Read Online THE DREAM CHILD by Emma Daniels - Free Book Online

nothing away. Come on, he’s only doing this for his mother. He’s not interested in you, she told herself sternly.
    “I’ll just get my handbag and the travel case. There’s also a box. I was wondering if you could carry that for me. I wasn’t really sure just how much to take so I’ve probably overdone it, but it’s better to be over-prepared, than not prepared enough.” She knew she was rambling, but she wasn’t used to dealing with him outside the work environment.
    “No problem. This one here?” he asked, motioning to the cardboard carton sitting beside the lounge.
    “Yes, thanks.”
    Because her travel case had wheels on it, it was easy to run down the stairs and out of the building.
    Vic directed her to a huge black four-wheel drive parked on the other side of the street.
    “I love bushwalking, and the further away I can get from civilization, the better,” he explained, as he unlocked the large shiny vehicle.
    “Yeah, it looks like it can mow down anything,” Sophie acknowledged with a wry grin. “Just don’t do any bush-bashing today. I don’t think my stomach could handle it.”
    She was still feeling queasy. She also realised it had been weeks since her last period, which wasn’t unusual for her. She’d always had an irregular cycle, one of the reasons why she’d opted for IVF, but right now she wished it would hurry up so she could get it over with, as she suspected the nausea and tiredness would probably go away after that.
    “Not today, although Mum and Dad’s house is up a long, steep drive,” he told her.
    Once they had her bags stashed in the back, Vic opened the passenger side door for her and helped her up into the seat. The feel of his hand against her waist had the same effect on her as when he’d touched her in the lifts and in the cafe. Yes, there was definitely sexual chemistry there, on her part at least.
    “Thank you kind sir,” she couldn’t help imparting, once she was safely in the passenger seat.
    “My pleasure, madame,” he replied, sketching her an elaborate bow. Then he walked around the vehicle to get into the driver’s seat.
    As soon as the engine growled into life, heavy rock music thumped into existence through the vehicle’s sound system. Victor quickly reached out to turn it down.
    “Sorry about that. I like my music loud,” he admitted. “Don’t get many passengers in this vehicle.”
    “Does that mean you own more than one?”
    “No. What would I need another car for? This one does everything it’s supposed to, like move in a forward direction.”
    “And play loud rock music,” Sophie teased back.
    He laughed. “Do you have a car?”
    “Yes, and it could probably fit inside this one twice over. It’s also twice as old, but it does me. I really only use it on the weekends to go shopping or to visit my family.”
    “Where do they live?”
    “Up the Central Coast, and my sister lives at Hornsby. Do you have any sisters and brothers?”
    Victor shook his head. “I’m an only child, but not through choice. I’m pretty sure Mum wanted a whole tribe, but it never happened. She went to hell and back just to have me.”
    “I know how she feels,” Sophie concurred. “She’s lucky she got there in the end. I don’t think I’ll ever-“ she broke off, realising suddenly who she was talking to. “Never mind, I hope this afternoon goes well. Will your father be there?” Once again she was swamped with nervous anticipation.
    “He’s not really into beading, Sophie.”
    “Oh ha ha. You know what I mean. He was the State Director.”
    “You’re not nervous, are you?” he asked in genuine surprise.
    “Terrified, it you really must know,” she admitted.
    Vic reached out to take hold of her hand resting in her lap. He probably thought he was trying to allay her concerns. Instead his touch just made her even more edgy as sexual heat pulsed through her from the contact.
    “Don’t be,” he said, squeezing her cold fingers. “He might huff