Read Online Bear Valley Valentine: Valentine's Day Paranormal Romance by T. S. Joyce - Free Book Online

let me grab my purse, and I’m ready.”
    She flitted off to the back room and checked her reflection in the mirror. Long, wavy, dark hair, brown eyes that looked a little intimidated, and rosy cheeks that said she’d probably be blushing all night under Colin’s attention. She brushed on her favorite lip-gloss, just a shade darker than her bright pink sweater dress, then smoothed the wrinkled fabric as she rolled her sleeves back down.
    Why was she so nervous all of the sudden? Maybe it was because she’d over-thought the sexy events that had unfolded last night. Or perhaps it was because Colin was still such a mystery to her while she felt like an open book. Or maybe it was his eyes, such a strange color as he drank in her appearance just a minute ago.
    Exhaling a gust of wind as she shouldered her purse, she straightened her spine and made her way out to the main room.
    Colin stood on the other side of the counter, his hands placed gingerly around a wooden box the size of the one the cupcakes had come in.
    “What’s that?” she asked, a slow smile creeping across her face.
    “A present.” He lowered his chin, like he was feeling the same nerves as she.
    “You’re spoiling me, Cross. How will you ever outdo yourself for any other Valentine’s Day if you keep giving me gifts like this?”
    He slid the box toward her, seemingly undeterred. “Open it.”
    This one was tied with the same type of twine as her knife had been wrapped with, and she untied it carefully. Sliding the wooden lid, she uncovered twelve perfectly square dividers. And in each slot was a bulb.
    “Tulips,” she whispered, running her finger across one. She bit her lip hard as she remembered their conversation last night about her mother. “Are they orange?”
    “Yes,” he murmured, searching her eyes. “Don’t cry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I only thought you could plant them in your yard, like you and your mom used to.”
    She blinked back overwhelming emotion and strode around the counter, only to launch herself into his arms as soon as she was close enough. “They’re happy tears. You’ve been pulling them from me all day. I can’t wait to plant them in my front flower bed. I can’t wait to watch them grow.”
    “Shhh,” he crooned, rubbing her back in a soft, circular motion. “I didn’t mean to ruin our night.”
    “You ridiculous man. Do you not hear what I’m saying?” Hadley eased back and cupped his face, then stroked the scar on his cheek with the pad of her thumb. “You did good.”
    He thumbed her tears away as an uncertain smile stretched across his lips. “You still want to go to dinner with me?”
    In answer, she leaned up on her tiptoes, shyness forgotten, and kissed him until her head spun. He rocked his weight and eased her more firmly against his chest, then splayed his legs and leaned back against the counter. Gently massaging the back of her head, he brushed his tongue against hers. A needy noise filled her throat as his hand found its way to the small of her back, arching her against his erection, hard and ready beneath the fly of his jeans.
    “Woman,” he gritted out against her lips.
    “Hmm?” she asked, nibbling at him.
    “We’re already going to be late, and if you don’t stop rubbing against me, I’m going to take you into the back room and we’ll miss our reservation completely.”
    She narrowed her eyes at the clock on the wall. I bet they’ll hold our table for a few minutes if we call and ask them to. Besides, if you want your Valentine’s Day gift, it’s hidden under my dress.”
    Colin’s eyes went wide, then dropped to her chest. “I’ll call. You lock the front door.”
    With an excited squeal, she snatched her keys and bolted for the door as Colin made the call. Hadley flipped off the lights, lest a late customer think they were still open for business and come knocking, then pulled Colin to the back room.
    “We only have fifteen minutes to get there,” he said low,