Home Run by Bernadette Marie Read Free Book Online Page A

occasion than this one—and he didn’t mean his brother’s wedding.
    Tori’s breath was laboring, meaning she was feeling something between them. He could feel her heart racing since she was pressed so close to him.
    Suddenly, the numerous Jack and Cokes and two glasses of champagne swam in his head.
    “I think this going around in circles on the dance floor is making me more drunk than I already was. Take a walk through the atrium with me.”
    She pulled back enough that he could see her face. Her lips parted. Her eyes closed and opened again in a slow, sexy blink.
    “Okay, and then I need to go home.”
    He nodded in agreement, but he had no plans on letting her leave his side for at least a few hours. Maybe a nice long walk would help sober him up so he didn’t say or promise anything stupid. Right now he just wanted her close. He needed her. He’d missed her.
     
     
     

Chapter Seven
     
    It seemed that Christian had sobered quite a bit before he quickly escorted her out of the room, but not before he’d grabbed two more glasses of champagne.
    Victoria was sure she was making a mistake being alone with him. But for some reason, she didn’t care. Perhaps it was the champagne.
    This was what she’d wanted, wasn’t it? She’d wanted to be with him and now she was.
    He handed her a glass and tapped his against it. “To Ed and Darcy.”
    Victoria smiled. “To Ed and Darcy.” She took a sip and blew out a breath. “I am getting just a little light headed with all this champagne.”
    Christian gave her a crooked grin that had one side of his mouth turning up. “I can’t even see you clearly.” He laughed. “But I know how you look and I know it’s a picture of beauty.”
    Those butterflies were back in her stomach. She took another big sip of champagne to try and drown them.
    “Are you sure you want to walk? I mean we can just stand here and talk. Or not,” she offered. “We could just go sit.”
    “I’m just afraid you’ll run out if I don’t keep you occupied by dancing or walking.”
    “I don’t do either one very well,” she said with her voice dripping.
    Christian blinked hard and then furrowed his brows. “How is your leg?”
    She shrugged. “Horrible.” Why lie to him? He knew pain. “They think I might need a few more surgeries. As it is, I’m just a walking scar statue.”
    “Can I see?”
    She narrowed her eyes on him.
    “Your leg. The scars.”
    There was a seriousness to him that made her know he wasn’t making a play on her. She bit down on her lip and handed him her glass. Then she took a step back from him and slowly lifted the skirt on her dress to expose her leg.
    His face showed concern. “And they want to do more?”
    She nodded. “It’s no big deal.”
    He shot his look up to her. “No big deal? It’s a huge deal. How do you take care of the kids when…” he stopped and she knew he’d finally stumbled over his tongue.
    “I have friends,” she said dropping her skirt into place. “I’m not all alone.” She took the glass from his hand and drank down the rest of it.
    “I’m still your friend,” he said, but his words slurred. Though, she wasn’t sure if his words slurred or her hearing did.
    “Friends don’t just forget the other person when they need them the most.”
    She saw the fire light behind his eyes. “I didn’t forget you.”
    “Really? I haven’t heard from you in eight months. Not until I bumped into you at lunch.” Her head was swimming, but at this point she didn’t care. She finished off the drink.
    “And you think it was because I didn’t care?”
    “I think it’s because Christian Keller can’t think of anyone but himself.”
    His mouth dropped open, but he didn’t say anything.
    Victoria decided that she needed to call Sonia and beg for a ride. As she started for the banquet room—now limping and swaying—Christian caught her hand.
    “You promised me a walk.”
    “All about you.” She pulled her hand back. “See what