“Thanks.ButIthinkI'vedemonstrated my strength enough for one day.”
Chet chuckled.
“Well now, maybe you have at that.”
“Good.”Korbent to gather the surviving groceries.“BecauseI'dreally like to go home and eat one of those steaks.”
The simple comment was so ordinary after everything that had just happened thatIcouldn't help smiling.
“That sounds like an excellent idea,”Isaid.
Together we gathered the remaining bags and headed back toward theRollsRoyce.Butas we walked,Icouldn't help noticing the way people were staring.
EverywhereIlooked, heads turned, and whispers followed us.Andfor the first time,Ihad the distinct feeling thatBlackridgewas no longer talking about poor barrenVivienneJamison.
Now they were talking aboutKorand me…and that somehow felt even more dangerous.
SIXTEEN
KOR
Vivienne was quiet on the way home.IhopedIhadn’t upset her by punching that asshole,Murdoch, in the face.ButIcouldn’t just stand there and let him insult her like that—or to imply that we were sleeping together when that was very clearly againstPackLaw.Ifthe people of theWolvertonPackgot that idea in their heads, there was going to be trouble for sure.
“I’m sorry ifIcaused a scene back there,”Isaid to her, when we were pulling up at the front door of theManor.“IguessIshouldn’t have gone for him like that, butIjust couldn’t stand there and let him talk to you that way.”
“Oh,I’mnot upset,” she said quickly.“Infact, thank you for defending me.Fordefending my honor,Imean.”
“I had to—that fuckingMurdochseems to have a dirty mind,”Isaid.“Imean to imply that you andIare, you know, sleeping together?—”
“Oh,Iknow!”she exclaimed, and her cheeks went pink.“Imean, we wouldnever?—”
“No, of course not,”Isaid.“Imean, not thatIdon’t find you attractive, becauseIreallydo.ButbyPackLaw, we’re related.Imean if it wasn’t for that,I’d…”
“You’d what?”Shelooked at me, her eyes wide and one hand pressed to her heart.Icouldn’t help noticing that her scent had intensified again—it drew me to her like a magnet.
“Fuck, whatwouldn’tIdo?”Igrowled, leaning towards her.“Imean, only if you wanted me to, but, you know.”
“No,Idon’t know.Tellme,” she murmured.
“Well, firstI’d—”Ibegan but just then there was a muffled ringing from somewhere.
“Oh, excuse me!”Shepulled back—we had both been leaning towards each other—and dug in her purse.Shelooked at the phone.“I’dbetter take this.”
“Yes, you probably should,”Iagreed.
It was a good thing the phone had chosen just that moment to ring.Icouldn’t believe how closeI’dcome to kissing her—which probably would have been a disaster with my split lip.
It would have been a disaster even if you didn’t have a split lip—be careful—remember theUnbreakableLaws,a stern little voice in my head lectured me.
Vivienne wasn’t on the phone for long but when she got off,Ithink we both had the sense that a crisis had been averted.
“That wasCarter’slawyer,” she said, keeping her eyes on the phone.“Hejust wanted to let me know everything is finalized—all of his assets have been transferred to my account.”
“Oh.Well, that’s a good thing,”Iremarked.
“Yes, it is.”Shelooked away from me.“Kor,Ithink we should…be more careful.”
“Yes, you’re right,”Isaid quickly.“I’msorry,Vivienne.Idon’t know what’s wrong with me.Ijust…I’venever felt so drawn to anyone before.”