With her simple, direct question, Candy no longer felt as though she was the one in control, steering the conversation in the direction she wanted it to go, in order to get to the root of Angelica’s problems.
“Don’t you want to have her picture in your office? You said you had a few, why can’t you put one here?” Angelica turned and followed Candy back to her desk.
“As I said, I don’t have very many. So the few I do have, I leave at my house,” she replied. “I’ve chosen not to do so, and that’s all there is to it. Nothing more, okay?” Candy answered calmly, although she wanted to snap at Angelica and tell the child it was none of her business.
Candy took a deep breath.
She’d had no idea how to answer her, and that’s what troubled her more than the question. She felt ashamed. She wondered how she expected to help a child who had questions about her mother, was trying to come to an understanding of who she was, when Candy hadn’t resolved her particular issues about her own mother and her desertion of Candy as a child.
Clearly it wasn’t something she was over yet. Clinically, Candy knew what was going on with herself.
Clinically. But she was a hell of a long way from having any sort of closure.
“Fine! I just asked. Whatever, it doesn’t matter to me, any ole way,” Angelica mumbled.
The sullen look had returned and Candy felt like kicking her own butt over the way she’d handled the question.
She and Angelica had been making real progress, and she’d allowed her own feelings to get in the way and ruined the moment. She’d actually gotten a glimpse at a totally different child, one who let her guard down enough for Candy to finally see past the mask she normally wore, of pure attitude.
“Angel, sweetheart, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“Only my daddy and mommy can call me that. And since I don’t have a mommy anymore, only my daddy can!”
Candy opened her mouth to apologize, and they both turned when they heard the loud knock on the door. Moments later Davis Strong’s big body filled the doorway. Candy wasn’t sure which one of them was more relieved, Angelica or herself.
“Hey, Angel eyes, I’ve been looking all over for you! I didn’t know you were in here with Ms. Cain,” Davis said as soon as he entered Candice’s office.
A grin of delight spread across Angelica’s face. She ran over and hugged him around the waist.
“Daddy! I didn’t think you were going to pick me up! Where is Aunt Milly? Isn’t she coming?” She asked, peeking around his body to see if her aunt was behind him or not.
12
T he moment Davis had walked in the door, his eyes had been drawn to Candy, despite the way his daughter was wrapping her arms around him like a king cobra.
Candy looked so damn gorgeous, perched on the edge of her desk wearing one of her wraps, her kinky curls unbound and falling mid-back. Her pretty face was devoid of any makeup, but appealing to him in ways no woman had ever been. In ways he wasn’t ready to deal with, at least not until he got Angelica’s life back in order.
He hadn’t been in her presence alone for over two weeks, and for good reason. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep himself in check around her.
The last time he had been alone with her, two weeks ago in the deserted classroom, he’d probably scared the shit out of her, with the way he’d slammed her against the door and felt her up like a damn randy teenaged boy copping his first feel, he thought in disgust. Not to mention their first intimacy, when he’d all but stripped her clothes and made love to her on the floor of her office.
Davis looked down at his daughter and ran a hand down over her two French-braided ponytails.
He’d sat outside the door and shamelessly eavesdropped on Angel and Candy. He’d had no intention of eavesdropping but he’d heard Angel’s question to Candy about her mother and had been curious. He’d paused, fist raised, ready to knock on the door, but wanted to hear Candy’s response.
Rather than allow his very inquisitive child to continue, he’d quickly knocked and entered.
The tension was thick as he leaned down and hugged his daughter.
“She sure is, Angel girl,” he answered Angelica on the whereabouts of Milly. “She’s outside waiting for us in the car. Why don’t you go sit with her and I’ll be out in a minute, okay?”
“Sure, Daddy.”
Angelica turned and faced Candy. “Goodbye, Ms. Candy,” she said, without making eye contact.
“Goodbye Angelica. I’ll see you tomorrow, at five-thirty, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be here,” she replied and glanced at Davis, quickly.
Davis noticed right away the smile Angelica gave to Candy looked strained and unnatural. When she turned back to face him, it seemed as though she was relieved to go.
“I’ll wait for you in the car, Daddy. But hurry! Tonight is the UNO tournament. Aunt Milly said we were going to spank your butt this time!” she giggled, the strained look easing from her face, replaced by a wide grin.
“We’ll see who’ll be spanking who! You and your aunt are always trying to scam me with UNO. I know you two are cheating!” He gave her a mock glare and light swat to her bottom. She giggled, again, before she skipped out the door.
As soon as she left, he turned and faced Candy.
“I’m sorry we’re late picking up Angelica. Today was Milly’s first day back at the company and time got away from us.” As he spoke he slowly walked toward her, where she was stuffing items into an oversized bag from her desk.
Davis gave her a slow appraisal, from the top of her curly hair to the bottom of her Birkenstock-clad feet.
Today she was wearing one of her wraps of a fabric she favored.
This one was a brightly patterned cloth, the same cloth as the satchel she was carrying. Starting under her armpits, it was tightly wound around her small, round breasts, and fell more loosely from there, wrapping the length of her entire body, ending near the calves of her legs.
The fit was snug, showcasing her generous curves—her full hips, nipped-in waist and small breasts—yet she moved with ease. Beneath the fabric wrap, she wore a dark, long-sleeved, scoop-neck T-shirt.
“No problem. The center closed early so I was able to have some time to talk to Angel—Angelica,” she corrected herself and continued. “The last few weeks have been going well. Today we had a good conversation, and I’m beginning to gain insights into what’s going on with her.”
By the time she’d finished her formal litany, Davis was standing less than two feet away from her desk, ready to help her gather her belongings.
“Anything you can share with me, now?”
“It seems as though Angelica has been getting teased by a few of the girls, here at the center, as well as at school.”
“About?”
“Something to do with her mother, I believe. I didn’t want to probe too deeply,” she said.
He carefully scrutinized Candy’s expression. “Is there anything you’re not telling me?” he asked.
Candy pulled her lower lip into her mouth with her top teeth, her eyes looking worried. She released her lip, distracted, and his eyes followed her tongue as she licked the reddened rim.
“She did tell me she wished she knew more about her mother, but that’s all, so far. I think she’s starting to feel comfortable around me. She’s starting to open up more, at least.”
“That’s good. Maybe she’ll feel like sharing more with you the more she talks to you. Hell, I know I haven’t told her much about her mother. Not sure I know how.”
“Is there any reason why? Why you don’t discuss her mother with her?”
“It’s not an easy topic. There are—things—I’m unsure how to begin to discuss with her.”
Candy reached out and lightly touched his arm. “I don’t know the situation, and I’m not asking you to tell me. But it’s important you look at this from Angelica’s point of view. If you have something to tell her about her mother, inform
ation others know and she doesn’t, she needs to hear it from you, rather than someone else. I’m not suggesting anything bad about her mother; could be the children are just being kids. They sometimes blow things out of proportion. Or it’s just plain gossip, learning from their parents.”
“What did the child say to Angelica?”
“Something about you having to marry her mother, that you’re not her real father.”
Davis wanted to punch the nearest wall in anger.
“Again, Davis, it’s no secret you’re not her biological father, but sometimes words hurt worse than a blow. Even coming from a child,” she murmured, concern etched deeply into her face.
Davis ran a hand through his hair, frustrated, and blew out a long breath of air. “Yeah, maybe it’s time Angelica and I had a talk. God only knows it’s long overdue. I’ll think about it.” He forced a smile on his face. “All ready to go?”
She opened her mouth but clamped it back shut, giving a small shake of her head. Instead of speaking, she threw him a tight smile.
“Sure, I just need to pack a few more things in my bag,” she murmured.
After she packed it with a few folders, she carefully placed them all inside the multicolored bag and turned her face up to his and smiled.
“I need to grab my jacket and lock up, and I’m ready. I didn’t drive today; my car is in the shop, so one of my grad students is going to give me a ride home.”
“I can give you a ride,” he replied as she began pulling the straps of the large satchel over her back.
“I couldn’t take you out of your way; it’s no problem for Nate. He lives in the apartment complex near my house here on the North side. Besides, I’m sure Milly and Angelica are waiting for you.”
“Nate? Here, let me help,” Davis murmured and helped her ease the straps of the bag over her back, and she murmured a thank you.
She’d worn her hair down, and so she pulled it up and away as he helped her with her coat, and his fingers brushed against the back of her bare neck. He felt her flinch in response. The tiny bumps sprang across her smooth brown skin in reaction to his touch. He reluctantly withdrew his fingers, but not before he allowed them to linger a fraction longer, caressing the smooth, soft skin of her neck.
“Thank you,” she murmured in response to his help with her bag.
When she glanced at him from the corners of her almondshaped eyes and licked the lush rim of her lower lip, his dick thumped against the suddenly tight restriction of his slacks.
“No problem. So, will you allow us to take you home?” He took a deep breath and moved away.
“I don’t want to take you out of your way. I don’t want to be an imposition—”
“It’s not an imposition.” His concentration was purely focused on her lush mouth.
The only thing on his mind was parting her lips, devouring her.
A hint of a flush stained her pretty face, either from the warmth of her office, or maybe something else, he didn’t know. He preferred to think it was because of him. He wanted to be the reason for her rosy cheeks.
13
T he need, the desire, to kiss her was written all over his face and she wanted to feel his hard chiseled mouth against her lips just as badly.
She’d quickly gotten addicted to his kisses. His making love to her mouth and handling her in a way she longed to be handled had left her aching for more.
Particularly after nine months of erotic dreams, along with their recent sexual explorations.
She moved her eyes past the small dimple in the corner of his sensual lips, past his high cheekbones and settled on his light grey eyes. Beautiful eyes staring down at her like he wanted to gobble her up.
Candy didn’t dwell on the change in him, the way he no longer seemed to try and hide his feelings. She didn’t analyze the whys of it. She only wanted to feel. Feel his smooth lips, his hard body, pressed tightly against the softness of hers.
When he brought his thumb up to caress her chin, and pulled her into his arms, she willingly went. The first touch of his lips on hers was gentle, until she opened her mouth, inviting him inside.
That was all the encouragement he seemed to need.
He pulled her even tighter against his hard body, one hand on the back of her head, near the base of her neck, the other on her ass. The kiss began with a soft melding of lips, exploring, light, sweet touches.
When his tongue snaked out and licked the corner of her lips, Candy opened her mouth and allowed her tongue to softly stroke his.
He groaned harshly and pulled her lower lip into his mouth, sucked and pulled on it, laving it relentlessly until he slowly released it. Immediately, he shoved his hot tongue inside, and gave a full, sensual lick around the circumference of her mouth.
Candy shivered from the hot invasion of his marauding tongue.
“You taste as good as your name, Candy,” he groaned as he centered himself in the middle of her heat. She could feel the hard surge of his erection beneath the zipper of his slacks.
“Ummm, you taste just as good,” she agreed, her breath coming out in pants, her chest heaving.
He dragged her mouth back to his. Nothing was heard but harsh moans and sensual sighs as he ground her sex against his cock and made love to her mouth.
The effect of his kisses, his touches, the way he was working her body, fully clothed, had her senses reeling, head pounding so hard it was as though someone was in there knocking inside her head.
“Someone is knocking on the door, Candy,” Davis pulled back and whispered against the corner of her mouth.
The loud banging finally penetrated the sensual cocoon she was wrapped within and with her breath coming out in gasps she reluctantly pulled herself away from Davis’ hold.
His expression was carefully neutral, but the deep breaths and heaving chest said he was as affected by the kiss they shared as she.
“Oh God, that must be Nate!” Candy cried.
She pulled away and nearly fell, her legs were so wobbly. Davis grasped her beneath the elbow and helped to steady her as she tottered on her feet. She extricated her body from his, swaying. She straightened her back and opened the door.
“Miss Candy, is everything okay?” Nate asked, concern heavily stamped on his handsome, young face. “I’ve been knocking for a few minutes and I was worried.”
Candy had an overwhelming need to close the door in his face, knowing good and well she looked as crazy as she felt.
Candy rearranged her fabric wrap on her body, and straightened out the skirt. She smiled at him and self-consciously patted her hair into place, tucking an errant curl or two behind both ears.
“I’m sorry, Nate. Everything is fine!” She smiled nervously. “I was having a session with a parent.” So that was a bit of a stretch, she thought with a grimace. Technically, she was having a session, just not the type she normally had with a parent. This was beginning to be an ugly habit, she thought. “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.”
“That’s okay. I came to pick you up. Whenever you’re ready, Miss Candy, we can roll out.” He quickly assured her and trying, discreetly, to look around her, to see who she was having a “session” with.
She blocked the door with her body, although since she was barely five three, compared to Nate’s nearly six feet, she didn’t think she was all that effective.
She definitely wasn’t hiding a thing, when she felt the parent she was having “session” stand behind her, his big body hovering close, his hands resting on the top of her shoulders.
“Candy won’t need a ride from you tonight, or any other night, son.”
Davis’ hands drifted from the tops of her shoulders, slowly, stroking down the length of her arms before he released her.
His male posturing was unnecessary…even if it did give her an inappropriate thrill.
“You can go on back to your dorm, son,” Davis finished.
“I don’t live in the dorms, sir.” Nate darted his dark gaze away from Candy and
focused on Davis. He folded his arms over his muscular, broad chest, his eyes hardening. “Like I said, it won’t be a problem to help Miss Candy out. I look forward to the ride,” he finished with a cocky grin spreading across his handsome face.
Davis circled her wrist with his hands, casually linking their fingers. There was a certain amount of obvious possessiveness, a casual intimacy with his touch.
Maybe it was her, but all of a sudden Candy got the distinct impression that neither man was talking about giving her a ride home.
“Is that true, Miss Candy? You won’t need a ride from me? We live so close to one another, it would be too bad to take Mr. Strong out of his way. I’m sure he doesn’t live on our side of town. In fact, I hoped you would join me for dinner if you haven’t eaten.”
“Nate—” she began, not sure what to say. She was saved from replying when Davis interrupted, again.
“No, she doesn’t need a ride home, Nate. Nor does she need you to feed her. She’s having dinner with me. In fact, I think it’s time we got a move on…Candy?” he murmured, moving to the side of her, his hand on the door as though to close it in Nate’s face.
Candy was confused, but decided rather than to pull Nate into her suddenly crazy world, she’d play along with Davis, for the moment.
She turned up the wattage on the smile she gave Nate. “Thanks, Nate. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” she replied casting a side glance at Davis. “It was all a bit…unexpected.”
“No problem, Miss Candy.” He said it casually, but Candy saw his disappointment in his expression.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the dance?” he asked around the door closing in his face. Candy grabbed the edge of the door before it could slam shut and shot Davis a nasty, sidelong look.
“Yes, Nate. I’ll see you then!” she managed to say, barely, before the door completely closed.
“What was that all about?” she demanded, spinning around, and found herself back in Davis’s loose embrace. She tried unsuccessfully to push out of his arms.
Just Like Candy Page 9
