Hart To Hart (30 page)

The stretching made her catch her breath. “He’s grown.”

“That’s what pining for you can do to a man.”

Their easy banter was one of the things she so loved about this man. After two deep thrusts, he’d stopped. It was as if he were lost in thought. Ellie pressed her hips back and it seemed to restart him. His fingers found her nipples, and they went to town twirling and twisting each one, giving her mega doses of pleasure. Each press and tug pushed her closer to the edge.

Only then did he thrust into her all the way, heating her body to volcanic temperatures. She lowered her head and absorbed all the loving, thrilled that he seemed as excited as she was.

“Yes, yes, more,” she shouted.

Vic’s chest pressed against her back and his lips found her shoulder. Between the nips and kisses, the way he was kneading her breasts, and his dynamic thrusts, Ellie was about to burst.

His cock slammed into her back wall again, and she lost it. Wave after wave of glorious ecstasy cascaded through her. Her scream sounded foreign even to her ears, but Vic’s shout matched hers.

A second later, his cock pulsed and then exploded. Heat poured through her as his hot seed filled her. Blood pounding hard in her ears, she dropped onto the desk.

Vic brushed back her sweaty hair from her neck and kissed her. “I love you.”

All she could do was nod.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

E
llie had come
to Vic’s office dressed and then changed in the bathroom. No way would she have even stepped outside nearly naked. After she’d received a big hug from Sharon, Ellie had gotten into her sexy outfit. Now dressed, she stepped back into Vic’s office. He, too, had put on his jeans and shirt. The fantasy play had been better than she’d ever imagined, but now was the time to discuss the real reason she was there.

She glanced down at the coat in her arms. “We should talk.”

“Okay.” His voice came out a bit jittery.

Vic dragged his comfy chair from behind the desk and motioned she take the seat. He sat in the hard wooden chair opposite her. “Please don’t tell me you only came to say goodbye.”

She raised her brows. “You think I’m that cruel?”

“No. I just said that to make it easier on you in case that was your message.”

Ellie stretched out her legs. She’d prepared what she planned to say the whole plane ride out here, but few of the words remained in her head. “I sold my portion of the gallery.”

Vic sat up straighter, shock furrowing the lines jetting out from his eyes and around his mouth. “You did? But you love the gallery.”

“I do, but I love you and Charlotte more. Family is more important than a bunch of paintings or the dream of being a famous curator.” She leaned forward. “It was Wendy who reminded me that I can’t hug a painting, and that a painting or piece of artwork won’t be a comfort when I need some loving.”

“Remind me to send her a Christmas card.”

She chuckled. “I know you said there might be dangers, but there are no guarantees in life. I saw an innocent woman in a car get pushed into a busy intersection. I don’t know the extent of her injuries, but I suspect they might have been worse than yours. What I’m saying is we’ll deal with whatever comes our way—together.”

Vic scooted his chair closer and picked up her hands. “Are you sure you want to live out west? Granted we have malls—and Starbucks—but the weather can be harsh.”

“I can do harsh if I have you to keep me warm.”

He shook his head. “What did I do to deserve you?”

“Well, you are hot in bed.”

He dropped back his head and laughed. “So now, I’m just a hot piece of meat?”

In part, but she didn’t think it wise to mention that. “If you play your cards right, you could play a more important role.” She gave him her best shoulder shrug.

“You are too much. All kidding aside, do you think you can put up with me working late hours if I’m on a case?”

“As long as you tell me what’s bothering you, I can handle anything.”

“I can try, but what about you? I don’t picture you sitting at home knitting.”

“I’ve never knitted, or sewed for that matter, in my life.” Vic was being silly.

“My point exactly.”

She had considered her options. “I’ll check out some of the local galleries. I make a pretty good sales person.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” He smiled. “Now that that’s settled, Charlotte has agreed to come to my house for Christmas.” He practically vibrated with excitement.

“She told me. She was thrilled you asked her.”

“As if I wouldn’t?”

Ellie leaned back. “You can be odd at times.”

“True. Speaking of odd, some friends invited me to a party tomorrow night. I can cancel if you’d rather not go, but I’ve asked Charlotte to be my date.”

“I’d love to meet your friends, especially now that I’m here for good, and I certainly don’t mind playing second fiddle to my daughter.”

“Fantastic.” He slapped his forehead. “I wasn’t thinking. You said you sold your gallery? To whom?”

“Ronnie Maloney. He told me he was ready to own a gallery. The timing was perfect, especially since Hilton and he are friends.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“I figured it was the universe’s way of telling me I need to be here.”

He looked to the ceiling. “Thank you, universe.”

*     *     *

“So tell me
about these friends.” Ellie turned her back to Vic so he could zip up her dress.

“The ranch we’re going to belongs to Cade Benson. He’s a detective who has worked with Trent over the years—who, by the way, will be there.”

“So that’s why you invited your daughter?” She turned around.

“Who me?”

Ellie slightly punched him. “You are such a romantic.”

“Am not. Cade lives with Stone Benson and their wife, Amber. You’ve met Stone. He was one of the paramedics who took care of me at the barn.”

“I’m afraid I was a bit preoccupied to notice anyone other than you.”

“You say the sweetest things. The party is at Cade’s house because they just had a baby. Trevor is about eight months old and Amber didn’t want to leave him.”

“I can understand that.” Vic had mentioned that many couples were in a ménage relationship. It wasn’t something she ever wanted to entertain, but if it worked out for others, she had no problem with it.

“Coming to the party besides Trent, is the other detective who was with him during my kidnapping—Thad Dalton. He’ll be bringing his wife, Zoey, who’s a therapist at the hospital, and their other partner, Pete Banks, who owns a construction firm.”

She held up her hands. “Whoa. I’m already on overload. I’ll never be able to remember their names.”

He laughed. “Fair enough.” Vic helped her into her coat. “Ready?”

“Yes.”

They stepped into the living room where Charlotte was waiting for them. Her eyes widened. “You guys look awesome!”

Ellie walked over and hugged her daughter. “So do you.”

“You don’t think it’s a bit too much?”

Her skirt was too short and the top cut too low, but she was an adult. “You look great.”

Charlotte beamed.

“Let’s go, ladies.”

They piled into his truck and headed out to this Christmas party. Vic went over who’d be there again, but there were just too many names to keep track of.

Vic glanced into the rearview mirror. “Charlotte, you remember Max Gruden?”

“The Fire Marshall?”

“Yes. He’ll be there with his wife, Jamie.”

Ellie was looking forward to meeting all these wonderful couples. When Vic turned down the drive, cars and trucks were parked as far as fifty feet back from the house. “This is some party.”

“We Montanans like to do it up big.”

She laughed. Vic never was one to socialize. He had changed. Once he parked, he wrapped his arm around both of their waists and escorted them inside. Ellie leaned over and whispered in his ear. “We should have brought something.”

“I offered, but they said they had everything covered.”

“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have brought a bottle of wine or a toy for Trevor.”

“See why I need you?”

Vic was too much. “Yes.”

A beautifully decorated lit Christmas tree sat by a large window with presents piled underneath. Stockings were hung on the chimney, and a table nearby was filled with more food than she’d seen at any Washington, D.C. event. “This is incredible.”

“It is.”

Charlotte clasped Ellie’s arm. “There’s Trent. What should I do?”

“Don’t ask me, but if he comes over, please be polite and say hello.” Ellie was glad her dating days were now over.

Trent made a beeline toward them. “Glad to see you all could make it, but I didn’t expect you Ms. Hart.”

Vic grinned. “El’s come back to stay.”

“Hey, that’s fantastic. This calls for a toast!”

“No, please. This isn’t about us. I just want to kick back and meet everyone.”

“I understand.” Trent turned to Charlotte. “May I get you a drink?”

Ellie couldn’t quite get a read on her daughter, but she suspected it was a mixture of delight and mortification. “Sure.”

Once Trent whisked her away, Vic took Ellie around and introduced her. It would take weeks, if not months, before she could keep people’s names straight. They all seemed very interesting and nice. Most were either in the medical field, worked at the fire department, or at the Rock Hard Police Department. One exception was Alex Hendrix and his wife, Dina Banks. Alex owned a construction firm with Pete while Dina owned a boutique. She and Alex had just had a baby two months ago. The woman looked wonderful.

Between socializing and eating, Vic would have to carry her out to the car. Around ten, Cade gathered everyone around. “We have an announcement to make.”

The group chatted, speculating about a possible second child for Amber. Instead of Cade or Stone stepping up, it was Max Gruden who moved to the front with his wife Jamie.

“I can’t think of a better group of people to announce that Jamie and I are expecting our first child in April.”

Several women rushed to her side and offered their congratulations. Ellie sighed. “My pregnancy was great until you had to go out on some top-secret case the night I delivered.”

Vic spun her around. “I regret that more than you can know. I wish things had been different, but I can’t change the past. All I can promise is that from now on, you and Charlotte will be my top priority.” He kissed her slowly, tenderly, and with love.

“Gross. No daughter wants to see their parents kiss.”

A bit embarrassed, they parted. “I’m sorry. You’re right,” Ellie said.

Vic leaned close. “How about we take this elsewhere?”

She laughed. “I think we should thank our hosts first.”

“Of course.”

Now that Vic had truly come out of his FBI shell, the times ahead were going to be interesting.

*     *     *

Christmas morning was
magical. A fresh layer of snow had fallen, and Vic was with the two most wonderful women in the world.

“Have a seat at the table. The eggs and bacon are ready,” El said.

He’d fixed the coffee and Charlotte made sure no one had messed with the presents under the tree. Once they were all at the table, Vic lifted his mug. “Merry Christmas, ladies. You’ve made me a very happy man.”

They both smiled. “I’m happy for the family I’ve always wanted,” Charlotte chimed in.

El placed a hand over Charlotte’s. “Better late than never.”

“Amen,” he added.

Vic told them about the text he’d received from Harold Evans, thanking him for keeping the most amazing secret in the world. They’d listened to his tale of misunderstanding last night, and were happy for the couple.

“Did he and his wife dance the tango then?” Charlotte asked.

“I’ll be sure to ask him when they return from their Christmas vacation. How about you ladies clear the table, while I scrounge up one more present I forgot to put out.”

They jumped up and rushed to get ready for the present opening. Vic ducked into the bedroom, pulled out his underwear drawer, and extracted the small gold case. His heart pounded. He kept telling himself this was the right time. They were ready. He stuffed the small box in his jeans pocket and went back to help the women in the kitchen.