Mr. Valentine's Heart

Heard It All

~Cherise~

It’s been hectic around here lately. From what I understand, there’s a big showcase/party that’s set to happen the night before Valentine’s Day. It’s a big deal that the company participates in every year.

Caleb tells me that we will be showcasing new toys as well as highlighting our major sellers. I still can’t believe that I work in the adult toy industry. If you told me this is where I would end up, I’d tell you you are crazy. I’m here now, though, so it’s best to just go with the flow.

I walk up to Breyanne’s desk and drop an envelope on the surface. “You need to make 20 copies of these.” Breyanne sneers at me.

“I don’t work for you. If you need copies, make them yourself.” I sigh and anchor myself to the floor. If I’m being honest, I’m sick of Breyanne and her attitude. I have no idea where it’s coming from, but it needs to stop.

“What is your issue with me?”

“What?”

“You heard me, Breyanne. Since I’ve gotten here, you’ve been nothing but a bi.tch to me and I just want to know what your issue is with me.” Breyanne gets to her feet and steps from behind her desk. She takes the few steps needed to land in front of me and crosses her ars over her chest.

“You’re a gold digger. You came here with the plan to get cose to Caleb because he has so much money. I spotted you the moment I laid eyes on you. You thought you could just walk in here and take him for yourself.”

“So, you’re mad because you couldn’t have him for yourself, huh?”

“Excuse me?’

“You wanted him for yourself and couldn’t stand the fact that he actually had eyes for me instead of you. I mean, you’ve worked here for how many years, and he’s never given you a second glance. I walk through the door, and his eyes are automatically on me. Just admit that you're jealous.” Pain radiates across my cheek, and my head flies to the right. I touch my cheek and feel the warm liquid on my fingertips. The bi.tch slapped me, and I didn’t even see it coming.

Kill the bi.tch! Let’s rip her head off! I quickly close my eyes, wondering where this strong emotion is coming from. It wasn’t just a loud voice in my mind; it was this intense anger that went along with it.

I slowly open my eyes to see Breyanne smirking at me. I really wish I could wipe that look off her face. “Stupid bi.tch!” Breyanne lifts her hand and moves toward me. I don’t know how, but I grab her wrist right before her hand touches my face. I pull my hand down, yanking her down with me. I have no idea where this strength is coming from, but I will go with it.

Breyanne tries to jerk out of my hold, but she can barely move her wrist. I pull her far enough down so that we are eye to eye. “Let me be very clear. I don’t care what you think about me because it doesn’t matter. What I do care about is how I’m treated at this office. You can hate me all you want, but you are just a secretary, while I am Caleb’s assistant. You will treat me as such. You will do your job, and you will keep your fu.cking hands to yourself.” I pull her in even closer, surprised that there is any room left between us. “If you ever touch me again, I promise I will end you.” A growl echoes through the room, and I swear it came from me.

The door clicks open as I let go of Breyanne’s wrist. “Is everything okay out here?” I look at Breyanne, daring her to say anything foolish.

“Uh, no. Cherise and I were just talking Mr. Valentine.” He nods and turns to go back into his office.

“Okay. Please get me those copies as soon as possible.” Caleb walks into his office, and Breyanne huffs.

“This isn’t over, bi.tch!” A let out a low chuckle.

“Bring it, please. I look forward to a showdown with you.” I turn and walk into Caleb’s office.

~Caleb~

I heard everything, and I wanted to intervene sooner. Eros convinced me to wait and see how Cherise handled herself. She may not remember who she is, but she sure as hell is the same person she’s always been.

I’m itching to have my Cherish back to the point where I’m getting impatient. I have to wait, though. I need her to fall in love with me like she was before. I need her to fall in love with me; maybe she will remember who she was.

I don’t believe that she left me willingly. I don’t believe she stopped loving me or wanted to leave me. I have no idea why she left, but I want to find that out. I want to fix whatever the problem was so we can have our life together.

I stand, looking outside my big window as the door clicks behind me. ‘What was that really about?”

“Just a little girl talk is all.” Her arms wrap around my body, and I breathe in her scent. Well, not really her scent from the mate bond. It’s just a basic scent I’ve grown used to but would gladly trade in for something else.

I reach my hands around and place them behind me, letting them rest on her behind. I squeeze it, causing her to giggle. “As long as you’re sure there’s nothing I can help you with.”

“Nah, I got it.” I turn my body around and wrap my arms around her body.

“I wanted to ask you something.” Cherish looks up at me, planting her chin on my body. “Would you attend the launch party with me?” Her laugh brightens her face, and I love it.

“Don’t I have to be there, you know, in a working capacity?” I shrug my shoulders, holding her close.

“Right, but I also want you to be my date.” She gets that look on her face, the one I’ve missed all these years. When she thinks, her face scrunches up and her cheeks hollow. I remember sitting and watching her think, the time passing in a flash.

“What would the difference be?” She’s definitely the Cherish she’s always been, even if she has no idea. I let my hands roam her backside, changing the pressure here and there. Cherish hums, and I feel it on my chest.

“Well, one thing would be the promise of more between us. Being my date brings the possibility of us ending the night with me inside of you.” Cherish pulls back and looks at me.

“I thought that we were waiting. Wasn’t there a discussion about Valentine’s Day or something?”

“Yeah.” I chuckle and run my hands up and down her back. “I haven’t forgotten that at all.” I stare into her perfect face, taking it all in. I never thought I’d see her face again, so I consider myself a lucky man. “Do you love me?” I don’t miss her sharp intake of breath. I can’t tune out the rapid increase of her heartbeat. She’s nervous, and it’s evident. I asked the question, but I already know the answer. This is how she was when I asked her the first time all those years ago. She didn’t want to admit it then, and I’m sure she doesn’t want to admit it now. As much as I like to see her sweat, I think letting her off the hook will be the better route to take. “Don’t worry about it. You can tell me later.”