Blissful Valentine: A Novella by Amy L. Gale Read Free Book Online

Maverick?”
    I slide my hand out of my pocket and interlock my arm with his. “Not if you expect me to answer.”
    “I never know what to expect with you.” He steps forward and pulls open the heavy glass door.
    Bet he won’t expect this. I charge forward toward the snack bar as Dean hands our tickets to the usher. Hate to break it to him, but I’m not one of those girls that pretend they don’t eat. I require more than alcohol.
    He places the ticket stubs on the snack counter. “Let’s get something that’ll hold us over until we get to Gerardo’s.”
    “Read my mind.” I reach into my purse and pull out my wallet, setting it in front of me on the snack counter. “You got the movie, snacks are on me.”
    He puts his hand over mine and the wallet. “No way, it’s a rule. You must treat the woman who slays the physics gods to a celebration of her choice.”
    A surge of tingles flows through my body when our skin makes contact. He slowly moves his hand away from mine, rubbing his thumb over mine. He gently pulls away. My heart stammers and my breathing becomes heavy. I hold up my wallet, trying to steady my trembling hand and drop it back into my purse. “Where is this list of rules?”
    He holds up his hands. “Secrets of the Brotherhood. I swore an oath.”
    I shake my head. An oath? Yeah, I vaguely remember the code of honor from my first, and last, frat party. I think it involved ecstasy, spilled drinks, and a ton of colored liquids.
    “What can I get for you?” A tall, lanky teenage boy with thick glasses steps up to the cash register. Now this is how I imagined my physics tutor to look.
    I glance at his nametag. “Hey Flynn. I’ll have a large popcorn, large soda, chocolate covered peanuts, gummy bears, and M&M’s.”
    Dean jerks his head back and lowers his eyebrows.
    I shrug. “It’s a double feature.”
    His lips upturn to a smile. “I’ll have a large soda. Maybe she’ll share with me.”
    Flynn looks me up and down. “I’d share with her anytime.”
    “She’s one of a kind.” Dean leans in closer and tucks a few stray strands of hair behind my ear. “Brooke Powers, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
    My face flushes. “Dean…” I crinkle my forehead and tilt my head. “I don’t even know your last name.”
    He smirks. “Hmm, you spent the night with me and don’t even know my last name. Maybe you should join the fraternity.”
    Heat spreads across my face like wildfire. “My memory’s a little impaired. Maybe because I was drugged. ”
    “Bad joke.” He grabs the popcorn and candy. “It’s Parker.”
    I take our drinks and walk alongside him to theatre 3. The worn red carpet leads to an overabundance of empty seats. Are we early?
    Dean looks from side to side. “Hope we can get a seat.”
    I chuckle . “Tenth row center is the best seat in the house.”
    “Really?” He walks forward and stops at row ten, holding onto our snacks for dear life.
    “Yep, got the perfect distance from all sides.”
    “I’ll take your word for it.” He eases in, spilling a few kernels of popcorn on his way to the middle of the row.
    I slide into the seat next to him and place his soda in the cup holder attached to the arm rest. “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”
    “Nice.” He hands me the array of candy I ordered and sets the popcorn between us.
    “Wanna share?” I rip open my box of chocolate covered peanuts and hold it out to Dean.
    The lights dim, casting a golden glow around the empty theater, and illuminating Dean’s face. I stare, mesmerized by his chiseled jaw and perfectly smooth skin. He shakes his head and leans in closer. My nerve endings stir, causing a series of tingles to travel from the tips of my fingers to my toes.
    He tips my chin toward him and gazes into my eyes. “You’re the one thing I’m not willing to share.”

    I squint as we walk through the door and emerge from the dark theater. Never thought I’d get the chance to see