Viktor: Heart of Her King (14 page)

Rolling over in his arms, she gasped as his lips took hers in their first kiss as true mates. It was overwhelming. Her newly formed senses enhanced every touch, every breath, every nuance of what she and Viktor were together. Her body responded to her mate’s attention as never before. Kat was on fire from the inside out. She needed her King more than she needed her next breath. Sex and hunger and love grew within her until she was forced to take control of their kiss.

He felt her need and she felt his. Viktor used his amazing speed to remove all their clothing in the blink of an eye. Blessedly naked in the arms of the man she loved, Kat wrapped her legs around Viktor’s waist and rolled them over until she was sitting atop her mate, the proof of his excitement rubbing the inside of her thigh, so close to the ache inside her that only he could soothe.

She needed his blood. She needed his love. She needed to feel him moving inside her.

Rising up, Kat placed her hands on Viktor muscular chest and looked down at the amazing man Destiny had seen fit to make her mate. She hardly recognized her own voice as she moaned, “I love you more than life itself, Viktor.”

“And I love you, Katarina.” He let his head roll to the side, exposing his pulse to her gaze. Katarina’s heart pounded in her chest. Her mouth watered. She could hear his blood rushing through his veins; smell its sweet, coppery aroma. His heart beat against her hand on his chest. Torn between her overwhelming hunger and her fear that she would hurt Viktor, Kat hesitated.

“Feed,
cor meum
, take from me what you need. I am yours, just as you are mine.”

His voice sounded in her mind as Viktor sat up, pulled her tightly to his chest, and slid his erection into her warm, wet pussy before once again baring his neck to her. The fullness of Viktor’s cock buried deep inside her, combined with his neck just inches from her mouth, was irresistible.

In one swift movement, her canines elongated and she sank them deep into Viktor’s jugular. Warm, sweet blood filled her mouth, its sensual slide down her throat the perfect complement to the feel of Viktor’s cock gliding in and out of her. The harder she drew upon his vein, the harder Viktor’s strokes became.

Thought was impossible. Kat could only feel. Pulling her fangs from his neck, she licked the tiny pinpoints where his life’s essence had given her nourishment as Viktor took charge of their lovemaking. Holding her so close she truly felt like they were one, joined in body, mind, and soul, he drove in and out of her faster and harder. Meeting him stroke for stroke, Kat rode his cock until they were both screaming their release to the stars.

Collapsing into his arms, Kat sighed as Viktor laid back on his side, holding her to him as he too sighed in utter contentment. His heartbeat sounded like thunder where her ear rested upon his chest, making her smile because he was just as swept away by their passion as she.

“The others will soon be here to take us back to the villa,” he whispered as he kissed the top of her head. “You need your rest and I need to finish your surprise.”

Sitting up, Kat looked down at Viktor, who was grinning a lazy grin and twisting a lock of her hair around his finger that remained across his chest. She chuckled, thinking she was just like that tiny curl, wrapped around her mate’s finger and happy to be there.

Shaking her head and asking the question she’d almost forgotten after looking at his amazing body, naked and laid out before her, Kat questioned, “What surprise?”

Snaking his hand around her neck, Viktor pulled Kat down to him and kissed her soundly before sitting her back up and simply replying, “It would not be a surprise if I told you.” He winked. “Now, get up and get dressed before my comrades arrive. I’d hate to have to kill them for looking at your gorgeous body.”

Kat laughed out loud, wondering if she would ever get used to his compliments. Standing up, she put back on the long black top and yoga pants she’d worn while going through her transformation. Turning to Viktor, she commented, “I feel kind of amazing. It’s hard to believe I’ve been dead for thirty days.”

In a flash, Viktor was holding her in his arms and carrying her out of their tomb. “You’re right. You do feel amazing,” he whispered in her ear.

Goose bumps rose all over Kat’s body. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to kiss him just as the sound of a horn honking had her groaning at the intrusion. But her mate was quick, once again whispering in her ear, “Never fear. We will be alone again very soon.” The promise in his voice was as strong as the love she felt for him.

After getting back to the villa and then answering as many of the other Kings’ questions as Viktor would allow, Kat was finally left alone to shower and change her clothes. She had argued with him when he told her to get some rest while he ran errands. At the time, she hadn’t felt tired, but after she was clean and wrapped up in her fluffy white robe, Kat had to struggle to keep her eyes open while she ate the pancakes and sausage Viktor had made for her.

Kat awoke hours later to darkness and hushed voices somewhere outside her door. Slowly getting up, she threw on some clothes and followed the voices to the kitchen. All conversation stopped as she rounded the corner.

“That is so not fair. What are y’all talking about that I can’t hear?”

“Nothing,
cor meum
,” Viktor answered, kissing her as a distraction.

Kissing him back until her head was spinning and all she could think of was stripping him naked and having her way with him, Kat pushed back her arousal and scolded, “Don’t distract me with kisses, Viktor Katsaros. I want to know what’s going on.”

The room erupted in laughter and she heard comments of “married life” and “we see who wears the pants” coming from his comrades, but her focus was solely on her mate and the sheepish grin on his face. Changing the subject, he ushered her to the table and filled a plate with lamb, potatoes, and vegetables before sitting beside her.

“Eat, my love, you need to keep up your strength. And when you have finished your dinner, you will need to feed again.” He waggled his eyebrows.

Kat couldn’t help but laugh. She’d never imagined in her wildest dreams Viktor Katsaros was anything but a tough, heartless businessman, and now she knew he was so very much more. Loving the overbearing way he insisted on caring for her, Kat nearly melted when he put a small piece of lamb and red potato on the fork and lifted to her lips. His eyes flashed and his nostrils flared as she made quite the production out of eating the succulent bite he offered.

“All right boys, let’s leave the love birds alone.”

Roman’s voice sounded behind her like an echo at the bottom of a well. She and Viktor were wrapped in a bubble of love and seduction that no one and nothing could penetrate. Kat gasped as Viktor stood and swung her into his arms.

“I thought I had to eat all my veggies, my King,” she teased as he carried her back to their bedroom.

“There will be time for food later. Right now, I am all the sustenance that you need.”

Kat laughed aloud as he kicked open the door, carried her across the threshold, and then kicked it shut. The mattress touched her back at the same time that Viktor gently laid atop her. Looking into her eyes, he beckoned, “Feed,
mea amica.
Then let me love you as only a King can love his Queen.”

Kat awoke the next morning, fully satiated and tender in all the right spots from their night of lovemaking. Laying her hand on the other side of the bed, she was disappointed to find it cold and bare. After she’d showered and changed, she made her way to the kitchen only to find a note on the counter,
Good morning, darling. Hope you slept well. Please put on the dress in your closet. Call Carlyle and he’ll bring you to me once you’re ready. I will be waiting.
Te amo, mea amica, te amo.

Running as fast as she could, Kat sprinted into the room she shared with her mate, threw open the closet doors, and stood staring. It was the most elegant gown in the palest shade of grey imaginable.

Carefully taking the dress off the hanger, she laid it across the bed and quickly shed her clothing, anxious to see if the masterpiece before her was as stunning with her wearing it as it was just lying there. Stepping into the gown, Kat pulled it up her body and secured the zipper at her side, pleased to see if fit like it was made just for her.

Did he have this made for me? Impossible.

But the longer she looked in the mirror, the more she was certain he had done just that. The gown was strapless with a bodice that hugged her ample bosom and many curves beautifully. The ruching was the perfect setting for the thousands of clear crystals decorating the heart-shaped neckline along with the many hues of grey stones cascading down the front. The cinched waistline accentuated her figure as the straight skirt flared slightly at her hips before falling to the ground. It was the most elegant piece of clothing she had ever owned.

Sure she was being summoned to a formal affair, Kat didn’t try to tame her wild mane, which seemed thicker and curlier since her transformation. Instead, she simply put it up in a messy chignon with curly tendrils for effect.

Her skin had also changed after her month in the ground and it tickled Kat to no end. She no longer had to wear hardly any make up at all to appear presentable. But on this occasion, she did put a thin line of kohl around her eyes and a coat of mascara on her lashes. A little blush on her cheeks and her favorite light mauve lipstick and she was good to go. 

Walking to the door, Kat realized she was still barefooted and turned to find her suitcase. Out of the corner of her eye she spied a box with a large white ribbon around it. Hurrying to the credenza, she saw a tag with her name on it in Viktor’s handwriting. Ripping open the package, she found light grey pumps that were an exact match for her dress. Sliding her feet into them, Kat picked up the phone beside the box and called for Carlyle.

Thirty minutes later, Viktor’s steward pulled up in front of the tiny chapel in the village Viktor had pointed out on one of their many walks. He explained that it sat on the very land where the center of his village had been all those years ago. Unsure what was happening, she asked Carlyle, “Are you sure we’re in the right place?”

“Quite sure, madam,” he answered before opening his door and coming around to escort her from the car.

“Okay, if you say so.” Kat chuckled as she took Carlyle’s hand and let him lead her into the church.

Gasping, Kat took in the splendor before her. It was the most magnificent sight in the world. White lilies of every size and variety atop huge white satin bows decorated the end of every pew. There were crystal vases filled to overflowing with the same fragrant blossoms on all the available surfaces, along with four humongous white ceramic urns full of colossal red roses in full bloom sitting like attendants along the prayer railing. And among it all stood her King.

Viktor looked like a Gentleman’s Quarterly cover come to life. The dark grey of his suit perfectly coordinated with her gown and emphasized the grey at his temples, while his white dress shirt, opened at the collar, gave just a hint of the perfect body beneath. But he could have been wearing cutoffs and a Grateful Dead T-shirt for all Kat cared. Viktor Katsaros was her mate, her King, and the man she would spend eternity loving, and there was nothing more beautiful than that.

Roman appeared at her side and asked, “May I escort the bride down the aisle?”

Unable to speak, Kat nodded and placed her hand on his arm. Nik came up behind her and reaching over her shoulder, placed a bouquet of white lilies and red roses in her free hand. Looking up, she saw Bain and Sal walk in from a side door. Bain stood next to Viktor and Sal walked to the other side of the aisle.

Leaning towards her, Roman joked, “Sal’s your bridesmaid. Isn’t he cute?”

Chuckling despite her awe, Kat only had eyes for Viktor. Music filled the chapel just as Roman walked her toward her mate. It seemed to take forever for her to reach him, but when she did and he took her hands, it was like the first time they’d met all over again.

The electricity of their union flared to life between them. Their hearts beat as one. And as Viktor slid a flawless princess cut diamond that outshined the stars on her ring finger, the couple once again pledged their undying love and devotion to one another. Kat couldn’t stop the tears as Viktor said, “Now we are married in law and before the God of Heaven as well as the Gods of the Pantheon and Destiny herself. There is nothing that can
ever
tear us apart.”

As he carried her from the chapel and into the waiting limo, Kat kissed Viktor’s neck and whispered, “
Te amo, sum rex ab eo, aeternus et umquam,
” directly into his mind.

V
iktor found surprising his
custos animae
was quickly becoming his favorite pastime. The way she’d looked when the doors to the chapel had opened and she’d seen the decorations for their wedding ceremony was something he would carry with him always. As they arrived at the private airfield to take a helicopter to Cape Sounion for their official honeymoon at the Temple of Poseidon, she continued to beg and plead for him to tell her where they were going.

“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise,” he teased, kissing her the tip of her nose as she pretended to pout.

Having Katarina in his life was more than Viktor could’ve ever hoped for. She was his world and he intended to spend every day reminding her of just that fact. He’d planned their trip to Sounion right after their first meeting. From the moment he’d seen her standing in front of his mural of that blessed landmark, he’d known one day they would go there together.

In the helicopter, Katarina had been his tour guide. Viktor laughed as she quoted the tourist guidebook Bain had given her as a joke. One day they would take this trip again and Viktor would give her the real history of the land below.

Arriving at their secluded cabana, Viktor could hardly wait to be alone with his mate. It pleased him to no end that she identified Cape Sounion and immediately associated it with his painting. He had one more surprise for his mate and it took all his control not to put off its unveiling in exchange for ripping the gown from her beautiful body.