Baby for the Billionaire(164)

“Isn’t that why many couples get married?” Connor gave the other couple a narrow stare. Paul glanced away first. “But at least I wasn’t trapped into a marriage I didn’t want.” In spite of the fury that glittered in Dana’s eyes, Connor didn’t feel the satisfaction he’d expected as he made the comment. He had no need to pay either of them back further for what they’d done to him—they’d landed in a hell of their own making. With its huge mortgage that house would be a noose around their necks, and no doubt Paul was still struggling to service the interest on the loan he’d taken to pay Connor out for his share of Harper-North.

“Marrying Victoria is the best decision I’ve ever made,” he continued softly, reaching over to stroke Victoria’s hand.

Dana rose to her feet with an angry rustle of taffeta. “We should be on our way.”

Paul’s expression was far from happy. “Nice meeting you,”

he said to Victoria, and she smiled back at him as Paul sidled out of the booth.

Connor couldn’t help thinking that even Paul knew who had gotten the better deal. And it wasn’t Paul.





Thirteen




When they arrived home it was late, and Dylan was asleep. After seeing Anne out, Connor locked the front door and Victoria headed for the stairs.

“Victoria …”

She froze on the first step as Connor’s deep voice cut into the night. He came up behind her, his breath warm on her bare shoulders. “I forgot to give you your birthday gift.”

Swinging around, she saw with a shock that he was very close. Standing on the step put her directly at eye level with him. She took the flat parcel that he offered.

“Thank you—you didn’t need to do it.” She gave him a bright smile. “But it’s very much appreciated.” Turning, she ran lightly up the stairs, through the sitting room that adjoined her room with the nursery, into her bedroom.

“Aren’t you going to open it?”

She hadn’t heard him come up behind her. Drawing a deep breath, she hoped that he wouldn’t hear the thunder in her heart as she turned around.

“Yes, yes, of course.”

Her fingers were trembling as she untied the ribbons. The gay wrapping paper fell away to reveal a picture frame. She turned it over and found herself looking into four smiling faces under the arch of a church door.

“You remember that photo, don’t you?” Connor was much too close. “You even told me to smile.”

“I remember.” A soft ache welled up as Victoria stared into Suzy’s beloved face … and then moved on to Michael’s grin. Flanking Michael, even Connor’s hard face wore a smile.

“We all look so happy.”

“That’s how Suzy and Michael would want us to remember them,” he said.

She swung around to face him. “Thank you for this. You couldn’t have given me a better present.” She flung her arms around his neck, the frame dangling over his shoulder, and kissed him.

After a moment he kissed her back.

“Tory!”

She pulled away and looked into the face that had become as familiar as her own. The hewn cheekbones, the bladed nose and those penetrating eyes.

Connor wasn’t her father.

There wasn’t a neglectful, irresponsible bone in his body. He’d done everything he could to give Dylan a future that would be secure. And he’d always been there for her.

She owed him an apology. “I’m sorry for believing that you were a jerk.”

“Oh, Tory.” His hands tightened on her bare arms. “And I’m sorry for believing you were dull and dreary.”

“What?”

His eyes laughed down into hers.

“I know. I don’t know how I came up with that.” This time the kiss was deep and very, very hot. By the time it was over they were both breathless.

He took the photo frame from her and set it down carefully on the dressing table.

Then he returned to her.

“We’re going to make love,” he told her. “No casual encounter. And this time you’re going to stay—no rushing off before I let you go.”

“Never again,” she vowed.

“Oh, God, Tory.”

She curved into him, her body so close that she could feel the outline of his chest muscles against her. “I’m staying right here.”