Escape in Passion

by Shiela Stewart

  “And you’ll have a kid to look after,” Tom reminded him.

  “Hell, I’ll stick her with a nanny and live a life of luxury.” Vic ducked when the pillow flew towards his head. Laughing, he opened the front door. “Love you, too, pal.”

  Elated, Vic walked to his house, the smile on his lips yet to diminish. He entered the back door, hung his jacket in the closet, then kicked off his boots before heading to the stairs to get ready for bed.

  He was so happy for his friends. They truly were lucky. They had a wonderful relationship and, now, a healthy little girl. What more could they want? He envied them their happiness.

  Stepping into his bedroom, he flicked on the light and was shocked to see Julia on his bed. Naked.

  “Hello, handsome.”

  “How did you get in?” His body reacted as any male body would upon seeing a naked female on his bed. He was as hard as a rock.

  “You left the door unlocked. I’ve been waiting for you.” She crooked her finger in invitation, a sultry look in her eyes.

  He envied Tom his happiness, but right now, he was pretty damn close to achieving it himself.

  Three hours later, Julia snuck out of his house, and Vic lay on his bed regretting it. She didn’t seem to have a problem leaving, but he was beginning to have a problem with her leaving him.

  Chapter 12

  Marshall had hated coming here when he’d been married to Michelle, and he found he hated it just as much now that she was dead. Her parents lived like paupers in a house so small he wondered they all didn’t go stir crazy. Leonard Wilson had money—oh, not as much as he did—but Leonard wasn’t poor. He was a university professor, for Christ’s sake, and he lived like he was on social assistance.

  The man was an embarrassment, and Marshall was glad he wasn’t related to the Wilsons any longer.

  Unfortunately, he wasn’t through with the family just yet.

  Rolling his neck, Marshall stepped up to the faded white door and rang the bell. The instant Anna Wilson answered, he was all smiles. Inside, he was seething.

  “Marshall, how lovely to see you. Come in, please.”

  “As always, Anna, you are stunning.” He took hold of her hands and leaned in to kiss her cheeks. Michelle had taken after her mother for looks. Anna had the same blonde hair, the same delicate features her daughter had had. “I hope I haven’t disturbed you?”

  “Oh, no, I was just about to start baking some pies. Come, sit, have some coffee and tell me how you’ve been holding up. We don’t see nearly enough of you these days.”

  “I know. I’ve just been having a tough time lately. Can you forgive me?”

  “Of course.” Anna took him by the hands and kissed his cheek.

  She was as big a sucker as her daughter had been. “How have you and Len been holding up?”

  Anna poured them each a cup of coffee, before joining him at the table “We miss her so much, Marshall. Some days are better than others.”

  “And Julia, how is she holding up?”

  Anna shrugged her delicate shoulders. “Not very well, I’m afraid. She’s gone off on some sort of quest to find herself. Neither Len nor I wanted her to go off on her own, especially not this soon after losing Michelle, but she was determined.”

  “A quest? How odd. Where did she go off to?”

  “She’s driven all over the place, but she’s settled now in a place called Passion.”

  “Passion? It doesn’t sound familiar.” But he’d find out where it was. Julia had refused to tell him when she’d left, which had pissed him off, and each time he spoke with her she still refused. But now he knew.

  “It’s not in Ontario. Len and are both very worried about her.” “She’s a big girl, Anna; I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

  ***

  With a friendly smile on her lips, Julia handed the bag to the customer. “Your girlfriend is a lucky girl, Daniel. She’s going to love this gift. Have a nice day.”

  “Thanks a bunch, Julia,” He walked to the door just as it opened and Tom entered. “Hi, Mr. Healy.”

  “Hello, Daniel.”

  “I was going to come by tonight and congratulate you,” Julia skirted the counter to walk to Tom. She held out her arms and gave him a big hug. “How does it feel to be a dad?”

  Tom smiled, releasing her. “Like a million bucks.”

  “I bet. How are Cassie and the baby doing?”

  “We’re calling her Beth. They both had a bit of a rough night, I’m told. I called Cassie’s room this morning, and she was incredibly tired. Seems Beth doesn’t want to latch on well.”

  “That’s rough. I was going to try and swing by the hospital to see her tonight. I bought a baby gift.” Julia beamed.

  “She’ll be home tomorrow, why don’t you save it for then.”

  “Sure. What brings you here? Are you spying on me?” she asked teasingly.

  His lips lifted in a grin as he looked around the tiny shop. “Cassie wanted me to check in and make sure everything was running well. You girls doing okay?”

  “Aw, we’re fine. Nothing we can’t handle. Jaycee closed last night and deposited the cash. Bell will be in after school, and we’ll both close up.”

  “I’ll tell Cassie she has nothing to worry about. Can I ask you a question, Julia?”

  “Shoot.” She pulled up a metal framed chair for Tom, but he shook his head at the offer.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Julia cocked her head to the side. “Working?”

  “I meant in town. Not that I’m not grateful to you for helping out here while Cassie’s unable to, yet I can’t help but wonder why.”

  She let out a breath and lifted herself up onto the counter. She couldn’t exactly tell him she’d come to town to spy on his best friend. “My sister died last summer.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you. After she died, I was lost. I felt alone and angry at the world for taking her away from me. Everywhere I went I was reminded of her. I decided to quit my job with the DMV and just drive. I needed time to heal, to think, to get away. This place just happened to catch my eye.”

  Tom nodded with understanding. “I lost my mother a few years back, so I know what you’re talking about. She wanted someplace quiet and out of the way where no one would recognize me. That’s why I brought her here. I ended up staying after her death.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss. I didn’t realize how famous you were until Cassie showed me some of your work. I can see why. You’re good.”

  Tom smiled proudly, looking up at the painting behind her he’d done for Cassie. “That’s why I came here, to get away from it all. Do you plan on staying?”

  Julia looked out the window at the snow that was beginning to fall, and she thought of Vic. Until she knew the truth, she would stay. After that…well, she wasn’t sure about that yet. “I’m not in any hurry to leave.”

  ***

  It didn’t seem to matter what he did, or how busy he got, Vic just couldn’t get Julia out of his head.

  It wasn’t just the sex—though that was fantastic—there was more. He liked the way she smiled at him, her thin lips curving up creating dimples in her cheeks. Her big green eyes always sparkled; though, at times he had seen a hint of sadness in them that he worried he was the cause of. He hated that they had to sneak around, but he saw no other way. What would the town think of him if they knew he was scronking a woman barely out of her teens?

  And there had been a time when he hadn’t given a damn what people thought of him.

  That had been before he’d met Michelle.

  Because she’d been married, they’d had to sneak around, catching only moments together and making the best of those moments. Vic had known if it had come out that he was seeing her, all hell would break loose.

  Her husband was under surveillance for suspicion of drug activity. And Vic had been part of the team investigating him.

  They’d hid their relationship, snuck off to
hotels when they’d been able to and meeting in the ER often for a quick romp in any available broom closet.

  Leaving the bar one night after shift, he’d bumped into Marshall Kent. “Touch my girl again, and it will be the last thing you ever touch.”

  He’d whispered it quickly before walking away and Vic hadn’t had time to comprehend what had just happened. By the time his brain had cleared, Marshall had disappeared. Vic had gone directly to the ER to find Michelle and warn her that Marshall had found out about them.

  The bruise on her face told him she already knew.

  He’d been furious, and if she hadn’t calmed him down with her outburst of tears, he would have run out of there and hunted the bastard down. But Michelle had always been good at calming him down, one way or another.

  He’d vowed then to do everything in his power to convince her to leave the sorry bastard.

  And he finally had.

  But it had been too late.

  He lit a cigarette, thinking of that fateful day.

  They’d agreed to meet at an out of the way hotel and discuss putting her in protective custody while she filed for divorce. And she was going to testify in court against her husband and give them the proof they needed to convict the bastard.

  They’d been leaving the hotel when the car had rolled past them. He’d seen the flash of light off of the gun a moment too late. The gunfire rang out, catching him in the arm and hitting Michelle directly in the head and chest. They’d both gone down with a thud, and when Vic had looked at her, he’d seen with horror that she was gone.

  She stared up at him, her eyes wide in death, and he’d felt his world crumble.

  There had been rumors in the air that a hit had been placed on Vic, but he’d never thought that it would take out the woman he loved.

  The police hadn’t been able to prove the hit had come from Marshall Kent, but Vic knew the truth even if he couldn’t prove it.

  He’d been ordered not to attend Michelle’s funeral, but he had gone to visit her grave the day after. When his boss had found out, he had put Vic on temporary leave. That’s when Vic had decided to visit Tom.

  Only his boss knew where he’d gone, and when the opportunity arose for him to take on a supervisory position in another province, he and his boss had jumped at it.

  And now, here he was, carrying on another affair in secret.

  Tapping his cigarette out in the ashtray, Vic felt the regret of the past few months eating at his stomach.

  Julia deserved better than him.

  Chapter 13

  It was the weekend, and the weather seemed to be warming up, which meant accidents on the highway would be on the rise. Vic hoped it held off long enough for him to take the night off and head to the city.

  Dressed in a simple brown jacket and pants, Vic fiddled with his tie while he waited for Julia to show up. He’d called her to invite her out to dinner and had asked that she meet him at his place, instructing her to park in his garage. Checking his watch, he worried that she might have gotten stuck along the way. When he heard footsteps on the stairs leading up the back deck, he nearly ran for the door.

  Instead he pretended to be busy when she knocked on the door and called out for her to enter.

  “Wow, is it nice out there. The weather report says it’s going to stick around for a few days. You look nice. Sexy.” Her voice took on a seductive purr.

  Vic turned with a smile then caught one look at her and the smile faltered She wore a simple jean skirt and a white shirt with ruffles down the front. Her legs were bare from mid-thigh with tight black boots that zipped right up to her knees. She’d curled her hair in a flirty flip and was wearing blue eye shadow and red lipstick. All thoughts were gone as he stared at the beauty before him.

  “Vic?”

  “Hi? Yes? What did you say?”

  She went to him, her eye lashes dipping low over her eyes and her lips curving up in a smile. “Do you like how I look?”

  “Oh, very much.” He was sure he was drooling.

  “Sure you still want to go out, because I wouldn’t mind yanking this sexy suit and tie off of you and have my way with you here and now.”

  “God damn, you’re just not making this easy on me. No, no, we’re going out. I promised you dinner in the city and that’s what you’ll get.” He swallowed his lust, and taking her by the hands, kissed her gently. “Did you park in the garage?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Good. We’ll take my car.” Moving around her, he grabbed his jacket. “Where’s your jacket?”

  “I left it in my car. I was hot.”

  She wasn’t the only one, just looking at her made his blood heat up. “It’ll get chilly later. You’ll need it. We can grab it on our way out.” Scooping up his keys, he held his hand out to her. “Ready?”

  “And willing.” Smiling wickedly, Julia took his hand and followed him out.

  ***

  They sat at a table for two near a window that overlooked the river. The lights of the city sparkled on the ice capped water like crystal. Above it, the sky was overcast, hiding the full moon. The restaurant was busy but amazingly quiet. You could hear people talking, chatting, but no one seemed to speak above a whisper. Their table had one tea light candle floating in a bowl of rose petals and water, like all the tables in the restaurant.

  Julia took everything in with a childish awe, never having been to an elegant restaurant before. Oh, she tried to pretend to be indifferent by it, but she knew Vic could pick up on her exuberance in the way she spoke.

  As much as she tried to act grown up, she was showing her age tonight.

  “I wasn’t sure if you liked red or white wine.” Taking her glass, Vic refilled it.

  “I like them both.” And this particular red wine was making her head just a bit fuzzy. It didn’t stop her from sipping it a little more. “This is really nice.”

  “Glad you like it. I booked us a room for tonight,” Vic slipped in before lifting his glass to his lips.

  Her eyes met his and she smiled. “Did you now?”

  “I thought we would go dancing after dinner, and with us drinking, I didn’t feel safe driving all the way back to town tonight.”

  “Logical.” Julia smiled slyly.

  “It wouldn’t look very good if I got pulled over for a DUI by one of my own men.”

  “It would be shameful. You’d never be able to show your face in town again,” she teased, pulling a smirk out of him.

  “You’re getting tipsy. You need food. Eat this.” Vic shoved a slice of hot buttered bread towards her mouth, and she obliged by taking a bite.

  Julia licked her lips with as much sex appeal as she could. “Yummy.”

  “God, yes.”

  She liked the way his eyes got all misty when he watched her tongue slide over her lips. “Do you plan on mailing your sister’s gift while we’re here?”

  “I still need to get it engraved.”

  She bit off another piece of bread and took immense joy at seeing him watch her mouth. “We could do that tomorrow before we head back to town.”

  “I was thinking that myself. Where are our meals?” Vic looked around the room in search of their waitress.

  “Eager to get out of here, Vic?”

  “Hell, yeah.”

  Laughing, Julia set her bread down and decided to give him a break. “Where does your sister live?”

  “Toronto.”

  “Big city lawyer. Is she married?”

  “Yep, to another lawyer. He’s corporate; she’s family law.”

  “Any kids?”

  “One set of twin boys and a little girl.”

  “So you’re an uncle.” Julia caught where his eyes had drifted and noticed that she’d been running her finger along the rim of her glass. Apparently, it was a turn on for him.

  “Yep,” he said a little breathlessly.

  “Where do your parents live?”

  He lifted his glass and drank before responding. “Mississa
uga.”

  “Are you close with them?”

  “We’re a very tight-knit family. What about you? You’re asking me all these questions, and the only thing I know about you is that you had a sister. How did she die?”

  Julia looked down and the guilt nearly swallowed her whole. “I’d rather not discuss her right now. It’s still too soon.”

  “I understand. I’m sorry.” Vic laid his hand on hers and the warmth of his sentiment nearly overwhelmed her.

  He was sorry.

  “Both my parents are alive and well. My father is a professor, and my mother is a baker.” And talking about them now, made Julia miss them even more.

  “Now I know where you got your need to cook from. No other siblings?”

  “Nope. Why did you decide to move to a small town?” She felt safer diverting the questions back to him.

  “I needed to get away from the big city; plus, I wanted to be near my friend.”

  “Have you and Tom known each other a long time?”

  “Since we were two. We used to live next door to each other.”

  “And now you do again. I like him. He’s big, and, yes, a little scary because of his size, but he’s such a softy.” Julia smiled warmly, lifting her wine glass to her lips.

  “He’s always been a softy. His little girl is going to be spoiled rotten. Hey, they asked me to be Beth’s godparent.” Vic beamed, pulling out a cigarette.

  “No kidding. What an honor for you and her.”

  “Thank you. I can’t wait to reap in the rewards.” He rubbed his hands together, smiling wide. “Money, money, money.”

  “You’re just kidding, right?”

  “Of course I am,” Vic reassured her. “Truth be told, it scares the hell out of me. What do I know about taking care of a kid? I hope Tom and Cassie live to be one hundred and the three of us can sit on the back porch and admire how much his kid has grown.”

  “You don’t plan on having a family?”

  He shrugged, drawing on his cigarette. “Maybe someday; I don’t really think about it much.”