Page 1 of Her Possessive Valentine

1

VANCE

In a rush. Always in a rush. A never-ending runaround from one place to the next. No time to breathe, less time to think. Can’t be good for the head or the heart.

Today’s no different. Out of one meeting, into the next, interrupted by a call from Mom to pick her up after a spa day. Granted, she saved me at least twenty minutes of listening to Norm Baker prattle on about his new boat and place in Miami. He’s a good man, but good God, the man doesn’t have an off switch.

Checking my watch as I step out of the heavy New York rain, I’ve got fifteen minutes. No, thirteen. Eleven if I want to be safe, and seven if I want to be sure I’ll get to my next meeting on time.

At least none of these are the big ones. That’s on Friday, with the whole day cleared back to front. No rush, no fuss, just me and the main men from La Superiorite.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” a woman says to my side, and her voice tickles a special place in my brain. It hits one of those distant remembrances, like a smell of sweet summer flowersthat triggers a memory from long ago. Pleasant, warm, inviting. Mary-Beth McAllister in a nutshell. “A drowned rat.”

One hand giveth, the other taketh away.

She’s snickering fiercely as I turn over my shoulder to look at her. All five-foot-two-inches of dynamite she’s packing into an equally petite form.

“Mary-Beth McAllister, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” I turn to face her, open my arms to greet her with a hug, and quickly realize it’s a terrible mistake.Drowned ratisn’t what I’d describe myself as. I’m much worse, soaked to the bone, with squelching shoes and clingy clothes.

Even my poor umbrella was dented and limp from the pelting rain and harsh winds outside. And yet, inside the Hanging Gardens Day Spa, I couldn’t tell there was an apocalypse outside. It’s bright, warm, and full of women wandering through the lobby with lazy smiles and rejuvenated vigor.

God, it must be nice.

“They are looking a little red.” Without warning, she grabs my face in her palms and pulls my head down to stare into my eyes with abject scrutiny. “Are you getting enough sleep?”

“Yes, doc,” I sigh and pull myself free from her grasp. “Five hours a night, and when I’m lucky, a whole six.”

“Vance.” She frowns and crinkles her nose at me. “Eight hours. No less. You know that.”

“Hard to do when the world’s resting on your shoulders.” I force a smile to my face, and she matches it in kind.

“Well, you won’t be doing any more Superman shit if you don’t get enough sleep.” She waggles a dainty little finger in my face. “Don’t make me tell your mother.”

“That threat hasn’t worked on me since we were kids.” I cross my arms over my chest and pout, playing along with her as if we were still children.

Twenty-something years ago, Mary-Beth saying that would have terrified me. Mom always had a soft spot for her. I like to think it’s because she was the daughter Mom never had. And where I know she loves all three of her boys from the bottom of her heart, I’m sure every mother wants a daughter, just like every father wants a son.

“I happen to know where she is right now, Vance. Don’t make me make good on my threat.” Mary-Beth flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder and turns her nose to the ceiling.

“Just so happens I know where she is too.” Focusing my attention straight over Mary-Beth’s head, I see Mom sitting at a table in the attached coffee shop. She’s alone for now, but something tells me the assorted goodies scattered across her table means she has guests. “Fine, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll get more sleep if you, Dex, and the kids come over when the sun’s back out. I’ve been missing my little sister, and seeing you at weddings and funerals isn’t going to cut it.”

“Little sister, huh?” She smirks. “Sweet talk, flattery, and kindness. You’re trying to get rid of me.”

“No, of course not.” Yes. Hit the nail on the head. I don’t have time to play catch up and?—

Wait a minute. Who the heck is that?

Raven hair, beaming smile, tits so big they stretch the top buttons of her meek blouse to breaking point. One glance at the stunning creature walking through the tables, and I’ve got an entirely different reason to get rid of Mary-Beth.

A minute with her. I check my watch. Five minutes with her is all I need.

She saunters through the crowded tables with graceful elegance, balancing a tray with tea cups, a teapot and assorted goodies to go alongside them, on the palm of her hand. Every step is accompanied by a sway of her hips, naturally fluid and in complete control.

“I accept.” Mary-Beth catches me totally off guard. For a brief second, shell-shocked and stunned at my own inability to stay in control of myself, I forgot she was here.

My attention snaps back to her. “Why wouldn’t you?”

“I could think of a few reasons.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s good to see you again, Vance.”

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