Page 10 of My Hired Valentine

“You live here alone?” she asks, turning back to me.

“Just me and the waves,” I reply. “It’s my escape from the chaos of the ER.”

“I can see why,” she murmurs, her gaze lingering on the view for another moment before shifting to me. “So, what’s on the menu, Chef Faletti?”

I grin. “Seafood linguine, salad, and a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Simple but effective.”

“Sounds perfect,” she says, her smile soft and genuine. She slips off her heels and pads barefoot across the hardwood floor, looking more at home here than I expected.

“Paying your debt in full doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?” I tease, earning a soft laugh.

“Fine. You’re making it easy,” she admits, perching on one of the barstools at the kitchen island. “But don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late,” I reply, tossing her a wink. “Dinner will be ready in ten.”

When I set the plates on the table, Violet laughs softly. “This is better than any restaurant. Do you cook for all your dates?”

“Only the ones who owe me,” I joke, earning another blush. “Come on, let’s eat.”

We settle at the small dining table, the ocean stretching out behind her like a living backdrop. Conversation flows effortlessly. She tells me about growing up in a small town, her love for books and baking, and her dreams of traveling. I find myself hanging on every word, soaking in every detail.

The atmosphere shifts somewhere between the second glass of wine and the last bite of pasta. The laughter fades, replaced by something quieter, deeper. Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, my heart stops.

“You didn’t have to go through all this trouble,” she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes, I did,” I reply, my gaze holding hers. “Because I wanted tonight to be perfect. For you.”

Her lips part slightly, and I can see the uncertainty in her eyes, the walls she’s so carefully built to protect herself. “Dex…I…”

I stand and move around the table, holding out my hand. “Dance with me.”

She hesitates for a moment before placing her hand in mine. I lead her to the living room, where I’ve already queued a playlist. The soft strains of a piano fill the air as I pull her close, my hand resting lightly on her lower back.

We sway to the music, and I can’t help but notice how her body fits against mine like she was made for this—for me.

“This feels… dangerous,” she murmurs, her cheek brushing against my chest.

“Good dangerous or bad dangerous?” I ask, my lips close to her ear.

She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. “I don’t know yet.”

I tilt her chin up with my fingers, my thumb brushing her cheek. “Let me help you decide.”

And then I kiss her. Slow and deliberate, a kiss meant to unravel her completely. Her hands slide up my chest, her fingers curling into my shirt as she kisses me back with a hunger that matches my own.

The world falls away. There’s only Violet—her taste, touch, and soft sighs that escape her lips. I don’t just want her. I need her. Every part of her.

“Dex,” she whispers when we finally pull apart, her breath mingling with mine. “This is crazy.”

“Maybe,” I admit, resting my forehead against hers. “But it feels right.”

Her fingers tighten on my shirt, and I can see when she decides to stop fighting this. Fighting us.

I lift her into my arms, carrying her toward the bedroom as the music plays on, the waves crashing in the distance. Tonight, there are no walls, no hesitations. Just us, letting go of everything but this moment.

“Dex,” she whispers. “Before we do this…I think I’d like to go on another date with you.”

My heart soars, and I can’t hide my grin. “Lucky me,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. And I know then, without a shadow of a doubt, this is our beginning.

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