Free Smoke and Shadows by Victoria Paige Page B

with Viktor’s personality—efficient, no-fuss. A king-sized bed was set against a wall. The bed-frame looked custom made with a steel-slatted headboard; its purpose not lost on Marissa, and sent a wave of heat to her face.
    There was a wall-to-ceiling mirror between a set of windows that reflected the expanse of the loft. Black leather on metal-framed sofas and chairs were arranged around a glass coffee table to form a living area. A multi-level entertainment center had a flat screen TV and several consoles that Marissa suspected were not meant for entertainment.
    Stainless steel countertops and appliances decked the kitchen and reminded her of restaurant kitchens she had seen in the course of her undercover work.
    “Welcome to my lair,” Viktor announced as he plopped her bags on a long bench in front of the bed. “Wide-open floor plan, except the bathroom, which is through here.” He pointed to the lone enclosed room on the top level.
    Thank God, Marissa thought. She did not fancy carrying out bodily functions with no walls between her and the outside world.
    “No guest rooms?”
    “Second floor. I like my privacy.” He frowned. “You’re sleeping with me.”
    “Don’t you think we’re moving a bit too fast, Viktor?” Marissa said, ignoring the darkening scowl on his face.  
    “Wasted eight years, Marissa, not wasting another second,” Viktor said. “Get settled. I need to make a call.”

    Billows of steam followed her naked body as Marissa stepped out of the shower.   She wrapped her long dark hair in a towel bun and covered her still-damp skin in a comfy terry robe. She was glad she brought all her girly toiletries because Viktor definitely had the bare essentials in his bathroom—soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and other minimal stuff. She remembered he didn’t even bother with cologne. She also remembered that this soapy scent, when mixed with his masculine essence, was lethal. He was pure rugged male.  
    She shivered.  
    She used the sleeve of her robe to wipe the fog off the mirror and nearly jumped when she saw Viktor’s reflection. He was leaning against the doorjamb, watching her intently. He wasn’t there when she got out of the shower, was he? And she had locked the door—not that locked doors meant anything to Viktor.
    “Uh…I should be done in just a sec…oh—” Marissa gasped as his arms suddenly wrapped around her, the heat of his body branding the length of her back. “Viktor . . .”
    He didn’t say anything, just nuzzled her ear, his breathing heavy. One hand cupped a breast, fingers rubbing her nipple through her robe, the abrasive sensation sending a frisson of lust straight between her legs. His other hand slipped under her robe, lightly stroking the skin of her hip, fingers teasingly close to where she craved him. His mouth opened further, his hot breath trailing her jaw, his teeth grazing her lightly.
    “Can’t wait to be inside you, Iz,” he murmured. “I need to fuck you.”
    He pushed back from her and pulled off his shirt, revealing lightly bronzed skin, well-defined pectorals, and a six-almost-eight-pack abdomen that would make men half his age envious. If anyone aged well, Viktor did. Marissa continued to watch him strip. Next went his cargo pants—he went commando tonight—and he was already sporting a half-mast erection. Oh my .
    “Like what you see?” Viktor drawled when she couldn’t take her eyes off him.  
    “You know I do,” Marissa murmured and went back to her nighttime ritual.
    He chuckled as he sauntered to the shower. “Don’t bother putting on any clothes or underwear.”
    She didn’t know why those words sent her pussy twitching, but they did, and she was so tempted to run her fingers through the lips of her sex.  
    The shower turned on and her gaze shifted to the beautiful sculpture of a man. The water slicked his body to unbearable sensuality, making that magnificent cock so achingly delicious. She licked her lips,