Tamed by You by Kate Perry Read Free Book Online

kiss on the cheek. "Hey Mom. I was wondering if you'd go over the profile for a new client with me later. Are you coming into the office today?"
    It was the right thing to say, because the lost look gave way to renewed purpose. "Yes."
    "She seems like she'll be hard to match, and I'd like your input."
    Her mom perked up. "I'd love that."
    "Good." Maybe helping her mom re- center wouldn't be so hard after all.
    Venus frowned. "Why is your hair like that?"
    Valentine’s hand flew to her head despite herself. "Like what?"
    "Come here," was all her mother said, but then she strode over to Valentine. She patted the top and then went around the back, undoing the clip and refastening it.
    "Mom, I have a meeting in a few minutes ." She hated that she heard the teenager she used to be in her voice , but she knew it made her mom happy so she endured the fussing .
    "Well, there's not much more I can do." Her mom looked like she was going to say something else, but the pearls caught her attention. Tears filled her eyes as she reached out and touched the necklace. "Your grandmother loved this necklace. It was the first thing she bought for herself when she expanded her matchmaking services into a real business. She said it brought her luck."
    The sadness in her mom's expression melted away her frustration. "I know."
    "She wanted the best for you, Valentine, just like I do." A lone tear leaked down her cheek, leaving a pale mascara track in its wake.
    Panic choked Valentine. Mothers weren't supposed to cry—they’re the ones who do the comforting. What was she supposed to do? She cleared her throat and tried to think of something that'd cheer her mom up. "The client I'm meeting today is great. He lives in the neighborhood. I've been talking to him for weeks to convince him to let me match him."
    Sniffling, Venus wiped under her eyes.
    Valentine forged ahead, brightly. "He's the perfect candidate. He's the type of guy who's quiet, but you can just tell he's really smart. He's beyond hot. I don't see how any woman couldn't want him."
    Her mother frowned. "You sound like you find him attractive, Valentine."
    "Well, he's nice," she said cautiously, feeling like she'd made a misstep somehow.
    "You know your grandmother's rule."
    "Which one?" There'd been so many.
    "The cardinal rule. Not to fall in love with your clients."
    "I'm not falling in love with him." She chuckled, but it sounded thin to her ears. She shook her head. "I'm just saying he's a good guy. He should be easy to match."
    "Be careful, Valentine. Your grandmother would not approve of the rules being broken." A militant glare in her eyes, her mother made a cutting motion with her hand. " I won't approve. Nothing good ever comes from breaking the tenets of matchmaking. You—"
    "I get it, Mom." She put a hand on her mom's arm, trying not to freak out by the way her mom had gone beet red. Please don't let her have a heart attack . "You need to calm down. Are you okay? Do you feel alright?"
    "Yes, of course."
    "Dad said your doctor wants to run some sort of test," she broached carefully. "Maybe—"
    "Nonsense. I don't need any test. I trust Fate. I'm fine."
    She wasn't fine , but Valentine wasn't going to argue. She gave her mom a peck on the cheek. " I have to go . Will you be okay? "
    " Yes, of course." Venus looked around the kitchen as though wondering what she was doing there.
    She hated leaving her mom alone in this state, but t he thought of taking her to work and having her meet the Hulk made her want to puke with nerves. " There's a cafe down the street. Why don't you check it out? They have great mochas. "
    "Oh. Okay."
    Her mom sounded so suddenly aimless that she had to offer, " And then after my meeting, let's go over the strategy to put me back on track. "
    " Okay, sweetheart. " Venus lifted her cheek for a kiss. "Remember what I said. I'll see you later."
    She wavered, not sure she should leave her mom alone. But nothing would help her mom as much as finding the Hulk