Leon got up and sat her down by Andre. “Sit, I’ll get it for you. You’ve had a long day.” Andre wrapped his arms around her.
“Is there anything else you’re allergic to that we should know about?” Marc asked from across the room.
She shook her head. “No, that’s all I’m aware of. Oh, Marc, I have the boys’ medical files upstairs. I thought you might want to put them with your stuff.”
Marc nodded. “Already found them when I unpacked your suitcases.”
“Care to tell us who Randal is?” Valentine moved away from the fire and stared at her.
Kesha looked up at him and frowned. “He’s a friend from college.” She smiled. “Randal and I were an item for about a year. I knew he wasn’t the one for me, but we still write to each other. He’s married now and has two kids.”
“Why do you still keep the letters?” Valentine growled, not liking the fact she’d had a boyfriend.
Kesha shrugged. “I keep a lot of things that were important to me.”
Leon handed her the hot chocolate as she rose from the couch. “I think I’ll let you gentlemen entertain my father tonight. I’m tired and just want to crawl into bed.” She slowly made her way to the entranceway and turned to stare at Valentine. “Good night.”
He nodded and poured himself another shot, his anger getting the better of him.
Chapter Six
Kesha sat in front of the fire in her room, staring into the flames. Tonight was the Valentine’s dance and her bonding ceremony. She looked back at the dress she’d made for the ceremony as tears dripped down her face. Valentine, the one man she’d designed the dress for, still hadn’t talked to her or touched her since that first night.
A soft knock on her door interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up to see Andrea poke her head into the room. “Thought we could talk. You seemed so distant at breakfast.”
She smiled at the woman, who she now considered her mother.
Andrea sat down by her and took Kesha’s hands into hers. “What’s wrong, Kesha? Today should be a happy day for you. The house is full of family and friends, all of whom have come to welcome you into our lives.” Andrea wiped away Kesha’s tears.
“I don’t know what I did wrong. Valentine won’t talk to me or even touch me,” she whispered. “I love all my mates, but he holds a special place in my heart.”
“Stupid, stubborn men, I swear. If he wasn’t so big, I’d turn him over my knee.” Andrea sighed and pulled her into a hug. “I’m afraid it’s the letters, daughter. You see, Valentine considers you his, even though he knows you’re mated to his brothers of the heart too. When he found those letters, he felt as if you betrayed him.” She held up her hand, stopping Kesha’s words. “I know that’s not true, but in his mind, your heart should only belong to him. He feels that part of you is still connected to this Randal, and as long as you have those letters, you can never be fully his.”
Kesha shook her head. “That’s silly, Andrea. Randal was a support beam for me when things were bad at home. He wrote most of the letters after he was married. Some are even letters from his wife, who is now a friend of mine. They both were there to listen to me and offer encouragement.”
“Then maybe you need to tell Valentine this.”
Glancing at the fire, she sighed. “I already did, twice, but he wouldn’t listen to me. I even tried to read him one of the letters, but he pushed me out of the room and slammed the door in my face.” She smiled and rubbed Sergeant’s head. “I’m afraid Sergeant was ready to bite him that day.”
“Hell, I would have bitten him too. Damn, men can be so stupid.”
Kesha got up and grabbed the box holding Randal’s letters, along with the letter she had written earlier to Valentine. “Would you give this to him for me? He won’t even open his office door today for me.”
Andrea took the box and glanced down at the letter. “You’re going to let him destroy the letters, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “I would rather not, but if it’s this important to him, then he can decide. Will you make sure he reads the note and not set it aside?”
Andrea stood and glanced at Sergeant and Nora. “Can I borrow the dogs? I’ll make sure both of them sit right next to him until he reads it. If he refuses, they both can bite his stubborn ass.” She growled.
Kesha laughed and nodded. “Sergeant, Nora, you heard the lady. Go on and help me, please.” They both stood and growled as they followed Andrea out of the room. She only hoped he would listen.
* * *
Valentine paced in his office as Bruno, Marc, Andre and Leon glared at him. “You’ve hurt her enough!” Bruno yelled. “I’ve seen her crying three times just today of all days. This day should be special, and you’re ruining it for her!”
“This is between me and Kesha. If she wasn’t so stubborn, all of this could have been averted,” he snarled, facing Bruno.
“Damn it, Valentine. She didn’t even know what the hell you were mad at till today. Your mother is up there now trying to explain it to her!” Marc snarled.
Valentine stopped his pacing and glared at him. “She had to know.”
All four men shook their heads. “I didn’t even know until yesterday. You haven’t said a word to anyone.”
The door burst open and his mother stood there, glaring at him. Kesha’s dogs slowly made their way to him, growling. “Out, all of you! This is going to stop right this minute, and you,” she growled at Valentine, “sit down now!” She moved into the room as the other men exited and Bruno shut the door behind them.
His mother slammed down the box and letter she was carrying on the table in front of him and crossed her arms. “You will read that letter before I leave this office, and if you refuse, I’m going to sic her dogs on your stupid ass.”
His mother had only ever yelled at him like this on one other occasion, and that was when he was 15 when he had snuck out of the house to see a concert in another city. He opened the letter and read it.
My love,
I’m sorry these letters hurt you so much. I give them to you so you can do what you want with them. This past week has made me realize that even though I love all my mates, you alone hold the key to breaking my heart. Ever since that night on the beach, I knew there was something special about you, but I couldn’t understand what it was till now.
It’s fitting that today is Valentine’s Day and your name is Valentine,
because you are the one that holds our family together with your strength and love.
Please forgive me, Valentine. My heart and soul miss your warm, large arms surrounding me, your kisses heating my body, and your gaze burning into mine. Love me again, because my love is crying for yours.
Kesha
Tears streamed down his face as he looked up at his mother. “I’ve been an ass.”
“Ha! Even an ass wouldn’t have hurt her like this.” His mother stomped to the door and opened it. “The dance starts in four hours. You better do something in that time to make that woman smile, because if I have to see her with swollen eyes anymore, I’ll personally track you down and spank your ass.” She slammed the door, taking the dogs with her.
Valentine glanced at the box of letters in front of him and shook his head. He had been so stupid. The letters meant nothing to him, but Kesha did, and he had hurt her badly. He grabbed the box and went in search of his mate.
He tried to find her for half an hour, but no one knew where she had gone. Then he turned and strolled toward the back door and peered out. He saw her standing outside at the edge of the forest. Leon leaned against the house just outside the door, watching her.
Valentine opened the door, Leon frowned when he nodded toward it.
“Don’t hurt her anymore, Valentine,” he snarled, but went inside.
Kesha turned to look at him with tears streaming down her face. Behind her at the edge of the forest, several animals stood watching them.
His feet like lead, Valentine slowly made his way to
her and kneeled in the snow at her feet. “I’ve been a fool, Kesha. Please forgive me? I understand now that these papers mean nothing to me. Only having you in my arms and my heart means anything to me. Do what you want with them; they are yours.” He gently took her hand and set the box in it.
Her other hand trembled as she brushed it through his hair. “I’ve never known loneliness, even when I was surrounded by those I love. Please, Valentine, don’t ever do this to me again. I love you so much.” She dropped the box and fell to her knees, where she wrapped her arms around him, sobbing.
Valentine stood and scooped her up in his arms. “Aw, baby, you have to stop crying. If Mom sees it, she said she’s going to spank my ass.”
He moved into the house and ran up the stairs to her room, where he slammed the door shut behind him.
Her body jerked with tiny hiccups of laughter as Kesha looked up at him, tears still damp on her face. “I want to watch.”
“You want to watch… Why you little…” He fell onto the bed with her and captured her lips. He moaned as he pushed his tongue into her mouth, caressing hers. Valentine gently cupped her breast and pulled back, grinning at her.
“Come on, let’s take a bath and get you warmed up.” He lifted her up and stripped her, then traced his mark on her breast. He tore his shirt off and pushed his jeans down, then snarled when he realized he hadn’t unlaced his boots. “Damn it.” He reached down, untied them and kicked them off.
“I’ve been such a fool.” Valentine stood and grabbed Kesha around the waist. She giggled as he tossed her over his shoulder and stormed into the bathroom.
“Valentine, let me down.” She grabbed hold of his ass cheek and bit down on it.
He jumped and swatted her ass playfully. “Hey, watch the teeth,” he grumbled and set her down on the counter. “Don’t move.” He kissed her nose and set about lighting candles, turning on music and filling the tub with warm water.
“Come on, baby. I need to be inside you.” Valentine picked her up and stepped into the tub. After sitting down, he turned her to face him. He skimmed his hands down her body lifted her hips and slowly set her down on his cock.
“I’m such a fool,” he repeated he pushed all the way into her pussy. “I love you so much, Kesha,” he moaned before sucking her breast into his mouth. He stroking his cock in and out of her pussy.
Her head fell back, pushing her breast farther into his mouth. “More,
Valentine.”
He reached behind her and slowly pushed a finger into her ass as he smiled up at her. “You’ve been getting ready,” he growled, pumping his finger into her ass.
She smiled and looked at him. “Bruno and Marc gave me a butt plug two days ago. They’ve slowly stretched me to take you guys tonight. That one time with Leon wasn’t enough to do it.”
Just the thought of sinking his cock into her ass had him speeding up his thrusts. “I should have been there helping you,” he snarled, furious with himself.
Kesha grabbed his head and stared into his eyes. “You’re here now, Valentine. That’s all that matters to me. I couldn’t have gone through with the bonding if you weren’t there.”
“Come for me, Kesha. Make that pussy squeeze my cock.” He snarled and pushed two more fingers into her ass, fucking it at the same time his cock fucked her pussy.
Her nails dug into his shoulders as she grabbed them, her legs tightened around his, and her pussy squeezed his cock, sending him over the edge to join her in his release. Valentine leaned back and pulled her down on his chest, rubbing her back.
She kissed his chest as she laid her head down on it. “Valentine, do you think it’s going to be safe tonight? No one has said anything about Walter, and that makes me worried that no one knows where he is.” Kesha trembled in his arms.
“No one will get close to the hall. I have extra protection already set up, and with your animal friends helping, we should be fine.” He pulled on her hair, tugging her head back so he could look into her eyes. “This party is for you, baby. Don’t worry about anything else.” He kissed her nose and lifted her as he stood. “Come on. I know Mom wants to help you get ready, and I want you to eat before we leave for the dance.”
* * *
Kesha glanced into the mirror and smiled at her mates’ mothers as they chatted behind her. Andrea laughed, releasing the last strand of Kesha’s hair from the curling iron. “I tell you, Kesha, you should see your mates downstairs. All five of them are pacing back and forth, nervous as can be. Billy and Travis are sitting on the stairs laughing at them and they don’t even realize it.” Andrea shook her head.
“Valentine is so nervous that his father told me that he actually fell trying to put on his pants.” Andrea laughed. “Serves him right though, hurting you like that all week. He’s lucky I haven’t taken a belt to his skinny ass.”
Laughing, Kesha grabbed her stomach. “Stop, I can just see you chasing him with the belt.”
Andrea’s gaze lit up and she winked at Kesha. “Come on, let’s see this dress you made.”
Kesha slowly stepped out of the bathroom and removed the dress from the garment bag. All five ladies gasped as she pulled out the bright red satin strapless dress. Small, delicate hand-embroidered animals traced the hem, and five wolves, representing each of her mates, circled the neckline. The dress was so snug she wouldn’t be able to wear panties or a bra, just like she wanted. It would drive her men nuts.
“You will be lucky to make it out the door tonight. Now I know who I want to make my dress for our anniversary. Franco won’t know what hit him.” Andrea rubbed her hands together and she laughed.
Kesha stepped into the dress and Andrea zipped up the back. The dress hugged her ass, showing all of her curves, even the small dimples on her ass cheeks.
“Nope, there is no way she’s making it out the door,” Andrea said. “Okay, ladies, who do you think will attack first? Place your bets now, please!”
Motty, Bruno’s mother, laughed. They all turned and looked at her. “Valentine.”
“Well, they better not. This dress took me forever to make. If one of them touches it, I’ll kill him,” Kesha snarled, but they all laughed at her.
“Honey, that’s part of the night.” Getta, Leon’s mom waved her hand. “Now come on, everyone is waiting downstairs in the family room.”
The women walked down the stairs slowly as Kesha trailed behind. The dress was slit up the sides, showing her thighs as she descended each step, and the small train flowed over the stairs. She wound around the corner and saw all five of her mates standing at the bottom of the staircase staring at her as she stepped off the last step.
Kesha smiled as the corner of each of their mouths curled up in a snarl as they scanned her body.
“Turn around,” Valentine ordered.
Once more, all five mothers giggled as they watched. She rolled her eyes and slowly turned in a circle, careful not to step on the train.
Valentine reached her first and grabbed her shoulders. “You are not wearing that dress to the dance. Go upstairs and put something else on now,” he snarled as all five women broke out laughing.
“Told ya!” Andrea pushed in front of Valentine and poked her finger into his chest. “You will not, and I mean it, Valentine, say a word about that dress. She worked all week on it for the five of you, and you should be proud of her. Every woman at that party tonight will want something made from her!”
Kesha watched as each mother stood in front of her son with her hands on her hips, growling. All five fathers laughed behind them, shaking their heads. She turned to see her own father come around the corner, where he stopped and stared at her. She had only talked to him a few times the whole week, and she tried to ignore him now.
Hael moved up to her and circled around her. “You’re gorgeous, little girl. I didn’t know you could sew.”
She glanced down at the ground. “There are a lot of things you don’t know. Thank you, though.”
He lifted her chin up
and stared down at her as a single tear dropped down his cheek. “You’re right and I’m a fool. Forgive me, Kesha, for this last week. I’ve watched a beautiful woman move around this house touching everyone’s heart with her love. My grandchildren worship you, your mates love you more than anything I’ve ever seen, and you have five mothers now that love you as their own.” He kissed her cheek. “I hope there is still room for me in there?”
Kesha smiled. “You’ve always been there, Daddy, and always will.” She rose up onto her toes and kissed his cheek.
Small hands tugged on her dress and Kesha glanced down to see Billy and Travis all dressed up in their little suits. “Now don’t you two look handsome? Are you ready to go?” she asked.
They nodded as her father helped her put on her long leather coat. “Hmm, we might have a problem.” She glanced down at her feet, then looked up at the snow path leading to the limo.
Bruno’s strong hands lifted her carefully up. Kesha smiled at him and kissed his cheek as he carried her outside. “Thank you.”
He snarled. “If a male other than us even touches you, I’ll kill him. I think you designed that dress just to drive us nuts.” Bruno handed her off to Valentine when they reached the limo.
Valentine snarled and gently sat her down beside him in the seat. “I know she did.”
Kesha sighed and glanced down at her dress. “I made this so you’d be proud of me, so I’d be beautiful in front of your family and friends. I’m sorry you don’t like it.” She stuffed her hands into her coat and pulled it tighter around her.
Valentine grumbled as he picked her up and placed her on his lap. “Look at me, Kesha.” She lifted her gaze to his. “You are beautiful no matter what you wear, but this dress is amazing. No one will be able to take their eyes off you. We’re just afraid every male around will want to touch that cute ass. I mean, how can they resist wanting to trace those cute dimples?”
Valentine s Circle of Love Page 5