Sweeter Than Chocolate: Valentine's Day Anthology

by Gina Kincade

  Say you’ll be mine

  Tears streamed down my face as Hendrix softly played his guitar and continued to sing in front of the roaring fire. The more he sang, the more I fell in love with him. These were stolen and precious moments I’d cling to for the rest of my life. His emotions were raw and vulnerable. He finished the song and placed the guitar back in its case.

  “It’s beautiful. I absolutely love it.” My voice cracked with my emotions.

  “Thank you. I think it captured what I feel for you.” His expression softened as he stood, took a few steps back, reached behind the chair again, then produced a large package wrapped in brown paper. He placed it on the seat and slowly ripped the paper off.

  “Oh, wow!” I hopped off the couch. “It’s beautiful. How?” I gaped at the picture of me in the orange dress next to the moon, swinging and laughing.

  “Wait.” He produced another package and proceeded to tear the wrapping off.

  “Hendrix. They’re even framed!” I pointed at the second image of me, lying on the bed with the red blanket between my thighs and covering my breasts. “I was thinking about you during the shoot. The look in my eyes … is all about you and how much I love you.”

  “Thank you. Obviously, I was still able to do something with the images. Kami helped,” he said, leaving the pictures propped up against the furniture. “Those were my two favorites, and I’d love to hang them in our new house. Maybe the sexy one in the bedroom and the other in here over the fireplace.”

  “Really?” I asked, a bit embarrassed that I’d be on display.

  “It would make me a happy man. Happy Valentine’s Day, Gemma.”

  I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, my heart filled with love for this man who had breathed new life into me the first time we met, taught me what real love was all about, and wasn’t afraid to show me his own vulnerability. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day, babe. Maybe tomorrow we can walk the grounds and start planning the wedding.”

  “Yeah?” Hendrix’s smile lit up his entire face.

  “Yeah. I’m ready to move forward. I love you so much.”

  “I love you too, Gemma Thompson, and I can’t wait to call you my wife.”

  The End

  Also by J.A. Owenby

  Romance

  The Love & Ruin Series

  Love & Ruin

  Love & Deception

  Love & Redemption

  Love & Consequences

  Love & Corruption

  Standalone Romance

  Where I’ll Find You

  Coming of Age

  The Torn Series

  Fading into Her

  Torn

  Captured

  Freed

  You can follow the progress of upcoming novels on:

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  https://www.amazon.com/J.A.-Owenby/e/B00J77KCFK

  About The Author

  J.A. Owenby lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and cat.

  She also runs her own business as a professional resume writer and interview coach—she helps people find jobs they love.

  J.A. is an avid reader of thrillers, romance, new adult, and young adult novels. She loves music, movies, and good wine. And call her crazy, but she loves the rainy Pacific Northwest; she gets her best story ideas while listening to the rain pattering against the windows in front of the fireplace.

  Dancing with the Enemy

  Vicki Green

  4 Flames

  Skip To Next Story

  Copyright @Vicki Green, 2019

  Edited by Kathy Krick

  For those who have felt unloved and lost along the way.

  About Dancing with the Enemy

  A man who lost his heart.

  Punished himself for things beyond his control.

  Blame.

  Guilt.

  A charity masquerade ball on Valentine’s Day.

  A mysterious woman intrigues him.

  She becomes his conquest.

  Someone to make him forget.

  But at what cost?

  Chapter One

  Looking across the crowded room, I wonder why I’m here. So many faces, hidden by masks. Faces I’d rather not see. Faceless people who have no idea who I am nor I them. Maybe it’s better this way. No one asking me ridiculous questions. Know what I do. Know what I did.

  “Refill, sir?” I nod at the bartender.

  Yes. It’s much better this way. Picking up my Jack and Coke, I walk over and lean against the wall down from the door, observing everyone again. The music is nice, low key. The room is dark. Only small lights on the tables and strung down the walls illuminate it. So many people standing around talking, about what I have no idea. As far as I know, no one knows who the other could be. I suppose it makes the secrecy of this event more daunting. Being the youngest CEO of the largest corporation, at the age of twenty-eight, I’m glad to be hiding behind my mask. People who know me respect me now. Those that don’t know me take one look at how young I am and give me a hard time.

  Valentine’s Charity Masquerade Ball

  You are cordially invited to attend

  Silent Auction

  RSVP

  Valentine’s. Of course, the day I hate the most.

  It was simple. The date and time completed the invitation. Oh, and of course the donation of five hundred dollars to attend. A drop in the bucket for me, and it is going to charity. As I continue my view around the room, I wonder if it was more difficult for some to let go of that sum of money to attend. My mind drifts to the orchestrator of the event. Why a masquerade ball? I suppose to keep their identities a secret—be discreet. I’d wandered into the other room earlier where the silent auction items were displayed. I might have bid on a few.

  I drain the rest of the contents in my glass and walk back over to the bar. Before the bartender could ask me, I hold up two fingers and he nods in return. I need a double. Hell, I need more than that. I feel agitated. Restless. My mind thinking of things it shouldn’t be. Picking up my drink, I take a large gulp as I turn around and walk back to the wall. I shouldn’t have come here, yet I was curious. And…I needed—something.

  Movement catches my eyes. A light red silk dress with a darker lace overlay going down the length trailing to the floor. Abundant cleavage craving to spill from the binding of the corset. Her mask is of the same red, silk, and lace. It’s too dark to make out the color of her eyes, but her dark black hair is up in a stylish bun with ringlets cascading around her face showing the lightness of her skin in contrast.

  My feet begin to move on their own. I walk closer but stop far enough away as not to be noticed. She’s talking to a small group of people. Another woman and three men. My heart beats a little faster and then stops when her eyes move to mine. She continues to talk as she stares at me. Then she looks back at them. A little intense. A lot intriguing. Maybe this wasn’t a mistake. Maybe I’m meant to be here. Maybe this is just what I need.

  They say moving on helps to get rid of a broken heart. But which heart was broken? Mine? Hers? They both were. We did that to each other. A toxic relationship. It wasn’t meant to last. I’d hoped it would. Then again, the way it ended was horrific, something I’ll never forget. I was a son of a bitch. She was indifferent. Guilt. Regrets. Go out, my friends told me. Meet someone else, they said. Like that would fix everything. Instead, I hid. Craved my solidarity. Dark. Empty. Alone. I needed it. No one could mend what had happened to us. What happened to her. It left me broken. No, moving on won’t help, but something else just might.

  My eyes focus. My heart speeds up. She’s gone. I begin looking around the room as the music changes. It’s too d
ark, so I start walking around. People begin to move to the dance floor as I roam the room. Looking. Searching. My heart deflates as I walk back to the bar, the bartender handing me a drink before I ask for it. Turning around, I drink half the glass, and my eyes stop on a figure across the room. Standing by the wall I’d claimed since I arrived. Setting down my half-empty glass on the counter, I walk over to her. Standing before her, even in the dimness of the room, I can see her unblemished skin, her light blue eyes as they stare into mine. A beautiful light blue. Holding out my hand, she doesn’t hesitate to take it. Leading her onto the dance floor, I notice she’s a few inches shorter than me. Of course, without her heels, she’ll be even shorter, when I remove them. Turning around, I bring our hands to my chest, my left hand moving around to the small of her back, finding her dress cut low. I’d imagined her skin to be soft. I’m not disappointed.

  She looks away, almost shyly, then back into my eyes. I watch in fascination as her tongue peeks out, licking her full bottom lip lightly. Her body moves with my lead, smoothly as if we’d danced a lifetime together. She moves with grace. Who is she? I feel her hand move up my arm then around my neck, her fingers pushing into my hair. Closing my eyes, briefly, my cock hardens with her touch. Not having sex for over a year will do that. I begin rubbing her back, her skin silky soft. I watch her cleavage move as her breathing begins to come quicker. Suddenly, the music changes to a more upbeat song. I look at the woman before me, not knowing what to do. We stare into each other’s eyes as if searching for something. Taking her hand, I turn and begin walking. She doesn’t stop. Keeps following me as I move around the people then out the door near the wall I once stood against.

  Taking a right down the long hallway, no words are spoken as we stop at the elevator, and I push the button. It’s eerily quiet except for the muffled music coming from the banquet hall. The doors open and we step inside. Taking out my key card, I slide it in the opening and push the penthouse button. Looking down at her, I wait for her reaction, but there is none. Good. I don’t need the added stress of some woman fawning all over me because I’m wealthy. The elevator moves, the silence would be deafening, but I prefer it. When we stop and the doors open, we step out, and she follows me into the foyer. I’d wonder if this was a mistake, but I’ve come too far. I need this.

  Turning around abruptly, I cover her mouth with mine. She begins kissing me back, hungrily, desperately. Our tongues swirl as my hand roams up her arm and over to her breast. As I squeeze hard, it elicits the sexiest moan from her, causing my cock to harden unbearably. Grasping her arm, I begin walking backward. She pushes my suit coat open, tugging it over my shoulders until it drops to the floor. I begin working on her corset, my fingers fumbling with the incredibly small clasps. She reaches up to my mask, but I shake my head no. Secrecy. Mysterious. We make our way into the bedroom, and I stop. Looking down at her, I take a moment to take her in. Her lips are swollen and pink. Some of her hair escaped from the bun, falling over her shoulder. Slowly, I reach up and open the corset. As I push it away from her breasts, I lick my lips in anticipation. Exquisite. Turning her, I unzip the length of the dress and let it fall, my heart speeding up when I see her lacy red thong in between her firm bottom. Her dress drops to the floor as I take her hand and lead her to the bed. She sits, and I kneel before her. Glancing up and into her beautiful eyes, I take a nipple into my mouth and suck hard. I watch her head lull back as her eyes close. Magnificent.

  Once I’ve given ample attention to that breast, I move to the other. Fuck, I want to taste her all over. Releasing her nipple with a pop, I stand, unbutton my dress pants, pull my wallet from the back pocket and remove the condom tucked inside. I’d begun to wonder if I’d ever use it, but now I’m glad I kept it. Unzipping my pants, I push them down then remove my boxers. Desire swims in her blue eyes as she gazes at my hardened cock. She might be wondering how my large length might fit into her petite body. I’m dying to show her. Opening the condom, I sheath my overly anxious cock. She looks up at me, and I’m taken aback from the look in her eyes. Almost reverent. The lack of sex has me seeing things.

  Quickly, I grab her under her arms, lifting her and laying her down higher on the bed. Hovering over her and without a moment’s notice, I grab the side of her thong and pull so hard it rips, and I push myself inside her. Fuck! She feels amazing. Leaning down, I kiss her hard as I push in and pull out quickly. It’s been so long, I’m afraid I might come too fast. Her head falls back into the pillow, and I start kissing down her neck until I’ve reached her breast. Thrusting harder. Faster. I feel her legs wrap around my waist, the heels of her stilettos pushing against my ass. We move in sync just as easily as we danced. I let out a loud moan as I come, my eyes opening to her scream. I look down and see her hands clutching the comforter, her silky skin covered in sweat. Her back bowed, and the most beautiful blush on her face as she orgasms. Gorgeous.

  Once my heart steadies, I go to the bathroom, discard the condom, and wet a washcloth. I walk into the room and over to her side, pushing her legs apart with my hand, then clean her. I try not to look at her, but I can’t help myself. Her eyes are shimmering with wetness. I look away, not able to bear the feelings overwhelming me. Once I’ve cleaned her, I go back into the bathroom and take a shower. After I dress, I return to the bedroom, ready to give her money to take a cab home.

  She’s gone.

  Chapter Two

  I stood there in shock as I was the one that wanted to make a quiet escape as she slept. I made sure the room was not in my name so there’d be no way for her to know who I am if she checked. Instead, she’d left me standing in the dark room wondering what in the hell happened. Was I not to her liking? Or is she like me and wanted to make a fast getaway, have no awkward moments or goodbyes? Well played. Mysterious. Intriguing.

  Not wanting to stay in an unfamiliar bed, I go downstairs and check out. Out front I raise my hand at the nearest taxi to take me home. Walking into my empty home felt safe. Home. It hasn’t been a home for over a year now. Truth is, a lot longer than that. Needing to get rid of my anxious feeling, I change into my gym clothes, go to my gym and workout until I’m exhausted. After a couple of nightcaps, I crawl into bed naked and hope that I can finally sleep.

  ***

  “How was the ball? See anything interesting there?”

  The next morning, my right-hand man at work, David, came into my office firing question after question at me. Doesn’t he realize I have work to do? I can’t be bothered with the details of my night out. The first time I’ve been out of my house in the evening to go to a function in a year. Besides, it’s none of his business.

  “It was fine,” I snap.

  “But did you have fun?” I look up and into his playful eyes and roll mine and look back down at the paper in front of me. “Oh, come on. Surely you had some fun.”

  Setting the pen down on the paper, I look up at him and sigh. “Yes. I picked up a woman, took her to my room, and fucked the shit out of her. Happy?”

  He gives me a smirk. “Yeah, right.”

  Picking up the pen, I make a note on the paper. “I had a couple of drinks and won a bid at the silent auction.”

  He smiles, practically bouncing up and down in the chair. “At least it’s a start.”

  “It’s a finish. I’m not going out again any time soon,” I tell him as I reread the same sentence on the paper several times now.

  And I didn’t. Who needs to go to a charity ball? I can give to charities anytime I want to. And I do. Quite often. Tax write off.

  ***

  Seven months have gone by, and I have kept to my promise. I haven’t been out since the Valentine’s Ball, except to go to my mother’s. That’s enough to keep me from going anywhere.

  “So…” I look up at David, then back down and continue to read the contract in my hands. “You haven’t been out since the last ball, have you.” It isn’t a question. He knows I haven’t.

  “No. And I don’t intend to,” I murmur as I sig
n a document.

  “Hmmm. Maybe. This came for you.”

  I look up to find an envelope in his hand as he waves it in front of my face. Taking it, I lean back into the chair and open it, pulling out another invitation. “Another masquerade ball? Really?” I let out a long sigh.

  “It’s for charity.” He shrugs. “And the largest companies will be attending.”

  I tilt my head and smirk. “I have the largest company.”

  He laughs and starts walking to the door. “Maybe so,” he says over his shoulder. “But if you don’t attend, they’ll all think you’re the worst largest company.” Giving me a wink, he walks out the door.

  “They won’t know I’m there!” I yell at the closed door. “It’s a masquerade ball!”

  Hitting the invitation against the palm of my hand, I wonder if she will be there. I hate to admit, I’ve been thinking of her since I awoke that morning. What company could she be with? Why did she leave like that? Like I wanted to. Then again, I’ve learned through my spies at work, not all who attended were from large companies. I suppose raising money for charity doesn’t favor one from the other. As long as they make a sizable contribution. I look at the invitation again. This is for the local orphanage. A worthy cause. A Holiday Masquerade Ball. Great.

  Christmas is coming soon. Another holiday to get through. Thanksgiving was difficult enough. Mother will insist I come to her house. I’ll try to refuse, but she will guilt me into going. As well as Jillian, my sister. She still comes by as often as she can. Tries to set me up with women which I kindly refuse. It’s all exhausting. Placing my elbows on my desk, I rub my temples. This is all really too much. I take a look at the invitation again. The money to attend is one thousand dollars. That and the items sold at the silent auction will go for Christmas presents for the children, and the rest to the orphanage for much needed repairs. I could just discreetly send a sizable donation directly. But what if she is there? Dammit! I’ll have to get my secretary to order me a new mask, one in red and green for the holiday. Lisa will just love that. I don’t think I pay her enough for the strange stares she’s been giving me for making these purchases. She must think I’m crazy. Maybe I am.