Page 10 of Let Me Love You

Turning my attention back to Victor, I say, “It’s only Sully.”

“So, you don’t have a boyfriend?”

“Not that I find it any of your business, but no, I don’t have time for dating.”

The line is quiet for a whole minute. And yes, my eyes didn’t stray from the ticking clock decorating the wall next to the refrigerator.

“Can I come see you then?” Victor asks.

“No.”

Sitting at the kitchen table, I plop a piece of pineapple into my mouth, chewing on the tartness as loudly as I can, hoping it annoys him. Is that a little immature? Yes. But it still gives me some satisfaction.

“There’s something I really need to talk to you about,” Victor says after a minute of silence. I’ve never heard his voice like this. It almost sounds sad.

Even I’m not cruel enough to turn him away if something is truly wrong. “Fine. I’ll send you the address.”

***

Victor’s silver Lexus pulls down the gravel driveway fifteen minutes later. During the entire time I waited, I gave myself a pep talk. Whatever he has to say, just tell him no. Then kick him out. You’re a strong woman, and you can say no.

But the moment he exits his car and struts toward me with an effortless sexiness, I avert my gaze. This attraction is nothing other than lust during a four-year dry spell. It’s natural. And it has nothing to do with the man himself.

After Harmony was accepted onto Everlasting Love, I looked him up. He’s not a playboy and is rarely in magazines except for five years ago when he was named the year’s Sexiest Man.

Cue eye roll.

Considering I haven’t drooled over a man since I was a teenager, the title might be a tiny bit correct.

Stay strong, girl, and don’t, I repeat, do not look at his perfectly sculpted ass.

I push out onto Sully’s wraparound porch in my favorite hoodie and sweatpants. He strides over in his perfectly tailored suit. It’s his deadliest combination, navy blue jacket and pants with a light blue tie and vest—making his eyes pop. When he spots me, he raises a hand in a wave.

I won’t fall for his nice guy act, so I level a glare at him.

“It’s nice to see you, too,” he says as he nears the front porch. He raises an eyebrow as he takes in my ensemble. “Already in your pajamas?”

“I told you it’s late, but you insisted on coming.” I shrug, and my heart rate kicks up a notch as he climbs the stairs. “What is so important that you have to interrupt my bedtime?”

Victor checks his watch. “You go to bed at seven thirty?”

“I have to get up at five so I can get Summer ready for daycare and then be at work by seven.” At this point, I’m not sure why I’m defending myself, but his judgmental stare gives me an insane urge to slap him. Instead, I shrug and say, “Single mom problems.”

A late spring evening breeze snakes inside my hoodie, and I shiver. Victor’s gaze narrows in on the movement. He shrugs off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders. My heart thrashes against my ribs, and I suck in a deep breath. He keeps his arms around me, and I almost lean into him. His scent—musky with a hint of pine—wafts into my nose, and I have to resist the urge to take another whiff of him.

His gesture is innocent, but my lack of sex causes liquid heat to shoot through my veins.

Pulling away, I shrug off his arms. “Thanks, but I don’t need you to coddle me. If you tell me what you want, I can go back inside the house and climb into my warm bed.”

Victor’s eyes flare at the mention of my bed, but I hold his gaze. I won’t shy away. He expects me to back down because he’s rich and always gets his way. Instead, I stare straight into his eyes, but when he doesn’t break eye contact first, I gulp.

“This conversation might take a while.” He motions to his car, his eyes still on mine. “I’m assuming you don’t want me to come inside, so how about we go to my car for some privacy?”

I gesture to the porch swing. “I prefer to stay here.”

“I’d like the privacy. It won’t kill you to be in a confined space with me for ten minutes.”

“It might,” I grumble as he finally breaks eye contact. “But I must insist on staying here on the porch.”