No Holds Barred (In The Heart Of A Valentine Book 1)

by Stephanie Nicole Norris

  But still, she envied the woman and decided it was time for her to go. The bartender returned with the skinny margarita, and Camilla chugged it; tossed it back like it were a mere shot of liquor. She half-slammed the glass down then stood to her feet and was caught up in a dizzy spell. Her hands shot out to the bar as she held herself steady.

  “Easy,” the bartender said. “Maybe you should sit back down for a second.”

  He was probably right, Camilla thought, but she didn’t want to sit. Her mission was to make it out of the bar before anyone noticed. She stood still for a long moment, holding on to the bar, trying to clear the buzz she’d created. When an overlay of heat passed down her skin, Camilla knew Hunter was there.

  “Is everything all right,” his deep voice drummed.

  Camilla took in a quick breath. “Everything’s fine. I was just leaving,” she said.

  “So soon?” Hunter eyed her, noticing the grip she held on the edge of the bar.

  “It’s getting late.”

  Hunter glanced at his Rolex. “It’s only nine.”

  “And I have work in the morning,” she said, her voice elevating.

  Hunter studied her a little while longer. “If I’ve done anything to offend you…”

  “Why would you think that, Hunter?”

  He moved into her space, so close his thigh bumped into hers. The light tap sent a fluttering through her libido, and Camilla silently cursed herself for being so damn out of control with him.

  “I’m not sure. You tell me, Angel.”

  Camilla removed her outstretched hand from the bar and folded her arms across her chest.

  “Tell me something, did you know last night while we had dinner that I’d be interviewing you today?”

  Hunter’s swept a keen eye over her face. “Yes.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t know how you’d feel about it.”

  “Did you think I’d refuse to interview you?”

  “I knew there might have been a chance of that. And when I have my mind set on a certain outcome, I don’t gamble with it.”

  Camilla paused, and her eyes roamed over the thick pillar of his throat. “What outcome would that be?”

  His stare simmered as it held steady on her. “Getting to know you better?”

  “Hmmm. Don’t you have enough women to get to know?” Camilla purposefully glanced at the woman he’d just been talking to, causing Hunter to also glance her way.

  The woman smiled flirtatiously and winked as she held up a martini glass. Hunter grimaced inwardly. The night he’d taken Kelly, the woman in question, back to his place with her friends, Hunter’s gut instinct had been opposed to it originally. But he’d ignored that warning, thinking it wouldn’t hurt him in the long run, and here it was biting him in the ass.

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “No?”

  “No.”

  “What I think is a few minutes ago you were talking as if you’d like to get to know me, and maybe it’s my bed you’d like to get to know.” Camilla shrugged. “But I’m not looking for a one-night stand, Mr. Valentine.” She looked back at the woman. “Have a good night.”

  Camilla side-stepped him and put on the best show she could to walk in a straight line. “Damn that skinny margarita,” she cursed after making it outside to her car. If she couldn’t handle the supposedly light drink, it’s a good thing she didn’t try the Between the Sheets cocktail.

  Plopping down in the driver seat, Camilla turned on the Toyota Camry and sat for a second with her eyes closed and her head against the headrest.

  “Now, how are you going to come down here and actually have the nerve to fall in like with Hunter Valentine of all men? How, Camilla?” She chastised herself and waited for the buzz to wear off. When she felt safe to drive, Camilla reopened her eyes just as a soft knock rapped against the window. Carrying her gaze toward the sound, Camilla was met with Hunter’s tender stare.

  She powered the window down. “Yes?”

  “Let me drive you home.”

  “That’s not necessary.”

  “It may not be necessary, but it’s safer.”

  “Why, Mr. Valentine, are you saying you care about whether I’m safe or not?”

  Hunter smirked. “I do. But you already know that, Camilla.”

  When he used her name, it cleared all necessary tension between them. He’d spoken it as if to let her know that he was serious. Slowly, Camilla dropped her eyes from his, and a small light chuckle escaped her. Whatever it was they were doing was like a cat and mouse game. But the thing that tripped her out was she couldn’t stop herself from wanting to play.

  With a roll of her eyes, Camilla spoke. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, I only had one, maybe two,” she paused and questioned her statement, “Two? Three? Oh hell, I only had a few. I’m not drunk. If I were, I wouldn’t be in the driver seat. How irresponsible do you think I am?”

  She was only toying with him because Hunter got up under her skin.

  “Give me your phone number,” he said.

  Camilla lifted a brow, and Hunter removed his phone from his pocket and slipped it through the window where it fell into her lap. He didn’t ask again, only waited for her to do what he requested. They stared each other off, then Camilla found herself lifting the device and swiping the screen.

  “It’s locked,” she said, unamused.

  He rambled off the code, and she punched it in, opening the phone. Clearing her throat, Camilla glanced back at him then entered her number and name. When she handed it back, it came with an excuse.

  “I only did that because I still have your card, and at some point, you’ll get tired of me spending all your money. Then maybe you can release mine.”

  “I doubt that.”

  Camilla arched a brow. “You doubt what?”

  “That you could spend all my money.”

  Camilla eyed him. “I could think of a few things to buy. Then you’ll change that tune.”

  Hunter’s grizzly laugh tickled Camilla’s skin.

  “Whatever you say.” He rubbed his thick lips together. “I’ll make a deal with you?”

  Camilla waited for him to proceed.

  “Don’t pull out of the parking lot until you’re absolutely sure you can drive, and I won’t bully you about taking you home.”

  Camilla teased him. “I knew you were a bully.”

  “Yeah… but not in the way you think, love.”

  A pocket of heat dissolved between her thighs.

  “I’ll call you to make sure you got home safely.”

  Camilla nodded, not trusting her voice.

  Hunter nodded once and walked away. She followed him as he reentered the Velvet Café.

  Closing her eyes again, Camilla’s head fell back, and she rested there for another thirty minutes before finally pulling away from the club.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Hunter couldn’t keep his mind off her, no matter how hard he tried. He closed the MacBook and sat against his leather office chair. Loosening his tie, Hunter cleared his throat. It had been two days since seeing Camilla at the Velvet Café, and it had been harder than usual for Hunter to erase her from his thoughts. Never mind that he flipped to the morning news every sunrise like clockwork just to get a glimpse of her beautiful face, but he’d set the alarm with his bank to send him a notification whenever a purchase was made, which so far, from what he could tell, was coffee or lunch.

  Since departing on fairly odd terms, the conversations on rotation in Hunter’s head was much the same. Camilla saw him speaking to Kelly in the club. She insinuated that he had enough women to go around, in so many words. And Camilla wasn’t that far off the mark. There wasn’t a need to pursue her. Camilla was just another pretty face. Wasn’t she? Hunter let out a deep breath. If that was the case, why was he having such a tough time focusing on anything other than her?

  He grimaced then chuckled to himself. The last time he’d found himself trul
y interested in a woman was… was… “Shit,” he said, unable to conjure such an instance. Now, not only couldn’t he understand why he wanted to make all her dreams come true, but today, he would get to see her face-to-face at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and then trying to get her out of his head would become even trickier. Hunter glanced at the clock on the wall. 10:32 a.m. He reached for the remote to see if Camilla’s segment was still on. Usually, she would be on for an hour and that ended at 10 a.m. But just to be sure, he flipped to WTZB.

  You’re acting like a sprung puppy, Hunter.

  He tried to dismiss the thought, but it taunted him, sending a frustrated vein springing forth on his head. Deciding to go a different route, Hunter shut off the TV and tossed the remote on the surface of his mahogany desk. Standing to his feet, he removed his suit jacket and tossed it over his arm then lifted his suitcase and strolled to the door.

  As he approached, a swift knock hit the center of the frame. Hunter reached for the handle and swung it open.

  “Delivery for Mr. Hunter Valentine.”

  Hunter’s brows furrowed but that frown quickly dissipated when his gaze dropped down to the salmon pink and apple green box. A broad smile covered his face, and a deep-throated chortle bellowed from him.

  “Mr. Valentine,” the delivery man asked, making sure Hunter hadn’t lost his mind.

  Hunter nodded. “That would be me,” he said.

  The delivery man handed over the box and a card sat on top of it.

  “Thank you,” Hunter said.

  “Have a good day.”

  Hunter turned back to his desk with the grin still taped across his face. He sat the box down and lifted the top. Beautiful black and gold roses sat inside in a perfect bloom, carrying a fragrance he recognized. Hers. The present thrilled him and gave him pause at the same time. He’d been given phone numbers, addresses, even panties before, but never roses. Especially in this manner. He loved it; her sense of humor, her appreciation of the little things. Without opening the note, he knew that this was her way of saying she was in like with him, too. That made Hunter wonder if she’d been having a hard time getting him off her mind.

  Lifting the note, he tapped the edges on the top of his desk a few times while still in awe, and thought, staring down at the gorgeous flowers. He flipped it over in his hand a few times then opened the envelope.

  “Thank you for the roses. I didn’t forget. I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed mine. Oh, and they didn’t cost you too much. I’ll pay you back whenever you release my credit card.” – Camilla

  Another round of rambunctious laughter cruised from him. And to think, he never received a notification that she’d purchased the roses. He sat the roses on the corner of his desk then turned and left the room.

  “Leaving early?” His assistant asked.

  “Headed downtown. I’ll work from there. If any important calls come in, send them to my cell.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said.

  Hunter left the building without being stopped again. He was downtown at Millennium Park in record time. He found a parking spot then left the confines of his car. The place was abuzz with activity as representatives from Toyota milled about with representatives from VFC Energy. As Hunter approached, a grin tapered across his lips. A huge deep cherry red bow was laced around three separate charging stations. Each station could charge two energy efficient vehicles at a time.

  The new, off-the-showroom-floor Toyota Prius blocked the charging stations to the left and right. The middle charging station was unobstructed since it would be the ribbon Hunter cut to officially open the stations for use. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres sat on a few tables scattered about, and a single balloon hung from the window on the driver side of each Prius. Local news was already gathered, and Hunter scanned the area for WTZB.

  A representative from Toyota approached him. “Excuse me, sir, would you like something to drink?”

  “No, thank you. Do you know if anyone has spoken with the camera crews setting up?”

  “I don’t believe anyone has yet, sir. My boss may speak to them, or he may leave it up to you since you’re the face of this campaign.”

  “We’re letting WTZB get the exclusive today, so the others will have to record from the background,” Hunter said.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Do you know if anyone from the station has arrived?”

  The representative looked confused.

  “WTZB,” Hunter added.

  “Oh!” The young man laughed. “Duh, right.” He chuckled. “I haven’t seen anyone from that station yet, but its’ still early. The ceremony doesn’t start until two. It’s eleven-thirty now.”

  “Gotcha.”

  “Sure thing.”

  The representative turned around and went back to work while Hunter mixed and mingled with other helpers, making sure everything was as it should be. Chicago’s weather today held a light breeze. With the way it had been freezing most days and snowing others, it was oddly comforting with the sun shining high and only a wisp of current in the atmosphere. As Hunter worked, his cell phone chimed 2Pac’s “Dear Momma” tune, letting him know instantly that his mother Bridgette Valentine was calling.

  “Excuse me for a minute,” he said to the representative working alongside him.

  “How’s my favorite lady,” he answered.

  “Hey baby, I’m doing just fine since the last time we spoke a few days ago. Today’s the big day, right? How is everything going down there at the park?”

  Hunter swept his eye around with an appreciative gleam in his eye.

  “Seems to be going just fine.”

  “That’s good to hear. You always know how to put on a show that’s for sure.”

  Hunter chuckled. “What are you talking about, Mom?”

  “You know. I heard that interview you did with that new lady at WTZB. So, did your father. I think I know you well enough to know when my son has taken a liking to someone.”

  Hunter shut his eyes and kept his grin. “What makes you think I like her? I was simply having a conversation with her about today’s event.”

  “And doing a whole lot of flirting in the process.”

  “It was harmless. Besides, what makes you think I don’t flirt with all the ladies that way? I’m the quintessential bachelor of the year, according to who you ask at the time, anyway.”

  “I don’t need to ask anybody. I’m your mother. Those others are just smitten with you because you’re charming, but this girl, Camilla Augustina, she seems to pique your interest.”

  “Ma, you can tell all of that from the interview?”

  “Do I need to answer that, or is it rhetorical, son?”

  Hunter laughed out loud, wide and open-mouthed. With his eyes closed, he let the mirth tickle him a bit more before reopening them, but that came with an angelic sight. Camilla stood a few feet in front of him, dressed down in a pinstripe feminine pants suit that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her back was to him as she spoke with a cameraman and another woman from WTZB, but Hunter would never forget the bend in her hips or the arch in her back.

  “Maybe just a little,” he responded to his mother. “But I hardly know her, so don’t get excited.”

  “Babies!” his mother shouted with a loud chuckle, and Hunter groaned. Bridgette Valentine wanted grandchildren more than his father, and with Hunter being the oldest, he was pressured more about it than his brothers. At least that’s how he felt.

  He took his eyes off Camilla, knowing he couldn’t focus on the conversation with his mother if he continued to stare. Turning to the side, Hunter slipped a hand inside his pocket while the other held the phone to his ear.

  “I told you not to get excited.”

  “I know, I know,” she repeated. “Now listen to me. I’m old school, and I’m a Christian, so don’t judge me for what I’m about to say.”

  “Oh no,” he said.

  “Shush, let me finish.” Bridgette paused. “Now I know whe
n you and your brothers moved out of the house, you all had to sow your wild oats before settling down. But, honey, you’re thirty-eight now. Forty is right around the corner, and I won’t even talk about my age.” She huffed. “What I’m trying to say is you better have me a grandchild soon, or… or…”

  Hunter raised a brow. “Or what, Ma?”

  “Or find you an egg donor and get a surrogate.”

  Hunter’s mouth dropped then closed immediately. Surely his sixty-year-old Christian mother didn’t just tell him to find an egg donor.

  “I can hear you judging me,” Bridgette said.

  “How when I haven’t said anything?”

  “I can hear it.”

  Hunter let out a breath. “Ma, wouldn’t you rather I be married so your grandkids can have a mother?”

  “Of course, I would. But I don’t have all day for you to get serious with someone. Now, I have a few lady friends who would agree to be your egg donor for a small fee.”

  “Ma, I hear you, but I’ve got to go.”

  Bridgette became quiet. “Are you trying to rush me off the phone, or do you really need to go?”

  “I’m not trying to rush you at all. The place is getting crowded.” He flipped his wrist and checked the time. “I have about forty minutes before we’re live.”

  Bridgette sighed. “Well, all right. Call me back. This is something pressing on my heart, Hunter.”

  “Ma, you gotta chill out. I promise not to take too much longer to give you grandkids, okay?”

  Bridgette quieted down.

  “Ma?”

  “Okay. I love you, son.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “Talk to you soon.”

  “Goodbye, Mom.”

  Hunter ended the call and stood there silent for a minute. His mother had never been that upfront before, but she wasn’t alone in her musings. Hunter wanted kids, too. He tossed it around his head for another few seconds when someone cleared their throat.