"You know you're a better cook than I am," Star said later as she finished off the last of the omelet Theo had made for brunch. Neither of them had realized it was almost noon when the mechanic called to tell them Star's car was fine except for a small ding in the front fender and some scratches in the paint. After the car had been dropped off, they'd decided to finish eating before testing her ability to leave the cabin.Theo had to admit, part of him hoped the spell, or whatever it was, wasn't over yet. He and Star had been growing closer in the last eighteen or so hours, but they hadn't had enough chance to talk yet, to sort out the issues that had driven them apart last summer."Theo?" Star set her fork down and reached across the table to take his hand. "Is something wrong?""No." He shook his head and smiled. "Just thinking a little too hard, I guess."Her lips twisted into a wry grin. "I doubt it. Me not thinking enough was probably most of our problem. You seemed so grown-u
Part 3: Valentine's Heart"No way in hell am I signing up for an internet dating service."Famous last words.Val Holiday looked at the email on his oversized, flat-screen monitor and sighed. Which one of his siblings had set him up?"From: Compu-CupidTo: Valentine HolidayWelcome to Compu-Cupid, home of the perfect match. Eros' arrows always aim true. Based on your profile, Eros himself has selected your ideal mate. Expect her to get in touch within the next twenty-four hours. Thank you for choosing Compu-Cupid."He deleted the email with a growl. It had to be Noel. Ever since his oldest brother and had gotten married last year, he'd been determined to fix up his siblings. The only problem was Val didn't want to be fixed up. He liked being twenty-eight - well, almost twenty-nine - healthy, relatively wealthy and single.The only way to stop this was to unsubscribe. He hit undelete to retrieve the message and followed the link to the company's website where he ought to be ab
It wasn't until after Val was home that night, after he'd eaten leftover pizza and watched a movie on a cable science fiction channel that he booted up his home system and started scrolling through his emails again.There it was. Damn it."Forwarded by: Compu-CupidTo: Valentine HolidayHi there. My name is Cora, and according to Compu-Cupid, we're a perfect match. I'd love to meet you and talk, maybe over coffee. Let me know if that's okay with you. (By the way, love the photo. The strategically placed hearts are very cute.)"How the hell was he supposed to answer that? His mother had raised him to be a gentleman, after all. It wasn't the poor woman's fault that he hadn't really signed up for this. And what the hell did she mean about the photo? He'd never posed with strategically placed hearts in his life. Being stuck with the name Valentine was bad enough. He tried not to fuel the jokes any more than necessary.Slowly and carefully, he typed a response."From: Valentine Holid
Right before Val left his office on Thursday, the note appeared in his in-box."From: Cora LopezTo: Val: c/o Compu-CupidThanks for the invitation. I'd love to meet you for coffee after work today. How about Coco's Coffee, at 5:30? I'll be wearing a navy suit with a pink blouse.Sincerely, Cora"This was getting ridiculous. Maybe if he actually met her, he'd be able to explain that it was just a mistake. The coffee shop in question was just a few blocks from his office. Anyway, it was only coffee after all. What harm could come from having a quick snack with a pretty girl? Tomorrow he could get back to trying to wipe his file from that stupid dating site.At 5:15, Cora spotted the email just as she was about to shut down her computer and go home. Oh no, this was so not happening."From: Valentine HolidayTo: Cora: c/o Compu-CupidCoco's at 5:30 sounds great. I'm wearing jeans with a blue shirt and a tweed jacket. Looking forward to seeing you.Val"Now what? She felt as if
Val's dark brows furrowed. "Don't you think that's stretching coincidence awfully far? And what exactly is Compu-Cupid, anyway? Had you ever heard of them before this?""No." Cora tried to think back over what little TV she watched. "But honestly, I don't get out much. I'm not very savvy about the singles scene."Val nodded. "I imagine social work is one of those jobs where no matter how much you do, it's never enough."Good grief, a man who actually got it. She nibbled on another chunk of muffin and nodded. "It's endless. And each case just breaks your heart.""I'm sure. So what do you do to unwind between cases, Cora? Pretty name, by the way." He lounged back in the chair, drinking his coffee and eating his scone - utterly non-threatening except for those gorgeous eyes and that killer smile."Between cases? There is no between. Mostly I work, sleep then work some more." Belatedly she registered the second part of his sentence. "Oh - and thanks. It's short for Corazon - ""Spani
"So I have no idea what to order here," she admitted with a rueful twist to her full lower lip. "Any suggestions?"He asked a few questions to ascertain what she could handle as far as meats and spicing then ordered a sampling of appetizers and a couple different entrees for them to share. Rajit, the waiter and son of the owner of the place, was an old friend and had thoughtfully tucked them in the coziest booth, secluded from most of the rest of the dining room. A sandalwood-scented candle burned on the linen-covered table between them, bringing out hidden glints of flame in Cora's black hair."So tell me about your day." He stretched his long legs out under the table, smiling when his calf brushed sensually along hers. "I know the details are probably classified, but surely you can vent about some of it without giving away names or anything."She sighed. "Let's see, today started with a nasty custody hearing. This adorable little girl and neither parent really wanted her except as
Val tossed and turned in bed that night, unable to sleep. All he could think about was Cora. Finally he kicked off the covers, reached down and grabbed his aching cock. What would sex be like with Cora? Her buttoned-up image was a cover - he was sure of that. Underneath the conservative suit was a hot-blooded beauty who would melt for him like the finest chocolate. Her kiss alone had proven it.He stroked his fist up and down his swollen shaft as he remembered that kiss. So hot. So sweet. She'd tasted of tandoori and mango lassi. She'd smelled of curry and woman. Her small hands had gripped his waist while she responded like wildfire, opening her mouth and welcoming him inside.Would her pussy be that hot? He had no doubt of it. She'd be silky, wet and tight as a glove, her muscles clenching down as he thrust into her heat. His cock swelled farther as he imagined her short nails digging into his shoulders while her legs wrapped around his waist. Or maybe he'd take her from behind, hi
Val had just gotten home when the doorbell rang. A delivery boy stood there with a gift basket topped with a big red ribbon."You sure this is the right place?" Even if it was less than a week to his birthday, Val couldn't think of anyone who would send him a basket of chocolate chip muffins.The young man read off the name and address, so Val tipped him and carried the goodies over to his kitchen counter, which blocked off one corner of the open loft space. They were freshly baked and smelled divine. He opened the card attached to the basket of muffins - the same as the one he'd bought Cora the day before - and started to smile."Val,Thanks for a lovely evening.Cora"Well, that was just about the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him after a date - especially one that hadn't even involved sex. He couldn't resist diving into one of the muffins while his leftover lasagna heated up in the microwave. They tasted as good as he remembered - almost as good as Cora had, though nothing h