Page 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Gabriel was lying on his side on the couch, watching TV with the lights off when he heard a subtle knocking at the front door.

Sitting up, he grabbed his phone and looked at the time, seeing that it was midnight. Frowning, Gabriel got up and walked out of the living room, into the short hall and to the front door. He wasn’t expecting anyone at this time, and Enzo had already left a few hours prior after they’d spent the majority of the day together.

Turning on the hall light and keeping the chain attached, Gabriel unlocked the door and opened it, his body stiffening when he saw who was on the other side.

Viktor.

Gabriel could only stand there and stare at him, feeling a heavy frown pull on his face. It was surreal to see Viktor again, especially when Gabriel had become convinced that he would never see him again. They watched each other in silence, and Gabriel felt his stomach flutter and his heart begin to beat quicker inside his chest.

“What’re you doing here?” Gabriel managed to ask.

Viktor’s blue eyes looked dark, and his pupils appeared larger from the lack of light from outside, but Gabriel could make out his face and features easily, could see the calm demeanor on his ex-captor’s face.

“I wanted to see you.”

Gabriel’s entire body involuntarily shivered at hearing Viktor’s low, deep voice with its slight tinge of a Russian accent again. Gabriel gripped the door, never taking his eyes off him. “Why?” he whispered.

Viktor was quiet for a moment. “I missed you.”

Gabriel’s breath stuttered. Did Viktor really mean that? But he knew if he hadn’t, then he wouldn’t be here in the first place. “I—Viktor?—”

“Are you going to let me in?” Viktor asked calmly.

Gabriel shrugged and glanced at the floor. “I don’t know,” he mumbled. “Are you going to kidnap me again?”

“No.”

Gabriel lifted his head to look at him. “How can I be sure I can trust you?”

“I’m not here to hurt you, Gabriel. I only want to talk.” Viktor appeared like he was being genuine, that he truly wasn’t here for some nefarious reason. Gabriel was sure that if he had told Viktor to go away, he probably would have, but Gabriel didn’t want Viktor to leave. He wanted him to stay, and he wanted to talk with him too.

Gabriel stared at him for a few seconds before he shut the door, slid off the flimsy chain that had created a makeshift barrier between them, and then opened the door again so Viktor could come inside. He didn’t know why he was being so trusting with Viktor. Maybe it was because deep down Gabriel knew that he’d wanted to see Viktor again since the day he’d been released and left alone in Central Park. He too had missed Viktor, and seeing him again sparked something deep inside Gabriel that made a heavy warm feeling bloom in his chest.

Viktor walked inside and Gabriel took a few steps back, watching as Viktor shut the door behind him and glanced around the hall before focusing on Gabriel again.

Gabriel felt his heart skip a beat. There was a part of him that wanted to throw himself into Viktor’s arms, to hug and kiss him, but he held himself back. The silence paired with the way Viktor was watching him and how close they were to each other felt intense, but not in a way that scared Gabriel. He felt a mix of emotions, of nerves bundled up inside him, slowly pulling apart with every passing second.

“I... I didn’t think I’d see you again,” Gabriel admitted. He was quiet before he said, “I missed you too.”

It was hard to tell Viktor the truth, especially considering the way they had met. But Gabriel couldn’t lie to Viktor or to himself. Even if this encounter would lead to nothing, Gabriel needed to let this out of him, needed to be honest about how he felt.

Viktor said nothing for a short moment and Gabriel bit his lower lip, worrying that Viktor would just turn around and leave. That he’d realize all of this was just a mistake and wasn’t worth it. It stung to think that way, and he couldn’t help but be reminded of his deep-seated insecurity, that he was unlovable, and Viktor wouldn’t love him, at least not the same way Gabriel loved him.

“I’m sorry,” Viktor said.

Gabriel stared at him.

“You didn’t deserve to be kidnapped. None of this was your fault. I know I hurt you, Gabriel. I can leave if you want me to.”

Gabriel shook his head from side to side. He didn’t want Viktor to leave, especially not now he was here, in the flesh. “You just...” He felt his throat tighten up and his eyes sting. Gabriel swallowed, then swallowed again. “Threw me away,” he whispered.

Viktor frowned, his brows drawing in as he glanced to the side. His arms stayed limp by his sides, and Gabriel watched as Viktor’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

Despite feeling like he’d been used and tossed aside, Gabriel still couldn’t hate Viktor. He still wanted him. “I wish you’d never sent me away.”

Viktor looked at Gabriel again, frowning. “Gabriel?—”

“I mean it,” Gabriel said, sniffling and wiping the hot tears from his eyes. “You knew that I... I told you I love you,” he said. “I just don’t understand why you let me go.”

“I was scared,” Viktor said. “Since Katya died, I’d never had anyone else who was important to me. Not until I had you.”

Gabriel blinked, feeling his shoulders relax as realization hit him. “You think I’m important?”

“Yes,” Viktor said. “I came here because I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re always on my mind, and I regret sending you away. I know you hate me, and this’ll be the last time you see me if that’s what you want.”

“What’re you... trying to say?” Gabriel asked. He’d stopped crying but was still sniffling.

Viktor was quiet for a moment. “I want you back, Gabriel. I want you to be mine again.”

Gabriel couldn’t help but laugh, and his heart swelled with desire, comfort, and happiness. “Is that your way of saying you love me?”

“It’s my way of saying that,” Viktor said. “I love you, Gabriel.”

In an instant Gabriel pressed against Viktor, wrapped his arms around his neck and connected their lips. Fluttering his eyes shut, Gabriel felt Viktor’s arms come around to hug him tighter as he kissed him back.

Gabriel couldn’t stop himself from grinding his body hard against Viktor’s bigger, broader one. He felt his dick twitching with arousal, and his body grew sensitive, sparking with deep desire. There was no turning back and nothing to stop him. He wanted Viktor, and he wanted him now.

He pulled his mouth away for a moment to breathe, then fitted their mouths together again, the kiss deepening and becoming heavier with need. Gabriel lowered his hand and cupped Viktor’s crotch between their bodies, squeezing and rubbing his palm against the coarse fabric of Viktor’s jeans and earning a delicious low groan from him.

Excitement rushed through him, and he was tempted to just drop down onto his knees in the middle of the hallway and take Viktor’s dick into his mouth, to taste him and suck him. Instead, he moved his mouth away from Viktor’s and took his hand, leading him into his bedroom a few steps away before turning on the light.

Letting go of Viktor’s hand, Gabriel pulled his shirt up and over his head before tossing it to the side. His nipples perked up and hardened from the cool air, and he shivered as he yanked off his pajama pants, his underwear coming off with them, and he flung them to the side too. Although they’d only been apart for a month, Gabriel experienced a renewed hunger for Viktor, and he was so turned on that he thought he might go crazy if he couldn’t have him again.

Viktor was watching him with a look of appreciation and arousal in his gaze. He slipped off his shoes and took off his jacket and the white shirt underneath, dropping them to the side and revealing his bare, muscular chest.

Walking to him, Gabriel felt the coarse fabric of Viktor’s jeans as he ran his fingers over it, before reaching the button and zipper and undoing them. Viktor helped, shoving his jeans down and stepping out of them. Now all that was left between them was Viktor’s underwear, and Gabriel gladly peeled off the material and got down on his knees.

He remembered how he’d been expected to do this from the very beginning, when he’d first been kidnapped by Viktor. Sucking him off back then used to be a means of survival, but now he couldn’t wait to have Viktor’s hot, thick, hard cock in his mouth. Gabriel grasped the warm base in his hand and wrapped his mouth around the head before he closed his eyes and began sucking.

Viktor moaned from above, and Gabriel felt his own dick grow stiffer from the sound of Viktor’s pleasure alone. Taking more of Viktor’s length into his mouth, Gabriel bobbed his head, using his tongue to taste as much as he could.

“Gabriel,” Viktor said, his voice low and gruff with need.

Gabriel opened his eyes and gazed up at Viktor, his cock still in his mouth. He watched as Viktor motioned with his hand to come back up, and so Gabriel did. He stood, and Viktor kissed him again before leading him with a hand on his waist to the bed, where Gabriel lay on his back. Not a minute later, Viktor fitted himself between his thighs, rubbing his crotch against Gabriel’s.

Gabriel moaned as pleasure shot up from his groin and spread throughout his body in an intense wave of heat. Viktor rutted against him as they kissed with tongue, and Gabriel whined, squirming beneath him. He didn’t want to wait any longer or for Viktor to keep teasing him. He just wanted Viktor to be deep inside him, claiming him again and making Gabriel completely his.

“Where’s the lube?” Viktor asked once their mouths parted.

Dazed from all the tingling kisses on his lips and the stimulation in his groin, Gabriel pointed at the bedside table, watching as Viktor leaned over and pulled the top drawer open, taking out the small bottle stored inside.

Anticipation rose in Gabriel, and his ass twitched hungrily as Viktor popped open the lid and poured a generous amount of lube into his palm. His slick fingers then caressed Gabriel’s hole, one finger easily sliding knuckle deep inside him before being joined by another.

As Viktor stretched and warmed him up, Gabriel squirmed, growing more impatient as time wore on. “I’m ready, I want you,” he breathed, not wanting to wait any longer.

Viktor withdrew his fingers and slid his cock inside him, making Gabriel gasp and then moan at the sensation of fullness. As Viktor pulled back and began rocking into him, Gabriel draped his arms over Viktor’s shoulders and clasped his hands behind his neck before connecting their mouths. Wet kisses and the subtle, repetitive slapping of skin filled the bedroom as Viktor continued thrusting his hips, spearing deep inside him.

As they kissed, Viktor’s thrusts increased in speed, and Gabriel moved his mouth away to drop his head back into the pillow and groan as the sensations spread from his lower body to his entire being.

Viktor pivoted his hips, sucking and kissing Gabriel’s exposed neck and drawing him closer to completion. Viktor continued stroking the sensitive bundle of nerves inside him, and Gabriel couldn’t help but moan loudly as his dick spasmed and semen spurted out of him, coating his belly. Viktor followed after him with a low growl and filled him to the brim.

All Gabriel could do was lay there, feeling dazed and worn out, but also satisfied and the happiest he could be, with a grin on his lips as he gazed up at Viktor who was still embedded inside him. Gabriel wished Viktor could stay in him, connected to him forever. He loved it when Viktor was inside him, and he loved it even more when he filled him with his seed.

In these few moments, Gabriel felt content, but he knew it wouldn’t last long, especially when he was already starting to crave Viktor again so soon. Pulling Viktor down, Gabriel kissed him again.

They stayed in bed together for hours, resting and then having sex again until the early hours of the morning illuminated the dark room. Gabriel rested his head on Viktor’s bare, broad chest, basking in the warmth of his body as he lay in his arms. Relaxed and content, Gabriel had an almost permanent smile on his face as Viktor gently played with his hair.

“I saw the painting,” Viktor murmured.

Gabriel didn’t even have to ask. He knew exactly which one Viktor was talking about. “I wanted to surprise you with it, but I never had the chance to. I guess you beat me to it.”

“It’s amazing, Gabriel.”

“You really think so?”

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.”

Gabriel’s lips twitched and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He might not have been able to give the painting to Viktor himself, but at least Viktor had still seen it, and he actually liked it. That was enough for Gabriel. After all, his night had been blissful and he was thoroughly content.

“I want you to live with me,” Viktor said, his fingers caressing Gabriel’s shoulder.

Feeling his stomach flutter, Gabriel looked up at Viktor, wanting more than anything to be with him again, to live with him in his home. Gabriel knew this time would be different. He wouldn’t be going back to Viktor’s house as a prisoner. He would be going there willingly, to live out his life with the man he loved.

“I want that too, but... what would I do?” Gabriel asked.

“What you’ve always done,” Viktor said. “Paint.”

“Are you telling me I can paint full time?”

“Yes.”

Gabriel almost couldn’t believe it, since he’d wanted to do that for a long time. Back when he hadn’t yet met Viktor and was still working in the small café, he hadn’t had the time or the money to pursue painting full time. But now Viktor wanted him to do what he loved, and there was no doubt in Gabriel’s mind that he wanted the same thing. He was going to be with Viktor, and he was going to be painting to his heart’s content too. There was nothing else he wanted more than those two things.

Gabriel smiled as he gazed at Viktor’s face. “Okay, I’ll move in with you, but under one condition. Promise me I get to live like a normal person—at least, as normal as I can. I know the type of work you do is dangerous, but I have friends, and I want to be able to get out more.”

Viktor chuckled low in his throat. “I promise, Gabriel, you’re free to live your life however you want with me. I quit the mafia business.”

“Really?” Gabriel’s eyes widened. “But ... what will that mean, then?”

“I’ve had enough of it. I’ll still have bodyguards for a while, but that’s only until I’m sure no one will try and come for me. From now on I want my life to be better, with you. Just be mine, Gabriel.”

“I’m all yours,” Gabriel said before leaning in and connecting their lips, warm and wet with a need that could hardly be sated. They kissed, mouths moving lazily together, and Gabriel loved every second of it.

When they parted, Gabriel licked his lips, tasting Viktor on them, and laid his head on his bare chest before closing his eyes.

Gabriel blinked open his eyes. He was still resting on Viktor’s strong, broad chest, and a whitish-blue morning light filtered in through the window, illuminating the bedroom.

Snuggling further into Viktor’s warm embrace, Gabriel kissed his nipple and looked up at Viktor as he stirred awake.

“Morning,” Gabriel said.

Viktor looked at him and smiled. “Morning.” He grasped Gabriel’s chin and pulled him into a gentle kiss. Gabriel kissed him back, both enjoying and savoring the moment.

After pulling his lips away, Gabriel’s eyes widened as he caught a glimpse outside his window. He sat up and moved the semi-transparent blinds to the side to get a better look. White powder peppered the ground and continued to rain from the sky.

“It’s snowing!” Gabriel said.

Viktor looked out the window too, before pulling Gabriel to his chest again, and they fell back onto the bed together, Gabriel now lying on top of him. “And you’re coming home with me,” Viktor said.

Gabriel laughed. “Okay, let’s just stay like this a bit longer, then I’ll start packing my stuff.” He closed his eyes and buried himself further into Viktor’s arms, his musky scent consuming his senses.