Mr. Valentine's Heart

Do You Love Me?

~Caleb~

It was a very long and busy night. The night was great; the event went very well. A lot of people showed up, and we were able to get a lot of feedback for our products. We even made some sales and picked up a few investments, not that we needed it. I know people look at me sideways when they know what business I’m in, but I wouldn’t want to work with anything else.

This business is one that gives pleasure to others. In some cases, it brings people together and makes their relationships stronger. I know that’s crazy to hear about adult toys, but if you throw away the stigma, you know it’s true.

We have this event every year, but this year, the event was so much better. I know it’s because I had Cherish by my side, and I’m beyond grateful for that. Even though she hasn’t said anything, I know she loves me, bringing me a peace that I never knew existed. “Is it always like this?” I turn and look at her before looking at the room. There are servers cleaning up and people still dancing.

“Yeah, but I think this year has been the best so far.”

“Oh? Why is that?” I turn to her, standing in front of her.

“Because you were here, of course.” I watch the emotions cross her face, trying to catalog each one. I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her as close as would be proper in this social setting. “I have a proposition for you.” Cherish’s sweet smile spurs me on. “How about you come to my place?”

“You’re place?” I nod, and she shows me a small smile. “And what would we do there?” I stare into her eyes, really trying to read everything she tries to hide from me. I take a deep breath in, letting it out slowly.

“Do you love me?” Cherish turns her head to the side and looks at me. I know she feels what I feel, but I want to hear her say it. I need to hear those words come out of her mouth. Instead of waiting for an answer, I pull her with me to leave the building.

The limo ride is long, and we are silent through it. There’s not much to say since I’m waiting on an answer to my question. I won’t push her now, but I will ask her again when we get there. I pull out my phone and text Jamichael, asking him where my mother is. I’m pretty sure that tonight is the night, and I don’t want her interrupting us.

We pull up to the packhouse, and the door is opened for Cherish. She doesn’t make a move to get out of the limo. “Is everything okay?”

“What is this place?” I look around, confused by her question.

“What do you mean?” Cherish turns to look at me with worry on her face.

“This place… it looks like…. Do you live here?” There’s something that she’s not saying, and I want to know what it is.

“Yes, I do. Is that okay? Do you want to go back to your place?” She looks out the window before looking back at me and shaking her head.

“Let’s go inside.” Cherish exits the limo, and I follow after her. We skip the packhouse, and I lead her to a house behind the structure. It’s a house we discussed in theory, one that we said we wanted so we could have privacy from the rest of the members.

I have to admit that I’ve never stayed in this house because I just couldn’t handle it. I had it completed after she left, and once it was, I couldn’t take it. I didn’t have the heart to be there without her. I made sure it was all built, furnished, and painted to her specifications. It was all too much for me to handle.

We walk inside, and I lead her upstairs to the master bedroom. A tour would be great, but now isn’t the time. I’ve waited years to have my mate again and never thought it would happen. Her coming back was a surprise, and it revived my dreams. I know she loves me, and it’s that love that’s going to make this what it should be.

I turn and stand in front of Cherish, gently holding her hips. “I asked you a question before and you didn’t answer. I need to hear you say it, Cherise; I need you to answer my question.”

“What question?” I run a finger down her cheek.

“Do you love me?” She looks at me, staring deeply into my eyes. Cherish takes a few steps back, stepping out of my hold. She kicks off her shoes and moves to lower her zipper. She pushes the dress off her shoulders, letting it fall to her feet. My mouth goes dry as she stands there in a sheer strapless bra and matching panties. I swallow thickly, aching to touch her. “Do you?” Cherish steps out of her dress and walks up to me. She pushes my jacket off my shoulders and unties my bow tie. Cherish lets out a shaky breath and stretches herself taller against me.

“Of course I do.” That’s all I needed to hear.

~Cherise~

I didn’t want to tell him that this place looks like where Alexi had kept me for years. I thought about saying something, but I didn’t. I kept reminding myself that Caleb isn’t Alexi.

Standing before Caleb in my underwear is scary. On top of that, I let my inner feelings be known. I love him, like really love him. Somewhere along the way, I’ve fallen in love with him without even trying.

He’s an amazing man, and I can’t believe I stumbled across him like I did. Now we are here; all I want is his hands on me. I don’t want him to hold out, and I don’t want to wait. I want Caleb inside of me, and I want it to happen tonight.