Free THE DREAM CHILD by Emma Daniels Page B

with it. Can’t wait to get started on a bracelet to match.”
    “Well, it will have to wait until next week,” Sophie said. “And I’ll come on my own, so poor Vic here won’t have to go on another three hour walk in the cold.”
    “I don’t mind driving you,” he said.
    “I’m sure you’ve got plenty of other things to do. I’ll travel lighter anyway now that I know what we’re going to work on. Better start packing up.”
    “And I’ll get your money for you,” Vera said, also getting to her feet. She put on her necklace before leaving the room. The other women began opening their purses, and before she knew it Sophie had quite a substantial sum of money in her hand.
    As they all got up to leave, the other two women thanked her for her time and patience.
    “We had a lovely time, and are really looking forward to next week. And if Vera’s son offers to drive you again, you accept, all right,” Janice added softly.
    That made Sophie stop to stare at her, but the older woman merely smiled enigmatically at her.
    Sophie let out a long sigh once she was sitting in the air conditioned car. She leant her head back against the head rest and closed her eyes.
    “Sounds like my mother and her friends wore you out,” Victor remarked from beside her.
    ‘Just a little. And tomorrow I have to go to work where you can wear me out.”
    “I’ll try not to push you too hard. And I really do want to drive you next Sunday.”
    She glanced at his profile. “Why?”
    “Because I want to.”
    “Well, if you’re sure…”
    “I’m absolutely, positively, undeniably sure.”
    “Are you sure you couldn’t be any more sure than that?”
    “Oh Sophie,” he laughed. “You really are something, you know.” Once again he covered her hand with his, startling her. “Hey, relax. I’m only holding your hand, not trying to ravish you.”
    Just why was he holding her hand? she wondered. Surely he wasn’t attracted to her, not ordinary Sophie, when he was handsome enough to have any woman he wanted. But she didn’t say anything, merely enjoying the feel of his large warm fingers curled around hers.
    They drove like this for most of the way, holding hands, listening to the music on the radio, barely saying a word. The silence between them didn’t feel uncomfortable. In fact Sophie was glad he didn’t want to talk, and she felt herself doze off, until he announced; “We’re here.”
    Victor followed her up the stairs to her unit, once again carrying the box.
    “I don’t think its any lighter,” he said once they reached her landing. “You mustn’t have given them enough beads to work with.”
    “Yes, I packed way too much.” She unlocked the door and showed him to the spare room, where he set the box down on the floor under the desk. Sophie tucked the travel back into the corner behind the door.
    “Thanks for that,” she said. “I guess I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
    Victor knew this was his cue to go, but he didn’t want to leave her just yet. “Would you like to go out for dinner, or something?” he heard himself suggest.
    “I’m not really hungry. Your mother fed me way too well.”
    “Well, in that case…”
    She turned around to face him, and in the small room they stood only about a foot apart. Victor breeched the gap between them, so that she had to look up to meet his gaze.
    “I want to kiss you Sophie… so much,” he murmured softly, reaching out to stroke her cheek. His touch felt just as it had in her dreams, tender, warm, and electric.
    Before she knew it he’d dipped his head to brush his lips against hers. His mouth felt like satin against hers. Her hands automatically reached for him, coming to rest against his broad leather covered shoulders.
    “I – I want to kiss you too,” she whispered back, as his mouth met hers again.
    His arms snaked around her waist, and he pulled her up against his lean strong body. It made her gasp against his mouth.
    “Mmmm,” he murmured,