7. Candy
Chapter Seven
CANDY
My reservations about this year’s holidays are starting to fade. I found myself whistling Joy to the World this morning in the shower. On the way to the dress rehearsal at Dalton’s nephew’s school, I stopped off to buy a gingerbread latte. And it tasted good. Like sweetness and ginger and spice. And hope.
I keep telling myself that I’m not changing my mind about this Christmas because of Dalton. Nothing can happen. Because of his stupid pact with my brother and also because Jax might explode if he found out what we’ve been doing.
I told my parents I needed to get my Christmas present shopping done this afternoon and then was catching up with friends. I hate lying, but this trip to the school is a covert mission. I can’t think of a good reason to say why I’m helping out with Dalton’s nephew’s school play. Apart from the truth; that I’d do anything to spend time with him.
The dress rehearsal is utter chaos. Kids are running everywhere, shrieking. Dalton’s backstage, three different cables wrapped around his torso as he struggles to untangle them. I take one, trying to resist reaching up to smooth a strand of his dark hair away from his forehead.
“It’s wild here, Candy. They’re down to Mrs. Hargreaves, the parents doing the costumes, and me. Skeleton crew.”
“Scary! I’ve handled situations like this before. We had two-thirds of our troupe out one winter with a stomach bug. Let me help you with this cable, then point me in the direction of Mrs. Hargreaves.”
His mouth quirks upwards. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re an angel? An actual Christmas angel?”
I smirk. “Only you.”
It’s dark by the time we’ve done the fourth run-through of the play, but it’s holding together now. Dalton’s cued up the lights backstage to flash so that each section of kids know when to come onstage, according to the costume they’re wearing.
Dalton’s nephew Charlie is the star of the show. His song is note-perfect and the dance he does will bring the house down tomorrow. He’s getting some glares from a couple of other kids while he sings his solo. It’s jealousy, but he looks like he’s not aware of it. Nothing stops him from delivering a show-stopping number.
I smile as Heidi gives her son a hug.
“He’s amazing. A star in the making!”
She smiles back. “Candy, isn’t it? You’re Jax’s sister? Thanks for helping out. Charlie was keeping a running countdown of all the teachers getting sick. Would you let Dalton know I’m taking Charlie home?”
I nod. “Sure. And Charlie’s going to knock it out of the park tomorrow.”
I help one of the parents put away the costumes. Dalton finds me just as I’m shrugging on my coat by the door.
“Have I said thank you enough?”
“You can say it again if you like?” I smile.
“Thank you. And I’m making you dinner.”
I gaze up at him. “I like a man who knows how to cook. But are you sure we should?”
“It’s just us here, Mrs. Hargreaves is upstairs. Nobody will see us leave.” He smiles, his face transformed. He’s so gorgeous it makes my stomach fizz.
“Okay. I feel bad sneaking around. But I’m not going to say no to you making dinner. I’m so hungry I could eat a cow, the farm, and all its vegetables.”
His grin widens. “Good thing I’m making burgers.”
Dalton’s house is surprisingly spacious. Luxurious, even. He pours me a glass of red wine as I kick off my shoes, curling up on his enormous sofa.
“Can I ask you a rude question?” I say.
“You can ask me whatever you want, Candy.” He walks back into the kitchen and starts to expertly chop an onion.
“I know what my parents pay and it’s not a lot. And you volunteered at the firehouse. How do you afford a place like this?”
“Sold a patent for one of my circuit boards a few years ago. Paid for this house, Heidi’s place. Gives me income every year, so I can choose what to do. Lucky, I guess.”
The smell of beef and potatoes frying has my stomach rumbling again. Dalton sets down a loaded hamburger and fries in front of me, covering the coffee table with dishes filled with pickles, onions, relish, mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup.
“Not the healthiest dinner, but I think we earned it after that dress rehearsal.”
“We sure did!” I take a giant bite, then another. “This is spectacular. When did you learn to be such a good cook?”
“Took one of those courses at Silver, the restaurant on the square. We learned how to make a gourmet burger. So this is my signature dish. My pasta’s not so bad, either.”
“I’m not the greatest chef. I’m more used to providing entertainment, I guess.”
“And you’re fantastic, Candy. The way you took control back at the school was amazing. You know how to get your ducks in a row. And those were some tricky ducks!”
I laugh. “I like working with kids. Grandma used to be a teacher, and said it was the best job she ever had. It’s great how involved you are in Charlie’s life.”
He smiles. “His dad skipped town when he was a baby. I wanted to be a father figure in his life, since he doesn’t have one. My sister works a lot, so it helps if I can be there to fill in the gaps in childcare. And Charlie’s great.”
“He’s a real talent. He could have a future on the stage. Or movies.”
Dalton shakes his head. “Don’t we know it? The only thing he likes better than singing and dancing is his holiday train set. We keep it going all year round. Want to see it?”
“Sure.” I’m bemused. He wants to show me a train set?
“Do you promise not to judge me? And you’ll need to keep another secret once you see my basement.”
I hold out my hand. “Pinky swear. What’s another secret between friends?”
He hooks his pinky in mine and we shake. His hand is so much bigger than mine. We both stare at our fingers, then he stands up.
“Follow me.”
Dalton leads me down to the basement. It’s dark, and I fumble my way behind him, one hand clutching onto his arm. He presses a button and the whole space lights up with twinkle lights. A big sofa sits in front of a fireplace, with a Christmas tree beside it. In the corner is a train set. It’s a holiday scene, with an ice rink, little stores around a square containing a Christmas tree and snow-capped mountains.
I walk closer. “It’s Snowflake Falls!”
“Yes, Charlie and I built it together a few years ago. He likes to work on it when I’m looking after him. It gets bigger every year.”
“It’s so cute. And so are you. This whole space is like holiday heaven…”
“That’s my secret. I pretend I’m indifferent, but I’m a sucker for Christmas.”
I walk over to a dark green sofa in front of a fireplace. “Does this work?”
Dalton nods and presses a button, and the fire lights automatically. I sit on the sofa, patting the space beside me.
“I thought I was over Christmas….that it had lost its magic. But you’ve convinced me, it’s still special.” I grin at him as he sits.
“I warn you, now you know my hideous secret, I might never let you leave.”
I shrug. “Might not be so bad. I could sit in front of the fire, nap on the sofa, and play with the train set.”
He laughs, a deep rumble. “I’m definitely not letting you leave.”
He reaches out his hand to cup my chin, his big palm warm against my skin. Every part of my body aches to have his hands on me, and I lean closer. He kisses me, gently at first and then harder, the flames crackling in the background. His tongue explores my mouth as he pulls me onto his lap. His huge hard cock presses up into me and I grind down.
He groans. “Candy, you don’t know what you’re doing to me.”
“I want you. I’ve wanted you for years. And the best possible thing you could do is want me back. Give me some good memories of the holidays.”
He scoops me up into his arms. “Challenge accepted.”
I kick my feet, giggling, as he carried me up two flights of stairs. Once we’re in his bedroom, which has his bergamot and leather smell, he dims the lights. He kisses me again, rougher and harder this time until I’m breathless. He peels off my sweater, then my T-shirt until I’m standing in my red lacy bra.
Dalton runs his hands from my neck to my breasts, cupping them in his massive hands. He runs his thumbs over my pebbled nipples. I unhook my bra and he groans.
“You’re my little holiday secret, Candy. So damn sweet.” He drops his head to my breasts, kissing them gently and then sucking, his warm breath washing over my skin. His tongue darts out to trace a circle around my nipple, making me shiver. I run my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer to me as he licks and sucks. Tingles dart from my nipples down to my core.
He looks up at me, his eyes dark, and then continues his exploration lower, his tongue tracing a path down my stomach to my waistband. He hooks his thumbs into my jeans and slowly lowers them, revealing the red lace of my panties.
" Fuck . You're so fucking beautiful," he whispers, his voice husky. "I've been dreaming about this moment for so long."
My panties are drenched as he eases them down. He lowers his head between my spread legs, his breath hot against my sensitive skin. I moan as he begins to explore me with his tongue, teasing my swollen clit with slow, deliberate circles. I’m wetter with each flick of his tongue, my body responding instinctively to his touch.
He increases the pressure slightly, flicking his tongue back and forth across my most sensitive spot. I gasp, my hips bucking involuntarily as the pleasure spikes. He holds me firmly, his hands gripping my hips as he continues to work me with his mouth.
Tension builds inside me, my muscles tightening as the sensations grow more intense. He slides a big finger inside my pussy, curling it upwards to find my G-spot. I cry out as he begins to massage it in time with his tongue, pushing me closer and closer to the edge.
My orgasm hits like a wave, crashing over me as I spiral into ecstasy. Bucking and writhing beneath him, pleasure washes over me, my body convulsing as I ride out the intense release. He grins up at me, his lips glistening with my arousal, before crawling up to kiss me. I can taste myself on his lips.
My thighs are trembling as I smile at him.
“Wow, Dalton. You have been keeping secrets.”
“Secrets?”
“If I knew you could do that I don’t think I could have resisted you for so long. Are you getting in here with me? I feel kind of naked when you’re fully dressed.”
He stands up, pulling off his shirt. His shoulders are huge, his belly soft. He’s a mountain of a man, everything bigger than normal.
As he pulls down his jeans, his gigantic cock springs free.
Super-sized. Just like the rest of him.
Lucky, lucky me.