Belle and Valentine

Belle and Valentine by Tressie Lockwood Page A

Book: Belle and Valentine by Tressie Lockwood Read Free Book Online
Authors: Tressie Lockwood
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beginnings, as if it somehow made her better or more important to live in the city. That just wasn’t true. Good and bad people lived all over, and the city no longer held its appeal. What she wanted—well, she wasn’t sure what she wanted, whether it was to stay in Aves or to move away again. What she decided was to take one day at a time and enjoy the present to its fullest.
    “Anyway,” Dixie said, seeming a little nervous at Zuria’s warning, “I figure you use protection, and after tonight, he’ll be back with me.”
    Protection. Oh hell! Zuria schooled her face, remembering she and Fane hadn’t used protection last night nor that morning before coming to work. Neither of them had even thought of it. She had gone off the pill when Richard stopped touching her because she hated the side effects. With a suppressed moan, she recalled several instances when Fane had come inside her, not even trying to stem his release.
    “Whatever, Dixie Ann,” Zuria said, covering her alarm. “You do you and leave me alone.”
    Dixie made a rude noise and flounced out of the coffee shop. Zuria waited on the first floor until Fane stepped from the office. He walked around the counter to where she stood and dragged her into his arms. The kiss he settled on her lips made her head spin and her breath catch in her chest. She forced heavy lids open when he raised his head.
    “So, I’ll see you later?” he said.
    She hesitated. “What do you have going on?”
    He seemed just as reticent to tell her, which raised her red flags. Then she recalled him telling her she needed to trust him. Would Fane admit to sleeping with other women if he wasn’t done with her, knowing she’d drop him in a heartbeat?
    “Taking care of something,” he said in the end. “I won’t be too late.”
    She pursed her lips. “Why don’t I call you if I’m available? I was thinking of looking into going back to school. The evening is the best time to do some Internet research.”
    His eyes widened, and he smiled. “That’s a great idea. School’s not my thing, so I won’t be joining you. Probably shouldn’t ask for help with homework.”
    “Don’t worry. I wasn’t planning on it,” she snarked, and he swatted her ass. She freed herself from his embrace and put distance between them. Fane didn’t pursue her as she strode toward the stockroom.
    “Hey,” he called out, and she stopped and glanced back at him. “We weren’t careful. When I pick you up, we’ll talk.”
    She blinked at him. First of all, he had said “when”, and second, he wanted to discuss their mistake of not using a condom. His tone hadn’t been accusing. In fact, she could read nothing at all into the words. As she stood there trying to think of a response, he winked, spun away, and disappeared through the door, the bell over it jingling merrily. Another few minutes passed before she roused herself and prepared to head up to Sam’s apartment.

Chapter Five
    The hour grew late, and Zuria found herself looking at the clock for the umpteenth time. Eleven thirty, and still Fane hadn’t called. She hated herself for even giving that bastard a chance. She should have known better, and why the hell was she waiting up for him? Even if he showed now, she wouldn’t answer the door. He could stand out on the street until the sun rose for all she cared.
    Unable to sleep, she headed out of her bedroom intent on making a hot cup of tea with something stronger in it. Alcohol would knock her out. Maybe she wouldn’t even hear Fane if he stopped by or called. Serve him right.
    She paused in the living room and frowned. Sam hadn’t come upstairs from his office. She knew he hadn’t gone out because if there was anyone unsociable, it was her brother. The man had to get up before the crack of dawn. She’d better see what kept him.
    When Zuria made it to the ground floor, the lights in the shop were out, and as far as she could tell, the front door was locked tight. That left his

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