Sweeter Than Chocolate: Valentine's Day Anthology

by Gina Kincade

  Standing abruptly, I turn to her. “Stop! I’ll not have this conversation with you, again. Nicole took her life! She was upset because of me! I caused it, and I have to live with that for the rest of my life!”

  “But…”

  My heart beats against my chest, my hands fisted. I close my eyes briefly reminding myself none of this is Jillian’s fault. She’s just trying to help. “Please. Go.”

  She stands, walks past me, and I take a deep breath. “Nolan?” Opening my eyes, I look over my shoulder. Her hand is on the doorknob, the door open slightly. “Just know, what Nicole did, is on her. No one forced her to take her life. Not you. Not anyone. She had problems, things that were too much for her. She didn’t even try to help herself. You all had been apart for almost a year.” She tilts her head, another tear leaving her eye. “I know you’re still hurting. You think it’s your fault, upset that you weren’t there for her, but don’t you see? Being there would have made things worse. You weren’t meant to be together. You both knew that.”

  She leaves me standing there, thinking about her words. I look at the closed door and shake my head.

  “Then why did she say she couldn’t live without me in her note?”

  ***

  A couple of months have gone by. I haven’t gone anywhere but my office and home. Mother kept ringing me, but I let them all go to voicemail, and leaving me countless messages. She’s mad because I didn’t go home for Christmas. I can’t seem to get the mystery woman out of my mind, and it’s driving me mad. I shouldn’t want her. I shouldn’t want anyone. She deserves someone better. Anyone other than me. Fuck! Why can’t I stop thinking about her?

  The doorbell rings. Who in the hell could that be? My temper has been getting the best of me. Walking to the door, I open it with a huff. My brows lower immediately. “David. What do you want?” Turning, I walk across the room and straight to the liquor cabinet, grab the bottle of Jack and pour myself a drink.

  “Well, hello to you too.” Holding up the bottle of Jack, I offer him a drink. “No thanks.” I watch as he walks over to the coffee table, bending over and picking up the mask I wore to the holiday ball. “So, another invitation to a ball came for you.”

  I wave my hand. “No. I’m not going to another one.”

  “It’s another Valentine’s Masquerade Ball.” He smiles, wiggling his eyebrows.

  I almost choke as I swallow. “Definitely not that one.” The hated holiday. But that’s also when I met her.

  Tilting his head, he smirks. “You’ve been requested to attend.” Confusion overtakes me. Who would request me to attend and why? “The Lancaster Corporation said they won’t attend the meeting for requisition unless you attend the ball.” What the ever-loving fuck?

  I pour another drink. “Why in the hell would they care if I attend or not. What kind of game are they playing?”

  He shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m just the lowly messenger.”

  Well, shit. I guess I’ll have to attend…if only to up them at their own game. Okay, I’ll play.

  ***

  The night of the ball, I’m a nervous wreck. Going back and forth wondering if she’ll be there or not is making me crazy. I should end it. End what? The couple of times we fucked? Didn’t mean anything. Then why does she plague me so? I’ll make an appearance, appease the Lancaster’s for whatever reason they seem to want me there. I’ll bid on a few items, have several drinks, then leave. No big deal. Then why am I so nervous?

  I arrive and immediately go into the silent auction room. After bidding on a couple of things, I go into the ballroom. It’s decorated in red everything. Hearts, cupids, red candles on the tables, and shiny sparkling hearts dangling from the ceiling. I feel sick. Valentine’s never went well with Nicole. Nothing I got her was good enough, nothing I did to celebrate the day of love was adequate. Love. That’s a laugh. Our love had died over a year before we’d decided to separate. Shaking my head of my thoughts I don’t need or want, I go over to the bar and order a double. I’m going to need more of these to make it through tonight.

  By the time I’m on the second drink, I’m ready to leave. This is a waste of time. I paid the two thousand dollars to attend and bid on some items. I’ve made my appearance. Then what is keeping me here? Setting down the empty glass, I start to walk to the door but stop. Against the wall—the wall I’d claimed at the first ball—she stands. Long red velvet dress, one shoulder strap on the left, the other exposing the soft skin of the shoulder I’d kissed. The black updo wig changed to her natural blonde hair, some hanging over her shoulder in ringlets, the rest behind her. Those blue eyes piercing into mine.

  Without thinking, I walk to her until I’m looking down into her eyes. “You’re here.” Not a question but remarkably a stupid thing to say.

  “I wanted to see you,” she whispers, her eyes searching mine.

  Confusion overtakes me. “How did you know I’d be here?”

  She smiles. “I have my sources.”

  I’m unsure how long we’ve been standing here staring at each other. When I feel her hand in mine I look down. My eyes snap to hers, full of desire. She begins walking to the door, and I follow. Once outside, she continues until we’re almost to the elevators. I stop, her arm stretching out until she turns toward me. “Someone already booked it.” I know this because I tried to reserve the room—just in case. I was surprised to learn it was already taken.

  Smiling, she holds up a key card. “I know.”

  The side of my mouth lifts as the elevator doors open and I follow her inside. Once we enter the foyer, I grab her swiftly, my mouth covering hers. My hand reaches up into her hair, wanting to feel the softness. Pulling back a little, I rub my face over her cheek. “It’s my turn to apologize for leaving the way I did,” I whisper, loving the feel of her.

  She turns her head, finding my mouth. Fuck, this is too much. “You don’t need to apologize,” she says, then kisses me hard again. Bending, I put my arms underneath her legs and lift her into my arms. We continue to kiss as I walk to the bedroom and lay her onto the bed. Our heavy breathing turns into pants as my hand moves over her breast, then down her leg, trying to pull up her dress so I can move in between her legs. It’s become cumbersome trying to find the opening. She begins laughing, her mouth still pressed against mine, and I can’t help but chuckle too. Sitting up, I grasp her dress over her breasts and with some force, I rip it open. She lets out a gasp, then her eyes change from laughter to a fierce desire. I continue ripping it until the entire dress is open. My breathing accelerates as I stare at her nakedness. Not even a thong adorns her body. “Perfect,” I whisper.

  Sitting up quickly, her arms are around me, her mouth on mine. Grabbing a fistful of her hair, I pull her head back and begin kissing down her neck. Fuck, I’ve missed this. Missed her. She pushes against my chest, so I stop and watch her unbutton my shirt. I let her undress me. Sexy as hell. As she gently pulls me down, my emotions are all over the place as she straddles me, her weight nothing. My cock hardens more when I see her hold a condom, not knowing where she got it, and I about combust as I watch her put it on me. Rising on her knees, she aligns herself and closes her eyes as she lowers herself on me. “Fuck,” I whisper as she begins to move, and I place my hands on her slim hips. She needs no help as she rides me, faster and faster.

  “Oh, my God!” Her moan pushes me on as she orgasms. I’m so close. She collapses onto my chest as I push harder and harder until I let go with such force, I feel dizzy. When I regain my senses, I’m…holding her. My heart warms as she runs her fingers over my chest. My hand begins playing with strands of her soft hair, and it dawns on me that I’m still inside her. What’s happening?

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper and gently move her onto the bed, sliding out of her immediately. Quickly, I grab my clothes and go into the bathroom to clean myself, then get dressed. When I walk back into the bedroom, I find her sitting on the bed, her torn dress wrapped around her. Shit. I take off my suit coat and wrap it around
her shoulders, hoping it will cover her enough to go home. Pulling my wallet from my back pocket, I open it and start taking out some money.

  “I’m not a whore,” she says quietly as she looks up at me with those damn gorgeous blue eyes.

  My brows raise. “It’s just cab fare.”

  Standing, she walks to the doorway and looks at me from over her shoulder. “Thanks, but I’m fine.”

  My mouth opens as I hear the elevator doors open and close.

  Chapter Five

  “Is she why you attend these masquerade balls?”

  I haven’t seen Dr. Colfax since the last time I was here. Didn’t see the need. But after last night, the way I felt as I held her, I needed to talk. Damn, I still don’t know her name. Do I want to? “I don’t know. Yes. No. I don’t know?”

  She smiles. “You’re confused.” Fuck yes, I’m confused. Why does she think I’m here? “Your emotions are toying with you. You don’t want to feel and yet she seems to bring that out in you. Is that why you keep going, knowing she’ll be there, and how it will make you feel again?”

  I pour another drink and sit down. “No. I go there to donate money to the charities.” She raises a brow. “And have fucking sex.” She raises her other brow, and I take a drink. “If I knew that, would I be here now?”

  She leans back in her chair. “You stopped feeling the moment Nicole died.” Tell me something I don’t know. “You felt angry yet sad when you learned she took her life when she knew cancer won. There are two factors that keep you from wanting to have a relationship. One, you and Nicole argued all the time. There was really no love there.” I raise one of my brows. “Okay, maybe at first, but it was destroyed by your toxic relationship.” She’s not wrong. Even I know that. “When she died…” I swallow hard and take another drink. “Killed herself, you stopped feeling altogether, blaming yourself due to the note she left, but I think more because you felt guilty not being there when she started battling cancer.” I raise my glass to her then finish the last of the contents. “Nolan. Not all women are like Nicole. Relationships can be difficult, at times, but millions of people find the right person and live happy lives. And you didn’t know Nicole had cancer. You both weren’t talking to each other, so how can you find blame in yourself for not being there?”

  “I wouldn’t answer her parents calls. Deleted their voice messages and texts without listening to or reading them. If I had, I would have known,” I tell her simply. Why doesn’t anyone understand this?

  She taps her pen against her front tooth then settles more into her chair. “So, you’re saying, had you known, you would have gone to her side, been with her until the end?” I shrug. I really don’t know. She leans forward, placing her arms on her legs. “Did you ever think that by going to her and being together for the last days of her life might have hurt her even worse? Have you forgotten that just being together was horrific on both of you? Do you really think you both could have been able to stand being together then?” She does have a point. “I think you not knowing and not going there was perhaps the best for her.”

  “Maybe. But at least I would have had the choice,” I mutter and look at the empty glass in my hand.

  She leans back in her chair. “True. But then you could have made the wrong choice out of guilt.”

  I left her house feeling a little lighthearted. Not that I’m ready for a relationship, but I want to see the mystery woman again. I want to hold her in my arms, make love to her, and find out her damn name. But I have no idea where to look.

  ***

  “Lisa, call the hotel and find out who the organizer of those charity events is and get me their name and number. Also, find out who rented the penthouse the evening of the last Valentine’s Ball.”

  The next morning, I’m determined to find out who this woman is. Lisa isn’t very happy with me. I tried to pour myself into my work, but all I can think about is her. An hour later, David walks into my office and sits down.

  “Want to go out and get a drink after work? We haven’t talked in a while.” He smiles as I lay my pen down on the paper.

  “No. I have things to do,” I mumble. Where is Lisa and why hasn’t she given me the information I asked for yet?

  “C’mon. We haven’t been out for a drink in ages. Join me.”

  I roll my eyes. “I can drink at home. In privacy.”

  He opens his mouth when the door opens, stopping him from his pleading.

  “Lisa. Did you find my…information?” My heart speeds up as I await her news.

  “No.” She shakes her head. “I was told that information is confidential. I even told them who it was for, and they still said no. I’m sorry.”

  I give her a nod and as soon as she closes the door behind her, I let out a sigh. “I need a drink.”

  “Great!” He stands and walks to the door. “I’ll come by and get you after work.”

  Shaking my head, I rub my temples. This day just keeps getting better and better.

  We walk into The Montair, a bar just a few streets from work, and I feel uncomfortable immediately. It’s packed. David sees people leaving a table in the corner, and I follow him there. The waitress comes by and removes the empty glasses, and we order drinks. David also orders some appetizers. I’m not hungry. By the time our drinks come, I order another one. Who knows when she’ll be back with this crowd?

  “And rumor has it that the Lancaster’s are ready to sell.” My interest is piqued. I’ve been trying to purchase the Lancaster Corporation for years. Only, why now? They’re the second largest company, beneath mine, and have fought me over and over on a requisition. What would make them change their mind? David picks up a wing and takes a bite. “And they’re willing to sell cheap.”

  I tilt my head in utter confusion. “Why?”

  I pick up my drink as he continues to speak, looking straight in front of me into the mass of people. “No one knows. It’s odd but the timing for you couldn’t be better.” Suddenly, the crowd parts as if lighting the way to her. She walks into the front door, her eyes finding mine immediately. We stare at each other, and everyone in the room fades. “I guess they’re wanting to meet. At least, that’s what I hear.” The corner of her mouth lifts as she turns to her left and starts walking, all the while looking at me. “It’s nothing official yet. I dunno. I guess it could happen.” Standing, I down the rest of my drink, set the empty glass on the table, and push my chair away. “Wait! Where are you going?”

  I walk through the crowd as if they weren’t there, my eyes focused on her. She walks down a small hall, stopping at a door, her hand flat against it. The closer I get, her eyes light up, and she pushes the door open, stepping inside. When I reach the door, I see it’s the women’s bathroom. I look to my left to see if anyone is approaching. Looking at the door again, I smile and push it open, closing it behind me, then turn the lock. She’s leaning against the far wall. I walk to her as if my life depends on it. Maybe it does. So many questions enter my mind, but they all fade away as I take her in my arms and kiss the hell out of her.

  “I never thought of you as a whore,” I whisper as I kiss down her throat.

  “I know,” she replies breathlessly.

  “I’ve been wanting to see you. I don’t even know your name.” Pulling down her top, I pull a nipple in my mouth and suck hard. Her moan echoes in the small room.

  “Diana,” she breathes out and tugs on my hair.

  “Nolan,” I whisper, then suck harder.

  Bending down, I lift her into my arms and set her down on the counter. She pulls up her shirt, and I smile, finding her naked underneath. Quickly, I remove my pants and boxers and grab a condom from my wallet. As soon as I remove the condom from its wrapper, she takes it from me and sheaths my achingly hardened cock. I plunge into her so hard and fast, it knocks her back into the mirror. “Ouch.”

  I reach up and rub the back of her head. “I’m sorry,” I tell her as I kiss her. I’m not used to having sex in such remedial places but fuck i
f it’s not intense and a little exciting with the thought of getting caught in the act. She rewards my apology by placing her hands on both sides of my face, pulling me down in front of her breast. I don’t disappoint and suck hard while we continue our rhythm.

  “Oh God! Oh God!” Moving up, I cover her mouth with mine, trying to quiet her screams as she comes hard, and I follow close behind her.

  Having to make do with wet paper towels, I clean her, then wash my hands. Her eyes stay on me as she continues to come down from her ecstasy. I don’t know why but knowing I helped give that to her gives me more pleasure than I’ve had in a long time.

  “How can I get ahold of you,” I ask as I dry my hands.

  “Nolan? Nolan, you in there?” David.

  “I have to go.” She jumps off the counter, leans up and kisses me hard and smiles. I watch as she walks toward the door.

  “Wait!” I yell.

  She unlocks the door and looks at me from over her shoulder. Her lips swollen, and a light blush covers her cheeks making her unearthly beautiful. She smiles again and opens the door, letting it close behind her.

  Diana.

  I finally have a name. But have no idea how to find her.

  I race to the door, opening it quickly and literally run into David in the hall. “Whoa, Nolan. Why in the hell were you in the woman’s bathroom?”

  I push him out of the way and walk down the hall. “I have to find her.”

  “Find who?”

  His voice fades behind me as I start jogging around people. I weave in and out, apologizing to those I bump into until I get out the front door. My breathing is labored as I look up and down the street then across to the other side. I hear David come out the door, wheezing beside me.

  “She’s gone.”