He’d fought it for too long, and he was done with that. He was getting too old to ignore something that felt so good and right, and Karina made him feel those things and more.
He saw the Lincoln Town Car pull up to the curb, and Viktor straightened in his seat. The driver got out and walked around the car to open the back passenger side door.
When Viktor saw Karina exit the vehicle, everything in him hardened, came alert, and the remembrance of last night played through his head.
The outfit she was wearing was what he’d had one of his assistants get for her before the sun had even risen. Being who he was had many perks, and that included businesses opening for him at any given hour. He was glad he’d been able to take advantage of that, because seeing Karina in the clothes he’d picked out for her made everything in him growl in approval.
She stopped and looked at the restaurant for a second, not moving, her nervousness clear in her posture and the expression she wore. She finally came inside, and Viktor found himself standing. Their gazes locked for a second, and she finally started moving toward him.
When she was standing a foot from him, he reached out and grabbed her hand, lifted it to his mouth, and kissed the inside of her wrist while holding her gaze with his. He could feel the rapid beat of her pulse right under his lips.
He saw her pupils dilate, the blackness eating up the color. Her lips were parted, her focus on his mouth.
He pulled back and held the seat out for her. Once they were both seated, he motioned for the waiter to take their order. After they ordered he leaned back in his seat again and wondered if he should just start right in, or give her a moment to get her thoughts.
“Thank you for the outfit, but can I ask why you bought the clothes for me?” She was fidgeting with her napkin, and he reached out and placed his hand on top of hers.
“Because I wanted to have lunch with you, and I didn’t think you’d want to wear your formal gown.” He smirked. “And because I liked the idea of you wearing what I’d bought you.”
Her cheeks turned pink at his comment.
He might have said things last night, things that should have let her know that he wanted her for more than just a fuck, but Viktor would make sure Karina knew exactly how he felt. Viktor was going to make sure Karina knew she was the one he wanted. She just had to give him a chance.
“I’m just going to get right to it, Karina.”
She nodded, and he saw the way her throat worked as she swallowed.
“Last night wasn’t just about fucking you.” He noticed the way she glanced around and how her cheeks turned red. Clearly his coarse language embarrassed her, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “I won’t mince words with you, Karina.” She was looking at him again, and when she nodded he tightened his hold on her hand, making sure she knew this was real. “Last night was the start of something. I know I can’t be the only one that feels this strongly.”
Tell me I’m not the only one.
For as commanding and powerful as Viktor had to be when he was in the office or negotiating terms in the boardroom, he realized when it came to Karina she was in control, whether she knew it or not. He hadn’t expected things to turn out this way, but now that he’d had her he couldn’t let her go.
He had to make her see that being with him was what was meant to be.
“I want more than just the one night.”
She took her hands from his and placed them in her lap, looking down. He didn’t rush her, because he knew this was probably a big fucking surprise to her. They’d had sex last night, and she was probably still reeling about that. He was, after all, her employer, and that made what they had done, what he wanted with her, crossing a line.
But he didn’t give a fuck. After having Karina, he knew he’d cross any damn line just to be with her.
“Say something, baby.” He dropped his voice lower and didn’t like the fact he felt so on edge. Waiting to hear how she’d respond was hell.
She finally looked up at him again after what felt like forever, and he saw the uncertainty in her face. “I do want you, Viktor.”
That had his heart beating faster, had his palms starting to sweat, and all he wanted to do was pull her onto his lap and kiss her senseless in front of everyone. He’d never been the sentimental type, never given a fuck about anything that didn’t make him money in the long run.