My Charming Valentine Read Online Free Page B

items would all tell the story of the love his wife had for her family.
Beneath the tray, stories of a different nature were told. The bottom of the
trunk contained what Patrick considered his toys; paddles, fur lined cuffs, and
several other implements, which were brought out from their hiding place to
make their stories come to life.
    He
tapped the small box in her hand. “On with the game.”
    Opening the box, she discovered another
charm, this one a small trunk that actually opened. Dangling against it was a
tiny bowl and spoon. She looked up and then burst into laughter. “Oh my God,
I’d forgotten.”
    Patrick took the charm and attached it to
her bracelet. “Even though buying the trunk meant we had to eat Ramen noodles
for a month, I’d gladly do the same thing all over again. I loved you that day
and, Phoebe, I love you more every passing year.”
    Once the charm was securely attached, he
handed her the envelope. She gave him a bright smile before opening it and
removing the next clue.
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    On
a ship we sailed away, leaving behind Galveston Bay. Food was plenty, the
choices sweet until we decided to sample this treat. Together we stood, daring
to be brave – only to discover our error was grave.
    Phoebe swore she could feel the floor
beneath her feet undulate like the deck of the cruise ship. She’d been so
excited when he booked the trip for their tenth anniversary and explained that
the kids would be staying with their grandparents. It was a great plan, except
they both seemed to have forgotten she’d suffered motion sickness during her
childhood. She shuddered, remembering how she’d turned green that first night
when they sat down to eat. Leaving Pat to dine with their tablemates, she’d
taken the advice of their waiter as well as the huge bowl of saltine crackers
he provided back to their cabin. Those, along with the medication Patrick
brought her, had settled her stomach.
    “I’d think you were referring to saltines
except for the fact the clue refers to the two of us.” Seeing his grin, she
tucked the card away, dropped it into her basket and nodded. “I already know
where to go,” she said with a grin of her own. “Sorry, honey, no penalty for
you to accept payment on.”
    Patrick took her hand and then picked up
the antique hairbrush. “Don’t be so sure,” he quipped as he led her to the
counter. “Grant might feel guilty buying such an item for Lainie, but I think
this would be a perfect addition to our trunk.”
    Though she felt her face heat as Quincy
rang up the sale, Phoebe felt her stomach flutter and her loins moisten just
imagining how the broad back of the brush would feel landing against her nether
cheeks. Patrick tucked the brush into the basket, giving her backside a gentle
pat.
    Grant wished them a good hunt as he
waited for Quincy to gift wrap his selection. He’d chosen a pair of earrings
and a matching necklace, with Quincy assuring him that he’d see Lainie’s eyes
light up as much as Phoebe’s were currently doing.
    “I’m surprised we ever got up the courage
to ever try it again,” Patrick said, as they walked to their next destination.
“I remember standing there watching you try to decide if it would be okay to
spit it out onto the deck.”
    “I only swallowed because you did.”
Phoebe’s blush returned as he reached out to stroke his finger across her lips.
    “You do that so well,” he said, bending
down to kiss her lightly. “Swallow, I mean.”
    Any thoughts of the awful ‘treat’ were
replaced by the memories of being on her knees before this man, taking him
inside her mouth and bringing him pleasure. Forcing herself to remember they
were out in public, she looked up at him. “How many more clues are there?”
    “In a hurry to end the game?” he asked,
putting his arm around her and drawing her closer. “Anticipation is also a
game.”
    Growling a bit, she pulled back and
quickened her pace, though he easily kept up with