"THAT'S IT!" Val Romero shouted as she slammed through the door of Cupid Headquarters. Or tried to. It was difficult to slam a door when the walls were partially made out of clouds.
She marched through the main lobby, heading straight for Venus's office, ignoring the startled looks thrown her way. She knew she wasn't looking her best today.
Her dark coloring was flushed with rage, and her long, jet black hair hung in limp ringlets. What was once a designer dress now clung to her lithe form in tatters. The red material gaped open in several places, giving tantalizing glimpses of honey-brown skin.
Every other Cupid's wings were pristine white, each feather in place, glowing from within and radiating love... or at least lust. Not Val's.
The tip of her right wing was bent at an odd angle, the feathers holding a dull, lifeless hue. Her left wing was worse, dirty gray, with bits of grass and twigs stuck here and there. As she walked, loose feathers fell from her wings, drifting softly to the floor like dying leaves.
Val was nearly to the office when Venus's secretary, Flora, made the mistake of trying to stop her. The petite woman stepped between Val and the door, her tiny wings fluttering nervously. Val drew herself up to all of her five foot, nine inches, and glared down at her, sure her brown eyed gaze was shooting fire. Flora blanched and backed away, scurrying to hide behind her desk. Val looked around to see if anyone else would be so foolish. No one else stood in her way.
Val entered the office with a flourish, letting the door close slowly behind her. She stopped in front of the big desk, propping her hands on her hips. She cleared her throat. The big, plush pink office chair slowly swiveled around. It appeared Venus wasn't in the office today. "Val, what happened?" The voice was rich and sweet, flowing over her like warm chocolate. Desire poured through her veins to pool in her sensitive nether regions. She took a deep breath to calm her suddenly raging hormones, reminding herself that he had that effect on everyone. He was, after all, the original Cupid. He'd given his Roman name to the 'business', and now went by his Greek name. Eros. With wheat gold locks, eyes bluer than the heavens around them, even the strongest of Saints couldn't resist him. A long sleeved, deep blue shirt made his eyes appear darker. It was half-way unbuttoned, giving a great view of a muscular chest covered with golden blonde hair.
"Bad day," she said, hoping her voice didn't shake as bad as her insides were. "I have really had some rough assignments."
"Really?" Something in his voice prompted her to reveal more.
"In three words? J. Lo, Christina and Britney." A smile curved his full lips, and she found her anger returning full force.
"I don't remember them being.... difficult." There was a hint of laughter in his voice, and something else. Memories of long, sex-filled nights. Figures he would have had the three of them.
"Oh, really?" Val swung her pack of arrows off her back and turned it upside down over the desk. Some glittering Angel dust drifted to land on the surface, along with some stray feathers. Other than that, it was empty. "I have been using more arrows than Zeus uses lightning bolts!" She dropped the pack on the desk. "And just look at me! My wings are sore, my dress is ruined, and I am starting to look like a plucked chicken!" She picked up some feathers off the floor and threw them in the air. The look of amusement was gone from his face, now replaced with a look of concern.
"I'm sorry, Val, but Mom isn't here." He steepled his hands in front of him. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Yes, there is." Reaching into the tiny purse at her side, she retrieved her official Cupid I.D. card and dropped it in front of him. "Tell your mom I quit!" Turning on her heel, she stepped toward the door. He was in front of her with a beat of his wings and a whoosh of air, deftly blocking her escape.
"Val," he said, his voice once again oozing over her. "You can't quit. Tomorrow's Valentine's Day."
"And your point is?" Val was trying desperately to hold onto her anger, but it was receding under the onslaught of his voice. "The rest of the team can handle it. I've had enough." She tried to step around him, but he grasped her arms. Warmth from his hands radiated out, dancing over her nerve endings.
"Come on Val," he said softly. "You don't want to quit. Tomorrow is your day, your namesake." His hands traced her arms, the touch light as the feathers in their wings, but one she felt to her core. "Isn't there some way I can convince you to stay?"
He pulled her to him, threading an arm around her waist as he cupped the back of her neck. His lips touched hers for the briefest of kisses. She tried to shake her head, but only succeeded in brushing her lips back and forth against his. Each sweep of his mouth sent little shockwaves dancing up and down her spine. He pulled away and she felt a chill at the loss of his heat. But he didn't go far. Reaching back, he locked the office door, the turned to her with a soft smile.
