“How am I supposed to support him if he barely pays any attention to me? The antidote, my father’s research… If I think of it, I’m more involved in this than all of you are. I started it, didn’t I?”
Viggo nodded, but didn’t know what to say. In truth, there was no explanation to why Eric was behaving like an asshole. Or… maybe there was. But he wasn’t about to tell his bride just how insecure and afraid his Fyrstur was.
“How am I supposed to live like this, Viggo?”
Delyse spread her arms to her sides, as if to show she was out of ideas. And she was out of ideas. She had tried to start meaningless discussions about books and movies, and even about history. She told him she could help him catch up with the world. She could answer his possible questions about how the Internet worked, how technology had evolved, and what it was acceptable to wear in public. He had ignored her each and every time.
“He doesn’t want me around him, he acts like the sound of my voice alone irritates him… This isn’t normal, all right? This isn’t how I imagined my marriage would be!”
Viggo sighed and looked away. He couldn’t bear seeing her so sad. What hurt even more was that he couldn’t make it better. It wasn’t in his power to offer her all the good things she deserved. To be loved, respected, listened to…
“He needs time,” he said, his voice more of a whisper. “He will never admit it, but it’s hard for him to come back after so many centuries and start over. The world has changed, and he’s overwhelmed.”
“Did he tell you that?”
“No, of course not.” He looked into her
clear blue eyes and smiled. “I doubt he is capable of admitting it to himself. Eric is too proud to seek help. Yours, mine… it doesn’t matter. He just doesn’t want it. The next couple of months are going to be harsh, and he knows it.”
“This is stupid.” She shook her head in annoyance. “Asking for help or guidance doesn’t make him less of a man.”
“In his mind, it would make him less of an Alpha. He will work hard, you’ll see. He won’t sleep for weeks on end, and he will use all the time he gets to learn everything he needs to know in order to function properly in this new world and society. He’ll pull it off, eventually, but it won’t be easy.”
Delyse sighed. “Yeah, I know… It won’t be easy for him.”
“That’s a given, but I was thinking about you. It won’t be easy for you. And I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Delyse lost herself in Viggo’s golden eyes. She realized they were lighter than Eric’s. Everything about Viggo was lighter, simpler, more comforting… Involuntarily, she took a step closer to him. His body was like a magnet. He was wearing tattered jeans, a loose shirt, and sneakers, and even though the outfit was rather plain and careless, it looked amazing on his taut muscles. His dirty blond hair was disheveled, strands sticking everywhere thanks to the wind, and his skin radiated intoxicating heat. Even as she told herself she had to snap out of it, she couldn’t help but imagine how it would feel to snuggle against his chest and let him offer her all the care and attention Eric failed to give her. She shivered at the thought that she was trapped with the cold, selfish Eric when handsome, kind Viggo was within arm’s reach.
Viggo saw her shivering, and acted on instinct. He pulled her towards him, grabbed the soft collar of her coat, and wrapped it tighter around her neck.
“You’re freezing,” he whispered, his face so close to hers that his hot breath tickled her nose.
“No… Not anymore.”
She looked up at him, and her hands found their way up his chest. Why couldn’t she control her body? Why couldn’t she pull away, order her fingers not to trace his strong muscles?
Viggo had to suppress a moan. Her touch was soft, barely noticeable, but it was the first time they were sharing such an intimate moment, and he couldn’t end it. He simply couldn’t. His hands moved from the collar of her fur coat to her cheeks, and before either of them realized what was happening, their lips met. It was a small, gentle kiss at first, then Delyse pressed herself against him, and Viggo’s mind went blank. He parted her lips with his tongue, and she responded eagerly, twirling her tongue around his, opening her mouth wider so he could taste her, explore every crevice, drink her tiny moans. His cock was hard in his jeans, and her pussy was soaked under the many layers of clothes. She gripped the fabric of his shirt between her fingers, and Viggo responded by running his hands through her long hair.
“Mmm…” she moaned.
Viggo broke the kiss and opened his eyes. “Oh my God…”
She bit her lower lip, resisting the urge to throw herself at him again.
“This is wrong,” he said. He released her hair and took a step back.
Delyse let go of his shirt and squeezed her hands into fists at her sides.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Tears pooled at the corner of her eyes, but she had no idea why she was crying. Because she had just betrayed Eric’s trust? Because she wanted Viggo so badly but knew she couldn’t have him?
“No, no… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…” He ran his hands through his messy hair and looked at the sky. “Oh God…” His cock throbbed with need, his balls so heavy that if she touched him again, he was sure he was going to explode.
Delyse touched her lips. “It’s okay… It won’t happen again, I swear. I won’t… I won’t tell anyone…”
He looked at her and shook his head.
Her hand was covering her mouth now, in shock or in an attempt to keep the taste of his breath and tongue with her for a little longer, she couldn’t tell. Tears were running down her cheeks.