Page 31 of Daddy's Temptation
Sugar’s words cut through me like a knife. It’s no secret that Candace is reserved when it comes to showing her true feelings, but I didn’t realize that my girl keeps so much bottled up inside. A wave of protectiveness boils to the surface, and I practically have to force myself to keep from driving over to her place and forcing her to let me in. I want to hold all her secrets and keep them safe. I want her to confide in me and to let me love her.
“What do I do now?”
“Now you have to fight.”
“She’s avoiding me. It’s hard to fight for someone that refuses to talk to you,” I say, frustrated.
“Hmm… I think I have an idea, but Candace will be pissed,” she says, hesitating to elaborate on her idea.
“Please, Sugar. I need help. Candace is it for me…”
“Tonight’s girls’ night at Jose Locos. Candace will be there. She’s not going to like being blindsided though. If she asks, I’m telling her you threatened my life to drag the information out of me. Unless it goes super well, then I’m taking credit and expect you to name your first baby after me.”
That draws another laugh from me. Sugar’s the only one who can make me laugh no matter how sour my mood. It’s her magic, and the main reason why I never considered her for a potential babygirl. Well, that and the chemistry just isn’t there. She’s like a little sister to me… sometimes I want to throttle her, but most of the time, I want to hug her and soak up her goodness.
“Deal. Thanks for the help.”
Sugar lets out a hysterical laugh. “Don’t thank me until you know if you’re walking into your own funeral or an epic reconciliation. It could go either way.”
She’s not wrong.
* * *
The restaurant turnedbar is packed. Even so, it doesn’t take but a minute to find Candace and her friends. My eyes devour her hungrily. Even in jeans and a t-shirt she looks hotter than any woman has any right to. My cock twitches in my pants. It’s been three days since I’ve laid eyes on her, and that’s three days too long. If tonight goes my way, we will never be separated again.
Sugar is the first one to notice me, and excitedly jumps from her stool, flinging herself in my arms. She gives me a smacking kiss on the cheek. “Andre! You came,” she says enthusiastically for the whole table to hear. “I think this might be a terrible idea,” she murmurs for my ears only.
Too late now. My course of action has been determined. Now that I’ve laid eyes on my prize, there’s no way I’m walking away without at least finding out what I did to deserve the cold shoulder.
“Ladies.” I nod to each of them, taking note that Candace is sitting ramrod straight, radiating tension. “Sorry to crash your girls’ night.”
“You can interrupt any time, Master Andre,” Jen titters.
Candace glares at Jen but quickly plasters on a smile. Is she jealous? She should know there’s nothing to be jealous of because she’s got my heart. No one else seems to notice the tension between Candace and myself except Sugar who is looking between the two of us with guilty eyes.
“Thanks, Jen, I just need a quick word with Candace, then I'll let you enjoy your girl talk in peace.”
I rest my hand on Candace’s lower back and lean in close. “We need to talk, angel.”
She turns and gives me a cutting look. “I have nothing to say to you,” she says through gritted teeth.
“We can either do this in front of your friends, or we can speak in private, but we are going to talk.”
Candace picks up her drink and downs it in one gulp, then slams the empty glass on the table. The whole time she gives me a petulant look. It appears her bratty side is out in full force today. My palm twitches with the desire to spank the brat right out of her, but I’m guessing that won’t go over well, so I quell the thought. She stomps toward the exit, not looking back once to see if I’m following.
Any other time I would be amused by her show of temper. Not today. Today her temper isn’t about being sassy and wanting attention. No, this display is all about her pushing me away. Keeping her distance and protecting what I know is a fragile, sensitive heart.
As soon as we are outside, she rounds on me. “What do you want, Andre?”
“Exactly what I said, to talk.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. I’m sure she means it to be an aggressive stance, but it looks more like she’s trying to protect herself. It pisses me off that she feels like she needs protection from me. I would never hurt her. My sole purpose in life is to love her and keep both her body and heart safe. If only she’d give me the opportunity.
“I thought I made it clear that I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Too bad, angel. We need to talk.” I take a step closer, wanting to take her in my arms and give her the comfort she so obviously needs. Candace flinches away from me. I growl in frustration. “Candace, please. Help me understand why you’re pulling away from me.”
She snorts a laugh. “You and I were always temporary. Our arrangement was until one or both of us decided to end it. No messy feelings. Remember that conversation?”