Page 3 of A Family Affair: The Vow
Rae turned, spotted Leah raising her wine glass, a smile covering her face as though she’d just found five hundred dollars. “She’s a busybody, but not in a bad way. Leah’s just determined to fix things, like people and relationships.” A pause, a shake of her head as she turned back to Vic, caught him watching her. “I think it’s because she hasn’t had any success in that area, but how can you when you shut down every possibility as an impossibility?”
“Right. You snuff it out with phrases likebad timing, too busy, not interested.”
“Exactly.” The man definitely understood her sister. “That’s what she does.”
“Hmm. Interesting because that’s what she said about you.”
“Me? That’s not true. I don’t do that.” Just because she wasn’t seeing anyone and hadn’t dated in almost a year didn’t mean she was shutting down the possibility. She was open to it, but she was not going to let a man derail her plans for a future that included financial security, upward mobility, and career successes.
A shrug, a half-smile that pulled out the dimples in his cheeks. “I’m not saying you do, and for what it’s worth, she says the same thing about me. She tells me I can’t find a partner if I’m looking in the wrong places.” The blue eyes sparked, the voice turned rough. “But she was quick to let me know you didn’t fit into that category.” The smile inched wider. “I think she’s right on that one.”
Goodness, but the man knew exactly what to say… and that voice? Husky with just the right hint of roughness tossed in. He could read a grocery list and hold her attention. Still, while Vic Tramont possessed charm, wit, and a killer smile, he was what any sane woman should recognize as a “player.” Otherwise known as someonenotinterested in long-term or relationships. And that sounded perfect because Rae wasn’t looking for long-term or a relationship either. “Maybe, maybe not.” She tossed him a smile, raised her wine glass. “Not every woman needs a commitment.”
That blue gaze narrowed the tiniest bit before he took a long pull on his beer and said, “Good to know. Now how about we check out the food?”
After, she would wonder why he didn’t agree or look relieved by her comment. There’d been no laugh, no smile or nod.There’d been no agreement. If she hadn’t been so relaxed—from the wine and Vic Tramont’s soothing voice—she would have noticed andthatwould have changed the rest of the night, along with the humiliation and embarrassment. But she hadn’t caught on. No, she’d been oblivious to everything but the man she’d crushed on at sixteen, the one who was even more attractive, more irresistible than she remembered.
They sampled five different pastas, decided the shrimp with fettucine was their favorite with the bucatini Bolognese a very close second. Of course, who could pass on clams casino or fried calamari? Rae opted for the bruschetta while Vic devoured the hot peppers stuffed with sausage. When he offered her a bite, she didn’t hesitate, leaned in. The spice of the pepper surged through her, swirled to her belly. But there was no pretending the intimacy of the gesture and the intensity of those blue eyes homed in on her mouth didn’t add to the heat.
Rae hadn’t felt this relaxed or light-hearted in a very long time. In Virginia she didn’t think about down time because all that mattered was securing a solid path for her future. Once she did that,thenshe could contemplate the rest of her life, the one that included a significant other, possibly a child, maybe even a dog. Just not yet.
Tonight, she was miles away from that life and those expectations. Nobody in Magdalena cared if she completed the analysis or worked until 9:30 p.m. four nights a weekandevery weekend. They weren’t interested in a career trajectory or the fastest way to achieve it. In fact, these people might actually call her foolish for ignoring the art of relaxation and the search for personal happiness. Rae glanced at Vic Tramont. He seemed like the type of man who knew how to kick back and enjoy himself. Her brain worked up an image of what that might look like: his muscled body stretched out on a bed, bare-chested, a sheet riding low on his hips. Tantalizing. Irresistible. Oh, so tempting.
“Ready for dessert?”
Those words shattered the image she’d created, made her stumble for an answer. “Dessert?”
The smile he gave her warmed her like the inside of a chocolate lava cake. “Of course, dessert. Harry swears by the cannoli, but I can’t resist the triple fudge brownie.”
Oh, but that voice made her stomach flip-flop and when he looked at her, it was as though he really saw her, not just the face and body, but deep inside. Maybe he had that effect on her because in Virginia her life consisted of achieving her five-year plan, which included at least one more promotion and the accolades that went with it: prestige, money, bigger decision making, more advancement. Men were a distraction she couldn’t afford for at least two more years. But this was Magdalena and Vic Tramont was the bigger-than-life fantasy she’d gushed over since she was a teen. Now here he was, less than two feet away, looking at her as thoughshewere the triple fudge brownie he’d been talking about.
She eyed him back. Why not enjoy the moment, maybe enjoy the man?Why not?They were both adults, they knew what they were doing...they knew what any connection did and didn’t mean. In four days, she’d be back in the city, why not forget about plans and promotions and everythingbutVic Tramont—her very own fantasy? Absolutely...why not?
Rae smiled up at him, anticipating the rest of the night. “Triple fudge brownie? My favorite.”
His gaze landed on her lips, inched to her eyes. “Good to know.”
* * *
“It was reallygreat to see you, Vic.” Rae’s voice turned soft, enticing. “And thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime.” Damn, but he wished she didn’t live six hours away. Still, six hours was not unmanageable. “How long will you be in town?” Maybe he could see her tomorrow. His ridiculous heart thumped faster at the possibility.
“I head out Tuesday morning.” Pause and was that a hint of regret in her tone? “I wish I’d booked a few more days, but work is always busy and…”
“Yeah, I get it.” They still had the next three days. Vic opened his mouth and said something he absolutely should not have. “I wish you were staying longer, too.” A nod, a soft sigh. Yup, that was definite regret, no missing that. He homed in on her lips: full, kissable, got-to-taste-you lips.
“Would you like to come in?” Vic was still thinking about her lips and his brain didn’t process the question until she spoke again. “Nobody will be home for a while.” A pause, a hesitant “Or we could go to your place.”
He’d heard this line dozens of times, acted on it when he was certain there were no strings or misunderstandings. But Rae Darlington was different. A guy didn’t sleep with her and wave goodbye three days later. She was long-term-relationship material, and while that knowledge should have bothered him—scared the hell out of him—it didn’t. Why not? What was he thinking? He couldn’t…He couldn’t… Could he?
“I’m sorry, that was foolish.”
Vic reached for a lock of her hair, sifted it through his fingers, enjoyed the silkiness of it. “I doubt there’s anything you could say that would be classified as foolish.” He cleared his throat, let his heart speak. “It’s just that I don’t think that’s such a great idea because if we go to your house or mine, it’s going to be about a lot more than a drink and casual conversation.” More truths spilled from him. “In fact, I doubt a drink or conversation would be involved.”
“I know.” She leaned toward him, eyes bright, lips parted. Waiting. Waiting for what? Waiting for him to follow her inside and undress her...enjoy sweet pleasure? His damn brain couldn’t reason it out, not with emotion and need clogging common sense and logic.
“Vic.” She stroked his jaw, inched closer still until her citrus scent smothered the few tiny fragments of control he had left.
