No Holds Barred (In The Heart Of A Valentine Book 1) Read online

  “No jazz,” he asked.

  “Sure, there’s always that, but there’s also something a little more.”

  “Why, Ms. Tamara, I’m flattered,” Hunter said.

  Tamara chuckled. “You are no stranger to flattery, I know better than that.”

  Hunter laughed at his long-time friend, or rather, his mother’s long-time friend. Ms. Tamara Jenkins was a spicy sixty-four-year-old woman who owned Velvet Café, a jazz club in the downtown district. Every Wednesday night, Hunter would make his appearance but only in the background. As he played the mellow sounds of the saxophone behind the curtain, the poet on stage would speak the words that flowed from their heart. Sometimes Hunter would switch it up and play the piano. The instrument depended on the tone of the artist and what they were looking for.

  “Now, Ms. Tamara, you know Darrell would kill me if he knew we were having this conversation,” Hunter drawled.

  “Oh, don’t pay that ol’ fool no never mind,” Tamara said about one of the many sponsors that frequented the club and had his eye on Tamara. “I bet he couldn’t rock my world if we were on a rollercoaster.”

  Hunter guffawed as he pulled into his assigned parking spot in front of the building.

  “Anyway, when you’re ready to stop chasing those snickerdoodles around, you know where to find mama,” she said, instantly ending their call.

  Hunter chuckled some more. Ms. Tamara was right, Hunter wasn’t a stranger to flattery, but it still tripped him out every time Ms. Tamara came on to him. For Hunter, it was all fun and games, which he brushed off after every incident. Opening the car to his Lexus Jeep, Hunter stepped out, pulling his tall frame to a stand. He shut the door and checked his reflection in the car’s window, oblivious to the sharp winds that cruised around him. Satisfied with his look, Hunter strolled inside the building and spoke to security on his way up to his office.

  “Good morning, Mr. Valentine,” Harold the officer spoke with a bright smile.

  “Good morning, Harold,” Hunter responded, noticing the extra beam in Harold’s smile. “Good news today?”

  “The wife is having me a son,” Harold excitedly announced.

  Hunter stopped his stroll and turned back to the officer. He marched up to Harold with his hand held out. “Congratulations!” Hunter said. The two men shook hands strong and vibrantly.

  “Thank you, sir, I’m pretty excited about it.”

  “No doubt,” Hunter exclaimed. “When is she due?”

  “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.” At Hunter’s arched brown, Harold stated, “Fourth of July.”

  Another spectacular smile cruised across Hunter’s face. “That’s a wonderful time to have a baby.”

  “You think so?”

  “Yeah, listen, man, lunch is on me. I’ll be back shortly to take care of you.”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary,” Harold cajoled.

  “Sure, it is.” Hunter slapped Harold on the back and strolled back to the open elevator. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”

  “Thank you, sir!” Harold said as the elevator doors closed.

  “A baby on the fourth of July,” Hunter mumbled to himself. He smiled and mulled over the thought of a little Hunter Valentine running around his penthouse. It was the one thing that would completely melt his heart. For a long time, Hunter had wanted a son, or two, or three. But with his bachelor lifestyle, there was no way he could allow it to happen. The option of surrogacy had crossed his mind in the past. With an air-tight contract, Hunter could be the father of a beautiful little boy. But he wanted more than that. His son would need a mother, someone beautiful, bright, and colorful. Camilla’s image strolled through his mind just as the elevator opened on his floor.

  As he walked, thoughts of Camilla’s lips latching onto the utensil he’d held in front of her caused heated chills to settle on his skin. The sensual way her mouth moved, and the soft ballad of her moan caused Hunter’s manhood to leap in his pants. Enthused by her, Hunter immediately felt the need to taste her skin and indulge in her dessert. But what he couldn’t have right then and there would have to settle for something else. So, when Camilla decided to return the favor, Hunter’s no hands gesture had come quickly, without a second thought.

  Hunter was in such a daze that he didn’t hear his assistant Liza speak to him as he passed her desk. Liza peered at him with a frown. In the fourteen years Liza Crenshaw worked for Hunter, he’d never entered the building without speaking to her. This told Liza that Hunter was either off his game or something was wrong. For that reason, she stood and sauntered around her desk, walking the few feet to Hunter’s office.

  “Hey, boss, is everything okay?”

  Hunter blinked then turned around to face her.

  “Yes, everything’s fine, why do you ask?” His voice was smooth and reassuring.

  “You just seemed a bit off is all.”

  “Off?” He peered at her with that potent stare that always seared her skin.

  Liza tweaked her collar nervously. It didn’t matter that she’d been working with Hunter forever, there was no pill to take that would calm her nerves whenever his dark gaze met up with hers.

  “I didn’t hear you speak back when you came in,” she pointed out.

  “Oh.” Hunter smiled, with a beautiful charismatic pull of his lips. “I apologize, Liza. I was in another world. How are you this morning?”

  Satisfied with his attention, Liza smiled back. “Everything’s great. Did you hear, ol’ Harold Massingale is having a baby boy soon. Isn’t that awesome? 54 years old and still going strong.”

  Hunter nodded and just that quick his thoughts returned to Camilla.

  “Yeah…” he drawled.

  A quick knock at the door turned both of their attention to the newcomer. Devin, Hunter’s friend and COO, stood at the entry.

  “We’re all meeting up in the boardroom,” he said. “Oh, and it looks like you made headlines again.”

  “Me, or we?” Hunter asked.

  “You mainly, but there is the mention of VFC’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the new anchor position has been filled.”

  Hunter tried not to groan. WTZB had been looking to fill that position for months now. They’d had billboards, commercial segments, and radio segments calling for Chicago’s greatest journalists to come out and apply. But Hunter knew a fresh face and new attitude reporting on him could be good and bad, especially if the reporter wasn’t a fan.

  “How bad is it?” Hunter asked.

  Devin nodded at the flat screen TV on Hunter’s wall. Liza strolled to the remote that sat on his desk and turned the high definition television on. It was already on the local news station from a previous streaming.

  When Camilla’s angelic face lit up the screen, Hunter’s heartbeat knocked against the wall of his chest, and his blood warmed simultaneously. His gaze dropped, and his pulse inexplicably accelerated.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” he said.

  Chapter Four

  Camilla watched the news segment she’d just done on Hunter Valentine through the television in the studio backroom. She tugged at her blouse and took a sip of water and tried to calm her nerves. When she arrived at WTZB, the energy in the studio was bustling. Her already uplifting morning was brightened even more when she met with Allison Sullivan the assignment editor.

  Allison was all smiles, and after their initial greetings, Camilla followed Allison to the newsroom, and they’d gotten started right away. The day’s local stories, along with a few national ones, were the topic of the morning’s segment. Sitting in front of the camera and being the face of the station was natural for Camilla. But, as soon as she realized one of the local stories covered Hunter Valentine, a sweeping cast of perspiration sailed across her forehead. Her tone changed completely from bright to staggered, and a swarm of butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Allison sensed her nervousness, and with a calming voice, she reassured Camilla that she would be fine.

  Camilla wished she cou
ld believe her, but as she spoke about Hunter’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, thoughts of their naughty breakfast came to mind. The slow and sensual covering of his mouth to her fingers. The poignant way he sucked each one, leaving a heated trail of nerves slipping down her arm. All she could see was his mouth, his deep brown eyes, and the wetness of his tongue. Camilla’s cheeks flushed, and she was sure sweat beads assaulted her face under the scrutiny of the studio lights. The cameras continued to roll, and as if Camilla had been a part of the WTZB team for years, she smiled into the live recording and laughed when her co-anchor Gerald Meyers cracked lighthearted jokes.

  Now watching the playback, thoughts of Hunter continued, and Camilla had to wonder if she’d ever get him out of her mind. When he offered up the forkful of the heated omelet, Camilla should’ve declined and told him to have a good day. But, as if she weren’t herself, she welcomed the offering and pushed forward against her better judgment. Camilla was sure Hunter probably thought she was another conquest he could seek out and conquer. But she wasn’t, and every time Camilla wondered about the strange chemistry she’d felt with him that morning, her ex Steven called, reminding Camilla why she wasn’t on the market for love. With a man like Hunter Valentine, Camilla was sure love was the last thing on his mind; more like kinky sex and sinful foreplay. That last thought made Camilla tighten her thighs and cross her legs. Get your mind off Hunter.

  “That was fantastic. You’re a natural,” Allison said as the segment faded to black.

  Camilla smiled over at her. Allison was in her late-thirties, and she reminded Camilla of her best friend Corinne. Allison even had the short haircut that showed off her long mahogany neck and the feminine curves in her jawline. For that reason, it was easy to be comfortable around her, and Camilla’s eyes lit up at Allison’s compliment.

  “Do you really think so?” Camilla asked.

  “Oh yes, check out our social media page. People are talking about the beautiful new anchor at WTZB.”

  “Beautiful?” Camilla countered, reaching across the table to retrieve the iPad from Allison’s hand.

  Allison snickered. “Their words, not mine.”

  Camilla took her eyes down WTZB’s Facebook page.

  “Great job with the new anchor!” One comment said. “Easy on the eyes, I could watch her every morning regardless of what she’s talking about,” another commenter said. Camilla frowned and tapped his picture which in turn maximized his Facebook page. The commenter was a middle-aged white male with a receding hairline.

  “Some old freaks on here,” Camilla mumbled. Allison burst into laughter. Mortified that she’d been heard, Camilla covered her mouth and slid the iPad back to Allison. “I apologize,” she said.

  Allison waved her off. “No need for an apology,” Allison said as her laughter retreated. “You’re right. You’d be surprised how many are single, lonely, or divorced men just looking for a cute face with their morning weather.”

  “I would like to say I’m used to this sort of thing, but I never got into the social media craze back in Miami.”

  “Ah, I see. Do you miss home?”

  Camilla brightened again. “Not yet.”

  Allison nodded.

  “Check back with me in a few months though.”

  “I’ll do that.” Allison glanced over at the clock on the wall. “Do you have plans for lunch?”

  “Not one. In fact, it would probably take me the entire hour to figure out where to eat.”

  “I’ve got you covered if you don’t mind some company.”

  “That would be great. Let’s do it.”

  Camilla and Allison removed their earpieces and left the newsroom. As they trailed down the hall, a voice called out to Camilla.

  “Mrs. Augustina.”

  Camilla turned back to see her co-anchor Gerald Meyers approaching. She offered him a soft smile and corrected his salutation.

  “Miss,” she said.

  “Oh yes, my apologies.”

  “That’s quite alright.”

  “I wanted to congratulate you.”

  “For?”

  “You did wonderful this morning. You’ll be a great asset to WTZB.”

  Gerald Meyers was a fifty-something white male with a head full of silver-white hair and a groomed gray mustache. Camilla could tell he was a regular at the gym by the way his solid arms stood out in his button-down Neiman Marcus shirt.

  A pleasant smile cornered Camilla’s lush lips. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from someone with as much seniority as you.”

  “I’m only speaking the truth. I look forward to working with you more, Ms. Augustina.”

  “You too,” Camilla chirped. “I’ll see you after lunch.”

  “Indeed.”

  Camilla turned to continue behind Allison, but she had a feeling Gerald was still looking after her. Wanting to dispel the notion, she glanced back over her shoulder and found him lingering in the hall watching her.

  Camilla sighed. The last thing she wanted was any romantic thoughts or suggestions running rampant in her co-anchor’s head. It was okay to be attracted to someone, so for now, Camilla put it out of her mind as she and Allison made their way to a diner across the street.

  “This is perfect,” Camilla said once they were seated. She removed her Eddie Bauer quilted winter coat and let it hang on the back of her chair.

  “This is my go-to spot when I don’t have much time to go anywhere else, or when it’s so cold outside I can’t stand to be in the weather longer than a minute.”

  Camilla nodded with a chuckle. “Completely understandable.”

  “And just so you know, yes, Gerald hits on every pretty face that walks into the office. But he’s harmless and we all just pay him no mind.”

  “Good to know.”

  “He’s got a thing for chocolate-skinned women.”

  “Into the swirl love, huh?” Camilla retorted.

  This time, Allison chuckled and nodded. “He doesn’t discriminate, that’s for sure.”

  The ladies chuckled again, and somehow Camilla couldn’t help but point out this morning’s news.

  “So, a lot of happenings going on in Chicago, huh?”

  “There’s always something going on in the windy city.”

  “I can tell. Is Hunter Valentine a big deal here?”

  Allison’s eyes twinkled at the mention of Hunter Valentine.

  “The biggest,” she said.

  “Really, how so?”

  “Okay, let me take that back. One of the biggest. I’d say his entire family is a big deal, and then there is the Rose family. They’re a pretty big deal, too.”

  “I think I saw one of them on a billboard when I left the airport last night. Something about needing a lawyer.”

  “Oh yeah, that’s Jordan. He’s co-owner of Rose and Garnett LLC. He and Hunter are rivals. Men,” Allison said, “sometimes they never grow up.”

  “Hmmm,” Camilla said. “Why are they rivals?”

  “I really don’t know, but it’s been this long going feud, and every time any one of our cameras gets close to Jordan or Hunter, they clam up and go silent on us.”

  “Sounds like a day in the life of a reporter.”

  Allison chuckled “Exactly. Anyway, the most I can tell you about Hunter is what I’ve witnessed or reported on.”

  Camilla waited patiently for Allison to go on.

  “He’s a ladies’ man for sure.”

  Camilla thought about the women she’d seen leaving his place that morning. Three of them. At the time, she didn’t care much about it, but now it made her sick.

  “That I can believe,” Camilla added dryly.

  “How do you mean?”

  Camilla stuttered. “I—uh, don’t deny he’s a lady-killer. I mean, I’d have to be blind not to notice how attractive he is.”

  Allison nodded just as a waitress sidled up to their table.

  “Good afternoon, ladies, I’m Charmaine, I’ll be your server for today. Seen anything yumm
y on the menu or would you like any suggestions?”

  “I think I’ll take a turkey sandwich with the works—tomato, lettuce, cheese and French fries,” Allison said. “Oh, and a sweet tea.”

  The waitress entered her information in a smart device she held. “Anything else?”

  “That’s it.”

  “And for you?” Charmaine turned to Camilla.

  “I think I’ll have the same. That sounded pretty good although I probably won’t eat many of the French fries, or they may just put me to sleep.”

  The three of them chuckled.

  “I’ve got you down. Be back shortly with your orders.”

  “Thank you,” Camilla and Allison chimed.

  “As I was saying,” Allison continued, “yes, Hunter Valentine is notorious for having a different lady on his arm, and all the women swoon over him but swear if they ever encountered him, they wouldn’t give him the time of day.”

  “And you don’t believe them?”

  A single arched brow on Allison’s face lifted. “Are you kidding me? They want to appear as if they wouldn’t be interested because he’s the head of playboy academy, but I know better. And deep down they do, too. Hunter is fine as hell, and besides that, he’s about his business. If a woman could be on his arm even for a night, she’d rather toss her friend in a cage full of pit bulls than deny an evening with him.”

  “That serious, huh?” Camilla wasn’t impressed. Hunter sounded like the kind of chauvinist that she’d rather avoid at all cost. And yet, the feeling of submission that she felt earlier still rattled her.

  “Stick around long enough, and you’ll see what I mean.”

  “I’m not sure I want too,” Camilla retorted.

  Allison laughed. “Unhuh, that’s what they all say.”

  Camilla took her gaze around the restaurant in desperate need to shuffle her thoughts and change the subject.

  “So, when we get back, is there anything specific I need to know?”

  “We’ll go through and pick out the reports for the two o’clock news cycle.”

  The waitress returned promptly with their orders.

  “This looks delicious,” Camilla pointed out.