Page 41 of Impossible Love

“Well, Pinkie, all I’m saying is that no one’s sure if Victoria will be staying for either of those things.” I try to imitate Finn’s sweetness when I say this, but I just come off sounding like someone who’s about to freak the fuck out, which I guess I am.

I don’t want Victoria to represent the family in a contract negotiation. She’s not family. She’s not to be trusted. I don’t want…

I don’t want to want her.

Dammit, I’m not this guy. I don’t do this. I don’t lose my head over a woman. Ever.

A few minutes go by. While Finn waits for Jasmine to start up with a new round of questions, he hisses at me, “Evander okayed it. He’s the attorney. He does the contracts. That’s what he wants. Don’t you trust his judgment?”

“He was still coming down from the anesthesia!”

“He made his decision.”

I whisper back, “I’m CEO of Yosemite Ranch, and I’m not fine with it.”

“Victoria?”

“Yes, Jasmine.”

“Can we eat some more ice cream when we get home?”

I laugh and look into the rearview mirror. “Nothing like that good old-fashioned sugar-free ice cream, right, Victoria?”

Her eyes flash at me. If looks could kill, I’d be as dead as the Sulfur Springs rattler. Did that happen just yesterday? It feels like a lifetime ago.

I drive Finn’s SUV to my place. Victoria and I get out. I’ll pick up the Jeep from the training ring tomorrow.

She stomps her way up the front steps and lets herself inside. “I’ll pack my stuff.”

“What?”

“Jamie’s home and I can stay with him. I seem to have overstayed my welcome here.”

“Dad’s probably already asleep.”

I follow her into the guest room and lean against the door frame. I watch her throw her shit into one of her designer suitcases. “Seriously—it’s late, and it’s been one hell of a long day. You’re already situated here. There’s no need to leave tonight.”

She spins toward me, her hair flying in an arc around her. The look on her face isn’t what I expected to see. She’s hurt. Dejected. I think she might be about to cry. “I’ll stay here until the morning, but right now, I need you to get out of my room.”

“Victoria.” I take a step toward her. I gently place a hand on her upper arm. She looks up at me, her eyes big and full of questions, and I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me, but I pull her in close. It’s an instinct. Her arms remain limp at her sides, but she turns her cheek to rest it on my chest.

I close my eyes and prop my chin on top of her head.

And her phone rings.

She steps away from me, yanks it from the pocket of her jeans, and answers. “Hello, Father,” she says. “No, it is late but that’s fine. I’m not doing anything important. Yes, sure. Of course. Let me get my laptop.”

She puts her palm where her cheek had just been and shoves me into the hallway. She locks the door.

I have a serious case of whiplash.

She impresses me.

She infuriates me.

She’s more tender and sensitive than I assumed.

She can strike me down with just a look.

---