AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Come on, Candy, you’ve got this,” I say out loud to myself as I step out of the car Wint sent for me. I smooth my palms down my skirt, and eye the car park warily. It’s not like Ithinkanything bad will happen to me between the car and the door, but that doesn’t stop my heart from pounding in my ears at the memory of what happened.
Each step across the gritted car park is shaky, and my palms are sweating even more. I drag them down my skirt again. When I reach the door, my knock is more timid than I’d like it to be.
The fire escape immediately swings open, as if they were waiting for me, and I’m looking up into Don’s surprised face.
“Candy,” he says, blinking and taking me in. His slow perusal of my outfit makes me shiver as the first tingles of desire I’ve felt since being taken begin to lick down my spine. The heat blazing in his eyes tells me he very much approves of my black satin sequin basque and black leather skirt. “I didn’t think you were working tonight.”
“Wint needed someone,” I tell him by way of explanation.
“Of course, come in.”
He steps back – barely – to let me pass and I end up pressing against him in the squeeze. That heavenly scent of his – coffee, leather, bergamot and geranium – that made me weak at the knees the first time we met hits me again and makes me gasp.
Don’s hands steady me, pressing me firmly against his chest for a moment before letting me go. His eyes lock with mine, and I’m lost in them for a moment. The concern there makes me feel a little less apprehensive about the night to come.
“You okay?” he asks, his voice low and soft.
I nod, trying to push down the desire that’s still buzzing through my body. “Yeah, just a little nervous.”
He nods, understanding. “I get it. But you’ve got this. And if anything goes wrong, we’ve got your back.”
I smile weakly at him, grateful for the reassurance. “Thanks, Don.”
“You look fucking sensational tonight, Sugar. Don’t get changed. No outfit could compete with what you’re wearing.”
I blush a little at his compliment but manage to hold his gaze and nod. Idolook good tonight. Odile helped me out when we talked about me returning to work. She was fully supportive and more than happy to step in and play the role of fairy godmother in Elle’s absence. I have the feeling those two would get along like a house on fire.
Elle’s waiting for the weather in Edinburgh to be ‘less fucking horrific’ in her words so that she can fly home and see me. She’s been blowing up my phone non stop since I got home, and I had to seriously reassure her that I was alright and not harmed in any way during my kidnapping. She doesn’t need to know about the broken heart or the guys’ involvement – just that Jamie was a piece of shit and isn’t around to hurt me anymore. Even Aiden and I spoke briefly on the phone where he apologised profusely for what happened at the club and he asked if I was really okay.I’ve not forgiven him, but I don’t hold any ill-will against him either.
“I need to tell you something,” Don says seriously. His gaze keeps flicking to my lips and although he looks suddenly nervous, he’s distracted by my red lipstick I think. My lips quirk. I like surprising this big brute of a man.
“Go on.”
“That night at your house when we first hooked up…” he pauses, scrubbing his hand through his dark hair. The smile falls from my lips at his serious expression. He’s really worried.
“Hey, it’s okay. I know,” I tell him, closing the gap between us so that I can rest my hand on his chest.
He looks down at my long red nails and swallows before dragging his gaze back up to mine.
“You know?”
“That you didn’t use a condom the second time?” I nod. “Yeah I knew, Don. It felt fucking amazing. It was obvious. It’s why I insisted on using condoms at the club when I completed my questionnaire.”
“But—”
“It’s okay.” I rise up on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “We were both caught in the moment and equally to blame. Have you been carrying this guilt the whole time?”
He shrugs but I can tell his nonchalance is forced; the worry still lingers in his warm cognac eyes. “I wanted to tell you sooner but there was never a good moment.”
“It’s fine. I took the morning after pill as a precaution.” His face darkens, causing me to frown. “What? Is that a problem?”
“No. No, ignore me. I’m being stupid.” Another tug on his hair, a sighed curse. “I’m sorry you had to do that on your own.”
“It was no big deal.”
“You’re on birth control though, right?” He asks.
“I am. Well, I was,” I clarify. “I was on the pill but after…you know…the doctor said it’ll be a bit messed up and to take extra precautions until after my period so that I can start it again.”
