“You got it. But I’m hoping the next time I walk in here you’ve already flashed her back to Cali.” Rafe closed the door as he left.
Viktor rose and slowly approached, careful not to startle her. While he usually was a ‘fuck your feelings’ sort of guy, something about this frail human in his bed gave him pause. But the wolf was right. Bringing her to Miami was a mistake. He’d have to return her and consider contacting the Alpha like Rafe suggested.
“Hmm…” Waverly moaned and shifted in bed, tugging at the covers, her tanned skin exposed. A hint of her nipple peeked through the sheets.
Although tempted to reach for her, he resisted the urge. Long before he tasted her blood, the attraction to the quick-witted curator had been sparked.
While his interest in her had been piqued in Miami, the sight of her in the ocean had captivated him. She navigated the waves like a pro. Her lithe, muscular body, one with the board, appeared as if it could tame the sea itself.
When he’d discovered the serendipitous fundraising event, he’d decided to meet her at the museum. Having collected art throughout the centuries, he’d been delighted at the opportunity to lend a piece from his private collection.
The sight of Waverly in the ebony, floor-length gown had taken his breath away. Her wavy blonde hair had been swept up, revealing the creamy skin of her neck. Her eyes shone with the same fire and defiance as the first time he’d met her, yet she was a far cry from the shaken girl he’d rescued in a blood bar. The brilliant, eloquent curator captured his attention throughout the tour, demonstrating her vast knowledge of art. When they’d danced, he’d been tempted to taste her lips, but desire had quickly been thwarted by the shooter.
Enraged amid the melee, Viktor had acted without thought, killing the attacker. Within seconds, he dematerialized them both to his home. While he reasoned Rafe was correct, that he should have allowed humans to care for her, he didn’t regret keeping her safe, still not convinced the shooting was random.
Viktor’s thoughts focused back onto Waverly as he knelt beside the bed. He studied the contours of her face, her full, pink lips pursed as her eyes slowly blinked open. He braced for the firestorm he expected to come from his spirited human.
“Hmm,” she moaned, clutching at the comforter. “Lights.”
Viktor reached for the night table, dimming the brightness.
“Dr. LaFleur,” he whispered.
“Just one more,” she said, her eyes closed.
“Well, of course I’d love to indulge you in whatever fantasy you’re having,” Viktor said, his voice soft.
Waverly fluttered open her eyes. Several seconds passed as she took in her surroundings.
“Where am I?” she asked, panic in her voice.
“It’s all right now. You’re safe. You’re in my home.”
“Oh my God.” Still curled in a ball, she quickly pulled the covers over her head.
“It’s okay, Waverly,” Viktor said, keeping his tone calm. “How are you feeling?”
“I…I was shot.” She lowered the covers, revealing just her eyes. “My leg. Wait…my leg.”
Viktor smiled, watching as she shuffled underneath the sheets, ducking her head back under.
“There’s no wound.” Waverly popped her head halfway out of the covers. “But...I’m naked! Why am I naked? Where are my clothes?”
“I’m afraid the dress didn’t fare as well as you did. It’s drenched in blood. It’s black but I’m not sure your dry cleaner will be amicable to removing that big of a spot.” Viktor glanced to his bloodstained shoes and inwardly cursed that yet another pair were damaged. “No worries. I’ll have my personal shopper replace it for you. I’ve already sent her a text.”
“You have a personal shopper?” Waverly asked, her mouth still covered by the sheets. “Of course you do. Why am I even asking that?”
“It’s a time saver.”
“You saw me naked,” she gritted out.
“Well, yes but I promise you I didn’t look. I swear to you on the graves of my ancestors.”
“Seriously? What are you saying?”
Viktor gave a small smile. “I promise I was not looking.”
“Did you bite me?” Her eyes lit with anger.
“Of course not, but I could later, if you’d like.” Viktor shot her a devious smile. She simply had no idea how much he would have loved to sink his fangs into her skin.
“Please tell me you took me to an emergency room.” Her leg shot out of the sheets, and she continued to inspect it.
“It was unnecessary. I healed you. Was just a bit of a scratch.” Viktor’s expression fell flat as he recalled killing her attacker. He’d easily wrestled the gun out of his hands and crushed his trachea.
“But…I was shot. Oh God…the pain. It was horrible.” Her face was awash in confusion. “This doesn’t make sense. Are you sure you didn’t bite me?”
“I’ve already told you that when I bite you, you’ll beg me to do it. And believe me, you will most certainly remember it.”
“In your dreams,” she huffed, regaining her defiance. “I don’t date vampires.”
“So you’ve told me.” Viktor gave a small laugh, slightly amused.
“I’m pretty sure I got shot. What really happened?”
“You did. I took care of your leg.”
“I’m sorry. Are you a doctor? Did you go to med school?”
“I’m a vampire, Waverly. I can heal most wounds. Contrary to popular opinion, not all vampires go around biting people without their consent. Well, usually anyway.”
“This doesn’t make sense.” Waverly slowly lay back, rolled onto her side and curled into a ball.
“You’re going to have to trust me.” Viktor watched the stress seize her, her eyes closed tight as she attempted to rationalize the unthinkable.
“I don’t know what happened last night. That man. He was shooting all those people,” she whispered.
“They don’t know what happened yet or what his motives were. But I can tell you that the gunman…he was human.” Viktor didn’t think she was ready to hear that she was the only one who’d been shot. He rose from the floor where he’d been kneeling and gently sat on the side of the bed, careful not to get too close to her. “I don’t know if this is related to Miami. But I think it’s safe to say that your friend may have been involved with some bad people.”
“I’m so tired,” she responded, defeat in her voice.
Viktor struggled to reconcile the seed of concern threading through him. Humans certainly sated his hunger, but he didn’t form attachments. This one, however, piqued his interest. Much more than amusement or curiosity, he found her fighting spirit admirable. This intelligent, brave, beautifully imperfect human attracted him like a moth to a flame. He’d saved her twice, and now that he had, he’d commit to doing it again.
“I won’t let them get to you,” Viktor offered, his palm gently brushing her shoulder. Several seconds of silence passed, before she relaxed under his touch. “I promise it’s going to be all right.”
“Thank you for saving me,” she whispered. “Twice.”