6. Dalton
Chapter Six
DALTON
It’s snowing again as I walk Charlie to school.
“You’d think they’d call it a snow day,” my nephew grumbles.
“I hate to break it to you, bud, but I only had six snow days my whole time at school. Snowflake gets so much snow people get used to it.”
“Well, I’d rather be at home, or at your place.” He shrugs.
“School getting you down?” I glance at him. His small shoulders are braced against the cold wind.
“Sometimes. People at school. They can be mean.”
“About what?”
“Stuff. Don’t worry, I can handle it. Are you coming to the performance?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Three of the teachers have the flu. I said you could help out with the lights. But we’re still looking for someone to help backstage. Let me know if you know a guy. Mrs. Hargreaves is desperate .”
“I’ll find someone. And I’m happy to help with the lights.”
“Great! Did you order the new parts?”
As Charlie chatters away about his plans for the train set, I can’t help wondering about Candy. Is she upset about the kiss?
“Uncle Dalton, are you spacing out? We’re here. I’ll see you later, Mom told me she’s working late tonight. Holiday rush. Can we have more of those Christmas tree cookies?”
“Sure. I’ll pick ‘em up. Have a good day today.”
Should I speak to my sister about what Charlie said? I want to run after my nephew and demand he takes me to see anyone who’s been mean to him. I have to trust him when he says he can take care of things, but I don’t like it.
I walk from the school to the town square, heading for the store to get Charlie his cookies. The sudden memory of my best friend’s sister’s soft lips on mine has me so out of it that I head down the wrong road.
I’m going to walk past the firehouse. Quickening my pace, I trudge through the snow.
“Hey! Dalton!”
It’s too late to pretend I haven’t seen Chief Brock, who’s waving at me from the top of the steps. I raise my hand.
He jogs down the steps and walks down the path toward me. “Long time, no see. How’ve you been?”
“Good. How about you?”
“Busy. Mila’s keeping us all fed. I’ve tried texting a few times. We’d all love to see you back here when you’re ready. You’re the best volunteer we have.”
I shake my head. “You’re buttering me up. You have some great guys on call.”
“I meant what I said. We don’t have anyone who knows their way around a circuit board as well as you, too. And we’re busy as hell now we’re splitting coverage with Ember Heart Ridge.”
“That’s mountain rescue?” I ask.
“Yep. A lot more work. I know you went through a lot with your nephew, but what you did was fucking brave. You’re the kind of firefighter I’d be proud to have back. Just think about it, okay?”
I nod. Brock has a long-healed burn running up the side of his face that tells the story of his own bravery. “I’ll let you know. Give Mila my best. And all the guys.”
He smiles. “I will. See you soon.”
After I’ve been to the store to pick up the cookies, I cross the road to Gingerbread, the local coffee shop. I’m still dreaming about Candy so much that I accidentally order two Christmas coffees and cinnamon rolls.
It’s a short walk to Twinkle Town. If Candy’s working today, maybe I can apologize for running out on her last night. When her sister walked in, it was like a bucket of cold water was thrown over me. My promise to Jax thudded in my brain and I went into escape mode.
Now I’m apart from Candy, I’m worried I’ve upset her. And that’s the last thing I’d ever want to do. She’s been through so much. The holidays are already tough for her; I don’t want to make it tougher.
Candy’s opening the store as I walk up. Her eyes widen as she sees me, her cheeks a cute shade of pink.
“Come inside. It’s just me here, but Dad’s coming soon.” Her voice is hushed.
I walk in. The store’s lights are flashing, but there’s no music playing, and none of the moving decorations are switched on.
“I brought you a coffee. And a cinnamon roll.”
Candy’s wearing jeans today, and a blue and silver holiday sweater. Her hair is down in loose waves, and the only makeup she’s wearing is bright red lipstick. I want to kiss every last remnant of that lipstick off her soft lips. My dick lengthens and hardens, pressing insistently against my zipper, urging me to do it.
“Thanks. It was…hectic last night.” Her fingers brush mine as she takes the paper cup. Her nails are the same glossy red as her lips.
“How’s Rudy doing?” I sip my coffee.
“He’s going to be fine. Upset stomach, too much chicken. And cheese. The vet put him on a water-only diet for 24 hours. You can guess he’s not happy about that.”
“Has it convinced your parents to take him to training school?”
“Dad was making rumbling noises about it. Mom’s too busy with Christmas stuff. I reckon Grandma has a plan. She always has a plan, thank goodness.” Candy smiles. She’s still looking at me like she’s surprised I’m here, which she has every right to.
“Look, Candy–”
“I know what you’re going to say. I’m sorry.”
“ You’re sorry?” I nearly spit out my drink.
“Yes. I didn’t mean to stick my foot in your lap. And then, when we were in the kitchen…” She walks to the little storeroom at the back of the store, turning on more lights as she goes.
“I get it. You regret what happened.” She’s right. We should both back away from each other. Now. But the closer I get to Candy, the less I want to. Hell, I’m the one bringing her a morning coffee.
“I don’t regret what happened. Not for one second. But this makes my friendship with Jax difficult. He told you about the pact?” I stare down at her.
“What pact?”
Typical Jax. “We made a pact in high school. No dating of siblings allowed.”
A flush creeps up her face. “So, that time I got drunk on the spiked punch and tried to kiss you…”
“I wanted to kiss you. Hell, whenever I’m within ten feet of you, I want to kiss you. But you were tipsy and I had to keep my promise…”
She smiles. “You know I’ve had a crush on you for a long time?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Not when you look like…that. And I look like a sack of potatoes.”
Her eyebrows fly up. “You do not look like a sack of potatoes, Dalton! You’re handsome and burly. My type.”
Did she just say I’m her type? My day is getting off to a good start.
“You, gorgeous, are everyone’s type.”
Candy shakes her head. “Not Aiden’s. Apparently he likes them dark-haired, complicated, and light as a feather.”
“You know my feelings about your buttwad of an ex.”
She still looks sad, so I change the subject. “I’m also here for a favor.”
“I knew it. That all-the-trimmings coffee was to butter me up.”
“There’s a crisis at my nephew’s school. They’re performing Twas a Night Before Christmas tomorrow but they have several teachers off with the flu. I’m doing the lights, can you help?”
“Not with the lights, but I can definitely help out. I think Mom and Dad will understand if I drop a shift.”
“Thanks, Candy.”
She has a tiny smudge of whipped cream above her top lip. I reach my fingers out to wipe it away. The contact with her skin sends a jolt from my fingertips down to my dick. I cup her chin in my hand, tilting it up.
Her eyes meet mine and I step closer. She lets out a little sigh and I’m done for. I crush my lips down on hers. She tastes of whipped cream, marshmallows and coffee as I deepen the kiss. I’ve backed her against the countertop, pressing my body against hers. Putting my hands around her waist, I lift her up onto the counter and she wraps her legs around me. Her tits are pressed into my chest, her nails stroking the back of my neck. My dick is so hard it could burst out of my pants.
The elf voice sounds as someone comes into the store.
Candy pulls away. “It’s my Dad!”
Her lipstick is smeared all over her chin and probably my face, too.
I grab some tissues from my coat and hand one to her.
“Candy? I’m bringing in the giant nutcracker. Wedged the door open, can you keep an eye on the front of the store, hon?”
“Sure, Dad. Be there in a sec.” She scrubs at her face with a tissue, looking at me for confirmation that she’s removed it all.
I nod. “I’ll text you about the times tomorrow, okay? And take the back exit. Thanks for helping out.”
Heading out into the cold, my lips are warm. I’m doing exactly what I swore to Jax I wouldn’t do. And I don’t think I can stop.