The day after Viktor killed Théa was the last time she’d seen him. He’d flashed her to safety, set her up in the Ritz Carlton and told her he’d return in thirty-one days. Thirty-one days to decide if she’d choose to remain mortal or to bond eternally with a vampire. He’d insisted she needed enough time to decide on her own, time without him.
In the moment, she hadn’t argued. Numb and exhausted, she’d slept for three days, waking ravenous and disillusioned. Though loved burned in her heart and soul, she’d nearly died and had killed with her own hands. Théa confirmed every reason she’d ever had for avoiding vampires.
Yet Adam and Teagan, both human, had also chosen evil, to embrace demonic energy to suit their lives. Adam had immersed himself in the occult, drinking the blood of humans, and had been singled out by Théa, to help her inflict pain upon them. Adam had been ready and willing, engaging in the wicked, doing her bidding.
Waverly would never get to know the truth about Teagan, the extent of her innocence. Whether she’d been willing or had been manipulated, Teagan had successfully lured Waverly to Miami. Unfortunately for Teagan, she’d breathed her last breath the day Waverly had touched down in Miami. No longer needing her services, Théa had proudly confessed that she’d ordered Ivar to torture and kill her.
Like clouds clearing from a storm, the truth had become apparent. No single kind of paranormal or human who walked the earth did so without sin. For a millennium, evil had been perpetuated, often in the name of virtue.
Even though Baxter had sought to hurt Viktor, to eternally torture him to the point he’d forever lose his humanity, he’d failed. And though the virus of evil still spread among humans and paranormals, both could choose light. And on rare occasions, they’d go above and beyond, protecting the world by fighting the demons that lingered in the underworld.
I love you. The first time she’d spoken the words to Viktor, the decision to bond with him had been made. In her heart, in her mind, she’d fallen in love with an incredible man, who just happened to also be a vampire. And every single second since he’d been gone, she yearned to taste his kiss on her lips, to hear his heart beating as he held her in his arms.
As she reached her board, another wave rolled toward her, forcing her focus to the sea. Waverly instinctively dove into it, breached the water on the other side, and exhaled a deep breath. As the sun dipped into the horizon, she gazed at the skyline.
A set rolled toward her, and she caught sight of a surfer paddling toward the beach to catch the swell. He popped up on his board and began shredding the wave. As he turned his head and winked at her, her heart caught in her chest. Viktor.
Waverly took off paddling toward him but within seconds, another wave rolled in, and she’d lost sight of him. Frantically, her arms propelled her through the sea. As the surf once again calmed, she stopped and scanned the ocean. “What the hell?”
Confusion washed over her. Was what she saw real? Were her visions morphing into hallucinations? “Dear God, what is happening?”
“Hello, pet,” a familiar sexy voice said from behind her.
Waverly whipped her head around to see Viktor swimming toward her. He rested his hand on her board and turned to her, wearing a mischievous smile.
“Viktor! Oh God!” She pressed her cold lips to his, her heart pounding in her chest. “What are you doing here? Is everything all right? It’s not thirty-one days.”
“So, it appears I’m not the most patient man in the world,” he laughed. “Patience was never my forte.”
“You didn’t need to leave. I mean one day would have been fine. A few hours. I didn’t even need that. Sorry, I’m rambling,” she laughed. “What I’m trying to say is that I don’t need time. I didn’t need one day. I just…” Her lips trembled, her eyes brimming with tears, emotion bursting in her chest. “I know what I want. I want you in my life. Forever.”
“Waverly—”
“I know you were trying to protect me but I’m stronger than I ever was. There’s only one thing I need…I need you.”
Still clinging to the surfboard, Viktor wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her to him. “I love you so much, Waverly. I want you in my life.” His lips brushed to hers. “Today. Every day. Forever.”
“I love you too,” she whispered, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.
As his lips captured hers, Waverly released her board and wrapped her arms around his neck. I love you. He’d said the words she’d felt for so long. His energy threaded through her, and she poured her love into his devastating kiss.
“I’ve got a surprise,” Viktor whispered against her lips.
“Another surprise? Because this is the best. There is nothing better.” Waverly smiled.
“Ah, mo chroí. You’re going to love it,” Viktor promised as he dematerialized them out of the ocean.
“What are you doing?” Waverly glanced to her surfboard as they appeared, and inwardly laughed that he’d managed to bring it with them. Is there anything this man can’t do? “Where are we?”
“Do you like it?” Viktor gave her a mysterious smile.
Towering above Waverly, wearing a devilish expression and looking sexy as fuck, he made quick work of removing his wetsuit and wrapped a towel around his hips. She reached behind her back for her lanyard.
“Allow me.” He walked around her and tugged on her zipper, efficiently removing her wetsuit.
Waverly instantly broke out in goose flesh, the cool, late afternoon breeze sweeping over her skin. She smiled as he wrapped an oversized sun-warmed towel around her.
“Where are we?” she asked, taking in her surroundings.
“La Jolla.”
“La Jolla? Whose house is this? Oh my gosh.” Waverly’s jaw dropped open as she took in the incredible view from the top of the cliff. The sun kissed the horizon, and the sky lit with a kaleidoscope of colors. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s a killer view, isn’t it?”
“It’s amazing. I love the water.” Waverly draped her hands over his as Viktor came up behind her and circled his arms around her waist “Every single day when I go down to the beach, I’m just awestruck. I love it.”
“I’ve always loved the water, too. It’s why I love Miami. I’ve got my yacht and can take it out whenever I want. Beaches are like sugar. I love the culture, the food. Art. Nightclubs.”
“Miami is beautiful.” Waverly’s stomach tightened at the thought of moving.
“Yes, it is. But I’ve grown fond of the West Coast. You see, there is one thing that isn’t in Miami.”
Waverly smiled. “Is that right?”
“Yes. It’s been quite hard living without you in my life. Do you have any idea how long we’ve been separated?” he asked.
“Um, thirteen days?” she replied without hesitation.
“Thirteen long fucking days. And you know what I did during that time? I’ll tell you what I did.” Viktor brushed his lips to the back of her head. “I thought about you. Every single hour, minute and second. I also thought about what I’ve been doing my whole life. Travel. Parties. Enjoying the finer things.”