Sweet as Candy - Karla Doyle Page 0,47

around in public.

This could be his saving grace. His get-out-of-the-bank-free card. Or he could be the man she needed him to be.

“I can take you to another bank, one with a drive-thru machine.”

She shook her head.

“Want me to go in with you? Glare at anybody who looks in your direction? Because I can do that. Here and now or anytime.”

Again, she shook her head.

“Or I can take you home to change clothes, then to a bank. Whatever’s best for you.”

Yet again, she shook her head, this time while getting back into the SUV. “You are, Jake.”

“I am what?”

“You’re what’s best for me. The way I feel when I’m with you, how I feel about you—that’s what I didn’t plan for. I didn’t think it was possible.”

He sure as hell hadn’t seen that answer coming. But he’d take it. “Glad you finally figured it out.” He caught her wrist when she reached across to give him a playful shove. “Come over here, I want to tell you something.”

“Can’t you tell me from there?”

“Could, but I’d rather have you closer.” He half expected her to argue. Sure was happy she didn’t though, because watching her wiggle past the center console, inhaling the scent of her hair as it tickled his face, feeling the pressure on his cock as she straddled his lap—those things were the stuff of dreams.

“Here I am.” Her touch on the back of his neck was as soft as her voice. “What did you want to tell me?”

“No more pulling stupid shit, and that goes for both of us. No more arguing about stuff that’s not going to matter a year from now. Whatever you need me to do to be the best man for you, I’m in.”

“Including taking the two hundred and fifty bucks back, without a hassle?”

“I’ll hate it, but yes.”

“Thank you.” The kiss she planted on his lips was sweeter than any candy. Just like the best sweet treat, it ended too soon and left him craving more. “So, what’s next?” she asked, returning to the passenger side and clicking her seatbelt into place.

“Take you to a different bank, I guess. Which one do you want?”

“None.”

“None?”

She nodded. “I can walk into that bank right now and withdraw two hundred and fifty dollars, but I’m not going to force you to take it. If I paid you back, it’d be because I feel horrible that you’re out all that money, not because of the customer thing.” Reaching across, she placed her hand on his face and stroked his jawline. “You have never been a customer. The money has nothing to do with us.”

“Then let’s forget about the money and enjoy our day together.”

“I’d like that.”

Another victory. One that merited a celebration she wouldn’t easily forget.

Candace

She’d assumed that spending the day together had meant the two of them, alone. Maybe they’d do some talking, but probably they’d keep their mouths busy with other activities. Surprisingly, she was okay with that thought, even though money had factored into their time together. She wanted to be with him. Today, and for as many other days possible.

Jake being Jake, he’d surprised her again when they got to her place. Rather than settle on the couch and kiss her senseless, he’d stayed at the edge of the room, leaning against the wall. Then he’d suggested pulling Macy from school for the day. His idea to spend the day together had included her daughter.

Routine played a huge part in Candace’s parenting style. Providing Macy with a solid sense of stability fell solely on Candace, and ensuring her daughter felt safe and secure, always, was top priority. Signing Macy out of school on a whim fell outside of the structure Candace had established.

She’d done it anyway. And every minute since had been wonderful.

“You like playing dress-up, right, Macy?” Jake asked, as the trio strolled along King Street with tummies full of lunch and dessert.

Macy nodded up at him. “Did Mommy tell you that?”

“Nope. I spotted the box of costumes and stuff in your living room.”

“Want to play when we get home?” Macy asked.

“You bet I do.”

Macy clasped Jake’s hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do so. “Can we go now?”

Candace’s heart clenched. This outing marked the third time Jake had spent time with her daughter. Macy had been cool initially, but during Jake’s visit yesterday, she’d begun to warm. In the Montessori school’s parking lot this morning, when Jake had asked to take “his favorite ladies” out