He led her toward the waiting Rolls-Royce, which had clearly been parked there for some time.
The chauffeur stood at attention, respectfully holding the door open. Once they''d climbed inside, he immediately slid into the driver''s seat and pulled away.
Even though this was the extended edition of the Rolls, the backseat still felt a bit cramped.
Victor lounged next to her, impossible to ignore-his presence filled the space.
The familiar scent of him made Isadora''s palms sweat without warning. Now she finally understood what people meant when they said absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Victor leaned against the seat, one hand propping up his head, and nced at her sideways. His gaze was smoldering as he lifted hisshes.
His voice waszy, almost teasing, "What''s the asion today, hmm?"
Isadora blinked. "What do you mean, what asion?"
"You came to pick me up."
She put on her best poker face. "I just happened to finish work early. Had a little spare time, that''s all."
"You missed me that much?"
His deep, gravelly voice rolled through the car-somehow rough and breathtaking all at once.
A flush crept up Isadora''s neck. After a second''s hesitation, she nodded, honest despite herself.
Victor''s fingers reached out to toy with her earlobe.
"Isadora, when you''re this honest, are you expecting me to do something about it?"
Color crept across her cheeks, blooming like watercolor. She bit her lip and shot him a look. "Not anymore, I don''t."
Victorughed softly. In one smooth motion, his long arm pulled her toward him, gathering her into his embrace.
Isadora''s foreheadnded squarely against his solid chest.
A moment ago, she''d only felt his heartbeat thumping against her palm.
Now, her ear was pressed right to his chest, and she could hear it—strong and steady.
Thump. Thump.
Her own heart lurched like she''d been zapped by a live wire. For a second, she couldn''t tell if it was her pulse or his—or maybe both, tangled together, making her whole body tingle with nerves.
Catching a glimpse of the chauffeur in the rearview mirror, Isadora blurted out, flustered, “What are you doing? The driver''s right there!"
No matter how luxurious the car, there was no way the driver could miss what was happening in the back.
The chauffeur, whose sun-tanned cheeks were now tinged with red, couldn''t help but sneak a nce over his shoulder.
But the next second, he met Victor''s icy gaze and snapped his eyes forward, sitting up so straight he might as well have turned to stone.
A momentter, the privacy partition slid quietly up.
"He can''t see us anymore," Victor murmured.
Isadora tried to squirm away.
But above her, Victor''s voice driftedzily down. "I''m d you missed me."
Fine, be d. But did he have to hold her like this?
"Victor, let me sit back in my seat."
"No."
"I''m going to fall if you keep this up."
He chuckled, low and pleased, his lips brushing her ear. That velvet voice of his
could undo a person. "Then you''d better hold on tight."
Isadora muttered something under her breath.
The Rolls glided down the highway. Maybe the driver was worried about the
earlier embarrassment, because he drove more smoothly than ever.
Isadora had no choice but to lean into Victor''s chest. His big hand stayed firmly at her waist, holding her close.
"Talk to me, Isadora," he said.
She pouted. "About what?"
"Tell me you missed me."
She rolled her eyes and, instead of answering, pinched his abs through his shirt.
"How''s the situation at the European nt? All handled?"
Victor didn''t seem fazed, just gave a simple, "It''s fine."
Isadora''s tone was casual, but her question was pointed. "Any idea how the fire started so suddenly this time?"
He arched a brow. "Worried about me?"
She yed it up dramatically. "I''m just afraid the Fitzgerald Group will copse,
and then you''ll be out of a job, Mr. Heir."
Victor caught her fingers, grinning, then brought them to his lips for a yful bite. "Rx. I''ll still have plenty to keep you infort."