Page 72 of A Chance at Forever
He mistook her apprehension. “No, baby. I’ll be expected to attend my family’s annual Christmas Eve Ball at the Grand Hotel New York, and I don’t want to.”
“Why not?”
Victoria swallowed the panic clogging her throat. “There’s…a…video of…me… dumping a bottle of wine over Alan and a fangirl the night we broke up. While we were eating dinner in a restaurant, he told me he cheated on me. So, I made good use of that Merlot.”
Rusty chuckled. “I wish I’d been there to see it. So, the guy cheated on you and confessed?”
The lie of omission soured her stomach. “Yes. He made a fool of me.”
“Forgive me, Tori, but what did you see in him? I mean, you grew up with Jeff Wilson and he’s a nice guy, but Alan what’s-his-name? Sounds like a real slimeball.”
Shame turned her cheeks warm. “He was exciting, I guess. Anyway, there’s a good possibility he’ll be at the ball with his new girlfriend, though I can’t imagine his being invited, and I can’t face him.”
“Yes, you can. Want to know why?”
“Why?”
“Because you’re mine and untouchable.” Rusty reached up and guided her head toward his eager mouth.
Somehow during their heated kisses, Victoria found herself lying beneath Rusty’s lean, hard body. She clutched him to her. Her love for him beat against the bars of its cage. It desired its freedom to soar. Still, she kept silent.
When they landed at Denver International Airport for a two-hour layover, Victoria wanted to accompany Rusty to his ranch, but he wouldn’t let her. “I can’t do this again, Tori,” he told her in a husky voice. “Say goodbye to you. Please stay on the plane. I’ll call you tonight.” He bent and hugged Bud, who covered his face with frantic licks. “See you in a couple of weeks, boy.” Then, he crushed Victoria against him.
His hard, demanding kisses sent her free-falling into a passionate abyss. She regretted not confessing she loved him and cried intermittently all the way to New York.
*
Derek surprised herat Westchester Airport. The sight of her brother’s beloved face caused her to burst into another flood of uncontrollable tears.
As he hugged her, he joked, “Do I look that bad?”
Victoria hiccoughed and choked on her laughter. “No. You lookthatgood.”
“Huh. What’s the punchline?” Derek grabbed her suitcase, and she slipped her arm around his waist as they ambled toward his black Porsche. Bud followed at their heels.
“No punchline, big brother. I’m happy to see you. I’ve missed you.”
“Yeah, I’ve missed you, too. I don’t have anyone to push around. Carter loves lording that over me.”
“It’s so nice to know you guys never change.”
At the farmhouse forty minutes later, Richard and Carter engulfed Victoria in tight hugs. She’d spilled all her tears earlier so she rejoiced in their closeness.
“You’ve had a long flight from California,” Richard commented. “Come into the dining room. We’ll eat dinner, and you can tell us what’s been happening in Marysville. Especially between you and that former quarterback, Rusty Sinclair.”
Good-natured bantering dominated their conversation during dinner. Afterward, they settled in the cozy family room with a bright fire burning and enjoyed cups of eggnog as Victoria and her brothers reminisced.
When the hour grew late, Richard excused himself to retire for the night. He hugged Victoria for the second time. “It’s good to have you home, sweetheart. We’ve missed you. Good night, kids.” He turned and headed upstairs.
“Dad’s right,” Carter stated as he gazed at Victoria. “Nothing’s been the same since you left. But California is where you belong. You’re positively radiant, Tori.”
“It’s that Sinclair guy,” Derek remarked.
Victoria gave an airy wave of her hand.
“Any chance we’ll get to meet him over the holidays?” Carter asked.
“I don’t think so.” Her cell phone vibrated with a call, and she brightened. “It’s him. Good night, guys.” She swiped the green receiver icon and rushed upstairs to her room.
