Valentine's Dates Read Free

her when she came in, not that he expected her yet. He’d be ready though. They wouldn’t go another night without her hearing his apology, and this time he’d tie her to a chair and gag her to keep her still long enough to hear what he had to say. It wouldn’t guarantee Vee would be receptive to any future advances, but it would finally close the door to a past neither of them seemed able to leave behind.
    A gentle breeze blew through the open windows and warm, salt-tinged air filled his nose. He loved living this close to the water, loved the smell of summer mixed with the scent of the sea. His apartment was large, three bedrooms – one set up as a home office, a large combined dining-living area, and, of course, a kitchen bigger than boasted by most suburban houses. When Wade had offered to convert this section of his house for Brent to live in, he hadn’t needed to think twice. Although, recently, Brent was beginning to wonder if perhaps he’d outstayed his welcome.
    It wasn’t like him to question his life, to doubt the choices he’d made. But Vee was the one situation he could never get right. He blew out a stream of air. The woman had him tied in knots so fucking tight he couldn’t think straight. He’d tried to move on, tried to connect with other women, but every time he did he found himself comparing them to Vee, and he couldn’t sustain a relationship for longer than a few weeks. It was a wonder he’d gotten laid at all in the last ten years.
    His phone rang, snapping his head up and his eyes open. Vaulting over the couch, he dashed across the room to where he’d left his iPhone on the kitchen counter. Snatching it up he didn’t bother looking to see who it was.
    “Hello?”
    “She just left.”
    Morgan . Brent breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks.”
    “No worries, mate. She looked tired and he looked smug. God, I wish I could have decked the prick,” Morgan said.
    “You’re not the only one. But I’m glad you didn’t. He’s not worth it.” Brent paused before adding, “Did he pay by cash?”
    Morgan laughed. “No. But he had two cards rejected before the third one accepted the charge.”
    Brent smiled. “I hope you made a big deal out of the cards bouncing.”
    “What do you think?” Morgan chuckled. “Of course I did.”
    “Thanks for keeping me in the loop tonight.”
    “Not a problem. Just tell me you’re going to do something about Vee soon.”
    Brent stilled. “What do you mean?”
    “You know what I’m talking about, Brent. Wade isn’t going to beat the crap out of you if you go after his little sister now. Not like he would have when she was a teenager.”
    Morgan knew? “How?”
    “Jesus, mate. Anyone looking can see it. Although for some reason I think Wade is still completely oblivious.” Morgan’s sigh travelled over the line. “Look, I know something happened years ago. I don’t know details and I don’t want to know, but I do know this. Whatever the fuck you did to screw it up, you didn’t kill Vee’s feelings.”
    Brent laughed, but there was no humour in the sound. “Ah, goes to show what you know. Vee hates me with a passion.”
    “Exactly.”
    “What?”
    “There’s a fine line between love and hate, my friend, and our lovely Valentine is very much in love with you.”
    “Bullshit.”
    “Brent, do you honestly think I’d lie about this? This is Vee we’re talking about. I’d protect her with my life if I had to. She’s like a sister to me and I want her happy. And as much as it pains me to admit, I think you’re what will make her happy. Well after she makes you beg for forgiveness, of course. You deserve to beg, Brent.”
    Brent swallowed hard. “I never meant to hurt her. If it’s any consolation, I think I’ve suffered more than she has over the whole thing.”
    “Not a consolation, but then it’s not me you need to convince, is it?”
    “No.”
    “Look, I gotta go. Good luck winning her over.”
    Morgan hung up before Brent