Eric opened his mouth to say something supportive, but his temper got the better of him—again. “What a fucking bitch!”
“Police arrested her when she walked out of the deli. She fell apart and ratted out Stewart and the other guy. They had what they needed to arrest Stewart on a bunch of felonies—extortion, breaking into my apartment, nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images and some other stuff. They confiscated a bunch of flash drives, his cameras, and his computer and took the websites down. He got four years in prison, but he’ll probably be out in two.”
“Did you have to face him in court?” Eric could only imagine what a nightmare that must have been.
“No, thank God. He made a plea deal. I was afraid it was going to blow up in the newspapers, and then everyone would know. In Illinois, taping someone without their consent is considered a form of sexual assault, so the newspapers respected my privacy. I had to tell my boss just in case. She was more understanding than my father.”
Well, that gave Eric one reason not to hate the woman.
“Stewart had always worn condoms, but I got tested for STDs anyway—twice. Thank God I was okay. But I had nightmares for months. I still do once in a while. I didn’t feel safe at home, so I sold my condo and rented a place on the other side of town. I don’t like being in public because I’m afraid someone will recognize me.”
And now that had finally happened.
Shit.
“Every time my phone buzzes, I get a sick feeling. Even all these months later, some part of me thinks it’s him.”
So that’s why she jumped every time her phone made a sound. It wasn’t her boss. It was a post-traumatic response. “Ah, honey. God, I’m so sorry.”
“I haven’t been with anyone since then—no dates, not even a kiss …” Her gaze shot to his, a blush rising in her cheeks. “Well, until you.”
He could only imagine how hard it must be for her to trust men—or to trust herself—after that nightmare. “Kissing me brought it all back for you, didn’t it?”
She shook her head. “It was the lens on your computer. I opened my eyes, and it was staring straight at me. My mind knew it wasn’t recording, but I just…”
He understood now. “Your body reacted.”
“Now you know. Do you think I’m an idiot?”
“Come here.” He reached for her.
She slipped easily into his arms, rested her head on his chest.
And for a time, all he did was hold her.
* * *
Telling Ericthe whole story had left Vic feeling drained, but also strangely free. Until tonight, the only person who’d known outside her own family was Lexi. Well, and his mother and Abigail. Given the way her father and brother had reacted, she’d been afraid to tell anyone else. She didn’t want to be branded as the woman in the sex tape.
But Eric hadn’t blamed her or berated her. There’d been no judgment in his eyes or in anything he’d said. He’d seemed genuinely sorry that this terrible thing had happened to her. He’d even gotten angry on her behalf.
God, that had felt good.
Now his cheek rested against the top of her head, both arms around her as if she were precious to him, as if he truly cared. Lexi had warned her he didn’t play for keeps, but this felt real to her.
That’s what you thought about Stewart.
Yes, but Stewart had deceived her, lied to her, deliberately misled her. Eric didn’t have a deceptive bone in his body.
How she wished she could go back to that moment Sunday night when he’d been kissing her right here on this sofa. He’d made her come so fast, and they hadn’t really been having sex. She would keep her eyes closed this time, and they wouldn’t stop.
Then again, what was keeping her from picking up where they’d left off?
He’s Austin’s best friend.
Every time she came back to Scarlet, she’d see him. If hedidmeet someone and settle down, she’d see that, too. How would that make her feel?
She wouldn’t like it, but she would hate it if she went back to Chicago without seeing where this attraction could carry them.