Chapter 53

Spinning around, he stalked out of the bedroom and started toward the stairs, when he stopped. It was barely audible, the soft sound, but he heard it coming from the extra bedroom he’d put Vanessa in. A huge knot formed in his stomach as he stepped forward, pushing the bedroom door open.

Vanessa was unaware of him. That much was certain. She was wearing pink lacy panties, and her hair fell forward in soft, dark waves as she got one arm through her white blouse. Did she think she was really going to work?

“What are you doing?”

Her chin rose as she turned to the door. A faint flush stained her cheeks, her eyes wide without the glasses. “Don’t you know how to knock on a door?”

“It’s my house.”

Her lips turned down at the corners. “You still should knock!”

Walking into the room, he stopped a few feet from her and folded his arms. “Vanessa, you cannot be getting ready for work.”

“Whatever,” she muttered, turning around and giving him an eyeful of