Baby for the Billionaire(162)

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” said Connor in that deep voice that did illegal things to her heartbeat. “I’m taking you out for dinner.”

Victoria lifted her head from the baby’s face. “That would be nice.”

Nice?

Who was she kidding?

She couldn’t wait.

When last had she been out on a date? Usually she used work as an excuse to put men off. She was too busy. She had to be at an audit early the next morning. She had a meeting. She’d used them all.

Work had become her excuse to avoid relationships with men.

Until Suzy and Michael’s death had forced her into a building relationship with Connor.

The last time she’d been out to dinner had been with Suzy and two of her teacher friends, Victoria remembered. A crazy night at an Italian restaurant eating slices of pizza and sipping Chianti and filled with gales of riotous laughter.

For the first time she didn’t ache at the memory of Suzy. There was only nostalgia and warmth and a glow of love. The terrible, yawning sense of loss had eased a little. She could think of the good times—there had been so many—without her throat knotting and tears catching her breath.

But she knew going out for dinner with Connor would be nothing like that hilarity-filled evening with Suzy and her friends. Dark excitement curled in her stomach.

“What about Dylan?”

“I’ve arranged for Anne to come in.”

“But doesn’t her mother need her in the evenings?”

“I booked a nurse to look after her mother.”

“Oh.” It was flattering that he’d gone to so much trouble. And that left her with no room for protest. “It looks like you’ve got everything covered.”

“I have.” He tossed her a knee-weakening grin. “Give Dylan to me and go shower and get dressed.”

Victoria obeyed, feeling like she was stepping into a void.

In the soft glow of the candlelight that gave the restaurant an intimate ambience, Connor studied Victoria. She was wearing a yellow, sleeveless dress with a scooped neck-line that left her shoulders and elegant neck exposed. The golden flame reflected in her eyes, giving them a mysterious sparkle.

He shifted, and keys jingled in his pocket. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she was … how much she meant to him. He didn’t know where to start.

“I offered Bridget Edge my resignation today.”

Her words shocked him. “You didn’t.”

She nodded.

“But why?”

For an instant uncertainty glimmered in those lovely eyes. “So that I can spend more time with Dylan. So that you don’t divorce me, and take him away.”

“Tory!”

“Are you pleased?” She looked worried.

He tried to figure out what he felt. After Michael and Suzy’s deaths, he’d hoped that she’d resign and spend all her time with Dylan—like his mother had with him and Brett. Yet now there was only relief at the thought that the terrible pressure that had been on Victoria would ease. What with Suzy and Michael’s death, minding a baby, doing a demanding job and now her father’s heart attack … something had to give. And he didn’t want it to be Victoria who suffered.

But he knew she loved her work—and the independence it gave her—something he hadn’t understood when he’d met her two years ago.

“It’s not about whether I’m pleased—it’s what you want.” He chose his words carefully. “If you want to stay home all day with Dylan, you must do so. But if you want to work, then don’t feel you need to resign.” Had she resigned because she thought that was what he expected? Had he put that much fear into her?

God, he hoped not. That was the last reason in the world he wanted her to do it.

“Bridget was surprised, too.”

The waiter chose that moment to bring their meals—Tory’s steamed salmon and his steak. Connor waited impatiently for the waiter to finish tending them and leave.

“What did Frigid say?” he asked as he cut his steak.

“Don’t call her that,” she admonished, “she was very understanding. She suggested that I cut my hours back.”

“How do you feel about that?”

Victoria paused to swallow a mouthful of fish. “I think it might be a solution. If I go in the mornings it will give me all afternoon with Dylan.”

“Sounds feasible.” Already she was looking more at ease. And Connor was delighted.