Sweet as Candy - Karla Doyle Page 0,74

boyfriend?”

“If you could rewind back to my earlier comment about wanting to talk to you without Macy…”

“There is no need to be sassy, Candace. It’s rude behavior and we taught you better than that.”

“You’re also being rude, Mom. Jake introduced himself and you haven’t even acknowledged him.”

Silence filled the room. Candace hadn’t been exaggerating when she’d described her parents. They weren’t just cool in the emotions department, they were assholes. Something he would’ve been happy to point out, if he hadn’t already promised to let her handle them, regardless of their reaction. Since he wasn’t at liberty to put them in their place, he did what he could do—told them about his place.

“Mr. and Mrs. Caine, my name is Jake Campbell and I’m a Constable with the local police department. I love your daughter and your granddaughter. I asked Candace to be included in today’s call so that I could tell you that. I wanted you to know that I’m part of their daily lives and I’ll do anything to make sure they’re happy and safe.”

More silence from the phone. Crazy how a tiny, inanimate object could loom so large.

Some shuffling filtered through the speaker, followed by a man’s voice. “Hello, Officer Campbell. This is Edward Caine. Thank you for your call and your candor. If things work out, perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to meet you during our Christmas visit.”

“I look forward to it, sir. Until then, I’ll take very good care of your family, because they’re my family now too.” A bold declaration, but what the hell. That’s how he felt. “I’ll have Candace forward my number, feel free to contact me at any time.”

“Thank you. Take care.” The man’s signoff preceded the dead air of a disconnected call.

Maybe her father’s comment about meeting at Christmas had been a sincere gesture. If it was a challenge, Jake would take it. Either way, he’d already won. The woman sitting in his lap was proof of that.

“Thank you,” Candace said, relaxing against his chest. “You were great. You are great.”

“We’re great, sweets.” He kissed her head, lingering there as her scent filled his nose. Didn’t take long for the blood to start filling his cock. Easy as it’d be to lay her down, kiss her senseless and make her come, repeatedly, for the rest of the day, they had somewhere to be. Someone important to see. There’d be time for the other stuff later. Tonight. Tomorrow. For the rest of their lives, if he had his way.

Jake

Jake scooped the bouquet of red roses from the passenger seat and hopped out of the SUV. Taking flowers to your girlfriend at work when that job included getting physical with other men had to be one of the most fucked-up scenarios around. Yet, here he was, doing exactly that. And not feeling all that fucked-up about it.

The massage parlor’s door opened before Jake reached the sidewalk. To give the departing customer a bit of privacy and getaway space, Jake averted his gaze, slowed his pace and stepped wide of the entrance. He wasn’t ashamed to be here, but he’d also rather not be recognized. Mainly for Candace’s sake.

“Good morning,” the man said, stopping in front of the door. “Well, it is for me, anyway.”

Head down, Jake ignored the guy. Why the fuck would anybody want to stop and make conversation outside a massage parlor? Whatever, he wasn’t interested in being part of it.

“If those flowers are for Candace, you’re wasting your time.”

The mention of her name snapped Jake’s head up. “Excuse me?” Stopped in his tracks, he locked gazes with the man. Not a stranger. Not to him, and definitely not to Candace. But what the fuck was he doing here?

“Perhaps you don’t remember me. Vincenzo Balducci II. Or, Enzo, if you prefer. Candace does.” The smug-faced bastard had the nerve to extend his hand, shrugging and putting it in his suit-pants pocket when Jake refused to shake it. “We met at the gala on Saturday night.”

“I remember.”

“I’m honored. Hard to believe anyone aside from Candace held your attention that evening. She looked truly exquisite in that red dress.”

“The dress I bought for her.”

“Put your leg down, Officer Campbell. Not only do I doubt Candace would appreciate you marking her, it’s also misplaced. Going forward, Miss Caine will only be accepting gifts from me.”

“Whatever crazy shit you’re talking, you’re mistaken. About everything, where Candace is concerned. You know nothing about her.”

“If that were true, you wouldn’t be on your way into her place