Red Hot Candy (22 All-New Delicious Romance Books by Best-Selling Authors about Alpha Males, Billionaires, Cowboys, and More for Your Summer Reading) (Red Hot Boxed Sets)

by Dani Dundee

  *

  Olivia

  “Olivia!” I hear her squeal before I spot her.

  “Marlena!” My old best friend is rushing through the little airport to greet me and Devon. Her dark hair is in a ponytail that swings with each step. She still has her eyebrow ring, and I can see the tattooed sleeve on her arm is finally complete.

  I’m reminded of our high school days when we’d daydream about all the rebellious crap we’d do the second we turned eighteen and were allowed. But I wimped out. On my birthday, she surprised me by taking me to a tattoo parlor twenty miles away. She got her first one then, a small dove on the back of her shoulder. She said it was just the start for her, and some day, she’d run out of room for ink on that arm. Me? I couldn’t decide on a tattoo—something to permanently display on my body—so I got my belly button pierced instead. Then I took it out a week later when I’d changed my mind. I was no good at the rebellion gig—at least, not until I committed my biggest act of defiance—moving four hundred miles away and never coming back.

  When Marlena reaches me, I throw my arms around her without a second thought. I’m such an asshole. Why did I never come back here? Sure, it’s filled with my own personal nightmares, but it was also home.

  “I missed you so much, girl,” Marlena says, a huge grin on her face. She steps back and looks me over. “You look gorgeous. Absolutely glowing.” She turns to Devon. “You must treat her like a queen.”

  My cheeks go warm thinking about why I must be glowing. Devon doesn’t just treat me like a queen. To him, I’m a goddess, and he demonstrated his worship of me about a half hour ago on the jet.

  “She is,” is all he says. Then he holds out his hand. “I’m Devon.”

  Marlena laughs. “You won’t find many people around here who don’t know that.” She skips the handshake and goes in for a hug. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m so happy you guys made it out here.”

  Devon’s personal pilot rolls our luggage to us. “Where to, Mr. Stone?”

  There’s an uncomfortable pause as other travelers look at us weird. The pilot, in his black suit approaching to assist us, has drawn extra attention and a few scoffs. Who do these fools think they are? Carry your own luggage.

  Devon notices the quickly forming audience and waves his pilot off. “I’ve got it. Thanks.” Then he looks to me. “You guys wait here, and I’ll get our rental.”

  “Nonsense,” Marlena says. “I’m driving you guys, and I’ve got Skyler following so you can borrow my car.” She looks at Devon. “Sky’s my sister and maid-of-honor, so it’s all good. No need to waste money—” She catches herself, looking a little embarrassed. “I mean— ”

  “You’re right,” Devon says quickly, and Marlena looks relieved that she didn’t just say something painfully dumb to a billionaire. “We appreciate your hospitality,” he continues, a little too formally.

  I find myself smiling at the somewhat awkward exchange, but it’s Devon. And it’s Marlena. And I’m home.

  ***

  CHAPTER TWO

  Devon

  “I’m heading over to Chip’s for drinks now. You guys will stop by, right? Everyone will be there.” Marlena parks in a spot at the front of a small hotel, and I get out to retrieve our luggage from the trunk. The girls get out and hug again. It’s a little funny seeing this glimpse into Olivia’s past.

  “Definitely,” I hear Olivia tell her. “Does Martin still manage the place?”

  “He does! I wonder if he’ll remember us.” Marlena tosses me her keys and heads to the Dodge pickup that followed us here.

  “Thanks,” I say. Nice of her to loan us the car but not at all necessary. Then again, I don’t like people touching my antique Camaro. No way in hell would I let someone borrow it.

  Her sister waits in the driver’s seat, staring down at her phone and not paying attention to us. She must have known Olivia too but not even a “hello”? What’s their story?

  Marlena shouts a “See you later” from the open passenger window as Skyler hits the gas and speeds away. Olivia doesn’t seem bothered by Skyler’s coldness. “Martin used to kick us out, often, when we’d try to sneak beer in eleventh grade. Tonight’ll be fun.”

  “Sounds like it. So, who’s everybody? She said everybody would be there. Am I about to enter a high school reunion?”

  Olivia laughs and we go inside to check in. As we make our way to our room, she tells me, “It was just a small group of us who hung out together in middle and high school. It’s probably down to only a few people and whomever they’re married to now. Sorry about this place, by the way. It’s pretty much the only option in town.”

  We get in the room and I take a look around. Very minimalist with a few too many country accents—framed paintings of wolves and cabins, plaid drapes, and an obligatory bible on a nightstand. It’s not that bad though. Olivia should give me more credit. Then again, she’s not aware of some of the pay-by-the-hour dumps I found myself in on reckless nights many years ago.

  “Is it weird that you have all these married friends?” I ask.

  My question takes her by surprise and she laughs. She plops down on the bed and considers it for a second. “Not weird at all. People settle faster here. They don’t disappear on crazy adventures or spend hundreds of thousands on higher education, unless they want to, of course. It’s actually kind of nice. Simple. Comfortable. And besides, they’re not all married. Marlena’s sister, Skyler, is divorced. And, of course, there’s Marlena herself.”

  “We’re here for her wedding, you know?”

  She laughs again. “True. But why do you ask? Is it weird for you to be around a bunch of married twenty-somethings?”

  My heart seems to stop for a second. These are the exact types of conversations I avoid with girlfriends. I change the subject. “What’s up with Skyler? She seemed…a little…”

  “Snotty? I’d go with snotty.” Olivia gets up and goes to our luggage, unzipping the suitcase and fumbling through the contents. “We never really got along. It’s nothing.” She pulls a cosmetic bag out. “I’m gonna get ready to go. Then you’ll get to see what this town’s really like.”

  *

  When she emerges from the bathroom wearing a jean skirt and a tank top, I really feel like an ass.

  I just finished tying my gray silk tie when she looks me over and says, “As hot as you are right now, you have to change.” She goes to my suitcase and chucks a pair of jeans at me. “I’ll help.”

  Olivia walks back over to me, grips my tie and yanks me closer to her, crushing her warm lips into mine. My hands, like magnets, find her lower back and push her closer to me. She gets me hot. And even hotter when she pulls away and starts unbuttoning my shirt.

  I drop my hands to my sides, letting her take over. Whatever she wants, she gets. She takes my shirt off, leaving my silk tie hanging over my bare chest.

  “Mmm,” she says. “This is a great look for you.”

  Instead of removing the tie, her fingernails graze down my skin, over my abs, and find the waist of my pants. She unbuttons them. Unzips them. I want her now. Fuck going out tonight. I should slam her down onto the bed right now, and let our wildest instincts take control. The sly grin on her face tells me she can practically read my mind, and she leans closer, kissing my chest. She moves higher to my neck, and then finds my mouth again. Maybe we’re on the same page—at least my hard-on thinks so. But then she undoes my tie and tosses it on the bed, stepping back away from me. Every inch between us feels painful.

  “We’re going to be late.” She winks and turns away.

  “You tease.” She’ll pay for that later.

  *

  I’m used to the LA traffic and everything taking about four times as long as it should. So to jump in Marlena’s car and be at the bar ten minutes later…I’m definitely in a different world here. It seems like half the bar patrons are standing around the parking lot. Some clustered near vehicles talking. Others lining the front of the building smoking. We wea
ve our way inside where it’s clear this must be one of the most exciting places to hang out on a week night. One end of the large smoky room has the bar. All the high-back stools are occupied by people yelling at the TVs displayed on the back wall. The rest of the space is filled with pool tables, four-person high tops, and a perimeter of booths.

  Olivia’s clearly familiar with the place as she leads us straight toward one of the corners. Closer, I spot Marlena sitting at a large corner booth.

  “Hey guys!” she shouts, jumping up. She hugs us both and yells to the closest bartender, “Hey Martin! A pitcher over here, please.”

  Martin—apparently—does a double take of the girls and lets out a huff, walking away.

  We take our seats and Marlena turns to Olivia, “The others should be here any time, and Skyler’s outside flirting with some biker guy.” She barely takes a breath. “So tell me everything. It’s been so long. Too long.”

  “I know,” Olivia says, brushing her hair behind her ear. She looks around the bar and I catch a fleeting expression on her face. Sadness? No. Longing. “Things have been great in LA with work and us,” she says, nodding her head in my direction. “Everything’s better than I thought it could be.”

  “So I don’t suppose I can talk you guys into moving back here.” This time Marlena looks straight at me.

  I look down at Olivia, letting her answer. She laughs. “I doubt it. But it’s good to be back. I didn’t know how much I missed it.”

  “I don’t blame you for ditching this place. If I had an out, I’d take it. But you know how it is. It’s home here. Where you can rely on everything to stay the same. And where’s our beer?” Marlena looks around for the bartender again. No one seems to be paying attention.

  “I’ve got it,” I say. I figure they deserve some time to catch up.

  I head to the bar, leaning into it to order. “Two pitchers and a few glasses,” I say to a bartender, handing him my credit card at the same time.

  He looks down at it. “Devon Stone? Why’s that sound familiar?”

  I shrug and turn toward the TV, hoping there are no further questions.

  “Devon Stone?” I look in the direction of the voice and see a woman, red hair, leather jacket, staring at me wide-eyed. “In Lake Eaton? Talk about my lucky night.” She stands up to move closer to me.

  I smile, trying to be nice. “I don’t suppose I can convince you I’m my twin brother, can I?”

  “You and Kaidan are fraternal twins, not identical.”

  She’s right. “Do me a favor and keep my identity on the down low, ‘kay? I’m here with my girlfriend for something. It’s her weekend.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, Olivia. We know who she is.” She rests her elbow against the bar, moving in even closer. “Don’t you want a real woman?” she asks. “Someone with less baggage and far more experience.”

  Charming. The bartender hands me my card and places the pitchers in front of me.

  “I’ve already got a real woman.” I grab the pitchers and walk away as quickly as possible.

  I hear the woman behind me telling someone, “—Devon Stone. He’s that rich guy on the Lust List.”

  So much for keeping it on the down low, lady. I head back toward the booth but hardly get a few yards when I stop short. The rest of the group must have just arrived. There’s a lot of laughing and hugging happening over there. Marlena’s introducing a couple of people to Olivia, but it seems like she knows most of them. And then there’s this guy. A tall guy, tan skin, short dark hair, wearing a button down shirt and a gray polyester tie. He’s standing near the back of the group, but he’s staring at Olivia. Not just staring. He’s practically ripping off her clothes with his eyes. Those dark brown orbs are hungry for something, and as the group settles into place around the corner booth, this guy steps up to Olivia and puts his hand on her arm, rubbing it up and down her bare skin—that soft skin I know so well now. She smiles up at him, blushing.

  Who is this overdressed chump?

  He pulls her into a hug that lasts far longer than my approval, and I swear, for a second, he breathes in the scent of her hair. That scent I know so well now.

  Who the hell does he think he is?

  I throw back my shoulders, standing up taller, and walk up to the booth ready to take control of the situation. I set the beer pitchers down on the table as a server comes over and drops off the glasses. I’m trying to keep my cool—No, fuck that. Old habits die hard, and my arms shove the asshole before my brain can decide otherwise. “Maybe you should back off a little.”

  ***

  CHAPTER THREE

  Olivia

  Devon looks like he’s ready to punch Tyler. I had no idea my ex-boyfriend was going to show up here tonight. Worse, I had no idea he was in the wedding. But things between us are long over. There’s no reason to get violent.

  Tyler throws his arms up. “Hey man, relax. I’m Tyler,” he says, holding out his hand to shake Devon’s. Devon ignores him. “You must be Olivia’s new man.”

  “The one and only,” he answers without a hint of amusement. His reference to “only” is meant to be threatening. I want to sit down and forget about Tyler, but it’s clear Devon’s not letting this one go so easily.

  I turn around and place a hand on his firm chest. “Can I talk to you real quick?”

  I don’t wait for an answer and start toward the front door. I’m not even sure if he’s followed until I get outside and turn back around.

  “You didn’t see the way he was looking at you.” Devon puts his hands around the back of my neck, massaging the spot just below my hairline. I lean my head into his hands. “It’s like he was trying to fuck you with his eyes.”

  I laugh. I can’t help it. Could he be any more…possessive?

  “It’s Tyler. We dated in high school—”

  “You dated that chump?”

  “He’s not a chump, but—yeah, I guess he is. It doesn’t matter. That’s in the past. There are no feelings there. So let’s go have fun and forget he exists, okay?”

  “I just want one thing to be clear.”

  I wait for his answer, which doesn’t come in the form of words. He pulls me toward him, running his hands down my back. Spinning me around, he pushes me against the outside wall and kisses me hard. His lips and tongue claim me, and I think that’s the point he wanted to get across.

  When he pulls away, his icy eyes send a chill through my core.

  “Point well made,” I say. “But you have nothing to worry about.”

  I let him kiss me again before we go inside.

  Back in the bar, Marlena pushes two overfilled glasses of beer in our direction. “Sit,” she demands. “Drink.”

  Now that everyone’s here, I take it all in. I’ve got Devon to my right, Marlena to my left, and on the other side of Marlena is Chase, her fiancé. They were high school sweethearts, so this weekend’s wedding feels like it’s been in the planning stages for years. Beside Chase is Dave who, apparently, is dating Michelle. Shelly was our class president in high school. I remember her trying to convince me to skip school less. She’d tell me I was too jaded and that I could do better if I’d just show up. She’s probably the main reason I graduated and got into the college I wanted. Anyway, next to Michelle is Tyler, who I try not to make eye contact with, and last but not least is Skyler, who’s just joined us.

  It’s a strange reunion, but I can’t think of anyone else I know that still lives in Lake Eaton.

  “This is great, you guys. Having you all here and the wedding and, I don’t know…” Marlena sounds like she was drinking long before we got here. “A toast or something.”

  I hold up my glass. “Cheers.”

  “So this girl,” Marlena says, putting her arm around my shoulders, “has been in the tabloids and on TV. The same girl who skipped yearbook picture day in school. Who would’ve thought one of our own would turn into a celebrity someday?”

  I hear Skyler smirk and say under her breath, “Ye
ah, who would’ve thought…”

  My cheeks are burning. I hate this sort of attention. “I’m really not a star.”

  “It’s okay to feel good about it,” Tyler says. “I mean, you look fucking hot—all Hollywood and…” I’m glaring at him. “What? Own it. I would.”

  I feel Devon’s hand tighten around my own.

  I don’t even know how to react to that. “Thanks, I guess? Anyway, I want to know what’s been going on around here? Of course, there’s the wedding. But what else? There’s got to be more news I’ve missed the last four years.”

  Tyler’s the first to speak up…again. “I just got promoted to manager at Handy Way. Came with a sweet raise.”

  “Is that a grocery store?” Devon asks, not masking his amusement.

  “I said ‘manager’, didn’t I? I’m basically running my own business. What do you do? Work for daddy?”

  “Quit it,” I tell Tyler. “I didn’t come out here to have you act like an ass.” I turn to Michelle to ask about her job at Lake Eaton High School, but before I can get a word out, Skyler interrupts.

  “You don’t actually care,” she says out of the blue. Her words slur, and I’m tempted to pretend I didn’t hear her, but she keeps talking. “You had all that shit go down while you were here and you ran away. When’s the last time you talked to any of them?” She points around the table. “Now you’re back, all Miss High and Mighty and—”

  “Skyler, leave her alone. She’s fine.” Marlena gives her sister a look that pleads with her to shut her mouth.

  Who knew Skyler had so much pent up frustration for me? In high school, she’d ignored us. She’s older and had different friends. But what’s all this? Resentment? Jealousy?