Love, Valentine Style

by Jasmine Haynes

“I never stopped loving you, Ginny. I know you still love me, too.”

  He drove his fingers into her hair and dragged her mouth to his. Virginia spiraled out of control, lost in the fantasy of reclaiming what she’d so tragically lost. He tasted magnificently of the Thomas she once knew, rousing bittersweet memories of the wonderful life they’d had in Boston. His skin felt warm against fingers that found their own way to his exposed torso. Tingles raced through her limbs and the need to refuse trickled away.

  In the back of her mind Virginia knew that to spend the night with Thomas would only confirm the choice that a catastrophic incident now made him question. That to have her again would remove any lingering doubt his breaking things off had been right. That to have her again would simply satisfy an itch he wanted scratched.

  That to let him touch her again would reopen that near fatal wound to her heart that had never properly healed.

  But rational thought fled, and all Virginia knew was her need to feel him again, one last time.

  Chapter Three

  Every tug of his fingers pulling at a button or zipper sent a wave of heat racing from head to toe. Every glance of a hand across flesh made her heart jump.

  Every piece of clothing that fell away only made her feel more liberated, not less.

  He’d said he hadn’t been with anyone since her, and she wouldn’t say it out loud, but neither had she. Thomas’s touch made her start to hum again, back to full capacity like a car that had previously misfired but continued to cough and rattle down the road. She hadn’t realized just how out of whack she’d been.

  He’d showered since arriving earlier today. She smelled the light, rosy scent of the hotel’s complimentary shampoo, but underneath it was the raw scent of him. It sent her tumbling back in time, before the tragic day to a time when mornings waking up beside him were like Christmas every day. She pressed her face against his shoulder and breathed him in.

  His hands slid around her back, warm and comforting. Clever fingers slipped into her panties and inched them down. When his palms cupped her ass, he squeezed.

  “God, I’ve missed you.”

  The groan that followed his oath sent a ripple of chills across her skin. I’ve missed you, too, she wanted to say, but didn’t trust herself to speak. She couldn’t make any claims that might sound like a promise.

  Instead, she kissed him. Eyes closed, images raced across her mind’s eye. Their past together had been a beautiful one. Its ending had been a sort of death for her. Living without the glorious taste of his kiss would be to spend the rest of her life with something wonderful missing, like being told she could never eat fudge brownie ice cream again.

  She shoved his opened shirt over his shoulders, and his grasping arms left her for the brief second it took him to shrug out of it. She yanked at the waist of his pants, and felt their drawstring give. Still kissing her, he struggled out of them and then seized her again.

  “Oh God yes, Virginia.”

  He lifted her onto his hips and she wrapped her legs around his waist, eyes still closed. Her panties drifted off her ankle. She felt him turn, knew the honeymoon suite so well she could sense him headed toward the bed. He eased her down, and they fell onto the mattress. Her world kept tumbling as though she were drunk, but it was a good drunk. A wonderful drunk.

  She still wore her bra, but he seemed to care as little as she did. Instead, when he drew back and stared into her eyes, she saw a different reason for his pause. Longing. Regret.

  She felt it too.

  Virginia closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. It was filled with the scent of him. Her Thomas.

  No. Not my Thomas anymore. Just for tonight.

  He shifted slightly, and then filled her. She opened her mouth in a silent gasp, and he seized her kiss.

  Glorious joy and bright agony fought a battle in her heart. How could she live without this magnificence?

  The touch of his skin against hers made stars dance behind her eyes. This was more than fantastic, mind altering sex, it was the feel of his body against hers, the safety of his strong arms protecting her, the magnificent weight of him inside her. More than the blinding pleasure he carried her toward, more than the desire to return that pleasure ten-fold.

  It was Thomas, plain and simple. The missing half of herself that had been cleaved away.

  *

  For the past eleven months, Thomas had been walking around with a chunk missing out of him, like the final piece to a puzzle that had been lost. He snuggled closer, sliding across cotton sheets to press more intimately against the amazingly soft body next to him.

  He’d known right away he’d made a ghastly mistake, and the only reason he hadn’t gone running back, begging and groveling, was that he knew Virginia wouldn’t accept him. That missing puzzle piece had grown larger with each day, week, and month that passed, as though rot ate away at the edges of the hole. If he didn’t get her back, that hole would grow until it finally consumed him, leaving nothing left.

  Then he was mugged, and he realized he didn’t care if there was nothing left, because life wasn’t worth living if he didn’t share it with Virginia. He hadn’t died that day, but he realized he’d been a little bit dead already.

  It had taken him three months to find her. She’d left Boston almost immediately and none of her family or friends would help him. To locate her here, in this incredible hotel on this magical island where the only room available was the honeymoon villa, was nothing short of divine.

  He snaked closer, twining his leg within hers. Last night had been a delicious reminder of the fantastic lover she was. He almost laughed out loud as he realized in all his missing her, very little of it had been about the sex. His memories of their bedroom escapades had played soft-focused and on low volume, but now he remembered just what an energetic and enthusiastic lover she hid behind her sweet smile and gentle eyes.

  If last night proved anything, it was what a jackass he was. That he had nearly lost this magic was now painfully clear. She was his world.

  “I’m not mad at you,” she said.

  He’d thought she was still asleep. His hand drifted to her breast, closed over it, and squeezed. “You should be. I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”

  She drew a deep breath in, lifting the firm mound against his palm. “Yes you do. You only did what you had to. The fact it hurt me so badly doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right decision for you.”

  “God, Virginia. I’m so sorry.”

  She shifted, and he dragged her closer so they were spooning. “It’s all right, Thomas. I’m glad you didn’t stay. It would have ended anyway, despite taking vows. We’re both better off.”

  “No, it wouldn’t have, and we’re not better off. We’re both hurt. And it’s going to take a lot of healing to get over that. What’s important is that we’re on the road to recovery.”

  She pulled away and reluctantly he let her up. She found her panties, then her bra. The rest of their clothes were scattered across the room.

  “Don’t go.” He smoothed the empty spot on the bed, still feeling her body heat.

  “I have to work. You have a plane to catch.”

  He jerked upright. “I’m not leaving.”

  She stepped into her skirt, dragged it up long, luscious legs, and zipped the side.

  He jumped out of bed. “Marry me today, Virginia. This morning, on the beach. I know you have a resident priest on the island to perform weddings. We already have our license—”

  “No.” She turned away and retrieved her suit jacket.

  “How can you say no after last night?” Dammit, this isn’t going like I’d planned.

  “Thomas, you came here because you’d begun to doubt your decision. Absence made your heart grow fonder, but now you’ve seen me and you know nothing’s changed. Last night was great, but its only purpose was to get me out of your system.”

  He crossed the room and grabbed her arms. “Nothing’s changed. I still love you, and I still want to marry yo
u. Please, forgive my stupid mistake. Put it behind us and let’s go on like we should.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “Together. Married.”

  She gave him that famous, gentle Ginny smile, but this time it held pity. Inside, a crack started that would soon make him shatter.

  “You’re wrong, Thomas. I’ve changed. I used to think I needed you to make me whole, but I’ve learned to depend on myself. I don’t need to be married to be happy.”

  She stepped back. He was so numb he didn’t feel himself release her.

  “I’ve found strength in myself I didn’t even know I had, and I don’t want to lose it. If you really want to show me you love me, you’ll get on that plane and go.”

  Chapter Four

  “Ooh, girl, for someone seen sneaking across the grounds this morning in the same suit she wore yesterday, you look pretty glum.”

  “Did you file this morning’s checkouts yet?”

  Julio winced at her sharp tone. “Don’t get all up in mine just because your booty call didn’t go as planned. I, for one, had a marvelous night and I’m not going to let your oh-woe-is-me attitude bring me down.”

  “I’m sorry, Julio.” Virginia’s stomach somersaulted. The fact she’d been the one to turn Thomas down this time did not lessen the pain from losing him all over again. “Your Valentine’s Day dinner went well?”

  “Fabulously, thank you for asking. Philippe gave me a ring.” He waved his hand to show her. “But I’m more interested in your story. What could you possibly find wrong with that gorgeous blue-eyed hunk of muscle?”

  “That gorgeous blue-eyed hunk of muscle is the one who left me at the altar.”

  Julio gasped, his face twisted in absolute horror. “That is Mr. Dickhead?”

  “He came to try and win me back.”

  Julio shrieked like a little girl. “And you told him yes, right?”

  She frowned. “Of course not. I don’t want to be married to him.” Another surge of nausea burned her gut. She was lying to herself. But she had to. Want and need were two very different things. What she needed was to keep a firm hold on her inner strength. What she needed was to maintain her independence. What she wanted…was as bad for her as fudge brownie ice cream.

  She could live without fudge brownie ice cream. Couldn’t she?

  “Hmm.” Julio eyed her with exaggerated skepticism. “Mmm-hmm.” He sashayed away and resumed his filing. “Hmm.”

  She opened her mouth to defend herself, but changed her mind. She didn’t need to explain herself to anyone. She wore her newfound independence like a medal, and she wasn’t going to let anyone make her feel bad for it.

  I don’t want him back, do I? No, I don’t.

  Then why did she feel so wretched? She glanced at the clock. The plane had departed two hours ago. Virginia took a sip of cold water, but it didn’t cool the burning briquette lodged at the apex of her ribs.

  Giggling pulled her attention to the archway to the garden. Mr. and Mrs. Wallis strode in carrying tennis racquets. Their droplet spattered clothes revealed the rain had started. They walked arm-in-arm, heads close like smitten teenagers. She stared, barely able to believe it. Thank goodness the magic of Little West Cay had worked on someone.

  “What?” Mr. Wallis barked at her, catching her stare. “You never saw people play tennis in the rain? Chicago is covered in snow right now. A little sprinkle on a balmy tropical day is like heaven to us.”

  Virginia smiled, while inside she felt like crying. “I’m glad the weather hasn’t dampened your spirits.”

  The old man broke into a rare grin. “Much as I hate to admit it, this hotel is everything you promised.”

  Mrs. Wallis swatted her husband and beamed at Virginia. “It’s truly lovely here, dear. The wind has only served to stir up the delightful aroma of tropical flowers.” The woman paused. “Though I feel compelled to mention there are two men on the beach who look like they might be in some danger. That surf is coming up rather violently. Perhaps you should send someone out to urge them in.”

  “Two men? Are they fishing?”

  Mrs. Wallis tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Actually, it appeared the priest was performing a wedding. Though the bride must have cold feet because the groom was alone.”

  Oh no. Thomas? It couldn’t be. She’d insisted he get on that plane.

  Virginia bolted through the archway and across the pool deck to the beach.

  “My God.” She kicked off her heels and ran across the sand to the ocean’s edge. “Thomas, what are you doing?”

  “I told you, I’m not leaving without you.” He wore the tuxedo he was supposed to be married in a year ago. It clung to his muscular frame so perfectly it barely rippled, but Father Luke’s hair flapping wildly in the wind revealed the ferocity of the rising storm. Both were soaked, as now was she.

  “Come inside, please! It’s dangerous out here.”

  “Marry me, Virginia. I love you, and you love me.”

  “I will always have feelings for you, but…”

  “But what? What could matter more than growing old together?”

  “Can we talk inside?” She pulled on his arm, but he wouldn’t budge.

  “Is there to be a wedding today, or not?” Father Luke snapped.

  “I’ll stay out here all night if I have to,” Thomas insisted.

  “Well I surely won’t. This is ludicrous.” Father Luke closed his bible. He started back up the beach unsteadily, and Virginia took his arm.

  “I’m sorry, Father Luke. I didn’t know about this.”

  “It’s all right, dear. It all sounded terribly romantic, before the storm of course, but I should have realized you of all people would never allow yourself coerced in such a way.”

  His words struck her more powerfully than the driving rain. Had she really become so forbidding she was now known as a ball buster? All she’d wanted was to be independent.

  She glanced over her shoulder. Thomas ignored the churning surf, watching her go with a tragic expression.

  In all the months apart, she had visualized him as the villain, the heart breaker, the callous, selfish fiend that had broken her heart. But now, to see him standing there looking as wounded as she’d been, she realized he wasn’t the only one who’d been devastated by their breakup. Thomas hurt, too.

  And she didn’t want to see him in pain. Her independence was still there, but now alongside it was the desire to cherish him into old age, and be cherished back. But could she trust him? Could she simply wipe away all the hurt and mistrust, and go from here with a clean slate?

  Behind him, the clouds were as dark as industrial smoke. A giant wave crashed down behind him and swirled around his feet. He struggled against the ferocious tow pulling him out to sea. Another wave crashed over the first, and Thomas was knocked to his hands and knees. He clawed the beach to fight the powerful drag.

  Her heart jumped into her throat. She couldn’t lose him again, not this way. In that moment, she understood nothing was lost if she wanted to save it.

  And she did. With all her heart, she did.

  She raced into the surf and grabbed his arm, digging her heels against the water’s powerful pull. Thomas scrambled to his feet and they ran from the next wave.

  Halfway up the beach he pulled her to a stop. “I love you, Virginia. I don’t want to live without you. If you don’t want me, then there’s nothing else for me.”

  “Thomas you fool, I love you too!”

  “You do?” He stared back with a mixture of hope and surprise.

  She threw her arms around his neck. “Of course I do. Now won’t you please come in before we both drown?”

  When she eased back he grabbed her hand and slid her ring back on her finger. “Marry me first.”

  She glanced back up the beach. Father Luke stood on the steps, watching them.

  “All right. I’ll marry you!”

  “You will?” Excitement filled his face.

  “Yes. Yes! I’ll marry you, Thomas Bennett.”r />
  He hugged her and spun her around.

  “Father Luke, can you do this quickly?” she shouted over the wind.

  The priest grinned as he stepped carefully back down the beach.

  “Thomas Bennett, do you take this woman as your lawfully wedded bride?”

  He squeezed her hand. “I do.”

  “Virginia Montgomery, do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?”

  She smiled through her tears. “I do.”

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Father Luke snapped his bible shut. “Now, heaven help us, let’s get inside.”

  Thomas took her in his arms and kissed her gently on the lips.

  Despite the storm, she heard his whisper. “Always and forever.”

  An hour later, to the bafflement of meteorologists worldwide, the storm over Little West Cay vanished.

  *

  About Pamela Fryer

  Pamela Fryer loves stories of hopeless love risked, forbidden passion stolen, and second chances seized. Find more books by Pamela at Amazon.

  Also by Pamela Fryer

  The Midnight Effect

  Last Rights

  August Unknown

  The Lost Finder

  and coming in spring 2014

  Kiss Me Before Dawn

  Civil War Valentine

  Haley Whitehall

  Recently divorced museum curator Charlie Bristol comes to Seattle to set up a display at the Fine Art museum chronicling the history of Valentine’s Day. The director of the museum surprises her with a package of Civil War valentines from an anonymous donor. She reads the heartfelt messages and is touched by his words. Does such powerful love still exist?

  During a nap she dreams she’s alive during the Civil War and meets Elliot Lowery, the author of the valentines who mistakes her for his fiancée Charlotte. She and Elliot negotiate the murky waters of wartime romance. When she wakes she’s still under the dream’s spell and Valentine’s Day love is in the air, but Charlotte has no reason to celebrate. The man she loves died 150 years ago. Unless love works some miracle even time and death cannot overcome.