Page 9 of My Hired Valentine

CHAPTER 9

Violet

Dinner is going surprisingly well. The food is delicious, the wine is flowing, and I’ve managed to focus all my attention on Dex, effectively ignoring Harris. Dex keeps the conversation light, his deep voice wrapping around me like a warm blanket. He’s quick-witted, funny, and attentive, and I’m having a better time than I ever expected.

Then, out of nowhere, a hand clamps down on my arm. For a split second, I think it’s Harris making another slimy move, but when I turn, his face is a terrifying shade of blue. His hands clutch at his throat, his eyes bulging.

“He’s choking!” I shout.

Dex is out of his chair in an instant. “Call 911!” he commands, his voice sharp and authoritative. Several people fumble for their phones.

Dex crouches slightly, looking Harris in the eye. “Can you talk, Wayne?”

Harris makes a strangled noise, but nothing intelligible comes out. His face is bluer now, and panic sets in as he flails his arms.

“Everyone, back up! Give us space,” Dex orders. The guests quickly scramble away, leaving a clear area around us.

Dex yanks Harris out of his chair with ease, wraps his arms around the man’s middle, and braces his fists against his abdomen. I watch, wide-eyed, as he delivers three hard, deliberate thrusts. On the third, a hunk of chicken flies out of Harris’s mouth and lands unceremoniously on the dance floor.

Harris collapses back into his chair, gasping and coughing. Dex crouches in front of him, his tone calm but firm. “Take some slow, easy breaths. Can you talk now?”

“You damn near killed me,” Harris wheezes, his face now turning a bright shade of red.

Dex straightens, crossing his arms. “Perfect. His airway’s clear.”

Just then, the EMTs rush into the room, wheeling a gurney toward us. They quickly assess Harris, who waves them off weakly but doesn’t protest when they insist on taking him in for further evaluation. As they roll him out, the room erupts into applause.

Dex shifts awkwardly, his face flushing under the attention. He turns to me and pulls out my chair. “Let’s get you seated.”

I’m too stunned to say much at first. Watching Dex in action and how he took control of the situation without hesitation leaves me in awe. Heisa doctor. I’ve never felt this much pride for someone I’ve known for such a short time. But it’s more than pride. It’s admiration. Respect. And something else entirely.

As the guests settle back into their seats, several of the firm’s partners approach to shake Dex’s hand and thank him. He handles it with his usual easy charm, though I can tell he’s not entirely comfortable with all the praise.

When the crowd finally disperses, I turn to him. He’s reaching for his drink, looking as though nothing out of the ordinary just happened.

I reach out, grabbing the lapels of his tuxedo jacket. “Your heroism has earned you another kiss, Dr. Faletti.”

His grin is instant, lighting up his entire face. “Lucky me.”

Before he can say anything else, I tug him toward me and press my lips to his. This kiss is different from the others—it’s bold, unreserved. The kind of kiss that says I’m done pretending this is fake.

When we finally pull apart, Dex’s eyes are dark, his smile slow and deliberate. “If that’s what I get for saving someone, I’ll have to keep my skills sharp.”

I laugh, my hands still resting against his chest. “Good. The world needs more heroes like you.”

And for the first time in years, I think maybe I do too.

CHAPTER 10

Dex

The sound of waves crashing against the shore is the first thing I notice as I open the door to my condo. It’s a sound I never tire of. I step back, letting Violet take in the view. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the ocean, the moonlight shimmering on the water like a path to nowhere and everywhere at once.

“Wow,” she breathes, stepping inside. Her eyes sweep across the room, taking in the open layout, the soft lighting, and the scent of garlic and rosemary wafting from the kitchen. “This is… beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you,” I say, unable to help myself. The blush that rises to her cheeks is worth it.

I close the door, slip off my shoes, and watch Violet walk toward the windows. She’s radiant tonight, her hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted someone this much—not just physically, but completely. And it’s terrifying.

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