Page 34 of Secret Baby
Colt opened the box and placed a slice on Clara's plate. The moment their daughter moved, he reminded her, "You're going to be nice."
Clara nodded and looked away. Then she took the plate with her pizza and returned to her seat.
Vicki added a slice to Colt's plate then one on her own.
The moment she was done eating, Clara stood and announced, "I'm going to my room and going to bed now. Night."
Vicki stood to follow her, but Colt placed his hand on her shoulder. She tilted her head toward him. He had his finger on his lip to signal silence. Her brow wrinkled as she returned to sit beside him. A minute later the bedroom door closed, and Vicki wiggled in her seat and whispered. "What's going on?"
"Clara never goes to her room without demanding a story." Colt stared into the empty hall that led to their daughter's bedroom. "She's up to something."
"Why would you—" Her gaze trailed where her daughter had just walked, but then music wafted in the air. She nodded. "Never mind."
"She wants you here, and hoped you'll take over for Belle."
Vicki wouldn't mind, but her face heated. She blinked, bit her lip for a second, and then asked, "So why didn't you argue with her?"
"What's the point? She'll start a fight, then I'll put her to bed with tears in her eyes because she's frustrated and didn't win." He took a deep breath. "It's better to let her think she's won with her music. I get the quiet of the evening, and a chance to talk to you."
Vicki's skin electrified with hope that Colt wanted something between them too, though she'd never admit her feelings. "Smart. You giving in is new."
"Pick your battles. It's a parental trick." Then he offered her glass of wine. "We get a peaceful night."
She took the glass from his hands, but then he stood fast, like a spider just bit him. She stared at him, and his face turned red. Then he ran his hand though his hair. "You done with the pizza?"
"Yeah." She followed and helped clean. Together they worked fast, and all that was left was the wine glasses.
Colt opened the refrigerator. "I'll pour you another glass of wine, Vicki. Come sit with me in the living room."
"Your place is nice." She stared at the walls as she made her way toward the couch. "You changed it since we were children and there were flowers everywhere."
"Mom has the pictures at the condo," he called a few steps behind her. "I'm surprised you remembered that."
She sat as he handed her the glass. She took a sip of her wine. This time he stayed still. She smiled as he eased into his chair. Then she said, "You threw the best pre-graduation party when your dad was in D.C."
"I was in so much trouble when he came home." Colt sat more comfortably on the couch as they reminisced. "You came with Alice that night. I don't remember you causing much trouble."
"I fixed the beers, and felt like such a rebel." She stared at the ceiling to cover the smile that grew on her face. "I always preferred hanging out with your sister than doing half the things my father demanded of me. With Alice, I almost had a childhood."
"I teased my baby sister a lot about how she acted near you. It's why I didn't tell her about us or Clara." He pressed his lips together like he'd said too much, and changed the topic. "Guess we can't change the past, though."
"Alice would have told me to be with you and not listen to my father. That was why I didn't tell my friend I had a huge crush on you."
He leaned closer, and she tilted her head and mirrored his actions. She puckered her lips like he was going to kiss her, and then closed her eyes. She whispered, "I'm glad we're not fighting over Clara and you're staying in Florida."
His face was so close to hers. The delicious scent of oranges and oak invaded every cell in her body. "You staying too?"
"Yes."
He scooted closer. Her breasts ached for his touch as he said, "Vicki, I don't want to fight with you."
"I don't want to fight with you," she repeated, and closed her eyes again. His breath came so close to her, and her lips parted to kiss him.
Tingles raced through her as his lips brushed against hers.
Her entire body heated. She sighed and wrapped her arms around him. His lips were tender yet hard. He tasted better than wine.
Outside on the patio, the clip-clop of a high-heeled footstep echoed.
