“I’m sorry, Mom. I’d like to be happy for you, but where does that leave Katie and me?”
“Exactly where you were before. If you both decide to marry—let’s say in a few years’ time—we’d be equally thrilled and supportive. Wouldn’t we, Har?”
Harrison nodded and eyed my son. “On one condition. That you don’t give your mother anymore grief.”
I smiled and hugged Harrison’s arm. “I’ve never had a champion before—a man standing up for me. Never thought I needed it, but it’s a lovely feeling.”
Billy rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. You got my blessing and all that.”
I stepped away from Harrison long enough to give Billy a peck on the cheek. “I’ll write up the papers for the bar once it’s refurbished inside.”
“What are you going to do?” Jake asked. “I mean the Candy Bar was your entire life.”
“I’m going to start something new. It’s going to be called Candy’s Place.” I felt a tiny shiver run through me as I made the statement. I was going to do this. It was real. The time had come.
“It will be a shelter for women in trouble—runaways, unwed mothers, abused wives. Anyone who needs help and a temporary place to stay. To support this, I’m going to open an internet café and have a thrift shop and accept donations.” I smiled brightly, realizing how important this was to me, and how long it had been only a small, improbable dream. “So what do you think?”
Harrison started laughing. “You just came up with this? It’s a grand plan and if you won’t take my money for the bar, you will accept it for this.”
“Mom….” Billy looked speechless. “I’m so proud of you.”
Jake put two fingers on his sexy lips and tossed me a kiss. “Kudos, kid. You’ve done it again. Hit on something really spectacular that’ll make a difference in people’s lives.”
“Don’t give me so much credit. I stole the idea from someone else, and she deserves more accolades than me. There’s a home for unwed mothers a few hours north of here. I was destitute when I found it—pregnant, disgraced, with no money and no hope. They saved me. Saved us,” I said to Billy. “I’ve been giving them donations for years.” I lifted my hands, palms up, “Call it “coming full circle.” Giving back. Whatever.”
Krista touched Jake’s shoulder. “Let me be the first to offer you congratulations, Candy. On your engagement, and your new venture. It sounds wonderful.”
“Thank you.” I looked around at all the faces. “Well, I think we are all a little on overload right now, so if you don’t mind Harrison and I will leave now, and let you men talk about your partnership.”
Harrison slipped his arm around my waist. “I need to talk to Candy and convince her that Boston could use a shelter like hers.” He smiled down at me. “She already turned down a bungalow in Tahiti. And if she’s going to remain working, then I need to do the same.”
“You’re going to have to be very persuasive to make me leave Miami for the cold, chilly winters in Boston.”
“I can be persuasive when I need to be.” He dropped a kiss on my nose, then before I could say another word he led me out of the room, away from the hospital and to his car.
“I’m eager to see your persuasion,” I told him with a naughty grin.
He turned the key, stepped on the gas and had us backed out of the parking spot in no time.
CHAPTER THIRTY
We went directly to his hotel and before the door slammed shut, Harrison had me backed up against a wall, kissing me senseless. He nibbled on my neck, his teeth tugged at my earlobe, and his tongue teased and tasted everything it could.
I sighed with pleasure. What had I done to deserve this?
His mouth took mine in such a heated kiss, that every bone in my body began to melt. I clung to him for support and wrapped my leg around his knee. “You are persuasive.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet.”
“There’s more?” I whispered between hungry kisses.
“We have barely touched on the important matters.” He gave me a wicked grin, and his eyes danced.
“Well, I think we should…touch on those matters, I mean.”
He lifted my leg higher and put it around his back, supporting me now with the full movement of his hips. His muscular body fit all my soft curves as though we were designed from the same mold.
I could feel the full length of him, the powerful erection that poked and prodded my tummy and then between my legs. My knees buckled.
I’ve never been had against a wall, but tonight was the perfect time for firsts—I wanted to sample every new thing the two of us could imagine. Why not? We had all night and the rest of our lives.
I tasted the minty, fresh taste of his mouth and couldn’t get enough. I let my tongue linger and swirl inside his sweet mouth, and swallowed his moans of pleasure.
His hands kneaded my breasts at first gently, then with more urgency. I could feel them swell and lift for his pleasure. With an expert touch the tips of his fingers tweaked my nipples into hard perky peaks and I pushed them deeper into his hands. They ached to be touched, to be tasted and sweetly tortured.
I squirmed against him, my one leg still captured behind his back. I could feel the heat coming from him, and the urgency growing as his groin grinded into mine.
His fingers found an opening in my lacy panties and dipped inside, finding me hot and wet. I moved against his hand, needing more, wanting everything at once.
I undid his fly and pushed his pants and boxers down to his knees. His throbbing erection sprang into action, seeking a warm sweet spot to fill. We were both panting now and Harrison’s grip weakened. I’m a grown woman and I’ve been aroused before, but not like this. This need was something else. It came from a deep, deep place inside of me. A place where a young, lonely girl had lived for far too long.
My arms were around his neck and I started to slide down the wall, but he lifted me half onto his one knee and stayed with me—filling me deeper and sweeter than I’ve ever been before, lifting me higher than I’ve ever known, and showing me a passion that I’d only dreamt about.
Thrust for thrust, we matched each other, and I could feel the salt of his tears on my face. He needed me as much as I needed him. And for the first time in my life I knew I was loved.
Once we were both satiated, he carried me to the bedroom, stripped me naked, and began again. His caresses were soft and gentle this time, his kisses slow and languid. Nothing in my life had prepared me for this. My heart was overwhelmed with love, and I feared it would burst.
“Candy?” He slid out from under me. “Stop what we’re doing. I forgot something this afternoon.” Naked he ran for his pants.
“Oh. God. A condom! How could I have forgotten?”
“No. It’s not a condom, but I should have remembered that too.” He pulled out a tiny box. “This is for you.”
He dropped to his knees. “Candy—love of my life. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?”
My eyes misted. “You bet your sweet ass I will. I love you Harrison Wolfe, and I will go anywhere with you. You are my world, and the only one I need.”
“Really?” He glanced at me with a devilish smile on his face.
“Yes. Really. I’ve waited so long for you.”
“I never thought I’d find someone to love again after my wife passed away. And then, there you were. The one woman I shouldn’t have.” He kissed me gently. “Katie will have to understand because there is no way that I’m giving you up.”
“Good. Because I love her too. She’s a beautiful person and I’m sure we will become very good friends.”
“I’m counting on it.”
“Can we marry soon?”
He laughed. “How can I say no to that? Of course. Just say the word and it’ll be done.”
“Well, first I’ll have to confer with my friends. Get their approval, find out when they’re available, and all that.”
His eyes searched mine to see
if I was kidding.
I laughed and showered his face with kisses. “From now on, you’re number one. Well, you might have to compete with Candy’s Place at the beginning, and of course Billy and my gal pals, but other than that…number one all the way.”
He shifted his body on top of mine. “I think I know a way to keep my position a top priority.” His mouth captured mine, and his hips rocked slowly.
“I think you do,” I murmured, his lips warm against mine. “Oh, I am going to enjoy being in love! And I can’t wait for the rest of our life to begin.”
“I will do everything I can to make you happy and keep your dreams alive.”
“I know you will. And I promise to love you forever.”
We sealed our promises with more than a kiss, and the warm knowledge of a bright future. After all, once you’ve been touched by the Candy Bar magic, the magic of love will flourish and grow.
EPILOGUE
One Year Later
I moved to Boston six months ago, and the chilly weather didn’t bother me at all. I had Harrison’s arms to keep me warm, his love to keep me strong, and a flurry of activity to keep me busy.
Candy’s Place will open soon. It took months of looking for just the right property and then one rainy weekend, Harrison and I went for a drive, and found the lovely suburb of Concord. Immediately I was drawn to the neighborhood with its hilly countryside, its delightful town square, and pleasant biking paths. I could picture my women there—those in need of serenity and a little peace until they found the strength to leave again.
After visiting several properties we found a big old farm house, with plenty of land to grow vegetables, and a chicken coop. There was just something so wholesome about that. I could envision children running around, happy faces collecting eggs each morning. Abused wives and children, unwed mothers, runaways—they would be given a safe haven and counseling, run mostly by volunteers.
The house itself was run-down but I could see that with a few coats of paint, a new big kitchen and communal living area, the place had potential. My darling Harrison bought it for me, investing in this project of mine as if it were his baby too.
Last month, the two of us flew back to Miami and we were married at the Eden Roc resort. Even for a Miami babe like me, I was blown away by this gorgeous hotel and beach setting. No wedding could ever be lovelier than mine. I was surrounded by love.
Billy was the best man, and I had four maids of honor. Lydia, Susie and Fran. The fourth was my other best friend—Jake. He was tickled when I asked him to be one of my maids, and promptly said “yes” as long as he didn’t have to wear a dress. Lydia’s son, Braden was the ring bearer, and he walked proudly down the aisle in his little size four suit.
Jake is now engaged to Krista, but unfortunately Billy and Katie broke up.
Billy stayed in Miami to help Jake restore the Candy Bar, and Katie ended up going to law school in Georgetown. The two kids tried to make things work but after a couple of months their relationship suffered from being so far apart. Katie met someone at her new school, and Billy, well an old love walked back into his life.
Melody, the troubled girl that Susie had taken in—against everyone’s better judgment—returned to South Beach and opened up her own salon. She called it Extensions and Melody did eyelashes, hair and nails, and was doing very well at it too.
They somehow ran into each other and struck up their old friendship, and as they say, the rest is history. They both seem happy and content to give it some time.
Wow—I never saw that one coming!
A month after the fire, Fran threw a huge benefit, bringing in several big country recording stars, and she raised enough money to totally refurbish the Candy Bar and help with the beautification of the street. I’m delighted to say the bar now sparkles and dazzles and its magic will continue to live on.
Susie convinced the city counsel to hire her in the beautification plans. She put a totem pole in front of the Candy Bar, with proud Indian heads elegantly etched into the fine wood. Sweet Susie had found a way to honor the ancient tribes whose burial ground lay beneath.
The Candy Bar was back open to business, and Billy and Jake had their hands full. All the old regulars were back, and people were leaving Dominique’s and fighting to get inside Candy’s door. Place was so popular they had to hire a bouncer, who kept an eye out for trouble and managed crowd control.
So, if you ever get down to South Beach, take a moment and look around. You might see the Candy Bar right there in front of you, beckoning you in. Don’t be shy. Waltz right in and get a piece of your own magic.
And have a drink on me.
THE END
A Note from the Author
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Table of Contents
The Table of Contents
Replacing Barnie
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Epilogue
Where Wishes Come True
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Night Music
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
<
br /> Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
The Candy Bar Complete - 4 book box set: Candy Bar Series Page 86