Trading Places

by Anita Cox

  Trading Places

  Dirty White Candy, Book 3

  Anita Cox

  Published 2014

  ISBN: 978-1-62210-075-0

  Published by Liquid Silver Books, imprint of Atlantic Bridge Publishing, 10509 Sedgegrass Dr, Indianapolis, Indiana 46235. Copyright © Published 2014, Anita Cox. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Manufactured in the United States of America

  Liquid Silver Books

  http://LSbooks.com

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  Blurb

  In the last few months, Candy Kavana has conquered her world. And now that she’s back from the ultimate vacation, she’s got a whole new set of variables to conquer. Her hot contractor boyfriend has built a home, just for her, complete with a bar and swing room, but is she ready for such a commitment? Nervous about the change, she seeks solace in her job, the only place where confidence isn’t an issue. She’s further thrown when her company merges with a major competitor and she’s transferred to a new division, further skewing her self-worth.

  While Candy copes with all these changes, her best friend Stacy has a meltdown as her marriage comes to an end. Though Candy maintains her best-friend duties, she also struggles to gain some semblance of control in her own life.

  Moving homes, moving jobs and moving forward, Candy concocts a plan to take control of her destiny while helping a few friends along the way.

  Dedication

  Dedicated to those who have the courage to live out loud.

  Acknowledgements

  To my Homette, thank you for introducing me to such an interesting and fun lifestyle.

  Chapter 1

  The flight home should have been easy. I should have passed out immediately after such an invigorating, intense vacation. But I just couldn’t sleep. As soon as we’d lifted off, my mind turned away from the pleasure of the last two weeks, and toward the day-to-day responsibilities it had been so easy to forget.

  Starting Monday, I needed to be on my A-game. My largest campaign to-date would be launched in a few days for a company I just knew was going to be my biggest client.

  I had the utmost faith in my assistant, Olivia Bryant. She was completely competent, but the campaign was my baby, had been from day one. Trina Armand had entrusted her brain child, a revolutionary set of creams and cosmetics, to me. I knew, one way or the other, this woman’s product was going to be an instant success.

  I turned on my side to face John, covetous of his peaceful slumber. His thick, dark blonde hair had lightened from the two weeks of sun. It was messy enough to be sexy and set off his strong jaw line. For a brief moment I considered jabbing him in the ribs. At least then I’d have company. But no, there was no way he deserved that kind of selfishness from me.

  He was so damned sexy, even when he slept. I wondered how that was possible. More than that, I wondered what he saw in me and why he put up with all my baggage.

  Closing my eyes in a desperate attempt for some sort of rest just brought more frustration as I began to picture him naked, pinning me against a wall. After the vacation we’d just had, I should have been exhausted. Instead I found myself missing my treadmill. I was twitching, and sitting still was not an option.

  What the hell is wrong with me?

  A glance at my watch told me we had about three hours left of the flight. Not long enough for a good, full rest, but a power nap plus would do the trick if only I…could…sleep…

  Something cold touched my arm, making me flinch. I jerked my arm back and looked up. Janette had a cocktail in her hand, and was waving for me to follow. I slowly climbed over John, trying not to wake him, and followed her to an empty set of seats.

  “Can’t sleep?” she shoved the cocktail at me.

  “Janette, if I keep this up, I’m going to need A.A.”

  “Oh relax, it’s just one to take the edge off. You looked like you were riding a bucking bronco over there instead of sleeping,” she teased. She tossed her long, dark hair over her shoulder. She gave me a teasing wink with her emerald eyes.

  I took the drink from her as politely as I could. I was feeling less than sociable, wink or not.

  “Where’s the other half?”

  “James took one too many pills. He passed out in the bathroom. The flight attendant said just to leave him there until we start dropping altitude.” She rolled her eyes. “Poor bastard just can’t get through a flight in one piece without some help.”

  It was hard to imagine a man like James struggling with something as simple as sitting on a plane. I could see Janette felt bad for him too, even if she tried hard not to let anyone else see her compassion. She could be a real ice queen if you didn’t know her.

  “So, are we excited about the move?”

  I sipped at the cocktail, which was a pleasant mixture of sweet and sour. “To be honest, there are so many things running through my mind, I haven’t really spent much time thinking about how I feel. I’m going to be putting in a lot of hours at work for the next few weeks.”

  Her lips tightened. She wanted to say something, but quashed it. Instead, her left eyebrow shot toward her hairline as she took a large swallow of her drink.

  “I know how you feel,” she shifted in her seat. “I have a horrendous trial waiting for me when I get back. The kind I detest. I may be the one who needs A.A. by the time I hand down a decision.” She shook her head. “I made the mistake of reading through the pleadings before we left on vacation. Wish to hell I hadn’t done that.”

  “Murder?” I asked.

  “Man killed his wife and kids. I know the prick is going to try to get off on a technicality.” She tightened her jaw and shook her head, trying to mask her own revulsion.

  “Thanks for pulling me out of my fight with the blanket.” I smiled, trying to distract her. I couldn’t imagine what her job was like…dealing with the lowest of the low.

  She smiled and turned her body to face me. “We need our little vacations. I know I keep preaching to you about balance, but we have to remember to keep the fun in our lives, especially when they’re filled with so much stress and monotony. We have to do it or we go crazy.”

  We? Our?

  “I know. I tend to take on too much. It’s nice to get out and have fun.” My smile was weaker than intended.

  “Are you driving home from the airport?” Janette took my empty glass from my hands.

  “No, but…”

  She held up two fingers to the flight attendant before I could finish. But I don’t want to drink.

  “So, once a month I have a little gathering at my house. It’s a vanilla party. Everyone dresses a little risqué but there is absolutely no sex. You two should come.” She winked. “The caterer is phenomenal.”

  Janette wanted a girl chat. I wanted rest. While I adored her, the pushy side of Janette irritated me more and more. When would I draw the line?

  “That sounds great.” Lie.

  “Ma’am, your husband is making some noise in the lavatory. You may want to check in on him.” The lady handed over our drinks as she finished her sentence.

  “Excuse me,” Janette groaned.

  When I saw her helping James out of the restroom, I took the opportunity to return to my seat. Another look at my watch revealed two hours of flight time left. With two drinks in my belly, I felt warm and more relaxed. I leaned my chair back and closed my eyes.


  Chapter 2

  “Candy,” a soft, low voice whispered in my ear.

  “Huh?” I rubbed my eyes.

  John kissed my temple. “We’re getting ready to land. You have to put your belt on.” Before I could do anything, he was already fastening my seat belt.

  “Thank you,” I mumbled as I forced myself to sit upright. “It’s going to be good to be home. I miss my bed.”

  John’s brow tensed. I had forgotten again that I’d agreed to move in together.

  “Guess we need to flip a coin on whose bed we keep,” I grinned.

  “Not if you like yours that much. I can sleep on a floor, so the mattress choice is all yours.” Too easy. John was always too easy.

  I popped a piece of gum in my mouth to ease the pressure in my ears as we dropped altitude. A cup of coffee had the synapses firing in my brain. My plate was going to be very full as soon as the plane landed.

  The flight attendants collected the empty cups before locking their carts in place and belting themselves in. My heart gave a leap when the wheels touched. Home.

  * * * *

  John, obviously still groggy, collapsed on my couch as I started unpacking my clothes from the trip. I heard faint snoring sounds as I moved around my apartment. My home…was I ready to leave it?

  Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I turned on my phone to send a quick text to Olivia asking her to be in an hour early so we could catch up on any lingering product launch details. Before I could press the send button, my phone protested as numerous text messages and voice mails rang in.

  Stacy had spent the last twelve hours assaulting my phone.

  Damn. I quickly tried to call her back.

  “Candy!” Stacy yelled before her voice cracked with emotion.

  “Stacy? What in the hell is wrong?”

  “What’s wrong? Didn’t you get any of my messages?” she cried.

  “I just turned my phone on and it went crazy with all of your messages.” My heart broke, hearing her sobs.

  “He’s been cheating…forever! He’s had a mistress for years. Fucking prick!” she sniffed.

  My heart sank. “You’d better come over.”

  “On my way,” she sniffed.

  I rubbed my forehead. There was too much going on for this right now. But Stacy had held the pieces of me together during my divorce. I just couldn’t abandon her. She was going to need a drink, probably a lot of them, but damn, I just couldn’t do the drunken girlfriend bit. I had to be into work early.

  Running my fingers through my hair, I found my resolve. It was a code of ethics among girlfriends. Some duties just could not be abandoned, not in a time of need anyway.

  Stacy would only take a few more minutes to get to my apartment.

  Walking over to John, I sat on the edge of the couch and shook him lightly. “John,” I cooed in his ear.

  “Huh?” He sat up. “I’m sorry, I just crashed.”

  I chuckled. “You may want to go crash in your apartment. Stacy is on her way and, well, she’s a mess. It’s nothing you want to see.” I ran my fingers through his thick hair.

  John grinned back. “I can handle it. If we’re living together, I won’t have another place to go. What’s the matter with her?”

  I rolled my eyes. “She just found out her husband has had a mistress for years. She’s more than a little destroyed at the moment.”

  I could see John wavering. “Right, I will just go unpack my things and get some laundry started.”

  Giving him a quick kiss, I patted his knee. “Thought you might feel that way,” I teased.

  “You’re going to be tied up for the rest of the day, aren’t you?”

  I looked at my watch. “It’s two now and there will be drinking involved. I’m going to get her drunk as quickly as possible and try to be in bed by nine. If I last that long.”

  He stood, slinging one bag over his shoulder and lifting the other. “I’ll be sure to slide in next to you by nine.”

  Right. We’re roommates now. Damn.

  I felt slightly guilty at my thought, but it was going to take some getting used to. I’d grown quite fond of my independence.

  A banging on the door quickened John’s pace. “I’m out!”

  When he opened the door, Stacy stood there, mascara running down her face.

  “I’m sorry we’re all pigs,” he offered as he carefully scooted past her.

  Stacy actually snickered, watching John’s discomfort.

  “Come on in here, girl.” I pulled her to the couch. “Wine or something stronger?”

  “Much stronger!” she sniffed.

  I tossed a box of Kleenex on the couch beside her, then retreated to the kitchen. The thought of drinking nearly turned my stomach. I’d just had enough after vacation. I’d rather have a strong cup of coffee at this point.

  What to make? I loved my espresso martinis, but I really wanted her to get drunk and pass out. Yeah, it was uncharitable to think, but “needy” had been Stacy’s middle name for years. I just wanted to make it through tonight, get some much-needed rest, and then I could help Stacy deal with her new reality. What I didn’t need was caffeine keeping me up all night. Alas, looking at my liquor cabinet, there wasn’t much to choose from. Double damn.

  I had been so busy prior to vacation that I hadn’t had time to shop. Now what? Grabbing my phone, I sent a quick text to John…I needed his help.

  My phone rang almost instantly. “Bring her up here. Get her in the hot tub. She’ll get drunker quicker,” he teased.

  “I love you!” I shrieked.

  “What?” Stacy called from the living room.

  “I—er—don’t really have much here. John’s bar is fully stocked and he has a hot tub. He said we could use his place.” I spoke as I returned to the living room empty handed.

  “That’s fine,” she wiped her nose on a tissue. “I could use the hot tub to relax. My neck is so stiff.”

  “I’ll just grab a few suits,” I called as I ran to my bedroom. Stacy was about my size, which was helpful.

  Suits in hand, I grabbed her by the hand as I made my way out the door. “Wait until you see his place!”

  Stacy only let out a whimper.

  Once inside John’s apartment, I led her to the bathroom to change. I slipped into the bedroom to put my suit on as quietly as I could, figuring John to be asleep.

  “Bending over naked in front of me isn’t nice, Candy. How am I supposed to leave you alone now?” John teased from the bed.

  Letting out a giggle, I forced myself to roll my eyes. “You just had two weeks of insane sex. How could you be horny?”

  “The woman I love is naked before me. What do you expect?” He tossed a pillow at me.

  “Guess you’ll have to rub one out!” I teased, tossing the pillow back, hitting him in the chest as he stood and walked toward me. “Since you’re awake, tie me up!” Before he could say a word, I stopped him. “The suit, tie the suit.”

  “Good thing you clarified,” he cupped my breast before finally looping the ties in the back. “But I’d rather be taking this off.”

  Giving him a quick kiss, I retreated to the bar to mix up pitcher of mango martinis. I hurried back with the pitcher in my hand. “Hot tub is this way.” I motioned with my head for her to follow.

  “Holy shit! This is nice!” Stacy whistled as we made our way to the hot tub room. “Guy has some talent.”

  “More than you know.” Guilt washed over me as soon as the words left my mouth. I shouldn’t be flaunting my happiness in Stacy’s face. “Sorry,” I uttered.

  “Don’t be sorry for being happy.”

  I didn’t know what words to offer. She was hurt, devastated and confused. I knew those feelings all too well. Setting the pitcher and glasses down on the ledge, I started the jets and lit a few candles, turning off the main lights.

  “Romantic setting for just the two of us,” Stacy noted.

  “I hate fluorescent lights. They bug my eyes. The candlelight wi
ll help you relax too. Just trust me.”

  Stacy shrugged.

  “Get in the tub,” I urged.

  She obliged, sighing in relief when she eased into the water.

  I poured the drinks, then slid in across from her. “Now, start from the beginning and tell me what happened.”

  I listened to Stacy ramble on about finding receipts for rent and jewelry in her husband’s car. She tracked everything down, finding the woman in an apartment she shared with Stacy’s husband. They’d been together nearly five years. The betrayal had completely destroyed her.

  “Stacy, look at me,” I urged.

  “What?” she was crying now.

  “Listen…he’s gone, it’s done. You are free. You are a free woman. You’re no longer trapped in a marriage with a man who doesn’t want you, who doesn’t want kids…” I slid in next to her. “You’re free to find yourself again. Find someone who wants to be with you every minute and doesn’t take fake trips to spend time with others.” I kissed her temple as I put my arm around her.

  “I hate him,” she sobbed.

  “I hate him too. He is, now and forevermore, your ex-douchebag. Don’t say his name ever again.”

  “Like we did with what’s-his-face that you used to be married to?” She snickered. “Did it really help that much?”

  “Yes, it took away the power he had in my head. He’s no one now.” I smiled. “Look at me. Look at my life…how much better I am now than before.”

  “If it were even possible, I do like you more now and you’ve been my best friend forever.” She wiped her hands over her face. “You little minx.”

  My friend was still in there, teasing me even in the midst of her suffering. I reached overand used my wet thumb to remove the remainder of her mascara.

  By the third drink we were giggling and laughing, occasionally splashing at each other. John must have taken it as a safe sign to enter.

  “You ladies need anything?” he asked peeking his head inside the door.

  “Hello handsome!” Stacy waved. “Come on in, the water is just fine.”

  “How about I mix another pitcher for you first. You’re all out.” He gave me a quick kiss as he scooped the pitcher off the ledge.