No Romance Required(50)

Wrong-o.

She stared over his head out the window, going back to those moments they’d shared in the barn. The power of that encounter had shaken her more than any other she’d ever had. Maybe because she’d so willingly surrendered some of her control. Maybe because it was Cory. Maybe both. The more time they spent together, the more she couldn’t help thinking beyond the moment, even knowing it was dangerous. Especially with him.

Every little girl had her favorite fairy tales, and one of the last of hers was finding someone to share her life with. The most important ingredient in her bucolic farm fantasies.

She choked back a laugh. Who’d’ve thunk it? Up-for-anything Vicky Townsend, dreaming of farms and marriage and babies. Of the home she’d had for such a short time as a child and wanted with every fiber to create again.

Compared to the other stubborn dream she still held—her mother ever getting better—part of this one at least was in reach. She could be Cory’s girlfriend for a few weeks. Even if it wasn’t real.

Her family life years ago hadn’t exactly been real, either. So she should be adjusted by now.

When she shot her gaze to his, he cleared his throat. “I didn’t intend any of this,” he added almost as an afterthought.

A quick stabbing sensation in her eyes made her blink, hard. Something had changed between them in the barn. Altered subtly, like molecules shifting. They’d grown closer, and she couldn’t go back in time.

From what she’d seen in the kitchen, his job was on the line. That didn’t really make sense to her, since his parents were good people. But for some reason, his coupledom was a requirement of his continued employment, and the idea of Cory without his work was a scary thing indeed.

What would be left of him then? And could she really willingly cause pain to someone she cared about, when the answer was so simple?

All she had to do was continue down the path they’d set, unwittingly, the night of the gala. Besides, her family didn’t have the best track record at finding—and staying with—their significant others. Maybe a fake relationship was her best bet.

“You know, my mom and dad set some precedent,” she said, shaking her head. “First they split up, then there’s Bry, who never dates the same woman two months in a row. Sometimes even two weeks is a strain. Melly tried to settle down with someone, but it didn’t stick. He cheated on her and dumped her. Then there’s me, the people pleaser who partied too hard in high school. Tonight, one of the guests—Cassandra—asked if I was that girl who’d had sex at the water tower and got arrested. I don’t think she believed me when I said I’d never been handcuffed.” She laughed just a bit too loud. “Gotta love small towns. Everyone knows everyone’s business and no one ever forgets.”

Cory edged closer to her, his expression intent in the low light. “If Cassandra Martino—or anyone else—ever says anything derogatory to you about your past again, let me know. I’ll handle it.”

Her heart swelled before she quashed her instant of sentimentality. Yeah, right, like he’d be sticking around long enough to shield her. As if she needed shielding. She could handle it. Hadn’t she handled much worse? “My hero,” she murmured, only half-joking.

“I’m no one’s hero.” He finished his wine and set it aside. They’d both had a few glasses tonight, plus he’d had some brandy. No wonder they were both a little…different. “You think you’re the only one who has a past people won’t forget. My dad wasn’t exactly loved in this town. He had a rep for bar fights, and there’s still an imprint of his fist in the wall at Connor’s Bar. Or so I’ve heard. Add in his penchant for sleeping with married women while he was still with my mom and you see why some people haven’t forgotten. He made quite the impression.”

“I never realized.”

He cracked the knuckles of one hand while his other slipped over her knee. “You’re not like your parents or your brother and sister, Vic. You’re you, and there’s no one else like you in the world.” When she shifted to look at him, he kept going. “Don’t ever change, for anyone. Even me.”

She glanced down at her lap, her hair falling forward to hide her face. His words revealed a part of him she’d never known. It was as if she was seeing him anew. He brushed back the wind-tangled strands and left his fingers on her skin. Taunting her with his nearness. “Victoria?”

She barely registered his voice. She wasn’t the only one who was alone. Despite the women he’d dated in the past, she knew he didn’t want some quiet Stepford girlfriend who didn’t make waves. That would bore him to tears in a week. He needed someone who laughed loudly and cried easily and booty-danced because a friend was having a baby. Someone who lived and loved hard.