Candy Kisses (5 page)

“Nothing wrong with that.”

“Your mother …”

“Thankfully isn’t here.” He trailed a finger down her jaw. “Don’t think this over too much.”

“I can’t help it.”

Preston walked around the desk and she fought the urge to back around it.

He reached for her hands and linked his fingers with hers. “I know what you told me last night and I completely understand your point.” He moved in closer to her, brushing his body up next to hers. “But, see, I do believe in romance and love at first sight. I do believe in Valentine’s Day and possibilities. I’ve seen my share of shotgun weddings and happy couples. And above all else, I don’t think it needs to be useful. Just enjoyable.”

It almost made sense when he kissed her again. When her arms lifted around his neck, she couldn’t conceive any reason not to enjoy the moment. It didn’t have to be forever. It only needed to be right now.

His fingers made lazy circles on the small of her back as his lips toyed with hers. “Will you be my date tomorrow?” he asked as he brushed his bottom lip over hers.

“Date?” Her voice was faint.

“I have to run one of the weddings mom overbooked. And I would love to have the most beautiful woman on my arm when I arrive.”

His hands slowly moved up her back and she felt the tension slide out of her shoulders.

Her eyes drifted closed as he kissed her jaw line to her earlobe. “I’ll pick you up at three. We have to get there early.” He nipped her ear and then took her deep under again with another kiss that cleared her mind.

Preston eased back and rested his forehead to hers. “I have to go.” He let out a breath as if regretful that he had to leave. “The wedding colors are purple and gold.” He gently kissed her again then walked around the desk and gathered his coat from the chair. “Save a dance for me,” he said with a wink as he slid his arms through his coat and then let himself out of the store.

Tabitha stood in her office alone and waited for the fog which clouded her head to let up. The warmth drained from her body and her eyes once again could focus. Then the anger built in her.

He’d done it to her again.

She fell into her chair and let her arms fall to her sides. She’d known the man for a mere three days and in that time he’d maneuvered her into two dates and kissed her absolutely senseless. Well she wasn’t going to settle for it. She wasn’t going to let him do that to her.

Her lips still tingled. She pressed her fingers to them and let out a sigh.

It wasn’t so bad kissing a man and making plans. Was it so horrible to want to spend the evening with him?

Tabitha pushed back her hair and dropped her head onto her arms atop the desk. She wished she had someone other than her lovesick mother and her overly flirtatious best friend with whom to discuss Preston Banks. Even more, she wished she didn’t enjoy him at all.

Tabitha was sure not to give too much away when Brie ran through the door nearly an hour late the next morning. Her objective was to keep a cool head about herself, her mind on her work, and her mouth shut as much as possible.

She’d brought a dress and hung it away in the small closet where she’d hung her coat and stored her purse. Knowing she had a makeup bag, stashed in a canvas bag with her flat iron and bottle of hairspray, gave her an uneasy feeling. She didn’t usually put that much thought into a date.

“You’re lost in space,” Brie said as she stood before her with her hands fisted on her hips.“I’ve been here ten minutes. I’m an hour late. And you’ve put swirls on twenty chocolates without a word. What’s wrong?”

Tabitha shrugged her shoulders. “Why should there be anything wrong?”

Brie studied her. Tabitha did all she could to keep her face rigid and unreadable, but when the corners of Brie’s mouth turned up into a smile she knew she’d been pegged.

In one swift move, Brie stood next to her on the same side of her prep table. “He came back after all.” Her voice was airy and her eyes had gone soft. That was exactly the look Tabitha was hoping she didn’t have on her own face.

“He did. He had the orders from his mother.”

Brie took Tabitha’s face in her hand and studied her closer. “He kissed you this time. Not just a peck, but not a full blown make-out session either.” She narrowed her eyes as she turned Tabitha’s face from side to side. “No, but he kissed you until your head was empty.”

Tabitha batted away her hand. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Me nothing. I’m hopeless. However,” she sat on the stool. “You’ve finally got a sparkle in your eye.”

Tabitha batted her eyes as if it would fade that very sparkle. But the way her stomach jumped and her heart skipped she knew the sparkle wasn’t fading.

She’d thought of the kisses he’d laid on her lips all night long. When she’d wake, she found she’d pressed a pillow to her body and had wrapped her arms around it because she’d been dreaming of Preston Banks. She was certainly in unfamiliar territory.

Pushing back her shoulders, she lifted her head. “We have a back log that should take us till Easter. Why don’t you get an order board and start working.”

“What kind of friend are you if you won’t share your stories with me?” Brie walked to the wall lined with clipboards and orders to fill. “You could do worse, and you have,” she reminded her. “Preston Banks is no slouch.”

Tabitha swallowed the lump in her throat. No he was no slouch. He was tall, dark, and handsome with a firm build under those clothes. The few moments when he’d brushed up against her she’d felt the hard lines of him and she’d dreamed about what he looked like and how he felt.

She shook her head and tried to focus on the thousand caramels she was putting ornate swirls on. It was an uneasy feeling that crept over her when she looked up and Brie was smiling widely now. “He’s hooked you. I think for the first time in your life you’ve been blindsided by a man.”

“I’ve been blindsided by a man before.”

“Not like this.” Brie walked back toward Tabitha. “You’ve been hurt. You’ve always been the one to walk away and you’ve been very careful not to let your mother’s ideas of love cloud your head, but,” she took a step back. “When it hits you, honey, there’s no turning away. Love at first sight is real.”

The lump that had caught in her throat became a lead ball and dropped right into her stomach. She laid down the icing tube and sat on the stool behind her. Dear Lord she’d gone and tumbled into exactly what she despised.

Chapter Four

Because she was doing everything possible to ease her mind and her body, Tabitha, again, had single handily filled most of the day’s orders. One thing about chocolate, though, you couldn’t do too much too fast or the quality, taste, and look of the final project was doomed.

Brie had been gracious enough to banter with small talk about her own recent love life mishaps. The blind date had been terrific. The set up from her mother had lasted three hours before she ditched him at the restaurant. And of course it wouldn’t be Brie if she hadn’t fallen madly in love with the clerk at the movie rental place, where she’d gone to return the copy of
When Harry Met Sally
for Tabitha.

Brie dusted her hands on her apron. “Sex in public places is awesome. You could hear the guy at the counter getting angrier the longer he had to stand there. But, oh, it was so worth it.”

“What was his name?”

“The mad customer?”

Tabitha grunted out a curse. “No, the guy from the movie store.”

Brie shrugged. “John. No, Jim. Maybe it was Todd. Guess I’ll have to go back and find out. I really like him.” She gave her a wink and Tabitha shook her head. She knew she’d been seeing him longer than she led on, but Brie played it well. She’d been with enough men and had enough one-night stands that it wouldn’t surprise Tabitha if she couldn’t get the man’s name right.

One thing was for sure. She didn’t understand casual sex. Why risk everything it had to offer? She wasn’t against sex if you’d known someone a reasonable amount of time. After all, she wasn’t a complete prude. But there had to be an established relationship of some kind. Then there had to be time when you simply felt things out. Once some guidelines were established then you could go and pick out the condoms that would work best. If he wanted to spring for a nice dinner, that was a bonus, but the luxurious hotel room was just as good. Then – she cringed – you had the mechanical, preplanned, sexual encounter you expected.

She looked up at Brie who was dancing to some beat on the radio as she moved the small petite four cakes from the tray to the icing rack. There was a glow to her. There was a free movement in her body.

Tabitha looked down at herself and saw rigid lines.

How had they become friends and stayed that way? They were nothing alike. In fact, when she thought of it, Brie and her mother were very much alike. They tumbled in and out of love and didn’t seem to be but momentarily phased by it. The only time Tabitha could have said she was in love, she was hurt. It was just one more reason to not believe in all the hype.

But she liked being happy. Wasn’t that some of the reason she chose a career that brought such happiness to others? She loved the look of it. The sounds of it. And she was fairly sure she knew what it felt like. There had been plenty of happiness pumping through her body while Preston Banks pressed against her the night before.

Tabitha bit her lip because suddenly she wanted to share the evening with Brie, but it would blow out of proportion. It would become something it wasn’t. But she was bursting.

“I’ll need to have you stay and finish the last of the orders tonight,” she finally blurted out after the better part of an hour had been silent.

“Sure, whatever.” Brie boxed up fine chocolates to ship out to other stores.

When Tabitha looked around she realized she had truly created something bigger than she’d ever imagined. The traffic into the store never ceased. Tables were full of candies and chocolate. Orders covered the wall on clip boards and that too was added to daily. Had she ever taken the time to look around at it? No, she’d only immersed herself into it – to hide.

Brie finally turned to her waiting for her to finish instructing her on what to do. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah. I was just thinking about how far I’ve come here. I mean I used to do chocolates and cakes for fun. Then I was trained and I made a little profit. Then …”

“Then one of your gracious step-fathers saw potential and you started the legendary Tabitha Chocolates.”

“I did.” It sounded neatly wrapped into a little package and both of them knew it hadn’t been that simple. “How are we going to get all those orders done?”

“My secret weapon will be here when you leave for your date.”

“Date?” The sentimental moment was gone. “What are you talking about?”

Brie laughed as she reached for another box to fill. “The dress in the closet. The makeup and hairspray. Claire Banks on the phone half the morning checking on orders and filling me in on what you can’t seem to speak about.”

“He told his mother?”

“I think, unlike you, he tells his mother everything. If you don’t want to think of it as a date think of it as a business function. Your chocolates. His mother’s planning. You’ll get to see him in a different element. One he was born into. See how he does under the stress of a bride-to-be. Heaven forbid he has to deal with a mother-in-law or the mother of the bride.”

Tabitha let out a little chuckle and then stiffened back up. “I like him.”

“I know you do.”

“I’m scared to death.”

“Enjoy it.”

“It’s already moved too fast.”

“Not fast enough if you ask me.” They both turned at her mother’s voice from the doorway. “I’d have been married by now.” She smiled grandly as if it were something to be proud of.

Any other time Tabitha would have had plenty to say about it. She didn’t think her mother should flaunt around claiming to love someone after moments. But after having been in the presence of Preston Banks for only a few mere hours she was beginning to understand her mother’s fascination with finding love. Perhaps her mother would stay in love if she just knew how to harness it.

She took off her coat and hung it up on the hook on the wall next to Brie’s. She retrieved an apron and tied it on. “Okay, I’m here to help. Are we making chocolates first or are we getting her ready for the night of her life?”

“You told her?” Tabitha gasped at Brie.

“It’s really no secret is it? C’mon we’re excited for you.”

“Tabby, it’s just a date. A working date none the less. It’s not your wedding. Or mine,” her mother said on a laugh. “You’ll survive. Let us enjoy getting you ready.”

The air was out of her lungs and her shoulders fell. She might as well let them enjoy themselves because she knew by the end of the night she’d hate herself for agreeing to go at all.

She wouldn’t allow them more than forty-five minutes to make her up before Preston arrived. Had she let them they would have spent the rest of the afternoon primping her and she didn’t want it. As it was she wasn’t so sure she wasn’t going to be violently ill.

“You’re pretty enough to be the bride,” her mother offered as she sprayed the last piece of hair into place, then quickly retracted when Tabitha shot her a look. “You’re not the bride. I don’t expect you to be the bride. Just enjoy, okay?”

Guilt riddled her body. She couldn’t help but be snide in this moment where her mother was so happy. But it was too hard to expect that she’d enjoy it. “I’ll try.”

“I’m here to help Brie take care of some of those orders. I know Mrs. Banks has you packed and getting all those boxes packed before Valentine’s Day is imperative. I understand this isn’t a good time for you to start dating, but, sweetheart, let go a little.” Her mother cupped her face in her hands. “I know you’ve always felt like the adult and you needed to be the one in control, but take it from me. Sometimes it feels good just to let go a little.”

She wanted to argue the logic, but the front door to the store opened and she felt that control begin to slip.

Preston stood there in a black suit and purple tie carrying a bouquet of roses. Every ounce of fight Tabitha might have had drained out of her. His dark eyes took her in and a smile formed on his lips saying he approved of what he saw. “Tabitha, you look amazing.”

“Thank you. Brie and Mom did it.” It came out more as an accusation.

“No, it’s all you. The dress, hair, and makeup is nice, but...”

She felt her knees begin to melt beneath her weight. Practicality needed to replace the absence of thought in her head. But as usual, her business was the first thing she thought of. “We have the order all packed up for tonight. It’s in the back.”

Her mother touched her daughter’s arm. “Brie and I will carry it out. I don’t want either of you to touch anything. And,” she directed her comment to Preston. “When you get to the hotel you have someone come out and help you carry the boxes into the ball room.”

“Yes, ma’am.” When her mother and Brie disappeared into the back he moved closer to her. “These are for you.”

Tabitha took the roses and couldn’t help but bury her face in the soft pedals. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know. Couldn’t help myself.”

Tabitha let the scent of his cologne wash over her as she gazed up at him. Lifting herself up onto her toes, she pressed a kiss to his lips and she felt him stagger before his hands came to rest on her hips.

Preston let out a slow steady breath. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Couldn’t help myself,” she said then bit her lip in a move she knew was as seductive as it felt.

Preston straightened as her mother and Brie walked through the doorway with their arms loaded with white boxes.

“Mind getting that door for us, handsome?” Brie gave him a wink as he did just as he’d been asked and then followed them out to open the trunk of his car.

Very slowly, Tabitha walked into the back room and filled a bucket with water at the sink. She set the roses in it. Then she took deep, deliberate breaths to calm herself. She didn’t want to feel the way she felt about Preston, but it didn’t seem to matter what she wanted. Just the sight of him had her entire body tensing and the sparks he ignited in her just couldn’t be ignored.

Let it go, Tabitha. Enjoy the rush.
She tried to reason with herself.

Preston’s hands on her shoulders surprised her. She’d been so deep in thought she hadn’t heard him walk back through the store.

He brushed a hand over her hair. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact I think I am.”

As always the Green Room at the Colorado School of Mines was the perfect venue for a wedding. It was one of Tabitha’s favorite places.

“You’re smiling.” Preston stood beside her as she looked down the grand staircase that let into the large room below her.

“I love this place.” There was a peace that filled her when she looked over the dance floor.

He slid his arm around her waist. “What is it that makes it such a happy place?”

Tabitha let out a laugh. “My mother got married here when I was five. She bought me a dress to match hers and I even got to wear a veil.” She let out a sigh as they started their walk down the stairs. “We walked down these stairs together and my step-father waited at the bottom with the minister. I gave her away.”

He reached for her hand and took it in his as they started down the steps. “That’s a beautiful memory.”

“She had a cake with stairs that went to smaller cakes. It was a theme I guess. But I always thought if I ever got married I’d get married here. And I’d have stairs on my cake too.”

Tabitha stepped off the bottom step and looked around the room, which buzzed with people setting up tables, and chairs for another couple’s wedding.