I Want Candy (33 page)

“Can you hear me all the way in there? What are you doing?” Candy asked, slightly raising her voice and watching him move quickly around the dark granite countertops.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just getting the steaks out. I let Robert take tonight off, but he insisted on preparing dinner and leaving early after he knew you were coming over.” Gabriel returned with two filet mignon.

“Well, that was nice of him,” Candy said as she looked at the elegantly put-together plate. “To answer your question, my parents and I are very close. I’m an only child, so we did everything together. My mother travels a lot to conventions and fabric warehouses. She used to own a beauty salon but decided she wanted to try something different a couple of years ago. She’s the consulting manager for a local business that makes custom-made blinds, rugs, and drapes.”

“Parsons,” Gabriel seemed to almost mumble as he finished his soup.

“Yes! How did you know that’s the company she works for?” Candy asked suspiciously.

“Because I had my bedroom and living room drapes made there, and they’re one of a kind. The wooden blinds in my office came from there too. They’re the only company in the tri-state that offers that sort of upscale craftsmanship.” He broke off a piece of bread and popped it into his mouth.

“Well, I’ll let her know you think so highly of them. She’d enjoy the compliment,” Candy smiled.

“She made
you
beautifully – beautiful genetic craftsmanship,” Gabriel flirted. Candy’s stomach churned as she saw that look in his eyes once again. She readjusted herself in her seat, suddenly losing her appetite from the butterflies that now invaded her stomach.

“Well, aren’t you a sweetie,” Candy laughed. She looked down at her plate. The warm juices from the steak slowly puddled into a small river of blue cheese and truffles. The aroma was divine. She looked back up and saw Gabriel nearer to her, leaning in so close that she caught a slight glimpse of his soft, dark chest hair as his shirt slightly fell open. She looked at his lips, then back up to his eyes. She closed hers and swallowed as she felt his lips graze ever so softly against hers. He slid his bottom lip along hers so delicately it reminded her of the tip of a feather. Gradually, she felt more pressure as both of his lips were pressed against hers, kissing her tenderly. He then leaned back, leaving Candy there, still moving her lips as if she were kissing an invisible man.

“You asked about being a personal trainer. Back in my freshman year of college, I decided to get a job at the gym. By then, a lot of the weight was off, but I wanted to take it a step further. The guy who owned the gym volunteered to teach me to be a trainer. He said I had the right personality, and it would be extra money for me.” Gabriel cut into his meal.

Candy looked at him wide-eyed as he slowly placed each piece of succulent meat into his mouth. “So, we have our first real kiss that goes beyond a peck, then talk about the gym like nothing happened?”

“Yes. I didn’t think to make a big deal out of it,” Gabriel explained, confusion growing on his face. Candy rubbed her index finger along her top lip, still feeling him. He lingered even though he was surely gone. She smiled. “Well, what
is
a big deal to you, Gabriel?”

“My daughter, my life, my health, finding a life partner.” He bit into his bread once more.

“And where do I fit in this equation?” Candy asked. “I hope I’m not being too forward.” She leaned in closer to him.

Gabriel hesitated and grinned. “I don’t know yet, but I’d like to find out.”

Candy frowned as fear rose up in her psyche. “Gabriel, are you sure this isn’t a mistake? It still isn’t too late for us to turn back.” Once the words left her mouth, she wished desperately for a way to take them back, but it was too late.

“Are you finished eating?” Gabriel said blandly as he stood up and abruptly removed his napkin from his lap.

“I believe so,” Candy answered. “Sorry, I’m just…”

“Running, and trying to find a reason to continue,” Gabriel interrupted. “I think I’ve demonstrated I have no problems being indecisive. I don’t jump into things without thinking. I don’t take money, family, or romance lightly. I’m not a twenty-one year old kid trying to get laid. I’m nine years older than you. You appear very confident at work, and you back it up. You’re a no-nonsense person, and you know how to talk to people without alienating them or making them feel lesser than who they are, but
I’m
starting to feel lesser-than because you keep playing with me.”

“I’m not playing with you. I’m being honest and open.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes, “First, you deny any attraction when we both knew that was a lie. Then you say you don’t date co-workers, yet everyone knew about you and Quentin, except for me. Then you tell me you need to discuss business on a rainy Friday night when I had plans. You just popped over and expected me to forgive everything. You were wearing your little low-cut shirt, showing all that cleavage – which was nice to look at it, don’t get me wrong – but it wouldn’t have mattered if you were dressed in a paper sack. I would’ve responded the same way. I took you up on your reconsideration because I wanted to date you so badly. Now you sit here and tell me we can turn back. I don’t understand why you keep doing this, but it’s tiring, and we haven’t even started.”

Candy turned away in annoyance.

 “I’m certain other men haven’t had to jump through this many hoops to date you. I know you’ve been hurt, and I know this may be a bit different, but that’s still no excuse. You’ve never shown me any insecurity – until now. I don’t like it,” he said calmly.

“Insecurity?” Candy rolled her eyes and laughed. “Please don’t toot your own horn, Mr. Justice. I’m not insecure. I’m just concerned, and rightfully so. You’re my boss and you’re…you’re…”

Gabriel sneered and snatched her plate out of her hand. “…white.” He walked away into the kitchen and placed the dishes in the sink. Candy slowly walked into the kitchen, holding her arms.

“So, am I supposed to apologize for this, Gabriel? This is all new to me. I’m not tryin’ to be a fool in love again. I’m smarter now. I have to watch what I do and say. I can’t just fall for someone again without looking both ways first.”

“I never asked you to be foolhearty, but I don’t expect to pay for what someone else has done. This is a fresh start. Crucify me when I mess up, not beforehand. When you stop seeing yourself as a victim, and instead as a survivor, your life will improve,” Gabriel chastised.

Candy laughed in anger. “So you’re Dr. Phil now? People like you really kill me. You’re successful and powerful and completely removed from the real world, you know that? Why don’t you take your own advice, get off your high horse, and stop fantasizin’ about company peons!” Candy stormed away. Her body shook as anger swarmed inside of her like a sea of angry bees. She did not truly understand where the anger was coming from, but it propelled her forward, one swift step in front of the other, anchoring her steps until she reached the front door. As she turned the knob, she felt her shoulder gently jet backwards. Gabriel pulled her towards him, embracing her tightly.

“I’m not sorry for telling you the truth, but I’m sorry for how I said it.” He buried his face into the cradle of her shoulder and ran his fingers through her hair, admiring the thickness and texture. “You’re scared. Don’t ruin this, Candy. Gimme a chance, please.”

“What do you want from me?” Candy asked, her body still stiff with defiance.

“I want to get to know you better. I know all about you professionally. I know you as a friend. We’re past that now. I want you to let me in. If you are who I think you are, I want to be your best friend
and
lover. I want to be inside you,” he said as his body melted with hers. Candy’s knees weakened. “We’ve known each other for years. This has been building for so long. I’ve been dying as I just waited and waited, trying to gauge the right time to approach you. I want you to trust me. I’ve been going crazy thinking about you. Please let me make love to you.”

Before Candy realized it, she was standing inside Gabriel’s bedroom. She pinched herself on the wrist in disbelief. A large Italian tiled ceramic fireplace was in the center of the room. She watched as Gabriel lit a fire. His king-sized high-post bed was layered in white silk. All along the walls were expensive oil paintings from France and Italy, a couple of them dating back to the late 1800s.

“I had no idea you were such an art lover,” Candy whispered.

“I’m an art lover, supporter,
and
collector. I’ll take you to my favorite local gallery sometime soon.” He walked around the bed and lit several woodsy scented candles, then picked up a remote and pointed to a corner of the room where heavy, dark-mulberry drapes hung. Slowly, the curtains opened, revealing an impressive stereo system with large speakers. Christopher Cross’s song “Sailing” began to play. Candy closed her eyes and swooned briefly as the song took her back to her childhood. She flung her eyes open once she heard a rustling noise. She watched as he meticulously undressed. Flashes seeped into her mind of this same man giving empowering company-wide speeches, laughing at business meetings, and jumping down an employee’s throat a time or two.

‘He’s an important man,’ Candy thought as she now witnessed him down to his black silk boxers. As he stood by the candlelight and the room began to warm, she could see the silhouette of his joystick. She wasn’t sure if it was the lights, the wine, or her sudden mood playing tricks on her, but a wicked smile crept across her face as she assessed his thick inventory.

The soft, dark hairs on his chest trailed down his stomach in a neat line, then disappeared into a V-shape right below his navel. He was in excellent shape. His body was sculpted to perfection with lean muscle. It was hard for Candy to imagine him ever being overweight. He lie on top of the bed, his hairy legs slightly open and his knees drawn up. His arms rested on his legs as he looked at her, his head slightly tilted.

“Are you just gonna continue to stand there, or can I expect your company sometime soon?” he laughed as he patted the bed for her to come closer.

“How many other employees have you slept with?” He had confessed to her before that she was his exception, and as much as she wanted to believe him, she found it hard to. She put her hand up to her mouth in disbelief. ‘Where is this coming from?’ she thought.

Gabriel dropped his head and shook it. He then looked up at the ceiling, his silver and dark-brown hair falling back as he closed his eyes in exhaustion.

“Do you always make it this hard? I mean really. What did I do to deserve the displeasure of this evening?” he said coolly. “I tell you what, let me just allow you to go home because apparently that’s what you really want to do. Your accusations are insulting. Every time you light a fire to ruin this evening, I extinguish it, and now here is another one. After a while, I have to give up and let this burn down, or I’ll have third-degree burns trying to save something that wasn’t even fully established.” He laughed in frustration and threw up his hands. “I…I can’t keep on doing this. You’ve made the night extremely long. I don’t know what your issues are – wait, I do, but that’s neither here nor there because you refuse to face them. It was so much easier when we were just professional. I’ve always found you to be highly intelligent, sexy, and captivating, but this other side of you, the insane side of you, is unbearable. Do you do this to other men? No wonder you’re single.” Gabriel rolled his eyes.

“Now wait a minute, you…” Candy shouted.

 Gabriel interrupted and kept his train of thought. “I should have known there was a catch because you seem so ideal. Anyway, you’ve seen me in my underwear now, but nothing has happened, so while it’s still safe, why don’t you run on back to your world of denial, blame, and silliness? I don’t have the patience for this. And for the record, this isn’t about sex. I’d be completely fine if you told me you weren’t ready for this level of intimacy, but you’re sabotaging the entire thing by acting in ways you know will derail us. We could’ve just relaxed this evening without having sex at all. I want to make that perfectly clear to you. That’s not the point. I told you not to waste my time, and I meant it.” He pulled the covers over his shoulder and laid down. Candy stood there trembling as she stared at his outline. After what seemed like an eternity, he rose.

“Are you still here?” he asked, rubbing his eyes. “You don’t want to be. I don’t hold prisoners.” He turned away.

“Gabriel, I have no idea what’s going on with me tonight. I guess I’m nervous. I promise you, I’m not usually like this!” Candy laughed fretfully.