Unfortunately, at the same time, he was telling her exactly why he wouldn’t act on those feelings.
And his reason wasn’t a bad one, wasn’t wrong.
In fact, it reinforced why she was so attracted to him to begin with. Because he was an attentive, loving, wonderful uncle and brother.
“You’re not a stranger, Belle. If you were someone I met on the street, then we could act on this attraction, but you’re not just some woman I’m attracted to, who I want.”
God, those words felt good.
At least until he added, “You’re the woman who helped raise my niece. For God’s sake, you’ve been a second mother to Pip, and she loves you so much. If we act on this and it implodes, Pip loses.”
Belle blinked rapidly, trying to beat back the tears forming in her eyes. “You’re right,” she whispered, aware that Victor would rather swallow his own feelings than risk hurting that little girl. Which only made her want him more, dammit.
“She needs you,” he said, taking a step away from her. “We can’t screw this up for her.”
Belle swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump, letting her nod serve as her response.
Words failed her as devastation set in.
Because she loved Pip too, so much so, she would follow Victor’s lead and do the right thing with him.
Clearing her throat, she managed to squeak out a weak, “I understand,” followed by an equally pathetic, “you’re right.” She didn’t have it in her to push out the words “good night,” so she just gave him a sad smile.
Victor didn’t say anything else. Instead, he stepped aside and let her escape back into the house.
She climbed the stairs to her room, firming her resolve with each step.
She would give herself tonight to mourn what could have been.
But only tonight.
She couldn’t linger in that sadness, or she’d never find her way back out.
Locking her bedroom door behind her, Belle reached into the back of her closet where she’d hidden her vibrator in a box, buried beneath her shoes. The last thing she wanted was to explain a sex toy to a five-year-old.
Carrying it to her bed, she stripped off her clothes and climbed under the covers.
Twice.
He’d kissed hertwice.
And those kisses had proven that there was truth buried in clichés. Because he’d ruined her for all other men—and they’d never even had sex.
Tomorrow, Belle would stiffen her spine, put them on solid ground once more.
However, doing so would require changes and distance.
She’d shift into professionalism, efficiency, politeness.
But no more patio time.
No more teasing or cooking together or movie nights or…
She drew in a breath, one that was laced with a sob.
No. I’m not going to cry.
She shut down her thoughts and let her body take over.