Viktor’s mood remained grim as he drank his second beer of the evening. He took an empty seat by the bar. A few bold women had already asked him if he wanted to buy them a drink. One glare from him sent them running. Viktor could lose himself in a woman tonight, but none of the women at the bar interested him.

A curvy blonde and her friend took the remaining seats on the bar. Viktor studied them with interest. The blonde’s face looked pinched, as if she was trying too hard to look cheerful but was failing spectacularly.

Viktor took a sip of his beer. Maybe she’d had a shitty day, just like him. He definitely liked how her dress fit her sexy body like a second skin. Viktor didn’t miss the fact her dress matched the color of her eyes. Sky blue.

He couldn’t keep his gaze off her face. Her plump lips. He wondered what she’d taste like as he speared his fingers through her blonde curls. How would she react if he cornered her against the wall and trapped her? Would she struggle like a prey animal or would she fight him off, only to realize she preferred to submit?

God. It had been ages since a woman intrigued him. Viktor met her gaze. She couldn’t hold it. She ducked her head and pretended to be interested in whatever her friend was telling her. Viktor was so used to women throwing themselves at him. He didn’t even need to lift a single finger.

This woman seemed shy—which only fueled his hunger for the hunt. He bet all that shyness was just a mask. Underneath, who knew? She might be a wildcat in bed. Someone who hungered for a man like him to take control and bend her to his whims.

By the time he left her in the morning, she’d be craving him. Too bad he didn’t do commitments. Women were distractions men like Viktor couldn’t afford. She’d make for a wonderful memory though.

A man in his late thirties stopped in front of the blonde’s friend and flashed her a smile. That annoyed Viktor. No one would get between him and his prize. Viktor stood from his seat and made his way to his potential conquest.

****

“Why don’t you let me buy you a drink, beautiful?” the handsome dark-haired guy in the tailored suit asked.

He looked at Ava, then focused on Gina. What a dick. It was like he couldn’t decide if he wanted Ava or Gina. Gina and she traded knowing looks.

“Sorry, pal. You’re barking up the wrong tree,” Gina said. She put her arm around Ava’s shoulders. “Me and my girlfriend here want some time alone.”

Ava prevented a giggle. This wasn’t the first time Gina and she pretended to be a couple to fend off assholes who didn’t know how to take a hint. The guy looked surprised. Ava thought they’d finally get rid of him, but he flashed them both a creepy smile.

“Then why don’t you and your girlfriend come over to my place? We can have some fun.” The guy winked at them suggestively, as if that would persuade them to consider his ridiculous proposition.

“No thanks,” Ava said firmly.

She’d had it with this asshole. He was ruining her night. Ava wanted to have some fun. To drink and dance. She didn’t want to think about losing her job and eventually losing everything else—like her apartment, tonight. “There are plenty of fish in the pool. Why don’t you try using those cheesy lines on someone else?”

The guy’s face turned red as a tomato. He balled his hands into fists. “Who the hell do you fat bitches think you are?”

Ava froze and desperately looked for the bartender. They knew Eric, the bartender and owner of the Rum and Monkey. Eric was ex-military, and they could rely on him to throw out jerks like this one. Too bad Eric was busy making drinks. Shit.

“The ladies said they weren’t interested,” said a deep, unfamiliar voice.

Ava blinked. It was the huge, quiet, and dark-haired Russian sitting in the corner. Ava thought he was Russian because she heard him talking to another guy. She’d taken a beginner class in Russian but eventually dropped the course.

Gina said the guy had been checking her out all evening, but she didn’t quite believe her. Gina kept pushing her to go up to him, but her shyness got in the way. Ava never approached guys. She was terrified she’d say the wrong thing. Besides, he intimidated her a little. Standing a few feet from her, Gina, and the annoying prick, the new stranger towered over everyone else.

Ava would’ve called him a bruiser, except he looked like a cross between an escaped convict and a billionaire. He had miles and miles of muscle. Black ink peeked from his neck and hands. The suit he wore looked tailored to fit his ridiculously massive frame.

“Hey buddy, I got here—” The prick harassing them took one look at the stranger and paled.

“Leave now,” the stranger said. His black eyes bore into the prick’s.

“Okay, I don’t want a fight.” The guy finally slunk away.

“Thanks for that,” Ava said. “We weren’t sure how to get rid of him.”

“My pleasure.” The guy’s deep and sexy voice sent shivers down her spine. “You look rattled. Maybe a drink would calm you down?”

This guy was definitely looking at her and her alone. It was like Ava was the only thing he could see, like the rest of the people in the bar didn’t matter.

She was about to refuse him, to tell him she wasn’t interested, but Gina cut her off.

“Ava would like a drink. You also haven’t introduced yourself,” Gina said.

“Viktor,” he said, emphasizing the hard k.

Viktor offered his hand to Ava. She hesitated, then shook it. Every inch of Viktor screamed danger. Her mother always told Ava to avoid bad boys when she was growing up. She’d always dated boring vanilla guys. Viktor wasn’t her type at all, but something about Viktor drew her to him.

“Nice to meet you, Viktor,” she said.

“Ava, I forgot I had an emergency at home.” Gina winked at her.

Ava shot her a wide-eyed stare. Gina gave her a thumbs-up sign before leaving her alone with Viktor.

“More beer?” he asked, taking the stool Gina had occupied.

“Sure.” Ava nervously twiddled her thumbs as Viktor ordered her and himself more beers. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t come here to meet anyone. I just wanted to go somewhere where I can forget my problems for a little.”

Viktor seemed so big and intimidating, and yet she couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if he kissed her. Took her home. She bet a man like Viktor wouldn’t, couldn’t be gentle. Would he be able to give her the kind of sex she secretly craved?