Page 3 of Dirty Hot Valentine
My eyes narrowed at him. “Assuming that this proposition isn’t weird or creepy at all, if your cousin is that good-looking, why areyougetting him a date? Why can’t he get one on his own?”
“Well…despite his looks, he’s a little rough around the edges. A bitprimalsome might even say. With the motivation you have to offer, he’ll learn to be nice.”
My neglected sex clenched. My cheeks heated some more, if that was even possible.
Handing out the card, he pinned me with a stare that was hard and unyielding, but at the same time he was smiling. I wasn’t sure how he managed it. “So what do you say? Seven-thirty?”
I was about to protest, when Melissa snatched the card from his hand. “Thank you. She’ll consider it.”
“Great. I’ll tell him to put some clothes on then. Unless you prefer him to be more casual.”
Melissa giggled. I was dying in a pool of my own sweat.
He winked. “Enjoy the rest of your shopping, Miss…”
“Gibson. Keera,” Melissa answered for me.I’m going to kill her.“I’m Melissa.”
“Nice to meet you both. Hope to see you at my cousin’s tonight, Miss Gibson.” He nodded once, and just like that he left.
Chapter Three
Keera
I didn’t even look at the card even though Melissa had shoved it inside my purse. It didn’t matter that I was a twenty-five-year-old virgin and desperate for a man’s touch. I was a self-respected high school teacher. I couldn’t accept offers such as these.
No romantic date. No sweeping me off my feet. No happily ever after. Only losing my virginity to a rough guy in exchange for going with him as arm candy to a stranger’s wedding.
It seemed like my date with vodka would start earlier than Valentine’s Day.
Outside my windows, the rain trickled. No surprise here. It was Oregon. I turned on the TV, wishing they would say there would be a blizzard to close the roads on the stupid Valentine’s.
That was evil, I knew. I couldn’t help it. I was a pathetic loser who was staying home alone and getting drunk on Valentine’s Day. I was never going to find someone in time…unless…
What if I just went to meet the guy, told him to take me out on Valentine’s Day in exchange for the wedding date? It still sounded weird, more like coercion, but it was much better than that proposal Kyle no last name had to offer.
If his cousin and I clicked and things evolved, fine. If not, I’d at least have my Valentine’s date—for the first time ever—and my dignity.
I looked at my purse and the card burning a hole in it. Then I checked the address scribbled on the back. Mount Hood?Oh my God. Please tell me he isn’t a savage weirdo who lived in a cabin all by himself.My shoulders slumped, and I flipped the card, dismissing the whole idea. What was I thinking? My eyes fell on the name on the front. Instantly, it stole my attention.
Kyle Beastly.
“Beastly? Could his cousin be…? No. Brandon wasn’t rough around the edges. He certainly didn’t fit the description. But the resemblance between Kyle and Brandon was evident. Perhaps it was another cousin.
The clench between my legs returned. I eyed the card again. It might not be such a bad idea after all. That gene pool was mind blowing. It was worth the sacrifice.
I glanced at the clock. 5:30 p.m. It meant I only had one hour to get ready. Mount Hood was an hour drive from here. Shit.
Quickly, I jumped in the shower and shaved my arms, legs and armpits. I opted for a simple black dress and my prettiest coat. Red. Light make-up, some cashmere lipstick and mascara. I left my hair down. It was dark brown, and I’d never dyed it. To keep it from looking too boring, I took the time to poof it up and give it some volume and some waves before I left my house.
I jumped into my car, escaping the freezing cold and the sudden change of heart. The fact that I was actually doing this...I couldn’t believe it. It was very unlike me.
It took me a few minutes and several deep breaths to finally enter the address into the GPS and start the car.
The road was fine until I hit the treacherous, snow-covered hairpin turns to Mount Hood. Riding the brakes too hard and I would careen down them. My heart pounded. It wasn’t just the dangerous terrain that got my blood pumping.
Gripping the steering wheel, I fought to focus on the narrow path in front of me now that it started to snow. Luckily, the GPS gentleman announced I’d reach my destination in one minute.
The cabin lights flared on the left. Well, it was more than just a cabin. Two stories covered in stone and marble. A patio big enough to have a cozy party just on it. I squinted through the windshield. Was that a hot tub in the corner?
