Baby for the Billionaire(144)
His motherly assistant thought Dana had used him as a way to get what she’d wanted, but to be honest, he’d used Dana, too. He was starting to realize that what he liked about Dana was that she didn’t affect him—he could stay heart whole and devoted to work. He didn’t think about her all day long. He hadn’t felt the same compulsion to talk to her as he did with Victoria. Dana hadn’t been a constant distraction from his work. Sure, she’d been a very decorative diversion, and of course he’d gotten a kick out the covetous looks other men had given her. And she could be as feral as a sex-starved mink in bed.
Yet her infidelity still left a bitter taste.
But Michael had hit the nail on the head. It had been his pride—rather than his heart—that had been bleeding when she’d walked out.
He’d never thought he’d land himself in a similar position.
Yet Victoria was even sexier to him, and her beauty was more subtle but no less captivating … and he had a suspicion that Victoria could make him never want to go to work again.
And she was even smarter than Dana.
Just look how she’d gotten him to agree to a marriage without sex—only minutes after kissing him stupid. She’d reduced him to a quivering lump.
Masterly.
And he’d been the fool who’d agreed to it! Even though he was certain he’d be able to convince her otherwise. Given time.
As the pukekos disappeared into the reeds on the waterline, an inner voice whispered, Dana would never have done that. She’d have used sex as another weapon in her arsenal.
But then he couldn’t remember ever wanting, yearning, going mad with desire for Dana in quite the same way.…
Out of respect for Suzy and Michael it was decided the wedding would be a small one with no frills and flounces—and definitely no fairy-tale white dress.
The following night after they’d put Dylan to bed Connor came to the small sitting room upstairs that Victoria had claimed as her own, where he hadn’t invaded until now. He paused at the threshold, and she watched him survey the changes she’d made to the elegant cream-and-dull-gold décor. The addition of a wall hanging in muted colors that she’d brought from her town house. A large fern she’d called Audrey, which was draping enthusiastic fronds over the back of the couch where she sat holding a wineglass.
“I don’t want to disturb you,” he said at last.
Didn’t the man know by now that he always disturbed her? Even wearing only a T-shirt and black jeans he managed to make her pulse pick up.
Of course she’d never admit it.
“Would you like a glass of burgundy?” she asked, setting her glass down and reaching for a clean one from the butler’s tray on the side of the couch. “A client gave it to me—and it’s rather good.” Relaxing, too—which she needed now that the realization she and Connor were actually getting married was starting to sink in.
Connor looked taken aback for a moment, then nodded. “Just half a glass. I’m not staying long.”
Once she’d poured, he moved farther into the room. Taking the glass from her, he raised it to his nose before sniffing and saying, “Mmm … nice.” Then he glanced down at her. “I came to ask for a list of friends and family you’re inviting to the wedding. Iris—my PA—will send out invitations if you give me details. She’s a whiz.”
“No.”
That caused his eyebrows to leap to his hairline. “Aren’t you a little busy to be doing it yourself?”
“There isn’t anyone I want to invite.” Victoria took a sip of her wine. “Have a taste, it’s very smooth.”
Settling himself against the antique writing desk across from her, he sipped. “Very smooth. No friends at all?”
She shook her head slowly, supremely conscious of the weight of his stare.
With the exception of Suzy, she’d lost contact with most of her friends over the past ten years, too busy with work. Occasionally she’d gone out with Suzy and her teacher friends to a movie, or to dinner with a group from Archer, Cameron & Edge. But she wasn’t close to any of them.
“What about family?” He shifted, crossing one ankle over the other where he leaned, the rustle of denim loud in the intimacy of the sitting room. “My brother’s coming.”
“I don’t have brothers or sisters.” Victoria dropped her gaze away. “My mom’s dead, and I haven’t spoken to my father in years.”