Page 23 of Letters From Victor

Barbara let out a soft sound, caught between a gasp and a word. She tensed and pulled away abruptly, her fingertips pressed firmly to her lips. She turned her face toward the passenger window, but not before I caught a glimpse of the confusion and desire warring in her eyes. Slowly, I let my hands slip from her hair, already aching to have the silk of it between my fingers again.

Silence stretched between us, broken only by our ragged breathing and the distant trill of a bird. Barbara fixed her gaze out the window, but I could see her reflection in the glass. A becoming flush painted her cheeks, her lips parted and glistening.

“Why did you stop the car?” Her voice was slightly breathless, but it sounded like she was aiming for casual. She missed.

I bit back a smile, admiring her attempt to steer us back to safer ground. I dragged a hand over my mouth and drew a deep breath as I fought for composure.

“To show you this.” I gestured out the windshield at the expanse of undeveloped land stretching before us—rolling hills dotted with towering oak trees and swaying grasses that shimmered gold in the sunlight. “This is where I’m going to build my new suburban development.”

Barbara shifted in her seat, her wide eyes drinking in the view. “It’s beautiful, Victor. Like something out of a painting.”

“I’ve been buying up the land, and I think the time is right for this project.” Excitement thrummed through me as I pictured the future—this rugged stretch of wilderness transformed into a thriving, lucrative community.

I hopped out of the car, circled to open Barbara’s door, and offered my hand. Her slender fingers slid into my palm, and a jolt of electricity crackled up my arm. I savored the delicate weight of her hand in mine as I helped her from the car,steadying her when the stiletto heel of her shoe sank into the soft earth. I held on to her a moment longer than strictly necessary before reluctantly letting go, then guided her to the edge of a grassy bluff overlooking the valley. The land rippled out in gentle swells of winter green and gold, dotted with sprawling oaks that cast dappled shadows on the undulating ground.

“Just imagine it,” I said, sweeping my arm out in a broad arc. “Streets lined with sycamore trees winding through the hills. Gracious ranch-style homes with wide picture windows to flood the rooms with California sunlight. And best of all, everything in one location—schools, shopping, dining, entertainment, the cinema, you name it.”

Barbara listened intently as I painted the picture, her eyes sparkling. “It sounds like a little slice of paradise,” she said, her voice soft with wonder.

I nodded, warmed by her understanding and appreciation of my vision. “Exactly. And you’re the reason I’m making it happen, Barbara.”

She turned to me, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Me? Whatever do you mean?”

I held her gaze, willing her to see the depth of my sincerity. “Your passion, your drive, it’s infectious. You’ve inspired me to stop dragging my feet and make this a reality. Before someone else does.”

Barbara shook her head. “Victor, that’s very generous of you, but I’ve only worked for you for three days.”

I stepped closer. “And what an incredible three days they’ve been.”

Before she could respond, I guided Barbara back to the Jaguar, my hand resting lightly on her back. As we settled into the supple caramel leather seats, I turned to her with a mischievous grin. “I have one more property I want to show you today, if you’re game.”

Barbara smiled, intrigue flashing in her eyes. “I’m game.”

13

BARBARA

The Pacific Coast Highway was a symphony of nature’s beauty, each curve revealing a new vista of majestic cliffs plunging into the azure water. Sunlight painted golden brushstrokes across the rugged landscape, casting a warm glow over everything it touched. As we wound westward toward Malibu, I couldn’t resist turning my face toward the heavens, letting the sun’s warm caress kiss my skin through the car’s windshield. The drive would be spectacular in the summer with the top down.

As we rounded a bend, a striking modernist structure came into view—all clean lines and walls of glass perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Victor steered the car onto a crushed-shell driveway and killed the engine. In the sudden hush, the mournful cries of seagulls circling overhead and the undulating crashes of waves on the beach wrapped around us as the ocean breathed. Victor came around and opened my door, offering his hand, his touch warm and solid.

The salty tang of the ocean danced on the breeze. I shielded my eyes from the sun as I took in the magnificent structure. Bright ribbons of light reflected off the vast glass panes. “It’s stunning,” I mused. “Whose is it?”

Victor rocked back on his heels as he looked up at the house. “It’s mine.”

I blinked in surprise, my gaze darting back to Victor. “Yours? I had no idea you owned a beach house.”

He flashed me a roguish grin. “It’s not something I advertise. This is my private retreat—a place to escape the hustle of the city.” He gestured toward the front door. “Would you like the grand tour?”

Before I could respond, Victor’s hand settled at the small of my back, guiding me up the path. Even through my dress, my skin tingled at his touch. We ascended a few steps onto a spacious deck that wrapped around to the ocean-facing side of the house. Victor unlocked the door and ushered me inside.

The interior was just as striking as the exterior—wide open spaces, gleaming hardwood floors, and walls of glass framing the endless Pacific. I stepped further into the space, my heels clicking against the polished wood. A massive stone fireplace anchored one wall, its earthy tones echoing the natural warmth of the space. The soaring ceilings and minimalist decor evoked a feeling of tranquility and spaciousness. Sleek, low-slung furniture in soft neutrals complemented the million-dollar ocean view rather than competing with it.

Victor stepped beside me, his posture loose and easy, his hands tucked into his pockets. “So, what do you think?”

“It’s incredible.” Awe crept into my voice as I took it all in. “The way the light moves through the space, the airiness of it all. It feels…freeing, somehow.”

He smiled. “That’s precisely the idea. A place to shed the weight of the world and be at peace.”

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