Page 37 of Viktor’s Temptation (East Coast Territory #2)

Gracie tried to relax, but it wasn’t until Sorcia resumed her seat with an air of serene elegance that she realized how tightly she was clutching Viktor’s hand.

His fingers were splayed protectively over her abdomen, grounding her, as though he’d sensed her unease before she even recognized it herself.

Over the next half hour, the room buzzed with low voices and sharp focus as the seven of them dissected the events of the night.

Viktor’s great room, with its warm tones, leather armchairs, and soft golden light from ornate sconces, seemed at odds with the dark subject matter they discussed.

Trent described the transition site in clinical detail, sparing no horrors, while Mikail elaborated on the grim discovery of two vampires—Charlie, a pitifully inexperienced fledgling, and Johnny, a vampire out for revenge who would be disciplined appropriately.

“We need to find this Dave guy and then have him lead us to whoever Cerberus is,” Mikail said, his deep voice carrying the frustration everyone felt.

Trent rubbed his hands together, a glint of dangerous intent in his eyes. “I’ll handle Johnny. He’ll give up the guy’s last name.”

Sorcia leaned forward, her wineglass cradled delicately in her fingers, a small, knowing smile playing at her lips. “Perhaps I could offer my services?” she said smoothly.

All eyes turned to her. Gracie couldn’t help but admire the witch’s calm confidence, though it made her stomach twist uneasily.

“You think you can torture a name out of him?” Mikail asked, his tone dubious.

Sorcia laughed, the sound soft and melodic, but with a hint of steel underneath.

She shook her head, a cascade of curls brushing her shoulders.

“Good grief, no. Torture is so... crude. I have far more effective methods.” She lifted her hand, a trail of sparkles drifting lazily from her fingertips like stardust. “Men are remarkably pliable when you know how to ask the right questions.”

The room fell silent, the air charged with curiosity and wariness. Trent and Mikail exchanged uneasy glances, but Viktor’s nod of approval was immediate.

“We’re already relying on your ties to restrain them since nothing else will hold a vampire,” Viktor said. “If you can get the answers we need, by all means.”

Sorcia’s smile widened, her emerald eyes glinting with mischief. “Thank you. This will be fun.”

“Apparently, you don’t need us anymore,” Jace said, rising and pulling Anikka to her feet. His arm slipped easily around her waist, and she leaned into him with a radiant smile.

“Call me if you need anything at all,” Jace added, shaking Viktor’s hand.

“I will,” Viktor replied, his tone grave.

As Jace and Anikka departed, Trent stood with Mikail. “Let’s introduce Sorcia to our guests. She seems eager to get started.”

“Oh, always,” Sorcia replied with a smirk, standing and smoothing her skirt. “There’s nothing more satisfying than reducing men to drooling fools.”

Trent and Mikail paused mid-step, their wary expressions earning a laugh from Sorcia. “Relax, boys. You’re safe from my charms—today.”

The three exited, leaving Gracie alone with Viktor. The silence that followed felt heavy, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension.

Gracie stared at her hands, twisting her fingers together nervously. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Viktor’s eyes after the way she’d hissed at Sorcia earlier. It felt ridiculous in hindsight, her jealousy blazing so hot and fast.

“Gracie,” Viktor called out softly, taking her hand in his. He turned it palm-up, his thumb tracing slow circles that sent shivers up her spine.

“Viktor, about earlier,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “What I did… it wasn’t rational. I was just—”

“You love me,” he interrupted, his voice low but firm. “Trust me, Gracie, if any man so much as touched you, I’d react the exact same way.”

She snapped her gaze to his, startled by the raw intensity in his words. “You… would?”

“Hell yes,” he growled, his silver eyes blazing. “You’re mine, Gracie. You said you loved me—are you taking it back?”

“No!” she blurted, the vehemence in her voice surprising even herself.

“Then accept that I’m a jealous man,” Viktor declared, his tone rough and unapologetic.

Gracie stared at him, her heart racing. Something inside her snapped, her restraint shattering.

Before she could overthink it, she climbed onto his lap, her legs straddling his waist. “I’ve never been jealous before,” she admitted breathlessly, her hands clutching his broad shoulders.

“But earlier, I couldn’t stand the thought of you touching her—not even a little. ”

Viktor’s hands settled possessively on her hips, pulling her flush against him. “Good,” he rasped, his voice a mixture of pride and desire. “Because I don’t want anyone else touching you, either. You’re mine, Gracie. Only mine.”

The words ignited something fierce in her, and she leaned in, her lips brushing against his. “And you’re mine,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Viktor groaned softly, capturing her mouth in a kiss that was both tender and claiming, his arms tightening around her as if he’d never let her go. And Gracie realized she didn’t want him to—not ever.

“Good!” he hissed, cupping her butt. “I don’t think I’ve ever been that turned on in my life!” Then he stood up, holding her in place as he walked quickly towards his bedroom. “I want you naked, Gracie! Naked and screaming my name!”

“Yes!” she whispered back, her arms wrapped around his neck. She kissed him right under his ear, sucking at the sensitive skin. She’d never done that to a man, but she loved it when Viktor did it to her, so Gracie figured that it would feel good when she did it to him.

In response, he groaned, nearly stumbling as he walked down the hallway. She smiled at her impact, then nipped his earlobe.

“Damn it, Gracie!” he snapped, kicking the door closed so hard, it jarred the wall.

He didn’t bother to strip her clothes off.

Instead, he literally ripped them off, then released his erection.

Lifting her higher in the air, Viktor pinned her against the wall and, with his teeth, tore open her sweater.

When her breasts were finally exposed, he sucked, hard, on one nipple, then the other.

Gracie squirmed, gasping for breath as the erotic sensations washed over her, making her skin tingle.

She couldn’t think any longer. It was all instinct and desperation now.

When he finally carried her to his bed, kissing her ravenously, her fingers fumbled with his slacks.

He’d barely laid her down when her fingers found his erection and stroked him, she took his groan into her mouth as she kissed him harder, spreading her legs wide so that she could take him into her body.

“Yes!” she gasped as he stroked her inner thighs. “All of you!” she urged, shifting until he was fully inside of her.

Then he started thrusting. With her back against the mattress, he held her under her butt with one hand while his other massaged her breast, pinching her nipple.

Together, they gasped, hissed, and stroked each other, Gracie’s hands pulling at his hair as he surged into her.

She couldn’t think, couldn’t speak as she met his every thrust with her own.

When she felt her body tighten, felt those glorious waves of release start to shudder through her, she cried out his name, over and over, screaming, “Viktor!” with every thrust as she leaned her head back against the wall, barely surviving the climax as it overwhelmed her.

Viktor’s pleasure released right along with her and he knew he might be going too hard, too fast, but he couldn’t hold back. Hell, he could barely stand, but there was no way he was letting Gracie move.

When it was all over, he looked down at her, thinking to smile at the stunned look in her eyes. But he was too…done.

Gentle now, he stripped off the last of her clothes, letting his fingers stroke and tease every new inch of exposed skin. When she was finally naked, he tore his clothes off, ignoring the sounds of tearing fabric in his urgency to be as close to her as he could.

When he stretched out next to her this time, he stroked, kissed, and nibbled everywhere, pinning her hands to the bed. He needed to show her how much he loved her. He needed to demonstrate his feelings for Gracie in the most intimate way.

When they came together this time, he moved slowly, ramping up their pleasure with even, measured strokes. Every time he heard her gasp, he did it again. And again. Until Gracie was again screaming his name. Only then, did he allow himself to find his own release.

And afterwards, he cradled her in his arms, reveling in the softness of her skin and the beauty of her.

She was a delight in so many ways. Yes, she’d said that she loved him earlier.

But he’d never forget the way she’d raced across the room at vampire speed to stop him from even shaking Sorcia’s hand.

That was Gracie’s real revelation of her feelings.

And he felt it as well. This…Gracie…was his woman in every way.