Candy Boys (Hot Candy 1)

Then I start when the door of the shop opens again, and he stalks inside, his face set in impassive lines once more.

Not impassive, I realize when I take a better look. He’s frowning. He rubs a hand over his eyes, pressing into the sockets, as he staggers toward the back of the shop.

I’m walking after him before I can stop myself. Crap, I should hold back, give him space, after dragging him out for that little talk during which he told me things he may have regretted. But he looks like he’s in pain.

“Jethro?” I walk among tall rows of books, promising myself this is the last time I’m pushing my way into his privacy. That if he as much as glares at me for seeking him out again, I’m done and won’t bother him again. “Are you okay?”

No reply, and I glance cautiously around a row.

“Sorry if I pushed you to tell me stuff,” I try again, and maybe it’s time I took a hint and left him alone. “Listen, I’ll just—”

He’s leaning back against a shelf, a hand splayed over his face. It drops as I approach him and he blinks, his brow creased. Does he look pale or is it the light in the shop?

“What’s wrong?” I hesitate.

“Just a headache.”

I nod, worry my lip between my teeth. “Get them often?”

“Sometimes.” He winces, eyes fluttering closed. “When I’m tense.”

“Is it because of what you told me? Or did I do something?”

“What?” He blinks at me again. “S’not you. I hit my head last night. Joel startled me. I fell.”

“Holy crap. How did that happen?” I take a step closer. “Are you dizzy?”

He starts to shake his head and winces. “Not much.”

Man… “Tell me Joel is driving you home tonight?”

“Nah. I don’t know. He didn’t say.” Something like sadness passes over his features, and it makes my own heart heavy. “It’s fucking complicated.”

“What is?”

“Joel and me.”

My pulse is deafening in my ears. What does he mean? I approach him, and he grabs my hand, pulls me to him.

“He wants you, Candy,” he whispers. “And so do I. Question is, what do you want?”

He’s leaning back, holding me against him, and my body is heating up, pressed up to his. He lowers his head, his mouth seeking mine, kissing me.

“I told you.” I gulp. “I… Jet…”

He tilts my head up, dark eyes flashing, making me gasp. “Can’t keep away any longer,” he whispers, his mouth an inch from mine. “I don’t care. Can’t have it all. Can’t stop—Fuck.”

His hands are on my face, gripping tight, and I slide my arms around his strong back. His mouth brushes over mine, a wash of wildfire. He tastes salty, and his spicy scent fills my senses. He pants softly against my lips. “You’re driving me crazy, girl. I know you said you want Joel—”

I kiss him back to stop him from talking. I can’t deal with this right now, with the fact he’s kissing me, wanting me—even if I want Joel, too. I’m drunk on his taste, his scent, the desperate need in his eyes.

“You want Joel,” he whispers against my mouth. “He’s hot, isn’t he?”

“You’re hot, too,” I gasp.

“He likes to direct,” he whispers, eyes so dark they look black. “To control. He’d totally get off watching us right now.”

“What?” I pull back, shock radiating from my middle to every part of my body, chased by a wave of heat. I’m aware of my face heating to the point of combustion. “Holy crap.”