Junkyard Dog(49)

Downstairs, Hayes waits for me. He dwarfs the couch with his long legs, and I admire the sight of him stretched out watching the news. I’ve really missed the *. Not enough to swallow my pride yet, but I knew the time was coming. Hayes might be infuriating, but he is my guy, and I plan to keep him.





THIRTY - HAYES


Candy and I can’t get comfortable in her bed. Once in the room, I strip down to my boxers and consider going commando. She looks at me and shakes her head. I watch her remove her robe. She’s wearing a simple, pink sleeveless nightgown, and I instantly wonder if we can f*ck quiet enough to keep the kids from interrupting.

“No,” Candy says, crossing her arms. “Never going to happen.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say, climbing onto her California king-sized bed.

“Look, it’s your fault really,” she says, joining me on the bed. “If you were a lousy lay, I could keep quiet while you f*cked me.”

“I could probably do a shitty job if I tried. Get naked and we’ll give it a shot.”

Candy shakes her head and slides under the covers. “Tomorrow, the kids will go to school, and we’ll have the house to ourselves. We could stick my cell in their room and record to see if it picks up our grunts and groans.”

Resting on my side, I lean my head on my hand while my other one caresses her face. “Your problem-solving skills is one reason you’re a great assistant.”

Candy studies me. “I thought we might be over.”

“I never considered that.”

“Because you always get what you want?”

Smiling, I lean over and give her a quick kiss. “Do you always sleep this early?”

“Sure.”

“No wonder you’re so damn perky in the morning.”

“Will Nightmare be okay alone at your house?”

“Yeah, he has a doggy door, plenty of food and water, and even knows how to hit the remote if he wants to watch TV.”

“Smart dog.”

“He’s getting old. I don’t know what I’ll do when he kicks the bucket. I’ve had him for so long that any new dog will feel like a f*cking loser in comparison.”

Candy scoots a little closer. “He’s not that old yet, is he?”

“No, I guess not. He probably has a handful of years left.”

“Then why worry?”

“Because that’s what I do. I take care of what’s mine.”

“Yes, you do,” she softly says, kissing my hand. “I know this wasn’t your idea of a makeup sleepover, but life never promised you a rose garden. Now go to sleep so I can sleep. Tomorrow we'll do the makeup thing right.”

“I’m so bossy I forget how bossy you can get.”

Candy grins and turns over to switch off the light. The room isn’t completely dark. Between the moonlight and a hallway nightlight, I see her clearly. Having slept like shit the last few nights, I figure I’ll crash quickly and sleep like the dead.

With f*cking, we have great chemistry. However in the simple task of sleeping, we can’t find a rhythm. She rolls into me at one point. Later, my arm stretches out and lands on her head. We kick each other, shove one another nearly off the bed, and steal the covers back and forth.

“I’ve never shared a bed with a man before,” Candy complains at two in the morning.

“Not even with Eddison?”

“He’s a man, so no,” she mumbles.

“You might be a morning person, but you’re a bitch this early in the morning.”

“You nearly broke my face an hour ago.”

“Well, I’m accustomed to having a bed to myself.”

“Bed hog.”

“Bed slut.”

Candy laughs and climbs out of the bed. I wonder if this is when she orders me to sleep on her tiny couch downstairs. I’d rather sleep on the damn floor. Candy leaves the room, returning a few minutes later. She throws a second blanket at me and dumps a long pillow on the bed.

“I’m not sleeping on the f*cking couch,” I say instantly.

“No shit, boss. You’d kill my poor couch.”

Candy crawls into bed and yanks the first blanket to her side.

“That’s your blanket, and this is mine. Stop hogging.”

“Is this my pillow too?” I ask, patting the long pillow.

“No,” she says, pressing it between us. “The body pillow will act as a buffer. I used it with the kids when they were little and would dig their little feet into my legs.”

“This is sexy,” I tease, getting comfortable.

Candy smiles at me in the darkness. “I’m glad you’re the first man I’ve had sleep over.”

Her words make me feel protective of her in a new way. This is all new. I’m her first. In my gut, I know I’ll be her last too.

“I’m a fast learner,” I whisper. “I’ll figure out how to sleep in here without beating the shit out of you.”

“I know,” she says, patting my cheek. “I’d kiss you, but you’re looking a little too irresistible, and I’m too tired to get sweaty.”

“Fucking tease.”

Candy laughs and rolls over, so her back faces me. My fingers play with her hair, but she ignores me and soon she’s sleeping comfortably.