Page 17 (1/2)
She nodded and he lifted a hand to press a kiss against her palm
Raw need rose up and choked Carina She stuffed her mouth full of pasta instead and hoped it would feed at least her physical hunger Victoria tapped her fork thoughtfully against her Botoxed lips "I can’t wait to have children," she announced "I’ree, Max?"
A flush crept to his cheeks as everyone stared Carina held her breath "Sure" She see forward to settling down in the future"
Victoria cocked her head "Future? What does that mean? How far into the future? You know Daddy needs ie put down their utensils Even Nick and Michael leaned forward to catch his answer
Max cleared his throat and reached for his wine He took a sip but the silence still pulsed around the table Like a trapped wolf, his gaze scurried in panic around the table, then locked with hers
Pure heat blazed fro The truth hit her full force He wanted Victoria to be The One But she wasn’t He also had no clue she was in love with another man Perhaps he sensed her obvious distance and decided she’d be another safe bet
Slowly, Carina relaxed and began to enjoy the show "Max adores children," she said "Hishiuys live?"
A strange sound emitted from his throat then died
Victoria juland for a few months of the year, but the rest of the time we can be in New York Of course, we’d visit Italy so I could ?"
"Yes, of course One day"
"When?"
Carina taed-rabbed a napkin, wiped his mouth, and rose froht back"
He launched himself down the hall and disappeared Victoria drew back in surprise
Carina rose froht back"
She followed
• • •
Max closed the door to the house’s library What rong with hiainst his eyes Victoria was the perfect woman She was beautiful, smart, and wanted to settle down and raise a family He always enjoyed her co was important Her words one wild
You always pick the wrong woreat exa So as there no real connection or any desire to take the relationship to next level?
The i into wet fire shimmered before him The sharp pain of her heels in his back The sweet, sassy taste of her e stahs had been the sweetest fantasy come true If they hadn’t been interrupted, he would’ve laid her back on the desk and dived in
Jesus, one tiiven Barely Twice?
He needed his own carved slot in hell
A light tap at the door was his only warning
His nose twitched as the clean scent of cucumber and melon rose in the air Awareness prickled down his spine The relaxed, scholarly air of the library suddenly crackled with electricity The soft soles of her Keds ht behind hi up his head
Da hi," he said "Just needed a minute"
She moved closer He stepped back A touch of a se or the kids that freaked you out?"
He bucked up and took her jab like a man "I don’t know"
Max expected a sarcastic comment but she nodded as if she understood "I understand"
He crossed his ar to tear her apart?"
She had the nerve to look surprised "Why? If you like her, I’ot over her food li other woainst hi? "You won’t be able to find anything wrong with her I already checked--she loves animals"
"Great"
"She believes in charity Can run a business Has a solid fa you, she’s perfect"
Her lips actually twitched "I’ you co forward to some fun Hot sex now Babies later"
He stretched to full attention Her pouty lips poured the words out like honey Hot Sex Anger balled in his gut and curdled "Stop saying crap like that"
"Why? Can’t make you any o"