The Candy Bar Complete - 4 book box set: Candy Bar Series

by Patrice Wilton

  Wow—that was new information—and exciting stuff.

  “Really? Little ole me? What about all the other women Katie mentioned? The casserole brigade, I think she called it.”

  He chuckled. “Those women were from the church and some of the charities my wife was involved with. Not my type.”

  “And I am?”

  “Uh—hello? What do you think? You think I walk around with a permanent rod between my legs?”

  “Well, I never gave it much thought.”

  “Oh, you are a funny one.” He grinned. “You make me laugh. And you make me feel good.”

  “I know I could make you feel better,” I whispered in his ear, “given the right time and place.” My arms were around his neck, but I was doing my damndest to keep an appropriate amount of space between us. It was hard, especially when my body just naturally floated in his direction.

  He tugged me to him and gave me a not-so-light kiss, then dunked my head.

  I came up sputtering again. “You are so mean. Stop doing that.”

  “I like you mad.” His eyes were laughing as he looked at me, and instead of anger, I felt a huge magnetic pull toward him.

  I wanted him madly. In my bed. Inside of me. But I knew we were playing with fire and that our attraction had to be stifled before anyone got hurt.

  “This is crazy. We shouldn’t be touching each other, kissing, any of these things. It’s just so wrong, but yet it’s so hard to stop,” I said, hanging on to his muscled shoulders, hating, really, truly hating the idea of letting go.

  “Then don’t…stop,” he whispered. A soft smile danced on his beautiful, sexy mouth.

  “We have to. It’s bad enough having these erotic thoughts about you, when in a few hours we’re going to dine with our kids. How can I look into your daughter’s face?”

  He laughed. “I know, it’s killing me too. But you’re right. We have to be responsible for another night or two.” He kissed my cheek. “It won’t be easy, but maybe you’ll let me see you when we get back to Miami.”

  “Maybe I will.”

  “You got anyone special back home?”

  “No. If I did, I wouldn’t be flirting with you.”

  “How come you’ve never married?”

  “I never found the right guy.” I gave a short laugh. “When it comes to men, I’m batting zero.”

  “Has there been many?”

  “What…men?” I shook my head. “No. I couldn’t have an influx coming and going through my life while raising my son.” I licked my bottom lip. “I was seeing someone not long ago. He admitted that he couldn’t be faithful to one woman. He was a country singer on the road all the time, and slept with anyone he chose.”

  “Sounds like an asshole to me.”

  “Well, he was honest about it. Got to give him credit for that.”

  “So…are you done with him?”

  “Yes.” I let go off Harrison and swam to the ladder. He swam a few laps before leaving the pool, and I didn’t try to guess why.

  After we toweled off, we packed up our belongings and headed back into the hotel. The flirtation had to be shelved for the next few days.

  But it would be continued….

  * * *

  I wore the blue silk dress from the night before, since I hadn’t bought another. Harrison knocked on my door and we managed to keep our hands off each other and behave like mature adults, although we weren’t fooling ourselves.

  “Hey, Har,” I greeted him, and shut the door behind me. No way was I going to allow him in—not even for a minute. I’d spent too much time with my lipstick, for one.

  “Hey, Can,” he answered back, all smiles.

  I laughed. “I love my nickname. It suits me.”

  “I suit you,” he said, surprising me, and making me tongue-tied all of a sudden.

  “Stop,” I said quickly. “Don’t say things that make me feel all gooey inside. Not tonight. At least not until we are alone again.”

  “Okay. That’s a deal. You better not be nice to me either.”

  He took my hand in the elevator, and I was glad it wasn’t one of those glass things, where everyone can see you from the atrium and lobby.

  We stood there next to each other, not talking. When we hit the lobby floor and the doors parted we stepped away from each other. I marched on ahead, glimpsing Billy and Katie standing near the door.

  We had reservations at Latitudes, a great location with a fabulous water view on Front Street. It was a short walk but due to the awful humidity we opted for an air-conditioned drive. The kids piled into the backseat, and I sat up front with Harrison.

  When we arrived and were shown to our table, I watched Billy seat his beautiful girlfriend, like the gentleman that I’d tried—kicking and screaming—to raise.

  “Nice spot,” he said, shooting me a grin. “Kind of glad we don’t have our wallets.”

  We all laughed, but I was just so thankful that Billy and Katie had only lost their wallets and not their lives.

  “I’m sure you would rather have not been beaten up and would prefer to be eating fast food, than being here with us.” I smiled at Katie. “We wanted to make this night special for you both, since your holiday has been off to such an ugly start.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You could say that again.” She glanced at her dad. “Thank you both for coming to our rescue.”

  Harrison patted her hand. “You’re welcome, and I always will.” He looked over at me. “Let’s order some drinks, and maybe some lobsters for dinner. What do you say?”

  “I say it sounds a whole lot better than hospital food,” Billy said and patted his lean stomach.

  Harrison and I ordered a bottle of wine, while Katie had a margarita and Billy a beer. We ordered a couple of appetizers to share, followed by soup or salad, and four lobster dinners. Both men had theirs surf and turf.

  The conversation flowed easily, and the kids were in a good mood, obviously trying to put the memory of their attacker, and the mom-and-dad-making-out-business firmly behind them. We were back in their good graces. For now.

  As I sipped on my wine, and nibbled on the delicious food, I stole glances at Harrison, wishing things were different. I wondered if there were a right man out there somewhere for me. No matter what happened with our kids, Harrison and I could never be together. Even if we were geographically closer, it still couldn’t happen. Our kids would never accept the two of us being a couple.

  Nope. All we could hope for was one night of hot sex back in Miami-land, and then part as friends. We could laugh at it as the years go by, and during family get-togethers we’d smile, and when our eyes met, we’d share the memory of our little secret.

  It was all for the best. I’d send him off well, and then get back to my life and the thousands of real problems I had. Didn’t need to add Harrison to my growing list of problems, that’s for sure.

  I swallowed some more wine, and felt better for reaching a mature decision. I turned my attention to the others, and noticed how Harrison had engaged Billy in a lively discussion about baseball.

  I decided to have some girl-talk with Katie.

  “So how did you two meet?” I asked with an encouraging smile.

  “Frat party. There were about a hundred people crowded into this dismal joint, and everyone was drinking or making out, and I couldn’t stand another minute. I told my girlfriend that I was leaving. I was half-way out the door when Billy walked in. Our eyes met and it was like a laser beam direct to my heart. I even stumbled into him. That was it. Game over.”

  She looked away and smiled at Billy. “I knew he was the one, right then.”

  I looked at Katie with new appreciation, suddenly wanting her to be my daughter-in-law. I put my hand on her arm. “That’s beautiful,” I said softly.

  She was a delightful young woman who loved my son—with complete acceptance and no questions. I decided she deserved this dear boy of mine.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  After dessert and
coffee, the kids decided to hang around Front Street awhile, and Harrison and I headed back to the hotel.

  During the drive, I was determined to keep things light between us and not let my feelings for him sway my better judgment.

  “I really like Katie,” I told him, easing into the conversation. “She’s terrific, and I think she genuinely loves Billy. I kind of hope it works out for them—although I know they are both still so young.”

  “They are too young. Period.” He glanced my way. “I don’t want to talk about the kids tonight. Can’t we enjoy a few hours on our own?”

  “You wouldn’t try to seduce me, would you?”

  “I can’t promise you that. But you know how much I want to. I’ve been aching for you all night.”

  “You have? I didn’t know.” I smiled. “You and Billy seemed to be getting along.”

  “He’s not a bad kid.” His hand moved to my thigh. “But didn’t we agree not to talk about them?”

  “You agreed. I didn’t. Tomorrow we could be back in Miami, and then you and I…well…we could do all the things we want to each other, with no interruptions this time, and no regrets.” I knew that after that one night, we would have to go our separate ways, and the thought made me sad. But I’m a realist, and that’s just the way things had to be. One night was all we had, and I intended to make it a memorable one.

  “I wouldn’t regret making love to you right now. The kids would never know. I sure wouldn’t be telling them.”

  “Would you listen to yourself? I don’t want to hide anything. I don’t want to do anything that we’d be ashamed of.” I licked my lips and noticed my throat was painful and dry. “Truth is—I want you. But we both know it won’t work. You live in Boston, for one thing. And the kids would never accept us together. But still, knowing all that, I’m willing to have a hot and torrid love-fest with you once we get back to Miami. But not here, not when we have to face them again.”

  A stubborn smile lit up his mouth. “I’ve got an idea. Let’s check out now, and drive back to Miami tonight.”

  I laughed. “You’re not serious. You’ve been drinking.”

  “Two glasses of wine.”

  “That’s two too many. No…I’m not going. Tomorrow—after we see the kids again—okay. We can leave them some money, say good-bye properly, and not run off in the middle of the night.”

  “Put like that, I guess it does sound a little suspect.”

  “You know what I like so much about you, Harrison?” I gave him a long, appreciative look. “You’re smart, sensible, and don’t put your own needs ahead of others.”

  “You know what I hate about myself,” he asked. “All the things you just mentioned.”

  “I hope you spend a few days in Miami before you go do whatever you have to do.”

  “I have only one driving need in Miami. The rest can wait.”

  I put my head back on the headrest, closed my eyes and smiled.

  Once we arrived at the hotel, Harrison walked me to the room, said goodnight, and left me with a chaste kiss on the forehead.

  I’m ashamed to say that a very naughty part of me wanted him to forget my arguments and good intentions and to push me through the door and have his way with me.

  Jay Carpenter would have done that, and I wouldn’t have fought him either. But Harrison was a gentleman, a worthy father, and excellent husband material.

  Dammit!

  * * *

  The next morning I packed my stuff in the Wal-Mart shopping bag and met Harrison and the kids down in the lobby café for a light breakfast. Billy and Katie were staying another two nights, now that Harrison had given them four hundred dollars which he’d extracted from an ATM machine.

  I’d received a text message from Jake, saying it was urgent that he talk to me. When I returned his call and texted back, there was no reply. He’d taken care of the bar many times over the years—as long as a week at a time. He was capable, trustworthy, and could handle any situation as well as myself. He never panicked or bothered me, so what could it be?

  I would be home in a few hours and hopefully, the Candy Bar would still be standing in one piece when I arrived. Or not.

  Hell, if the place burned down, the worst of my problems would be over. Telling “the girls” would be the hardest part of losing the place. It would mean I’d be free to leave—to leave Miami, the life I’d made for myself, and do something constructive with my life. If only I knew which way the wind blew.

  I didn’t have any concrete plans or something compelling that I had to do with my life. I had wants—but they were mostly simple. Like Harrison. Yup. I wanted him. But that was only a temporary short-term goal. What did I want forever? And ever?

  I haven’t been so undecided for a great many years. Not since I was a kid, tossed out on my own, and left to fend for myself and a baby. I didn’t know then, anymore than I do now. I kind of stumbled into the bar scene—first working as a dancer, then seeing the plus side and how easy it was to keep the cash flowing in.

  I figured I could do as well, if not better, than the clown that owned the lousy bar I’d worked at—and I’d certainly treat my hired help nicer too. That’s where the dream began. I envisioned a beautiful place, filled with happy, beautiful people…and for a long while that dream had come true.

  Now the dream was becoming a nightmare, and I needed to get out before it dragged me back into the dirt where I’d come from.

  “Come on, Harrison. Eat up. I’m anxious to see what Jake wants. His message left me hanging. I wish he’d told me what was wrong.”

  “You’ll know soon enough,” Harrison said.

  “Maybe someone has made an offer,” Billy said.

  “You think so?” I smiled. “Maybe you’re right. Just because he needs to speak to me and it’s urgent, doesn’t have to mean it’s something bad.”

  “I enjoyed last night,” Katie said. “And it’s been nice getting to know you a little.” She dropped her eyes. “I’m sorry I was so hard on you before.”

  “That’s all right. I deserved it. Hope I won’t disappoint you again,” I said, and guilt smacked me in the face. What was I to do? I still owed her father a good time and he had every intention to collect.

  We gobbled up breakfast, eager to get on the road. I needed to speak with Jake, and Harrison wanted his reward. The good guy always gets the girl, right? But, he deserved a hellova lot better than me.

  The drive took a couple of hours and we talked about many things, our favorite books and movies, hobbies we enjoyed. He told me that in college he’d played basketball and tennis, and still belonged to a tennis club back home.

  I told him that I’d never played a sport, but loved snorkeling, swimming, boating when I got the chance. I told him about my addiction for books and that I read at least one a week. The one thing we didn’t discuss was our children, or any chance of a future together. We both seemed to understand that a night or two was all we could ask for.

  We arrived at my apartment before ten a.m.. Harrison still had his hotel, so he was only dropping me off. Before I could slide out of the car, he pulled me into his arms and gave me a long, thorough kiss that made me ache inside.

  “I will see you later,” he whispered huskily against my ear.

  “Harrison. You are so not good for me.”

  “I am very good for you. And you are exactly what I need.”

  I didn’t bother to argue. What was the point?

  Once I got upstairs, and unloaded my few belongings, I called Jake again. This time he picked up.

  “Jake. What’s up? You had me worried when you didn’t answer the phone.”

  “Candy. It’s good to hear your voice.” He cleared his throat. “It’s about the bar.”

  “Yeah, I got that.” Nerves tangled my stomach and for a second I could hardly breathe. Who had I been kidding? I loved the Candy Bar. It was my identity. My life. “Tell me.”

  “A couple of thugs showed up when you were gone. Asked me for some pro
tection money.” He gave a short laugh. “I told them to get the hell out. The Candy Bar doesn’t need protection. Hell, we never did before.”

  “They showed up a few weeks ago, and I pretty much told them the same damn thing. I mean, why should we pay these extortionists when we’ve never had trouble?” I was breathing hard, trying to understand what kind of mess we were in. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

  “No. I’m fine. Kind of,” he stammered. “I’m not sure how it happened, but they must have come back. Someone planted cocaine behind the bar. Detectives showed up. They arrested me.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  I gasped. “Holy crap, Jake! Where are you?”

  “They took me down to a holding cell last night. Will you come and bail me out?” He coughed. “I could ask my Mom, but she’d be horrified, and I would rather keep this between us for now.”

  “Oh, Jake. As if you have to ask. I’m so sorry. I wish I’d been here sooner.”

  Jake, that beautiful hunky man with a big heart and kind spirit, was still single at thirty-five. He had a lot of women in his life, but they came and went on a continual revolving-door-basis. I knew he’d grown up without a father and his mother had several husbands, so perhaps his view on relationships was slightly tainted. But he was a good guy and one of the few people I would call a true friend.

  “I should be there in half an hour.” I had Billy’s car, and hoped like hell there was gas in it.

  “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll get you a lawyer. A good one.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew I didn’t have to look one up. I had the name of not only one lawyer, but two, on the tip of my tongue.

  Lydia still worked for a big firm but she also gave free legal aid. She’d come running to the rescue in a minute. And Harrison was a prosecutor, but hopefully he knew the law well enough to defend a client too.

  I hung up and called Lydia, but had to be content to leave a message. Then I dialed Harrison’s number right away.

  I explained the problem as well as I could. “I called my friend, Lydia. She used to be a hot-shot divorce attorney, but now she does some free bono work. I know she’ll want to help.”