Stranger In His Bed. Lauren Canan

her. She would use it against him eventually, somehow. Yet all he wanted to do was make love to her right there. Near the flowers she apparently loved. Right in front of God and everybody.

      Anger at his own weakness overcame the temptation. He rolled to his feet. She was watching him, a look of confusion in her eyes. He took a deep breath and tried for normal.

      “Have you contacted your mother?” he asked after clearing his throat.

      She frowned. “Yeah,” she whispered, then took a deep breath. “It was awkward. I didn’t know how to address her.”

      Victoria claiming she didn’t remember that vile woman could be a good thing. Still, he knew when the memories came back, more than likely her mother would be among them.

      “Wade, why did you—”

      He cut her off. “It was a mistake. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

      “I was going to ask why you stopped.” Victoria lay back on the soft grass. “Please don’t go.”

      Pheromones shot through his body, and it took most of his strength to refrain from going back to her. His body was hard, tense. He needed a release. Dammit, he needed Victoria.

      “I have a meeting.” And if he didn’t get away from her soon, he would never make it to that meeting.

      “That’s too bad. I think you need to relax occasionally. And I think you would enjoy daydreaming in this beautiful garden.”

      “Daydreaming doesn’t allow much time for business.”

      She looked at him, a smile warming her face. It was the first time he’d seen her without anxiety and pain marring her delicate features. Or the mask of disgruntlement she normally wore. It was the first time a freshly scrubbed and exceedingly beautiful Victoria had actually smiled at him rather than smirked.

      “That’s too bad. Really.”

      There was absolutely no way Victoria would normally sit outside on the grass under the shade of a tree. Let alone smile about it. He would definitely take it up with Dr. Meadows when they went in for her appointment.

      “I’d better get back inside. The meeting is in about half an hour.”

      She wiggled to a more comfortable spot on the ground. “Here? At the house?”

      “Yeah.”

      “What’s it about?”

      He couldn’t help looking at her to see if she was joking. Victoria had never shown any interest in any aspect of the business, not that he would have let her be privy to much of the information. As long as the contractual installments that kept her here were paid on time, she couldn’t care less how the money was earned. It was odd that she’d asked. But what about this entire situation wasn’t odd?

      “We’ve just received all the clearances for the resort we’re preparing to build in the Caribbean. I’m meeting with the architect and the designer to finalize the plans for the cottages.”

      “That sounds like fun.”

      “Fun?” He scratched the side of his face. “I never really looked at it as fun.”

      “Might as well like it if it’s something you have to do.” She shrugged. “Thank you for coming to look for me.”

      In the five years he’d known her, he had never heard the words thank you leave her mouth. He was pretty sure he’d never heard Victoria say those words to anyone. Her mind-set was one of privilege. She expected people to wait on her, and in her mind that didn’t require any thanks. He could get used to this new Victoria.

      He brushed off his slacks and bid her good day, heading back to the door. He couldn’t help but wonder what else would be revealed on her journey to wellness and how much longer this new Victoria would be around.