Page 48 of Devil’s Candy

Lifting my hand, I hold her chin between my thumb and forefinger. “Next month too. And the month after that.”

“Oh,” she whispers, a ghost of a smile touching her lips.

“And the rest of the year, and the year after that.”

“Really?” she says and then she pushes up, brushing her lips against mine. “You mean it?”

I look into her eyes, giving a single jerk of my chin. “You want to get married, baby girl?”

She nods. “Yes.” Then she sits back up, looking away. “I’ve never had a real family. No one’s ever stuck.”

I get it. “You know that’s not because of you, right?”

She shrugs. “Maybe.”

I reach for her shoulder. “Candy, you are one of the most lovable people I have ever met. I wasn’t supposed to want you, I couldn’t help myself.”

That makes her smile for real, a big grin that spreads across her lips. “Thank you for that.” But then her smile slips, her look growing pensive again.

“What is it?” I ask, knowing something is still standing between us.

“What if you change your mind?”

I almost laugh again, but catch myself. “Candy. Do I seem like the kind of man who makes promises he doesn’t keep? Who is prone to changing his mind?”

She smiles again. “No.”

“Do you have any idea the depths I would go to make you happy?”

Her giggle fills the room. “I wouldn’t mind finding out.”

“Give me another kiss,” I command. I’ve got to get better so that I can get my woman back in my bed.

EPILOGUE

Candy

Two months later…

I turn in the full-length mirror checking the effect of the dress.

Sver is going to love it.

It’s red and white striped and I’ve died my hair a vibrant red to match.

I asked Sver if I needed to tone down my look, blend into a crowd more, but he says that I can be as loud as I want with my style.

No one is getting anywhere near me.

I really appreciate that, but I know what almost happened to Chloe and I have been keeping my hair color quieter.

Except it’s nearly Christmas and I decided to go all out.

I’m dressed as Sver’s personal candy cane.

He enters the bedroom and catches sight of me, a feral sound emanating from his throat. “Woman.”

“Like it?” I ask, smiling at him through the mirror. “I thought it would be fun for the Christmas party.”