And she needed a man who would never, ever waver in a commitment he made, who would never forget his priorities—once he finally figured out what he wanted. Who would always challenge her and keep her guessing and make her laugh.
She was beginning to think she knew exactly who that man was.
Cory had always driven home how important it was to shift strategies once new information came to light. If it was up to her to show him how right they were for each other, she’d take to her task with zeal. She’d do whatever it took.
“Victoria? Are you all right?”
The momentary indecision on his face cemented her decision. He cared for her, she knew he did. If they were meant to be more than lovers, bumping up the depth of their lie wouldn’t change that. And it might just make things clearer for them both.
Before she could respond, Cory steepled his fingers, obviously weighing something in his mind. “Minus a few snafus, this evening went well, I think?”
It could’ve gone worse, she supposed. She mumbled in agreement.
“I think we should take advantage of our apparent…compatibility and schedule a few more social events.”
“You only have me for two more weeks until your parents have their going-away party.” As Cory cut his gaze to hers, she realized her reminder of their limited time had not done what she’d hoped. “I mean, I have a lot of work commitments coming up, along with magazine business, but with proper notice, we can—”
His jaw clenched, emphasizing the shadows highlighting his sharp cheekbones. “How much proper notice are we talking about? You are supposed to be my girlfriend, are you not?”
So much for making him want more. So far all she’d done was annoy him. As usual. “I am,” she agreed quietly. “The love of your life.”
He shifted his face away, his profile so stark that she couldn’t decide if she wanted to smooth a kiss over his temple or tickle him to loosen him up again.
Still, she couldn’t make herself too available to him. Part of their heat, she knew, was her absolute unwillingness to concede ground to him easily. It made sense to continue with a winning formula.
“As long as you give me proper notice, I’m sure we can mesh our schedules,” she added, not expecting him to turn back with a snarl.
“What is this proper fucking notice shit? You used to be available when I wanted you. Now you’re so important that I need to schedule everything?”
“Oooh, swearing. The master of all he sees is pissed.”
His lips twitched around a smile. “I’m not pissed. I just think it’s obvious how good we are together. That’s why I think we should go out more. It would make things more believable.”
Vicky rested her elbow on the back of the sofa and carefully nudged his hand off her leg. “We can probably work something out.”
“Is that your way of brushing me off?” He looked down at his hand as if he was stunned she hadn’t launched herself at him. It had been touch and go there for a while.
She needed to devise her game plan and snap her sexy back into place. It was definitely at low ebb. If she crawled all over Cory now, she had no doubt whatsoever that their hot sex would screw with her already-addled brain until she fell so far she couldn’t climb back out. Taking the night to think would allow her to clarify her goals for this experiment. Setting the parameters in her mind for what she wanted to achieve would minimize risk.
Dirty deliciousness with an option to buy long-term. Sounded about right.
“Of course not. I just didn’t realize how late it was.” She struggled to keep her voice even as she got to her feet. “Speaking of late…” She trailed off and feigned a yawn. “I should get to bed.” Alone.
“Early day tomorrow?” His tone was rigidly polite, as if they hadn’t fucked in the hay two hours ago.
Better yet, as if she didn’t wear the proof of his lies on her body. The red marks from his lips on her neck. The bruises blooming on her hips from his rough grip.
The three little words he’d uttered that were practically imprinted on her psyche.
“Not earlier than normal, but busy. Jill and I are going on a buying trip for Friday’s shoot.” She tried to sound cheerful. “Keeping her busy and out of trouble is my life’s work. At least until she’s thirty or so. Only eight years to go.”
Rising, Cory let out a stilted laugh. “Why?”
“Because I told someone I cared about that I would,” she snapped as if that explained everything. Now that she’d decided it was time for him to leave, he needed to just go before she changed her mind.
She didn’t want to talk anymore tonight. Particularly not to him. She felt way too raw and vulnerable.