He pulled me in close and I felt the entire length of him, every wonderful warm inch of that magnificent body. I melted into him, needing his strength, his comfort, and everything he offered.
I stood on tiptoe and lifted my face. “Kiss me,” I said, and felt my mouth tremble. I would not cry. Not now. I needed to be strong to fight the bad guys, the horrible corruption that was spreading from some seedy spots in South Beach and infringing on my neighborhood. That’s right. My neighborhood.
His mouth came down on mine. Hard. He knew what I needed, perhaps more than I did myself. His hands roamed over me, then cupped my backside and drew me close.
His kisses were not gentle, not soft or kind. They were hungry, demanding, taking and giving, then taking some more. Our tongues mingled and dueled, eager to taste each other, wanting to unite the way our bodies hungered for the same.
He broke away, and I stood there, bereft, alone, aching for him, wondering why I was so cold. I heard the door slam shut, and the sound of the lock, and then Harrison was back. His hands wrapped around me and his thighs pressed between mine. I widened my legs to accommodate him, and felt a rush of heat as his groin rubbed against mine.
“Here?” I squeaked.
“And now,” he answered, then growled. His teeth grazed my shoulder, his mouth slid along my neck.
I twisted my head, so his lips could have better access. Liquid fire shot through me, and I shivered and shook. His mouth electrified me, and my nerve ends tingled. Needs, wants, and desires that had lain dormant for most of my life, rose up in a full force gale.
I was a live energy that sizzled and snapped and couldn’t be stopped.
“Harrison…do me. Dear heavens, do me.”
“Shit.” He stopped at the button on his shorts. “I don’t have a condom.”
I laughed, the sound husky. Sexy, even to my own ears. “I’m sure we have plenty in the men’s room.”
“Change?” He patted his empty pockets.
“There’s petty cash in the drawer.”
I watched him rush off and then without even considering what I was doing, I kicked off my sandals, removed my shorts and top and hoisted myself on the bar. I only had a pink bra and matching panties on. Even that was too much.
He came back a second later, and his eyes opened wide. “Holy cow, Candy. You are a sight for sore eyes. My God, how did you stay single so long?”
“Get over here.” I smiled seductively, and dangled my feet over the bar. I slid my knees open slightly, an invitation he couldn’t ignore.
He ripped his own shirt off, undid his belt buckle and let his shorts fall to his knees. Then he wobbled over to me.
I slid my hand into his jockey shorts, and caught my breath. Oh, dear, God. Was this heaven?
I felt him shudder, and watched him close his eyes as my fingers slid up and down his shaft.
“You like that?” I asked, my words a hot whisper in his ear.
“Don’t ever stop.”
“I want you, Harrison Wolfe. As much as I did the first time I saw you. No. That’s wrong. It’s not want…it’s need and so much more.”
My entire body felt like putty, waiting to be molded by his hands, by the firm press of his body. I shivered in expectation, needing to feel him on top of me, inside of me, and have his cock buried so deep it could never find a way out.
He kicked off his shoes and shorts, and ripped open the condom packet with his teeth. He rolled the condom over the biggest hard-on I’ve ever seen, and I felt a wet explosion inside my legs.
I was like a firecracker that could go off anytime.
“Quick. I’m not going to last long.”
“This first time, neither will I.”
He rolled my undies over my hips and down my legs, then tossed them to the floor. He unsnapped my bra and tossed it too. Then he slid me down on top of him. I was half perched on his strong thighs as he thrust inside of me. I clung to his shoulders and rode the waves of pleasure out, as he pounded me against the side of the bar.
The tempo increased and both Harrison and I were panting, our kisses frantic, our bodies demanding release. The pressure built inside of me and I bucked once or twice and felt myself clench right before the world exploded in a brilliance of stars.
A second later, I heard a bellow and felt Harrison shudder as his release came too. I held onto him, still moving my hips, eager to take as much as he had to give.
His legs gave out, and then we were both lying on the floor.
I rolled over on my side, and tucked one leg between his thighs. He fondled my breast and I kissed his chest. I thought about moving, but where would I go?
I was right where I wanted to be…and nothing had ever felt sweeter.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Candy?”
I lifted my head. “Yes?”
“Can we do that again?”
I laughed. “What? You mean right now?”
“Maybe in a few minutes. Don’t go anywhere, please? Just lie here with me and when I’m ready I’ll get up and get another condom.” He kissed my forehead. “Once was not even close to enough. I still feel as randy as a sixteen-year-old kid.”
“It’s probably just the Candy Bar magic.” I said it lightly, but secretly hoped I was wrong. I wanted him to desire me, have super-deep feelings—not because of any old magic, but because I was worthy of his love.
So far I was batting zero in the forever department. But one day I hoped to hit a home run.
I ran my fingers down his chest, teasing him with little circles that got lower and lower. “Who knew the Candy Bar could be this much fun?”
“You’ve never done this before?”
“Are you crazy? Of course not! What do you take me for?”
“The sexiest, most beautiful and intelligent woman I’ve met in the past thirty years.”
“Ah…you say the sweetest things.”
“I mean them.” He bent his head and kissed me deeply. “I don’t know how I’ll return to Boston and leave you here.”
I stilled, my hand over his heart. “You have no choice. Once you get home and back to work, you’ll forget all about me.” I was determined to make his leaving easy—less painful.
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Sure it is. You know we can’t let this go any further. Today is the only day we have.” I peppered his shoulders with kisses.
“You still thinking of the kids?”
“Of course.” Now that the first heat of desire had past, my conscience returned. “They’d be so disappointed in us.”
He didn’t answer because he knew I was right. Finally, he muttered something about not giving a shit, then he shifted his weight so that his big, beautiful body covered mine. His mouth claimed my lips, his tongue dived in and he kissed me like he couldn’t get enough. As though he wanted to remember the taste and flavor of me.
“Oh, Har, you move me so,” I whispered, and rubbed up against him. I wanted him again, desperately. “Are you ready yet?”
He chuckled. “Check and see.”
I slipped my hand down and found him rock hard. “Oh, goodie.” I gave him a naughty grin. “Is this for me?”
“Sure is.”
“My favorite kind of present.” I lowered my body and took him in my mouth.
He moaned with pleasure. “God…that feels…so good.”
“Relax and enjoy the ride.” I pleasured him for several minutes, but he grew restless and pushed my head away.
“Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
I lay on my back and closed my eyes. When I opened them, he stood over me and I’ve never seen a more powerful, strong, sexy hunk of a man fumbling with a condom, looking unsure of himself. There were tears in his eyes and I wondered what put them there.
I took the condom out of his hands. “Here. Let me do it.”
With sure fingers I rolled it over the length of him, and then cradled his head to my breast. “You’re shaking.”
“
You bring me to my knees.” His teeth grazed my nipple. “Candy. I want to lick you all over and then eat you up.”
“What are you waiting for?” I dropped down on the floor and raised my hands over my head. “Do with me what you want.”
His mouth came down on mine hard, and I thought I felt tears on his cheeks. He kissed me for a long, long time, then his mouth drifted down to my neck, while his hands kneaded my breasts. He took a pert nipple into his mouth and sucked on it gently, then gave equal attention to the other.
His hand roamed over my tummy, then he bent and kissed me there. His lips trailed lower and lower still. I held my breath in anticipation, and waited.
His hands slipped between my thighs, moving them slightly apart, and then his finger dipped it, finding me hot and moist. With an experienced man’s knowledge he knew exactly where my sweet spot was, and with ruthless determination he brought me to the brink. At precisely the right moment, he withdrew his fingers and used his tongue.
I cried out as his tongue dove in, flickering back and forth over that delicate nub, and I arched my back and tried to push him away, but he wasn’t about to let me go.
Delirious, I felt my body go into spasms and just when I thought I couldn’t take any more, he entered me, and my pleasure rose again.
Our mating was quick, but so strong that it seemed as if we climaxed forever. Ripples of pleasure rolled from both of us for several long moments, and he continued to hold me and kiss me softly.
“Harrison…” I whispered. “It’s never been like this before.”
“I know. The Candy Bar magic.” And then he kissed me again.
When we could, we stood up and dressed. “Harrison, would you mind driving me home? I need to take care of a few things, and get in touch with Lydia.”
“Of course. I’ll go back to the hotel and change and shower, then pick you up later this afternoon. What time do you think you might be free? Three or four?”
“I have no idea. How about I call you when I’m done?”
“Sounds good to me.” He slid a hand around my back and gave me a warm hug. “What would you say to a sunset cruise? I’ll make arrangements for a boat. How about a picnic dinner, a relaxing evening, some fine wine?”
“That sounds wonderful.” Anything to spend time with him before we were through.
“Great. Consider it done.”
We walked back to the car, and my mind was flying in so many directions, I didn’t know where it would land. I used the interlude with Harrison for strength, knowing I had to make a decision.
* * *
I spoke to Lydia and explained the problem with Jake, the cocaine planted at the bar, and the squeeze for “protection money” that was most likely behind it all.
“I’ll call Jake now, and arrange to see him. Get his story,” Lydia said right away. Then she hastened to reassure me that the Candy Bar would remain safe.
“I don’t have your confidence, Lydia. I honestly think the police are turning a blind eye. I mean, really! I’ve seen things on the street. Not just the hookers and the pimps, but money and packages being exchanged. If I see this with my own eyes, why aren’t they doing anything about it?”
“Good question,” Lydia answered. “Look, I have a few ears in the Justice Department and I’ll nosey around. Don’t worry. I’ll get to the bottom of this. Trust me. Whoever, or whatever, is threatening you and your bar won’t go unpunished. And that’s a promise.”
“What would I ever do without you, Lyd? You’ve saved me and Billy, more than once.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
“Speaking of friends, I need to call Fran and Susie back. I spoke to them this morning before we got poor Jake bailed out.”
“Tell them I’m on it! I’ll keep in touch and let you all know what I find out.” Lydia released a hefty sigh. “I know you’re worried, Candy, but try not to be. Call the girls and go out and have a few drinks. That’s the best thing you can do right now. Leave the worrying to me. I’m a professional.”
“Sounds like a great plan.” I paused then confessed, “Harrison is renting a boat and he wants to take me on a sunset cruise. Perhaps the girls would like to come…”
Lydia laughed. “I don’t think they’re invited. And you, young lady, need to do something about this man.”
“I know what I’m going to do. Make love like there’s no tomorrow, and come tomorrow, send him home.”
“Harrison’s the best thing that’s walked into your bar for a very long time. And I want you to fall in love, get married, and be as happy as Susie, Fran and myself.”
“Sure. Then we all can have our kids together, and go to playgroups and everything. It’ll be peachy keen.” I didn’t try to hide the sarcasm. “Come on, Lyd. You know that’s never going to happen. Besides, you started without us. Your little guy’s already in preschool.”
“So? Just means you have some catching up to do.”
Instead of giving me hives, the idea of creating a family with Harrison warmed my heart. “Did you forget that Harry boy lives in Boston, and my life is here?”
“No, I didn’t forget. That’s a minor problem we’ll have to figure out at a later date.” She hesitated for a second then blurted, “Heck. Tell me at least you’re having wild sex with him?”
“Yes to the wild sex. But only today. Maybe tonight… I’m not sure. The kids are coming back tomorrow and he needs to return to work. So you see, that will be that.”
“I don’t believe it. When there’s a will, there’s a way.”
“True, but I don’t have the will. Billy would be furious if he knew the things I was doing with Harrison. I promised him I’d stay clear. Billy thinks it’s creepy, and I guess it is.”
“Making love to this magnificent man is not the least bit creepy. You deserve happiness in your life, and I have a feeling that he does too. A man like that does not stay single long. You can mend his broken or lonely heart, while he puts a little patch on yours.”
“I love you. You know that, right?”
“I love you too. Now, tonight, make the most of it. Enjoy every second you have with him and make it count.”
“Yes, Mother. I’ll do my best.”
“That’s a good girl.”
I chuckled and said good-bye, then called to fill Susie and Fran in on the latest developments.
They both nearly wept when I told them the Candy Bar was temporarily closed. I didn’t know when Jake would be able to work there again. It could be days, it could be never. The thought of replacing him was unbearable, and I wasn’t up to the job. Not now. My heart simply wasn’t in it any longer. Besides that—I was so saddened and so angry with the dirt-bags who were destroying the way of life on the once peaceful and dignified Hibiscus Street. If they came near me, I might rip their heads off.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Harrison called later in the afternoon and asked if I could meet him at the Rickenbacker Marina, Key Biscayne. It was only a fifteen minute drive from my apartment. I told him I’d bring a cooler and wine.
The few hours apart had been long enough for me to realize I’d miss him when he left, and that maybe my friends were right. I did deserve a man like him. Now—how to convince him to try a long distance relationship?
As soon as I arrived at the marina and unloaded the car, I made my way toward the boat ramp. I spotted him a few seconds before he saw me and had a moment to enjoy the view.
Harrison—anytime—is a worthy sight, but dressed in shorts and a tee he looked young, sexy, fit, and incredibly delicious. Even more pleasing was the fact that for the day he was mine for the taking. When he turned, a big grin lit up his face. He waved, and my heart swelled as I waved back. He jogged over to me, taking the ice chest out of my hands. “Hey, gorgeous.” He gave me a peck on the cheek. “Hope you didn’t mind me not picking you up, but I didn’t want to waste a minute.”
“Of course not. It’s such a beautiful day, and I’m really excited about going boating. It’s
a shame that I live on the water, and haven’t been out cruising for years.”
“We’ll have to see if we can rectify that. I have a small sailboat in Boston. I’d love for you to visit—and often.”
His words pleasured me, but I knew things would change once he returned home to his normal routine. I’d fade into a nice, but distant, memory.
“I can picture you on a sailboat,” I said with a teasing smile. “A lazy afternoon out on your yacht—watching the white billowed sails in a perfect blue sky, while the breeze gently ruffled your hair.”
He grinned and ran a hand through his thick hair. “You’ve got quite the imagination. Sailing is hardly relaxing. It requires a lot of work.”
“Uh-huh.” I glanced down at the Sea Ray Sundancer that he’d rented. “So, you’re feeling lazy today?” I could see that it was a nice size boat with a cockpit, a comfortable deck to enjoy the sun, and had a cabin beneath.
What could we do in the cabin, I wondered?
“You bet. No work today. I’d rather make memories.” He jumped on board and put the cooler down, then offered his hand to me.
Once I was on deck, he took me into his arms and kissed me properly.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered next to my ear, and his hands moved to my backside.
I wiggled out of his embrace, and pretended that his words didn’t thrill me. Cool as a cucumber—yup, that’s me. “Not yet, big fella. I want to see the rest of this boat you rented. It’s a beauty.”
The hatch was open so I scooted down into the cabin and saw a small square table, cornered with two cushioned seats, a head, and a small sleeping area in the front. Harrison had taken care of everything. I admired a man who thought ahead.
“See anything you like?” he asked, poking his head down the hatch to look at me.
“I do.” Pretending that I hadn’t noticed the bed, I walked over to the food basket on the table. “What have we here?”
“The Rusty Pelican made us a nice dinner. Steamed lobster tails, a big green salad, plus another pasta salad, and fresh rolls. I had them toss in some large stone crab claws with mustard sauce.” He winked and grinned. “We won’t starve.”
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