by Aliyah Burke
“You got it, Doc.”
Valentino sat up and watched the doorway waiting for Lexy to appear. When she stepped through, he caught his breath. Dark green scrubs and a white lab coat had never looked so good to him. Even the impersonal, professional smile she bestowed upon him couldn’t cool his ardor.
Lexy moved her gaze to the men waiting. “Walk with me, Cassano, to the barn. I’ll be right back, Minnie. Good to see you gentlemen again, Terry will be right in to see you.”
She disappeared only to reappear moments later to gesture at Valentino. He got the message. Follow.
Valentino walked around the reception area to where Lexy waited by the door. She didn’t say a word until they were outside. “Wasn’t it enough to send Scarlett? What are you doing here?”
“Tell me you don’t call her that.”
“I’m not afraid of your girlfriend. Besides, she looks down her nose at me like Scarlett did those she thought beneath her.” Lexy glanced at him briefly as she walked. “Basically everyone, so I really don’t give a damn if she doesn’t like the name, or me. Hell, she can hate me and want to kill me. I have a job to do and bills to pay.”
“She’s a bit protective of us.”
Lexy snorted. “Right. She ain’t lookin’ at her cousin like she is you.”
“Jealous?” Was he insane to hope for a yes? Most likely.
She stopped and faced him. Her lab coat moved in the warm breeze as wisps of hair came free from her French braid to curl about her face. The ice shards from her eyes combined with the condemnation and disgust on her face threw him. He and Lexy had always teased one another, but he’d believed them friends beneath it all. Sure, the knocking boots added a bit more tension but again, he had thought them friends. At this second, he could honestly say he didn’t think she felt the same.
That look would kill and bury me near the Earth’s core, if she had the ability.
He waited, holding his breath and expecting a long tirade. Her arctic gaze raked over him. She put one hand into her pocket.
“No.”
Her response sounded so final it took him a moment to realize she’d taken off again. He lengthened his stride to catch up with her and whirled her around to face him.
“I don’t have time for your games, Valentino. I’m in the middle of my workday. What is it? I would think you’d be happy I’m not trying to get any more from you than the sex we had. If you are dating Scarlett, we’re done.”
She turned away and went inside the large building before him. He scowled at her retreating back. Happy? Hell no. No way, Lexy. Not letting it end like that.
Lexy was helping Hector set a thoroughbred’s leg by the time Valentino walked in. She’d removed her lab coat and was ignoring the sweat dripping down her face. They were cutting the pin extras, only it was giving them a devil of a time, they just couldn’t quite find the right angle to take. She knew it was right in front of them but both were not seeing it at the moment.
She wiped her brow with the back of one hand then cursed and waved for new gloves. Once she changed them out and got back to it, they got the excess cut off. While Hector finished up, she swiftly double checked the sutures and staples that had been put in.
“I think we got it, Hector,” she said, searching for her brother’s gaze.
“Thanks, sis. Carp had to go, his wife went into labor.”
She smiled and removed her gloves one at a time then tossed them with practiced ease into the trash. “Good for him. I know he’s been worried about her, what with all the false labors she’s been going through.”
“I know, it’s why I told him to go and I’d have you help. How are you?”
She yawned and watched as the equine was taken off the aesthesia. “Two neuters. Oh, and an amputation.”
“For the rest of the day?”
“Paperwork. Dr Terry is in so the rest of the day is hers. I don’t take appointments normally on surgery day in case something happens and we go over. I did see Ms Clara and Mitzi however, right before I came here.”
He smiled. “Yes, I saw them in the waiting room. How’s she doing?”
“Not bad.”
Hector’s tech, Adam, gave her a slight smile as he crouched by the chestnut horse. “Got a visitor, Doc.”
“Who’s that in the viewing room, Lexy?” Hector asked.
The same one who’d been there watching the entire time. Valentino Cassano. “Jaydee’s brother-in-law.”
Hector passed some instructions to Adam and escorted her to the door. “What’s he doing here?”
“Annoying me.”
As the door swung closed behind them, alarm skirted up her spine. Valentino leaned with nonchalance against the frame of the viewing window. It was the barely-there smile on his face that concerned her—over-confident and more than a bit smug.
This isn’t going to be good.
The man had loosened his tie slightly, but nothing else was out of place.
Adam popped back in. “Patient’s been put in a recovery stall. The sling is working and April is monitoring him until I get back.”
“Excellent, Adam. Great job.”
Adam grinned and nodded at Valentino. “I’m sorry, I’m Adam.”
“Valentino Cassano.”
“Is that your horse?”
“No. I’m only here to see Alexsa.”
Shit, my full name? What’s he up to?
Both men glanced at her and she knew why—almost no one called her that.
Hector rubbed his nose. “About what?”
Valentino neither blinked nor hesitated as he gave his answer. “Didn’t know I needed a reason to come see my wife.”
She had to be hearing things. There was no way he—the great, show-no-emotion, engage-in-no-long-term commitments, Valentino Cassano—would say those words, especially not in front of her brother. From the thunderous expression on Hector’s face, it appeared she wasn’t in a worm hole or anything like that. The daft man had actually said those words.
“You’re married?” Hector glared between the two of them. “To him?”
Valentino gave her a ‘checkmate’ grin as he moved closer. “Didn’t you tell your brothers? I thought we decided we would tell our families in Zurich.”
“You were with him in Zurich?”
She wanted to cower from her brother’s roar. “Yes, we met up in Zurich.”
“And marrying him?”
“Hugely impulsive decision,” she said with a forced smile. I am going to kill him. What the fuck is he thinking?
“Dr Camden. Adam. Need you!”
The men dashed off, Hector with a warning they would deal with this later.
The second they were alone she advanced on him. “Are you fuckin’ insane? Why the hell would you claim such a thing?” She was so angry she was shaking.
“You weren’t exactly being cooperative, darlin’.”
“Don’t you fuckin’ call me, darlin’. I’m not your darlin’. I’ll never be your darlin’.” She bit her lip and strove for patience. “Fix this. Now!”
He stared past her through the window for a brief moment then stared at her. His hazel eyes slowly ran over her body. Up and down, making her crave his touch.
“No.”
“Fix it, or they won’t know where to find the body.”
“We have an audience, sweetheart. Make me feel welcome.”
Her smile was more a baring of teeth. “A knee to the balls?”
He pulled her close, putting his hands upon her back. Against her belly, she could feel his substantial erection. She placed her hands on his upper arms and held his gaze.
Valentino didn’t give her any more time to protest. He just kissed her. As usual when this man touched her, Lexy melted. I’m weak. So weak. She closed her eyes and sank into him, acknowledging even her anger was no match for her desire for this man. It’s unhealthy. I know.
Did she care? Nope.
She twined her arms around his neck and arched into his hard b
ody. His palms against her back and ass kept her close. He swept his tongue deep, engaging hers, drawing her into the age-old dance.
Moisture gathered between her legs and she struggled not to straddle one muscled thigh and rock herself to orgasm. Or take his cock. Long. Thick. Hard. Oh yeah…
Her clit throbbed and a whimper escaped.
Although the kiss had started quick, he took his time ending it. He drew it out and captured her lower lip before releasing her.
“That’s one hell of a welcome,” he drawled.
There were times when she wished she still carried her sidearm. His words were like a bucket of ice being tossed in her face. Briefly closing her eyes, she admonished herself for falling victim again to Valentino Cassano.
No, I can’t say victim. He’s my weakness.
“Better you consider it a goodbye.”
She glanced through the viewing window only to avoid her brother’s glare. Crossing her arms, she put her back to the window to stare at the immense pain in her ass—who also could and did, rouse her to unimaginable heights of arousal—who stood before her, appearing arrogant.
He peered at her briefly before gazing back out of the window for a few seconds. Then his attention was back to her. She lifted an eyebrow and waited. Eventually his expression smoothed out.
“Something on your mind, Alexsa?”
“Thinking of all the ways I want to castrate you and fix your little bitch. I don’t like being cornered. Much less being pushed,” Lexy hissed. She dropped her arms and placed a hand on his chest. “I am going to assume you have a damn good reason for what shit you just pulled. I can’t wait to hear it.”
She moved her hand down his chest until her fingers rested against his hard shaft. Holding his gaze, she tightened her grip, her nails digging in. “Don’t try to play me, or lie to me. Believe me, Valentino Cassano, you try anything so foolish again and you’ll learn why you don’t fuck with a Southerner. Especially a Southern woman.”
Lexy released him and with a forced smile, she patted his cheek then left the large animal facility for her own building. A figure in the doorway had her slowing and glancing up.
Great. Little Miss Scarlett.
“Problem?” Lexy wasn’t in a good mood and had no desire to deal with her shit.
“Where’s Valentino?”
“West barn.” Lexy pointed and raked her gaze over the redhead. “Don’t worry, he was breathing when I left him.”
Anabelle’s blue eyes narrowed. “Don’t hurt him, or you and I will have to come to an understanding.”
Lexy understood the threat but barely blinked. “Reckon you’d best tell him that pissin’ off a Southern woman is nonsensical.” Statement made, she brushed by the red-haired woman and went inside, cranky and horny.
* * * *
“I’m sorry, did you think breaking and entering into my house—not once but twice in the same day—was supposed to get you in my good graces?” Her voice had reached a new high.
Staring at Valentino, Lexy valiantly fought to control herself. A losing battle, she knew, yet she tried.
After work then visiting her brother, she’d come home to take a long, hot shower. However, when she had left her bedroom it had been to find her house taken over by one Valentino Cassano. His bags were on her bedroom floor and he was in her kitchen cooking some disgustingly aromatic Italian dish. It tempted her and reminded her that her lunch today had consisted of a partial bowl of salad and some crackers.
He continued cooking and only spared her a glance. Wave after wave of rage rushed over her. Never had she wanted to maim someone so badly. Nor do the multitude of things to this man she was seriously considering.
My obsession truly is unhealthy. She knew it. Admitted it. She’d been trying to move past it and all had been going well until he’d showed up at her door. Correction, inside my house. Door first, now the bastard’s gone and made himself at home.
“I would really recommend you talk, Val. Before I start cutting things off.”
He continued to stir the sauce on the stovetop. “You have this obsession with things that dangle on me. You want to see them again, all you have to do is ask. I won’t refuse that request.”
“Why the fuck are you still here in my house?” I am not, not, not, thinking of his offer and how much I want to take him up on it.
“I’m visiting my wife. Where else would I be?”
She sucked her teeth and moved to where she could see his face. Leaning against the counter next to the sink, she crossed her ankles and stared at him, her gaze boring into him. At first he didn’t seem that concerned, but the longer she stood and continued to do so, the more uneasy he began to appear.
“Very well, Val. This is the game you want to play”—her smile was feral—“let’s play it. So you’re now my husband.”
Chapter Five
That look on a woman’s face never ended well for a man. Valentino could admit it—he was concerned now. Lexy didn’t just give in and agree like she was doing. Every survival instinct he’d counted on to stay alive as he’d traveled the world doing what he did was screaming at him to get out.
Gripping the spoon a bit tighter, he checked the marinara and adjusted the heat. He cast a discerning look over the items on the glass stovetop. It would all be ready by the time the table was set. After he set the spoon in its painted holder, he turned to where she kept her dishes then quickly put down the items they’d need to enjoy his meal.
He kept an eye on Lexy, who continued to lean against the sink and watch him. Her face was blank—the feral smile had vanished—but there was a glint in her gaze that worried him. He opened the wine, poured them each a glass then lit the candles he’d found. It didn’t take him long to drain the spaghetti and place the pasta in a nice dish.
“Dinner’s ready,” he said as he put the meatballs on the table.
Lexy walked to her chair and he pulled it out for her, deliberately ignoring the sideways glance she shot him. He also had to ignore the desire he had to kiss her shoulder as he pushed her in to the table. Once seated, he served her then himself.
She ate silently as he tried to figure out what to say to get her talking to him. Swallowing his bite of garlic bread, he gestured to her with his knife. “Everything okay?”
“Delicious.”
He gave a small grin. It had been years since he’d cooked for someone else. The last time he’d done so had been for— Nope, not going there. He slammed the door shut on that memory, keeping it where it belonged. In the past.
“You really think this is the best way to keep me safe? Or are you using me as bait to try and bring down this Trevor guy?”
“A bit of both,” he admitted truthfully. “More that I want you safe.”
“I don’t even know why they contacted me. Doesn’t make any sense, I’d never heard of them until this whole thing began.” She used her bread to wipe up the remnants of her sauce. “I’m not changing my life during this. I continue to go to work and live my life.”
Alarm bells were still going off in his head, but he nodded. “Sounds fair.” He coughed. “No dating anyone else though.”
The smile which curved up her lips had every hair standing on end. “I’m apparently married now, why would I be out dating anyone else?”
He didn’t know how to respond without sounding like a jealous bastard. The thought of another touching her was enough to send fury pulsing through his veins, and on its heels was the urge to rip and maim someone.
“That brings us to another issue,” she said, prior to drinking the rest of her wine.
“Issue?”
She wriggled the fingers of her left hand in his direction. “Wedded bliss and all that usually comes with a ring.”
“I’ll go buy you a ring.” He could handle that.
“Oh no, it’s not that simple, Val.” Her smile was pure evil calculation. “I’m not letting it be that simple.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “If separate rooms are suc
h a big thing to you, Lexy, fine. I’ll stay in the guest room. I’m not living on your couch though.”
“Right, rooms. Yeah, fine, whatever. No, this has nothing to do with that.”
He swirled the wine around in his glass and held her gaze. The candlelight flickered off her smooth skin, tempting him to reach out and touch her. “What does it have to do with?”
“The marriage.”
He poured more wine for himself. Lexy got herself some water then sat back across from him.
“What about it?”
“It has to be real.”
Valentino choked and began coughing. “I’m sorry, what?”
“You come in claiming we’re married.” She leaned back and toyed with the silverware on her empty plate. “I’m not going to be living a lie, nor will I continue to lie to my brothers. You find a preacher and marry me for real, get a ring on your finger as well.” Lexy gave him an untamed grin. “And as for that ring around your neck. It goes. No husband of mine will wear another woman’s ring.”
She rose from the table and walked to the door where she paused and glanced back at him. “Don’t ever try to put me in a corner again to get your way, Val. I promise it won’t end well for you.” Lexy vanished from view, leaving him alone.
Married. For real. His heart pounded in his chest. He’d never envisioned marrying again. That first one had turned out to be such a disaster. He reached beneath his shirt and withdrew the gold band on the chain he wore.
The pain of her betrayal lanced through him and he stared at the candles while running the band along the chain. The thought of going through another marriage had his stomach churning.
On the other hand, it was with Lexy. Perhaps things would be different. His phone rang and he answered.
“Is she willing to go along with this?” Masters asked.
“As long as I make the marriage a real one.”
“Good. Then there’s no problem.”
“No problem? I never said I was actually going to marry anyone again.”
“I don’t care what happened in the past. Hell, for all I care you can marry her and forget your vows. Just do what she wants to insure her cooperation. You can get it annulled after we catch that bastard.” Masters coughed. “Get it done, Cassano.”
