Chapter 32: Chapter Thirty Two.

The sound of the door closing behind him broke the heavy silence, and Xena let out a shaky breath. She sank onto the edge of the bed, her hands trembling slightly.

Her mind replayed what had just happened, and a wave of embarrassment washed over her. She buried her face in her hands, her cheeks burning red. *Did my thighs really—* She couldn’t even finish the thought without cringing.

The memory of how his body felt against hers was seared into her mind, no matter how hard she tried to push it away. She shook her head, trying to snap herself out of it.

“*This is insane*.” she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

“I need to get out of here. I can’t… I can’t do this.”

But deep down, she knew Viktor wasn’t the type of man to let anything—or anyone—escape him so easily.

♧♧♧

The bathroom door creaked open, and Xena’s eyes flicked toward it. Viktor stepped out, a towel slung low around his hips, water droplets clinging to his chiseled chest. For a moment, her gaze lingered on him before she quickly turned away, heat creeping up her neck. She could feel his smirk even without looking at him.

“See something you like?” Viktor teased, chuckling softly as he disappeared into the closet.

Xena ignored him, staring at the far wall as her mind raced. When he returned, he was wearing only a pair of gray sweatpants that hung low on his hips, his damp hair tousled.

He strode toward the bed with the easy confidence of someone who knew he commanded attention. Sliding onto the mattress, he stretched out and propped himself up on one arm, his piercing gaze locked on Xena.

“Aren’t you coming to bed?” he asked, his voice smooth yet tinged with amusement.

Xena turned to him, her eyes darting from his smirk to the empty space on the bed. “I-I don’t want to sleep on the same bed… or even in the same room as you,” she stammered, crossing her arms defensively.

Viktor tilted his head, feigning surprise. “There are no other rooms.” he said matter-of-factly, though the teasing glint in his eyes betrayed him.

She stared at him as though he’d grown another head. “You’re telling me that in this massive mansion, there’s not a single spare room?”

He nodded slowly, enjoying her disbelief. “It’s either the bed, the floor, or the maids’ lounge. But you’re not leaving this room.” he said firmly, leaning back against the headboard. “So, the floor, then?”

Xena’s brows furrowed as she glanced around the room. The luxurious sofas didn’t look remotely comfortable for sleeping, and the polished marble floor practically radiated cold.

“Remember.” Viktor added with a smirk, “you’re in Russia. The cold isn’t friendly here.”

With a sigh of defeat, Xena trudged to the other side of the bed. Viktor’s smirk grew triumphant, but it quickly faded when she grabbed the spare pillow and blanket from her side.

“I’ll take the floor.” she declared, her tone icy as she began arranging the blanket.

Viktor’s jaw tightened. He was off the bed in an instant, his large hand gripping her wrist.

“Stop being so fucking stubborn, Xena.” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Get in the bed, or someone’s life will be at risk.”

Her eyes widened, her breath catching at the veiled threat. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

She yanked her hand free and walked back to the bed.

Without a word, she laid down on her side of the mattress, her back turned to him. She positioned herself as far away from him as possible, curling up on the edge and gripping the blanket like a lifeline.

Viktor watched her, his fists clenching at his sides.

He hated the distance she was creating between them, hated how she was shutting him out. She was here, yet she felt so impossibly far away.

Frustration gnawed at him. Growling low in his throat, he moved closer, his arm snaking around her waist before she could react. Xena stiffened in shock as he pulled her against him, her back pressing into his solid chest.

“What are you doing?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Viktor’s hold on her tightened, but it wasn’t suffocating. “I’ve spent my nights alone for far too long.” he murmured, his voice softer now. “I don’t want that anymore. Please, little fire, just let me hold you.”

Xena’s body remained rigid, but she didn’t fight him. She stayed perfectly still as his warmth enveloped her, his steady breathing brushing against the back of her neck.

“My little fire.” he murmured again, his voice heavy with exhaustion. Within moments, his grip on her loosened slightly as sleep began to claim him.

Xena stared into the darkness, her thoughts spiraling. *Is this my life now?* she wondered as her eyes watered. She didn’t want this—didn’t want any of it. Regret clawed at her chest as she thought about everything that had led her here.

*Why did I ever go to New York? Why did I think I could stand up to someone like him?* But deep down, she knew she had done it to protect Elena. She would have done it again if it meant saving her friend, even if it had landed her in this nightmare.

Her mind was a whirlwind of fear, regret, and uncertainty. But exhaustion eventually overtook her, and her eyes fluttered closed.

Viktor held her close, his breathing deep and even as he drifted into a peaceful sleep. But for Xena, the weight of her new reality loomed heavy in her dreams.