Chapter Four: Getting Ready

Victor woke up all sweaty and hard as diamond. He had been dreaming about Viper. In his dreams, he took her in every possible and impossible position, making her come and scream his name. Stepping out of his bed, Victor was thinking about two possible solutions of his 'large' or rather 'huge' problem-to get a cold shower or jerk himself off. He rarely did the latter, or the first for that matter. It rarely helped him and he just got cold as he was hunting naked some tigers in the fuckin' Siberia. So, he settled for jerking himself off. Thoughts of Viper's stark naked body when he saw her when she exited her bathroom mixed with bits of his own dream brought Victor to one helluva orgasm. After that, he took nice hot shower and got dressed, heading toward the tailor's store.

Viper woke up from the beeping of her annoyin' alarm, reminding her that she had to go to work. She noted the date on her desk calendar and saw that she had a ball to go next Friday. She counted on her fingers and calculated that she had four days to get ready and she hadn't chosen the dress, the shoes, the bag or the make-up and hairstyle. Viper wasn't the biggest fan of those celebrations but as Chief of Staff, she had the responsibility to show up on the damned circus and on top of all, to make a speech. Couldn't anyone else to do that? She rose gracefully to her feet and put her usual red head wig and work outfit. The day was boring as always, the same things, beeping from the countless computers and such a shit. Luckily, their boss gave them halftime today and tomorrow and two days spare to get ready for the party.

Viper came home literally bouncing from happiness. Her friends, Kerrie and Michelle said that they would take her to shopping spree because she really needed to take a break from her non-stop working regime. Viper agreed and hoped that the spree would tear her thoughts from that hot devil, Victor.

The whole walk to tailor's store was full of thinking and thinking again. Victor was figuring way how to get close to Viper. He didn't want her hurted because she was HIS. She didn't know it but she was. She was his since the first time he saw her, the first time smelled her lemony scent tangled with pure femininity and fire. He made it to the tailor' store. The short, bald man took Victor's measures and he explained that he wanted his suit to be black, every piece of it and that it had to be done in the next three days. The man started to protest, but discreetly, Victor placed one hand on the desk in front of him and extended his claws. The man swallowed hard and nodded his head nervously. Victor smiled, both fangs shining in the day light. After he exited the store, Victor decided that he needed nice pair of shoes. He made small trip around some high-priced stores and after he found what he needed, he headed toward the same café where he met Viper.

Viper was giddy as she was going on date with the football's team captain as her friends arrived. They spent good few hours in the mall and finally, they decided that the black, floor length, gathered collar evening jersey knit dress with buttons closure in fishtail style that hugged her curves tightly and the black zip-sandals with matching jet-black purse and elbow length satin black gloves was the winning combination. Viper was very happy with what they chose, it was really good looking, sexy and it felt so nice on her skin.

'Now, we must find some nice underwear that goes with this.'-Kerrie said with smirk tugging her full lips, her green eyes glinting with mischief as she nudged her friend in the ribs.

'Ouch! Kerrie, that hurts!'-Viper said with smile as they were walking from store to store.

'Girl, tell me, on how long are you planning on staying virgin? If you're not interested in Dave from work, at least let me to make a move.'-Kerrie said. Viper smiled at the raven haired Brazilian beauty that was her friend.

'Well, it's not like I said 'Kerrie, stay away from Dave.' And I don't like him like a lover, just a friend.'-Viper said.

'Vip is right Kerrie. It was YOU that was always saying that Dave is for her and you stayed away. Now you have full permission to get closer to him.'-the dark eyed redhead on Viper's left said.

'OK, 'Chelle, OK. No need to bite my head off, you two.'-Kerrie said with her hands in the air in sign of surrender.

They spent two more hours in the mall, choosing floor length evening dress in wine red for Michelle and brown knee length dress with green stripe that went along the left side for Kerrie. The Brazilian former mannequin said that the brown was the natural color of her hair and the green of her eyes and plus, they were earthy colors, matching with her star sign, Taurus. The trio laughed and they exited the mall, heading toward their favorite café, which 'happened' to be Victor's too.

Victor was sitting at the counter, drinking on his fourth beer when the trio entered the café. Instantly, he saw Viper. She was wearing the same waist length red wig again. Her fake hair flew around as she turned to close the door after her friends. Victor found himself imaging how it would be to run his fingers through those fire red strands.

'I bet that she would be as hot as her hair looks.'-Victor thought nastily. Viper spotted him and gave him one dazzling smile. Victor smiled back, fangs showing a bit.

Viper got that rush to touch them again but this time, she wanted to lick them, to taste them, to taste HIM. Her belly turned into fire mass as she tried to hide the blush that stained her cheeks with a smile. She realized that she was lookin' with more interest in Victor than she should when Kerrie tugged at her arm.

'Oh, you like him.'-she whispered.

'Shut up.'-Viper answered shortly.

'Then why did you smiled like that to him? I'm sure that he means more to you than you show.'-Kerrie continued.

'Oh, you are crazy. I don't even know him Kerr, I met him two nights ago when I came to take a beer after I exercised.'-Viper tried to defend herself.

'Maybe it is just two days, but I see that you like him. I like him too. I mean, take a look at him. Tall, dark, handsome, broad and dangerous. The guy smells of pure alpha male mixed with danger on miles away.'-Kerrie continued.

'I agree with Kerr. He is handsome and dangerous but I know that you like them like that. Come on Vip, admit, you want danger too much and this guy is embodiment of it. Danger mixed with pure, raw animalistic sexuality.'-the petite Australian said.

'You're both right. He looks dangerous, we are clear with that. And he IS handsome. I like him more than I should.'-Viper finally admitted, light blush coloring her cheeks.

'Good that he can't hear us.'-Michelle whispered.

Victor smirked smugly as the girls laid their confessions on table. He was flattered about the comments that he was pure, raw animalistic sexuality and embodiment of danger but he felt the best when Viper admitted that she liked him more than she should.

The trio exited the bar with Viper smiling to Victor. He returned the smile and slid out of his seat. He was walking close to the girls but not close enough to notice him. He was aware of Viper's assassin abilities and awareness so he kept distance. The girls separated, Kerrie and Michelle leaving together to the apartment they were sharing, leaving Viper alone. The night was fallen and the street lights weren't exactly the best in that part of the city. Viper slowed down her pace and was walkin' slowly, aware of every movement. Her ears caught distant sound of heavy feet moving on the concrete pavement. She sat on the bench on the right side of the street and rested. Soon, tall, dark figure entered her sight. She jumped, taking defensive stance.

'Hey, it's just me. Hope you're not gonna attack me?'-Victor said with smile. He smiled a lot whenever he saw Viper or thought about her.

'Hey.'-she greeted back, standing straight and extending her hand toward Victor's. He took it gladly and brought her small hand to his lips and brushed them gently along the soft skin on her hand. Viper blushed at the gesture, his warm breath sending shivers down her body and let her hand fell beside her.

'I though it was someone else, some bagger or bully so I tried to look scary.'-Viper said with small smile. Victor smirked and placed his hands in his coat's pockets.

'Ya need help with those?'-Victor asked, pointing with his chin toward her shopping bags.

'Um…if that's not problem.'-she answered shyly.

'Problem? No problem darlin'.'-Victor nearly purred. Viper blushed once more and moved aside so she let Victor grab the bags. He took them and asked her for directions. She gave them clearly to detail and moved to his side. They walked slowly under the silver moon, talking about everything and nothing (in particular).

'So, I noticed that you don't have the usual southern accent. Aren't you from here?'-Victor asked conversationally.

'Well, no. I'm natively from Belorussia. My father was Byelorussian general and my mother was from Ukraine. She was in the army, as he was. They're both dead. They died in some fuckin' action against some fuckin' terrorists. I'm Eastern European, born there, raised there. My accent is harshly northern, not even hints from southern laziness and I love it that way. What about you? Where are you from?'-Viper asked.

'I'm Canadian. Born in the Northwestern territories.'-Victor replied.

'Oh. So fellow northerner.'-she replied with small smile.

After few minutes of silence, Viper broke it.

'So, are you new in New Orleans or you here just for a travel?'

'Well, I quite like it here. People are nice, food is great, I like the place but I don't think that I'm gonna stick around for a long time.'-Victor half lied, half told the truth.

'Oh. That's sad.'-Viper said, sadness evident in her voice.

Victor gave himself pat on the back and one point for him for making her sad. He knew that he had her since the café and now this just confirmed it.

'Yea. Not every day you find this nice girl to chat and hang out with after few minutes in a café.'-Victor said with smirk. Viper's heart skipped a beat at his words, heat rising in her face.

'Sometimes, you figure that some person is good for you just from one single look. I believe that some call it love on first sight or soul mates. I don't really believe it but sometimes, I feel the connection to someone just from a glance.'-she said, her cheeks burning red.

Victor: two, Viper: zero. Victor patted himself on the back once more for the silent confession he dragged out from her.

He smiled and somehow, that eased Viper. The burning in her cheeks subsided and she was able to act normal around him. As normal as was possible when pure perfection was walking beside her.

They walked beside the pond in the park and Victor decided to take a break. Not that he was tired, he just needed some time with his mate.

'Let's take a break.'-he said, looking toward the bench.

'Good idea.'-Viper said with a smile.

They sat on the bench and talked for a while. Victor noticed that Viper wasn't actually dressed too much and it was cold for her. He didn't think that an arm around her shoulders seemed appropriate after half an hour conversation. Maybe she trusted him, but he needed her to trust him more to do what he wanted to do. Viper scooted toward Victor, her leg brushing his. Victor slid his trench coat and the denim jacket he wore and wrapped it around Viper, his arm around her shoulders dragging her closer. She snuggled against his side, fitting perfectly like two puzzle pieces. She inhaled his scent, dark, musky and pure male. He did the same. The same lemony scent mixed with hints of mint. Finally, Victor felt that his control was about to snap from having her so close and wasn't being able to touch her, not yet, so he held his hand out for Viper and they walked to her house.

'That was nice from you Victor. What you did for me…you know, the bags, the jacket…thank you very much. I would invite you in but I would be late for work tomorrow, so maybe the next time.'-Viper said with a smile and hugged him tightly with small kiss on the cheek.

'It's pretty late. I have work to do too. See ya.'-Victor said as returned the hug and the kiss and walked to his hotel.