H er one and only bag was packed. She sat on the edge of the bed wondering what to do. Stay or go. It didn’t matter where she went, she’d be nursing a broken heart. She had a feeling this one would never heal. And she only had herself to blame.

In less than a month she’d lost everything that mattered. Martin had all but told her not to fall in love with him, but she’d been so sure her feelings wouldn’t get mixed up in the fun. Another failure not to see what was right in front of her nose.

Martin wasn’t the kind of man you walk away from unscathed. He left a trail of broken hearts a mile long and she knew this. But she’d thought she was different. She’d figured their history and friendship somehow made her immune to his love ’em and leave ’em ways. Moreover, she’d given herself too much credit. Thinking she would be strong enough to have sex without the attachment. Sylvie wasn’t that woman.

The airline confirmed there were no earlier flights available. Sitting in Martin’s empty condo, feeling sorry for herself was not how she envisioned spending the most romantic day of the year. Martin told her he’d planned for them to have a nice lunch together. Knowing the restaurants would be chaos he said he’d order in. She slapped her forehead and pulled out her phone. The delivery would arrive at any moment unless he'd called and stopped it. She crossed her fingers and hoped he’d canceled it.

She placed her bag by the door and prepared herself for the long flight home. There was no point in staying. At least if she sat at the airport, she’d be less likely to cry. The doorbell rang, and she accepted the delivery. She expected a brown bag and maybe some Chinese food, but the men kept coming.

“I’m sorry, you can’t bring all that in here.” When she saw them unpack, her heart melted into a puddle on the floor. Each item added another dagger to her wounded heart. They set the stage for the perfect Valentine’s Day lunch. When they left, she leaned against the wall and placed her hand over her heart; it hurt too much.

It was so over the top she had to laugh. A trail of red rose pedals led from the entry to the dining room table and ended in the bathroom. The table was beautifully set with red linens and fine china. They were supposed to have a romantic candlelight lunch for two. Or for one as it turned out.

Once she caught her breath, she walked over and checked under the dome. It smelled amazing and her mouth watered as she stared at the roasted chicken breast, steamed broccoli, baby carrots and rice pilaf. Too bad she had no appetite. Under the dome in the middle was a variety of chocolate covered fruit with whipped cream. Right next to that was a deck of cards. She didn’t have to follow the flowers to know in the bathroom they’d drawn a scented bubble bath.

Martin had prepared her dream lunch. And she would eat it alone. She pulled out her phone to thank him for the sentiment when the door opened. He stood there in his tux, looking far too perfect to be real.

“Hi. You came back.” She chewed her lip when he didn’t answer.

“I forgot the cufflinks.” He held up his arms. “Where’s your boyfriend?” His eyes looked everywhere but at her. They seemed to focus on her bag by his feet.

“Renny and I are not back together. He asked me to come home with him and—”

“You said yes. I saw you kiss and I’m not an idiot. You’ve been waiting to get him back for months and he flew across the country to come get cha. We all know how much you love big romance.” He rolled his eyes.

“I told him no. I don’t want him anymore.” She took a deep breath. “When did you order this lunch? It’s beautiful.”

He shuffled his feet and kicked the rose pedals out of his way. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me. Do you have time to eat with me?” She pulled out one chair. “Please, Martin.”

“I shouldn’t spoil my dinner. The wedding should be fun and there will be plenty of bridesmaids to score with.”

She pushed the chair over and watched it tumble to the ground. “You don’t have to do this. Be mean and act like you don’t care.”

“Who’s acting?”

“Well then I guess it’s a good thing my flights leaving in a few hours. I’ll be out of your hair and you can bring one or two, hell even three of the bridesmaids home to fuck your brains out.” She walked up to him and pointed her finger in his chest. “If that’s what you want. Is it?”

“It doesn’t matter what I want.”

She reached down and picked up her bag, gripping the handle so hard her hand hurt. “Stop saying it doesn’t matter. It matters. I want to see you happy and in love. You deserve to feel how wonderful that can be again.” She twisted the doorknob. “One day I hope you love with all your heart again. The way I love you. Good bye.”

He gripped her arm, stopping her. “Say the last part again.”

A tear trickled down her cheek as she turned back to face him and her biggest fear. Being rejected couldn’t possibly hurt any more than she already did. At least then she’d know for sure they didn’t belong together.

“I’m sorry I became the distraction you didn’t want. My intentions were never to impede your career or your free lifestyle. I hope I didn’t mess things up for you too badly. But I don’t regret coming here or falling in love with you. You’re my best friend and it’s okay if you’re not in love with me too. I love you more than—”

His mouth landed against her with so much force he plowed her into the back of the door. Her teeth rattled, and she didn’t care. She dropped her bag and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She kissed him back. It felt so good and so right to be in his arms again. He lifted her off the ground and she dug her heels into his ass.

“I have no regrets either. I booked this lunch while you were flying to meet me in Pittsburg. No one’s ever gone out of their way like that for me. I knew you deserved to have everything you ever wanted. If romance made you smile, I’d become Mr. Romance. Right now, I want to be Mr. Inside you. Let me make love to you.”

“Yes. You’re the only man I want.” She kissed him again.

He pressed his forehead against hers, staring into her eyes as he undid his pants and pulled out his cock. She sucked on his lower lip while his fingers pushed her panties aside. One thrust later and they were joined.

“I’ve never been with someone who makes me feel this good.” He kissed the swell of her breasts. They were so sensitive. “You are perfect Sylvie and you’re perfect for me.” He pounded into her over and over.

“Stop talking and kiss me.” There would be time for talking later. This moment was for feeling. She wanted to connect every part of him to every part of her. And they did exactly that until she thought she’d black out. Ecstasy rolled over her as she came. Shattering the last of her fears and bonding them together.

He carried her to the couch and pulled her on top of him. Never severing their connection. “I tried to call you a million times last night. Each time, I couldn’t find the right words and hung up.”

“You needed your space.” She rubbed her nose against his.

“I needed you. I ended up talking with the guys about my position on the team and they all think I fucking walk on water. It’s crazy to see myself through their eyes. Through your eyes. Please, don’t think I blame you for the way I get into my own head sometimes. I’m a perfectionist. Look at my place for crying out loud.” They both laughed, and he kissed the side of her mouth and licked the trail of dried tears. “No more tears.”

“Happy tears are good. But are you sure I’m not a distraction?” She smoothed his hair back.

“The trade was in the works long before you got here. It’s best for the team and I accept that. Benny’s not a bad guy, and he’s not my competition. He’s my backup.”

“Oh, thank god. You’re not being traded.” She breathed a sigh of relief.

He chuckled. “Not yet anyway. I don’t want to talk about hockey anymore. Say you love me again.”

“I do, but I’m not saying it again until you do.”

“Have lunch with me. Let me do this right.”

She smiled, sat up and shuddered as he pulled out. A stream a liquid dripped down her leg. “We should clean up first.”

“I plan on taking you again soon and I like the thought of my cum oozing out of you. Soaking your already saturated panties while we eat.”

“That shouldn’t turn me on, but it does. I love it when you come inside me.”

“I love it too.” He took her hand and led her to the table. Martin picked up the turned over chair and offered her a seat, kissing her temple as she sat.

Once he took his seat, they removed the domes. “Bon appetite.”

“What happened to you last night? Please tell me because I stayed up most of the night worrying,” she said as she pushed the food around on her plate.

“I’m sorry. My absence wasn’t meant to worry you. I had some drinking and soul searching to do. You know I’m not good at expressing myself. It’s hard for me. Even now, I’d rather scrub toilets than tell you what’s going on in here.” He pointed at his chest and then rubbed over his heart. “I did a lot of walking this morning, making some big life decisions. Otherwise I would have been home sooner. Before your ex smarty pants showed up. What the fuck was that all about?”

She swallowed a sip of water before responding. “I already told you why he came. But the question I have is why didn’t you throw him out. After the weeks we’ve been together, you’d think for a split second I’d take him back. Really?”

Martin finished his plate. The man was used to wolfing down his meals. “Hey, I’m not perfect. I saw him touching you… you and I weren’t in the best of places. You kept telling me you’re leaving, reminding me I don’t get to keep you. And that jackass lives where you do.”

“I don’t live anywhere. I’m homeless. Unless you count moving back in with my parents. I kept dropping hints I wanted to stay, but you didn’t ask me.”

“Hints are too subtle. Hit me over the head and tell me when you want something. I would give you the moon if you asked for it. You were so hesitant to come here and then scared to open your heart. I had to move slowly. We played your game and all along I hoped you’d love me. Every time we took a step ahead, you’d pull away. Maybe I went too slowly.”

She pushed her plate away. “You mean all this time you’ve wanted more? You don’t want me to go.”

“Open the cards.” He flashed her a boyish grin.

She picked up the deck in the middle of the table. “You want to play a game. Right now?” She removed the cards and put them on the table. “What game?”

“No game this time. Flip the top cards.”

Her hands shook as she pulled the top card and placed it right side up on the table.

Her name was written with a red marker across the top of the card. She flipped the next and revealed a request so romantic her heart fluttered.

“Sylvie, stay with me and be my Valentine.”

She stared at the cards. His way of expressing his emotions. “Martin, my funny little Valentine.” Her breath hitched and her eyes watered when she found him on his knees beside her.

He took her hands and kissed the tops. “Since the moment you arrived, I’ve been trying to win your heart. I love you and always have. You stole my heart the very first time I saw you walk by my house with your pigtails and attitude. Then you broke my face and didn’t apologize. You have a strength I need in my life. There’s been no one else I wanted to spend my life with; only you,” he said and gave her hand a squeeze. He exhaled and she could tell how difficult this was for him to say. “A while ago, you asked whether I wanted marriage and kids and I couldn’t imagine those things with anyone but you. I’m a despicable asshole and the world’s most horrible friend, but I did a happy dance when you called me crying about your breakup. Finally, I had my chance to be with the girl of my dreams. You took a long time to get here and I’ve been scared to say or do the wrong thing. Your friendship means the world to me, but your love means even more.”

“Oh. Mon cher.” She touched his cheek.

“It’s not every day a woman like you becomes available. You are perfect for me and I never want to lose you. Sylvie Lamont, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife; one day the mother of my children and staying forever my best friend?” He let go of her hand and pulled a ring from his pocket. Her fingers trembled as he slipped her grand-mothers wedding ring on her finger.

“Oui! Yes. Yes… I will marry you.”

He smiled, and she tackled him to the ground. She kissed every inch of his face before stopping on his lips. Lavishing attention to her fiancé. She’d always considered this day the most romantic day of the year and that would never change. A day where love conquered all, and this was a million times better than her wildest fantasies. The candles, the flower, the ring and the man made this a Valentine’s Day she would never forget.

A Valentine’s engagement would be a story they would tell children someday and much later, their grandchildren.