by Molly Evans
Miguel paused inside the ballroom and pulled Carlos to the side. “Vicky…isn’t who you think she is.”
“What? What do you mean? You mean she’s not a nurse?” His eyes went wide.
“Yes, she’s a nurse—”
“Don’t tell me she’s a dude!”
“Carlos—”
“I saw that movie once, you know?” The man paled.
“No, just listen, will you?” He sighed, hating to break the news to Carlos. “She belongs to the family of Sterling-Thorne. She’s Victoria Sterling-Thorne.”
“Wow. You mean the wine people?” Carlos’s eyes got very big at the mention of the name. He was obviously impressed.
“Exactly.”
Carlos whistled. “I didn’t know. I thought she was just a regular nurse. Way to go, man.”
“What are you talking about?” Miguel frowned, not liking the implication of that.
“You hooking up with such a rich woman.”
“Vicky and I aren’t hooked up.”
“Why not? You’re perfect together.”
“I don’t think so.” That comment was a small taste of what Vicky had been talking about, and this was coming from a trusted friend. Had he treated Vicky differently because he’d known who she was? He didn’t know, but she had been right to be cautious.
Somehow something in the room changed, and he looked up. Scanning the crowd, he first saw a large group of people settling down at richly appointed tables, then his chest stopped moving and he couldn’t draw breath.
Vicky stood across the room and stared at him. Just like in the movies, everything else faded away from his vision and he only saw her. Tall, lithe and elegant, she shimmered in the light. Sequins on the dress, patterned like an orchid, glinted with the slightest move she made. The dress hugged every curve and set her figure off magnificently. There were no sleeves, just small straps that disappeared against her skin.
Miguel was simply stunned stupid by the sight of her.
Someone placed a finger beneath his chin and pushed. “You look like a hound dog, man,” Carlos said. “Try to look professional, will you?”
Right now, staring at Vicky, he felt like one. “I don’t know what you mean.” He blinked and with an effort faced the younger man.
“You look like you want to take a bite out of her.”
“That’s not true.”
“Well, if you don’t, I will.” He straightened his tie and took a step toward Vicky.
“Oh, no, you don’t. You’re entirely too young.”
“A man needs practice, right?”
Carlos was teasing him, and he played right along. “Go practice on someone else.”
“I knew there was something going on between you two. From the first day, I knew it.”
“There’s nothing going on between us.”
Carlos looked at Vicky, then back at him. “If there isn’t, there should be.” He nudged Miguel. “Go talk to her, you know you want to. Just don’t drool on her dress.”
“I’ll try to be civil.”
“Good. I’m gonna check out the food. I’ll catch you later.” After a quick rap of his knuckles against Miguel’s, Carlos left him alone. Unable to delay any longer, he made his way across the dance floor to where Vicky stood greeting people. The closer he got to her, the thicker his tongue felt, and he didn’t even know if he could speak.
“Victoria!” An older gentleman, tall and upright, leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s wonderful to see you doing good things again.” He released her and his wife embraced Vicky.
“Charity was your mother’s life after you children. She would be so proud of you.”
“Thank you, both.” She turned to Miguel and he moved closer to her. That fragrance of hers sinuously invaded his mind and his heart, drawing him ever closer to her flame. “This is Dr. Miguel Torres, the medical director of the clinic. Dr. Torres, this is Mr. Thomas and and Mrs. Sally Hampton. They own the Hampton Inn chain.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Miguel said, and he was certainly impressed at how casually Vicky introduced them. She was in her element here.
“Outstanding work you’re doing in your clinic, Dr. Torres. Outstanding.” They shook hands. “We need more physicians like you, not more hospital conglomerations that take you away from your patients.”
“Thank you. You sound as if you have some experience in that arena.”
“I’m an old adman, but two of my sons chose medicine.” He raised his eyes skyward. “The stories they tell are shocking.”
“Thank you very much for supporting the clinic. It means a lot to everyone involved.”
“My sons are out of state, but they have sent along their regards,” Mr. Hampton said, and retrieved a long envelope from his jacket. “Along with a donation. They grew up here and have a great fondness for the work you do at ground level.”
Miguel took the envelope and tucked it inside his tux, humbled at the generosity of strangers. “Please give them my greatest thanks, sir.” He’d never expected such a generous outpouring for the clinic. Never. He looked at Vicky, who wore an enigmatic smile.
“Lovely to see you again. Save me a dance later,” Vicky said. She took Miguel’s arm and maneuvered them toward another couple.
“Nicely done.” Large crowds weren’t within his comfort zone, but Vicky looked like a professional.
“Years of practice.” She shrugged off the compliment. “Actually, he’s like an uncle to me. I’ve known him my whole life.”
Another couple of equal standing in the community approached them. Introductions were made and the interaction was repeated dozens of times over the course of the next two hours. Vicky truly knew how to charm people and share her wit so that everyone knew she saw them and heard what they had to say. He received several more private envelopes for the clinic.
“Dr. Torres, this is Dr. Flemming, a physician who might be interested in taking a hands-on role at the clinic.”
Surprise filled Miguel. “Pleasure,” he said, and shook the older man’s hand. “I’d love to have you come visit and see what we do.”
“Absolutely. I’m heading toward part-time employment, but I’m not ready to retire all the way yet.” He smiled and creases appeared around his eyes. “I’ll call you next week and we’ll set something up.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Excitement pulsed through him. There were possibilities in a meeting like that. And it was all thanks to Vicky. “Would you like something to drink?” he asked. After so much time spent talking, he was parched.
“Yes. Champagne would be lovely.” She surveyed the room. “Looks like everyone is settling down to eat. This is usually the time I have a little refreshment.”
“It would be a shame to let all of that fabulous food go to waste.”
“Absolutely.” They sat at a reserved table and were served immediately by the attentive waitstaff. The food was incredible, but Vicky seemed to be more attentive to the goings-on at other tables than to what was on her plate.
“Not hungry?”
She sipped her champagne. “I’m okay. At functions like this my appetite usually spirals down to nothing. Too anxious to eat much.”
“That’s a shame. This is really good.” He set his fork by his plate and took a closer look at her. She looked beautiful, her hair and makeup perfect, but beneath that she was pale and nervous. She’d hidden herself for so many years that she’d nearly fooled him. “What’s really going on?”
The flash of her eyes down to her glass and then back at him told it all. This was the Victoria she’d talked about. And he understood it all. It wasn’t just this event, it was every day of her life that wasn’t at the clinic. This persona made it difficult to have a life that wasn’t under a microscope all the time.
The part of him that had sworn not to empathize with her, to feel sorry for her seemed to have folded away with the feelings he’d had for his brother. The empty space that had held his pain was now slowly being fil
led with something else. Something unexpected and warm.
Without preamble, the music began. A medley of songs, old and new, faded away into a song that was certain to be an audience favorite. As Miguel watched, couples gathered on the dance floor. Many of them had obviously danced together for years. The way they moved together, flowed with each other, anticipating each move the other made, made it obvious.
This was a night like no other and he was realizing that Vicky was a woman like no other. When he left the clinic, he’d likely never see her again. Could he live with that? Could he walk away from her? Standing, he held out his hand to her, careful to keep his features controlled. This was not the time or place for any revelations, even if he had any. “Will you dance with me?” There was so much more than that one simple question.
The fatigue in her eyes lifted and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I thought you’d never ask.” She placed her hand in his and tonight it felt daintier, more fragile, than it ever had. That was an illusion, he knew, the same way that the magic of tonight was an illusion. He was going to take advantage of it as long as it lasted.
She turned to go to the dance floor, and Miguel felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. Half of her dress was missing! At least, that’s how it appeared at first glance. Somehow he’d only seen the front of her dress, and now that he’d seen how the dress revealed the long, elegant lines of her back, how the silken fabric fluttered delicately over her hips and down her legs, desire nearly incapacitated him. He made it to the dance floor just a few feet behind her, laboring with every step. He could delude himself all he wanted, but when Vicky turned to him, he knew this night was like no other. And she knew it, too. It would be their last one together. After this, their lives would change forever.
The music filled his mind as Vicky stepped into his arms and filled his senses. Nothing compared to the way they fitted together. He cupped her hand in one of his and placed his other one in the small of her back. There was nowhere to place his hand where he didn’t touch her skin.
It was warm and soft and silky beneath his fingers, and he itched to drag his hand over every inch of her. He looked into her eyes and stepped into the music.
They didn’t speak. They didn’t have to. Vicky closed her eyes and with a sigh pressed her temple against his jaw. Miguel nearly groaned. Every move, every sigh, every breath she took brought her closer to him, closer inside his heart.
The night moved forward and he didn’t want to let go of her. The songs melted together the way he and Vicky melted together, until he received a tap on the shoulder, startling him out of his fantasy.
“Victoria, I believe you were going to save this particular dance for me.” Mr. Hampton stood waiting with his wife, who looked at Miguel.
“Why don’t we just switch partners for a few? That should shake things up a little.” Mrs. Hampton held out her hand to him.
Unable to speak for the emotions strangling him, he simply nodded and made the change.
Victoria chatted with Thomas, but allowed her gaze to follow Miguel. He was such a handsome man and in a tux utterly delicious.
“He’s quite the young man, isn’t he?” Thomas asked with a knowing smile.
“Yes, he is.” Vicky couldn’t deny it. “Mother would have liked him.”
“What does your father think?”
“Oh, he hasn’t met Dr. Torres yet.” The thought of it made Vicky cringe. When that happened, she’d likely need a sedative.
“Give you father a chance, Victoria. He might surprise you.”
“That would be a novel experience.”
“He only wants what’s best for you.”
“I know.” It was his methods that Vicky didn’t agree with, but that was an argument for another time.
Vicky didn’t get to dance with Miguel any more, but she saw him dancing with Tilly. The woman looked so small and dainty compared to Miguel and she looked as if she was having a fabulous time in a silk-and-sequin dress that she had bought just for the event. Duties and small problems required Vicky’s attention, and she kept her eye on Miguel as he made his way through the crowd, being drawn into conversations he probably didn’t want to have.
She looked at him with pride pulsing in her chest. He smiled, he talked and he charmed everyone he came into contact with. Then the warmth in her chest was shoved away by an icy chill.
Miguel approached her father’s table.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
TOO late! She was too late! Her father was standing and holding his hand out to Miguel. From appearances, it was a friendly gesture, but her father measured a man by the strength of his handshake. Sometimes that was all it took to make or break a business deal.
“I hear good things about you and your clinic, Dr. Torres,” Charles Sterling-Thorne said, and came around the table.
“Vicky…Victoria is being generous, I’m sure.”
“Nonsense. She just put the idea out there. I do my own research before I put my money anywhere.”
“And what did you find?” A muscle in Miguel’s jaw twitched. She could see it from where she was, standing paralyzed, her heart racing as she watched the interaction between the two most important men in her life.
“Fabulous setup. You’ve taken a dying clinic and turned it around in just a few years. You should be proud of yourself.”
Her eyes went wide, and her jaw went slack. A compliment from her father! Now she knew she needed that sedative.
Miguel grinned and the tension in his shoulders eased. “Thank you. It’s taken a lot of work, but I’m ready to move on now.”
Tears filled her eyes at that statement. She was so proud of him.
“I’m certain there was more than a small sacrifice involved. With that kind of success there always is.” He narrowed his eyes and gave Miguel a considering look. “Have you ever considered working in the wine industry?”
Miguel laughed. “No, sir. Medicine is where I need to be.”
“You sound just like my daughter.” He sighed.
The paralysis in her legs eased, and Vicky was finally able to move forward.
“Victoria, there you are, darling.” Charles held out his arm to her, and she went to his side eagerly for the first time in a very long time. “You’ve put together a wonderful event here tonight.”
“Thank you, Daddy. I see you’ve met Dr. Torres.”
“Yes. And I have to say my money will indeed be well spent at your clinic.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, then pulled back. Losing control of emotions in front of Charles Sterling-Thorne was not something one did.
Edward stood and left his two companions at the table. “I believe the next dance is mine.”
Vicky grinned. “Absolutely.” Vicky looked at her father. “You behave yourself while I’m gone.”
This time it was his jaw that dropped. “Me?”
She just grinned as Eddy led her away.
“I can’t believe you said that,” Eddy said.
“I can’t believe I did either, but it felt good.”
“I think our little Victoria has found her wings.” He pulled her close and twirled her across the dance floor.
Miguel watched as Edward swirled and twirled Vicky. She was incredibly beautiful, and he knew he’d fallen for her. Despite all his reprimands to himself, he’d gone and done it.
“She’s quite a beauty, isn’t she?” Charles asked.
“Yes, she is. Inside and out.”
“I’m finally beginning to see that.” He sighed. “Congratulations, Dr. Torres. You’ve done fine things in your career, and I’m certain that you’ll continue to do them in your future at University Hospital.”
“Vicky mentioned it to you?” His brows twitched up at that.
His eyes glittered with amusement. “Research.”
Miguel nodded. He was beginning to understand what Vicky had been talking about. There was no getting anything past Charles Sterling-Thorne.
Distr
acted with more conversations, he lost track of Vicky in minutes. Time seemed to move strangely this night, coming to a halt at precious moments and speeding by at others. Then Carlos and his parents approached.
“Hey, man. We’re taking off. Mom’s had enough fun for one night.”
She gave him a playful glare. “Carlos is the one who needs to take it easy. He’s been very active tonight and I don’t want to him to have a relapse when he’s been doing so well.” She motioned for a hug and a kiss from Miguel, and he quickly obliged. “Thank you for a wonderful evening, mijo. Now go find your lady.”
“My lady?”
“You know.” She pulled back. “Good night.” As they departed it seemed to be the beginning of a mass exodus, starting with the older folks. The younger ones would stay on the dance floor until the music stopped and they were shooed out of the ballroom.
His lady? Was that what Vicky was? Was that what he wanted her to be? He looked for Vicky and found her saying goodbye to several couples. What was it that she wanted? There was only one way to find out. “Vicky?”
She turned toward him and he saw the fatigue in her. Although she stood straight and elegant, he knew her well enough now to know that she was exhausted.
“Are you leaving?” she asked, her eyes wide.
“No. I wanted to talk to you.”
He took her elbow and walked with her to a side alcove where they could chat.
“Is something wrong?” she asked. “Seems like everyone had a good time and we’ve raised a boatload of money for the clinic.”
“Yes, it’s true. Thank you. Tonight could never have happened without you.”
“I was happy to help out.”
“Seems like I’ve gotten a lot out of tonight.” He faced her, stepped a little closer to her and looked down into her eyes. Her pupils dilated a little and he knew he’d surprised her. “Is there anything you want out of tonight? Is there anything that you want?” That was as close as he could get at the moment to revealing the emotions that were about to swamp him. He’d hidden his feelings for so long that speaking them out loud wasn’t possible at the moment.