“The turbulence will be over soon. Are you feeling okay?”
“It’s just the champagne.” The lie sat in her stomach like a rock.
“This happened to you at the museum the other night?”
“Yes.” Exhaustion threaded through her. “I…I promise to tell you what’s going on later.”
“Come.” With the press of a button, Viktor reclined the seats, and wrapped an arm around her.
Waverly melted into his embrace and leaned onto his chest. She had so many questions about the vision but simply chose silence. Peace enveloped her and in that very moment, she knew she had lost the fight to resist the vampire.
Waverly stepped out of the limo and breathed in the fresh salt air. With her head still spinning she attempted to regain her balance. She glanced to Viktor who gave her a knowing smile. In the bright sun, he appeared the Viking she’d seen in her vision, yet logic told her otherwise.
It had been years since a vision had caused her to black out. Normally they’d pass, forgotten within hours, but not this one. No, something about this vampire ignited her abilities, and she was quickly losing control.
Waverly’s body went on alert as he exited behind her, acutely aware of his every move. The warmth of his hand on her lower back heated her body and she resisted the urge to lean backwards, to feel his touch once again.
“My place is right up here.” Waverly quickly stepped ahead of him, heading toward her apartment.
“You sure you don’t want to talk about what happened on the plane?” he pressed.
“I’m good. Is Rafe going to be all right?” Waverly avoided answering his question and set off up the path toward her building.
“He’s visiting with Jake and his pack. We’ll meet up with him later.”
“This way. Third floor,” she directed. Her stomach curled in anxiety along with a slice of embarrassment. She’d fallen asleep on his chest. It should have been uncomfortable to wake up in his arms. Quite the contrary, she’d taken her time, her body on fire with arousal.
She couldn’t understand what was happening to her. No dating vampires. It was a rule that had served her well…until now. She couldn’t afford to catch feelings, not when there was no possibility of being with him.
The sudden warmth of his palm against her shoulder sent tingles throughout her body, shaking her from her thoughts.
“You all right, pet?” he asked with a smile.
“Yes, I…” She exhaled a ragged breath. What is he doing to me? “It’s just…I remembered that I was supposed to help out at the marine rescue this afternoon. I’m a volunteer.”
“Marine rescue?”
“Yes. Sea mammals. Pinnipeds.” She typed her security code into the security gate, and it buzzed, slowly sliding open.
“Pinnipeds,” he repeated with an amused lilt in his voice.
“Yes. Sometimes the pups end up on beaches, but we rescue adults too. Malnutrition. Injuries. We nurse them back to health. Rehab and release. Whenever we can, anyway.”
“Interesting. A surfing art curator who takes care of seals.”
“Mostly sealions. But yes. One who is now friends with a vampire.”
“It’s sufficient for now,” he casually commented.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She knew damn well what he meant. She inwardly cursed, regretting the question.
“Considering you said you’d never date a vampire. Friends is acceptable. Although I think we know it’s much more than that.”
Waverly swallowed her words, refusing to agree with him. She’d deny it to the grave and she prayed it wouldn’t get that far. “We just met. I’m generous in admitting we’re friends. Maybe I should remind you that I have no recollection how I got to Miami. With the time being what it was, I don’t think I took a plane, but I don’t know how else I could have gotten there. Care to explain?”
“I will tell you in due time. But regardless, I can assure you that we will be more than friends,” Viktor mused.
“How could you possibly know that? We just met.” As she reached the door, she spun to confront him. Not realizing how close behind her he was, her palms brushed his chest. His energy danced on her fingertips. “I just don’t think—”
Viktor smiled at her. “Perhaps we’ve known each other before. Or perhaps it’s destiny.”
“No, that can’t be.” Waverly’s heart pounded as he leaned in towards her. Her gaze fell to his lips, her body on fire anticipating his kiss. But as she closed her eyes, she felt the warmth of his breath upon her ear.
“I can hear your heart race, pet. You know the truth.” He reached his arm around her waist. “We will be more than friends. Rules or no rules. I’m quite certain you’re thinking what I’m thinking.”
The air rushed from her lungs as she heard the doorknob click open. The warmth of his body brushed hers and she fluttered her eyes open to see him swing open the door and walk into her condo.
“Sweet baby Jesus,” she whispered under her breath, willing her body under control.
“Please allow me to go first. Wouldn’t want to run into anything woo-woo, now, would we?” Viktor walked through the entrance and looked to a set of glass sliding doors. “Nice view.”
As she stepped into her condo, she wrinkled her nose as the stench hit her. “Oh my gosh. I’m sorry. I must have forgotten the trash.” She made a beeline into the kitchen and flipped open the lid of the bin. “There’s nothing in here. What’s that smell?”
“That, my darling, is the stench of a demon,” Viktor explained as he slid open the door.
“A demon? In my home? Oh, hell no. This isn’t happening.” Waverly frantically tapped at her watch. “It must be the pipes or something. I’ll text my landlord.”
“I don’t sense anything here right now. Whatever or whoever was here is gone.”
“Are you sure it’s gone?”
“Demon.” Viktor shrugged.
“Stop saying that word. No, it’s not that. My neighbor, Janet, is always cooking fish. That must be what it is. She needs to stop leaving it unwrapped.”
“It’s a demon,” he insisted.
“Oh my God. Please stop saying that word.” She looked to the small plastic statue of Mary she kept over her door and made the sign of the cross.
“You can say the word. It’s conjuring them that’s the problem. Well, I suppose some humans think that is how it works but I can assure you it isn’t.”
“How could you possibly know? I mean really. You’re a vampire.” Waverly frantically tapped the watch face again. “She’s not answering my text.”
“I know quite a bit about Hell, I’m afraid.” He shrugged with a nonchalant air.
“I’m sure you have carnal thoughts. But it’s not like you’ve been there or anything.”
A corner of his mouth tugged upward, and he raised an eyebrow. “I travel for business. Not every destination is for pleasure.”
“Hell? A destination?” The air rushed from Waverly’s lungs, her pulse racing. No, no, no.
“Work is work. Actually, the last time I was there it was for a friend but…”