Page 12 of My Hired Valentine

Panting, he collapses beside me, pulling me to his chest.

“Unbelievable,” he murmurs. “Absolutely unbelievable.”

I nestle into him, listening to the beat of his thundering heart. “No one’s ever touched me the way you do, Dex. No one’s ever made me feel like this—like I’m… enough. And I don’t want it to stop. I don’t wantusto stop.”

Dex squeezes me tight. “You’ve always been enough, Violet. You don’t see it, but you’re everything I didn’t know I needed. And I promise, as long as you’ll have me, I’m not going anywhere.”

For the first time in my life, I don’t feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. In Dex’s arms, I feel safe. Cherished. As my eyes drift shut, I think… maybe this is where I’m meant to be.

CHAPTER 12

Dex

It’s been a week since Violet walked into my life and turned everything upside down, and I can’t stop thinking about her. Her laugh, her smile, the way she looks at me like I’m her superhero—it’s everything.

I’ve had relationships before—casual things that fizzled out before they ever really began. Or absolute trainwrecks, like Ginger. But with Violet, it’s different. It’s more. She’s under my skin, in my blood, and for the first time, I’m not running from it. I want her—all of her. And if I have my way, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to her.

I glance at the table where I’ve been sitting for the past hour, scribbling ideas on a notepad. Planning dates isn’t exactly my forte, but for Violet, I want everything to be perfect. She deserves that—and more. Dinner by the ocean? A day trip to that little bookstore she mentioned? A weekend getaway? Nothing feels big enough to match what I’m feeling.

My phone buzzes on the counter, pulling me out of my thoughts. I grab it, hoping it’s her, and my chest tightens whenI see her name. Even just seeing her name on the screen does something to me.

Violet:Hi, Dex. Just wanted to say thank you again for the other night. It was… perfect. :)

Ican’t help but smile as I type back.

Me:You don’t have to thank me, Violet. Spending time with you is a gift.

The three little dots appear, and I find myself holding my breath, waiting for her reply.

Violet:You’re the sweetest. So… do you want to make plans?

Make plans? Of course, I want to make plans. I want everything with her. Forever with her. But I can’t exactly say that. Not yet.

Me:Are you busy tomorrow night? I’d like to plan something special for you.

She doesn’t reply immediately, and I’m half-convinced I’ve scared her off. Then her response comes through, and I exhale in relief.

Violet:I’d love that. What should I wear?

Me:Good! Dress warm and bring your appetite.

Her reply is almost instant.

Violet:I wish it was tomorrow already.

Iset my phone down, my mind already racing with ideas. Tomorrow, I’ll take her somewhere special, somewhere she’ll see how serious I am about her. Because if this week has taught me anything, it’s that Violet isn’t just someone I want to spend time with. She’s someone I can’t imagine my life without.

And I need for her to know just how serious I am.

CHAPTER 13

Violet

The office hums with the usual energy as I sit at my desk, a little smile tugging at my lips. I’m going out with Dex tonight, and I can’t focus on much of anything else. My friends are quick to notice.

“Girl, you’re glowing,” William teases from across the aisle. He swirls in his chair to face me, resting his chin in his hands. “I think you’re officially off the market.”

“I don’t know about that,” I mumble, but I can feel my cheeks heating.

---