Once they were inside the tiny dog yawned as Candy was baby talking to him.

“Did that mean man hurt you?” She was checking the little guy over and must have satisfied herself that everything was okay. “You’re a tired little boy aren’t you? Are you gonna be a good boy for me tonight, Bitsy?” She settled the dog in the little crate thing the sales person told him to buy. The crate wasn’t any bigger than a shoe box. “I’m going to put him in the bathroom, I’ll be right back.”

She walked back in wringing her hands.

“Everything okay with the dog.”

“Oh, yeah, he’s fine. Would you like a drink? I think I have some, maybe it’s scotch, but I don’t know how old it is.”

“You don’t drink much.” She actually blushed as if there was something wrong with not drinking.

“If I have something it is usually just a glass of wine or two, if I’ve had a really bad day.”

“So you’re polishing off more than ever since you came to work for me.”

“No! Well, that first day, I thought maybe I should switch to something harder than wine but no, my bad days aren’t because of you. Jameson, this is no doubt a colossal mistake but…” She walked closer stopping between each step to look him over as if he were going to explode. Then she stood right in front of him for a minute, she still hadn’t said anything, and finally she sat on his lap. “I want you to stay, the night. And I, um, I don’t want you to sleep on the couch. I want...”

“Sweetheart, we both know women like you don’t end up with guys like me. I’m not the kind to be playing house. I’m not good at sweet talk and I damn sure don’t do lovebird shit. A woman like you needs gentle and there just isn’t a whole lot of gentle in me.” He’d said the words as a tease but the truth was wrapped up in there too. He knew she was going to leave eventually. He wasn’t the kind of guy she needed and she deserved better than him but he couldn’t seem to just walk away either.

“I know, I’m not asking for forever. Maybe it’s stupid but I want to make up for lost time or learn what I never got when I was younger. I promise, I will remember just what a loud, obnoxious jerk you can be.” They both grinned at one another for a second.

“Nothing’s changed. I’m still in charge in the bedroom, and I’m not softening for you.” She actually leaned over and kissed him then. He was done trying to fend her off. He was reeling her in and enjoying the hell out of it while it lasted. A man only had so much willpower.

“I probably shouldn’t but I like you being in charge, and I…” She burned hot in his arms and ducked her head to hide against his shoulder.

“Oh, you are not getting out of that one. Finish your sentence, little lady. And you what?”

“I like…” She let out a groan. “It turns me on when, when you talk dirty.” She got even hotter and damn near tried to climb under his skin. But fuck, she was something else. He needed to remind himself she hadn’t argued with his statement that women like her didn’t end up with guys like him but if she wanted to take a walk on the wild side he’d be happy to be her guide.

“Stand up.” She must have thought he was kidding. She wanted hard and in charge, she was getting the full effect. He pushed her off his lap but caught her in time to get her feet under her. “Strip.”

“Here?” her voice sounded a lot like the little dog’s squeaky yip. “In the living room?”

“Fuck yeah.”

“But the lights are on. What about the curtains?” He rolled over and pulled both curtains across the windows.

“You’re right. I’m the only one who gets to see you. And as far as the lights. How the hell am I supposed to see all those gorgeous curves of yours in the dark?” She just stared at him. Maybe too much too soon? Hell, she said she liked it and from the way her nipples pushed against her blouse she may not be entirely sure what the hell was going on but she was sure as hell turned on. “I’ll bet you have on some sweet little lace panties under there and if I had to guess they have a matching lacy bra too.” Her eyes went round. It didn’t take a mind reader to figure her out. “So tell me, babe, do I get a peek?” She was almost panting, fuck, this was too easy. “Candy, what did I tell you last time?”

“You’re in charge.”

“And?”

“If I don’t want to do anything, or anything scares me or whatever, I need to tell you.”

“Good girl, so are you not doing what I asked for any of those reasons?”

“No, I just—”

“You’re stalling. I said strip, sweetheart, I can’t wait to see all that soft creamy skin of yours. Bet that lingerie set is sweet and sexy too.” She kind of whimpered but she did not get to hide. “Sweetheart, you are beautiful.”

“No I’m not, I’m—”

“I’m sorry, did you just say I was wrong?” Her eyes went wide and she gulped down whatever she was about to say next.

“I, I, are you going to, oh my God, are you going to spank me or something?” He bit down on the inside of his cheek to keep the smile off his face. In charge was one thing, he didn’t need much more than that.

“Was that something you wanted to try?” If it was possible her eyes got bigger.

“NO!”

“Then it isn’t going to happen. Candy? Take. Off. Your. Clothes.” The growl at the end was just for extra credit, but it got her attention enough that she popped the button on her shorts and slid down the fly. “Unh uh, top first. Fuck, you have magnificent tits.” She turned bright red but she started unbuttoning her blouse. He was right. Blush pink satin and lace peeked at him from where the blouse gapped. “Come closer.” She took one step and must have decided she wasn’t close enough so she stepped between his knees. “I think you need a little help here.” He pushed the sides of the blouse wider apart and skimmed his fingers over the edge of the lace at the top. She sucked in a quick gasp and her nipples turned to dusty brown pebbles behind the transparent netting.

“Oh.” Her eyes were closed now.

“How’s about we give those hard buds of yours some breathing room?” He hooked his fingers into each cup and lifted her breasts up as he tucked the cup underneath them. “Damn, sweet girl, that is hot. Look at you, all pretty and showing off for me. I think I need a little of that.” He hooked one index finger behind the center of her bra and tugged her closer. He held her steady while he sucked one nipple into his mouth getting it harder, and leaving it wet. Then he did the same to the other one. Before he let her go he blew cool air across the wet peaks and she moaned. “You liked that, didn’t you?” She nodded, nope, that was not going to be good enough. “Out loud baby, I want to hear you.”

“Yes, oh God. Yes, I liked it.”

“Good girl, now drop those shorts so I can see how wet those panties of yours are.” The woman was goggle-eyed and he could see her pulse kick at her throat her heart was pounding so hard. He’d barely touched her, hell she hadn’t touched him at all but watching her reaction to him, his words, was a bigger turn on than he’d ever experienced. “Come here Candy.” She dropped the shorts around her ankles and curled up on his lap. He was right, matching panties that were the picture of innocence and gave him all kinds of naughty thoughts. He gave her a second to get used to being naked, or almost, on his lap. Kissing her helped. Whispering how beautiful she was in her ear did more. That caramel vanilla smell of hers really got to him and he kind of lost himself in her hair and kissing her neck.

She froze for half a second when his hand slid up the inside of her thigh. He stopped and left it there so she could get used to him touching her.

“You were serious?” It came out as a whispered gasp.

“Hell yes sweetheart. Thinking about all your sweet honey, I can’t wait for a taste.”

“You mean...”

“Oh yeah.” He couldn’t hide his smile, damn it was too much fun to shock her. He’d never hurt a woman and especially not Candy and he was pretty sure she knew that. But he was no angel, so pushing her buttons and getting her all riled up? Yeah, that was all fair game.

“I’ve, um, never, ugh...” She couldn’t be serious? One look at her face told him she was. Hell yes. And she thought the other night was hot. He was about to burn the place down.