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

by Patrice Wilton

  He broke into a grin and took the cookie—and shoved it in my face.

  Shannon laughed as I stuck out my tongue, choking on cookie crumbs. I spit into a napkin. She picked up her son, rescuing him before I could get revenge.

  I stood up and walked over to the sink to wash up. “No, thank you. You can have all the kids. I’ll just watch.”

  She rubbed her tummy. “Okay, but you don’t know what you’re missing.”

  “I might be missing something, Sis, but it’s not one of those.” I looked at my squirmy little nephew who had his grimy paws in my sister’s hair. “You’ll never convince me that I might enjoy being a mother. Couldn’t happen.”

  “Don’t be too sure. If the right man came along you might think differently.”

  “Ha!” I sat back down. “If the “right” guy came along, which by the way I don’t believe in, I’d take him to bed and then in the morning he’d be gone. No mess, no fuss.”

  “You’re heartless.” She kissed her baby’s head then put him back on the floor. “I wouldn’t trade this little guy for a hundred big ones.”

  “That’s because you never had a hundred. You married Kyle when you were still in college.”

  “And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” Her pink cheeks grew rosier. “He makes me happy.”

  “He better or I’ll see him in court.”

  Shannon laughed. “Always my champion.” She stood up. “My little guy’s wandered into your office and is probably pulling out all your drawers. Have you got your file cabinet locked?”

  “No, it’s okay. I keep my personal files on the bottom drawer. He can’t hurt anything.”

  “That’s good because if he can, I’m certain he will.” She asked, “Mind if I use your computer for a second? I put a bid on e-Bay for a new golf cart, an anniversary present for Kyle, and I want to see if I was the high bidder.”

  A minute later I heard Shannon shout, “What’s this?”

  “What’s what?” I walked into the study and she waved a folder in my face.

  “Aha!” she said. “So you are looking.”

  “Looking at what?”

  “Why do you have information on Fairfields, a Genetic and IVF Institute Cyrobank, one of the world’s largest human sperm banks, if you’re not planning on having a baby?”

  “Because about a year and a half ago, I did consider it.”

  “You did?” She looked hurt. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I wasn’t ready to. It was a few months after Stephen left and I felt so completely alone. It was awful.”

  “I know, honey. I remember exactly how you felt.”

  “And so I thought if I had a baby my life wouldn’t be empty anymore.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  “That wasn’t the right reason to have a child. I gave it a lot of thought, believe me. But if my sole reason for having a baby was to prevent loneliness, I could get a cat.” I looked her straight in the eye. “Hell, I’m not cut out to be a mother. I’m way too selfish.”

  “No, you’re not.” With Kylie balanced on one hip, she flipped through the folder. “Wow! They sound hot. And you have three categories to choose from?”

  “Yes, they have a Family Solution, whatever than means, a regular one, and a Doctorate’s, but all three go through the same screening procedures.”

  I watched Kylie try to stick his foot in his mouth and reached down to tickle his tummy. He grabbed my finger and wouldn’t let go.

  Shannon flicked through the pages. “A three generational family history,” she murmured, “a physical exam that includes genetic and infectious disease testing. Sounds safer having a child through this Cyrobank organization than the old fashioned way.”

  I pointed to the Doctorates program with my free hand. “There are sixty-eight donors in this program alone.” Their blood-type, ethnic background, height, weight, skin tone, color of eyes and hair, and college degree were all listed for general viewing.

  “Look at this guy.” She pointed a pink and white fingernail. “He’s six feet two, blue eyes, blonde, straight hair, of Scandinavian descent. He sounds gorgeous. He could father my baby any time.”

  “Hey, I’m going to tell Kyle on you.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.” Shannon patted her round tummy with a satisfied smile. “Besides I like knowing who put this seed in me.”

  “Well, you better.” I tucked the file away in the bottom drawer. “I had it out because someone I know is interested.”

  My hair had loosened from the clasp so I went to clip it again. One of my longer nails got caught and I had to tug it free.

  Shannon watched me, shaking her head. “When are you going to get rid of that horrendous hair? You need a change, a new look.”

  “Right now,” I said with authority. “Bring me the scissors.”

  “No, seriously. Wouldn’t it look better cropped?”

  “Mind your own business. I like it this way.”

  “Whatever. It’s your hair.” Shannon flinched. “Ouch! He’s playing football in there.”

  “Let me feel.” Smiling, I said softly, “Oh, he is too.” Feeling a strong movement, I winked. “Touchdown.”

  Grinning like a proud mom, she said, “He might not be a genius or a prototype from the doctorates program-this little guy-but at least he’ll be cute.”

  “Not if he looks like his Dad,” I teased.

  She lightly smacked my arm. “Kyle is adorable and you know it.” Her amber eyes glowed warmly. “There’s something safe and reassuring about knowing the kind of man the father is. Don’t you think?”

  “Of course. I know the screening is rigid, but what if one of the men had a mental illness? Or was an axe-murderer? I’m sure he wouldn’t say so in the form he filled out.”

  “Ooooh!” Shannon pretended to squeal. “Scary.”

  Just then we heard a knock on the door. I looked at Shannon. “Should I answer it?”

  Shannon grabbed Kylie and put him in her lap protectively. The knock was louder this time. I figured an axe murderer wouldn’t bother to knock, so I opened the door a crack. It was Jed. Smiling. “Hi, Lydia. Were you expecting me?”

  “No, not really. I was thinking about some sicko axe murderer, but you’re close enough.”

  “That’s real friendly of you.” He looked over his shoulder. “Hi,” Jed spoke to Shannon, “you look a little like Lydia, but a lot prettier.”

  Shannon laughed. “I can tell I like you already.” She rose to shake his hand. “I’m Shannon and this cookie-faced monster is Kylie.”

  “Jed Harrison. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “How’d you guess?” Shannon glanced at her sister. “She’s tall and gangly and I’m short and fat.”

  “The red hair and turned up nose gave me a hunch.”

  “I thought it might be the stomach. Come on in. My sister forgot her manners.” She whispered, “I think she’s a male phobiac.”

  He sauntered in. “Thanks. It’s nice to be invited for a change.”

  I glared at both of them. “Sure, waltz right in. It’s just my house.”

  “Shut up, Lydia. You were looking for something and here it is.” Shannon smiled at Jed. “Are you married?”

  “Not for much longer. I’m getting a divorce.”

  “Ahh. You’re one of Lydia’s clients?”

  “No. My soon-to-be-ex is.”

  “That explains it.” Her eyes gleamed. “Why my sister is so rude to you. She has to be.”

  “Good. And all this time I thought it was just my personality.”

  “Goodness, no. And you’re handsome, too.”

  “Shannon, don’t you have to be leaving? Isn’t it time to pick Amber up from Ballet?”

  She glanced at her watch. “Almost. I have ten minutes to spare.” She led Jed toward the kitchen. “Lydia and I were…”

  “Were catching up on a few things.” I cleared the kitchen table of coffee cups and crumbs.

  “You better give yourself
an extra few minutes,” I said firmly. “The traffic is busy at this hour.”

  Shannon smiled, knowingly. “You two have fun, okay? And if she’s mean to you, Jed, remember it’s not personal. She’s mean to all men.”

  I shut the door behind her not too gently, turned and faced Jed, who should have know better than to have a smirk on his face.

  “And you? What are you smirking at? Just why are you here?” I marched across the room and plopped on the couch.

  “Hey, you’re walking good. That’s great.” Uninvited, he sat down beside me.

  Picking up the remote I flicked on TV. CNN had to be a lot more interesting than this jock-strap. “Why aren’t you running, or working, or something?”

  “Why? Does the idea of seeing me in my sweaty undershirt turn you on?”

  I yawned behind my hand. “Dream on, buddy. And if you think you’re the next Fabio, think again.”

  He chuckled.

  “So, you still haven’t told me what you’re doing here.”

  “Alexei got a new attorney. I’m not sure what happened with her and Marcia, but she decided not to use your firm and go with Kendal Mulvaney. From what I hear she’s a real bitch.”

  “She’s good and she’s tough.”

  “She’s telling Alexei that she can get half my business. My father started this construction company, and I’ll be damned if she sees a cent of it.”

  “If you inherited it before you were married it would be a protected asset.”

  “It’s not. Dad passed away a couple of years ago.”

  “I’m sorry.” No point in telling him he was screwed. He’d learn soon enough.

  He was silent for a few minutes, and I kind of hoped he’d said what he’d come to say, and was ready to go.

  “Well, it was nice talking to you Jed, but I’ve got a full night ahead of me.”

  “Hot date?”

  “No,” I scoffed. “I’m not much into dating. Can’t see the point of it.”

  He lifted an eyebrow as if he didn’t believe me. “Come on, Lydia. Marriage sucks, but dating is fun.”

  “Fun for some. I’ve got better things to do with my time.”

  “Like?”

  “Like making sure I make partner, and Marcia doesn’t.” My mouth fell open and clamped shut. What was the matter with me—telling him a thing like that? Every time I got near Jed, I behaved very unlike myself.

  “A friendly rivalry, I see.”

  “No,” I quickly denied. “I shouldn’t have said that. I have nothing against Marcia personally, and have complete respect for her as an attorney.”

  “Sure,” he drawled. “So what makes you think she’ll make partner instead of you?”

  “I don’t.” At least I hoped not. I had goofed up, but surely they weren’t going to hold that against me. If I had hurt my chances because I’d slept with this guy… Oh, it was too unbearable to think about. Suddenly, I remembered Hal’s words and they came back to mock me.

  “The senior partner did say Alex would do well with Marcia because she’s the best.” Blushing, I slapped my hand over my mouth. “Why, I’m just a blabber mouth today. I don’t mean to be telling you this stuff. You should go now before I get into worse trouble.”

  “Uh-uh. You’re cute when you get rattled. Anyway, forget what the senior partner said. Alexei thinks you’re the best divorce attorney in town, and believe me, she did her homework.”

  “Well, that’s nice.”

  His eyes looked worried and it sounded like he was gritting his teeth. “I don’t trust this Kendal. Some of the ideas she’s been feeding Alex are pure bull-shit.”

  “I’m sure she knows every trick in the book.” Yikes! Why did I say that? What was this—diarrhea of the mouth? “Look, Jed. I’m not going to give you any weapons you can use against Alexei, so this entire conversation is moot. You’re barking up the wrong tree if you’ve come to me for help.”

  One of his fingers that lay on the couch behind my head began to play with my hair. “I didn’t come here for that. I came because I wanted to see you again.”

  I stiffened. Was he trying to play me for a sucker? “It’s not going to happen—you and me. Once was a big enough mistake. Twice would be stupidity.”

  “I’m not here for sex. Nor was I planning to discuss Kendal and my soon-to-be-ex-of-a wife. I was thinking about asking you to a movie or out for a drink.”

  “Why?” If he didn’t want sex he had to want information. Otherwise, what was in it for him?

  “Does there have to be a reason?”

  “Yes, of course there does. I was Alexei’s attorney and for that reason alone you should hate my guts.”

  “You were just doing your job. But now that you’re not her attorney anymore I can’t see the harm in being friendly.” He put his hands behind his head and leaned back into the couch, looking way too comfortable for my liking.

  “Well, I do. I…”

  He interrupted. “The way I see it is that neither one of us wants a serious relationship. I’ve been there, done that, and won’t go that route again. But I still enjoy female companionship, and a woman in my bed never hurts. Not that that is the reason I’m here. But it’s a valid point.”

  I choked on a laugh. “Valid point, my ass. You just want to get laid. Find someone who’s interested, or find a hooker.”

  He looked me in the eye and I felt that thing again. That tug inside of me, the need to procreate with this man. It was too weird. Every time he looked at me a certain way I wanted to rip his clothes off and fuck him blind.

  “What’s wrong with a repeat performance? We had a good time.”

  I gulped in air, and forced my eyes away. “Not going to happen, Buddy.” I moved slightly out of his reach. “Look, we slept together, big deal!” I faked a casual smile. “I’m not saying it wasn’t great, and I did enjoy it very much, thank you. But now it’s time to move on.”

  He made a snorting sound. Then tried again.

  “Usually when two people like each other and have already slept together the next step is to do it again.” I frowned, and he quickly added, “That’s the normal progression. There are variations of course.”

  “Where do you expect this progression to take us?”

  I mean, come on. Neither one of us were into relationships. And he had a lot of healing to do before he would be ready for any type of involvement, and be good for any woman. Look at how long it took me to get over Stephen. Eighteen months and counting. A person couldn’t shortcut the healing process and jump start with somebody else. And if all he wanted was sex, he was barking up the wrong tree. I like sex as much as the next girl, but sex with him was just too complicated and too addicting.

  “I don’t know.” His hand caressed the back of my neck, and I shivered. “No where, really,” he said, rather bravely I thought. “Not that I don’t like you. I do. I think you’re smart, you’re sexier than hell, and I’d love to get you back into my bed. Fact is, we both like sex, we just don’t want anything permanent. It’s perfect. Not to mention it would piss the hell outta Alexei. So, what do you think?”

  I pushed his hand away, and heard him chuckle. Looking into his blue-grey eyes, I felt something stir deep inside me. And that familiar heat between my thighs. I was almost getting used to it. Every time our eyes connected I wanted him. And that was something a self-confessed relationship phobic like me shouldn’t be feeling. “I don’t have the time or the inclination to be sex buddies. But if you want to be strictly friends…”

  “The first has more appeal, but I could settle for friends.” His eyes gleamed. “Maybe with side benefits?”

  I laughed. “Good try.” I looked him over as if sizing him up. “Okay, let’s say we’re friends. How do we do this? Do we tell each other secrets?”

  “We could.” His lips twitched, and for some reason his jaw muscle attracted my attention. I wanted to run my finger over it. His strong but sensitive face, I’m sure, would be appealing to the right woman.

&nb
sp; “Okay. I’ll tell you a secret, and then you tell me one.”

  “This could be dangerous.” He stretched his long legs out and I found myself staring at his thighs. I tore my eyes away.

  “Let’s see.” I tapped my bottom teeth while I was thinking. “A secret. Ummm—I wanted to be a concert pianist when I was a kid.”

  “Really? What stopped you?”

  “I wasn’t any good. At least that’s what my piano teacher told me when she was rapping my fingers for playing the wrong keys.”

  He chuckled. “That wasn’t bad. Let me think of something that nobody knows.” He closed his eyes as if in deep thought. “I wanted to be a mailman and ride my bike all over town, wearing a cap and uniform—shorts, of course.”

  “How old were you?”

  “Eight.”

  “Every boy wants to do that. Or be a firefighter. Give me something juicier.”

  He smirked, and raised an eyebrow.

  “I didn’t mean that! I mean a deep, dark secret. A secret wish, a secret desire.” I was grinning too.

  “I have a secret longing to kiss you.”

  I made a face. “Huh. That’s no secret.” I edged slightly away so I could see him better and not be so accessible. “My secret is—I love pink. Pink panties, pink teddies, and the finest cotton, pale pink sheets.” Oh, my God. What was the matter with my mouth? I was blabbing away like a virgin at her first sleep-over.

  He gave me a sexy grin. “I like that. So, tell me your secret fantasy. Do you have any fetishes?”

  “I like to have my feet tickled.” That was it. I had no control whatsoever. My mouth was like some kind of babbling brook, and I needed to shut the hell up.

  “Enough,” I said. “Too many secrets at once will dilute the suspense. Tell me about yourself. Have you got any brothers or sisters? What about family?”

  “Boring. Secrets are way more fun.” He took a breath, and released it slowly. “Okay. Mom left my Dad when I was twelve, and my sister went to live with her. They moved to Tampa which was a bit of a hike, so they’d drive down every second Sunday for a few hours. But that was it.”

  “That’s awful.”

  I noticed a tick in the side of his jaw and that he swallowed hard. “I thought so too. Seeing Mom and my sis for those few hours was probably worse than not seeing them at all. I’d feel bad for days after they left. When I was fourteen and into sports, I told them they didn’t need to come to visit. So they stopped. It was better that way.”