It wasn't until after Val was home that night, after he'd eaten leftover pizza and watched a movie on a cable science fiction channel that he booted up his home system and started scrolling through his emails again.There it was. Damn it."Forwarded by: Compu-CupidTo: Valentine HolidayHi there. My name is Cora, and according to Compu-Cupid, we're a perfect match. I'd love to meet you and talk, maybe over coffee. Let me know if that's okay with you. (By the way, love the photo. The strategically placed hearts are very cute.)"How the hell was he supposed to answer that? His mother had raised him to be a gentleman, after all. It wasn't the poor woman's fault that he hadn't really signed up for this. And what the hell did she mean about the photo? He'd never posed with strategically placed hearts in his life. Being stuck with the name Valentine was bad enough. He tried not to fuel the jokes any more than necessary.Slowly and carefully, he typed a response."From: Valentine Holid

Val's dark brows furrowed. "Don't you think that's stretching coincidence awfully far? And what exactly is Compu-Cupid, anyway? Had you ever heard of them before this?""No." Cora tried to think back over what little TV she watched. "But honestly, I don't get out much. I'm not very savvy about the singles scene."Val nodded. "I imagine social work is one of those jobs where no matter how much you do, it's never enough."Good grief, a man who actually got it. She nibbled on another chunk of muffin and nodded. "It's endless. And each case just breaks your heart.""I'm sure. So what do you do to unwind between cases, Cora? Pretty name, by the way." He lounged back in the chair, drinking his coffee and eating his scone - utterly non-threatening except for those gorgeous eyes and that killer smile."Between cases? There is no between. Mostly I work, sleep then work some more." Belatedly she registered the second part of his sentence. "Oh - and thanks. It's short for Corazon - ""Spani

Val tossed and turned in bed that night, unable to sleep. All he could think about was Cora. Finally he kicked off the covers, reached down and grabbed his aching cock. What would sex be like with Cora? Her buttoned-up image was a cover - he was sure of that. Underneath the conservative suit was a hot-blooded beauty who would melt for him like the finest chocolate. Her kiss alone had proven it.He stroked his fist up and down his swollen shaft as he remembered that kiss. So hot. So sweet. She'd tasted of tandoori and mango lassi. She'd smelled of curry and woman. Her small hands had gripped his waist while she responded like wildfire, opening her mouth and welcoming him inside.Would her pussy be that hot? He had no doubt of it. She'd be silky, wet and tight as a glove, her muscles clenching down as he thrust into her heat. His cock swelled farther as he imagined her short nails digging into his shoulders while her legs wrapped around his waist. Or maybe he'd take her from behind, hi

Cora decided it was a good day to do her laundry. Tomorrow she'd get started on deep cleaning the condo - that ought to kill a week or so. Maybe she'd even go through the boxes she had stashed at the back of her closet - the ones she hadn't touched since she'd moved in. After that... Well, she really didn't have any plans for after that.What was she going to do with more than two weeks off? Suddenly a trip to the beach was starting to sound pretty damn good.When a first-class airline ticket arrived in the afternoon's mail, temptation ratcheted up another notch. She'd never flown first class before. A brochure with her resort reservations was in the envelope as well, and she practically whimpered at the sight of the luxurious guest cottage. There was a big couch in the sitting room. Maybe she could sleep on that and he could take the bed - if he even wanted to go at all. Surely they wouldn't throw her out if she showed up on her own.She waffled all afternoon while she washed and fold

"Oh hell yes." He bent and kissed her, just as he had the other night, and Cora practically melted in his arms. Then he pulled back and smoothed a lock of hair away from her face. "Though I should probably run out to the store first. I didn't exactly come...prepared."She was touched by his restraint and responsibility. Going up on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. "Let me check. I don't have any, but I think Marla has a big stash in her bathroom. I can replace them later."As she turned to leave, he caught her hand. "Just so we're on the same page - I'm not looking for anything long-term, Cora. Maybe it's a baby-of-the-family thing, but I'm just not ready for commitment yet, and you're the kind of woman who deserves that."What a sweetheart. She shook her head. "My career takes up so much of my time right now. Maybe in a few years I'll be in the market for something permanent, but not right now. We're on the same page, Val. Company and a little fun while it lasts, but no strings a