“Daphne Hubbard,” he answered without hesitation. “Vee, we discussed this.”
“What about Bre Stanton?”
“She was arrested for Reid’s murder.”
“Did Dad ever mention that he wanted to marry her?”
Joe’s deep laugh came through the speakers. “What your father and I discussed is protected under attorney-client privilege. However, I find no reason not to say that your father and Daphne were happily married. I can’t imagine where you’d get such an outrageous idea.”
“Do you know why my parents divorced?” I was changing subjects, hoping to catch the old man off guard.
“The divorce file may contain that information. Again, it’s public record in Kentucky. Unless…”
“Unless?” I asked.
“Sometimes sensitive information may be redacted, limited to view. If you want the record, I’ll request it and then we’ll see what’s there.”
“Is she still alive?”
“Olivia? I don’t know.”
“Thank you for your time, Joe.” I tapped the red icon on the screen. Looking around, I sighed with the realization I was almost home. My thoughts went to the luxury of disappearing into Fin’s bubble.
Spending time with him had turned into a safe retreat. After today, I was ready to submerge into his bubble.
Fin’s truck was in the parking garage. My leather satchel seemed increasingly heavy as I made my way to the elevator. It stopped on one. Standing near the back wall, I kept my eyes low. The other passengers remained quiet, exiting on the fourth and sixth floors.
Finally, I made it up to the seventh floor. Opening the door to my condo, I inhaled, expecting an amazing aroma. A faint scent of eucalyptus was all that I could detect.
Down the hall, the kitchen sat empty. “Fin?”
“I’m in here,” he called.
I turned to see him sitting at my desk. “What’s happening?”
His blue eyes shone as he stood and came toward me. “I was just looking up a few things on your computer. I hope you don’t mind.”
Scanning his sharp attire, I started at his leather loafers, up his long jean-clad legs, to the camel sweater that stretched across his wide muscular chest all the way to his chiseled jaw, strikingly blue eyes, and gelled-back dark hair. By the time I responded, my nipples were hard and there was twisting deep inside my core. I tilted my head. “My computer?” I grinned. “I don’t mind, as long as you won’t give me bad cookies.”
His lips quirked. “I’d never give you bad cookies.” He brought his lips to mine. “For dinner, I made reservations.”
“You want to go out?” As I hesitated, his sexy grin and affectionate kiss managed to short-circuit my passing thoughts of refusal.
“I have reservations at Tony’s,” he said, cupping the back of my neck and pulling me closer for a deeper kiss.
Lifting my hands to his chest, I closed my eyes and surrendered to the sensations—the taste of his kiss, scent of his cologne, and softness of his sweater. As I opened my eyes, I found myself under the spell of his sapphire-blue stare. With my head cocked to one side, I grinned. “Is this our first date?”
“We could call it that.”
“Why tonight?” I asked.
“I want to take the most beautiful woman I know out in public and tell the world she’s mine.”
“The most beautiful woman.” I tilted my head. “I suppose I can stay home while you’re out with her.”
Fin’s blue eyes shone. “You, Vee. I want to wine and dine you in the hopes of seducing you later.”
Beneath the softness of his sweater, I felt the drum of his heart. “Wining and dining haven’t been prerequisites for seduction in the past. I doubt they will be in the future.”
