branches, I wondered if I’d completely lost my mind. But there was a challenge here, and damn him, I wasn’t going to lag just because I wasn’t equipped for the adventure.
As we pushed deeper into the untamed patch of jungle, I realized my sour mood had fully dissipated, leaving me breathless and laughing silently to myself. I hadn’t enjoyed myself like this in...forever.
The shrubs thinned, great palms marking the end of our trek. Golden sand, brightened by moonlight, sprawled in front of us. Beyond, the ocean danced to her own tune as she crashed into the shore. The enchanting scene stole what little breath I had left. Viktor paused and pulled me to his side as we stared out at it, the only two souls witnessing this piece of living art.
After a moment, Viktor removed his dinner jacket and dropped it in the sand at our feet. When I saw the designer label, I snatched it up, turning to him. “Do you know how expensive this is?” I hissed at the great grizzly, who was flicking open the top buttons under his already loosened tie. “You can’t just dump it on the ground!”
“Yes, I do. And yes, I can.” The words were muffled as he reached behind his back and pulled the shirt over his head in one smooth move.
“What are you doing?” I squeaked. Then I got a good look at the shirtless Adonis. Thanks to the silvery lunar glow, there wasn’t room to leave anything to the imagination. His powerful physique was covered in scrawling ink, and it cut an image that threatened ovarian explosions.
Viktor caught me staring and arched a brow. “Your turn, suits.”
It was suddenly stiflingly hot, and my heart raced. “I’m not wearing a bra,” I stammered, crossing my arms over my chest. Which wasn’t quite true, as I had bandaged my nipples under my shirt.
“So?” Viktor growled, yanking his pants down, but thankfully keeping his underwear on.
With a hiss, I looked up at the night sky—but not before catching a glimpse of the beauty that was his lower half. The skintight material of his boxer briefs clung to thick, strong thighs, but it was his bulging groin that my guilty gaze had focused on for the briefest of seconds.
“I can’t swim in the nude,” I insisted, still looking at the sky.
“That’s on you, suits. If you’re too chicken, then stay put.”
Viktor was goading me on purpose, I knew it. But I didn’t have to listen to this. Spinning around, I faced the dense foliage we’d just exited. My heart skipped, and nervous energy skittered over my skin.
