{"id":2949,"date":"2022-06-12T12:35:14","date_gmt":"2022-06-12T12:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/?p=2949"},"modified":"2023-11-22T14:35:18","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T14:35:18","slug":"vestal-victorias-kinship-chapter-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/?p=2949","title":{"rendered":"Vestal Victoria&#8217;s Kinship &#8211; Chapter 5"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"203\" src=\"http:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Vestal-Victorias-Kinship-Banner-1024x203.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2927\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Vestal-Victorias-Kinship-Banner-1024x203.png 1024w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Vestal-Victorias-Kinship-Banner-300x59.png 300w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Vestal-Victorias-Kinship-Banner-768x152.png 768w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Vestal-Victorias-Kinship-Banner-1536x304.png 1536w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Vestal-Victorias-Kinship-Banner.png 1918w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Chapter 5<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"959\" height=\"148\" src=\"http:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Line.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Line.jpg 959w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Line-300x46.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Line-768x119.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 959px) 100vw, 959px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I.. I shouldn&#8217;t h..have been r..unning around.&#8221; She stared down at her lap as if uncertain where to look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Vicky\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Hmm?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Look at me, Baby.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apprehensively, she lifted her head and her breath was almost taken away looking into his brilliant sparkly grey eyes for the first time. They had such a sparkle that she could have sworn they were metallic. &#8220;This is your house. You must never feel uncomfortable. We should have closed the door, Baby.&#8221; His lips moved but she didn&#8217;t hear much of what he said. Instead, her eyes wandered around the kitchen feeling other eyes on her. Her lips quirked into a half smile when she saw the dog&#8217;s large doe eyes watching her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;You should smile more often, little one.&#8221; Her eyes quickly flicked to Kraven, who was stood with his back to the sink, his azure crystal blue eyes on her. &#8220;You look beautiful.&#8221; His voice held a tenderness that it hadn&#8217;t before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A full blown smile took over her, but she swiftly bit her lip trying to hide it and moved her eyes to avoid his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; Theo said in agreement, standing up and stepping beside his friend. &#8220;Not that you aren&#8217;t hot as hell all the time.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her eyes widened at his words and her face turned a burning red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She, again, looked at her lap as if it were the most interesting thing in the world. She tried the think of something to say, but no words came to mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another squeak left her lips and she held her head embarrassed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They watch the petite blonde hide her face and heavy breath. Kraven frowned and elbowed Theo in the side. &#8220;Look what you&#8217;ve done,&#8221; He whispered harshly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The shorter man frowned and walked over to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Vicky\u2026&#8221; She moved her hands and glanced at him nervously chewing her bottom lip. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t mean to embarrass you.&#8221; He paused, his eyes glued to the way she nibbled her lip. It was doing things for him but he wouldn&#8217;t tell her, not after her earlier reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;And\u2026&#8221; He leaned down in front of her and reached out, placing a single finger on her bottom lip. The tip of it accidentally slide into her mouth and she froze, wide-eyed, her eyes glued to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kraven groaned and he knew that this was having the same effect on his friend as it was him. &#8220;This pretty pout\u2026&#8221; He hooked his finger around her lip, not minding it in her wet mouth. &#8220;Does not belong between your teeth.&#8221; He easily pulled the lip free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; He stood up licking his finger absentmindedly, turned and glanced down to make sure his lust wasn&#8217;t too obvious. &#8220;Let me help you bring your stuff inside.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seeing she wasn&#8217;t following, he walked back and took her hand in his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Come on, Baby.&#8221; He went to walk but paused. &#8220;Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, Kray.&#8221; His friend looked at him expectantly. &#8220;Vicky said I am the husband and you are the wife.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Theo!&#8221; Her eyes widen. &#8220;Y..you weren&#8217;t m..meant to tell him that,&#8221; She whispered but Kraven heard her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;That was obviously before she saw you riding me like a little slut,&#8221; He replied with a smug smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Kray!&#8221; Theo said in a disapproving tone. &#8220;Look what you have done,&#8221; He indicated to a red-faced Victoria, who had inched her way behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I..I\u2026I..&#8221; A deep breath and she continued. &#8220;I w..will call Mr Reeves,&#8221; She said looking at the ground and slipping her hand from his before reaching for his jacket and into her pocket, pulling out her phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;No.&#8221; Kraven plucked it out of her hand. &#8220;You are staying here.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He frowned and placed the phone on the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Have you forgotten what we told you already?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She shook her head. &#8220;Good.&#8221; He kissed her forehead on instinct causing her to blush. &#8220;Go, get your luggage. I have aired your room out and the bedding is clean. So go ahead.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She looked unsurely. &#8220;B.. B.. But-&#8220;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;No buts or arguments,&#8221; Kraven told her in a firm tone. &#8220;We are family. You have to stay with us and do as we say.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her brows furrowed. &#8220;Th.. That&#8217;s not a r\u2026 Real rule?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Are you sure about that? You don&#8217;t sound certain, little one?&#8221; He teased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Come on, baby, he&#8217;s bossy but right. You have to stay here.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, they weren&#8217;t real rules. But what she didn&#8217;t know wouldn&#8217;t hurt her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She opened and closed her mouth before huffing and nodding to the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s a cute little fish, isn&#8217;t she, Ozzie?&#8221; Kraven asked the dog as he watched the pair leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not a f.. Fish!&#8221; He laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;No, you&#8217;re not.&#8221; Unable to stop himself he watched her backside before she disappeared from his sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Lord, why do you tempt me so?!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Are these everything?&#8221; Theo asked seeing only one case and a sports bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t need much.&#8221; She leaned into the back of her truck and pulled out a laptop case and an urn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Is that\u2026?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Mama,&#8221; She whispered looking at the object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sadness filled his chest at the expression on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She looked ready to cry and was holding the object to her chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s pretty,&#8221; He said trying to lighten the atmosphere. She looked up to see he indicate to the urn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A giggle bubbled from her throat and he smiled, thanking God it worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Pass me your laptop bag.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She shook her head. &#8220;Your hands are full,&#8221; She said locking the car back up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Vicky,&#8221; He said in a warning tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Theo,&#8221; She said in the same tone, grinning at him backing towards the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Ah. Is that the game?&#8221; He said with a raised brow and a small smirk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She giggled and retreated back into the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;First on the right,&#8221; He heard Kraven call to her still stood in the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to get you, baby,&#8221; He called following her giggling which has disappeared up the stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His friend stuck his head out the kitchen door and looked at him with a raised brow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m on the hunt for a naughty little girl,&#8221; Theo said with a grin and disappearing up the stairs on her trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Where are you, baby?&#8221; He called at the top of the stairs already knowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But loved the sound of her laughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oh, cue a giggle floated from the room he knew was hers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8216;Kraven must have told her,&#8217; He guessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Entering the room, he placed her cases on the floor and walked around the large bed to find her sat on the floor hiding, her hands now empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Thought you could hide, hey, baby?&#8221; He asked with his hands on his side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m a good girl,&#8221; She defended with large eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He couldn&#8217;t help but chuckle. &#8220;You are cute, but are not good.&#8221; He knelt down in front of her. &#8220;I told you to give me the bag and you ran off. And earlier you paid for the shopping when I told you I was paying.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She stared at him with those huge eyes and failing to hide a grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;You have to be punished.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A flash of fear showed in her eyes but quickly disappeared as his hands found her sides and relentlessly began to tickle her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Theo,&#8221; She said breathlessly between laughs. &#8220;Please\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Hmm, I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; He said grinning and straddling her legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Are you going to be a good girl and do what I say in the future?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Walking into the bedroom with Ozzie, Kraven was surprised to find Victoria laid on the floor, Theo straddling her legs and her laughing uncontrollably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what happened next shocked him even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Grrr.&#8221; Theo froze staring at the dog wide-eyed and Victoria stopped laughing looking a little scared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Ozzie!&#8221; Kraven scolded, grabbing the dog by the collar and dragging him from the room, closing the door behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t be scared, baby. He was growling at me, not you,&#8221; Theo comforted her stroking her cheek, still straddling her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;W\u2026why?&#8221; She stuttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;He probably thought he was hurting you,&#8221; Kraven told her. &#8220;He seems to have taken to you.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Now\u2026&#8221; A smirk reappeared on his friend&#8217;s face. &#8220;Where was I?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;No, I.. I&#8217;ll b.. Be a good girl,&#8221; She tried to say quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Hmm\u2026 Are you sure?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She nodded her head eagerly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Okay, baby.&#8221; He lifted his weight to his knees and reached down, pulled her up with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Am\u2026 Am I alright t.. To go for a nap?&#8221; She whispers asked Theo but Kraven heard her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;You tired, baby?&#8221; Theo stroked the side of her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She nodded not wanting to go into detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;You go to sleep, little one,&#8221; Kraven said walking over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll be up for hours yet. But if for some reason you need us and we are asleep, our room is the one next door. Don&#8217;t be afraid to knock. You are always welcome,&#8221; He said honestly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;You are lucky enough to have one of the rooms with an ensuite, so if you want a bath or shower the door is just there,&#8221; He pointed to a wooden door beside a pair of double doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It is yours alone, so we won&#8217;t walk in on you,&#8221; He reassured her, wanting her to be comfortable. &#8220;The linen cupboard is on the landing opposite this room if you need any towels or sheets ever. The double doors are to your Closet. There are hangers inside and a chest of draws too, near the bed if you need them. So put your stuff away later or tomorrow. And when you&#8217;re awake next time we&#8217;ll show you the rest of the house properly.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Th\u2026 Thank y\u2026you both.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both men smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Sleep well, baby.&#8221; Theo pressed a kiss to her cheek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Call us if you need anything, anything at all, little one.&#8221; Kraven pressed a kiss to her other cheek and then just like that they left the room and her to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Thank goodness she didn&#8217;t notice my erection,&#8221; Theo said sat on the couch downstairs with his friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Yeah, I saw that. She seems pretty innocent. She turns bright red every time we hug or kiss her.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I think she&#8217;s shy. She can&#8217;t be a virgin at twenty-five, right?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His friend shrugged, &#8220;Miss Wakerley is.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Miss Wakerley is 50-something and scary looking,&#8221; Theo laughed. &#8220;You can&#8217;t even compare the two. Vicky is stunning. Short, but beautiful.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kraven nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I agree, though-&#8220;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A knock at the front door stopped them before he could complete his sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kraven grumbled and complained walking to the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Who the hell would come out with a storm due?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opening the door his question was answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Hello, Kraven, Theo,&#8221; Devon, the oldest son of Brody Hogan. The Hogan family was their decreased employer&#8217;s enemy for some reason Theo and Kraven were unsure of. All they knew is it started with Brody&#8217;s parents &#8211; Lord and Lady Hogan titles the couple had bought. But the rest of the family were happy to keep it up despite everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;What do you want?!&#8221; Kraven asked coldly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Always to the point, Kraven. I like that about you.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Yeah, yeah. What do you want?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I just came to offer my help with the horses, a storm is on its way, you know?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;No, you didn&#8217;t and the horses are prepared.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Alright. So I may have heard rumours of you harbouring a young girl and then I noticed the new truck outside\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;So?&#8221; Theo stood beside his partner with the same emotionless expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t aware you have a family?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The Willingham&#8217;s family is our family.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They didn&#8217;t want to give information to the man who was obviously digging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Joyce is here?&#8221; The thirty-year-old man asked surprised, maybe even a little hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;How do you know her?&#8221; Theo asked remembering Victoria&#8217;s mother&#8217;s name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;No, she is dead,&#8221; Kraven answered coolly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;What\u2026?&#8221; Devon asked in obvious shock. He looked a little dazed, maybe even sad. This took them back a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;She can&#8217;t be.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;She died last year. Did you know her?&#8221; Theo asked curiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Yes. But I hadn&#8217;t seen her since I was very young,&#8221; He replied in a daze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Hmm. Thank you for telling me.&#8221; And with that he left, leaving the equally stunned and confused pair behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;He looked like he was going to cry,&#8221; Theo stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Yes\u2026&#8221; Kraven said closing the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll ask Vicky later how she knows him.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Theo nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;But right now, we have to double check everything is done and draw and lock the shutters over the windows. We might not get another chance.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div><p id=\"pvc_stats_2949\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"2949\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p><div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 5 &#8220;I.. I shouldn&#8217;t h..have been r..unning around.&#8221; She stared down at her lap as if uncertain where to look. &#8220;Vicky\u2026&#8221; &#8220;Hmm?&#8221; &#8220;Look at me, Baby.&#8221; Apprehensively, she lifted her head and her breath was almost taken away looking into his brilliant sparkly grey eyes for the first time. 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