Candy Kisses (7 page)

“Damn. Did you see that puck hit that guy in the chest? Do you know what kind of mark that makes? You have to really love playing a game to risk injury.” He poured her beer and then poured one for him. “This place has the best calzones.” He took a sip from his glass. “We used to frequent this joint in college.”

“Where’d you go?”

“University of Denver. How about you?”

Tabitha shook her head. “I didn’t have the opportunity. Step-dad number three took off with all of mom’s savings. Needless to say that meant my college education.”

“Sorry.” He placed his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. “No wonder you’re not a big fan of her getting married.”

“They weren’t all bad. And Peter seems to be a nice guy.” She shrugged. “You just can’t help but wonder for how long.”

“You don’t think this is the one?”

Tabitha laughed. “God, no. Is there really just such a thing for anyone?”

His hand stiffened over hers and then he pulled it away. “My parents have been married forty years. They fell in love at fifteen.”

“I think that’s very special, but not the norm.”

“My father’s parents were married for fifty years before my grandfather died. My mother’s parents have been married almost seventy years.”

She gave it some consideration, but she couldn’t think of anyone in her family who’d stayed married. Her grandmother was a single mother. She didn’t know her father’s parents. Even Brie’s parents were divorced and remarried. Obviously the marriages Preston spoke of were flukes of luck.

Preston sat back against the booth and looked her over as he drank his beer. “How come you went into a business that feasts on people’s happiness?”

His tone offended her and she stiffened her shoulders. “I like what I do.”

“I know that. I mean, you buy a Snickers bar if you’re depressed. Or you buy a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. You don’t go to Tabitha’s Chocolates and buy expensive truffles to drown your sorrows. You buy Tabitha’s Chocolates for people you love. You buy them to impress people or to show them you care.”

“I’m good at what I do. That’s why I do it.”

“You are. But you’re so hell bent on love and relationships being such a bad thing, doesn’t it depress you everyday to see people happy.”

Tabitha puckered her lips and shook her head. “Just because I don’t believe in love and marriage doesn’t mean I’m not a happy person.”

“But how can you sell your creations, which you put your heart into, to people celebrating something you don’t believe in?”

“It’s what I do.” Who was he to question her motives for her work? She didn’t ask him why he chose luxury cars over used ones on some street corner, though she knew he’d fallen into the field, but the point was he’d stayed and made it his life’s work.

“Tell me, Tabitha,” he said as he lifted his hand to her cheek. “What makes you happy?”

Her mind drew a blank as she stared into his dark eyes. That very moment should have made her happy, shouldn’t it have? Why did she feel she had to fight him off?

The waitress arrived with the pizza and Preston backed away from her and smiled up at the woman. “That looks wonderful.”

She dished them each out a slice onto a paper plate and headed back to the kitchen.

Preston carefully picked up the hot slice, which strung cheese from the plate to his mouth. “Oh, you’re going to love this,” he said trying to bite into the hot pizza.

Tabitha looked at the large slice of pizza on her plate. Her appetite seemed to have diminished.

She couldn’t help but notice everything that surrounded her was about love and she hadn’t completely realized it before. The very word made her nervous. How many times had he said the word love since they’d walked into the restaurant? He loved the pizza and the restaurant itself. Hockey players loved playing hockey, his grandparents were in love, his parents were in love – he never quit.

What was she missing?

Love was everywhere. If it weren’t for that stupid four - letter word, even her business wouldn’t exist.

Preston nudged her with his elbow. “Are you all right? You’re face is pale.”

“Fine. I’m fine.” She chugged at her beer until she felt it numb her face. She couldn’t hide from it. Love was everywhere and it had invaded her heart.

Tabitha lifted her eyes to Preston’s. What would happen if she fell in love with him and was honest about it? She set down her glass and lifted her hands to cup his face.

He was the most handsome man she’d ever met and very sincere. What if she were to be carefree for once in her life? Would it kill her? Would it end as quickly as it started?

His eyes were gentle, his mouth welcoming, and his hands sent surges of electricity through her veins every time he touched her. What would it be to let this man into her life to smile at her everyday and say beautiful things? She wanted it. She was buying into it. It might just kill her, but she wanted it.

Tabitha pulled him to her and took possession of his mouth. The beer swam in her head as she sunk into the kiss.

His hands moved slowly up her arms and warmth pulsed through her. It wasn’t the time or place, but she wanted more. Instead, she eased back and he was smiling at her.

“You are full of surprises,” he said. His hands lingered on her arms.

“You make me feel things I don’t want to feel.” There, she’d admitted it.

He didn’t look away. “Give it a try, Tabitha. Romance. Love. Forever. It’s not so scary if you just believe.”

“I can only offer you the moment.”

“That’s all I want.” He lifted his hand to her hair and brushed it away from her face. “The moment I saw you standing behind the counter of your store I felt something I’d never felt before. I would have come in everyday if it meant seeing you. I got lucky. You let me take you to dinner.”

“I didn’t want to go. I wasn’t going to be there when you came for me.”

“I know. Sometimes fate steps in.” She tried to lean away from him, but he kept his hands on her. “Don’t let it frighten you. No matter what, I won’t hurt you.”

She was sure of it. But she was damn sure she was going to hurt him.

Chapter Six

Tuesday Tabitha didn’t have time to think of sexy men and quaint pizza dinners. She didn’t have time to dwell on the slight headache from the beer she’d drank or the kisses she’d pressed to Preston’s lips. Not on her mind at all were the kisses they’d shared when he drove her home and forced himself to leave after they’d made out like a couple of kids on the couch. And there was a gratefulness that after she’d asked Brie to pick her up to take her to work, Brie had asked for the day off without many questions as to why her car was still at the shop.

Yes, she was glad to be busy and not be thinking of anything. And luckily, Preston was busy selling cars today too and didn’t have time for her either. However, his mother decided that her store was a good place to spend her days now that her son seemed smitten with Tabitha.

“This is more fun than I ever could have imagined,” Claire said as she dipped a strawberry. “What patience you have.”

“I enjoy what I do.”

“So do I. I love to see the faces of the couples when they come in and tell me what they are looking for.” Claire skillfully dipped another strawberry. “I can tell when a couple isn’t going to make it. But for the most part they are all so in love when they come to see me and it just makes my heart so happy.”

Tabitha watched as Claire continued to dip strawberries as though it had been her calling in life. At least if wedding planning stopped being so successful Tabitha knew she could hire her to help out. She was trained to have an eye for detail.

Watching her, however, wasn’t taking her mind off of what Claire had said. She enjoyed other people’s happiness and it made her happy. That Tabitha understood. She’d seen her mother’s face the first time she’d baked her a cake in that little light bulb oven. It was a pleasure she’d never seen on anyone else’s face.

But it was different now. People who bought her chocolates bought them so they could see that pleasure on their loved ones faces, she wasn’t accustomed to seeing it at all anymore. Oh there were smiles and shrills of delight, but not that same kind of emotion brought on because of someone else.

She thought of the wedding she’d attended with Preston. The bride and groom had that kind of pleasure on their faces. The kind that told her that the wedding itself wasn’t important. It was formality. What was important was they would be together forever.

With a little more thought, she realized she’d seen that look on Preston’s face as he’d danced her around the floor in her bare feet.

The clanging of the spoon, she’d had in her hand, hitting the metal table was enough to snap her back to reality.

Claire was still talking, but Tabitha hadn’t heard a word she’d said. She picked up the spoon and continued to stir together the sugar mixture she’d sprinkle over the strawberries.

“Don’t you love that too?” Claire asked her and she snapped her head up.

“Love what?”

“How happiness is contagious and you just want to be part of it?”

Tabitha put down the spoon and wiped her sweaty palms along her apron. Yes, she did want to be a part of it, but she’d fought it for so long she didn’t know how to be happy anymore. Even with Claire Banks sitting a mere three feet from her grinning from ear to ear just talking about it, made Tabitha break out into a sweat. She’d forgotten how to be happy. Or maybe she’d never been happy.

Well it was obviously too late for her now. She couldn’t even make herself be happy on cue. That was it. Preston didn’t deserve her. It was off for good. Even if it had never really started. She picked the spoon back up and began to assault the sugar. All the better, he’d better know now that she was a miserable person and move on. It wasn’t going to change anytime soon.

Tabitha closed shop on time leaving orders undone that she should have filled and headed straight home. The moment she walked through the door, she kicked her shoes off and left a trail of clothes all the way down the hall and into the bathroom where she turned on the shower to hot. Not only was it freezing outside she was freezing on the inside. Self-doubt and pity would do that to a person. She was angry that she’d let herself even get so deep into her emotions.

Deliberately she chose the mint shampoo and conditioner and washed away the flour in her hair and the tension from her scalp. She picked the lavender body wash to calm her tense, tight skin brought on by worry. The scent of cocoa washed away and her body eased back in to normal Tabitha mode.

The sad pathetic shell of someone who didn’t want to feel anything.

Still dripping wet and naked, she stepped up to the mirror. She wiped away the steam that clouded her view. A tear broke free and streaked down her cheek as she gazed at the reflection. Why had he even given her a second glance?

Though the person in the mirror was her, she didn’t like what she saw. Sunken eyes, pale skin, and a frown tugged the edges of her mouth down. It was the same reflection she’d seen for years. But she’d never noticed how pathetic it was.

If Preston was even one-tenth the wonderful person his mother was, he didn’t deserve someone like her.

Tabitha reached for her robe and tied it around her body. She grabbed a comb and yanked it through her hair. Preston always wore a smile and even though he talked fast, he never had anything bad to say. She looked in the mirror again. When he gazed into her eyes was this what he saw?

A warm pair of flannel pajamas and warm fuzzy socks did little to warm her. She brewed a cup of tea and plopped herself down on the couch. Maybe some sappy movie would make the evening tolerable.

She began flipping through channels until she came upon
You’ve Got Mail. O
ne of her favorites. No one could cheer her up better than Tom Hanks.

The tune to the opening credits already had her easing back in her seat. She lifted the tea to her lips just as there was a knock at the door. She jumped and hot tea spilled down the front of her. She flew to her feet and strung a slew of curses together and she fanned the wet flannel from her burning skin.

“Hold on. Hold on!” She yelled at the person continuing to pound at the door.

Tabitha set the tea on the coffee table and ran to the kitchen for a towel to stop the burning she felt against her flesh. As soon as the sting muted a bit she headed for the door to sock the person in the jaw who had the nerve to summons her from the couch and make her burn herself.

She swung the door open to the wall of cold outside. As the door opened the person leaning on it fell inside.

Tabitha jumped back. “What are you doing?”

“Sorry.” Preston stumbled to gain his balance on his feet. “I was so tired I was leaning on the door. I didn’t expect it to swing open like that.”

“Why did you just keep knocking?”

“It’s what you do to get someone to open the door, especially when it’s ten below outside. Now can we close it?” He grabbed hold of the door and shut it against the cold, bitter wind that pushed against it.

His face was red from the wind that had battered pellets of ice against his skin. The whites of his eyes were red and dark circles told her he hadn’t slept well.

The wet towel in her hand, the pajamas which smelled like tea, and the burn now stinging again on her chest reminded her that she didn’t care if he’d slept, she was still mad. She hadn’t invited him over and he shouldn’t be there.

She turned and walked back to the kitchen to retrieve a dry towel. “What do you want?”

“What do I want? I wanted to see you.” Preston followed her and when she stood from reaching in the drawer for a towel, he was right there behind her. She slammed her face into his chest and knocked them both back.

“Why are you right there too? Geeze, get out of my way.” She pushed past him.

“You’re in a mood. Don’t I even get a hello kiss?”

Tabitha spun around. “A hello kiss? Who do you think you are?”

“I thought I was the man who’d missed you all day and wanted to come all the way over here for a kiss. I’m beginning to think I was wrong.”

“Way wrong.” She pushed the towel to her chest where the burn reminded her how mad she was at him.

“What’s with the towel?”

“I spilled my tea on myself while you beat down my door.”

He moved swiftly to her. “I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?”

Tabitha took a step back only to find herself pinned in with her back against the refrigerator door. “It’s just a … well, a little burn.” Her breath hitched as he lifted a hand to the collar of her pajamas.

“Let me see.”

She couldn’t use words. She shook her head. No, she had to move away from him. But her feet were planted.

“Tabitha, I want to check. Do I need to take you to a doctor?”

“No,” she said, but it was much too airy. Her head fell back against the refrigerator as Preston unbuttoned the top of her pajamas and parted the fabric.

He trailed his finger down her skin stopping where redness marked her just between her breasts. Tabitha closed her eyes and her breath caught. When she opened them, he was staring at her. That twinkle was in his eyes and the corner of his mouth lifted.

“Something tells me you’re not hurting too bad.”

Tabitha narrowed her stare at him. “I’m fine.” She tried to step forward but he was too close.

“Let me make it all better.” He lowered his lips to her neck and she felt her knees turn soft. He pressed kisses to her collarbone and Tabitha pushed her palms against the cold metal door behind her to keep from sliding to the floor.

Preston trailed kisses to the burn just at the junction where the swells of her breast parted. Her eyes fell closed and she sucked in a breath when he unfastened the next button on her pajamas.

“Preston, I’m fine.” Her voice was just a whisper, a weak protest for him to stop. But he didn’t.

The next button had been released and the flannel parted. Preston cupped her breasts in his hands and kissed each one of them sucking her nipple between his lips. Heat shot through her from her groin up through her to her chest. The breath she had taken in whooshed from her lungs as her hands come off the door and to his head. She tangled her fingers in his hair as he pushed her top from her shoulders. She dropped her arms for a moment and let the shirt fall to the floor before reaching back to him and tangling her fingers in his hair.

Preston’s lips were back at hers and she was hungry for him. The protest was over as he nipped her lip, biting down hard enough to send the signal of pain, but when mixed with the pleasure it only stirred the heat inside of her making her hotter. He pulled her legs up around his waist. Tabitha’s arms encircled his neck as he carried her to the hall.

Their tongues danced fast and quick, his hands gripped her bottom, and she pulled him to her tighter. He leaned her against the wall and the cold shot through her forcing her to tear away from him.

“Your room.” His mouth was back at hers. “Where’s your room?”

She pointed down the hall and he stumbled, with her wrapped around him, to the open door.

The room was dark and she was much too busy to guide him. But when she heard the smack of his leg on the end of the bed and she fell back she couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” he said as he bent over to rub his calf. “Sorry I dropped you.”

“I think you meant to.”

“Maybe.” He walked around the bed and pulled her legs to shift her right in front of him. Her breath caught. For an instant as he looked down at her unbuttoning his shirt, she wondered what she was doing. This was just how it moved too far too fast. But as his shirt fell away and the hard lines of his chest were shadowed by the light from the hallway, he leaned over her, bracing his hands on either side of her, and their skin touched, she didn’t care how fast it all was moving.