N. Walters - Craving Candy

What had she done?

Had she thrown away the best thing that had ever happened to her because of her own prejudices and insecurities? Candy swallowed back the tears that threatened. It wasn’t pleasant to see yourself in an unflattering light, but for once she felt like she was seeing herself the way she truly was. Stiff, unbending and unforgiving.

But that was about to change. Pushing out of her chair, she left her cold coffee behind on the table as she zipped up her coat and plunged back outside into the freezing cold. Darkness had descended upon the city, making it seem even colder. She hurried down the sidewalk, a woman on a mission.

She had no idea if Lucas would even talk to her, but she had to try. If nothing else, she owed him an apology and an explanation. She didn’t want to think about the fact that he might not forgive her. A year ago, she wouldn’t have forgiven him if their positions were reversed.

She pushed the fact that this was only supposed to be a temporary relationship out of her head. Maybe it had started that way, but Candy knew that she’d been lying to herself from the beginning in an attempt to protect herself from hurt. But it hadn’t worked. She’d loved Lucas almost from the very first and if there was even a chance that he might feel that way about her, then she was going to fight for their relationship.

She only hoped that it wasn’t already too late.

Lucas stormed into his apartment, ripping off his coat as he went. Who in the hell did that woman think she was? It was a tossup as to which woman he was talking about— Angela Murray or Candy Logan. But whereas Angela had only pissed him off, Candy had sliced him right to his very core.

He tossed his coat over the coat rack just inside the door and then stood there with his hands on his hips and his head bowed as he struggled for control. Who was Candy to judge him? She hadn’t lived his life, walked in his shoes. Besides which, he hadn’t asked her into his life— she’d barged in. But you didn’t let her go, a small voice whispered in his head.

No, he hadn’t let her go. And just look what he’d gotten for his trouble. His past was going to be exposed on some stupid cable television talk show and his heart, which he’d always managed to guard, had been ripped out of his chest. God, how he wished that Katie had never come up with the idea for that damned cookbook!

Striding into the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator and hauled out a beer. Opening it, he took a long pull on the bottle. The brew tasted bitter going down, but he took another swallow. His immediate concern was how this was going to affect his business. He’d worked too damn long and hard to lose what he’d built from his own blood and sweat. He prowled around his apartment, feeling confined by the four walls.

A thump came on the door just before it was thrust open. Lucas spun around, ready to deal with whoever had invaded his privacy. For a split second, his heart jumped and he wondered if Candy had chased him home to apologize to him. “Oh, it’s you.” Walking over to his sofa, he slumped down on the leather cushions.

“Is that any way to greet your best friend?” T. S. shook his head in mock sorrow as he sauntered across the apartment and into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and helped himself to a beer before strolling back to the living room and joining his friend on the sofa. “Hard day?”

Lucas snorted. “If you call having my past dragged up on a talk show and having Candy look at me like I’m some hardened criminal that might taint her by even being in the same room with her, then yeah, I’m having a hard day.”

T. S. let out a soundless whistle. “I told you she’d be nothing but trouble.”

“Yeah, you did.” He sipped his beer. “But who cares, right? It was only temporary anyway. It was a good time, but it’s over now.”

“Uh-huh.” T. S. raised his eyebrow but made no further comment.

“I mean, we both know that she’s way out of my league. A classy lady like Candy and an ex-con.” He gave another bark of humorless laughter. “What a joke.”

“It’s her loss.” T. S. turned to Lucas, his face deadly serious. “You’re the best person I know. I wouldn’t have survived prison without you. I was skinny and so damned green, they’d have eaten me alive in there if it hadn’t been for you. So screw her if she thinks you’re not good enough. She’s not good enough.”

Lucas inhaled deeply. He appreciated what T. S. was saying, but it didn’t ease the pain or the pressure in his chest. “Thanks, man.” They sat in silence for a while. “It’s just as well it ended now before it got any more serious. We both know it couldn’t be permanent. I wouldn’t take that chance.”

“Man, I wish you’d get over that crap.” T. S. scowled as he took a pull on his beer. “You are nothing like your old man. If anything, you’re the exact opposite. You’re so controlled all the time. It’s scary.”

“Yeah, I can tell you’re terrified.” Lucas sprawled back against the cushions and stared up at the ceiling.

T. S. laughed. “I’m shaking in my boots. I meant that other people are afraid of you.”

They sat in companionable silence for a long time. That was the great thing about a friend like T. S.— he knew when to shut up and just let things be. Lucas finally stirred. The beer in his hand had gone warm, so he leaned forward and plunked the almostempty bottle on the coffee table. “She was special.” He swallowed hard.

“I know.”

“I’m going to go work out for a bit.” Lucas forced himself up off the sofa. He needed to work off some of this pent-up anger before he exploded.

T. S. stood next to him and deposited his empty bottle on the table as he nodded. “Okay. I’m going to go and finish up some work. If you want to talk or go out to eat or just hang, let me know.” He turned to leave, but stopped and swore under his breath. Swiveling back around, he hauled Lucas into a quick bear hug. “I’m real sorry, man.” Releasing him, T. S. hurried out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Lucas swallowed hard. “Me too.” His whispered words seemed to mock him as he headed to his bedroom to change into his workout gear.

Lucas swore, his hands gripping the heavy iron bar tight as he lowered it carefully back into the cradle. Lying on the weight bench, he waited to see if whoever it was would knock again. He’d only been working out for about twenty minutes, barely enough time to work up a sweat. Who the hell could be banging on the front door?

The knock came again, this time louder. It wasn’t T. S.— he wouldn’t bother to knock but just invite himself in. Maybe it was Katie? Closing his eyes, he took a few calming breaths before heaving himself up off the leather bench. He wanted to ignore the knocking, but he knew he couldn’t. It was possible that there was something down in the coffee shop that needed his attention.

Hitching his drawstring pants up around his waist, he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his neck, rubbing his face with one end as he padded on bare feet to the front door. He didn’t bother to turn on any lamps, as the streetlights shining in through the living room window shed enough light to allow him to see. He yanked the door open and the terse greeting died on his lips. She was the last person he’d expected to see.

Candy stared up at him, her brown eyes looking huge and her features fragile. Her cheeks and nose were red from the cold and she was breathing heavily, as if she had run all the way here. Lucas snorted inwardly. Yeah, like she’d rushed all the way over here to apologize to him.

“Can… can I come in?” She chewed on her lush bottom lip as he watched her.

Pulling open the door, he stood back and waited for her to enter. He could sense her nervousness as he shut the door and she gave a startled jump when he locked it. “Are you sure it’s safe to be alone in a dark room with an ex-con?” He knew it was childish, but he couldn’t resist the small dig.

Her dark eyebrows came together in a scowl as she unzipped her coat. “I’m perfectly safe with you, Lucas, and we both know it.” Hanging up her coat and purse, she strode into the living room, leaving him to trail behind her.

She stopped so unexpectedly, he almost plowed into her from behind. She spun around to face him and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He noticed that her eyes were glued to his chest. Obviously, she still wanted him sexually, even if she didn’t think he was good enough for her in other ways. The cynical part of his nature prodded him to take advantage of that fact. If she wanted his body, then he should take what he wanted. Have one fuck for the road. Give her something to remember him by.

His cock responded immediately to her interest, lengthening and thickening against the front of his workout pants. Doing nothing to hide his arousal, he casually swiped at a bead of sweat that trickled down his forehead. “What do you want, Candy? I’m busy.”

She flinched at his harsh words, but he resisted the urge to soften toward her. That’s what had gotten him in trouble to begin with. Dropping the edge of the towel, he crossed his arms across his chest and waited.

She swallowed audibly, but then seemed to gather herself together, standing tall. “You’ll be happy to know that your segment of the show won’t air and that Angela Murray issued an apology to her audience, telling them that the information was false.”

“Thanks.” He owed Candy that much. “But I don’t think it will do much good. Somebody will get nosy and poke around. I’m sure it will be out in the papers before long.”