Free Tamed by You by Kate Perry Page A

hazelnut, or caramel, or even vanilla before she chose chocolate. Which was why she loved Eve's Nutella latte.
    But her mom was looking at it like it was rat poison. Valentine sighed. "Nutella is a sexy, romantic product. Just try it. You'll be surprised."
    Venus didn't look convinced, but she took a small sip. Her eyebrows shot up. "It's no mocha, but it's not terrible."
    Her shoulders relaxed at her mother's proclamation.
    "Sit down, Valentine." Her mother pointed at a chair. "Let's go over your progress."
    Just like that, her shoulders tensed again. Clutching her latte like a lifeline, she sat in the appointed seat. Not wanting to face an inquisition but wanting her mother to be engaged, she decided to take the offense. "I signed up five people in the last week."
    "Yes." Her mother put on her reading glasses and pulled out a file.
    One or two of those profiles had been made up, with information and photos she'd taken off eHarmony, but her mom didn't need to know that. "I figure I'll have the other five by next week."
    "Hmm," her mother replied noncommittally as she flipped through her papers. "I was looking at the man you just signed. Ethan Hunter."
    Valentine tensed. "What about him?" she asked carefully.
    "You were right. He seems promising. Here we go." Her mother brandished a page with a triumphant smile. "I went through your database and pulled out some candidates I thought would suit him."
    She hid her frown behind her coffee cup. She had a hard time imagining any woman worthy of him and his kisses. "Hmm."
    "Take a look and see what you think."
    Reluctantly, she took the list from her mother, wincing when she saw Nicole's name on it. She set it aside. "I thought I'd concentrate of finding the other five people I promised you."
    "One has nothing to do with the other," Venus said definitively. "You've assured me on more than one occasion that you can multitask."
    Caught by her own words. "It's just—"
    "What?"
    She didn't want to set up Ethan with anyone. It felt wrong. In fact, she didn't even want to talk about him dating anyone. The more she thought about that, the more it upset her.
    Quite frankly, the best idea so far was Kristin's.
    Not that she could tell her mother that she wanted to get it on with a client. She chose her words carefully. "He's proving to be really difficult to match. I was thinking of letting him go and—"
    "Letting him go?" Based on her mother’s expression, those words weren't in her vocabulary. "That's utter nonsense. We don't let people go, especially people who need our help."
    Ethan Hunter didn't need anyone's help. Based on the way he kissed, he could be the one doing the instructing.
    "Apparently I came just in time." Her mother lowered her reading glasses, looking happy. "You really do need my help."
    No, she really didn't, but her mom looked so pleased she bit her lip against a reply.
    "Don't worry." Venus squeezed her hand. "This Ethan Hunter may be difficult, but I have every confidence you'll find him the right woman. You'll do me and your grandmother proud, and I can go home secure in the knowledge that you're okay here on your own."
    Exactly what she wanted. Great. Only of course Ethan had to go and ruin everything by being a fabulous kisser. "It's just that he has particular tastes."
    "Is he kinky?"
    " Mom. " Valentine flushed, imagining Ethan doing adventurous things to her. She did not need todiscuss that with her mother.
    Her mom sipped her latte primly. "It's better to know if he has certain needs that must be met. You aren't doing anyone a favor if you pair him with a woman who isn't willing."
    Another woman might not be willing to get kinky with Ethan, but she was. "I don't know what he likes, but I'll find out."
    "Good. You have to get to know the intimate details of your clients, Valentine." Venus frowned at her. "And before you go on any dates, you should go to an aesthetician. Your eyebrows need shaping."
    Of course they did. She sighed and pretended to study her