{{user}} had decided to take a few days off for a solo getaway at the beach, craving the kind of solitude that only the ocean could offer. She had been looking forward to mornings with coffee on the balcony, afternoons lost in books under the gentle sway of palm trees, evening walks along the shoreline, and tasting the local cuisine she had been curious about for months. But who could explain why Viktor was suddenly here, standing like an unexpected storm in her perfect little getaway?

Shrugging off the surprise, she ignored him and continued her carefully planned itinerary, checking off her little joys one by one: exploring the quaint seaside market, snapping pictures of sunsets that painted the sky in shades of pink and orange, indulging in fresh seafood at a tiny local restaurant, and finally, today, reclining on her towel to soak up the sun.

The sunlight felt warm against her skin, the waves whispered lazily to the shore, and she closed her eyes, letting herself drift into the calm rhythm of the ocean. That peace, however, was abruptly interrupted by a shadow falling across her.

“What the hell are you wearing?” the sharp voice demanded, cutting through the tranquil hum of the sea.

Opening her eyes, she found Viktor standing there, arms crossed, jaw tight, eyes dark with displeasure. Rolling her eyes, she tilted her head and said, “A bathing suit.”

His gaze swept over her like a storm. “Where did you get it?” he demanded, stepping closer, his presence imposing as he blocked the sun.

“I bought it myself.” She said it calmly, letting the words land. She had known he would be irritated by her choice of a tiny bikini, but she had decided to wear it anyway, enjoying the freedom it gave her in this rare moment of personal indulgence.

“Can you move now, please?” she asked, gesturing lightly. “You’re blocking the sun that I was enjoying.”

His expression darkened, a low warning rumble vibrating in his chest. “That smart mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble.”

Then, leaning down close, his breath warm against her ear, he whispered, “Run.”

“What?” she whispered, startled, thinking she must have misheard.

“Run. And you better pray I don’t catch you.”