Why doesn’t she buy a damn hearing aid? Victoria enunciated each word slowly and clearly. “Occasionally. I. Get. A. Night. Out.”
“Well, dear, I can certainly see why you’d want to stay cooped up at home.” She looked pointedly in Henry’s direction. Then she turned her attention back to Victoria, and in what she must have considered a whisper, shouted, “He’s very handsome.”
“We’re not dating,” Victoria blurted. She wanted to be certain that Mrs. Burton, a known gossip, had her facts straight. “We’re here to discuss business.” It was none of anyone’s concern why she was having dinner with Henrique Santana, but she’d be damned if anyone in the community thought she’d sold out to her enemy.
“Yes. Very well, then. Enjoy your evening,” Mrs. Burton said, obviously unconvinced.
News of her dinner meeting was going to spread like wildfire. She trudged toward the table, wondering how she would handle Jennifer’s inquisition once she heard.
One thing was for sure, Henrique Santana had impeccable manners. “I hope you like wine,” he stated as he stood to pull out her chair. “I took the liberty of requesting the best bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.”
Of course, you did. Victoria held up the menu and stifled a gasp when she saw the prices. Pretending to be comfortable dining in this exorbitantly expensive restaurant—the cost of one meal could pay for a week’s worth of groceries—Victoria assessed the vast selection. Deciding on the chicken marsala with garlic mashed potatoes and a house salad, she placed the menu down when the waitress uncorked the bottle of wine and poured the glistening liquid into their wine glasses.
“Thank you,” Victoria said.
The waitress eyed her with envy. “You’re welcome.” Gripping the notepad, she tapped the pen against her slightly parted lips. “Are you ready to order?”
Henry’s blue eyes shifted to Victoria as he closed the menu. “As long as my dinner companion has made her decision.”
“I have,” Victoria said. The waitress scribbled her order onto the notepad and then looked toward Henry. Might as well be invisible, Victoria thought, noting the waitress’s lust-filled expression.
“I’m also ordering a chicken dish. However, I’d like the chicken scaloppini, please.”
“Excellent choice. The chef makes mouth-watering scaloppini,” the waitress said.
Once the waitress had left with their menus, Henry lifted his glass. “To getting to know each other.”
Yeah, right. Good luck with that, mister. Reluctantly, Victoria clinked the side of her glass to his. Each took a sip, and an unspoken truce, for the next few hours at least, had begun.
“How long have you lived in Newport?” Henry asked, breaking the awkward silence.
“My entire life.” Victoria fidgeted in her seat, uncertain how much of her personal life she should divulge. “When I was six months old, my parents were involved in a car crash coming home from a New Year’s Eve party. They died upon impact, leaving my Nana to raise me.
“I’m very sorry to learn of your loss. It’s not easy to grow up not knowing your parents.”
“No, it isn’t,” Victoria answered. He has no idea how hard. As much as she adored Nana, there was always an emptiness within her.
Henry picked up the wine bottle and refilled her half-empty glass. “I was four when my mother died.”
Victoria sucked in a breath and placed her hand to her chest as compassion swept through her. “That’s awful. I’m so sorry to hear that.”
He shrugged and picked up his glass, using his fingertips to turn the stem. “Mother was beautiful. My most vivid memory of her was at bedtime. After Patrice had prepared me for bed, my mother would always be waiting for me.”
“Patrice?” Victoria questioned.
“At the time, Patrice was my nanny. Now, for God knows what reason, she’s still working for my father. Only now, she works as his housekeeper.”
“Oh.” Victoria took a sip of her wine.
“Mother would make a fuss of tucking the sheets snuggly under my chin—said it made her happy to know I was nestled in safe and warm. Then she’d read me stories until I was fast asleep. Occasionally, my father would interrupt us, complaining that my mother was babying me. It was the only time he stepped foot into my bedroom.” Henry stared at the liquid as it swirled. “I think the plethora of stuffed animals, puzzles, books, and action figures might have been too much for Father. He’d only dared to enter when he wanted to speak to Mother.” The warmth had left his voice, a trace of bitterness replacing it. “Why don’t you tell me about your grandmother,” Henry suggested, abruptly changing the subject.
“Nana was wonderful. She was so good to me.” Victoria’s voice cracked. “I’ve always felt a little guilty that instead of traveling, which had been her dream, she spent her golden years taking care of me.”
“It’s not a sacrifice when you love someone,” Henry said. “By the sound of it, you adored her. That doesn’t happen unless the other person has loved you unconditionally.”
“I do...I mean, I did,” Victoria sighed. “She died two years ago, but I will always love her.”
Wordlessly, he reached to touch her hand.
His touch was strangely comforting. Too comforting. “I think about Nana every day.”
“I don’t believe that anyone truly dies. Although the physical body may no longer be with us, spirits live on in our hearts forever.”
Victoria took a sip of her wine, willing herself not to cry. “Tell me more about yourself,” she said, swallowing back tears. This conversation was getting way too personal.
“All right...” He traced his finger lightly across the top of her hand. “What would you like to know?”
“Anything you want to tell me.” Victoria pulled her hand from his and placed it on her lap beneath the table. “Do you have any siblings?”
“No.”
“How about that?”
He raised a dark eyebrow.
“We have something in common.”
“You’ve suffered the stigma attached to being an only child, too?”
“Yup.” She nodded and downed the remainder of her wine. “Everyone always assumes you’re a spoiled brat.”
Three glasses and two bottles of wine later, Victoria sat upright in her chair, listening intently as Henry regaled her with stories of the mischief he got into while at boarding school.
“No way.” She giggled.
“Yes way.”
There was an easiness to his laughter that she found extremely attractive. “Want to hear a scary thought?” she asked boldly.
Henry positioned his chair beside her. His shoulders brushing hers, he leaned in closer. “Definitely.”
The warmth of his breath scorched her skin. Victoria closed her eyes, inhaling the heady mixture of wine and the scent of masculinity that was distinctly his own. So close. She willed herself not to place her mouth over his. She wanted to lick the sweetness from his lips. She swayed forward, lightheaded, and began to run her fingertip over the rim of her wine glass. “Maybe...”
“What?” His voice had become deeper, huskier.
Victoria lifted the glass to her lips, suddenly brazen as she grinned. “I shouldn’t tell you. Some things are best left unsaid.”
“You know you want to.” Henry’s dark blue eyes smoldered as he watched her lips curl over the thin rim of the wine glass.
As she sipped her wine, she now understood more clearly why Jennifer drank. The wine lessened her inhibitions. Releasing the inner seductress was exciting. Freed from her shell, Victoria cocked her head to one side, allowing a cascade of blonde hair to fall over one shoulder. “You aren’t the jerk I thought you were. I might even kind of like you.”
He cupped her chin, trailing his thumb over her lower lip. “That’s good to hear.”
Electricity jolted throughout her body, her breathing becoming labored. “It is?” Instinctively, her lips parted, needy for his taste.
Henry spoke in a hushed whisper, �
�It’s very good.”
“Why?” Victoria whispered.
“Because...I might kind of like you.” His lips hovered mere inches from hers. “A lot.”
Chapter 6
Victoria
Eyes closed, Victoria breathed in, captivated by the hypnotic earthy smell of musk, clean, fresh soap, and pure man.
His breath scorched her cheeks, her skin a flame beneath his palm. “I’ve dreamt about this,” Henry said, his sapphire eyes intense. “Wondering if your lips taste as sweet as they look.” His thumb moved slowly over her bottom lip, his breath scorching her cheeks.
Growing wet, Victoria pressed her thighs together. With Henry’s lips only inches from hers, she felt powerless against the forces of desire. She listed forward, her heart racing. Her breasts brushed across his broad chest, her nipples hardening.
“Ahem.”
Startled, Victoria jumped at the sound of a woman clearing her throat.
“Shit,” Henry jerked away from her, knocking Victoria off balance.
Victoria slapped her hands to the table. Her chair rocked beneath her, threatening to topple, as she battled to keep herself in an upright position. Disappointment laced with confusion rippled through her.
Henry released a harsh breath. “What the fuck are you doing here?
“I was about to ask you the same question,” a drop-dead gorgeous brunette woman answered.
Reality slapped Victoria in the face as her eyes narrowed onto the two of them. Surprise, surprise, Victoria thought acidly. Should’ve known the jerk would have a girlfriend.
A vein pulsed, the purplish-blue hue evident beneath the skin of Henry’s neck. White-knuckled, he flexed and unflexed his fingers. In a tone that would terrify the devil, he spoke with a deadly calm. “In case I didn’t make myself perfectly clear last time we spoke, I’m going to tell you one more time.” His eyes were ablaze with anger, his voice low and deep. “I don’t want to see you, talk to you, or even hear your name in my presence ever again.”
Victoria’s eyes widened. He had some nerve speaking so cruelly to the woman.
“How can you say that to me?” The woman shrieked loud enough to draw the attention of the remaining few diners who hadn’t already witnessed the intrusion.
“Stop. It. Now. This is neither the time nor the place for one of your tantrums,” Henry hissed between clenched teeth.
Mouth agape, Victoria stared. It hadn’t taken much for Henrique Santana to display his true colors. The poor woman had done nothing to condone his verbal assault.
One hand perched on her hip, the stranger narrowed her dark eyes on Victoria. “Who’s your friend?” A look of disgust crossed her face as she gave Victoria a brief once-over.
Henry’s jaw clenched. “Shut. Up. Kelly.”
Well, this evening just kept getting better. Kelly St. Regis! Victoria thought, realizing who the leggy, statuesque woman was. No wonder she’d looked so familiar. With Henry’s good looks and gigantic bankroll, she should have known he’d be dating the world’s most sought-after supermodel. Kelly St. Regis’s breathtaking face was plastered on the cover of every fashion magazine in the country and abroad. The patrons of Riccardo’s were getting their money’s worth tonight. This show contained enough drama to sell out a movie theatre.
Henry’s tone was as cold as ice. “I’m warning you.”
“Or what?” Kelly taunted before she turned her attention to Victoria. “He knew how much I’ve wanted to come to this restaurant. In fact, I practically begged for him to bring me. And, now—” Her voice cracked. “I find him here with you. After I abandoned my mansion in Florida to follow him to this boring city.”
Victoria handed Kelly one of the spare napkins that lay on the table. “I assure you, this is just a business meeting.” The pouting beauty naturally had come to the wrong conclusion.
Snatching the napkin from Victoria’s hand, Kelly dabbed at her eyes. “Do you know what he said? What he did?”
Victoria shook her head, unsure of what to do or say.
“Enough!” Henry’s chair crashed to the floor as he stormed toward Kelly.
Twisting and turning, Kelly tried to break free of the vice-like grip that Henry had secured around her boney arm. “Stop manhandling me. I mean it, you brute!”
“Excuse us, please.” Deep blue eyes flashed an apologetic glance at Victoria before proceeding to propel Kelly toward the entrance. With Kelly held firmly by his side, Henry bulldozed their way through the restaurant, leaving a stunned Victoria embarrassed and alone.
Henry
Heads quickly bobbed down, feigning interest in their meals, as Henry whisked Kelly past them and toward the exit. Henry sneered at the hypocrisy. As if he would believe that the spectacle hadn’t gone unnoticed. It was fucking embarrassing. Henry had no idea how he’d be able to make this nightmare up to Victoria. Damn Kelly for interrupting his date. It had been his one opportunity to get into Victoria Hathaway’s good graces.
“Where are you taking me?” Kelly cried.
“Outside,” he answered.
“Do something, you twit,” Kelly shouted as they passed the hostess. “He’s crazy.”
Henry hissed against Kelly’s ear, “You’ve got no idea how crazy I can get. But keep it up, and I guarantee you’ll find out.” As if having a squirming, irate woman at his side was the norm, Henry casually turned his attention toward the hostess. Pencil suspended in mid-air, the hostess watched with fascination. “Tara,” he said.
The hostess’s jaw dropped. “You know my name?”
“Of course, I do. I never forget a pretty name, especially when it belongs to a beautiful woman.”
“Don’t listen to him. He’s only sweet-talking you. Henrique would never date a waitress,” Kelly spat.
Tara’s glossy, red lips curled up into a snarl. The hostess jutted her chin upward in Henry’s direction. “Mr. Santana, if this woman is harassing you, I could call the authorities. They’ll force her to leave. It is a shame that you’ve had your meal ruined by an unwelcome guest.”
“That is very kind of you, Tara, but that won’t be necessary.” Henry flashed his well-practiced movie-star smile. “I’ve known Ms. St. Regis for many years. I promise, no harm will come to her. You have my word. We just need to finalize some unfinished business.”
“I’m going to fucking sue your ass, bitch.” Kelly pointed one blood-red fingertip at Tara.
“Not to worry, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.” Henry eyed a floor-length fur coat that hung on the edge of the coat rack. “Is that yours?” he asked, turning his attention back to Kelly.
“You should know,” Kelly spewed. “You gave it to me.”
Ripping it from the hanger, he tossed it at her. “Shows how much I care, doesn’t it?” Opening the door, he thrust Kelly into the cold.
Kelly rounded on him, her eyes skewed into ugly slits. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“Then you’re sadly mistaken,” Henry said and stepped forward.
She retreated a step. “You’ve been drinking.”
Henry glared at her. “Don’t you ever pull that type of bullshit again. Do you realize the gossip that will follow from your childish behavior?”
“I couldn’t care less about anyone’s perceptions.” Kelly wrapped her arms snuggly around her chest, holding the edges of the fur coat firmly to her breasts.
“It’s my job to worry about how the community perceives me. Have you forgotten that I’m trying to build an upscale resort in this town? I don’t need some jealous ex-girlfriend destroying all my efforts.”
Kelly’s lip quivered. “Ex...girlfriend?”
Henry shoved his hands in his pockets, exasperated with Kelly’s ignorance. “Yes, ex-girlfriend,” he sighed.
“No. No. No!” Kelly rushed toward him, snaking an arm around his neck. “We can work it out. Whatever is bothering you—I’ll do anything to make you happy.” She clung to him and crushed her lips over his.
He wrapped his arms around
her waist and roughly shoved her from him. “You’re what’s bothering me, Kelly!”
“Why?” She blinked rapidly. Her dark eyes were covered with a watery sheen, warning him that she was teetering on the cusp of tears.
Dammit. The last thing Henry had wanted to do was make Kelly cry. She’d always been annoyingly fragile and subject to hysterical outbursts, but he couldn’t pussyfoot around her emotions any longer. “It’s not going to work between us. You know that as much as I do. You need a man who can give you constant attention. That man isn’t me. I’ll never make you happy.”
Slap!
“After bringing me to this hellhole of a town, you’re leaving me?” Kelly’s raven hair whipped into the breeze, making her appear every bit Satan’s spawn.
Henry cupped his hand over his cheek, rubbing it over the smarting skin. “I didn’t bring you anywhere. You followed me here. I didn’t ask you to move to Newport. You came of your own free will.” Henry threw his hands toward the heavens and turned on his heels. “I give up,” he said and strode back inside the restaurant.
Victoria
Victoria watched the spectacle through the window, a small smile crossing her lips when she saw Kelly hit Henry. She stood up with as much dignity as she could muster, swaying a bit as dizziness overcame her. Taking a deep breath, Victoria willed herself to walk in a straight line. Head held high, she stumbled through the narrow row of tables, pretending not to hear the diners’ mean-spirited remarks as she passed by.
She ripped her coat off the rack by the front entrance. Hastily, she put on her parka, wound the scarf tightly around her neck, and tugged her hat over her ears. About to pull open the door, her gloved hand stayed on the door handle. She’d have to find a side exit if she wanted to avoid running smack into the arguing duo.
A waitress quickly advanced upon her as she reentered the dining area. Victoria quickened her gait. It’s now or never, she thought, extending her arms forward to burst through the kitchen’s swinging door. Ignoring the curious stares of the culinary staff, she scrambled through the busy kitchen and out the exit door.
The arctic wind stole her breath away, the frigid air blowing relentlessly as she weaved down the sidewalk. Only a short distance away, the waves violently broke against the shore. Battling the elements, she lowered her head and picked up the pace.
The Prodigal's Desire Page 4