Page 77 of A Chance at Forever
Victoria blushed as they boarded the Lockridges’ private plane.
*
Rusty turned intothe long driveway leading to his ranch house as a snowstorm unleashed its fury. He parked close to the front porch and helped Victoria from the car before he grabbed their luggage. Frigid air greeted them when they stepped inside the great room.
“Make yourself at home, Tori, while I put our suitcases in the master bedroom.”
When Rusty returned a few minutes later, Victoria remarked, “I love this room.” She had removed her winterwear, and now stood twisting her hands next to the barren fireplace.
He sought to ease her nervousness. “Why don’t I show you the rest of it?”
Victoria shook her head and moved closer to him. “Absolutely not, Dr. Sinclair.” She reached out and began to unbutton his red plaid flannel shirt. “We’re going straight to bed. I’ve been far too patient with you already. You have my heart, my soul, my mind, and soon you’ll have my body.” She pushed his shirt off his shoulders and caressed his chest.
Rusty chuckled with pleasure. “It’s cold in here without a fire.”
“Don’t you feel the heat between us? We won’t need a fire.”
For an answer he moaned. Then his mouth claimed hers in a searing kiss before he swung her into his arms and headed for the master bedroom. Throughout the day and long into the night they made love with wild abandon, finding solace and comfort in each other’s arms.
A weak sun caressed the frozen ground surrounding the ranch the next day. Sometime during midmorning, Rusty missed the softness of Victoria’s body and rose from his bed. Whistling his favorite song, he took a hot shower and dressed in a pair of Levi’s and a sweatshirt. Feeling fulfilled in ways he’d never imagined, Rusty wandered lazily into the kitchen. Startled by the tinkling sound of Victoria’s laughter along with the gruffer tones of a man’s, he stood underneath the arch of the doorway and watched the two interact until Victoria glanced up and saw him. Her eyes began to glow and her entire being radiated her love.
She never appeared more lovely or more desirable than she did this morning dressed in one of his shirts and a pair of black leggings. As usual Victoria wore her dark hair pulled into a messy bun and no makeup. Rusty’s heart pumped at the enticing picture of domesticity, and without a word, he tugged her into his arms. Heedless of the older man enjoying pancakes, sausage, and coffee, he kissed Victoria deeply, intoxicated by their bodies straining toward each other.
When their guest coughed to get their attention, Rusty lifted his head and smiled as Victoria’s face turned crimson. “Good morning, love.” Turning toward the other man, he held out his hand. “Hi, Harrison.”
“Rusty.” The older man returned his smile and wrinkles appeared at the corners of his bright blue eyes. “A heads up would have been nice. Imagine my surprise when I bumped into this little filly this morning. It’s hard to say who was more frightened.”
Rusty laughed as Victoria fixed him a plate of food. “It didn’t take long for you two to get acquainted.”
“Once we got past our initial surprise, we had a right nice chat, didn’t we, Victoria?”
“We did. I heard tales about you, Rusty.”
Rusty groaned. “What did you tell her?”
Harrison winked at Victoria. “You’ll have to ask her.” He rose from the table. “I’ll take my leave now. I came by to check on the horses and to do a few chores. Since you two plan to be here through New Year’s, I’ll make myself scarce. By the way, Rusty, Victoria makes the best pancakes I’ve ever eaten. Hang on to her. She’s a special lady.”
“I intend to.”
When Harrison made his exit a moment later, Rusty pulled Victoria onto his lap and nuzzled her neck. Breathlessly, she said, “I like Harrison.”
“So do I, sweetheart,” he murmured against her throat. His mouth found her erratic pulse. “But I thought he’d never leave. I’m hungry again.”
“Rusty, you’re incorrigible. I just fed you.”
“I didn’t say I was hungry for food.” His hands slid beneath her shirt.
Much later as they lounged beneath a throw blanket in front of a pleasant fire, Rusty shared what happened to his parents. Victoria held him close to her warm body and shed silent tears with him.
“I quit football after that. I auctioned my Super Bowl rings to finance Alex’s research and used my fortune to save this ranch and provide for my sister’s family. I have a nest egg for the future, but I live solely off my salary.”
Victoria pressed her soft mouth against his. “I’m so sorry about your parents, Rusty. I feel your devastation. I left New York with plenty of money in the bank, and I have access to a trust fund my parents set up for me. Aside from buying my house and furnishing it, I don’t spend a lot of money. I’m living off my salary, too.”
“I love how down-to-earth you are. Unspoiled by money and its advantages.”
“You, too, my love.”
After they showered and ate lunch, Rusty took Victoria out to stable. The Sinclairs owned a well-bred stock of horses. Harrison managed the training, buying, and selling, and the money was used to keep the ranch afloat. Since the snowstorm abated, they saddled a couple of Cleveland Bays and rode the land. The horses hooved their way carefully through the snow as Rusty and Victoria reveled in the silent beauty around them.
