The Valentine Booth

Emma’s POV 

February 7th.

The sharp, searing pain in my head was the first thing I noticed as I stirred awake. The second? I’m not alone.

‘Oh my God!’

I bolted upright, clutching the duvet to my chest as my gaze darted to the broad frame sprawled beside me. The stranger's face dug into the soft mattress as he snored away, unbothered by my panic. The sheet barely covered his lower half, leaving little to the imagination.

‘This can’t be happening.’

Last night was my freaking wedding eve! I stiffened a cry as I remembered my mess.

Wine. Valentine’s booth. Sex with a stranger!

Twenty missed called from my fiancé, Eric, and Aunty Hannah glared at me on my phone's screen.

As I stood up, my eyes fell on the dark red stain marring the pristine white sheet. Blood.

‘No, no, no…’

I didn't bother to wake him and add to my embarrassment. All I needed to do was go home, wear my dream wedding dress, and run to the altar.

I scrambled out of bed, hands trembling as I searched for my clothes. They were scattered across the room like remnants of a storm. A storm I clearly unleashed.

Bolting for the door, I froze in place, staring right at my groom in his wedding suit and holding a bouquet. 

Eric…

“Darling,”

Aunt Hannah’s croaked voice, coupled with her rough hand clamped on my shoulder, snapped me off my mind. 

“You can't be doing this again.” She sighed softly. “It's been two years already.” 

I sniffled and looked away, batting my lids nonstop to hide my tears. Today was supposed to be my second year wedding anniversary. “I messed up.”

“It was a mistake, hun.” She squeezed my arm. “Eric is the jerk for doting your bestie.” 

I scoffed. “Maybe he's trying to get at me.” I shrugged. “He deserves to be happy.”

“So do you.” She tapped my chin. “What you have to worry about is impressing Lady Madison. If she likes your cake, which I'm certain she would,” she snapped her fingers. “You’re rich.” 

I smiled and watched her walk around the kitchen table. She swiped a portion of the sweet mix in the bowl. “You know she can be quite picky.”

Madison was her old friend, we've only met thrice when she visited for tea. A billionaire single mother to the town’s hottest bachelor, she had a handful of proposals. 

The last time she visited, and yapped about her son returning for Valentine's after long months away from home, Hannah was sure to persuade her to celebrate him with my bestselling cake, fruity slice. 

“Hmm,” Hannah shook her head and licked her fingertip. “What flavor are you making?” 

“Bourbon and Pecan.” I sprinkled a blend of the nuts and slipped it in the oven. “I hope she likes it.”

“Oh, she will." She licked her finger again. "That reminds me.” She swiftly closed the distance. 

Whenever she did that, it was to gossip or matchmake me to her newest catch. 

“Lucas is coming to town.” She whispered. “In a week.” 

Not again! 

“Wow.” I faked a smile and brushed my messy table surface. 

“Just wow?” She groaned. “What do you think of a date…”

“No, Auntie.” I spun. “It's gonna end like the others anyway.”

“Away from town for a while, not aware of your scandal. He's a perfect match!” 

I chuckled. “They always find out, Auntie. The bride who cheated on her wedding eve…”

“Blah. Blah. Blah.” She took my hand. “Lady Madison has no time for rumors and Lucas is her son. Viola.” She smiled broadly. 

Exhausted from her nonstop matchmaking, hunched. “I need to start the icing.” 

“What you need is a good Johnson cleaning you up.” 

“Oh, god.” I covered my face in my palms and giggled. 

"It gets rusty when not greased, dear." She laughed and started to walk away. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Finally having time alone, I finished baking. The salted caramel icing took a while to get done as I was a bit anxious.

“Good to go. Wish me luck.”

Hannah turned on the couch. Her eagle eyes ran down my frame. 

I was a mess. Not entirely, just a bit of flour dusted in good places. I yanked the spot clean. 

“Not in this dress,” she stood up. “You should look good, especially since she'd tip a word to Lucas…”

“Love you!” I dashed out, escaping her lifetime sermon. 

Carefully placing the small brown box with a transparent lid in the bike’s carriage, I hopped on it and cycled away. 

3 PM. Madison’s Square. 

I rehearsed the text she sent. She was a sucker for promptness and luckily, I had time on my hand. 

Sleek, modern glass tower with steel beams, and panoramic Manhattan views from lofty, polished floors, Madison’s Square majestically stood in the heart of New York City. 

“Hi, I'm here for Lady Madison.” I smiled at the receptionist. 

“Do you have an appointment?” Showing her the text, she smiled back. “Tenth floor, it's the only office in the complex.” 

Nodding a thanks, I walked around in confusion until I found the elevator. Punching the button, the door opened and I walked in. 

“Hmm,” I shut my eyes and took a long breath, fighting anxiety. 

The door binged.

I snapped my eyes open and my breath caught in my throat. 

Tall and drop-dead gorgeous in the most casual faded pants and sleeveless polo, the angel in a man’s form, walked in, flaunting his powerful limps with each stride. 

I swallowed dryly, inhaling the rich scent of his cologne and drowning in his essence. Pinning me to the wall, his captivating amber eyes held me. 

‘Dear God.’ 

He sauntered in and stood beside me. Swallowing dryly, I felt his eyes feast on me. 

“Hey,” cool and charming, his sultry base brought goosebumps to my skin. 

“Hi,” I stuttered, feeling like a wild teenager.

“Touch of nature.” His eyes crinkled at the corners when his gaze fell on my bosom. 

Beneath the fabric, I felt my hardened nipples push hard for freedom. 

“You look gorgeous.” He teased me. 

Reddened with a blush, I suppressed a smile. "Do you say that to every lady in an elevator?" 

"Hmm," he angled to face me. "Only the cute ones with a baker's logo." 

Unable to suppress it, I chuckled. “And you're in luck.” I looked at the white stash of flour. “It's a good luck charm.” 

“Then, permit me to miss my way again.” He grinned.  

In a bid to act cute, I permed my messy hair, hoping to match up his sexiness. Oddly, he started laughing. My eyelids batted in confusion.

"You've got pecks of good luck all over." He kept his charming smile while staring at the spot I had laid. "Can I?"

My throat swelled.

Not getting a rejection, he leaned closer. The space was suddenly too tight. Perhaps it was his huge frame brooding over me, or my overwhelmed heart about to burst. 

His firm arm was an inch from my skin, as he carefully brushed flour off my hair and tucked it behind my ear.

My toes shamelessly curled. I guess Aunt Hannah was right… I needed a good Johnson. 

"I didn't get your name." His mint-scented breath heated my skin.

"And I didn't say it." I toyed with his ego. "Simply ask and..."

Binge!

The door opened on the eighth floor, causing the elevator to lurch. I tipped to the side, accidentally dropping my box. 

“Whoa,” 

He wrapped me in his firm grip, pulling me in his bosom. Time stood still! 

Never in a million years have I felt this way in the arms of a man. With Eric, it was more of duty. But with him, it was magical. 

Saving the baker, the box crashed, ruining my hard labor. I settled in a hip, just staring at the mess with zero idea of what to do. 

2: 50 PM! 

There was no chance in hell that I’d fix a perfect sample and cycle down her like a lunatic. 

“Damn. I feel terrible.” He reached down and tried to help me. Instead, he held the box upside down and worsened my mishap. 

“It's not your fault,” I mumbled. “I guess I'm a bit too clumsy.” 

The spicy scent of his cologne wafted in my nostrils, weirdly soothing my nerves. 

‘Focus!’ I snarled at my mind. 

His alluring eyes watched me like a predator. Oddly, there was fascination beneath his amber flames… mystery, warmth, lust?…

Feeling the heat radiate when his soft smooth palm caressed mine, I jerked. What's more embarrassing was how easily his charms swayed me. Only now did I realize that he was speaking. 

“... a way to fix this?” 

“I'm fine.” I waved him off. “You can worry about work instead.” 

He hesitated for a while before walking away, each step bore reluctance and guilt. 

The caramel cream had squashed and rubbed around the box. My heart sank. Lady Madison was perfection herself. Sobbing silently for a minute, and hoping she wouldn't trash it in my face, I continued my journey to the last floor. 

Somehow, the fine blend of pine and spice still lingered as I strolled down the hallway. Maybe the grace of the walking angel was my reward for a bad day. 

A small blush rubbed my cheeks. 

“Emma?” Lady Madison called after my knocking. Her staff must have tipped her. 

“Ye-yeah.” I stuttered. 

The automatic door opened and I walked in. My knees were suddenly wobbly. 

Spotless grey hair neatly styled in a bun and a perfect figure snatched in a clingy suit, Lady Madison stood beside her armchair that faced the white sparkling wall. 

“Hi,” flashing an obviously fake smile, I held back a cry. “I tried to be more punctual.”

“Never mind.” She waved it off and walked around to meet me. “How’s Hannah?” 

“Uh… Fine.” My smile was breaking. “The thing is… Uh…”

“Are you okay?”  

I nodded frantically, eager to set the box down and disappear into thin air. 

“Emma, dear.” She motioned. “Come with me.” 

I shielded the lid with my arm and hastily dropped it on the table. Heaving a temporal sigh of relief, I let her guide me out of her office. 

“Could you please send a few things to Hannah?” She demonstrated. “It's a surprise. Actually, my gift to her for the season. She's been-” 

“Her royal highness. Lady. Mady. Herself.” 

A huge frame appeared just as we were about to take the sharp bend. 

Sexy amber eyes, cupid’s bow lips, and a devilish grin, the charmer stood firm, reigniting feeling I struggled to keep at bay. 

Throwing herself in a big hug, she hummed in his bosom. “How dare you pull this trick on me?” She lightly spanked his cheek. 

“I wanted this big smile.” He pecked her. "I've missed you quite a lot." He nuzzled her hair.

He had to be a good buddy to mess with the hair of the all-perfect Lady Madison.

“I see we have the pretty baker.” He looked past Lady Madison. 

“Oh, I see you both have met.” She pulled away. “Emma, meet Lucas, my son.” 

“Hello, Emma.” 

His lips twitched in a flirty smirk. 

What. The. Heck?!