Be Mine: Valentine Novellas to Warm The Heart

by Nicole Flockton

  Author’s Note

  This story has been kicking around in my brain for more than twelve months and it all stemmed from a song…maybe two songs :)

  The first one was called Almost Easy by Ward Thomas and seriously, if you haven’t heard this song (or this band) then you should. I think I was crying by the end of the very first time I heard it and I kept putting it on repeat to hear it over and over again.

  The second song was called Die From a Broken Heart by Maddie and Tae and I, again, listened to it on repeat for days (probably annoying my neighbours no-end)

  These two songs made me want to write a story about the heartbreak they spoke of, but they also sparked an entire playlist of similar heart-wrenching songs. Some of these songs I’ve used as chapter titles, and you can guarantee I had this playlist on repeat while I wrote this story ;)

  (If you want to listen to my playlist, you can find it on Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/au/playlist/only-losing-you-playlist/pl.u-V9D77GEUBl8dbM)

  Cupid Games

  Ebony Jean

  Setting:

  Australia - uses Australian English spelling.

  Heat rating - four chillies

  About Cupid Games

  Ambitious restaurateur Cassidy Young is creating her own identity away from her powerful family. She’s determined to leave her mistake-riddled past in the past, and strike out on her own.

  Ruthless businessman Anton Catani is hell-bent on revenge. He’ll stop at nothing to bring Cassidy to her knees. He’ll even marry her out of spite if he has to.

  Alas, his plans to make Cassidy perfectly miserable begin to unravel, as the two begin to realise how perfectly perfect they are for each other.

  1

  “TELL ME, Mister Hot Shot, why does a married man take out a personal ad to find a mistress? Did you run out of secretaries to throw a leg over?” That ought to wipe that smirk off his face, Cassidy Young thought.

  Sitting opposite her, Anton Catani coughed and looked – for a split second – uncomfortable. Then he reset his dark features into place. Composed, always composed, even after all these years.

  “Cassidy Young, you haven’t changed a bit,” he said. The intensity of his eyes turned her mouth dry, and she had to look away to reset her self-control.

  She’d done a lot of growing up in the years since she’d last seen Anton. Five years and a whole lot of embarrassment ago. From what she could see across the table, Anton was still Anton. Disgracefully gorgeous and a body made for sin.

  Nope, no change there.

  As she allowed herself a closer look, she did see some changes, small ones at that. He was leaner and harder; something about him made her think of danger. His hooded green eyes, curtained with long, dark lashes, still had the power to seduce with just one look. There were no differences in his standard attire – expensive tailored suit and Italian shoes, of course.

  Another plummet in her stomach warned Cassidy to mentally back off. She had to stick to her instincts, and get him out of here, otherwise she’d be tempted to relive the past. Blame the time of year, where every restaurant and bar was filled with reminders of Cupid and his wayward arrow. It brought the lovers and the lovelorn in, which was excellent for business.

  “I’m expecting Toby at any moment,” Cassidy announced. “He’s my silent partner, and I have a lot to discuss with him. You’ve got two minutes to say what you’re really here for and then you’ll have to leave.”

  If she’d known Anton would be here, in her space, Cassidy would have worn one of her Chanel suits and put her burgundy hair in a chignon to present the “power package”. But his presence in her funky city bistro had her all kinds of uncomfortable in her casual ensemble and hair in a messy ponytail. Not that her appearance had put Anton off asking her to share a drink, and well, what’s a drink between old enemies?

  “Seriously, you’re incredible,” he said.

  Something flipped in her belly. How could he be so handsome and seductive, when deep down she knew nothing good could come from this? When she looked up from her drink their gazes locked, sending a spark of excitement running all the way down the length of her abdomen.

  In their quiet booth table – he’d chosen it – it was easier to hear each other. It offered them privacy. All the same, Cassidy sat where she could see the door, keeping half an eye out for Toby.

  “You’re very sure of yourself,” she answered, starting to feel as if things were getting a tad off kilter. Hardly surprising given the intensity of those green eyes locked on to hers. She was used to being in control. Coming from the famous Young family, owners of Cloud Eleven Hotels, she’d learnt everything about controlling people and erratic situations from her father, Craig Young. But as Anton’s searing look intensified, her stomach flip-flopped and her voice rose a notch.

  “Sleep with me,” he said in that velvety baritone she remembered all too well.

  A jet of fruity wine spurted into the back of Cassidy’s nose in shock, and she took a moment to compose herself. That phrase wouldn’t work this time.

  The best reaction in this case should be honesty, which was handy as she couldn’t fight the laugh bubbling in her throat. “Come right out and say it, why don’t you?” Heat surged up her neck to her face, and she silently prayed the subdued lighting wouldn’t show how furiously she must be blushing.

  “I thought I did,” his calm voice applied balm to her scorched nerves, “I’d like an answer now.”

  “And you’ll get one,” she promised, her heart beating double time as she played out the possibilities of his offer.

  Where the hell is Toby?

  “The answer is most certainly no, Mister Sleaze. No absolutely, I will not sleep with a married man.”

  “I’m divorced.”

  “With lines like that, I’m not surprised.” All the same, she gripped the stem of her wine glass so hard it almost snapped in her fingers. Unbidden, her eyes darted towards his left hand, to the third finger, where there would surely be a ring. At the very least, a heavy dent in the skin to prove how recently it had been removed. Maybe a tan line.

  The skin was smooth and undented, the malted honey colour unchanged along the length of his strong smooth hands. Hands that could…

  “Haven’t worn it for … oh, about five years,” he said, answering the unspoken question hanging between them.

  “Really?” How she wished her voice hadn’t gone up so high. It had been five years since they’d hooked up. Just the once, but once was enough, and she’d regretted it ever since. Her Big Mistake.

  “Five years and free as a bird,” Anton said, “I notice you’re not married either, so there’s no reason why we can’t sleep together. We’re both adults, I’m– ”

  “ –Leaving. Now,” she said. This insane flirting had to stop, right now. But just as she’d started to feel the control come back to her favour, she blew it all because she had to ask, “You really got a divorce?” Could he be spinning her a line? A tingle of desire flitted through her. She didn’t stop it, didn’t want to. It felt good to feel turned on, and hey, as he’d just said, they were both adults…

  I shouldn’t even be thinking such thoughts.

  Now that he had her interest – and Anton could tell by the way her pale blue eyes dilated that he had her full attention – he planned to keep it. If it meant appealing to her vanity or hell, even her heart, he’d do it. In fact, if her heart could be broken into the bargain, so much the better. Oh yes, this revenge business would be sweet.

  Perfect time of year for it as well.

  Without his run-ins with Cassidy or her father, things would have been so much easier. Sure, he’d still be divorced, but his wife wouldn’t have taken him to the cleaners with that pit-bull lawyer Cassidy’s private detective had recommended. Which meant he wouldn’t have had to start over, rebuilding his business and reputation.

  Life had taught him a rude lesson, and that lesson needed to be repaid in kind. Before he’d come here tonight, he’d bee
n keen to see how she’d cope when he took everything she had. Yet sitting here, face to face with history, the doubts started sprouting. He had to scythe those doubts now, before they grew like weeds.

  “My ex-wife started proceedings, thanks in part to your friend the private eye,” he added with a wry grin. “That cockroach she hired sued me for everything and more. Money that I’d earned and she’d done her best to spend. Not that it matters, I’ve made it all back and then some. And by the way, I haven’t forgotten that her lawyer came from the firm you recommended.”

  The soft line of her throat constricted as she said, “I’m glad you’re back on your feet then.”

  She darted a look towards the doorway. She’d been doing that all night. Most likely waiting for Toby. He really should tell her about Toby…

  It had been five years, but she didn’t show it. As beautiful as he remembered, and the memory of their public kiss – staged as it was – lingered on his lips all these years later. He’d planned to give her a respectable farewell peck on the cheek, she’d thrown her arms around him and planted one square on his lips. At the time, he’d thought it was enthusiasm on her part. Hindsight told him it was a set-up, pure and simple.

  Anton’s plan had been to lure his cheating wife into his trap, advertising for a mistress using all the right words to get her interest. He’d placed the ad in her favourite magazine, where she’d see it. He could have sworn it was her voice on the answering machine – disguised of course.

  Instead, Cassidy had turned up. Why a woman as gorgeous as Cassidy would answer those kinds of ads didn’t make sense. At the time. A few days later, his wife had showed him a photograph of he and Cassidy ‘kissing’, and everything fell into place. For whatever reason, Cassidy was some kind of bait and he’d fallen for it.

  Cassidy was the one with the legal connections, and she gave his now-ex-wife access to the pitbulls. The same ones that kept her old man out of jail for insider trading. Anton hadn’t forgotten about that either.

  The decorative cupids hung from the bistro’s rafters, adding to the romantic atmosphere. Sickeningly romantic music played from the speakers. The specials board offered share plates for two, specifically to cater for loved-up couples.

  Ah yes, this would be a most agreeable revenge. Now it was Cassidy’s turn to have the world taken out from under her.

  “So I take it you’re no longer working in the divorce-bait industry?” He asked, as Cassidy looked again to the door where Toby would not be coming.

  “My crusading days are over.” Her gaze dropped to her drink and she played with the stem. “Was there something you actually came here for, apart from trying to chat me up?”

  “Yes. There is.” He kept his voice and gaze level. “I own you.”

  Cassidy’s expression turned to ice. “You own me? Catani, you are way out of line.”

  “Toby isn’t coming tonight, so you can stop looking at the door.”

  Her face whipped back and she squared her shoulders. “Toby is coming, because he needs me to buy him out of his half share of the bistro.”

  ‘Let me guess. He’s had some delays, yes? Something about developments on the Gold Coast?’

  ‘Y-es.’

  Anton could hear the wariness in her voice, could see the way her soft lips thinned. This was glorious!

  “Bad luck. The half share of the bistro isn’t his to sell, because I loaned him the start-up capital in the first place. He defaulted on the loan and I’ve called it in. As of midday today, I’m half-owner.”

  From the shocked look on her face, he’d dealt her a huge blow. It was exactly what he wanted. Everything was falling into place, exactly as he planned.

  So how come a strange heaviness descended on his conscience?

  “What?” Confusion crashed over her like a wave as she tried to make sense of this news. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out her mobile phone and checked for messages. Toby would be running late, that’s all. Anton was playing games with her, winding her up. He had to be. It was the only explanation.

  Then she saw Toby’s text. With a sinking heart and trembling fingers, she read the message.

  Sorry for bad news. Please forgive me.

  Questions tumbled in her head. None of this made sense.

  Anton broke into her thoughts. “I was thinking of writing Bistro Vita off as a loss. But when Toby told me who his partner was, well, I just had to buy him out.” He clinked his glass to hers. “Cheers, business partner.”

  A nervous laugh bubbled from her throat. “Oh, wow, you nearly had me there. For a second I actually believed you.”

  Anton took a slow sip. “I’m not kidding, although you have a delicious laugh.”

  His determined look speared her heart and his voice dropped low and husky, “You should laugh more often.”

  A sick heaviness plummeted inside her. She should have been here more often, she should have kept a tighter reign on things. She should have done the numbers herself, but instead she’d relied on Toby.

  “I’m going to wring his deceitful neck!” She downed the rest of her drink in one gulp.

  “Get in line,” Anton said, “He could have skipped the country by now. He didn’t just owe me money, he owed everyone.”

  “Of all the sneaky, low-down, rotten, little, nasty, underhanded, cheating, lying, conniving, scheming, devious…”

  “Don’t get angry with me. We’re business partners now, and you need to be nice to me,” he said, sending her a smile which had the power to melt bones.

  “Fine then, I’ll buy you out for the price I was going to pay Toby, and then we’re square.”

  “But the price has gone up now,” he said, dealing out another killer grin that made her insides turn to camembert cheese on a warm day.

  “Fine, what’s your price?” What a stupid thing to say. His price would be too high, whatever he said. Time to get out of here. She edged sideways out of the booth, stood up and held out her hand to say goodnight.

  Instead of shaking hers in farewell, Anton stood up and took her palm in his. Before she knew what was happening – probably because that smile of his made her forget her own mind – he slipped his arm around her shoulders. The warmth of his body against hers, and that indefinable scent of his, had tendrils of happiness curling around all sorts of lovely places inside her.

  Why did her body have to betray her, with Anton of all people?

  “Let me walk you to your car, business partner.”

  “I don’t drive.”

  “Then I’ll walk you to mine,” he said.

  In a few steps they were out the front door, standing arm in arm on the footpath, the noise of traffic and trams filling their ears. The late summer evening stirred up dust and memories. “Should you be driving?” she asked, then regretted it. Men hated to be called drunks, but there was no knowing how much he’d had before they’d met up tonight.

  “I have a driver. He’s strictly teetotal.”

  “A driver? Guess there’s no more slumming it for you. Tell me, did you get him before or after you got your title?”

  “You heard about that?”

  “It was hard not to miss. Cavalier suits you.”

  “It’s cavaliere, and I never use it.” He shrugged.

  “Not even to get airline upgrades?”

  “No need, I have my own plane.”

  Of course, he had his own plane. He could afford to swoop in and buy out half her bistro, and he’d clearly recovered and then some since the divorce. Infuriating!

  They’d barely gone two more steps when a bright flash rent the sky.

  “Oh, not now!” Cassidy blinked away the bright shock of the camera flash. Then she saw him, the paparazzo leaning against a post box, his lens trained on them. He reeled off several more flashes in quick succession before she could think about turning and walking in the opposite direction.

  “I’ve been getting this ever since they put me on that list,” Anton said.

  “Urgh. By tomorr
ow you’ll be my mystery man no doubt,” Cassidy said.

  “What makes you so sure you’re not my ‘mystery brunette’?” Anton asked with a wicked chuckle, then turned and gave her another smile that did strange thing to her tummy, “Why don’t we give them something to really talk about?”

  “Wha –” the word hadn’t even left her lips before Anton’s were on hers. Warm, caressing, teasing lips with the lingering taste of champagne. Lips that met hers perfectly, lips that still had muscle memory from the time they’d met before.

  Instead of pulling back and slapping his face – which would make great tabloid fodder – Cassidy threw herself into Anton’s willing embrace, pressing herself to his body, thrilling to the call of his need as camera flashes filled the air.

  2

  IN ALL THE kissing that Cassidy had personally researched, nothing came close to this. Their bodies melded together. An exciting thrill moved like a tide through her, starting at her lips and spreading like a wave through her system. One wave of deliciousness after the next, making her toes curl. Anton knew exactly what he was doing with his beautiful mouth, capturing hers and teasing it open, making her forget herself. Even with the photographer snapping away, she gave herself to the kiss. A meeting of souls that had her opening to him, letting him take whatever he wanted. In the morning she’d probably find Cupid’s arrow firmly in her butt. How else to explain her reaction to Anton?

  A soft sigh escaped on her breath, encouraging him to keep going, not that he seemed to have any intention of stopping. Sensory overload threatened to swamp her, as she breathed in the lingering aromas of aftershave and the indefinable male essence of Anton.

  At some point the photographer left them alone. Yet they didn’t stop. There they were, alone in the street, their bodies pressed together all the way from chest to thigh, her fingers teasing the fine hair on his nape. His arm possessively wrapped around her waist. The undeniable pressure of his arousal against her leg.