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“Hello?”
“I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No, my mind is pretty active tonight. I’m trying to will myself to sleep.”
His deep chuckle sounded even huskier over the phone. “Yeah, I hear that.” He paused. “Look, I just wanted to say thank you.”
“For what? The best sex of your life?”
He snorted a laugh. “It is pretty damn amazing.” He paused for a long second. “But so are you.”
“You think I’m amazing?”
“I do,” he admitted immediately. “And I want you to know that I appreciate everything you are doing for me with the tavern.”
“You are welcome. I am glad that I came up with this fantastic idea.”
“I am too, but—” He hesitated.
“Don’t tell me you are having second thoughts.”
“Not about the tavern.”
I frowned. “If not the tavern, then what?”
He sighed in a huff. “I don’t think we should be having sex anymore. Not if we are going to be business partners.”
I sat up. “What? Why not? I thought you enjoyed the sex?”
“The sex is fucking fantastic, Candy. You have no idea how incredible it is to be deep in you and hear those sounds you make as you come apart.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I’m the problem, Candy. I can’t give you what you want.”
“I want to keep having sex.”
I heard him sigh quietly. “Yeah, I get that, but before you know it, you’ll push harder for me to stay the night. Then you’ll want more. I can’t give you more, especially if we are going to be business partners.”
“So, you’re breaking up with me?”
“Candy, we aren’t a couple. There is nothing to break up with. That’s why I am doing this before you think there is.”
“But I care about you.”
“I don’t want you to,” he said harshly, then his voice changed. “Not any more than you would for a friend. I can’t give you anything more, Candy. I hope you can understand my decision and respect it, and I hope this doesn’t hurt our partnership.”
I chewed on that for a second. “No, it won’t hurt that. I’m not sure I understand, but I will accept your words. I won’t push myself on someone who doesn’t want me. Good night, Michael.”
“Candy! Wait! That’s not—”
I didn’t let him finish. I hung up the phone, tossed it to my nightstand, and then lay down as a single tear slipped out of my eye.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
MICHAEL
After I left Candy’s house, I started to think. I could see where this was heading and was not interested in settling down and playing house. Not with anyone, including Candy. My focus needed to be on getting the tavern purchased and upgraded. I couldn’t let Laney down.
