A Valentine for Two

by Lia Davis

  Wild and inviting.

  Christ. That last word got me to thinking about our conversation. About the auburn patch of welcome she’d hinted at that I’d find at the apex of her legs and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on that part of her.

  On any part of her.

  But that wasn’t for tonight. Only this was...

  I deepened the intimacy of our embrace, guiding, tasting, delving, but when she leaned back and tried to bring me down with her on the couch—it was tempting, God knew, but I had to stop. This wasn’t about me. It wasn’t even about her. It was about easing into a relationship that was ‘us’ with hopefully, some lasting potential.

  I tightened my grip in her hair and held my position. With her leaning back, our lips were forced to break contact. I didn’t even wait for her eyes to stop fluttering to open when I asked the one thing I’d been dying to know about her, “What other man broke your heart, Red?”

  “Wh-what?”

  Her eyes were open now, and they were searching mine. I didn’t blink, only continued, delving further into the mystery of her. There was something there and I was fairly sure I knew what it was, but I wanted her to confirm it. “Keith isn’t man enough to break a woman like you. Who was the guy? Tell me.”

  She panicked. I could feel it even though she tried to hide it. Her voice was soft, almost pleading when she said, “Let me go.”

  I could have. And I probably would have if she didn’t still have a hold of my shirt. She was clutching on the fabric as though it was a lifeline, and I wasn’t cutting it to let her run from me just yet. “Tell me,” I repeated, pressing my lips against her forehead, then her temple, in a bid to calm her. “I want to know.”

  She went completely still for a moment, and then fought the embrace. By the time I released her and we were both standing, she had her invisible shield up once more. “And I want to know how you figured that out? It took me—I—” She turned away.

  “Wesley. Don’t clam up. Talk to me.”

  She shook her head, and remained staring at some point on the wall. “I can’t.” Then she shifted and our gazes locked. “I shouldn’t have kissed you. I wasn’t supposed to.”

  “Why?”

  “We’re working together and—I...I don’t know. I don’t want to do this right now. No more Thursday night check ins.”

  I tried not to scowl, but it was tough. Working together? That’s her excuse? No talk of how friendly she’d been with Ty? “What about the storyboards?”

  “Oh.” She waved me off and I wasn’t offended. The action was more frustration in herself than at me. I was so busy thinking about that, I almost missed what she said next. “I don’t need to be babysat. No offense, but as you can see, I’m doing just fine with the two campaigns.”

  She had me there and Ty would have my ass over a barrel for screwing up our date nights. Maybe I could salvage his time with her. “I’m sorry I upset you. I—”

  “You didn’t.”

  That quick assurance was interesting and tied right into her earlier statement. I filed that nugget away to be examined later. “Clearly I asked too many questions. That’s not Ty’s fault. Why punish him?”

  Her expression turned soft, almost contrite. “Punish him? No. If I’m punishing anyone, it would be me. Please. Let’s just get through Valentine’s Day and this Keith thing and then we’ll talk. We’ll...ah, see what happens, okay?”

  I might have said yes, but as I walked past her I wasn’t sure what I’d just agreed to. I did know one thing, though. She was complicated as fuck and I was more in lust with her now than I had been before I got my hands on her tonight.

  She wanted me. She wanted me bad and I knew she wanted Ty as well so all was not lost.

  It just felt like it at the moment.

  Fuck.

  I went to the kitchen and picked up my suit jacket from the back of the bar stool. That’s when I remembered the surprise. Prior to shrugging into my coat, I fished around in the inside pocket and found the item I wanted her to have.

  “Hey, Red.” She had her back to me so I waited for her turn. When she did I said, “I meant to give this to you earlier.” I tossed the item to her. It seemed the right delivery method in order to downplay the gesture.

  “A Playboy coaster?” Her eyes widened and she gasped. “A real and truly Playboy coaster?” She closely examined the bunny-shaped cardboard and then gave it a hug. I almost laughed when I heard how grave her tone was when she leaned forward and loudly whispered. “Is it from—? No, it’s not from the mansion. Don’t tell me it’s from the mansion.”

  “It’s from the mansion.”

  “What!” She was back to studying the black and white rabbit again. Then her gaze lifted. “No.”

  “Yes,” I said back to her equally as emphatic. I was glad now that I’d forgotten to give this to her earlier. It gave me the chance to lighten the mood and by the time I left, I wasn’t feeling so unsettled about things and she wasn’t so sad.

  Be that as it may, however, I still felt the need to stop by the liquor store on the way home. Somehow I knew I’d feel even better with some vodka. Or Ty would once I told him he was screwed out of his date nights. I thought about that conversation and decided not to wait. After I got back into the car I texted him.

  On my way home.

  And?

  I put it out there. Not good

  Oh. Too bad buddy. So she’s all mine?

  I blew out a breath and typed. Not exactly.

  I hated it when he let those dots blink without typing anything. But then I hated it even more when he did punch in his message. What did you do?

  I pushed too hard. I scared her a little.

  No message from him this time. Instead, my phone rang once before I answered it.

  “Hey.”

  “Can you expand on the too hard thing? I thought we’d agreed to keep things light until after we have our business with her handled.”

  I leaned back in the seat and rested my free hand on the steering wheel. “It’s worse than I thought.”

  “What?”

  I let my arm slide off the steering column until it rested on my lap. Then I sighed. “A man didn’t break her heart.”

  His voice went so low I was tempted to smile when he asked, “She’s into women? How can that be? She seemed pretty into me last week.”

  “No, not women. It’s her. She’s set this standard for herself and every time she crosses the line she breaks inside a little.”

  Ty was silent for a few seconds and then he matched my sigh. “You know I’m not going to question you over this, but I’m curious. What the hell happened to lead you to this conclusion?”

  “I kissed her and she wanted more.”

  “Nothing wrong with that.”

  I sat forward and pressed the ignition button until the car revved. “There is if you’re trying to become a reformed cherry picker.”

  “I’m not following.”

  “I’ll explain it when I get home.”

  I was just about to click off when Ty’s next words stopped me. “Wait. Are you saying that you believe she does this with her relationships? With the men in her life?”

  “Yep.”

  “That she’s doing it with us.”

  “Yep.”

  “That she’s upset because of it?”

  “Yep.”

  “Shit.”

  “Yep.”

  “Quit saying that.”

  “Okay. How about I say this? Our angel has broken her own heart so many times it’s paper-thin. As in fragile as fuck. Walking on eggshells type deal.”

  “Meaning?”

  “We’ll have to plan carefully because we’ll have our work cut out for us if we want to make her ours.”

  “I’m in.”

  There was no need for me to say it, but I did anyways. “Me too. I’ll be home in twenty and then we can talk.”

  ***

  Wesley

  I held the coasters up in the soft light
while I lay in bed. The two of them were as different as the men who’d given them to me and yet each was just as important in my mind.

  You don’t have a favorite.

  Not with the coasters either. Damn it.

  With a sigh, I put down the glass mats and turned over onto my side, punching the pillow a couple of times. I’d almost told Sandy tonight. How weird was that?

  I closed my eyes and snuggled into the sheets, thinking about the evening.

  The man for all his intensity seemed to be very easy to confess to. Maybe I should have told him how I feel about confessions. Maybe—

  My eyes popped open and I blinked in the dim light.

  He liked power. He was good at collecting it.

  And that’s one of the things about him you’re attracted to.

  Yeah, so much for pulling the Jewish card. A few hours with that guy and I’d be yacking up a storm. Telling him all my secrets.

  The thought made my toes curl.

  But then I thought about Ty. He had a natural charisma that was totally captivating. And when he smiled...? Yeah, it warmed me from inside out.

  I started to drift, thinking things through.

  On the one hand, there’s rumbling thunder that rocked my world.

  On the other, warm sunshine that lulled me into a zone I cherished.

  If there was too much of one without the other, what would I get? A Wesley disaster, that’s what.

  Ding, ding, ding.

  I was wide awake now, sitting up, reaching for my cell. Was it Ty or Sandy?

  Neither. It was Lisa.

  I swallowed my disappointment and then read her text.

  So how did it go? Was he nice? You didn’t do anything with him that would wreck things with Prince Charming, did you?

  I sure as hell did. Not that I was going to tell her that. Shouldn’t you be more worried about me wrecking an opportunity for future business with their company?

  Aw...Wesley.

  I cringed. She knew. Somehow she knew. What?

  Never mind. You’re right. Business is more important.

  Exactly.

  So what did you to do that has the potential to wreck us signing a contract with Tradelines once Keith is out of the picture?

  I fell back against the headboard and closed my eyes. The woman was crazy and I loved her for it. After a second I opened my eyes and typed. I confess. I made out with the scary dude.

  And was it a 10 million dollar fuck?

  I scowled and then shrugged, because if we had gone horizontal I was fairly sure it would have been. “Made out”, no touching below the waist, but I think yes. Yes, it would have been worth it.

  What about Prince Charming?

  She’d probably hate me for saying this, but it was time I owned my problem. If they weren’t friends I’d be with him too.

  Understandable.

  Is it?

  Sure. I don’t want to sound like I’m being judgmental here, but you’re creative. You think on several more levels than most people do.

  What did that have to do with anything? So?

  Have you ever asked yourself why you and I get along so well?

  All the fucking time. You’re nuts.

  I meant this as a joke but she was serious when she replied, Exactly. Don’t think I don’t know this. I do. You’re the only person in my professional life that’s been able to keep up with my craziness. And why is that?

  Not that this was the only reason. Um...you told me you’d hound me for the rest of my days if I didn’t hire you.

  And I would, but no. It’s because you need emotional variety.

  Hm. That sounded so uncrazy I stared at the sentence, letting it sink in long enough that she sent another mind blower.

  So, forget the long term contract with them. I know for a fact that you’re going to make it big in the ad industry once Keith isn’t sabotaging you. Oh, sure, it might take you longer, but you’re not afraid of hard work. Then once all the stuff with the campaign sting is over with and you’re paid what is owed to you (Keith will have to settle or risk jail) you’ll be free to figure out which guy you want.

  And therein was the problem. Ty makes sense.

  For whom? You? Or everyone else looking at the choice you make? Didn’t you tell me once that you picked Keith in college to be your guy because he looked good on paper?

  I had to huff out a breath over that one. Befriending someone crazy came with a price. When they were sane and making all kinds of sense you had to listen to them. You think I’d be choosing Ty because he’s less scary and more acceptable?

  Let’s just say I’d approve of Prince Charming over The Serpent, but then I’m not you and well, the approved choice’s initials are PC for a reason. Just saying.

  And I was glad she’d pointed this out because I was tired of trying to be politically correct when it came to my relationships. I was a round peg. I’d never fit into a square hole. There was nothing wrong with that...providing I was honest about it.

  Unbelievable. For the first time in nearly five years I was beginning to see an upside to having been involved with Keith. Only instead of keeping me on the path of straight and narrow, as I’d hoped, knowing him, and the fallout surrounding our history together, he’d inadvertently led me to something I thought I’d never have.

  Clarity.

  I thought about the plans on Valentine’s Day and I knew what I needed to do.

  Chapter Seven

  Sandy

  “It’s straight, stop messing with it.”

  I let go of my tie and smoothed a hand down the side of my shirt. Then I turned away from the mirrored wall in our office and eyed Sandy. “You being pissy isn’t going to help things today.”

  “Hate to break your chipper bubble there friend, but when a woman puts you on ice for three weeks it’s a bad sign. Today could be the last day we have contact with her.”

  I knew that, but I was reserving judgment until I saw her in person. “How did she sound when you spoke to her last night?”

  “For the tenth time. She was funny. Engaging. Fucking perfect. I went to bed with a hard-on after hearing her sweet voice.”

  That made me laugh. When Sandy wasn’t able to fully control a situation he had a tendency to be a little caustic, so I tried to appease him. “I saw her getting out of the car a few minutes ago.”

  He eyed the veranda and then turned to me. “She wearing a skirt?”

  “Short. Tight. It’s the blue one.”

  “Nice.” He got up and put on his suit jacket. “I think it’s time. Keith is already in the conference room, and the attorney will bring in Red as soon as I text him.”

  “Hey.” I caught his arm when he headed toward the door. “We’re doing this together, right?”

  “Yep. Just like we’ve planned. Did you order the flowers for the house?”

  “Of course. What about dinner tonight?” We spoke as we made our way to the conference room.

  “It’s being delivered.”

  “She said she’d bringing dessert.”

  Sandy gave me the side-eye as we reached the conference room door. “You should have let me tell her she is dessert.”

  “With any luck.”

  “Luck has nothing to do with it. It’s all in the planning.”

  “If you believed that you would have told her.” I let Sandy enter first as he’d been the one dealing with the Keith over the last year. When I saw that guy sitting to the left of the head of our table, I wanted to punch his fucking lights out. Especially when I saw his storyboards, the ones stolen from our angel. These were West’s designs with barely a change to them.

  I curtly nodded as Sandy made the introductions, then I forced myself to shake the hand he offered. “Keith.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” He turned his attention to Sandy with a smile. “I was happy to be included in this wild card account challenge. Is it going to be a big one?”

  “Twenty million.”

  I didn’t blink wi
th Sandy’s outrageous lie. The toothpaste ads were maybe worth about seven hundred thousand annually, but I got the message. Sandy wanted this to hurt the prick as much as possible.

  “Do you mind if I take a look at these?” I asked. The plan was for me to get him talking and once we had him relaxed we were going to bring in West with the real designs accompanied by the attorney as a witness, but it never happened. No sooner had I made the inquiry, than the conference room door swung open.

  “Hello, Keith. Or should I say, lying, thieving scumbag?”

  “West—” I went to step forward and intervene.

  “Easy, there buddy,” Sandy whispered. “It would seem Red’s on the warpath so I think we should let her torch the earth all by herself.”

  I shot a look between her and Keith and then nodded. Keith might have looked pissed, but our angel was fucking fit-to-be-tied. The swell of pride I felt? Yeah. It was huge.

  “Sorry gentlemen, but she assured me she’d handle this.”

  We both turned to our attorney who was smiling. I didn’t know about Sandy, but that grin gave me a measure of comfort.

  “What the hell is she doing here?” Keith turned his attention to us. “You know who she is? She’s the sneaky bitch who’s been trying to steal my company’s designs and pass them off as her own. I suppose she tried to tell you that these are her concepts as well.”

  Sandy was just about to answer when West laughed. “How pathetic. If you’re going to steal, make sure you take the right ones.” After she showed him the storyboards she had that were the stepped up version of his, he lost a little of his bravado.

  “Fuck you, Wesley. Are you still holding a grudge because I broke your heart?” He turned his attention to Sandy, “I did you know. I Candy crushed her. That’s why she’s doing this.” He looked back at West and sneered. “Your best friend Candy. She was sweet.”

  Sandy crossed his arms over his chest and lifted a brow at the guy. “You broke her heart? I don’t think so.”

  West was all business. “Adam?”

  The way our attorney rushed to her side told me one thing. She’d somehow managed to wrap that older guy around her little finger. Why else would he be nodding and doing as she directed. The guy had always busted our balls, he never did what we wanted him to do right off the bat, and now he was a creampuff? Amazing.