caught with his fullness as he laid me back down, gyrating and thrusting in the perfect way.
My body shuddered as his hands slowly wandered down my bare skin followed by his mouth as we worked into a rhythm I never wanted to stop and for hours…it didn’t.
Chapter Twenty
December 12th
To say I felt euphoric would be a stark understatement. I felt enlightened, changed, and ready to tackle the world.
I also truly believed in my heart that my aunt would forgive me for skipping a day of recipes.
Wyatt promised we’d make up for it today, our last scheduled day together.
I still couldn’t believe what I’d experienced with Wyatt. I wasn’t into comparing men, but I had to say there was absolutely no comparison.
In hindsight, I was pretty sure I’d just been a breathing prop for Adam and Trevor all those years. I had no idea that sex could be so fun and intimate and…
“Well, don’t you look perfectly rosy and glowy,” Renee teased as I took a sip of my coffee.
“Glowy isn’t even a word.”
Renee shrugged. “It fits. So, I’m assuming I don’t have to disown you?”
I blushed and laughed. “Definitely do not need to do that.”
“Does that mean things might change a little with the candy store?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Do you think you might reconsider selling if you have a reason besides chocolate to stay?”
“You mean good sex?”
“I mean love.”
My eyes widened. “Don’t say that word. It’s way too early to utter that word.”
“Is it, though?” Renee asked, holding onto her own coffee cup.
“There’s a lot of things at play. I have a job back in Arizona, an apartment, things in an apartment…”
“You also have a Dad who’s the Hospital Administrator and could easily help you navigate your resignation from a distance, and you have a family who’d love nothing more than to move you out of that depressing college-era apartment.”
I scowled at her. “I made it cute.”
Renee shook her head. “You really didn’t.”
I laughed and took another sip of coffee. “It’s too early to talk about all that. I just slept with my crush. No biggie. It’s not like he’s got to slap a ring on my finger now.”
“It might be nice, though.”
“What in the world is in the water around here?” I shook my head and grabbed my keys. “I’m gonna be late to meet Wyatt if I don’t leave now.”
“Should I expect you home for dinner?” Renee asked wryly.
I flashed her a smile. “Don’t count on it, and would you feed Francisco for me?”
As I happily bent down to scratch the orange dog, he ran off in the wrong direction. “Seems about right.”
I opened the door to see at least six inches of fresh snow everywhere but on my car.
“Renee, come quick.”
Renee dashed down the hall and landed next to me. “What? What is it?”
“The man came over and scraped off my car so I could get to the candy store without freezing to death while using a credit card to scrape it off.”
“True love.”
I smiled wryly and gave my sister a quick hug.
Maybe something between Wyatt and I was blossoming, but it wasn’t enough to uproot my life for.
Or was it?
Or was it for the store?
As I made my way slowly and carefully into town, careful to stick to where the plows had been, I pulled in front of the candy store just as my phone rang.
I didn’t recognize the number, but after Trevor showed up unexpectedly, I decided I’d better answer.
The moment I did, I regretted it.
It was Jared, the candy man.
“Ms. Jones, I’m sorry to bother you.”
I drew a deep breath. “No bother. I’m not sure how you got my number.”
He didn’t bother answering my question. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you could offer our brand, and I wanted to make an offer.”
“I just…” I bit my tongue for a second. What could hurt just by hearing his offer? “I’m just not ready to make a decision.”
“I understand, but I’d like to get a deal done before the new year if one is going to be made.” He didn’t pause even for a second. “I’ve gone over everything with my attorneys, and I’d be more than happy to send you the proposal. Our offer is three million up front with a five percent royalty thereafter, and your own brand within the stores called Aunties. That’s the offer we’re prepared to extend.”
I wasn’t prepared for that sum of money.
I knew I’d made some good fudge recently, but this seemed a little excessive.
“Your