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Victoria
Eyes closed, Victoria breathed in, captivated by the hypnotic earthy smell of musk, clean, fresh soap, and pure man.
His breath scorched her cheeks, her skin a flame beneath his palm. “I’ve dreamt about this,” Henry said, his sapphire eyes intense. “Wondering if your lips taste as sweet as they look.” His thumb moved slowly over her bottom lip, his breath scorching her cheeks.
Growing wet, Victoria pressed her thighs together. With Henry’s lips only inches from hers, she felt powerless against the forces of desire. She listed forward, her heart racing. Her breasts brushed across his broad chest, her nipples hardening.
“Ahem.”
Startled, Victoria jumped at the sound of a woman clearing her throat.
“Shit,” Henry jerked away from her, knocking Victoria off balance.
Victoria slapped her hands to the table. Her chair rocked beneath her, threatening to topple, as she battled to keep herself in an upright position. Disappointment laced with confusion rippled through her.
Henry released a harsh breath. “What the fuck are you doing here?
“I was about to ask you the same question,” a drop-dead gorgeous brunette woman answered.
Reality slapped Victoria in the face as her eyes narrowed onto the two of them. Surprise, surprise, Victoria thought acidly. Should’ve known the jerk would have a girlfriend.
A vein pulsed, the purplish-blue hue evident beneath the skin of Henry’s neck. White-knuckled, he flexed and unflexed his fingers. In a tone that would terrify the devil, he spoke with a deadly calm. “In case I didn’t make myself perfectly clear last time we spoke, I’m going to tell you one more time.” His eyes were ablaze with anger, his voice low and deep. “I don’t want to see you, talk to you, or even hear your name in my presence ever again.”
Victoria’s eyes widened. He had some nerve speaking so cruelly to the woman.
“How can you say that to me?” The woman shrieked loud enough to draw the attention of the remaining few diners who hadn’t already witnessed the intrusion.
“Stop. It. Now. This is neither the time nor the place for one of your tantrums,” Henry hissed between clenched teeth.
Mouth agape, Victoria stared. It hadn’t taken much for Henrique Santana to display his true colors. The poor woman had done nothing to condone his verbal assault.
One hand perched on her hip, the stranger narrowed her dark eyes on Victoria. “Who’s your friend?” A look of disgust crossed her face as she gave Victoria a brief once-over.
Henry’s jaw clenched. “Shut. Up. Kelly.”
Well, this evening just kept getting better. Kelly St. Regis! Victoria thought, realizing who the leggy, statuesque woman was. No wonder she’d looked so familiar. With Henry’s good looks and gigantic bankroll, she should have known he’d be dating the world’s most sought-after supermodel. Kelly St. Regis’s breathtaking face was plastered on the cover of every fashion magazine in the country and abroad. The patrons of Riccardo’s were getting their money’s worth tonight. This show contained enough drama to sell out a movie theatre.
Henry’s tone was as cold as ice. “I’m warning you.”
“Or what?” Kelly taunted before she turned her attention to Victoria. “He knew how much I’ve wanted to come to this restaurant. In fact, I practically begged for him to bring me. And, now—” Her voice cracked. “I find him here with you. After I abandoned my mansion in Florida to follow him to this boring city.”
Victoria handed Kelly one of the spare napkins that lay on the table. “I assure you, this is just a business meeting.” The pouting beauty naturally had come to the wrong conclusion.
Snatching the napkin from Victoria’s hand, Kelly dabbed at her eyes. “Do you know what he said? What he did?”
Victoria shook her head, unsure of what to do or say.
“Enough!” Henry’s chair crashed to the floor as he stormed toward Kelly.
Twisting and turning, Kelly tried to break free of the vice-like grip that Henry had secured around her boney arm. “Stop manhandling me. I mean it, you brute!”
“Excuse us, please.” Deep blue eyes flashed an apologetic glance at Victoria before proceeding to propel Kelly toward the entrance. With Kelly held firmly by his side, Henry bulldozed their way through the restaurant, leaving a stunned Victoria embarrassed and alone.
Henry
Heads quickly bobbed down, feigning interest in their meals, as Henry whisked Kelly past them and toward the exit. Henry sneered at the hypocrisy. As if he would believe that the spectacle hadn’t gone unnoticed. It was fucking embarrassing. Henry had no idea how he’d be able to make this nightmare up to Victoria. Damn Kelly for interrupting his date. It had been his one opportunity to get into Victoria Hathaway’s good graces.
“Where are you taking me?” Kelly cried.
“Outside,” he answered.
“Do something, you twit,” Kelly shouted as they passed the hostess. “He’s crazy.”
Henry hissed against Kelly’s ear, “You’ve got no idea how crazy I can get. But keep it up, and I guarantee you’ll find out.” As if having a squirming, irate woman at his side was the norm, Henry casually turned his attention toward the hostess. Pencil suspended in mid-air, the hostess watched with fascination. “Tara,” he said.
The hostess’s jaw dropped. “You know my name?”
“Of course, I do. I never forget a pretty name, especially when it belongs to a beautiful woman.”
“Don’t listen to him. He’s only sweet-talking you. Henrique would never date a waitress,” Kelly spat.
Tara’s glossy, red lips curled up into a snarl. The hostess jutted her chin upward in Henry’s direction. “Mr. Santana, if this woman is harassing you, I could call the authorities. They’ll force her to leave. It is a shame that you’ve had your meal ruined by an unwelcome guest.”
“That is very kind of you, Tara, but that won’t be necessary.” Henry flashed his well-practiced movie-star smile. “I’ve known Ms. St. Regis for many years. I promise, no harm will come to her. You have my word. We just need to finalize some unfinished business.”
“I’m going to fucking sue your ass, bitch.” Kelly pointed one blood-red fingertip at Tara.
“Not to worry, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.” Henry eyed a floor-length fur coat that hung on the edge of the coat rack. “Is that yours?” he asked, turning his attention back to Kelly.
“You should know,” Kelly spewed. “You gave it to me.”
Ripping it from the hanger, he tossed it at her. “Shows how much I care, doesn’t it?” Opening the door, he thrust Kelly into the cold.
Kelly rounded on him, her eyes skewed into ugly slits. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“Then you’re sadly mistaken,” Henry said and stepped forward.
She retreated a step. “You’ve been drinking.”
Henry glared at her. “Don’t you ever pull that type of bullshit again. Do you realize the gossip that will follow from your childish behavior?”
“I couldn’t care less about anyone’s perceptions.” Kelly wrapped her arms snuggly around her chest, holding the edges of the fur coat firmly to her breasts.
“It’s my job to worry about how the community perceives me. Have you forgotten that I’m trying to build an upscale resort in this town? I don’t need some jealous ex-girlfriend destroying all my efforts.”
Kelly’s lip quivered. “Ex...girlfriend?”
Henry shoved his hands in his pockets, exasperated with Kelly’s ignorance. “Yes, ex-girlfriend,” he sighed.
“No. No. No!” Kelly rushed toward him, snaking an arm around his neck. “We can work it out. Whatever is bothering you—I’ll do anything to make you happy.” She clung to him and crushed her lips over his.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and roughly shoved her from him. “You’re what’s bothering me, Kelly!”
“Why?” She blinked rapidly. Her dark eyes were covered with a watery sheen, warning him that she was teetering on the cusp of tears.
Dammit. The last thing Henry had wanted to do was make Kelly cry. She’d always been annoyingly fragile and subject to hysterical outbursts, but he couldn’t pussyfoot around her emotions any longer. “It’s not going to work between us. You know that as much as I do. You need a man who can give you constant attention. That man isn’t me. I’ll never make you happy.”
Slap!
“After bringing me to this hellhole of a town, you’re leaving me?” Kelly’s raven hair whipped into the breeze, making her appear every bit Satan’s spawn.
Henry cupped his hand over his cheek, rubbing it over the smarting skin. “I didn’t bring you anywhere. You followed me here. I didn’t ask you to move to Newport. You came of your own free will.” Henry threw his hands toward the heavens and turned on his heels. “I give up,” he said and strode back inside the restaurant.
Victoria
Victoria watched the spectacle through the window, a small smile crossing her lips when she saw Kelly hit Henry. She stood up with as much dignity as she could muster, swaying a bit as dizziness overcame her. Taking a deep breath, Victoria willed herself to walk in a straight line. Head held high, she stumbled through the narrow row of tables, pretending not to hear the diners’ mean-spirited remarks as she passed by.
She ripped her coat off the rack by the front entrance. Hastily, she put on her parka, wound the scarf tightly around her neck, and tugged her hat over her ears. About to pull open the door, her gloved hand stayed on the door handle. She’d have to find a side exit if she wanted to avoid running smack into the arguing duo.
A waitress quickly advanced upon her as she reentered the dining area. Victoria quickened her gait. It’s now or never, she thought, extending her arms forward to burst through the kitchen’s swinging door. Ignoring the curious stares of the culinary staff, she scrambled through the busy kitchen and out the exit door.
The arctic wind stole her breath away, the frigid air blowing relentlessly as she weaved down the sidewalk. Only a short distance away, the waves violently broke against the shore. Battling the elements, she lowered her head and picked up the pace.
A loud engine roared from behind her. “Get in.” Henry’s large frame filled the open car window.
Head down, Victoria ignored him, her feet moving as fast as they could against the strength of the prevailing winds that pelted her.
“It’s freezing out here. Get in the fucking car before you make yourself sick.” The car idled down the street.
“I’ll take my chances,” she puffed. “Besides, you’ve been drinking. You shouldn’t be behind the wheel.” Finally, she rounded the bend, thankful to see her home only five houses down the residential street. Although Riccardo’s was only a few blocks away from her home, it seemed as if it had taken an eternity to reach her street.
“In case you hadn’t noticed, Ms. Hathaway, it was your glass that was being topped off, not mine,” Henry shouted out the open window.
That son of a bitch. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen him drink much at all.
“Please,” Henry pleaded. “Get in the car. I’m sorry about what happened. If you’ll let me explain—”
“Apology not accepted. I couldn’t care less about anything that you have to say.” Unlocking the gate of the white picket fence, Victoria stomped across the walkway and up the front steps of her house.
Henry pulled the Lamborghini into her driveway. He jumped from the vehicle, the engine still running as he quickly caught up to her.
“Go home,” she spat, brushing her shoulder against him as he tried to block her front door.
Henry stepped to the side, dwarfing her as he remained at her side. “Not until I’ve had a chance to explain.”
Victoria turned the key in the lock. “Try not to freeze to death,” she said and slammed the door.
Fingers shaking, she bolted the lock. The bright full moon illuminated the room. Rushing to the windows, Victoria closed the blinds and then roughly drew the curtains.
The doorbell rang.
She didn’t open the door.
The doorbell rang a second time.
Still, she didn’t open the door.
“Come on, Victoria,” Henry’s voice bellowed behind the closed door. “It was a misunderstanding. Let me explain.” Henry pounded the door knocker against the red painted wood.
“Go away!” Victoria yelled as she stopped back to the door to flip the outside light switch off. Take that. Her lips curved into a half-smile, satisfaction seeping into her at the thought of Henrique Santana freezing his balls off on her front step.
An arsenal of curses came from the other side of the door.
Arms crossed over her chest, Victoria walked to the couch and sat down. If he was stupid enough to stay out there, then let him.
Several agonizingly long minutes passed before Victoria heard the slam of a car door followed by the loud roar of an engine. Sucking in a deep breath, Victoria counted to ten and then tiptoed to the window. Carefully, she lifted a corner of the blind and peeked into the darkness. He was gone. Breathing out a sigh of relief, she lowered the blind. Good riddance, you lying, house-stealing, good-for-nothing philanderer.