Page 28 of Viktor’s Temptation (East Coast Territory #2)

“What have you found?” Viktor asked as he stepped into his office, the deep timbre of his voice drawing her attention like a magnet.

Gracie spun around in the oversized leather desk chair, the supple material creaking slightly. Antique bookshelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes and neatly arranged artifacts that spoke of centuries past.

“I discovered that the number nine is a very superstitious number,” Gracie announced, her face alight with excitement.

“That’s good,” Viktor replied, perching on the edge of the desk. The polished glass reflected the faint silver glow of his eyes as he leaned slightly forward. “Any specifics?”

Gracie glanced up at him, distracted momentarily by the way the soft light highlighted his sharp cheekbones and the almost ethereal shimmer in his eyes.

Was that a trick of the chandelier’s glow, or was there something more to it?

Viktor’s words echoed in her mind—shimmering eyes meant attraction, she thought, her stomach flipping at the possibility.

She quickly pushed the thought aside. Why would Viktor, a centuries-old, impossibly handsome vampire, be interested in her?

Still, the subtle heat in his gaze seemed to argue otherwise, and the shimmer in his eyes grew brighter the longer she stared.

Her cheeks warmed as she tried to focus on her findings, though her thoughts wandered briefly to her past. Warren, her ex, had always criticized her for her body, her voice, even her hobbies.

But now, standing before Viktor, she felt the stirrings of something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in years: confidence.

“Gracie?” Viktor prompted, his voice pulling her back to the present.

She blinked and looked away, embarrassed that she’d zoned out.

“Sorry. I was just…thinking.” She stood, smoothing the soft material of her skirt.

The plush rug beneath her feet cushioned her movements as she stepped closer to him.

The warmth of the room, combined with Viktor’s presence, made the vast space feel intimate and safe.

“You seem distracted,” Viktor observed, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

Tired of living in her head, of constantly second-guessing herself, Gracie took a deep breath.

If she wanted her life to be different now, she needed to act differently.

She was no longer the shy, unassuming woman who let others dictate her worth.

She was strong now, stronger than she’d ever thought possible.

“We don’t have any diseases, right?” she blurted out, cringing slightly at her own awkwardness.

Viktor tilted his head, his lips quirking into a faint smile. “No,” he replied, his voice deepening into a husky timbre. “Why do you ask?”

Gracie stepped closer, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. “Because I was thinking…” She bit her lip, trying to gather her courage. What she was about to say could either ruin their budding connection or take it to an entirely new level.

“You’ve been around for a while, right?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

“Yes,” Viktor replied, watching her intently. “Several centuries.”

Her heart pounded as she debated her next words. Finally, she decided to go for it. What had playing it safe ever gotten her? Certainly not the kind of life she’d dreamed of.

“Then you might…know things?” she ventured, her voice wavering slightly.

The silver in Viktor’s eyes brightened, the glow intensifying as if her question had flipped some internal switch. His lips parted slightly, and she could hear his breathing deepen. “What kinds of things are you curious about?” he asked, his voice laced with a tantalizing edge.

Gracie started to step back, nerves threatening to overwhelm her, but Viktor caught her hands and gently tugged her closer. The heat of his touch sent a shiver down her spine.

“Gracie,” he murmured, his tone soft yet commanding, “tell me what’s on your mind.”

She hesitated, her lips trembling as she debated whether to say it. Finally, she forced the words out. “I was just…thinking that…you’ve taught me so much already.”

He chuckled, a low, rich sound that made her heart race. “I haven’t taught you everything. You still need to learn how to fly—and to feed.”

Her smile was brief, but her resolve didn’t waver. “I know, but I think this is just as important,” she said, her voice growing steadier. “I was thinking that maybe you could also teach me about…sex. As a vampire?”

The words barely left her lips before Viktor’s arms were around her. She gasped as he lifted her effortlessly, cradling her against his chest. His silver eyes burned with intensity as he carried her from the room, moving so quickly that the world around them blurred.

“It would be my pleasure,” Viktor said, his voice a seductive promise.

They entered his private quarters, a room even more opulent than his office.

Deep crimson drapes framed the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a grand four-poster bed stood in the center, its dark wood gleaming under the soft light of another chandelier.

The air smelled faintly of leather, aged books, and something uniquely Viktor.

Gracie barely had time to take in her surroundings before Viktor set her gently on the bed. Standing over her, he shrugged off his sports jacket, letting it fall to the floor. “Tell me, Gracie,” he said, his voice low and mesmerizing, “what do you like? I want to do everything that pleasures you.”

Her breath hitched as she gazed up at him, the sight of his glowing silver eyes making her feel both bold and vulnerable. “I…don’t know,” she admitted. “But I want to find out.”

Viktor’s smile was slow and wicked, and as he leaned down to kiss her, Gracie realized that for the first time in her life, she was exactly where she wanted to be. “You don’t know what you like?” he asked.

“I’ve never really…!” she told him vaguely, licking her lips and pulling back slightly as he stripped the dress shirt off, scattering buttons in his haste.

He froze. “What do you mean?”

She shrugged, still watching him but nervous now. “I just…that’s why I asked you to teach me about vampire sex,” she continued. “Human sex has never been all that interesting to me.”

He reached out and pulled her closer. “Gracie, do you not find pleasure in the sexual act?”

She felt her cheeks heat up, but tried to remain casual about the conversation. “Not really. I love the cuddling afterwards, though!” she told him hopefully.

He stopped and stared down at her. He seemed hesitant now, almost indecisive. Which was odd. Viktor always knew what to do. It was what made him such an outstanding leader for his clan.

“Viktor, you’re scaring me,” she told him in a hushed whisper.

He stopped and breathed in, not releasing her hands. “Sorry,” he admitted. “I just…I’ve never known anyone who didn’t find pleasure in sex. It…took me aback.”

She twisted her hands, trying to get him to release her. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”

“Not bad, Gracie,” he soothed. “I just need to slow down. We’ll figure out what makes you feel good.” He stepped closer, lacing his fingers through hers. “Will you work with me on discovering activities that excite you?”

She stared up at him, her heart pounding against her ribs. “Yes.”

“Good,” he replied, smiling and pulling her closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. “How about this?” he asked, nipping at her neck. “Does this feel good?”

She laughed and angled her head slightly. “You know that it does.” She lifted her hands, allowing her fingers to slide into his hair.

“Yeah, I can see it in your eyes,” he admitted. “What about this?” he asked, nipping at her earlobe.

She shivered and smiled. “Yep.” She slid her hands over his chest. “You’re too tall. I can’t reciprocate.”

“I don’t need you to.” He moved his hands down over her back, not stopping until he was cupping her butt.

Then he tugged her more firmly against his rock hard erection.

“I need you to tell me what you like and don’t like.

Then I’m going to discover new ways to pleasure you until those bad sexual encounters are so far in the past that you can’t remember them anymore. ”

“Oh,” was the only response that she could offer as his hands slipped underneath her sweater.

Biting her lip again, Gracie desperately tried to stifle the moan as his hot, heavy hands glided along her skin, but her efforts weren’t effective.

Every time Viktor moved his hands, she felt sparks of electricity singe along her skin.

It was heady and erotic and she wanted to climb the man in an effort to find something that might ease the frustration.

“That feels good!” she whispered, leaning into him, rubbing against him like a cat to feel more of his muscles. Well, one muscle in particular was what she was most interested in exploring.

It shocked her when Gracie felt her hands sliding lower, gliding over his chest and down his firm abs until she cupped his erection in her hands. The rigid length of him was startling. She wanted to touch more of him, but his clothes were in the way.

“Would you take off your pants?” she whispered.

He’d started that process moments ago, but her words had stopped him and she needed him naked. She needed to be naked! She needed every obstacle gone between this man’s body and herself so that she could touch him everywhere.

Just as he was doing to her! There was a muffled yelp as her sweater came up over her head.

She had a brief thought of folding the expensive cashmere sweater, but Viktor pulled her into his arms so he could reach her breasts.

His strength was shocking, and the heat of his mouth on her nipple was even more staggering.

She gasped and writhed, wrapping her legs around him in a pointless effort to ease the throbbing in her groin.

It was so strong and she wasn’t sure how to handle the onslaught, but it felt too good to ask him to stop.