“Great. Come in.”
She stepped out to pick one up when he stopped her. “They’re heavy. Leave ’em.”
Her neighbor had placed them in her car. Perhaps they did weigh a lot. “Stack them in the living room then. This room is my home for the next two weeks.”
He set the box down. “Our offer still stands. No one is renting the unit on the third floor.” His brows rose.
“I don’t think your roommate approves.” She wasn’t foolish to think the kiss in the kitchen meant he’d changed his mind about her.
The wince was slight, but she still caught it. “Ignore Blade.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll look around.”
He shrugged as if it didn’t matter to him. “Suit yourself.”
He turned and she clasped his arm. She didn’t want to alienate anyone, especially someone as nice as Daniel. “Thanks for taking care of my car. I appreciate it. Who has it?”
“It’s at Christener’s Auto Center. I gave them your number. They’ll call with a repair estimate.”
Hope surged. “They think it can be fixed?”
“Possibly.”
She felt the slight tug to get out of her grasp, and she lowered her hand. Daniel intrigued her. He was so even keeled compared to his roommate. She wondered what made him tick.
“Can I get you something to drink for your trouble?” Please say you want to stay and talk to me.
“Sure. My next consultation isn’t for another hour.”
Yes! The kitchen was through the archway and she walked in. Now where would Vince keep his glasses?
Daniel laughed. “How about if I fix you a drink?”
She spun to face him. “Caught.”
While he went straight to the right cabinet, she hopped up on the large granite island. “So tell me how you came to own Callen Security.”
He retrieved the glasses from the cabinet and pulled open the refrigerator. “Didn’t want to be a rancher.”
“Mandy said it was in the Callen blood.”
“Coke okay or water?”
“Water’s good.” Later she’d scrounge around for coffee. She’d have to make a food run soon anyway. “Finish your story.”
He filled the glass and handed it to her. He took a Coke then pulled out a stool and sat. The cozy arrangement wasn’t lost on her.
“When you grow up in a rich family, it might seem so ideal, but there are a lot of issues that go along with that.”
She laughed. “Like what?”
He leaned back. “There are very lofty expectations to succeed. Mind you my dad was nothing like Sam’s dad. Josh Callen was a strict SOB. His kids had to succeed or else.”
“Not yours?”
“He wanted us to find our own way.”
“Both you and Vince have done that.” Anyone who can make a go of it as an entrepreneur deserved her admiration.
“True. I could have gone into ranching, but I wanted more. I never do anything the easy way.” He held up a hand. “That’s not to say I think ranching is easy. On the contrary. It’s backbreaking work where weather and bad luck can destroy you.”
“You wanted to do something you could really call your own.”
He grinned. “You’re very perceptive.”
His compliment thrilled her. “So why security?”
He drank his Coke. “I saw a need in the community, plus I’ve always been fascinated with electronics and gadgets. I’m really good with my hands. It was all that studying that never appealed to me.”
“Maybe that’s why you played basketball.” For a moment, she pictured what those hands could do to her body.
His brows rose. “Maybe.”
“I wouldn’t have thought people in Intrigue would need elaborate security systems.”
“I do more than put in alarms, but I don’t want to bore you with my pitch on home automation and surveillance equipment.”
Actually, that sounded very interesting. “When I get my spa, you’ll have to tell me what you can do for me.”
His eyes glistened as she’d hoped, since she’d meant the double entendre. He pushed back his stool and she slipped off the counter. Would he try to kiss her like Blade had?
He kept his gaze on her for what seemed like five long seconds. His mouth parted but then he lowered his arms and stepped back.
“Damn. I need to go.”
She hadn’t meant to keep him so long, but she loved learning about people’s motivations.
“Well, thanks again.” She escorted him to the door, looking forward to when they could have another conversation.
He faced her. “Call if you need anything.”
“Sure.”
He winked and left.
* * * *
The next three days went by in a blur. She’d unpacked, called Beth and Lisa, and made a list of what she was looking for in a building. She hadn’t seen Blade, which was just as well. The distraction would have slowed her down.
Blade’s sister, Courtney McGrath, was a real doll. She’d spent two of the days driving Candy around to look at possible spa locations. Unfortunately, her budget wasn’t nearly big enough to afford an inviting house like the one that housed Donna’s spa. Giving up, though, wasn’t an option.
If the loan she applied for came through, she’d have three hundred thousand dollars. That needed to stretch to include buying the property, renovating the space, and decorating the rooms. Possibly because the banker had been to the Callen-Longworth wedding and had met Candy, he promised her the application would be processed pronto.
So far, Courtney hadn’t found a location that even closely resembled what Candy had in mind.
“This is the last place for sale.” Courtney drove them two miles outside of town and turned down a dirt drive. “Or rather it’s all that’s left in your price range. I know it’s far from town, and not ideal, but people on this side of town might like the location.”
Way to find the silver lining. Courtney pulled to a stop in front of an old home. The two-story building wasn’t the one-story she’d asked for. The front yard, if one could call it that, was dirt. She could only hope the inside was in better shape. “How much are they asking?”
“One hundred twenty-five thousand.”
“That’s good.” She’d have plenty of money to renovate the inside. “How old is the home?”
“It was built in 1924.”
“Yikes, the electricity and pipes won’t be up to code. If we renovate, everything would have to be replaced.”
Courtney said nothing as she stepped from the car. Once inside, Candy looked around. It had potential. Clients wouldn’t like having to walk up the stairs, but perhaps the more agile customers would be okay with it. She mentally pictured where the nail tech stations would go, the massage rooms, and the hair salon.
She smiled. “I almost think this could work.”
Courtney’s shoulders relaxed. “All it takes is a little imagination and a bit of marketing, and you would be a success.”
“Do you have a copy of the layout?”
“I do.”
“If you could e-mail it to me, I’ll see if my ideas will work. But at first glance, this might be the place.” A surge of hope bubbled up.
“If it isn’t, I honestly have nothing else to show you. Homes don’t come up for sale all that often. Intrigue is a small town, and people tend to stay put.” She stopped. “However, if you’re willing to wait, say a few months, I might know of another place that will be available.”
If the person wanted to sell, perhaps he’d entertain selling sooner. “Why the delay?”
“My friend Gretchen has an ailing grandfather who owns a bed-and-breakfast in town. She’s trying to convince him to sell the place, but he’s stubborn. When he decides he’s too old to deal with the business, she’ll convince him to put the place up for sale.”
Candy shook her head. Even if he was in ill health, the man could take years before deciding he wanted to call it quits. “
That sounds great, but I’m more of a bird-in-the-hand type of person.”
“I totally get that.”
Candy climbed back into Courtney’s car. Fifteen minutes later, she headed down the Callen drive, hitting a few potholes on the way. “Let me know if you want to put in an offer.” Courtney expertly dodged a crater. “You might want to give Blade a call. I bet he could give you an estimate on the renovations.”
Given the awkward parting, he’d tell her some outrageous amount so she’d be forced to ask another contractor. “As soon as I hear from the bank about the loan, we’ll be in touch.”
“Great.” Courtney pointed to Blade’s truck. “Look. He’s here now.”
Three trucks sat in the drive. Both excitement and dread coursed through her. The man had so much to offer, yet the way he kept pulling away didn’t settle well with her.
Several times, Candy had been tempted to question his sister about him, but then she’d probably tell Blade she’d asked about him. What little she knew, he wouldn’t appreciate it.
She thanked Courtney again and rushed inside. Hammers banging greeted her. She walked to the sliding glass door at the end of living room to survey the work. A backhoe was clearing the land, readying it for the new slab. A cement truck sat nearby, the mixer drum going around in circles.
She returned to the sofa and had just opened her computer to take some notes on her findings, when someone tapped the sliding glass door. It was Blade.
He wasn’t smiling, but he wasn’t frowning either.
She jumped up and pulled open the door. It hadn’t been locked. “Hi.”
He stepped in. “Thought I’d get some coffee.”
Was that an excuse to see her or did he really need a refill? He didn’t have a cup with him. “Be my guest.”
His brow rose, but then so did his lips.
“How did the property hunt go?” His question held sincerity as if he was really interested in the answer.
He went into the kitchen and she followed him. “Not much is out there in my price range. Courtney did show me this old house that I really liked. It’s out on rural route 78.”
He placed the coffee grounds in the filter and filled the tank up with water. He turned it on and faced her. “Are you thinking of that place?”
He seemed to disapprove. “Too funky for a luxurious spa?”
“No, but a long time ago I happened to get a look inside. It’ll need to be completely renovated.”
She leaned against the granite center island and placed her hands behind her back for comfort. “You trying to drum up more work?”
He tapped his chest. “Me? Hell, no. Callen Construction has more than it can handle. Our reno business is busier than our new build division.”
That made sense. People couldn’t afford new homes nowadays. She tried to picture what the inside could look like. When feet scuffled on the floor, she looked up. Blade stood in front of her, close enough for kissing.
Her heart raced. Her lips tingled, remembering the last scorching kiss.
“Is Courtney providing you with the layout?”
“Yes.”
“I might be able to help.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Help?”
“I can give you an estimate on how much it might cost to do the changes you want. I can also give you names of other contractors.”
Oh. He was just trying to pawn her off on someone else. “I trust you.” With my life. Too bad she couldn’t trust him with her heart.
“To?”
“Help me?”
He straddled his hands on the counter and leaned forward. Her gaze dropped to his crotch. His cock bulged, and her pussy dampened.
You want him.
Chapter Seven
Blade had to have her. He probably should wait and give her a chance to know him, but desire swamped him, and his cock took over. Candy smelled good, looked good, was good. He cupped her face and kissed her, pouring out every ounce of passion inside him. Her lips shot fire straight to his veins. The rational part of him screamed to slow down, but his body pushed his go button.
When she opened her mouth to invite him in, all thought vanished. She was sweetness and everything wonderful. His past didn’t matter, and the future was too far away to think about. He wanted her now.
He slipped his hands over her shoulders and softly lowered his palms, careful not to press too hard on her injury.
“I need you.” His damned voice cracked.
Her soft brown eyes seemed to lose focus, but her hands shot straight to the buttons on his jeans. “Me, too.”
That did it. He had to get her naked. His fingers fumbled on her shirt, trying to undo the buttons. The damned holes were tight as if this shirt was new. He wanted to rip it open.
Hell. Why not? He’d buy her a new one—or a suitcase full of new ones. With two consecutive tugs, he tore open her shirt. Buttons bounced and pinged on the tile floor. Her delicate pink bra shot his testosterone through the roof.
He expected her to get mad and yell, but instead she yanked just as hard on his jeans as if she wanted him almost as much as he wanted her. Every buttoned opened, and his cock popped out.
She glanced down. “Holy heaven.”
He beamed. A shitload of bragging comments rose to his throat, but he tamped them down. He didn’t want to ruin the moment again. His thumbs lifted her bra over her ripe breasts, and his heart skipped a beat. “Perfect. Beautiful.” And all mine to adore.
She inhaled, and her nipples puckered. His mouth watered. He dove down and sucked on her lusciousness. His cock ached, but for her sake, he tried not to rush. Candy deserved a patient lover. But that wasn’t him right now. If he had his way, he’d toss her on the counter and impale her.
Keep cool.
“Blade, please.”
Her plea sounded desperate. He had to taste more of her. He sucked harder and cupped the other breast. She groaned, and his balls tightened into steel. Candy grabbed his cock and he hissed.
Blade leaned back. “You drive me crazy.” He closed his eyes for a second to compose himself. “If I had rope I’d tie your wrists so fast your head would spin. Touch him again and he’ll explode.”
She bit her lip and let go. Her hot fingers left an imprint he’d long remember. On the next lick, her nipples hardened and swelled, and his senses overloaded. All reason left.
He grabbed her waist with both hands, lifted her, and set her on the counter. Without asking, he tugged off her boots and slipped off her socks. They dropped to the floor with a thud. He popped open her top button of her jeans with ease and unzipped her. The bra above her breasts looked uncomfortable, so he pinched the back. It released and fell below her pendulant breasts.
He hadn’t imagined her being so divine.
Before he delved into her glorious pussy, he wanted to enjoy the fullness of her tits again. He lowered the straps to her wrists, removed her bra, and tossed it behind him, never taking his gaze off her slightly swollen nipples.
“Your skin is softer than the finest sanded mahogany.”
Once more he devoured her taut peaks. Using his teeth, he pulled and nipped. Her back arched. His mind turned fuzzy. He stepped back and shucked off his boots and tugged down his pants. He bent to retrieve his wallet and opened it. Empty. His gut churned.
“I’m on the pill. I’m clean if you are.”
He’d been tested, thank God. “Me, too.”
He slid her off the counter, cupped her face and gently kissed her this time. Her full lips sent shivers of delight straight down to his groin. He nibbled her lips, kissed her tenderly, and nabbed her chin between his teeth. The line of her jaw delighted him, and the slant of her eyes enchanted him. Hell, every bit of her was what dreams were made of.
He tugged her jeans over her slim hips then slid a palm inside her panties. When he reached her bare pussy, he stilled. Blood pounded in his head.
He couldn’t wait and dragged her jeans down to her ankles. “Lift.”
&nbs
p; She stepped out of one leg then the other. Her long legs called to him. He dropped to his knees and dragged his hands up both legs. They went on forever. She was all muscle and leanness.
He wanted to lick her pussy, but he wasn’t finished with her lips or her breasts. He stood and nestled his cock between her legs. When her juices coated his dick, more hormones flooded his body. His fingers itched for him to take his time, but that was one luxury he didn’t have. He expected his foreman to come in at any moment and ask about the stud size.
He slid his hands up to her full tits and kissed her once more. Without asking, she went on the offensive. She rimmed his teeth, and their tongues got tangled. Her palms slid up under his shirt to his chest. Her fingertips pressed onto his pecs, and his muscles flexed on instinct.
Need, want, and desire slammed into him. Pre-cum dribbled out of his cock, and if he didn’t delve into her soon, he’d lose it.
Blade stepped back and dropped to the floor once more. The cold tile floor bit into his knees, but nothing would stop him from drinking in her honey. He nudged open her legs and used his thumbs to widen her pussy lips.
“So pretty and pink.” He lapped her juices and his heart swelled. She was perfect.
She gasped then clamped a hand on the top of his head.
He slipped a finger into her wet opening and lust seized him. His cock twitched. She moaned again, and when her fingers wove through his hair, her comment about it being wild came to mind. The harder he sucked, the tighter her grasp.
She wiggled her hips and pressed them forward. She was on the edge, too. He wanted to take his time, to make their first time perfect, but if anyone interrupted them, that man would lose a limb.
He stood and flipped her around. Automatically she stepped back and spread her legs, awaiting his cock. He placed the head of his dick at her entrance and prayed for the strength to go slow. The first inch killed him. “You are so tight.”
“It’s been a long time.”
That made him yearn for her more. He wanted to savor every inch, but he lacked the control. He wrapped his hands around to her breasts and cupped them. While his fingers rolled her nipples, he plowed forward, making sure not to hurt her.
Craving Candy [The Callens 10] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7