Hidden affection

"Where are you hurrying away? Let's talk. Colton, hands shoved casually in his pockets, intercepted her with a smirk. "Come on, Victoria," he coaxed, his voice smooth like honey yet tinged with a hint of manipulation. "A cup of coffee won't hurt, will it?"

Victoria bristled. "We have nothing to talk about." She turned to get into the car, but Colton's words snagged her again.

"Don't be resentful always. We are family now. My daughter is married to your son. Surely we can put our differences aside for the sake of our children and can sit and talk peacefully, can't we?"

A bitter laugh escaped Victoria's lips as she turned to him. "Peaceful talk with you? Seriously? After you turned my life upside down? Colton, I really don't know how I offended you that you were so cruel to me." Her voice hitched, a tremor of loathing coursing through her.

The tension between them thickened.