Be Mine: Valentine Novellas to Warm The Heart

by Nicole Flockton

  “We’re here Anton,” Mark said from the front.

  “Thanks.” Anton took Cassidy’s purse and rummaged through it until he found her house key. With a bit of adjustment, he wrapped her arms around his neck and carried her from the car, up the steps to her apartment.

  Mark opened the door for them. The moment he stepped over the threshold, Cassidy woke up, with a jolt in his arms.

  “Easy now. I’m taking you to bed.” His voice came out husky with the effort.

  Eyes like wildcats flung open. “What? We’re not married already are we?”

  With a skittering sound, Mark dropped the keys on the marble-topped hallstand, and then walked back to the car, giving them privacy.

  Cassidy’s soft, pliant body became tense in his arms and he set her down, her body sliding the length of his.

  “I’m in my apartment? How did I get here?”

  “Mark drove us. You’re tired, you need rest. No bride of mine is going to have bags under her eyes on her wedding day. People will think I’ve been working you too hard.”

  “I could hate you so much better if you’d stop being so nice to me,” Cassidy said with a yawn. Then her eyes peeled open and her hand clamped over her mouth as she realised she’d spoken the truth.

  Laughter rumbled from his belly, “Come now, Cassie, you can’t hate me. You’re going to love, honour and obey me.”

  Those beautiful lips parted in shock. She clamped them back together just as quickly. In another beat they opened, giving him a tantalising glimpse of her pink tongue, but nothing came out.

  “No witty comeback? Don’t tell me you’re speechless.”

  “I’m hideously tired,” she said at last, rubbing her face and pushing away from him, “I need coffee.”

  “No you don’t,” Anton reached out and cupped her elbow, “You’re going to bed and you’re getting rest.”

  “But the bistro –”

  “Can wait. Right now, you need sleep. Which way to your bedroom?”

  “It’s alright, I can walk myself.”

  To make a liar out of her, she stumbled. Anton grabbed her in time and pressed her into his body, “Easy now. You’re exhausted.”

  “No I’m…” A huge yawn escaped, and she shook her head.

  Before she could make another protest, Anton scooped her into his arms and carried her down the hall. The first room was an office, and she’d already spent far too much time in one of them lately. The next room looked more like it. A Queen size Federation-style bed, all decked out in white pillows and a thin summer quilt. He skirted around the footer, pulled the cover back and lay her down.

  Kick went his heart. Thump, thump, went his pulse. Hello went something else.

  He should have left her there and got out before he lost his mind. Something in the back of his mind said she wouldn’t get any rest if she still had her shoes on. They’d leave marks on the bed anyway. He slipped off her shoes and put them on the floor. The jacket had become crumpled around her shoulders, so that was next. All the while he removed her clothes, he prayed she wouldn’t wake up – because no matter how chivalrous he was trying to be, if she woke up she’d think he was trying something else. The blood flow to his groin provided even more evidence of his nefarious intent.

  Not that he would ever dream of doing such a thing, but by God the woman was beautiful, her wavy hair spread out over the pillows, her eyes fluttered shut so her lashes played over her high cheekbones. Those plump lips parted so invitingly.

  “So tired,” she muttered.

  “You’re home now,” he whispered back, “Safe in bed.”

  Safe? Yes, she should be safe in her own bed, so he left her in the rest of her bunched up clothes and pulled the cover over.

  To keep himself busy, he set to work making breakfast. In a short while, the kitchen filled with the fresh aromas of herbs, espresso and bubbling omelette.

  “That smells great. You should open a bistro.”

  Anton turned to see Cassidy standing in the doorway in an enormous white fluffy bathrobe that touched the floor. She looked incredible. Tousled streaky hair, red lips that she licked, giving him a glimpse of the tip of her pink tongue. Sleepy blue eyes held with his and he lost the power of speech.

  Without warning, she reached out and drew him towards her. Her body melded to his. He stood half a head taller than her, and when he looked down the top of the dressing gown, he could see she had nothing on underneath.

  Breathing became choppy. His mouth turned dry. What the hell was she trying to do to him? Was she sleep walking?

  “Call off the wedding, Anton.”

  Surely he hadn’t heard her correctly. Most likely because his pulse kept hammering in his ears at the sight of her. Those tantalising lips came closer and closer, until the blissful contact whirled his senses. It was more than a kiss, she lured him into the depths like a mermaid calls sailors to the rocks. His hands slipped under the robe and he felt nothing but luscious warm skin.

  Nothing made any sense, but he dared not question it because he didn’t want it to stop. Not when his mind raced ahead to the incredible possibilities that –

  She pulled back. Just as quickly as it all started, she pulled away, tightened the robe and glared at him.

  The loss of warmth chilled his body, he felt frozen to the spot.

  “I shouldn’t have done that,” she said, stepping away from him until she smacked into the island bench.

  Something smelt burned. His soul most likely. No wait, the omelette.

  He fumbled behind him for the switch, couldn’t find it, had to turn his back to douse the gas and move the pan off the heat. What were the odds that he’d turn around and find her gone?

  Every time she saw him, her body betrayed her and surges of lust shot though her system, all the while the voice of reason grew weaker. She was so close to losing her mind. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked so far, but I just don’t understand why we have to get married.”

  “Are you getting cold feet?”

  “Yes.”

  He reached his hand out for hers, chuckling as he did so.

  More than chuckled. It was a laugh. A chill fear spread through her body. The scene played out before her just like it had in the dream! Bare feet, check. Naked, check – if you count naked under the dressing gown. Stepping forward and laughing, check. Except, it didn’t seem like a mean or nasty laugh, more a laugh to ease the tension in the room.

  Perhaps he was feeling tense about their situation too? Oh, please let that be the case, please let them both be as nervous and unsure as the other. Then it wouldn’t all be one-way traffic.

  “You’re getting cold feet too?” she asked.

  “I’m worried you won’t turn up.”

  He worried? She didn’t think him capable of it. Not the way he charged through life and business. Not the way he entered a room full of enemies and took over.

  “What if I don’t turn up?” Maybe because they were on her home turf, in her kitchen, she felt she could say what was really on her mind.

  “I think you will turn up. Jilting your fiancé on the wedding day would give your old man a heart attack.” A smile played across his lips.

  “You’re bluffing. I can tell.” Please let him be bluffing.

  “Then you and your brother can take over Cloud Eleven without Craig holding you back.”

  “You’re a piece of work Anton Catani.”

  He stepped closer. The fresh scent of aftershave and his male essence invaded her senses. “I’m in trouble now, you used my full name.” His lips crashed against hers. Wave after delicious wave of need washed over her. Rational thought shut down, her arms wrapped around his neck and she pulled him close. Heat surged low in her belly and at the apex of her thighs. Pulsing need took over. If she wanted to, she could push him away and send him packing. Seeking hands pressed against his chest, but instead of repelling, she spread her palms wide and felt the heat and pure essence of Anton surge through her palms. Palms that
explored the solid plains of his chest, that wrapped around his neck. That pulled him closer as her lips parted wide to allow complete access.

  His tongue darted and toyed with hers, she answered with equal pressure, seeking his and giving herself to him. Only a moment ago she’d tried to call off the wedding, hoping he’d see reason, hoping to push him away so she could clear her head and think straight. So what possible reason could she have for kissing him like this? No reason at all, because all common sense fled as she gave herself to the kiss.

  Words became redundant, her breath staggered in her lungs, as Anton overwhelmed her touch, taste and scent. Their bodies fused together and heaven help her, she lifted one foot and wrapped it around his calf, stroking the firm muscles that trembled at her touch.

  Trembled? Him? The thought that she confused and confounded him as much as he confused her, recharged Cassidy with strength. He wanted her.

  The next thought came hard against the last.

  She wanted him.

  Oh God.

  Her foot arched against his calf and moved higher, the taut muscles feeling like velvet-covered steel. The action brought their bodies closer, moulding them together, making her dressing gown fall open at the waist. The proof of his hunger pressed against her thigh, sending urgent signals into the very core of her. Making her gasp in shock.

  “Oh yes,” Anton murmured.

  He wanted her just as much as she wanted him, she was sure of it now.

  His hands lifted the fluffy fabric away, exposing her shoulders to the cool air, then the warmth of his breath took over as he kissed and teased her senses.

  “You’re crazy,” she said as her head tilted back at the exquisite pleasure.

  “You bet,” he continued kissing, leaving trails of damp heat across her skin, as he freed her breast. Damp heat collected at the top of her thighs as he pressed himself closer, all the while kissing the tender, sensitised flesh of her breasts. Only the thin layers of Anton’s pants kept her from complete abandon. Delicious cramping took hold and a heavy, aching need pooled low in her belly.

  When he took her nipple in his mouth she groaned out loud, her hand cradled the back of his head and pressed him to the spot. That aching need quickened as he suckled and teased her breast, flicking his tongue across the nipple. His hands reached low and grabbed her bottom. In one move he lifted her onto the bench top, her thighs spread wide. The cold marble sent a shock of pleasure through her body, contrasting with the heat of his touch.

  The dressing gown fell away, the fabric falling against the bench. She reached for his tie and pulled it loose, then started on his shirt. “One of us is overdressed.”

  All the while the delicious pain of need kept pulsing through her body. Vision blurred, but she didn’t need to see, only to feel Anton’s hands on her. The scent of sexual longing permeated the air around them, creating an intoxicating cocktail neither of them could resist.

  She was too far gone now, no way could she hold back. Anton’s lips did such wonderful things to her; she wanted to feel them all over. Couldn’t wait to put her lips all over him and send him half mad with pleasure.

  His phone rang.

  In unison they swore at the interruption. To Cassidy’s surprise, he pulled the reviled object from his back pocket and switched it off without looking at the screen.

  Lips swollen, eyes black with desire looked back at her.

  “You’re beautiful,” his voice sounded like a husky growl; music to her ears.

  They were equally turned on, equally aroused, and hey, they were getting married, so what did it matter?

  Lips that needed no encouragement found hers, sending her senses spinning into oblivion again. She wound both legs around his waist and pulled herself into him.

  For a moment he pulled back, wicked smile on his face, “Are you trying to seduce me?”

  “I could ask the same of you,” she shot back, setting to work on freeing his jacket, then his shirt. Glorious skin was her reward. So fit. The slender and firm flesh a woman could go mad for. Her palms pressed against him, the quickening thump of his heart proving how much he wanted her.

  Her phone rang, the shrill bleating crashing through their private universe.

  “Ignore it,” Anton said.

  Cassidy set to work on his belt, pulling it free. Boxers or briefs?

  The phone clicked over to the answering service. Mark’s voice broke through, “Cassidy, the dressmaker’s walking up the steps and will be knocking any second, I tried to call Anton but –”

  Rat-a-tat-tat-tat.

  Now it was Cassidy’s turn to swear.

  Anton pulled the sides of her gown back into place, protecting her modesty.

  “You might want to pour cold water on that,” she giggled and pointed to his groin, “bathroom’s that way.”

  Cinching the gown tightly, Cassidy climbed off the bench top and walked to the door, checking her image on her intercom screen. Peruz the dressmaker was there with her huge box of tricks, containing the bridal gown, and the matching tie and hankie for Anton.

  Cassidy buzzed her in and showed her to the lounge room, where the light was best.

  No sooner had the woman lifted the dress out than Anton walked back in, looking for all the world like nothing had happened only moments ago. If the calls hadn’t come through, if the dressmaker had come half an hour later, Cassidy knew exactly what would have happened.

  “Oh sir, you can’t see the gown, not before the wedding!” Peruz said. The woman may have been barely five feet tall, but she had the authority of a giant. “Shoo, shoo, you cannot see it! It’s bad luck.”

  “I want to make sure it isn’t black,” He answered with a wicked grin.

  “Here,” Cassidy gathered his tie and handkerchief from the folds of tissue paper, “These are for you. Peruz made them to match.”

  In one step Anton was by her side, his hands on hers, “That’s very thoughtful. I like the colour. It’s like warm ice.” He leaned closer and said, “A bit like you, once you start thawing out.” To compound her confused senses, he kissed her cheek, then moved closer to her neck and nibbled her lobe, the effect like touching a hotplate to her senses, “On the wedding night, we’re going to finish what we started.”

  His words sent a thrill of longing through her system. The wedding night! Only moments earlier she’d been keen to talk him out of it. How had she forgotten this so easily?

  Those damn kisses! The ones that shut down her brain. Despite common sense telling her to keep distance between then, now she’d had a taste of him, she wanted more. Her body wanted the wedding night to start now. Her sanity wanted nothing more to do with him.

  No doubt her Wikipedia page would say something like, “Cassidy Catani, utterly confused.”

  Cassidy Catani? Oh no, I’m even thinking of myself with his name!

  Then another, altogether delicious thought played in her mind. He’s going to seduce me on the wedding night. Make her forget herself, make her completely lose control to the point where she wouldn’t care about herself, her family or her future. He would utterly ruin her if she didn’t watch herself. Which sent her thoughts in a whole new direction. If he could ruin her, surely she must be able to find a way to ruin him? I’m just going to have to seduce him.

  Starting with the wedding night.

  6

  “YOU’RE NOT GETTING cold feet are you?” Craig Young asked, giving Cassidy the stern once-over as she gripped her bouquet of ivy and champagne roses.

  “No. In fact, I’d like to get out of the car now please and get to my wedding,” Cassidy said, reaching for the door handle.

  Her father’s age-worn hands clamped over hers. “Make him wait. Driver, another lap round the block.”

  “You can’t be serious,” SoniaYoung, her mother, interjected, “Driver, ignore that, we’ll be getting out right here.”

  “If she charges in, on time, Anton’s going to know he has the upper hand. Who’s to say he’s on time anyway? He�
�s probably circling the block and making her wait.”

  Spnia scoffed. “I was on time to our wedding because I wanted you to know you could rely on me. I wasn’t into playing games then, and I’m not into playing games now.” She turned her attention to Cassidy. “Sweetheart, start as you mean to go on. If you want to make him wait, we can take our sweet time walking through the gardens, but my back’s killing me sitting in these bucket seats. Can we please get out?”

  A broad smile creased Cassidy’s cheeks, ‘Of course we can Mum. And can I ask one more favour? If it’s OK, I’d like you both to walk down the aisle with me, instead of just Dad.”

  “Oh, oh, my makeup’s going to run.” Sonia dabbed at her eyes with a tissue and fluttered her hand to keep her face dry.

  “Is that a ‘yes’?”

  Sonia nodded. Her father made a grumbling sound and muttered. Cassidy opened the door and stood in the autumn breeze, straightening her skirts.

  The photographers snapped away. The clicking sound and flash of light brought back memories of her first evening with Anton after he’d come to her bistro. Of the way he’d dared her to kiss him in front of the world.

  The man did a good dare. He’d dared her to marry him, and she’d agreed. Not a private little quiet ceremony for him, no way. Today they’d be marrying in front of the world.

  As they walked through the gardens a rising sense of dread filled Cassidy. What if he wasn’t there? What if this was all some elaborate, nasty way to get back at her for humiliating him all those years ago? No man had ever kissed her with the passion of Anton. They hadn’t even slept together, but it was going to be insanely great.

  Oh please let him be there! If he’s not, I think I’ll die.

  “Darling, you’re shaking,” Sonia said, holding her arm for security.

  “Must be the cool air. I guess I should have said yes to the shawl Peruz wanted to make me.”

  Her mother leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “I was as nervous as hell when I married your father. It’s completely normal.”