Frozen Valentine Read online

  “Blake, you don’t have to worry about your parents showing up or messing with you, if you don’t want them to,” he says firmly.

  “I don’t want to see them,” I say, speaking the truth.

  “Then you won’t but, Snowflake, can you tell me why? I saw the dozens of missed calls from both your parents and another number,” he says with no shame in his voice to the fact he went into my phone. “By the way, you should definitely put a password on your phone.” Theo grins.

  Ugh. Great.

  “They’re upset and demanding I come home. I’m sure now they will also say I’ve embarrassed them because I missed a dinner where they wanted to set me up with a man I don’t know. I continuously try to find a way out of their plans for me but nothing works. They simply are trying to live through me on every aspect they can by controlling everything I do. If it weren’t for my account that I use under Christian’s name, I’d have nothing they didn’t control. Most of my money from the firm I work in goes to an account they monitor. If I spend more than they think I should within a month’s time I’m getting lectured on the value of a dollar and that I don’t need things,” I blather.

  “No more, Blake. They won’t have any say anymore, am I understood?” Theo growls, his hands firm in their touch but he doesn’t hurt me when he jerks my face closer to his. “You are mine and I’ll be making sure they’ll be doing nothing to put a look of misery on your face like you have now.”

  Um.

  Wow.

  What he just said is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.

  Closing my eyes, I nod in response.

  Because of this man, I could very well be breathing easy for the first time in my life. I don’t know whether to cry out in joy or sob like a baby for allowing my parents to control me for so long.

  Theo presses his lips to mine and captures my mouth in a kiss that seals my fate to him. I don’t know why but he’s captured my heart without me realizing it was happening.

  Chapter Nine

  Theo

  Pulling back from the kiss, I want nothing more than to lay Blake down on the couch and sink into her heated sheath. Having her in my lap is pure torture but fuck me if I don’t enjoy her being there.

  “I need to make a phone call and get an update on some things,” I say, releasing my hands from her face and place them back on her hips. I would prefer to be doing a lot of different things with her.

  However, in order to make sure I can keep doing those things, I need to speak with Leo and Christian to see if I can’t find out if everything’s good to go. I also need to find out what the weather’s planning on doing. If it’s going to continue to snow like this, I need to make sure the generator is good to go in case we lose power and I need to bring in more firewood for the fireplace. With it still coming down out there we won’t be going anywhere. All the same, I need to make my way out there to my vehicle and see if I can’t pull it out of the ditch.

  Maybe I can use one of the ATVs in the shed out back to help pull it out. If so, then I could get Blake to ride down there with me. She could sit in the driver’s seat and I can pull it up here to the house with her steering it in the direction I need it to go.

  “Okay.” Blake nods and goes to slide off my lap. I tighten my grip on her waist and keep her in my lap.

  “Said I gotta make a phone call didn’t say you had to get up from where you are,” I grumble, not ready for her to move.

  “But, I can’t sit like this while you make your calls. I need to get a few things done and I wanted to check the weather on my phone,” she protests with a cute pout.

  “What do you need to do?” I ask, lifting my brow in question.

  “I want to get the kitchen cleaned up and start dinner so it has time to simmer. And then I want to see about enjoying more of the book I started. It’s really good,” she says while counting each thing on her fingers.

  When she goes to count off the third thing, I lean in and stop her with my mouth on hers. I make it quick and brief but it’s enough to make her be quiet.

  “This is what you’re gonna do, Snowflake. You can sit next to me. I’ll make my calls while you check the weather on your phone. After, I’ll help you clean up the mess in the kitchen then while you enjoy your book for a little bit, I’ll check some things out. Once I finish that, I intend to come back in here and have my wicked way with you in front of the fireplace, while I warm back up from being out in the cold,” I inform Blake of our plans for the next bit.

  My beautiful Snowflake’s eyes alight with lust and her lips part slightly at the mention of me taking her in front of the fireplace.

  Yeah, baby, soon enough I’ll take you again.

  I’d take her right now; however, I’m trying to give her body a chance to recuperate from me taken her earlier in the bed and tub.

  Fuck if the thought of having my cock inside her doesn’t have me wanting to sink into her tight pussy right here and now. She’s going to be the death of me at this point. As of this morning, the thought of me being older than her went out the window. Right along with the thought of her not being mine.

  This woman is mine and I will do whatever it takes to keep her that way. Meaning I’ll kill if need be.

  I settle Blake into my side with my arm wrapped tight around her waist. I reach over on the end table and grab her phone; check to see how many notifications she has since I saw them last. I’m surprised to see only a handful. Handing her the phone, I pull mine out of my pocket and dial Leo’s number.

  Leo answers on the second ring. “About time you called me, cousin,” he grouches. “I figured you’d have called me right after speaking to Christian last night demanding I beat the shit out of him for you.

  “Nope, I’ll leave that for when I see him,” I chuckle.

  “You better leave my brother alone,” Blake grumbles.

  She must have good hearing to have heard Leo say what he did. That or she’s smart and figured out what I’d meant easily.

  “Snowflake.” I grin and kiss the top of her head. All too aware my cousin is on the other end of the line.

  “So you and Blake now, huh?” Leo says more in question than a statement.

  “Yes, she’s mine and I’ll be bringing her home with me when I’m given the go-ahead and this storm lets up.”

  “Well, how are you going to get home, with your vehicle not at the cabin?” he asks. Guess he’d been tracking the SUV to make sure I didn’t go after the Gheata men like I wanted to.

  “I’m going to go down and check on it in just a little bit. The snow here is still coming down and I don’t know when it’ll stop. I need to see about getting it out of the ditch I slid into last night,” I say, informing him of what I’d done.

  “How the hell did you do that shit? Weren’t you careful in the curves?” he snaps.

  “Yeah, I’d been driving slow the entire damn way. When I tapped the brake to slow even more due to a deer running across the road, I hit a patch of ice. It’d been too dark out to try and get it out myself.” Now I feel like a fool because it’s most likely buried in the snow right about now.

  “Good thing Christian and I decided to follow your ass out this way then,” Leo says, shocking the shit out of me.

  “What the fuck? Why would you do that?” I demand.

  “Because after you left, we got word the Gheatas were coming for you and knew where this cabin is. Now be ready for company within the hour,” Leo grunts, then hangs up on me.

  Well, fuck me.

  There goes the chance to have Blake in front of the fireplace.

  “You okay?” she asks quietly as I pull the phone from my ear.

  “I’m good, Snowflake,” I say, squeezing her to me. “What’s the weather looking like?”

  “Looks like we are in for a lot more snow to come. Seems they’ve put a warning out for temps to be below zero tonight and to stay off the roads due to them being frozen over,” she murmurs, showing me her phone screen.

  Shit.


  “I need to go get stuff ready then for the evening. We’re gonna have company in about an hour but with this weather, I’m thinking we have more along the lines of two. So before I do anything else, I think I need to get my fill of you in. I love hearing my name slip from your lips and with company here, I won’t get to hear it later,” I say, lifting her phone from her fingers and tossing it onto the coffee table.

  Then I stand pulling her with me. I grab the blanket off the back of the couch. I let go of her hand long enough to lay the blanket down then I proceed to do as I said I wanted to do. Make her scream my name right in front of the fireplace.

  Chapter Ten

  Blake

  Dressed and staring out the kitchen window of the cabin, I watch Theo as he gathers firewood from out next to the shed. My body is still humming from his touch when he took me in front of the fireplace.

  I loved every minute of his mouth on me. And oh, do I want his mouth on me again. At first, I’d been wary of it because I’d only read about it but when his tongue flicked against my nub and slid between my slit, I’d flown straight into heaven. I wanted more of it.

  Crazy part of it all is today’s Valentine’s Day.

  I completely forgot about it until I looked at my phone. I ignored the missed calls and text messages. I didn’t need to see what those said. No, I’d seen the date at the top of my screen and thought it ironic I’d meet a man like Theo and the two of us have sex on Valentine’s Day.

  Silly as it may be but crazier things happen, right?

  He’s made me his and I like the fact he’s done so.

  Today is meant to be about couples and here we are spending time together, the two of us in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Mountains surround us on either side with us being at the bottom of one. The air outside is freezing cold and I’m more than ready to have him back in so I can warm him up. Unfortunately, we have company coming and I need to get dinner started. I have all the fixings for chili and I’m starving.

  Turning from the window, I grab a thing of guacamole and chips. I’ll munch on these while I prep everything to go in the pot and brown the hamburger.

  Blue barks excitedly outside and I look out to see what’s going on. My heart skips a beat at the sight of Theo throwing a stick for her and she runs after it. Could the man be any more perfect?

  God, is it too soon to think such a thing?

  He’s a beautiful man and yet I honestly don’t know anything about him. He’s still a stranger to me in a lot of ways. Doesn’t matter if I know his body. But regardless, I trust him.

  Why? I’m not sure. Something about the way he looks at me tells me I can trust him with my life.

  Theo throws the stick for Blue a few more times, my hearts beating rapidly against my chest at the sight. I watch as he picks up the sack he used to lug all the split wood and turns to come up to the cabin. I finally lose sight of him when he gets to the door and opens it.

  Shaking my head, I go back to prepping everything and not burn the hamburger meat. I’m not trying to poison him. That would be bad.

  As I stir the meat in the pan, I grab a chip and scoop up some of the guacamole. I bring it to my mouth just as a set of chilled arms wrap around me.

  “You’re cold,” I mutter, shivering at the coldness that seeps into my body from his.

  “I know. I need you to warm me up, bella,” he chuckles.

  “More like you need some cocoa and to sit in front of the fire. I swear you feel like you’re ice right about now.” I giggle when his scruff touches my neck.

  “I’m good on the cocoa, Snowflake. Wanna make some coffee, I’m all for that shit but I don’t do sweets,” he murmurs against my ear before nipping the tip of it.

  I let out a squeal and turn in his arms having dropped the chip in my hand on the counter. “You could have told me that last night. Why did you drink the cocoa then, huh?”

  “Drank it ‘cause I didn’t wanna hurt your feelings since you made it for me,” he says, causing my belly to flutter with the thoughtfulness of his words.

  I open my mouth to respond; however, Blue barks interrupting the moment between the two of us.

  Glancing in her direction, I find her in a protective stance at the front door. The hair at her scruff raised.

  “What in the world?” I whisper.

  “Stay right here, Snowflake, let me check it out,” Theo states, giving my sides a squeeze.

  Nodding, I’m unable to do anything else at this moment. I’m frozen in place wondering what Blue would be barking at.

  Theo peers out the window and immediately his shoulders lose the tension in them. Giving Blue a command, he opens the door and I’m met with the voice of my brother.

  “Fuckin’ cold as shit out here,” Christian grumbles. He’s never been one for the cold weather.

  I usually hate it as well but today I don’t think that way. I’ve enjoyed what being couped up when it is snowing outside entails. Especially when you have a man like Theo with you.

  “Don’t be a pussy, Christian.” Theo grins as my brother and the other man who looks similar to Theo steps in.

  “Fuck you,” Christian chuckles, his eyes roaming the room until they land on me. “Baby girl,” he murmurs, holding his arms out ready for me to embrace him.

  I’d love nothing more than to do so but I’m still mad at him. Staying in my spot, I cross my arms over my chest and cock my hip out while giving him a look of disdain.

  “What, you don’t want to hug me?” he jokes, putting his arms down.

  “Not when I’m really mad at you, you jerk. You played me,” I snap and decide to turn away from him with a huff and go back to fixing food.

  “Didn’t play you, baby girl. Did what I needed to do to make sure you stayed safe,” Christian says defending himself.

  “Is that what you call it? Lying to me, making me think I’d done something for myself to get away from them? No, Christian, that’s you playing me,” I state without looking back at him. I didn’t want him to see the tears welling in my eyes.

  A set of arms I’m becoming used to, wrap around my shoulders and I’m turned to face his chest. Theo lifts a hand to grasp my chin and guide my head back enough for me to meet his gaze. “Don’t be mad, Snowflake. Just think of it this way, if he didn’t send you here, I wouldn’t be here and you wouldn’t be mine,” he growls and leans down to press a kiss to my forehead.

  “Doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt to know my brother would lie to me in order to get me here. I would have come here if he’d told me his friends were giving me permission to stay here for a little while. If it meant getting away from my parents, I’d have snapped up the chance in a heartbeat.”

  “Baby girl, think about it. I tried to get you to take my offer. You wouldn’t take it. I wanted you to come live with me, but you said you didn’t want to intrude. Said you needed to get out your own way. Well, I made you think you were paying for this place but you didn’t. I sent Theo here because he needed to be here. Seems to have worked out from where I’m standing,” Christian says, and I want to turn and slug him in the chest for the gloating tone in his voice.

  “Doesn’t make it right you’ve lied to me for years. I feel like a fool. You made me think you were in the military—all this time. I should have known better. God, I’m an idiot,” I mutter, shaking my head.

  “You’re not an idiot, Blake. You’re a dreamer and you haven’t been allowed to dream in a very long time. Now you get to do that,” Christian declares.

  At this, I do turn in Theo’s arms and look to my brother. Is he serious right now? Does he really think I’m simply only a dreamer and want to live in my own head all the time?

  I don’t. I want to live in a world where I can be myself is all. Where no one will control what I want to do. If I want to sit and write an entire book and get it ready to publish, they won’t stop me by saying I’m being stupid. I want to be who I am and no one else.

  “Snowflake, I think what your brother
means is, now you’re with me which gives you the chance to spread your wings and be who you want,” Theo says softly against the shell of my ear.

  Nodding, I relax into him.

  “Now that that’s settled, let’s discuss how the hell we’re gonna get your SUV out of the snow covering it,” the other guy says with a commanding tone of voice.

  “Blake, this is Leo De Luca. He’s not only my cousin but he’s the head of the family,” Theo says.

  Head of the family?

  What does that mean?

  “He’s our boss per se,” Christian says.

  “You can say that. Or you can tell her the truth. Blake, I’m the Don, in other words, without realizing it, you’ve been living in our world and are now about to have your eyes widened to what’s really going on,” Leo De Luca announces.

  “Um, okay, what does Don mean? And um, what do you mean our world?” I ask apprehensively.

  “The crime world. Your parents are trying to align themselves with one of the Romanian families and are trying to use you in doing so. Now I assume you are with Theo.” I nod in confirmation as I glance up from Leo to tilt my head back in order to look at Theo to find him staring at me. “Then that means you are one of ours. You already had our protection due to being Christian’s sister, but even more so with you being with a De Luca. Welcome to the family,” Leo says.

  My mind feels as if it were going to explode from all of the information I’m being handed.

  Crime World.

  Christian is a part of this life.

  Leo just stated I’ve been in this world without realizing it.

  My own parents are trying to use me in aligning themselves with another family.

  Oh boy.

  I close my eyes and lift my hands up to both sides of my head and grasp my hair while I take all of this in.

  “I think we need to give Blake a moment alone,” Christian mutters, having seen me on the verge of a break down on several occasions.

  “Why don’t you two go see about getting the ATVs out of the shed?” Theo suggests. “I’ll be out there in just a moment.