Baby for the Billionaire - By Maxine Sullivan Page 0,106

in Suzy’s eyes, Victoria swung around and saw no levity in the man’s strange eyes.

Outraged that he’d attacked sweet, effervescent Suzy the moment Michael had vanished, she forgot her own reservations about the hasty marriage. Coldly she pointed out, “But Suzy and Michael are getting married. They love each other. And there’s not a thing you can do about it.”

“Love?” Connor’s eyes glittered in the dwindling sunlight and his sharp bark of laughter caused Victoria to bristle defensively. “Is that what women call it?”

“It’s what Michael calls it, too.” A chill enveloped Victoria. She must be mad to challenge this man. “And what gives you the right to sit judgment on what Michael and Suzy feel for each other, anyway?”

He stared down his nose at her. “Love is overrated.”

Hoisting the basket of hymn books to stop them falling, she said, “If you’re that cynical then perhaps you shouldn’t have agreed to be Michael’s best man.”

“Victoria—”

“No, Suzy.” She broke free of the bride-to-be’s restraining arm. “What he said was rude and uncalled for.”

Suzy looked decidedly uncomfortable.

“Can I take those for you?” Connor had the basket before she could object.

“Thanks,” she said ungraciously.

“It looked like you were about to drop them.”

The superior tone annoyed her afresh. Victoria wondered if the hard, handsome man in front of her had ever apologized to anyone. He would, she vowed. “Are you proud of yourself?”

“For helping relieve you of the basket?” He tilted his head sideways. “I suppose I am.”

“That’s not what I mean.” And he knew it. Splaying her hands on her skinny hips, Victoria faced Connor down. She was taller than Suzy by a head, yet Connor still loomed over her. For a moment her resolve wavered; then she stiffened her spine. “Is that what you wanted?” She nodded to Suzy where she stood, her shoulders sagging. “You’re going to ruin her day if you carry on like this.”

There was a long, brooding silence.

“Sorry.” But he didn’t sound sorry in the least.

“That’s the best you can do?” demanded Victoria.

“I accept his apology,” Suzy said quickly. “I understand why he’s upset.”

“I’m not upset,” he growled, and gave Victoria a killing how-dare-you stare before stalking off in Michael’s wake, the basket swinging incongruously at his side.

“Jerk!” Victoria fumed. To her astonishment she found that her hands were trembling. She brushed them over her hair, more to regain her composure than to smooth the style. She was too tired to be tactful. “What does Michael see in the man?”

“Make allowances for him.” Suzy put a hand on her arm. “His girlfriend just dumped him for his business partner. It can’t be a good time for him.”

Victoria gave a derisive laugh. “I don’t blame her one bit. No sane woman could live with a jerk like him.”

“He’s hurting,” Suzy protested.

“Didn’t you hear the way he said ‘love’? Like it was something foreign to him. Connor North feels as much emotion as a slab of granite.”

“Michael says he doesn’t share much, so maybe he did love her. He’s been very good about it, even letting her keep the house.”

“I’m sure she deserved it.”

“Shh.” Suzy’s grip on her arm tightened. “He might hear you.”

“I don’t care.”

“Well, I do. C’mon, Tory, Michael and I were seriously hoping the two of you would become … well … friends.”

Friends with Connor North? Friendship implied affection, warmth and loyalty. Victoria couldn’t imagine Rock-Face ever exhibiting any of those qualities. She stared down at the person who knew her better than anyone in the world and gave a snort of disbelief. “You’re dreaming, Suz.”

Had Michael and Suzy been planning to match-make?

“Okay.” Suzy held up her hands. “I’m not going to argue, so let’s change the subject. I’ve been meaning to ask you, Tory, if you wouldn’t mind popping past the cottage to water the potted plants while we’re on honeymoon. Connor might forget.”

Victoria frowned suspiciously. “What do you mean ‘Connor might forget?’”

“He’s been staying with Michael this past week and the two of them have been working like dogs every evening to get the house all painted inside. And Connor will look after it while we’re on honeymoon—Michael dotes on that house.”

“I suppose I can drop round in my lunch hour—that way I won’t bump into him.” Then Victoria clicked her tongue. “Suzy, you’re not intending to start off your marriage with a houseguest, are you?”

“Oh, no, he’s not the type to be a third wheel—though he’s helped Michael heaps with the house. Michael could never have done as much alone. No, Connor will find