Page 10 of His Valentine Claim

That still stings.

Callie: Gary’s an ass. Look, Rome wasn’t a monk. He’s got a past but because he’s got money, people are kind of stupid about it. Don’t google his name though, please. Tabloids and news outlets can crucify a person with so many lies. I’m your inside scoop! We’ll have a spa day this weekend and I’ll dish all the dirt because that dear brother of mine won’t tell you everything either because he’ll be worried it would hurt you.

Chewing on my lip, my heart pounds in my chest over what she’s revealed, and now I’m more curious than ever, especially because she’s asking me not to google him. But I trust Callie. I know she wouldn’t hurt me and wouldn’t have set me up with Roman if he could hurt me, either. Not from this anyways.

Me: Okay. I’ll wait.

Callie: Thank God! You were taking forever to reply.

Callie: How long have you been waiting?

Checking the time, my nose scrunches.

Me: 20 min.

Callie: That bitch. Hang on.

Group Chat: Hey neanderthal! Your girl has been waiting in your lobby for an eternity. Get rid of the viperous bitch already!

Callie: Love you!

Me: Thanks, I think…

A second later, Roman bursts out of his office, a thunderous look on his face. The glare aimed at the secretary as she jumps to her feet has her taking a step back.

“Make my future wife wait again, and you’ll be packing your shit.” The growl in his threat—no, make that a promise—has me squirming in my seat as a rush of desire floods my body.

Storming over to me, he holds out a hand, his chest heaving with anger. As soon as I accept his offer, he pulls me to my feet and crashes his mouth over mine. We both nearly lose our balance with how intense it is. His hand slaps the window next to the chair I was sitting in as my back collides with the glass.

Off balance and restless, I rub my hands up and down his chest as our tongues tangle in my mouth. His smooth shirt is the softest cotton I’ve ever felt. When his denim-covered knee presses between my thighs, I gasp for air on a moan.

“I…uhm, I, hi,” I finish lamely.

Cupping my face in both of his hands, Roman kisses my forehead before moving to my neck and sucking on the sensitive flesh right below my ear. “Hi, my gorgeous girl.” His voice sends shivers down my spine, pooling at my throbbing sex.

Tucking my lips inside my mouth, I say nothing as he pulls me along to his office, slamming the door shut behind us and locking it. He presses both of his hands to the hard wood, then leans forward, breathing heavily.

“Callie has been telling me for months that Tracy has a crush on me.” He sounds tortured about it. “I didn’t listen to her because I never led the woman on, never gave her a reason to believe there was ever going to be more to our relationship.” He turns around to stare at me. “I didn’t realize she would be so rude to you. I told her and Gary to send you in immediately when you arrived.”

Shrugging, I’m not really sure what to say. Both Gary and Tracy’s attitudes towards me were hostile, making me feel like crap. It’s not Roman’s fault directly, but if Callie has been warning him about Tracy…

“Gary was on thin ice already; he’ll be gone by morning. I’ll have Tracy transferred to another department tonight, and you can hire whomever the hell you want to schedule my work life.” The growl in his voice is back and makes me tingle. “Now, can I please see what’s under that fucking coat?”

Shrugging, I turn around to admire his office. Clean, neat, minimalist, just like him. It’s deceiving, though, because the man is deep. A swirl of navy, dark gray, emerald, and obsidian.

“Valentine.” He snarls the warning just as I undo my coat and let the garment float to the floor in a puddle at my feet. “Jesus fucking Christ.”

CHAPTER8

Roman

Dropping to my knees, I’m ready to worship this woman. In spite of every obstacle against us today, she showed up and stuck around. There isn’t a more perfect specimen on the planet than my sweet Valentine. She’s the kind of girl wars are declared over and songs are written for.

When I gave her the red lace teddy, I hadn’t included a pair of panties because I wanted her completely bare to me. Enough to entice, and open for all kinds of touching. But she’s done me one better. Riding between the cheeks of her ass is a pearl necklace thong.

“Turn around,” I demand, but it comes out like a croak. I’m all tied up over this woman. Twirling towards me, her face burns red with shyness. The garment is form-fitting, tied between her luscious tits. The garter rests at the top of her thighs, holding up the stockings, covered mainly by the boots. And right there, right fucking there, in the center of her body, is a glistening pearl snugged up to her clit.

“Come here.” She hesitates, and a ferocious rumble vibrates through my chest. “Don’t make me ask again.” My eyes are riveted on the single pearl as she moves, rubbing, touching, kissing what’s mine.

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