THE DREAM CHILD (10 page)

But on Friday afternoon, just as she was about to leave, he fell into step with her as she headed for the lifts. As usual he was wearing his long leather coat over his white shirt and tie.

“How would you like to meet up a bit earlier on Sunday and go for a picnic in the park,” he suggested, as he pressed the lift button.

“Oh, am, yes that would be nice,” she replied. “Would you like me to bring anything?”

He shook his head. “Leave it to me. Unless there’s anything you really can’t stand, like champagne or caviar.”

Obviously the teasing, jovial Vic was back, making her wonder how he managed to change from one role to another so easily. During the week she’d come to realise why so many people thought him arrogant and distant. He hadn’t smiled once, when she knew what a charming grin he had.

“You’ve certainly changed your tune. Wasn’t it only minutes ago that you were throwing your weight around like a bear with a sore head?”

“You know what, it’s been harder than I thought trying to keep away from you all week,” he murmured into her ear.

Just then the lift arrived, and since they were the only ones to step inside, Vic immediately took hold of Sophie’s hand and pulled her in close.

“You didn’t need to take it out on everyone else though,” she retorted, drawing a little away, but she didn’t pull her hand from his. It felt good to have his large warm fingers envelope hers again.

Sophie sighed. “I’d like to, but I’m really tired. It’s been a long week and I’m still not completely over this virus.” She didn’t want to tell him it seemed to be getting worse instead of better. What on earth was wrong with her? If it didn’t go away soon, she really would have to see a doctor.

Sophie believed him, but it was herself she wasn’t so sure of. She could quite easily fall into his arms and let him have his wicked way with her. And where would that leave her in the morning?

Her silence spoke louder than words, and Victor decided to let it be. He didn’t want to press her if she wasn’t ready.

The lift reached the lobby and they stepped out, still holding hands. “How about I pick you up at ten on Sunday morning, or is that too early for you?” he suggested eventually, as they began walking towards the train station.

Did that mean she was actually starting to consider getting involved with him? She realised she was, which really scared her. Part of her longed to lose herself in his embrace, to recreate those sexy dreams, but another part feared getting hurt again.

“What’s wrong Sophie? Did I upset you?” Vic broke into her thoughts.

“No, you didn’t upset me. I’m upsetting myself, worrying about things that might never come to pass.”

“Worrying about where we’re headed, am I right?” He stopped her, and took hold of her shoulders, turning her to face him. Around them people continued on their way, but neither of them took any notice. “Is that what you’re worried about?”

How did he get to be so perceptive? Duncan had never had any idea what she was thinking, but Vic seemed to know exactly what was bothering her. She wasn’t sure if this was a good or a bad thing.

“Maybe just a little,” she admitted.

“Maybe a lot,” he corrected her. “You have nothing to fear from me. I know I’m probably coming on a bit strong, but that’s because I’ve been on my own for so long, and you’re just so utterly irresistible.”

She thought she saw a pained look in his eyes before he lowered his gaze, turned, and resumed walking, making her realise she’d been too harsh on him, so she fell into step beside him and slid her hand back into his. They continued on to the train station fingers linked. Heaven help them if someone from the office saw them.

She watched him step through the turnstile, before getting out her ticket to do the same, her fingers shaking. Not only was he handsome as sin, he was so romantic it took her breath away.

Sunday morning dawned cold and sunny, but the forecast predicted a top of twenty degrees, so Sophie thought it best to wear layers, as well as sneakers, since they were meant to be going for a picnic.

Most of Saturday had been spent resting and doing the weekly shopping. She’d been too tired for anything else. Luckily she’d sorted out her bead stash during the week, so she now only had to take her suitcase.

Still feeling tired and nauseous on waking, Sophie decided to see a doctor during the week at the medical centre down the road. She’d been there a few times to get a medical certificate since she’d moved into the area. They didn’t know anything about her IVF history, and she was quite happy to keep her interactions with them at the cold and flu level. Now she was starting to wonder if there as something more seriously wrong with her, such as a blood disorder or cancer.

Before she could let it get to her, she quickly ate some breakfast. No point in worrying about it until she knew for certain, she tried to tell herself, but once the seed of concern had been planted, it was difficult to stop it from growing.

She’d also thought a great deal about Vic over the weekend, and the way they had parted on Friday night, and decided not to worry about where she was heading with him. Instead she decided to enjoy whatever intimacy they might share today.

If he thought her desirable enough to want to kiss in public then she wasn’t going to stop him. Her life had been tough enough over the past few years. It was time she had some fun, and she suspected that was precisely what he wanted, for them to have a good time together, nothing more than that. To even think he might be after anything more serious was ridiculous.

He arrived right on the dot of ten. Sophie couldn’t suppress a smile as she went to let him in. That was twice now he’d been dead on time.

Once again he was wearing a pair of sexy tight jeans, but this time he had on a graffiti hoodie instead of his usual leather. On his feet he wore hiking boots.

“I hope you’re not going to take me on a three hour trek through the bush,” she said, returning her gaze to his face.

He smiled. “No, only about half an hour along a well marked trail. And I love your hair out.”

It reminded him of those wonderful dreams where it had brushed seductively against his skin as they made love. He longed to reach out and touch it. It looked so thick and soft and shiny. He was sure it was her natural colour.

She wore barely any make-up, and was still so beautiful she took his breath away. Whatever made her think she wasn’t? That rotten creep of a husband? Victor longed to make her feel special and cherished. But she wouldn’t let her guard down, not even for a second.

“No it won’t. It’s not that kind of a track. Goodness me Sophie, why do you always have to be so suspicious of everything I say and do?”

“I’m sorry,” she murmured.

“He must have been a right rotten bastard,” Victor muttered under his breath. “Want me to beat the crap out of him?”

Sophie cast him an amused look. The thought appealed to her too, since she knew exactly who’d come out worse for wear. “Be my guest, if you can find him. Personally I’d prefer not to know where he is right now. I’ll just go and get my case. No box this time.”

When she returned with the case, Vic relieved her of it. She had to admit his manners were impeccable. With a father like his, she supposed he had to learn diplomacy at a young age.

Duncan’s lack of grace had always irked her parents. He’d always just walked in, sat himself down without even bothering to say hello. Not once had he remembered any of their birthdays, let alone bought them a present. His own family hadn’t been much better, but they had at least made an effort to include her at their gatherings, when Duncan remembered to turn up, that was.

Vic slid her bag into the back tray where she saw a picnic basket, cooler bag and woollen rug. It made her smile. When he said picnic, he’d really meant picnic.

Once again he helped her into the cab, another thing Duncan had never done. He’d merely gotten in and then leant over to unlock her door, when he was sober enough to drive of course. Sophie really didn’t like making these comparisons. She’d loved Duncan once, but the more time she spent with Victor, the more Duncan’s faults became glaringly obvious.

As she pulled on her seatbelt, realisation dawned. It had been the baby she’d wanted more than the husband. That was why she’d closed her eyes to his faults for so long. And now that a baby was about as likely as winning lotto, she could see it all so clearly.

Duncan would have made as lousy a father as he’d made a husband. Sophie would have ended up doing everything, not that she would have minded caring for her baby one little bit, but Duncan would have come home, like he always did, collapsed in front of the TV, waiting to be called for dinner, not lifted a finger to clean up afterwards unless she nagged like a fishwife, or agreed to have sex with him for the privilege of having him do the dishes or putting out the garbage.

“Well, it would definitely be too late to have a baby once I’m sitting in my rocking chair knitting doilies. Sorry, I’m sure you don’t want to hear all about my past relationship woes.”

“Want me to start on mine?”

“Your runaway bride? Want me to beat the crap out of her?”

It was Victor’s turn to smile. “Yes, let’s just go and knock both their heads together. Or, better still let’s just forget they ever existed and enjoy our picnic.”

“Good idea,” Sophie agreed.

It couldn’t have been a more beautiful day for a picnic.

True to his word they didn’t have far to walk until they found a relatively deserted spot overlooking the river, where she discovered that Victor had packed a virtual feast of cooked chicken, three kinds of salad, buttered rolls, and a bottle of wine.

They sat on the rug, eating it, slowly sipping their wine, enjoying the warm sunshine, and each other. Vict really was good company.

Once again it reminded her of how little she and Duncan had had to say to one another, even in the early stages of their relationship. He’d been more interested in sex than getting to know her. At the time, she’d thought it was just his way of showing her he liked her.

She stretched out on the rug to look up at the sky dappled with green leaves from the tree shading them. Vic lay down beside her, propped up on one arm. He’d removed his jacket, and she noticed the muscles of his biceps bulge under his short sleeved shirt. Once again she remembered her dreams, and what a terrific well-toned body he had.