“I’m still trying to process this,” she said. “I can’t even comprehend the amount of money you make. It’s absolutely insane.”
“Maybe now you will let me help you out financially?”
“No, Viktor. I want your help even less now than I did before.”
He was puzzled. “Why do you say that?”
“I’m not interested in you for your money. I don’t want your money. I want you.”
“You can have both, Amanda.”
She shook her head. “I don’t ever want you to think for a second that I’m with you for your money. After this trip, I don’t want a penny from you.”
“Amanda.” He huffed. “The money means nothing to me. Your well-being means everything. Let me help you.”
“I was fine before I met you, Viktor. I’m fine now. I don’t make a lot but I make enough.”
“You are immensely frustrating.”
She smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. “Humor me.”
He leaned forward and kissed her. “I’ll just have to find other ways to spoil you.”
“Sounds ominous,” she joked.
“Mmm.”
She sunk into his arms as they kissed again.
“You know you’re probably going to get sick,” she said when they paused to take a breath.
“I don’t care,” he declared and returned to kissing her. “You’ll have to stay and take care of me.”
She giggled softly. “I can’t afford to miss anymore work,” she goaded.
“Shut up,” he playfully demanded and kissed her again.
After another minute she pulled away. “I’m feeling lightheaded.”
“Sorry.” He helped her over to the sofa and sat her down. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Tea would be nice.”
“Okay.” He kissed the top of her head and headed to the kitchen.
She pulled the towel from her head and tousled her hair, regretting that she didn’t bring a comb with her. A few minutes later Viktor came back with 2 cups of tea.
“Would you be able to bring me my hairbrush? It’s in my bag.”
“Sure.” He relieved her of the towel and then went to retrieve her brush.
He grabbed a blanket and relaxed on the chaise while she brushed her hair and then asked her to join him when she was finished. She reclined in his arms as they decided what movie to watch. Viktor rented a thriller that neither of them had seen. It wasn’t great but it kept them entertained for a couple hours. When it was over, neither of them wanted to move.
“Can we just sleep like this?” she asked.
“Yep.”
“Really?” She sounded surprised. “You’re comfortable?”
“I love holding you in my arms.”
“I love being in your arms.”
“Plus you smell nice,” he added.
She laughed. “You wouldn’t have said that a few hours ago.”
“If you want to stay together, we could go to my room … or yours,” he offered.
“I don’t know about that.”
“Then we can stay here,” he said. He pulled his arms tighter around her and kissed her head.
“I love that you’re so affectionate,” she confided. “It’s reassuring.”
“Remind me of that a year from now when I’m distracted by life and begin to neglect you.”
“You’re going to neglect me?”
“Never intentionally.”
“Is that part of the messiness of a relationship?” she asked.
“It can be.”
“I think you’re a little more experienced with relationships,” she concluded. “I may need some coaching as we go.”
He chuckled. “I noticed that.”
She took a deep breath and he felt her body relax. He figured she would fall asleep soon if he was quiet so he stopped talking and just waited for her to drift off. He fell asleep shortly after her and they stayed like that until the morning sun woke them.
Amanda woke first and took a few seconds to get her bearings. She laid her head back down on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. A few minutes later he took a deep breath as he regained consciousness.
“How did you sleep?” he groggily asked as he rubbed his face with one hand.
“Like a baby.”
“That’s odd. I didn’t hear you screaming.”
She giggled. “You’re silly. How did you sleep?”
“Excellent.”
She scooted up the couch, closer to his face so she could kiss him. He tightened his arms around her as he kissed her back.
“I could get used to this,” he said as he gently brushed her hair from her face.
With a huge smile, her face radiated pure joy as she caressed his face and ran her fingers through his hair. He loved seeing her so happy. He placed his hand on the back of her head and gently pulled towards him and kissed her.
“Quit your job and stay here with me,” he said.
Her smile faded and without any words he had his answer.
“You know I can’t do that,” she replied.
“I know,” he agreed. “It was worth a shot.”
She shook her head with an amused look on her face. “What am I to do with you?”
“Oh, I could list a few things right now,” he joked.
She pinched his side causing him to quickly grab her wrist and pull it away.
“Behave,” she chided.
He grinned. “Make me.”
“Oh boy.” She rolled her eyes. His phone started ringing just then. “Saved!” she said with dramatic relief that made him laugh.
He pushed her off and sat up to take the call. She leaned on his back and rested her head on his shoulder as he answered.
“Yeah … Just now?” Viktor loudly exhaled and ran his hand down his face. “Who is it naming? … How much time do we have? … Yeah, okay. Call everyone in for 10:00 A.M. … Yep … See you then.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked when he hung up.
“We were just served with papers. We’re being sued,” he sighed again.
“Does that happen often?”
He shook his head. “No. Not for this anyway.”
“What are you being sued for?”
“Sexual harassment.”
She instinctively pulled away from him without realizing it.
He gave her a look like he was offended. “Not me personally.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by that.” She put her arms around his waist and hugged his back. “You have to go in?”
“Yeah. I have to meet with the lawyers to see how to handle this.”
“Is the accusation true?”
“I have no idea.
