Page 13 of Broken Road

“She’s okay,” the deep voice from my dreams asserted. “Ruby, would you come with me please?”

I sat up slowly and stared into his beloved face. The glasses were new since I’d seen him last. Through the lens I could see that his eyes were harder, and the laugh lines etched around them were deep. His mouth, which had once been full and soft, now appeared firm and unyielding, deliciously framed by faint brackets in his cheeks. He held out his hand. I hesitantly reached for it, and he folded his strong fingers around mine, pulling me gently to my feet.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” The soft-voiced woman asked.

“Thank you, yes, I’m fine,” I replied, sending her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

“She’s going to need something to drink, Vander.”

My eyes flew to hers and then to Vander’s.

He answered my unasked question with an almost imperceptible shake of his head. I looked to his other hand, his left hand, and he tilted it to show me the absence of a ring. My eyes skipped back to his, and I flushed with embarrassment.

He shook his head slightly and gifted me with a small smile. “I’ll look after her,” he answered the soft-spoken woman.

He gently pulled my hand through the crook of his arm and led me away behind the screens, where only a few staff members lingered.

“Still wearing your emotions on your sleeve, Ruby-m-” He cut himself off abruptly and stopped walking.

My free hand flew to cover his cross under my blouse. His gaze sharpened on my hand, then flew to my eyes, his turn to ask a silent question.

In answer, I pulled it out to show him. He turned to face me and held both of my hands in his. I drank him in, making no effort to hide my eager perusal. It did not even occur to me to do so.

“I forgot how tall you are,” I murmured when I made it back to his face.

He smiled. “What else did you forget?”

“Not much else,” I answered honestly. He looked older than I thought he should, harder. I didn’t know what to say to this Vander. This Vander wasn’t my Vander. I began to pull my hands away, but his grip tightened.

“Did you marry?” He asked gruffly.

“No.” I looked down. Did I want to know? I met his eyes. “Did you?”

Vander

She visibly winced when she asked the question. Guilt and sorrow, that I thought I’d finally shed, hit me anew.

“Divorced,” I answered softly.

She took the hit with a sharp inhale, then nodded shortly, accepting the blow.

I studied her reactions harder than I’d studied anything before. Pissed with myself, I questioned, what the fuck I was doing? This woman nearly derailed my entire future. Instead of treating her like a prospective client, I grilled her for her marital history and her present availability. In addition to being stupid, it was utterly unprofessional, and it wasn’t going to stop me.

“Are you seeing anyone?” I asked.

“I don’t date,” she murmured.

I think my eyes bugged out of my head. “Ever?”

Irritation narrowed her big brown eyes, and she tried again to tug her hands away, but I held fast. Nothing short of a crowbar would make me release her.

I spoke quickly. “I’m sorry. You’re a beautiful woman, and you have so much to offer. I’m just surprised you’re not taken.”

She nodded and relaxed her hands in mine once again. I couldn’t believe I wanted to open this door again, but I had to ask.

“Have dinner with me tonight.”

She smiled bigger this time. “Dinner is included with the conference. You’re kind of a cheap date.”

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