Page 12 of Texting My Valentine

“We’re far from done,” he grunts, walking quickly past me.

“Tori, I’m so sorry,” the owner says.

“It’s fine,” Tori replies. “Do you need me to work now that he’s gone?”

“No, we’ll manage. Just try to put that behind you.”

Tori shrugs. There’s an animal in me, hunger sparking when I notice her ample bust under her sparkling top, the way her breasts shift with the movement of her shrug. I need to relax, but it isn’t easy around her.

The owner slides behind the bar to serve customers. Tori raises her eyebrows at me. “Thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I couldn’t just sit there and watch him treat you like that. The prick had no right.”

“I could’ve handled him,” she says with a note of pride that has my lips tugging into a smile.

Whoa. That’s something new. Smiling with her feels easy. “I’m sure you could have. But you shouldn’t have to.”

“He’s been making hints for weeks, but this is the first time he’s actually gone full psycho mode. I was going to slap him before you rode in on your white horse.”

She’s trying to sass me like it’s no big deal, but I could tell she was secretly grateful when I first stepped in, but it’s almost like she won’t let herself feel it. Like she’s got her guard up. Am I reading too much into her?

“I saved you from an assault charge, then, which means you should be doubly thankful.”

She tips her head back and lets out a laugh. It’s gorgeous. Her lips are lush and kissable. My body aches being so close to her. It’s like she’s casting some sort of Valentine’s spell on me, which is probably the craziest thought I’ve ever had.

“I am thankful, ” she murmurs, cutting off the laughter. “So… can I get by?” She gestures at me to move aside to let her pass.

I almost tell her no.

I almost tell her,You’re staying with me, you beautiful, curvy, sexy woman.The thought terrifies me: it comes out of nowhere and hits like a punch in the teeth.

Stepping aside, I say, “Try not to get into any more trouble.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t need saving again.”

I can’t stop myself from watching her as she walks away. Wide hips in tight jeans, the globes of her round ass making my mouth water.

“What was that about?” Julian asks when I return.

“Some douchebag was giving Tori trouble. He got rightfully fired.”

“Do you know her?”

“No. Why’d you ask that?”

“The way you said her name.”

I shake my head. “Nah, she’s a stranger.”

“Hey, Alex. Take a breath.”

It’s only when he says this that I realize I’m practically panting, my chest heaving, my body tense.

“You’re not the type that gets into fights,” Julian says sympathetically.

It has nothing to do with almost getting into a fight. I would’ve buckled his legs and shattered his jaw for putting his hands on her, but I don’t tell Julian that. This comes from something else.

I wanted to follow Tori to her table, laugh with her some more, and spend time with her—almost like I haven’t seen where something like this will end.

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