He’d never be the same, and how fucking incredible, if not insane, was that?
10
Karina slowly woke, but before her eyes were even open, she knew she was alone. She lay there, staring at the ceiling in Viktor’s bedroom, hearing the clock on the bedside table ticking off the time, and remembering everything about last night.
She was on her back and smoothed her hands outward, feeling the chilled sheets along her skin, and closing her eyes at the memories.
The soreness between her thighs and the scent of Viktor touched every part of her, filled every sense.
She stayed like that for a few seconds, and when she opened her eyes and sat up, she looked around the room. Everything was neat and in order, exactly how she expected it to be.
But last night she’d only vaguely glanced at her surroundings, her body and mind so wound up, so in tune to Viktor that nothing else had mattered.
It was then that she saw a slip of paper on Viktor’s pillow. It seemed kind of cliche´, but she found herself holding her breath, not sure what the note would say. Clearly he wasn’t home, but kicking her out didn’t mean he had to be here, either.
Had a conference call. Sorry to leave, but didn’t want to wake you. Be ready at eleven. A car will pick you up. I’d like to take you to La Terrice for brunch.
Not about to end this, Karina.
-Viktor
Her hand started to shake on its own as she reread the letter several times. She was honestly surprised, because no matter what he said, which could have been done because of the heat of the moment, she’d thought this would be a onetime thing.
She was not like the women he’d been with, and because of that, and the fact she was his employee, Karina just assumed he’d said those things because he’d wanted her in his bed.
The nightmare of the morning after had briefly filtered through her mind, and the awkwardness of seeing him, maybe experiencing his rejection, of course consumed her, especially when first waking.
But it didn’t turn out that way.
No, and that made this even stranger. Still, she was excited about the prospect of having lunch with him, of seeing exactly what his plans were, his thoughts, for all of this.
Her thoughts and plans? She had none, because she hadn’t ever seen it going this far.
Getting out of bed, Karina was about to slip on her dress from last night when she saw a white box with a red bow sitting on the dresser. Walking up to it, she took out the little card, and opened it.
Wear this for me, Karina.
-Viktor
Her heart was thundering. Inside were a cashmere sweater tunic, black leggings, undergarments, and a pair of leather boots.
Holy shit.
She took the tunic out, the material soft and obviously very expensive. She couldn’t accept these items, not when she knew this had to cost a lot, and she’d just slept with her boss. But did she really want to go to brunch in her evening gown?
She looked at the time. She didn’t have enough time to go home, and she told herself she’d use the clothes he left and figure out how to repay him for them.
She didn’t know how this whole experience would play out, but a part of her hoped it would go this well up until the end. That was either very optimistic of her, or very naïve.
11
Viktor had arrived at the restaurant ten minutes ago, and he expected Karina here any moment, that is, if she even showed up. She had no reason to see him further, because for all he knew she didn’t want anything from him.
Her desire and pleasure had been genuine last night, but the fact he’d had to leave her in his bed to handle business, and the fact he was her employer, might scare her off.
But he needed to talk to her about all of this and about what he wanted from her.
He leaned back in the chair and stared at the front entrance, not accustomed to the nerves wracking him. He wanted to see her walk through the doors, wanted to see her wearing the clothing he’d left for her. But it might be awkward for her, to say the least.
She was an intelligent woman, and common sense might dictate that she stop this before it even started.
But he couldn’t let her walk away, because even after he’d fucked her still wanted her like a fiend.
In the early morning hours before he’d left, he’d just lay there running his fingers through the soft, long tendrils of her hair. She’d looked so peaceful and well-fucked in that moment, and he felt something inside of him tighten at the sight.
He couldn’t say he loved her, but he could say that after the year of seeing her daily, the emotions that she evoked, when she didn’t even know it, told him he did care for her.