Be My Valentine by Debbie Macomber

West Seattle.
    â€œIt’s really beautiful,” she whispered. Some of the tension eased from her shoulders and she felt herself begin to relax.
    â€œYes,” Steve agreed. He moved closer and placed his arm around her shoulder.
    Dianne closed her eyes, knowing she didn’t have the power to resist him. He’d been so wonderful with her children and her mother—more than wonderful. Now it seemed to be her turn, and try as she might to avoid it, she found herself a willing victim to his special brand of magic.
    â€œYou are going to let me kiss you, aren’t you?” he whispered close to her ear.
    She nodded.
    His hands were in her hair as he directed his mouth to hers. The kiss was slow, as though he was afraid of frightening her. His mouth was warm and moist over her own, gentle and persuasive. Dianne could feel her bones start to dissolve and knew that if she was going to walk away from this experience unscathed, she needed to think fast. Unfortunately, her mind was already overloaded.
    When at last they drew apart, he dragged in a deep breath. Dianne sank back against the seat and noted that his eyes were still closed. Taking this moment to gather her composure, she scooted as far away from him as she could, pressing the small of her back against the door handle.
    â€œYou’re very good at this,” she said, striving to sound unaffected, and knowing she hadn’t succeeded.
    He opened his eyes and frowned. “I’ll assume that’s a compliment.”
    â€œYes. I think you should.” Steve was the kind of man who’d attract attention from women no matter where he went. He wouldn’t be interested in a divorcée and a ready-made family, and there was no use trying to convince herself otherwise. The only reason he’d agreed to take her to the Valentine’s dinner was because she’d offered to pay him. This was strictly a business arrangement.
    His finger lightly grazed the side of her face. His eyes were tender as he studied her, but he said nothing.
    â€œIt would probably be a good idea if we talked about Saturday night,” she said, doing her best to keep her gaze trained away from him. “There’s a lot to discuss and…there isn’t much time left.”
    â€œAll right.” His wayward grin told her she hadn’t fooled him. He knew exactly what she was up to.
    â€œSince the dinner starts at seven, I suggest you arrive at my house at quarter to.”
    â€œFine.”
    â€œWe don’t need to go to the trouble or the expense of a corsage.”
    â€œWhat are you wearing?”
    Dianne hadn’t given the matter a second’s thought. “Since it’s a Valentine’s dinner, something red, I suppose. I have a red-and-white striped dress that will do.” It was a couple of years old, but this dinner wasn’t exactly the fashion event of the year, and she didn’t have the money for a new outfit, anyway.
    She looked at her watch, although she couldn’t possibly read it in the darkness.
    â€œIs that a hint you want to get back to the house?”
    â€œYes,” she said.
    Her honesty seemed to amuse him. “That’s what I thought.” Without argument, he started the engine and put the truck in reverse.
    The minute they turned onto her street, Jason and Jill came vaulting out the front door. Dianne guessed they’d both been staring out the upstairs window, eagerly awaiting her return.
    She was wrong. It was Steve they were eager to see.
    â€œHey, what took you so long?” Jason demanded as Steve climbed out of the truck.
    â€œGrandma’s got the apple pie all dished up. Are you ready?” Jill hugged Steve’s arm, gazing anxiously up at him.
    Dianne watched the unfolding scene with dismay. Steve walked into her house with one arm around Jason and Jill clinging to the other.
    It was as if she were invisible. Neither of her children had said a single word to