Burn

Chapter Seven

Brianna:

As soon as I got home, I kicked my heels off, threw my bag onto the chair and headed straight into the kitchen. I hadn't heard from Blake all day, but I was trying to be positive and not let the doubts kick in.

I rummaged through the cabinets and the fridge to see what I could whip up, seeing as Blake usually finishes work around 7.

I decided on a lemon herb chicken with rice and sautéed vegetables.

Dessert was already covered as we had a caramel cheesecake that was in the fridge. I connected my phone to the surround sound system and played some music to set the vibe that I wanted for the night.

By the time I was finished cooking and setting up the nook in the kitchen, there was only thirty minutes left before Blake was supposed to be home, so I rushed into the shower, taking a little time to scrub the day off of me and make sure I smelled good.

After I was finished showering, I went into the closet and browsed through my dresses, before finding the perfect one.

It was a lavender colored silk dress that stopped at my ankle and had a high slit up the side. It was off the shoulder and it clung to my curves like a second skin.

I decided to put on a pair of crotch less lace panties that matched the color of my dress, something a little naughty that my man could look forward to.

I made sure that my skin was moisturized and felt soft before pulling on my underwear and going to my vanity in the bathroom.

I spent some time on my makeup, going for more of a soft, warm look before taking my hair down. I decided to straighten my hair, since that's how Blake prefers it before going to put on my dress. I slipped on a pair of clear Amina Muaddi heels, spraying on my signature baccarat rouge perfume, before scurrying outside to put the finishing touches on everything.

I checked the time on my phone and saw that it was 7:20, meaning that Blake should be home at any minute. I took a seat at the island in my kitchen, humming along to one of my favorite songs.

After ten minutes passed, I decided to get my wine glass and pour myself a glass of white wine. Maybe he got held up at work with something.

That's what I tried to convince myself with, but my gut told me otherwise.

Thirty minutes passed, and I decided to call him, but surprise surprise, my call went straight to voicemail. I sent him a few text messages, but got no answer.

I sighed and sat on the couch, sipping my second glass of wine while watching the news.

An hour passed, and I felt my ire rise. I should've f*****g known that he wouldn't show up tonight. Feeling a little hurt and lonely, I decided to send a message to Viktor.

Me 9:00 PM ~ Hi....

Viktor 9:02 PM ~ Brianna? Is something wrong?

Me 9:03 PM ~ No....

Viktor 9:04 PM ~ Somehow I don't believe that since you're messaging me. Where's your boyfriend?

I felt my heart sink, and I already regretted messaging him.

Me 9:07PM ~ I'm sorry for messaging you. I don't know why I did...

I locked my phone with a groan, throwing it onto the couch next to me. I heard it chime with a few messages but didn't bother picking it up, until I heard it ring.

I checked the Caller ID and saw that it was Viktor calling. I stared at the phone until it stopped ringing, but right after it started up again.

" Hello?"

"Why didn't you answer the first time I called?"

My eyes closed on their own accord as his rich, deep voice traveled across my senses.

"You sounded like you didn't want to be bothered, so I left you alone." I murmured.

"I always want to talk to you, little kitten. I'm sorry if I made you feel that way."

"It's okay, I'm probably just being a little sensitive."

"What's wrong princess?" He asked softly.

"It's nothing."

"C'mon, little kitten. You can tell me. Where's your boyfriend anyways? Weren't you two supposed to have a date night?"

"That's the problem." I muttered, staring blankly at the tv.

"He didn't show up." I spoke a little louder.

I then went on a whole rant about everything while Viktor sat there quietly listening.

When I was done, I felt a little bit of relief to get it off my chest and I got up to pour myself another glass of wine.

"I'll be at your place in thirty minutes, be ready." I choked on the sip of wine I just took when he said that, and I cleared my throat.

"W-what?"

"I'm taking you somewhere. You might want to put on something flat. I'll be at your building in fifteen minutes." He repeated, before hanging up.

I stared at the phone in my hand, wondering what the f**k just happened.

My phone chimed in my hand it was Viktor.

Viktor 10:00PM ~ Baby, I hope you're getting ready, I'm about to leave the house now.

That made me scramble into action. I went into the closet, kicking off my heels and trading them for my Chanel sandals, before grabbing a throw and my handbag.

I heard my phone buzz, and I looked down to see a text from Viktor saying that he was downstairs. Still no text or call from Blake.

I pushed that to the back of my mind, and left after making sure I had my key card. I made my way to the lobby where Viktor was waiting for me.

When I was close enough, he wrapped me up in his strong, warm frame and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"You good, princess?" I blushed a little and nodded, causing him to chuckle.

"Let's go then." He took my purse and my throw from me before grabbing my hand and leading me out to a sleek black Ferrari.

"No driver tonight?" I teased and he chuckled.

"Unfortunately, no. I just wanted it to be the two of us." He responded, opening the door for me.

"Thank you." I murmured.

He leaned over me and buckled me in, and all I could think of was how amazing he smelled. It was a combination of his lemon scented aftershave with something uniquely masculine.

He closed my door and walked over to the driver's side, getting in.

"Where are we going?" I asked, as he started the car, the engine roaring to life.

"It's a surprise." He gave me a smirk and I swore I almost swooned.

This man was too f*****g good looking for his own good.

He grabbed my hand, pulling it up to his lips for a soft kiss, before placing our joined hands on his thigh. I was very curious as to where we were going when I saw him merge onto the freeway.

"So tell me about your boyfriend." My eyes flew to him immediately, but there wasn't any expression on his face as he switched lanes, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Uhhh... What do you want to know?" I asked to which he shrugged.

"Anything you want to tell me. How about how you two got together."

"Well.... Blake and I have been friends since I was trn. He's been there for every major milestone, and had been an especiallystrong presence when my dad was sick and even after he died." I choked on my words a little, and he squeezed my hand softly to reassure me that he was there with me.

"After my dad died, I was in a really vulnerable place. I went from having essentially one parent, to none, because as you can see my mother is not a real one. I was still trying to figure out my life after dad died, and he was my rock. He was there with me through every step of the way and I owe him a great deal for that."

"Our relationship started when he confessed his feelings for me. It was six months after my dad had died, and he told me that he couldn't hide it anymore. I actually did not have feelings for him at the time, but I knew that the emotional stability that he could offer me, would help me deal a little better with my dad's death. Of course, it didn't take long for me to fall in love with him. He's charming, caring, attentive and he has this easy going nature about him. Not to mention that he is good looking, he was the entire package. Until he got this promotion at his damn job. Now all of a sudden he has no f*****g time for me." I muttered the last part, thoroughly irritated.

"Have you talked to him about making time for you?" He asked after a while and I nodded.

"Of course, but he has been making up excuses for months as to why we can't spend time together. Tonight was my last ditch attempt at trying to make things work between us, but it's clear that he doesn't want to. I can't keep extending my arm if he's not willing to meet me halfway."

"I'm not going to lie and say that I'm upset that you're having problems in your relationship with him. But I am going to say that I think you should work it out with him if you believe it's worth fighting for. I know I said that you being in a relationship won't stop me from pursuing, but I will step back if that's what you wish."

I swear that my respect for Viktor just went up 1,000% and I really appreciate him for giving me that option.

"Thank you, Viktor. I really appreciate this, but I'm not sure I want to make this work with Blake and I anymore. Tonight was a breaking point for me and there's only so much I can take. I gave him multiple opportunities to fix everything between us, and honestly tonight was a big f**k you and slap to my face. So I'm letting you know that you have my full permission to pursue me if you please." I gave his hand a little squeeze with a tiny smile.

"I'm glad that I have your consent, Brianna but I'm going to to give you sometime to get over him, because when I come for you, I want everything. I don't want you holding back any piece of yourself from me. I want it all, and I know that you're not ready for that. So I will be patient in waiting for you."

I sat there a little speechless.

Wow....

He was definitely intense.

I let my eyes drift away from him as he took an exit onto a lonely road. When we began going up a winding hill, I became very apprehensive about where he was taking me , but I let myself relax as he stroked his thumb over my fingers.

He finally stopped in a large clearing, and I couldn't contain the gasp that escaped as I saw the glittering city lights over the horizon.

"It's beautiful...." I whispered, opening the door and climbing out of the car.

I heard his door close and I turned my head to see him walking towards me with a picnic basket and a blanket, my throw in tow.

"Viktor!" I gasped and he chuckled, placing the picnic basket on the ground.

"I just had my chef whip up a few quick sandwiches and snacks for us, and I brought some wine." He spread the blanket out over the ground and gestured for me to sit.

I sat with my legs stretched out in front of me, looking around at the dark trees surrounding us.

"How did you find here?" I asked as he sat, pulling a portable lamp out of the basket.

"I used to come here when I was younger. It was my place to cool down and get my mind off of things when my parents upset me." I looked around the peaceful clearing, but I couldn't stop my eyes from straying to magnificent view of the well lit city.

"It's amazing, isn't it?"

I nodded he handed me a turkey sandwich and a poured me a glass of red wine.

"I don't know if I should have that." I said and he rose a brow.

"And why is that?"

"I had two glasses of white wine before you came for me." I explained.

"You're safe with me, princess. You can have it if you want it." He reassured me.

Ah, what the hell.

I took the glass from him, taking a sip of the smooth liquid.

Hmm. It was delicious. I'm usually not a red wine lover, but this one was amazing.

We talked while we wait and I was thoroughly enjoying myself.

"No you did not!" I laughed as he told me a story about his younger days.

"I swear to God, I did. Dad was so mad at me for burning the kitchen down that I couldn't leave my room for a week."

"Yeah, because you burned it down because of a spider!"

"Oi! That is not my fault, those eight legged shits creep me the f**k out. I hate seeing them." He did a fake little shiver, sending me off into a fits of giggles again.

When I got tired of sitting up, I laid my head down on his lap and looked up at the starry night.

"Tonight is amazing Viktor. Thank you so much for doing this for me." I murmured, sighing as his hand ran through my hair.

"That's no problem, little kitten. You deserve to be treated like the little princess should are." He murmured.

"I don't think you understand how appreciative of this I am..... It's been so long since I've actually been taken out and it feels great to be thought of and cared for."

He was silent for a minute and I looked up at him to see him gazing at me. There was a look in his eyes that I couldn't decipher properly, but I looked away, opting to close my eyes instead.

We laid there in a comfortable silence, before it was time to go.

"Time for me to take you back home, baby." I pouted, but sighed and nodded my head.

"Yes, I know. It's late." I looked at the time on my phone and saw that it was 1 AM.

"I don't want to work tomorrow." I whined up at him and he chuckled.

"I know you don't want to, but we have to, baby. There's a lot to do concerning the distribution sector of the company, plus we have to look at the locations that Kimberly sent to us."

"I know." I sighed.

I sat up, getting off the ground. I helped him put away everything in the basket, before folding the blanket. He placed them in the trunk that was located at the front of the vehicle, before moving past me to open the passenger door.

I slid in, resisting the urge to kiss his soft, full lips as he leaned over me to buckle me in again.

The drive back was comfortable with the coversation kept light. I managed not to drift off while he was driving, but by the time we pulled up in front of my building, I was extremely tired.

"Let me walk you in." He said and I nodded.

"Thank you for tonight." I murmured, gazing up into his eyes.

"It was my pleasure, little kitten. I'm glad I made you feel better."

I wrapped my arms around him, taking in some of warmth before letting go.

"Goodnight. Sweet dreams." He whispered in my ear, making me blush.

"Goodnight." I whispered back, before turning around and stepping into the elevator.