Temptation (30 page)

“It is, but it’s going to take me all day to get all those stickers off the wall.”

“Use vinegar. That’ll help.”

“Thanks, mom. Let me get her bag ready.”

I start to walk away, but Viktor stops me. “I’ve got it.”

I watch him walk away and I can’t stop myself from staring at his ass when he walks up the stairs. I hear dad clear his throat and I snap my head to mom. She’s smiling again, and she touches my arm.  “Ignore your father.” She turns to dad as tells him, “Jeff, stop embarrassing her. She can look at Viktor all she wants.” Dad mumbles something and walks to the living room. He turns on the sports channel and I mouth a thank you to mom. She sets Gabbie onto the island, and I help her remove the stickers on Gabbie’s legs.

“Gammie, what you doing?”

“I’m taking all these stickers off you. Why did you put them all over yourself?” I start to take some off her arms as I listen to Gabbie talk to my mom.

“Hers pretty with dem.”

“How about we play dress up next time to make you pretty?”

“Okay, Gammie. Hers go to da woo now?”

My mom looks at me and I shrug my shoulders. None of us understand her fascination with the zoo. “We took her a few days ago. Maybe I need to get her a new animal book. That seemed to help before.” I finally take the last sticker off Gabbie and say to her, “Go see what Peep Paw’s doing.” My distraction works. I help her off the island and she runs to see what he’s doing. I listen to dad talk to Gabbie about football and I toss the stickers in the trash. I grab a mug out of the cabinet and pour myself a cup of coffee. Mom follows me while I do so, and I’m starting to wonder what she’s up to.

“Mom? Why are you following me?”

“You look different, honey.”

“What do you mean?” How would I look different?

“I mean you look happy, honey.” Mom moves my hair out of my face and says, “I’m glad Viktor makes you happy. I know you make him happy too.”

“How do you know that? Did he say something to you?”

“No, but I can tell. Both of you are practically glowing. Now, when should I be expecting another grandbaby?”

“Mom!”

She shrugs, as if it’s not a big deal. “What? Too soon?”

“Yes, mom. I don’t want any more kids right now. Gabbie’s enough for me.”

“Well, don’t wait too long. Gabbie would love to have a brother or sister.”

“Mom, seriously. Viktor and I haven’t been together long enough to even think about that. It’s way too soon.” The thought of having a baby right now makes me cringe. I’m just getting the hang of having one.

“I know, honey. I’m just saying,”

“Talking about me?” I silently thank Viktor for interrupting my mom. I set my mug down as he comes over to me and gives me a sweet peck on my lips. Mom watches us and I look away embarrassed again.

“Took you long enough.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t find her giraffe.” Viktor turns to my mom as he says, “Gabbie has been obsessed with this stuffed giraffe. We got it for her when we took her to the zoo a few days ago.” I swear if my mom wasn’t in love with him before, she sure is now.

Mom smiles and takes Gabbie’s bag from Viktor. He kisses mom on the cheek and tells her goodbye. She looks at me and raises her eyebrows. I roll my eyes knowing what she’s thinking. She hugs me and tells dad she’s ready to go. I hug him, and I bend down to Gabbie.

“Will you be good for Gammie and Peep Paw for me?”

“Okay, mommy. Hers taking me to da woo.”

I look up at dad and he smiles as he shrugs his shoulders. “Okay, baby, but you be good okay, and mommy will see you in a few days.”

“Okay, mommy.” She hugs me tightly around my neck and my heart aches having to let her leave.

“I love you, baby.”

“Me woves you, mommy.” She lets go of me and runs to Viktor. He scoops her up and tosses her up in the air.

I smile when she squeals and giggles loudly. Viktor hugs her and he walks over to us. He kisses her on the cheek and says something in Russian to her. “Wove you too, Icky.” I stare at him in confusion.

“Did she just understand you?”

He lets her down and Gabbie grabs dad’s hand. Viktor shrugs his shoulders and says, “She’s a smart girl. And I always talk to her in Russian. Makes sense for her to pick up on the meaning of a few words.”

“Come on Peep Paw! Hers go to da woo!”

We all laugh at Gabbie impatience. My parents leave with Gabbie and the second they are gone, I want them to come back. The house seems empty now. Viktor rubs my shoulders and I sigh hating that I have to be without Gabbie for four days. I walk out of his grasp and go into the kitchen. I place his empty mug in the sink, trying to busy myself. “My offer still stands you know.”

“What are you talking about, Vik?” I turn and lean by the counter. He walks closer to me and places his hands around my waist.

“My offer to take care of you and Gabbie. You don’t have to dance anymore.”

“We’ve talked about this already. I want to work and dance. I like it.”

“I know,” he pulls me away from the counter as he says, “I hate seeing you upset every time Gabbie leaves.” He doesn’t look directly at me when he says this. I have a feeling he wants to say more about me still wanting to dance, but like a coward I am, I avoid the statement I want to say.

“I’m fine. I hate it, but at the same time, I know I’m doing what needs to be done. Speaking of work, what about our contract? Considering we’ve broke just about every rule, and now we’re officially dating, what do you think we should do with it?”

Viktor shrugs and says, “The contract is technically void now. I don’t see the need to have it anymore.”

“But, the part about me making payments on the house and car is still in place? I want to pay you back for that and I don’t want you to ever feel I’m taking advantage of you. There’s so much you’ve done for us already, and I can never repay you for it all.” I want him to know I’m grateful for everything he’s done for Gabbie and me. I never want him to question that or feel like I’m taking him for granted. Especially after knowing what he’s been through.

Viktor touches my cheek lightly, staring into my eyes as he says, “Of course. Whatever you want,
moya lyubov'
. I know you’d never take advantage of me and that’s another reason why I’m addicted to you.” I take in a breath seeing the truth behind his words. I love knowing he knows I’m not like anyone else.

He leans in close to my lips but before I let him kiss me I say, “I’m so mad at you for not warning me about my parents being here.”

He laughs and backs away from me holding up his hands. “I did tell you. Not my fault you have a big mouth.”

I smack him on the arm. “Telling me something while half asleep does not count.”

“It does too.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

He rolls his eyes at me and I turn to walk away from him. He snatches me by the waist and picks me up to set me on the kitchen island. “Why are you always walking away from me?” He asks and I can’t help but giggle at the look on his face.

“Because you’re so frustrating.”

“Let me make it up to you then,” he says while wiggling his eyebrows.

I pull him closer when I wrap my arms and legs around him. “No, I’m too sore for your dirty man ways.” I laugh at the look on his face.

“Really? Well, let me kiss it and make it better.” His husky voice send shivers down my spine.

“Well in that case,” I whisper to him. He doesn’t waste a second picking me up and taking me upstairs.

It dawns on me that we have five hours before we have to be at the club. I wonder how much pleasure he can give me in that amount of time. Guess I’m about to find out.

I grab tightly onto the pole in the middle of the stage as I swing my legs around. I do it once more, and I jump locking my legs on the pole as climb up it.
Grace Potter’s Look What We’ve Become
plays loudly and I can feel the bass in my chest. I’ve been avoiding Viktor’s intense gaze tonight as I dance. Something’s off about him. I hear the catcalls of the drunken men when I move upside down, holding onto the pole with my hands tightly, and I open my legs. I gracefully let my legs drop down to the stage and I swing my hips when I land. Still holding the pole, I move around it, seductively moving my body with the music. I slide my other hand up my hips, to my breasts and through my hair. I grab the pole, jump and swing around while kicking my legs slowly. My song is almost over and I stupidly look at Viktor.

His hands grip tightly on his chair, almost as if he’s stopping himself from getting up. His eyes are stone cold, and his jaw is clenching. Normally he watches me intently, with amazement. But tonight, he looks as if he wants to take me off stage and hide me away from the staring eyes of the other men.

I turn away from him, almost losing my hold. I slowly bring myself down the pole again, and land onto my knees. I’ve never been grateful when my turn on stage was over until now. I quickly get up, collect the money laying on the stage, and I have to stop myself from running off stage. I walk behind the curtain and I snatch the robe from Margo. She says nothing to me, and I ignore the stare from Trixie. I pass by Tony, and I hold my hand up to him letting him know not to follow me. I step into the busy dressing room and sit down at my vanity. I toss the money on top of it, not even caring how much I made. I run my hands through my hair wondering what the fuck has happened. I really want to tell the other girls to shut up, so I can think, but I don’t. No one speaks to me, and I know they feel the anger coming off of me.

Everything was perfect with Viktor before we came to the club. He was fine, until I started dancing. I’ve been on four times now, and he’s given me the same cold stare each time when I dared to look at him. Does this have anything to do with us being together now? I have no clue what’s going on with him.

Margo comes into the dressing room, and I hear her telling the girls to settle down. She walks over to me and I look at her in the mirror. “Viktor wants to see you in his office.”

“Great.”

“I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, but you better straighten it out. You’re performance tonight isn’t what it was last week.”

“I know.”

I look away from her gaze, ignoring her comment about Viktor and I, and she walks away from me. Damn. If Margo finds out Viktor and I have something going on, she’ll give me hell for it. I don’t want the other girls to know. I really don’t want them treating me differently or thinking that I’m getting special treatment. I stand and change my outfit. I have one more turn on stage before the night is over, and I can only hope my last performance is better than the other ones. At least the men in the club are clueless. They see a woman dancing topless, and that’s all they care to see.

Once I’m dressed, I make my way to Viktor’s office. When Tony sees me, he’s right on my heels. “Only going to see Viktor.” I tell him over my shoulder. He doesn’t say anything but still follows me.

I stop in front of Viktor’s office door and I take a deep breath and nervously pull down my short skirt before I knock. I have knots in my stomach and I have a feeling he isn’t going to be in a great mood. I hear him bark out come in and I look at Tony. He nods his head, but he looks sympathetic. I give a small smile and I open the door. Viktor’s head snaps up when I close the door, and he gets out of his chair, pushing it back with more force than needed. He stalks towards me, and before I know what he’s doing, he pushes me against the door and firmly takes my mouth. He kisses me hard, and he bites my lip. My arms grab onto his neck pulling him closer to me as I kiss him back just as hard. I feel his hands on my ass, and he pushes up my skimpy skirt while he picks me up. My legs instinctively go around his waist and I moan into his mouth when he pushes his growing cock into my clit.

He pulls away from my lips and he has a tight grip on each of my thighs and says, “Tell me you’re mine. Tell me you dance for me and not for other men.” He nips at my lips again then says, “Tell me you dance for me.” He steals my breath away as he kisses me fast and hard. “I don’t want anyone else seeing you, thinking about touching you.” His head leans against mine, and I have to swallow a few times before I can answer him. Knowing he’s jealous, sends a thrill through me.

“Vik?”

“Tell me, Ava. Tell me you are mine.”

I gaze into his eyes and I can see the uncertainty in them. Does he really think I do this for other men?  “I’m yours, Viktor,” I tell him as my hands wrap around his neck, pulling him closer to me.

He wastes no time kissing me again and I feel him pull my panties aside to touch my pussy. His touch is rough and he puts two fingers deep inside of me. I call out his name as I roll my hips on his fingers as he thrusts them inside of me. Viktor’s other hand moves up my body, roughly touching my breasts. He groans against my lips as I squeeze him hard around his waist with my thighs. I feel as though I can’t get close enough to him. Viktor’s hand leaves my breast and move to my hair. He grabs a handful, pulling me back exposing my neck to him. I close my eyes as I feel him bite my neck, but I cry out in pain when he bites me extremely hard. I don’t say anything. I know he just left his mark on me and frankly, I love it.