Chapter 28
Serenity
After twenty minutes, more and more people join us at our table, but I can’t tear my eyes off Victor as he sits with Summer on his lap. The surrounding chatter drowns out their voices, but I’ve never seen either of them smile so big before.
My heart squeezes. Summer deserves to have someone like Victor in her life—someone who doesn’t have to love her but does anyway—and I’m the one standing in her way.
Harmony leans over. “I can watch Summer tonight.”
I whip my head to look at her. Sully sits on her other side, engaged in conversation with Vicky, Elias’s tía. And on Vicky’s other side, Elias is speaking to Abigail. None of them pays us any attention.
“No need.”
She cocks an eyebrow. “Why don’t you go out tonight, just the two of you? You might find his company is more enjoyable than you think.”
My cheeks heat.
If only she knew how much I enjoy his company.
My gaze strays back to Victor. He leans down to listen to something Summer says, and he throws his head back and laughs. Summer looks up at him with stars in her eyes. I should go take her away from him—to protect her heart.
Or are you trying to protect your own? the annoying voice in my head asks.
I stand and walk over to Victor and Summer.
Summer looks up at me. “Mommy, Victor said we can go to the aquarium sometime. Can we?”
I almost blow out a sigh of relief. No extravagant promises from Victor. An aquarium is something we can actually do.
“Of course, baby.” I stretch out my arms and pick her up. “How do you feel about a slumber party with Auntie?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” She squirms to get out of my arms, and I place her on her feet. She scurries over to Harmony and climbs into her lap. “Mommy said I get to sleep at your house tonight.”
Harmony scruffs up Summer’s curls. “Absolutely. I love slumber parties with my number one girl.”
Victor is suddenly on his feet, and I can feel his presence behind me. He comes so close that his chest pushes against my back, and it takes everything in me to not fall into him. “What was that all about?”
“She’s giving us the night together.” I lean in and whisper, “So, don’t blow your chance.”
I glance up at him, and his eyes are so sincere I almost reach out to touch him. Almost.
He tugs me. “Come on. I have the perfect idea for us.”
***
After an outfit change for the both of us and a flight—and a protest from me about taking his private airplane—back to New York, we’re seated in his SUV. All of this seems like too much for a simple night out.
He insisted I wear one of my restricting dresses while he dons one of his tailored suits.
I had thought when we were getting “private” time that there would be a lot more kissing. But as I wrap my arms around his neck, Victor shakes his head.
“Not now.”
I rear back, removing my hands. I’ll always respect his boundaries, but I don’t understand—not when his slacks are tented with his hardened cock. “Why not?”
He cups my cheeks, and I have the sudden urge to pull away. This is too … intimate.
Victor leans in and gently kisses my mouth.
He moves his hands from my face to the nape of my neck.
As if I’m a starving woman, I deepen the kiss, and he doesn’t resist. Our tongues dance together in rhythm as I fight the growing heat between my legs.
I pull his button-down shirt out of his pants and slide my hands up his torso, my fingers finding every groove in his muscled abs.
He groans into my mouth and pulls away. His breathing is ragged as he looks into my eyes. “We’re here.”
I furrow my eyebrows and look out the window. We’re parked, and I hadn’t even realized we stopped. His mouth and the taste of his lips on mine are so intoxicating that I need more. “We can always skip—”
He shakes his head. “This is important.”
His voice is more serious than I’ve ever heard. I imagine this is what he sounds like while at work. I have to admit I’m intrigued.
We straighten ourselves before climbing out. A tall hotel looms in front of us—not as grand as the Tinner Hotel but still something way out of my tax bracket.
Leaning closer to Victor, I say, “I thought we were doing something important.” I motion to my dress. “Why else would I have to wear this torture device of a gown?”
He chuckles. “We’re not here for a room.”
With my interest piqued even more, I allow Victor to lead me up the stairs and into the hotel.
I tell myself his touch doesn’t affect me, but goose bumps inch up my skin, practically calling me out on my lie.
We’ve been dancing around the borderline of physical and intimate, too close for my liking. But I can’t pull away now.
We need to keep up the front of a happily married couple.
People stand near the entryway, mingling while servers walk around with trays. We don’t stop until we reach the ballroom. Tables topped with cream linens and rose-filled vases take up the majority of the room.
Most of the chairs are occupied by even more chattering people. Everyone here seems to know each other and more than a friendly “hello.” I glance at everyone’s faces but something seems off.
“Why don’t I see anyone I recognize?”
Victor pulls me farther into the room, past the tables, past all the people, and toward a stage. We climb up the steps, and there’s a bunch of items placed on tables and stands. A few art pieces rest on easels, bright colors splashed onto the canvas.
Someone comes up behind us. “Mr. Barlowe, you made it.”
We turn around, and a woman with graying hair stands there with a kind smile. Her crow’s feet are prominent as she holds her grin.
“I’m sorry we’re late.”
She shakes her head. “No, you’re right on time. The auction is about to start.”
I cock my head to the side. “Auction?”
Both my husband and the woman turn to me, but the stranger speaks. “Yes, the auction. All proceeds go to the children’s hospitals in the city. Mr. Barlowe is always our most generous—”
At Victor’s bristling, the woman stops talking. She didn’t have to finish her sentence for me to put it together. If he started doing this after he met me, I’d say he was trying to impress me, considering he knows how passionate I am about helping people.
I glance up at Victor. “How long have you been donating?”
“Ever since I became CEO,” he says softly.
The woman looks between us. “If you have any questions about the items up for auction, please don’t hesitate to come to me. For now, enjoy the refreshments.”
We say our thanks, and she heads back down the stairs. I keep my gaze on Victor, but he looks down at his interlocked fingers.
“This is why you wanted to come back today instead of tomorrow, right?”
He nods once. “I was going to just donate a lump sum, but since we have the extra time tonight, I thought it best for us to come for the actual auction.
My chest squeezes, and I offer a brittle smile.
Victor definitely has more layers than I originally thought—no matter how much I hate to admit it. But I can’t think about that now. Watching him here, I know this is where he belongs. Not stuck in Granite Falls with Summer and me.
I almost started to let myself believe, and I was so, so stupid.
But I don’t fit in his world. And I never will.