T he day didn’t provide any new perspective. Work kept her mind occupied throughout the day. She worried about Kimber and the news offered no updates. The missing teenager wasn’t mentioned at all. She scrolled through several online articles, but there was nothing new.

She watched the hockey game in the evening and cringed when Martin let the winning goal sail past his pads. He only allowed two goals, but the other goaltender only let one slip into the net. She knew Martin wouldn’t be happy about his performance. He took every loss personally. Hockey was a team sport, but goalies could make or break a game. A goalie having a bad night spelled disaster for any team. Not that Martin played badly, he rocked the net, but he wouldn’t see it that way. The loss didn’t hurt their play for the cup. They had their playoff spot in the bag.

As she waited for Martin to come home, she checked her email again. One new email stuck out from the others. It came from Renny a few minutes earlier. It was morning in his part of the world and she wondered what he wanted. He’d never tried contacting her that way before. Not once in the eight months they’d been apart. The mouse hovered over the message. He hadn’t even put enough effort to add a subject line.

The bastard probably figured she’d open anything he sent her, like she was a dog begging for his scraps. Why bother reaching out now? It was as if he had a sixth sense and could tell she was finally moving on. Instead of being hurt and overwhelmed with sadness, she got pissed off. She deleted the message without opening it and closed the laptop.

A moment later the door opened. She pushed away from the table as Martin spoke. “Salut, ma belle. I’m home.”

At the sound of his voice, the temperature in the condo increased by several degrees. “Martin,” she said as she pummeled into him. “I’m so glad you’re home, safe and sound.” With everything that happened to Kimber, she needed to feel him in her arms; see his face to know he was safe.

He chuckled. “It’s late. I didn’t expect you to still be awake.”

Some anxiety she’d been holding onto dissipated as he hugged her back. “I couldn’t sleep. How are you?” Her grip around him tightened.

“My game sucked, as I’m sure you saw. I fucking missed an easy one. Ivarsson and Smith crowded me, but I can’t even blame them. That loss was totally my fault.”

She looked up and gripped his freshly shaved chin, tilting his face towards her. “No, it’s not. Two goals can’t be considered a bad game. Did you look at your stats? Don’t answer that because I know you never do. Do you blame Montagne, Larson, Crozier or any of the other guys for not scoring more? No, you don’t because that would be stupid. It takes a team to win a game and you know this.”

His frown eased. “Have I told you how much I love having you here?” Their eyes locked.

Her heart pounded faster. The instant reaction still surprised her. One half smile was enough to send her into a sexual tizzy. “I’m happy to be here too.” She swallowed hard. “Are you… um, ready for bed?” She had dressed for bed hours ago, but waited for him. Knowing they were about to be half naked in bed in a matter of moments didn’t slow her pulse.

“I see you’re wearing my jersey again. It looks good on you.” He checked her out and smiled. “No garter and tights tonight?”

She blushed, recalling the last time he’d seen her. “Not tonight.” That would have been a good time to bring up what he’d seen. She had a lineup of excuses to avoid that subject, but life was too short to put anything off. “Are you disappointed?”

“You could never disappoint me, Sylvie.”

“That’s a sweet thing to say.”

“It’s the truth,” he yawned. “Do you mind if I crash? I played a shit game and had a long flight. I’m exhausted.”

“Not at all. Thanks to you I managed a few hours of sleep last night, but I woke up early, hoping to hear Kimber was all right.” He’d given her the perfect opportunity to ask him about the last time he saw her wearing his clothes, but she chickened out and changed the subject.

Martin brought his bag into the bedroom and she followed behind. The suit he wore fit him like a glove. “Any news?”

“No. The last report I read, said another teen runaway. Apparently, the city has a rash of missing teenagers lately. Each case seems plausible as in the kids all had problems. But what teenager doesn’t? I checked out a couple of online forums and kids think it’s cool. Like running away from home is a new fad. I’m not sure that’s what happened to Kimber, but I hope she’s okay.” She crawled into the bed and watched him undress.

He didn’t try to be sexy, but all his moves became erotic. He chewed his bottom lip as he removed his tie. The deal she made to kiss Martin came to mind. Would she have to hold up her end of the bargain if Kimber didn’t? What a horrible thought, of course she would. She’d never once backed down from a deal yet. She took a deep breath and exhaled in a huff as Martin stripped.

Shedding layers of his suit revealed more tanned muscles. Her eyes stayed glued to his back, hoping he’d take it all off. He disappeared into the walk-in closet and came out in a pair of black sweats. The color matched his hair. He made the casual pants unbelievably sensual.

“That’s twisted,” he said, pulling back the covers, settling in next to her. “Come here.” His strong arms pulled her close until their noses almost touched. His clean scent and the heat from his body warmed her like a blanket fresh from the dryer.

“I’m not convinced they all ran away. The girl I met didn’t seem like she was running; at least not when we parted ways. There’s more to this and I can’t drop it like the cops told me to when I called for an update.”

“You sound like Caroline. You met her briefly at the bar before her band got on stage. Anyways, some assholes chased her sister not that long ago, and she’s been trying to raise awareness about the predators in the city. You should connect with her.”

“Thanks, I might do that. She’s the one having a Valentine’s Day wedding.” It was more of a statement than a question. Sylvie always dreamed of a big fairytale wedding on the most romantic day of the year. She’d planned to marry Renny too, but some plans weren’t meant to be. Some people weren’t meant to have a happily ever after.

He yawned again, covering his mouth. “Yup. Personally, I don’t get the big hoopla about Valentine’s Day. It’s a made-up holiday where men are forced to spend a stupid amount of money on crap. Flowers that die in less than a week or chocolate that’s been sitting on the shelf since the previous holiday. It’s funny to me that you buy into that hype. I’m glad I’ve never had to celebrate.”

How could anyone not like Valentine’s Day?

“Love deserves to be celebrated. It’s romantic and what do you mean you’ve never celebrated? Surely, you bought Marianne presents and took her out for dinner.”

“I’m pragmatic. Oh, she bitched a little when I didn’t get all bent out of shape over the commercialized date. I don’t want to be forced to do things because I’m supposed to. When I wanted to, I bought her gifts. I didn’t have much money when we dated, so I let her pick the movie on that date. Don’t look so appalled. Gestures from the heart shouldn’t come only once a year. Be truthful. Isn’t getting flowers and candy throughout the year more romantic than only one time a year?”

She couldn’t dispute his logic, but she loved the grand, over the top romantic gestures. “I think it’s romantic to get both.” Not that her ex bought her gifts any other time than her birthday or on specific holidays. Maybe a random Monday would have been more special. “Romance doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s all about declaring your love and making each other feel good. Valentine’s Day promotes couples getting out of their comfort zone and trying for more; showing each other more. I’ve always loved it.”

“You’re demanding. No wonder you’re single.” He smiled, and she smacked his arm. “Kidding.”

“You’re not one to talk; Mr. I Don’t Do Romance and therefore can’t keep a girl.”

They both laughed. She knew Martin wasn’t the flowers and candles kind of guy, but he’d give a stranger the shirt off his back if he thought they needed it. He didn’t have to be Mr. Romance to be great.

“Valentine’s Day and flowers might not be my thing, but bachelor parties are. All kidding aside, I’m planning Nico’s with some other guys. It will be fun.” He touched his forehead to hers.

“Oh boy, I can only imagine the depraved things you’ve got planned.”

“All in good fun,” he said as his fingers moved up her spine.

A little fun sounded perfect. She didn’t need to be in a committed relationship to have a good time. Her eyes dropped to Martin’s lips as he licked them. They were too tempting to resist any longer.

She exhaled slowly and moved her hand against the smoothness of his cheek. “I told you I made a deal with that girl. We said we’d face our fears… I have to do this.” Her thumb grazed the edge of his lip and she went for it.

“Do what—”

She pressed her mouth to his, silencing him. His lips were wet and inviting. The kiss took him by surprise. She could tell from the way his hand stopped moving. He didn’t stop her, instead he opened his mouth. She ran her tongue over his teeth and against his tongue. He responded, twirling his tongue around hers. She didn’t want it to end. Her nipples beaded against his chest as she deepened the kiss. Her entire body responded in a way she hadn’t expected, but just as they were getting started he pulled away.

“Please, don’t be mad,” she said breathlessly.

The kiss had been way more everything than she expected. She tingled in all the right places. As she searched his eyes, she couldn’t read them. She feared what crossing the line would do, but she was glad she did it. More than happy, and she wanted to do it again.

He closed his eyes, shutting her out. “You’ve had a rough couple of days. Hell, some bad months, but… we can’t do this. Turn onto your side and let’s get some sleep.”

There was nothing to say, so she did as he asked. Once on her side, he squeezed her tight, painting his front to her back. Whether he did so knowingly, his erection pressed against her bottom. Desire shot south, begging her to move.

“Um. Martin, what—”

He moved again, and his length nudged between her ass cheeks. “Good night. We can talk more in the morning.”

Right. They could talk or they could do more. If she got her way, they would definitely do more kissing. “Count on it,” she said.

She didn’t act on her desires though she couldn’t possibly sleep. Martin seemed fine cuddling. It didn’t take long before his breathing evened out, and he drifted to sleep. How he fell asleep when she was all riled up was a mystery.

His breath caressed her neck, and she lay there with his arms holding her close. She didn’t push him away because she didn’t need her space. She was happy exactly where she was and like everything else in her life, she didn’t know what to make of that.