Crossing the Line

by Long, Samantha

  “Yes. I’m supposed to be a professional, remember?” She spotted Halle and Luke deep in conversation and saw her sister’s glow. “Have you noticed the way your brother is with Halle?” It was the same way Nick looked at her.

  Nick rubbed the back of his neck. “Not really. He’s just friendly.”

  “You think?” Victoria tried not to frown. Maybe everyone else saw her and Nick correctly, and Nick did just think they were messing around. But she wouldn’t focus on this tonight. “He doesn’t seem to like Trevor very much. Every time he comes around, Luke walks away, looking angry.”

  “I haven’t really noticed that.”

  Nick’s voice sounded weird to her. She looked up at him, but his expression gave nothing away. That still didn’t alleviate the churning in her stomach. Nick was hiding something. “There’s my mom. I need to ask her something.” She didn’t wait for his response before she walked away.

  * * *

  Nick watched her go, his gut burning. He knew she could tell something was off, but he couldn’t go against his brother’s wishes. Luke didn’t want anyone to know how he felt about Halle while she was still with her cheating husband, and he didn’t want Nick to be the one to tell her or her family about Trevor’s indiscretions.

  It didn’t seem right, though. He wanted to tell Victoria so she could soften the blow for when Halle found out, or warn her in the first place. He didn’t want any secrets between them. The way she’d looked at him before she walked away twisted his heart. The ground was shifting underneath his feet, and he didn’t like it at all.

  Charlotte joined him. “What is it?”

  “Nothing.” Nick shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m just adjusting.”

  She kissed his cheek, eyes full of love. “That’s life, baby. We were made to adapt to what goes on around us.”

  “Yeah, I’m beginning to understand that.” He watched Victoria mingle with the people there. She moved with a confidence, a self-assuredness that he loved. She’d had such a solid foundation growing up. Could he adapt his ways to fit in with hers? Would she be able to adapt her ways? Did she understand that this was all new to him and that he was still learning how to be in a relationship?

  “What are you thinking about so hard?” Addie came up beside him, handed him a beer. “You’re watching my sister kind of closely. Should I file a restraining order?”

  He heard the humor in her voice. “No. I’m just amazed by her.”

  Addie nodded. “Finally, a man who appreciates how awesome she is. You know, I’ve never seen her look at Roger the way she looks at you. It’s almost nauseating. She sneaks peeks every few minutes like she’s afraid you’ll disappear.”

  “She does?” Nick looked down at Addie. Could Victoria really feel that way?

  “Hmm.” Addie grinned at him. “You look at her the same way. So I say this warning with less violence than I normally would. If you break my sister’s heart, I will cut your balls off and make them into a necklace.”

  Nick’s eyebrow’s rose. “That was less violence?”

  She patted his shoulder. “Go hang out with my sister.”

  When he approached, Victoria smiled up at him. It seemed she’d forgotten whatever had bothered her earlier. Halle beamed at him. Flirting with his brother looked good on her.

  “Everyone, I’d like to propose a toast.” Wes tapped on the side of his flute. The patrons of the party grew quiet. “Come here, Victoria.”

  Victoria joined her father by the receptionist counter. Nick thought the pink blooming on her cheeks was adorable.

  “Now, I want to toast to my beautiful daughter, Victoria. She always loved to decorate things, even as a little girl. She even decorated my tool box, which I used every day of my career. Every time I saw it,” Wes smiled down at Victoria, “I knew she’d have a successful career doing what she loved.”

  “Dad….” Victoria’s eyes watered. Beside her, her mom’s and daughters’ did, too. In fact, Nick saw that almost every single one of the women’s eyes were teary.

  “Let me finish, sweetheart.” Wes cleared his throat, fighting off his own tears. “You have worked hard to get here, and I want you to know that we are so proud of you.” He raised his glass.

  The crowd burst into applause. Nick smiled widely as Wes wrapped Victoria in a bear hug. Charlotte put her arm through the crook of his elbow and leaned her head on his shoulder. “You picked a great one.”

  “I definitely did,” Nick agreed.

  After the party, Nick and Victoria took the girls home. He was surprised at how easily he’d come to think of her house as home. Uneasiness snuck in, and he wondered if it was supposed to be that easy? To just slide into love?

  The girls went straight to bed. Nick stood in the kitchen, watching Victoria place dishes from the party into the sink. It wasn’t too late in the evening, but Nick could tell by the droop of her shoulders that she was exhausted.

  “Baby, don’t worry about that right now.” Nick took the dish from her and kissed the top of her head. “Let’s go to bed. We’ll clean up tomorrow.”

  Victoria nodded against his chest. “‘Kay.”

  He led her into the bedroom, making sure she didn’t fall asleep while they changed. After he crawled in, he held the covers up so she could slide in with him. She laid her head on his chest and snuggled up against him. It was the most perfect thing he’d ever felt. “Is everything okay?”

  She didn’t say anything at first, and he tensed. “Yeah. I just got a little overwhelmed,” she finally said.

  His fingertips rubbed her shoulder. “From the party or from me?”

  “The party.” She sighed, her breath fanning over his chest. “And you, a little.” She pushed up so she could see him. “I just got out of a long relationship with a person who didn’t care about me. I’m a little freaked that I might make that mistake again. You dazzle me, and I can’t think straight when it comes to you.”

  Thoughts tumbled around in his mind. Could he promise not to be a mistake for her? “Tori, I’m not sure exactly what I’m feeling because I’ve never felt it before. But I do know for sure that you will always be a priority to me. Your needs and wants already come before mine.” His thumb brushed her lower lip. “I can’t get you out of my head. I don’t want to.”

  Her eyes shone, and when she blinked, a tear fell. “That’s…wow. That’s the most amazing thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  He leaned up and kissed her softly. “I may not be able to serenade you or write sonnets like Shakespeare, but I can be honest about how I feel.”

  “I like your words better.” She rested her head back down and fell asleep within minutes.

  Nick rubbed her back in small circles and thought about what he’d said. He’d never meant something so much in his life. It was like being in the ring. He’d either be the winner, feeling the rush of elation overtake him, or find himself flat on his ass. Which way would this end up?

  Chapter Thirty

  VICTORIA SMILED, eyeing the stargazer lilies Nick had delivered for her first day at the office. It was the beginning of the week and the first day of her big girl career. She had her own office. She even had her own assistant. Ella was invaluable already.

  “Those are so pretty. I’m literally going to die of jealousy.” Ella sighed. She had her brown hair pulled up in a sophisticated bun and wore natural makeup that made her moss-green eyes stand out. “None of my boyfriends have ever given me flowers.”

  “I can’t believe that. You’re gorgeous.” Victoria stood next to the counter and looked at the calendar. “Are you seeing anyone in town?”

  Ella fiddled with the edge of the calendar. “No, I broke up with my boyfriend before I came here. He wanted me to move to Los Angeles with him, but I wanted something closer to home. I didn’t want to be that far from my family.”

  “He didn’t und
erstand that?” Victoria asked.

  “No. I offered a long distance thing, but he was the jealous type, so he said it was either I move or we were done.” Ella put on a smile. “Anyway, he’s long gone. I’m sure there are some hot men here I could try out.”

  Victoria smiled back, hoping to bring her spirits up. “Just don’t tell your aunt that.”

  “I won’t.” Ella pointed to the calendar. “Here are the appointments I’ve made. We’re really starting to get some calls. I also wanted to talk to you about making a new website with your address and number for the office. We could put up pictures and testimonials of your past work. That will help draw people in.

  “That’s a great idea,” Victoria told her.

  “Good. I took some classes in marketing when I went through massage courses. Just give me a few hours.” Ella checked the date. “You have an appointment with Ms. Mae at one. I have the concept folder that you made for her on your desk.”

  “Thanks, Ella.” Victoria went into her private office and sat behind the white desk. It had taken her so many years to get there. So much hard work, long nights, and worry that she wouldn’t make it. She wanted to savor the moment. Roger had constantly talked her down, told her she’d never accomplish anything without him. It took everything she had to not call him up and shout that she had and she’d flourished without his negativity. The only thing that kept her from doing it was the girls. She didn’t want to cause any more rancor from Helena. The past week had been nice, no tantrums, no hateful spite. Hopefully that wouldn’t change when the girls went to Roger’s for a few days.

  He hadn’t said anything to her since the argument at her house. She’d gotten no phone calls from him, no uninvited visits. In fact, he’d asked through Helena if he could have them for the next few days. Maybe her words had changed something in him, because he never would’ve offered to get them before. And even then he would’ve acted as if it was such a hardship to spend time with them.

  Later that day, she picked the girls up from Addie’s, then headed home. They needed to pack their bags before Roger got there. She and Nick were going to celebrate her first day at work with dinner, and she couldn’t wait. She’d miss the girls, but looked forward to spending some alone time with Nick.

  Roger waited on the doorstep, his car parked in the driveway. Victoria wasn’t sure if he did it on purpose, but now she had to park on the street to her own house and wait until he left to park in her driveway.

  “You’re late.”

  Seriously? Victoria ignored him and unlocked the front door. She wasn’t late; for once in his life he was early. “Girls, get your bags packed.”

  They rushed upstairs.

  “You’re seeing that Nick guy.” Roger put a hand on her arm. “He’s not good enough to be around the girls.”

  Victoria shook his hand off. So he hadn’t gotten over that. “Nick is a great man, and he actually loves spending time with the girls.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Roger’s hazel eyes narrowed. “I love being with the girls. Did I not offer to come get them for a few days?”

  “Yes.” Victoria crossed her arms. “And why is that? I normally have to beg you to spend time with them. Is it because Nick is doing a better job at being a father than you are?”

  “He is nothing but a piece of trash. His own father didn’t want him.”

  Victoria’s hand connected with Roger’s cheek before she even thought about it. Her eyes widened, but the only thing she was sorry for was that she hadn’t balled her hand up first. “Get out of my house. You are a miserable piece of shit. Don’t ever talk about him like that again.”

  Roger touched his cheek gingerly. “You hit me.”

  Victoria opened the door. “I slapped you; stop being such a damn baby. You deserved more than that. Wait for the girls in your car.”

  “Victoria—”

  “Now,” she hissed. “Do not come back inside this house for any reason.” She resisted the urge to slam the door behind him. Who the hell did he think he was, saying stuff like that about Nick? How could he even mention Nick’s father when he was hardly one to judge?

  “Bye, Mom.” Lucia hugged her. Victoria forced down her anger and wrapped her arms around Lucia.

  “Bye, baby. Have a good time. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need me.” Victoria opened her arms and pulled Helena close. “I love you.”

  “Love you.” Helena squeezed her and then was out the door without a look back.

  Lucia waved and then shut the door behind her. Victoria stood in the foyer, listening to the silent house. The entire atmosphere felt different with the girls gone. There was something about knowing they weren’t going to be there for a few days that made Victoria’s heart heavy. She’d missed them so much.

  To pass the time until Nick got there, Victoria picked up a novel she’d started almost four months ago and curled up in her chair. Nick walked in a little while later.

  “What’s going on, Belle? Beast run out on you?” Nick leaned against the side of her chair.

  “Ha, ha.” Victoria shut the book and set it on the bookshelf behind her. “I needed something to do to take my mind off the girls.”

  Nick pulled her up. “Well, I can help with that after dinner. You do know it’s six, right?”

  “What?” Victoria’s gaze snapped to the clock on the wall. “No. Let me jump in the shower. I’ll hurry.”

  Nick grinned. “I’m going to watch TV until you’re done.”

  Victoria rushed through her shower, halfway dried her hair before throwing it up in a messy ponytail, and threw on some clothes. Nick looked up when she entered the living room. The look in his eyes sent a thrill through her.

  “You look perfect.”

  “Don’t lie.” Victoria laughed. “I don’t even have makeup on.”

  “You don’t need it.” Nick kissed her, pulling her close. “What do you want to eat?”

  “I don’t care.”

  Nick gave her a look. “You know you do. I can eat anything, so you pick.”

  “I hate all these decisions.” Victoria shrugged. “I could really go for a burger and fries.”

  “Stop my beating heart.” Nick placed a hand over his chest. “You are so romantic.”

  She slapped his arm. “I’m serious. It’s what I want.”

  “Then that’s what you’ll get.”

  Nick picked a small diner that he said served the best burgers. They sat in a booth near the back. Not many people were there; most were probably eating on the boardwalk because it was tourist season. Not all of the shops stayed open year round. “Have you ever been here?”

  Victoria looked around. “Once, a long time ago.”

  “You’ll love their burgers.” He linked their fingers together on the table as he looked at the menu. They placed their order, and the buxom waitress winked at Nick as she left.

  “Don’t give me that look.” Nick squeezed her hand. “I’ve never met her before.”

  “That’s not why I’m giving you that look. It’s just ridiculous how many women throw themselves at you.”

  Fire pooled in her abdomen at his intimate look. As if he wanted to devour her. “I only see you.”

  She could tell he spoke the truth, especially when he looked at her like that. He made her want him in the worst way. She needed to change the subject so she could focus on food. “How is the remodel on the kitchen going?”

  “We just started gutting it today. That’ll take a day or two, and then we’ll start making the cabinets she wants. I started on some for another customer, but I’ll have to put those on hold.” Nick thanked the waitress when she brought their drinks. True to his word, he didn’t look away from Victoria.

  “How’s your mom?” Victoria asked. She sipped out of the straw and watched Nick’s eyes narrow on her mouth.

  “F
ine. She’s fine.” Nick cleared his throat. “If you keep doing that, we’re going to miss dinner.”

  Victoria bit her lip and squeezed her thighs together against the sudden ache. How did he make her think of sex constantly?

  “Tori, I’m serious,” he whispered from across the table. “I’m holding myself back right now, because we both need dinner. We’re supposed to be celebrating.”

  She sent him a sexy smile. “I can think of better ways to celebrate.”

  He cursed under his breath, his fingers tightening around hers. Electricity seemed to jump between their hands and run up her arm. “You’re killing me.”

  Teasing him like this gave her a surge of power. She loved how she affected him, how she made him crave her. That kind of power was addicting.

  The waitress brought their food and they scarfed it down, paid, and ran to the truck. Victoria giggled at the crazy way she acted, but she was high on life. She’d finally opened her office, she had a hot, gentle man, and her girls were finally happy. Nothing could ruin tonight.

  His hand stayed on her upper thigh on the drive home. Every few minutes he would gently squeeze, and she’d bite her lip. The anticipation was killing her. Finally, they turned into the neighborhood. The truck lights illuminated a car in her driveway.

  “That’s Halle’s car.” Victoria’s heart sank. “She wouldn’t come over unless something was wrong. She knew we were going out tonight.”

  As soon as Nick parked the truck, she threw the door open. Halle sat on the porch steps, head in her hands, still wearing her scrubs. When Victoria heard her sobs, she ran to the porch. “Halle?” Victoria knelt beside her sister. Halle’s shoulders shook. When she glanced up at Victoria, mascara ran down her cheeks. “Halle, what happened?”

  Halle’s eyes were red and puffy, her nose running. “Trevor.” Her voice cracked.

  “Was he in an accident?” Victoria helped her stand. “Do I need to call Mom and Dad?”

  “No!” Halle shook her head. A flash of anger shot through her eyes. “I wish the bastard was dead.”

  Victoria shot Nick a look as she unlocked her front door. He followed them in, standing awkwardly while Victoria led Halle to the couch. “What happened?”