Page 19

B y Saturday morning, I’m starting to realize just how much I need this spa day. A handful of workers called in sick the last few days, putting us behind schedule on filling the last grocery store order.

Jean-Luc assured me they would work overtime today to make up for it.

I pat the pocket of my yoga pants, checking that my cell phone is there. “And you’re sure you’ll be okay?”

Viktor slides the straps of my purse over my shoulder. Resting both of his big hands on my shoulders, he gives a reassuring squeeze. “Sweetheart, go get pampered. We’ll be here when you get back. I have a whole fun day planned for Lily and me. ”

“Mini pizzas!” Lily chirps from his side, looking all too happy to get rid of me.

“Right, little one.” He takes a hand off my shoulder to cup the back of her head, stroking over her curly ponytail. The gesture is so natural, making my heart skip a beat, like he’s the missing piece of our family. “And what else?”

She smiles and bounces on her toes. “Ice cream! This is the best day ever!”

Warmth spreads throughout my chest, watching them interact. My little girl has Viktor wrapped around her finger, and I don’t even blame him.

Not even a little bit.

A horn honks outside. “That’s your ride, country girl. Have fun!” Viktor all but shoves me out the front door to the blacked-out town car waiting in the driveway. He went all out for the day, hiring a driver to take me to and from the city.

Once I’m settled into the back seat, I close my eyes and blow out a breath.

No worrying about the future today, Mags. Focus on enjoying the present. Enjoy being spoiled. Because it’s been a hot minute since anyone has done something this nice for you.

A fter picking up Antoinette and Penelope, we arrive at Urban Oasis, the spa Viktor’s sister owns. Housed in an old cathedral, it’s nestled between two towering office buildings. No sign or markings of any kind hint at what awaits us inside .

“Are you sure this is the right place?” My eyes skim over the beautiful stained-glass window up to the gothic towers that climb toward the cloudless blue sky. Swinging my head back to our driver, I raise an eyebrow.

“This is the place,” he confirms with a tip of his head and a smile. “Give me a ring when you’re ready to head home.” He tucks a business card between my fingers before climbing back into his car.

“I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready for a massage and a pedicure.” Annie grabs my hand and tugs me up the stairs to a set of double wooden doors.

“Did Cyrus do something to piss you off again?” I goad her as I push through the heavy doors. “Whoa.” Immediately, I’m hit by a wall of warm, damp air.

Closing my eyes, I suck in a breath, and my body calms under a wave of eucalyptus and lavender. My ears perk up to the sounds of birds twittering above and a waterfall somewhere in the distance.

“This is—” Pen spins in a slow circle, her blonde ponytail swishing down her back when she tips her head to the domed glass ceiling high above us.

“Beautiful.” Annie finishes Pen’s thought and points at a babbling creek that cuts under the cobblestone path in front of us. I catch sight of bright orange-and-white Koi as they swim along the water.

The inside of the cathedral has been transformed into a serene paradise of towering tropical trees and vines. Winding paths surrounded by moss and exotic florals spread in different directions from where we stand .

Up above, the entire ceiling of this area is one giant work of art. Sunlight filters through the stained-glass masterpiece, sprinkling us in every color of the rainbow.

“Welcome to Urban Oasis.” A soft voice draws my attention to a tall woman with rich brown skin and coils of dark hair. She’s standing behind a reception counter that has flowering vines trailing all over it.

Taking a step closer, I’m drawn to her beauty. Her full lips split into a friendly smile, and I take note of the pointed ears that peek through her hair. Behind her back, a pair of translucent green wings shimmer in the sunshine. “I’m Melody. How can I help you today?”

Before I can respond, the door behind her opens to reveal another stunningly beautiful creature. Is there something in the water around here? Because I’ll take some of what they’re drinking. Maybe it’ll get rid of the permanent bags under my eyes and the monster zit growing on my chin.

Settling a hand on Melody’s shoulder, the woman speaks, her voice like a freaking angel singing. “I’ve got it, Mel. This is Viktor’s guest and her companions.”

How does she know who I—

The resemblance hits me then. The same pale, almost iridescent skin. White-blonde hair, except hers flows down to her waist in thick waves. The tall, lithe build and ethereal, almost otherworldly, facial features. Vanessa . “You’re stunning,” I murmur.

Glossy lips part on a blinding smile to reveal fangs nestled among straight white teeth. She rounds the desk to stand in front of me. “I was about to say the same about you. You must be Maggie.”

Words escape me, so I nod.

“It’s nice to finally meet the woman my brother is infatuated with.”

My cheeks burn. I knew there was a mutual attraction between Viktor and me, but I guess I didn’t realize just how deep it was for him.

Her fangs sink into her bottom lip in a lopsided grin. “I probably shouldn’t have said that. Oops. I’m Vanessa, by the way.” Her burgundy eyes lift over my head expectantly.

After a round of quick introductions, we follow Vanessa down the path to the left, passing by a waterfall. Tiny brightly colored birds splash in the falling drops of water, filling the humid air with their happy twitters. I smile. Viktor was right; this is exactly what I needed.

“Viktor booked you for a full day. Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and we’ll finish with a fresh blowout and makeup application.”

Jaw falling slack, my gaze flits to Annie and Pen, who stand behind me. Their eyes must be as big as mine when Vanessa rattles off the list of treatments like it’s nothing.

Stopping in front of a single elevator, Vanessa presses the button. “We’ll head up to the roof first. You can start with a dip in the serenity pool. The waters are enchanted to wash away any lingering stress or worries, so you’ll get the full benefit of every treatment. ”

By the time the elevator dings and the doors slide open, I still haven’t picked my jaw up off the floor. I’m definitely going to take advantage of every second before I have to head home.

“ S o… how are things with Viktor?” Annie waggles her dark eyebrows at me.

Tugging my fluffy white robe tighter around my chest, I bite my cheek to hold in the smile. But I fail—miserably—and my lips split into a goofy grin.

We’re nearing the end of our spa visit. The last stop of the day is the salon. Annie sits in a massage chair across from me while one of the employees paints her toenails.

Behind me, another employee winds a section of my hair around a heated roller before pinning it to my scalp. “Fine.”

A scoff to my left has my head turning. Pen sits at the manicure station, flipping through swatches of nail polish options. “Just fine ? You’ve gotta give us more than that, Maggie.”

“Okay, okay. It’s been amazing! I don’t know how I’ll survive on my own after he leaves. And… and…” I blow out a breath, suddenly tongue-tied. “There’s this obvious attraction between us, but I don’t know if I can cross that line.”

Annie clicks the button on her e-reader. Setting it in her lap, she gives me the full weight of her golden eyes. “Do you want to cross that line with him?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Isn’t that wrong? He’s an employee. ”

Pen chimes in, “You’re both grown adults. I think Viktor can make his own choices. If he said yes, would you sleep with him?”

My cheeks burn as I think about his fangs dragging across my skin. Goosebumps rise on my arms, and I rub at my heated flesh, trying to get them to go away. “Have you seen him? Of course, I would!”

“So what’s stopping you?” Annie asks.

Taking a drink of my champagne—compliments of the spa—I give myself a moment to gather my thoughts. The sweet bubbles burst on my tongue but do nothing to ease my dilemma. “Where do I start? He’s so good with Lily. What if sleeping with him ends badly, and it fucks everything up?”

Annie’s lips purse. “Valid point, but what if it’s amazing? What if it doesn’t end? Take Cyrus and me, for example… We hated each other.” She cackles before sipping her champagne. “And look at us now.”

“I don’t know. His contract is up in another month, and I’m sure he’ll go back to the city. He’s supposed to start working for his father in their family business. The whole thing is a recipe for disaster and heartbreak.” I sigh heavily as I rub my temples.

“You deserve something good and easy in your life for once, Mags. If you want to sleep with Viktor, then sleep with him. Otherwise, I guess invest in an arsenal of good toys.” A wry smile spreads across her face, showcasing one of her fangs.

I choke on a mouthful of champagne. “Annie!”

“What? Gotta keep the pussy happy.” She shrugs.

The pixie doing her pedicure giggles. “She’s not wrong. ”

“I’m also scared.” My heart clenches with the admission, and the hairstylist squeezes my shoulder in a show of comfort. “It feels like I’m cheating on Roman.”

“Oh, Mags. Have you been with anyone since he passed?” Pen asks, blue eyes softening.

Grief clogging my throat, I shake my head.

“It’s been over four years, so maybe now is the time to try. You deserve to find someone to make you happy again. It’s time to live again, Mags.” Pen gives me a small smile. “Roman would want you to live .”

“She’s right, Maggie,” Annie says. “You’ve been surviving for the past few years, but wouldn’t Roman want you to be happy?”

I shrug, closing my eyes. “Yes. But why do I feel so guilty? Like I’m erasing him.”

Warm arms banding around me have my eyes springing open to find Annie on one side and Pen on the other, both hugging me.

“Oh, Maggie. Honey.” Annie’s voice is gentle when she pulls back.

“It’s okay to keep going in life. Moving on doesn’t mean you’re erasing what you had with Roman.

You can keep his memory alive while being happy.

Don’t you think he’d want you to find someone to love you like you deserve… like he loved you?

“I-I guess.” Sniffling, I wipe my nose and notice it’s just the three of us. The staff must have realized this is an intimate conversation, leaving to give us some privacy.

“What if the roles were reversed?” Pen pipes up as the voice of reason. “Wouldn’t you want Roman to find someone to help him heal? Someone to be there for him and Lily? ”

“Yes,” I admit. “But I’d haunt the bitch for life if she hurt him.”

Joining in my laughter, we clink our glasses.

“I say, go for it, girl! Get yourself a piece of that hot vampire cake… even if it’s temporary.” Of course, Annie would be the one telling me to dive in headfirst, even after she fought her attraction to my brother-in-law tooth and nail.

“But it feels selfish,” I squeak.

“Then maybe it’s time to be selfish for once.” Pen squeezes my arm. “Take that hot vampire for a test drive, even if it’s only for one night.”

Could I really sleep with Viktor and keep my heart out of the equation? I’ve never done that before. Sex has always been with someone I love, not just a physical release.

Whatever is happening between me and Viktor, it’s getting harder to resist the lingering glances and soft touches. And something about how sweet and attentive he is with Lily gives him extra sexy points in my book.

Sleeping with him will either be the best thing, or it will ruin our perfect dynamic. Either way, my pussy is slowly hijacking this ride.