But she wasn’t going to offer another date.
Charles stood on her porch. He was handsomein the amber glow of the light. He was tall and broad-shouldered with that clean-cut prosecutor polish. He smelled faintly of sandalwood. He’d talked easily during the drive about his work, Cleveland, and her project. She appreciated how respectful he was when she’d turned down his invitation for drinks at his place.
He wasn’t pushy or aggressive.
Even with his smile and the way he’d held her coat for her to slide it on, he hadn’t stirred anything in her that was remotely close to the electricity that rippled through her whenever Vic just looked at her.
“I had a great time tonight,” Charles said. “Your work is impressive. You should be proud.”
“Thank you.” She offered him a small smile, even though her feet were killing her; she was dead tired, and her mind was mush.
He leaned in and brushed a polite kiss against her cheek.
“Call me sometime?” he whispered. He stepped back and smiled, then turned and jogged down the stairs.
Tachina slid her key into the lock and opened the door. She waved then stepped in. He’d been a gentleman and waited to leave once she was secured inside her home. She closed the door and finally exhaled.
She kicked her heels off in the foyer and wobbled as relief flooded her arches. God, she was exhausted. The gala, the compliments, the scrutiny, Sydney, Vic in that damntailored tuxedo, looking like he’d walked out of a billionaire bachelor magazine…
She stopped and had to get herself together, because just thinking of that man in his tux had her brain short-circuiting.
She loosened the clasp on her clutch and set it down on the hallway table. Her makeup felt heavy, her gown too damn fitted, and she was burning up. She just wanted a shower, her jammies, and?—
“Ms. Winston?”
Tachina started, flying around to see Kian’s nanny standing in the doorway to the living room. Her heart thumped dramatically at the fright.
“Alisa, you scared the crap out of me.” Tachina laughed.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you jump.” Alisa smiled. She had worked for them since Kian was about two years old. She went back and forth between Vic’s and Tachina’s homes in order to help care for Kian when they needed her to.
“How was he tonight?” Tachina asked. She opened her purse and dug in for the cash she had inside it.
“Oh, he was the perfect little angel. He fell asleep about two hours ago. He was determined to stay up to finish his movie, but he didn’t make it.” She giggled.
“Thanks so much. Let me pay you for tonight,” she said.
“Mr. Maxwell took care of it. No need.” Alisadisappeared into the living room and came back out with her jacket.
“Have a great night, Alisa.” Tachina walked her to the door.
Once she’d made sure Alisa was safe in her car, she closed the door and engaged the deadbolt. The house felt peaceful again. The quiet hum of the fridge and the faint night breeze brushed against the windows. She made her way to the stairs and couldn’t wait to go up them to get this gown off her. It was lovely and she felt beautiful in it, but it was time to remove it.
The doorbell rang.
“Who the hell is that?” She froze with her foot on the first stair. Had Alissa forgotten something? She crossed the foyer carefully and arrived at the window. When she pulled the curtain back, she paused. All of the breath in her body escaped.
Vic.
He stood in under the porch light, still in his tuxedo, the bow tie untied and hanging from his collar. Of course the man looked devilishly handsome at midnight. His hair was slightly mussed like he’d been combing it with his fingers. His expression was enough to make her heart stutter.
She opened the door, her pulse racing.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered.
He didn’t step inside. Didn’t smile. Didn’t offera small joke. His gaze just took her in. From the top of her head down to her bare feet before his gaze returned to hers.
“I wanted to see you.”