Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Candy
Sver is back in the promised hour with two large bags that look like they are filled with most of my loose stuff.
We eat and then he shows me to the bedroom, where he starts laying my things out for me to put away.
He’s got almost everything I own with him. He said he wanted me to stay until he knew I was safe, but this feels like… Like I’m going to be staying for a while.
Does he have any idea how much I’m dying to exhale? To sink into his warmth and strength?
I organize my supplies for the morning and then put my clothes in the empty drawers he’s offered me.
I want to ask so bad…what does this mean? Are we a thing?
But I’m afraid. I don’t trust myself to read this correctly. And even if he gives me all the answers I want to hear, how can I be sure he means it?
So I silently unpack and then, when it’s done, I slide into bed with him, his body surrounding mine in the best way.
Between the lack of sleep from last night, the fact that I feel safe here with him, and the killer orgasm, I’m asleep in seconds.
I don’t wake until the sun is streaming through the windows.
Sver is still behind me, his body curved around mine. “Morning, Candy cane.”
I smile as my eyes slide closed again. “Morning, big man.”
He chuckles so deeply and pleasantly that it makes my toes curl. “I am a big man. Your big man.”
“Are you?” Does he even know what he’s doing to me? I turn over, my chest pressing to his.
“That’s right. And you’re my good little girl.” He rolls us both so he’s on top of me. He slips his hands into mine and slides my arms over my head. “Are you going to let me take care of you today?”
“Yeah,” I answer, having no idea what he means. Sex? Food? I’m down for all of it. Any of it.
He chuckles again before he kisses me, slow and deep. I pull away. “Morning breath,” I whisper as I turn my face away.
He nips at my jaw. “I’ll take my chances.”
“But…” I give my head a little shake. I have a hard enough time trusting myself without worrying that I’ve grossed him out or—
“Candy.”
“Yeah?” I draw in a shuddering breath.
“I like what I see. What I feel.” And then he buries his nose in my neck. “What I smell. It’s chemical and a little morning breath isn’t changing that.”
“Oh.”
“In fact, I never meant to like you this much. You”—his lips slide over my skin—“have won me over despite my best intentions to remain detached.”
“Oh.” This one comes out on a long sigh. Because I’d really like to win him over. But I heard the other part too. He doesn’t want to want me.
And that is so predictably me to choose a man who’s resistant from the start. I close my eyes, feeling his mouth on my skin as he kisses along my collarbone.
I don’t want to think about it. Sver has been going through my life and making it better. And that alone is enough.
I won’t ask for more and I’ll be grateful for whatever he chooses to give.
He lets go of one of my hands to lift up his T-shirt, still draped over my body.
I’ve only got a little pair of panties underneath, but he skims over them to run his fingers up my belly and then to my chest where he cups one of my breasts.
I arch into the touch, my nipple puckering with pleasure.
His touch always feels so good.
“Are you sore, sweet treat?” he asks as he dips his head to suck my nipple into his mouth.
I let out a little moan of pleasure. “Only one way to find out.”
He doesn’t lift his head as his hand skims back down my rib cage and over my belly, back to my panties.
He dips his fingers under the waist band and slides his fingers through my folds.
But the second he starts to push his finger inside me, I hiss in a breath of pain.
“That’s a yes,” he says as he lifts his head, his eyes intent upon me as he eases out his finger. He slides up, giving me a soft kiss on the mouth. This one is gentle and feels like an end rather than a beginning.
“It doesn’t mean we have to stop.”
He cups my jaw, his brows lifting. “You need me to take care of you, don’t you?”
My lips part, the word yes dancing on my tongue. But he kisses me again, before he slides off me. “We should get up anyway. I saw your appointment schedule, it starts soon.”
“What will you be doing while I’m at the club?” I ask, nipping at my lip. Sver knows exactly where I will be and what I will be doing. But I don’t know much about him and his movements at all.
“I will be tracking down each of Marco’s associates to see what they might know.”
I sit up, his T-shirt falling back down my body. Is today all about me? “Really? Oh Sver, I’m sorry. I…”
He leans back over, kissing me again. “No apologies. I made a promise to you that I will keep.” He straightens back up. “Besides, this helps Angel too. And I got an update on my daughters for my part in protecting you. Everyone wins.”
I nod my agreement, but inside I die a little. I don’t blame him. He should be getting something out of all this protection, but this small part of me had hoped he was doing all of this because he cared.
Silly girl.
I slide from the bed and head into the shower even as Sver turns toward the kitchen.
I shower, shave, and blow out my hair as quickly as I can, applying my normal makeup that helps fortify my spine.
It’s like my armor.
“Breakfast,” Sver calls.
I step out in my ripped jeans and tight T-shirt to find a full spread of eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee.
“Wow.”
He gives me a wink. “My girl needs her strength.”
I soften a little at the words. I’m probably getting up in my head. I just don’t trust anything because I don’t trust myself.
Sitting down, he sets a plate and mug in front of me and then one for himself. We eat in companiable silence before he gets up to take a shower while I do the dishes.
A half hour later, we’re out the door. I’ve got my bag of supplies that he places in the trunk for me before we drive to the club.
When we pull into the parking lot, Rock is already waiting outside the back door.
Sver gets my bag and kisses my temple as his gaze fixes on Rock. “Have a good day today, my sweet treat.”
I sigh as I turn away, walking toward Rock. Even the nickname sounds temporary. Sweet treat. The kind you eat and forget.
Then again…so does Candy. Maybe I should change my name. People take a woman named something like Veronica seriously.
I could be a Vanessa or even a Katherine. That name makes me wrinkle my nose. “What’s the matter with you?” Rock asks, curling his lip. “Too good for this club now?”
I eye Rock with the wariness he deserves. “I was thinking of changing my name.”
“You should. With your past…and the enemies you manage to collect.” He gives me a hard stare. “You ought to make a fresh start.”
His message is more than clear. He doesn’t want me here.
“Come inside, Candy,” Angel calls from the door. “The girls are waiting.”
I skirt around Rock and head for the door. He’s always made me the most nervous, but when I get to Angel, I stop, taking a deep breath. “Thanks for having me here today.”
“Of course.” He gives a quick nod. “I’m sorry about what happened the other night.”
I touch my neck. I’m lucky there aren’t more bruises. Looking down at the ground, I scratch my foot in the loose gravel. “I’ve got shit taste in men. I know it. I’m sorry it touched you.”
“Candy,” Angel lets out a deep rumble. “Sver says you didn’t share any information about us even when he tried to get it out of you.”
I shake my head. “I would never knowingly hurt any of you. Fucked up as this is…this place is the most like a home that I’ve ever had.”
“Is that why you were so nice to Promise from the start?”
“She was going to be your wife. When you hired me, you only asked me for what was fair, and you never tried to get more. It might seem little to you but to me…” I raise a shoulder.
He claps my shoulder with his large hand. “You can always find safe harbor here, Candy. That’s a promise. And would you call my wife? She misses you.”
“Will do,” I say with a smile, and then I do something I’ve never done before. I hug Angel. It’s awkward and he stiffly pats my back until I let him go. When I step back, I can feel my face growing hot. “Just so you know, I think you might be the closest thing to a brother I’ll ever have.”
I half expect him to sneer, but his eyes grow wide.
“I know you’ve got your tight family. But for me…this place…you…”
He slaps my shoulder again. “No. I think you’re right. You certainly annoy me enough to be a little sister.”
“Just so we’re clear, I do not want to take care of you like a sister,” Rock snarls behind me.
“No one is trusting you to take care of a woman,” Angel answers for me, as he gestures for me to go inside.
I’m looking forward to today.
I’ve missed the work. I’ve actually missed the people.
And today, of all days, I could use the distraction.
Because if left to my devices, I’d just think in circles about Sver.
I look back to see him leaning against the back of his car, watching my exchange with Angel. He feels so far away in this moment.
Have I finally found someone different or is he just the exact kind of guy I pick every time?
I know he’s helped me every step of the way since we met, but I can’t help but think I’m headed for the worst kind of heartbreak.