“Don’t swallow yet. Show me.” I pull out of her mouth, and she holds it open, showing me the pearlescent liquid sitting on her tongue. Some of it dribbles down the side of her chin. I scoop it up with my thumb and shove it back in her mouth. “Swallow.”
Her throat bobs as she follows my command, and my dick twitches, ready for round two. I haul her up off her knees and ravish her mouth, tasting myself on her tongue. I’m never going to get enough of her, ofus.
I place another gentle kiss on her lips then bend and pull up my costume, fixing it back over my shoulder and righting the sash. “Thank you. I’ll be replaying this for the rest of my life. I need to get back out there. Will you come with me?”
“Let me use the restroom, and I’ll meet you out there.”
We exit the office; she heads in the direction of the restroom, and I head to our probably now-cold hot chocolate.
“Mr. Valentine,” the sharp voice of Loralee Dobson calls. I’d know it anywhere because it fuels my nightmares. I turn to find her standing by the door to the kitchen. Her blunt gray bob is topped with a red beanie with embroidered hearts, and her sweater matches. Shelooks like she’s in the holiday spirit, but her eyes are narrowed with suspicion. Did she hear what just happened in my office? I hope not.
She knows good and well she’s not supposed to be back here, but she thinks because she’s on the town council, she gets privilege.
“Loralee! How are you enjoying the festivities?” I don’t need her interrogating Mikey, so I walk towards the front, hoping she’ll follow.
“The numbers have surpassed last year, so that’s pleasant. I have a matter I’d like to discuss with you.”
Great.
“Can it wait until after the festival? I have matchmaking to do.”
“It won’t take but a moment of your time.” I motion for her to continue. She pulls a clipboard from between her arm and body, setting her thick rimmed glasses on her nose as she studies whatever’s on there. “It’s come to the council’s attention a woman was driving you around yesterday. We feel it’s only fair for our Cupid to disclose his relationship status, so if there’s anything you want to tell me so I can pass it along to the council…”
I know damn well the council doesn’t give a shit about my relationship status. Loralee is just a nosy, old busybody. “I don’t see how my relationship status affects the council or my ability to do my duty as a matchmaker.”
“The council is concerned you being in a relationship will negatively impact your ability to see the potential of other couples. If you’re too busy making heart eyes at someone else,you won’t give the tourists the time and attention they deserve. Without Cupid’s matchmaking ability, we’re just a silly town who celebrates Valentine’s Day.”
Irritation prickles my skin. I’m not the only great part of this town, and the implication makes me mad. And what? I’m not allowed to be happy and in love, but everyone else can?
Fuck that.
“Respectfully, Loralee, I don’t give a shit. I’ve dedicated myself to this role, and thecouncilshould know that. Even if I’m seeing someone, it doesn't distract from my abilities.”
Her lips purse, and she raises her nose at me. “We’ll see about that. If anyone complains Cupid’s attention is elsewhere, there will be consequences.”
I hold in my snort. What’s she going to do? Revoke my Cupid privileges?
“There won’t be any complaints.”
“I should hope not. I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Mr. Valentine.”
She stomps out of the café, the bell jingling to signal her departure. I make my way back towards my office. Mikey’s standing outside my door, a smile lighting up her face when she sees me.
Why would I ever give her up? And how am I supposed to go back to my regular, day-to-day life where I won’t see her all the time?
18
Saint keeps our fingers intertwined as we walk down Main Street. People keep stopping him to ask who I am, their eyes roaming over me curiously. I keep my eyes down, unsure how to handle the attention.
When I was in the crowd with Ruby and Stella—an adorable ray of sunshine with rosegold hair and a pixie-like vibe—a few people stopped to introduce themselves, but with Saint?
Everyone wants to know who supposedly stole Cupid’s heart.
Saint seems totally unbothered and enthusiastically introduces me as “my Mikey.” The simple claim makes my stomach swoop and flutter every time. I don’t know what we are to each other, but being his feels right. Everything has happened so fast, and I feel like Ishouldbe afraid, but I’m not.
It feels like this might be exactly where I’m supposed to be, and it’s terrifying. I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling.
I’ve read books with insta-love, and I always thought the characters were crazy to feel so strongly for someone they just met, but…
