Page 9 of Always the Matchmaker

“That Icando,” he chuckles and we both share a laugh and another beer.

Candy

Leaving the bathroom I’m yet again I am face to face with a tall manly figure. But…it’s not Ben. My heart falls a little, the man looks me over smiles and heads back to the bar area. I close my eyes, shaking my head, and too move to return to my drink. I collide with a body, firm familiar hands holding me steady to keep from knocking me back.

“Are we going to keep meeting like this, Candy Cane?” The low purr of Ben’s voice fills my senses and I slowly open my eyes to look up at me.

“Not my fault you follow me everywhere,” I say, knowing full well each time has been my fault and each time he becomes more sure of himself. He hasn’t let go of me this time, his thumbs rubbing my arms gently and keeping me close.

“I like following you though. It’s quite the view.” He lowers his head again, I tilt my head back, thinking he’s going to whisper something to me again.

But instead, his lips claim mine. My eyes widen with surprise, the man baffling me at every turn. His lips are as warm and firm as his hands, though his insistence borders on shy. My muscles relax and I close my eyes, sinking into his grip and those soft, soft lips.

The sound of a door behind me breaks us apart.

“Excuse me,” he says, brushing past me with my red lipstick smeared to his lip, disappearing into the men’s room.

I stare after him, mouth agape and body craving more. “What the hell, I need more than a kiss,” I hiss, feeling a twisting and contorting of my desire.

“I can see that,” Wynter giggles through the words behind me.

I stand still, caught in my lust/hate haze.

Wynter steps around me. “Someone going to get a taste of candy cane lane?” she inquires, hooking her arm through mine.

“No,” I don’t even convince myself with that reply. “I don’t know.”

She leads me away from the bathroom hallway but not back to the tables.

“What’s stopping you?” she asks me, dropping the poking fun act.

“Maybe it will be like all the other times. Just guys wanting a notch on the belt… a roll in the bed, a release, but nothing else.” I wince at sour memories of failed relationships and one-night stands that I once hoped might lead to more. They never want more.

“Ormaybe he’s a good guy. He absolutely had the chance to grab your ass or boob and make out with you, but he was a gentleman, just a kiss,” Wynter reminds me.

“Or he heard the sound of a door and didn’t want to be caught kissing me.” I fold my arms against myself, tensing my body again, closing up my emotional-availability doors.

“Don’t do this, Candy. We all make mistakes. Men can be garbage but they can also be gold.”

“I’m not as lucky as you two,” I say referencing her and Belle’s success. “Maybe I can just take him to bed and move on.”

Wynter frowns at me. “You know that isn’t it. I saw how he looked at you out there. Give him a chance. I gave Zac a chance and he’s broken actual laws!”

It pulls a small laugh from me but I’m still not convinced.

I finish my champagne and look around the room.Good, he hasn’t come back yet.Heading back to the hallway outside the restrooms I don’t wait long. He’s innocently wiping damp hands on his jeans when I pounce on him. Pushing him into the wall, I loop my arms around his neck to pull him down to my level. Tall bastard, I think, as my lips fiercely claim his. My heated mouth morphs against his and it’s all he can do to keep up with my raw intense need. He presses his long fingers into my sides, holding me tightly and grasping onto me to switch our places. With a quick flip, my back is to the wall and he looms over me, a hand cups my cheek and the other in the small of my back, keeping me wedged between him and the wall. He controls the pace of the kissing now, slow and sensual, leaving a trail down my jawline to my neck. I melt and relish as he touches the sensitive skin with his lips.

“Where’s your truck parked?” I ask breathlessly. The question pulls his mouth from my skin and I make a noise of protest.

“We’re not doing something in my truck,” he says with surprising objections.

“What? Why not?” I breathe a little harder, anxiety beginning to bubble in my throat.

“Because you’re better than that, Candy Cane. When I make love to you it’s going to be special—”

“Make love?” I bark a laugh and push him back from me, angry tears well up in my eyes. “I’m not special, Ben. Special doesn’t exist. It’s always been a romp and over. Like you said, ‘a lot of guys’,” I throw what he said back in his face.

“Well that’s a lie,” Ben scoffs. “You’re special as fuck...spicy and sweet and sexy.” He inhales sharply, fingers trailing down my hip. I close my eyes, hiding my tears and letting myself relish in his touch. “Most of all, you hot-tempered, spitfire woman, you’re specialto me.”