Chapter 2

Two

Kandy

O h God.

I can feel Ryder's eyes on me, watching every move I make. My fingers fumble with a bolt and it pisses me off. The wrench hits the floor in a clunking clatter for the third time in a row. No man has ever made me nervous. Ever.

But seeing him again has knocked me off my game. I mean, he was supposed to be the man I walked down the aisle to in this dress. Not the one to see me as the failure I am. Never left home and apparently can't get a man.

Not that Ryder ever popped the question. We were kids, me just starting high school and him just graduating. He promised he'd never leave and I took that as a proposal for a one-day kind of thing.

All wishful fantasies.

His father got a job out of state and off they went. I had a girl's hopes back then. But I never thought I'd make it to twenty-six and still be a virgin, but here I am. A town this small you don't really have a lot of options and I'm just not the kind of girl to jump into bed with just anyone.

"Are you kidding me?" I grit.

He's leaning over me now and I can feel he's seconds away from telling me how to do my job.

" How am I supposed to fix your bike with you standing over me like that? You know, I've worked on a Harley or two before. No need to watch me like I'm going to scratch your baby."

I remove my denim jacket, hanging it over one of the handlebars. Grease stains are a bitch—the wedding dress I am less sentimental about.

A grunt is all I get in return.

It's a sexy sound that has me shivering. Inappropriate? You bet. But true. I could easily blame it on the cool night air, but I won't lie. It's him.

Men.

I swear, I sensed him before I even laid eyes on the man seconds before he stepped foot in my diner this evening. And if that's not weird enough, the second our fingers brushed, a forest fire of epic proportions burst into flames inside me.

Even though I damn well knew who waltzed into my diner, I had to look. As soon as I spied him through the service window, I nearly dropped every damn pie I had on my trays.

Ryder fuuucking Wolfe.

The boy who broke my damn heart into a million little pieces and never came back to piece them together. The boy who grew up into a tempting devil with his bulging muscles, military haircut and beard making my insides overheated from the layers of sexy wrapped around him.

He even smells the same. Clean, like the cool mountain air wrapped itself around him the second he hit town limits.

He shifts his weight behind me, and I almost vibrate with the feeling of his nearness moving over my skin.

He is bigger than I remember. Huge, with tree trunks for thighs, and a great pair of black jeans molded over them. His leather jacket and soft tee do little to conceal his broad chest and hard abs.

Must be from the days in the Marines. His momma called every so often about their house I helped look after and she always had a moment to tell me how Wolfe fared overseas.

Never once did she mention him getting engaged or married.

He moves a bit closer, leaning in to watch me take off a few more screws to get deeper into the motor. His body heat shields most of the chilled air from hitting my back and Holy shit. I feel every warm caress like a lover's touch.

Lover? What's wrong with you, Kandy? Head. Game. Now.

I was supposed to be married today is what. Lying in my bridal bed and finally finally taking the next step in my life of not being a virgin.

My body is ready to party but my brain baked pies all day instead. No exchange of memos between the two.

I let out a sigh, my breath a puffy white cloud in front of me.

I peer up at him, a man who's powerful and imposing, and he casually takes a step back, a grin smoothing out the tight lines across his forehead. He's easily two-hundred and thirty pounds of muscle and there's a fierceness about him earned from years in the military. Everything about him looks hardened by Uncle Sam, in fact.

Especially his eyes.

"Mind giving me some space and some light?"

"Sorry. She's been with me a while now. Feels like an extension of myself if you know what I mean."

I nod. "I do. I feel the same about this place and the diner." I wave the wrench around to encompass the trio locals.

I thought his muscular body was something to see, but his face—his face tells me the boy I knew is not the man standing in front of me. He's seen things. Done some wild shit. Dark things he probably doesn't like talking about. I didn't take much notice earlier. His neatly combed beard doesn't hide his full lips or the slash of his cheekbones. And his eyes—who knew eyes that dark existed? His fierce gaze burns into me and a shudder curls from toes to fingers—a reaction my now ex-fiancé never elicited from me.

Memories of what Ryder and I shared years back, as young as it was, and what I see in the man today collide in my mind, making it difficult to gather my wits and get back to work.

The fact I'm on my knees on the floor of my garage, ass in the air, dress riding high as I take a closer look at his motor doesn't help.

I grab the light he offers and hold it between my shoulder and ear. There. Thank God. Relief rolls through me as I spot the problem. Maybe I'd be able to escape from him before I do something stupid like invite him back to my apartment for a nightcap.

"Ah. Here we go. The voltage regulator has burned through. Probably from coming into contact with the front fender on your long trip. And the clutch, well, from the looks of it that has failed to disengage. I'll have to order the parts tomorrow. Everything is closed now."

I speak to the bottom of his bike, not daring to look at him. He squats next to me. "How long will that take?"

That heated masculine rumble of his voice sounds smooth as leather. Deep.

It lights something inside me I haven't felt for another man ever and it scares me. How can this man arrive in town and not an hour later have me wanting him? I spend all day with bikers, truck drives and farmers. And nothing. Not a zing or simmer inside me. But Mr. Beard and Muscles pushes through my door, offers to carry my pies and I trip down memory lane so hard I'm biting my tongue from offering him a bed.

To make it worse, I know I'm blushing. How could I not be with the roaring fire inside me right now?

I fight the urge to moan out loud as his scent of pine and warm male send my senses into a tailspin. "They'll probably get here in three days because of the weekend."

I barely manage to keep my voice on an even keel.

He pushes to his feet, leaving both of my sides wide open.

I can make my great escape now. Fresh air goes a long way and I needed gallons of it. And a drink. Old school crushes and long Autumn nights call for a whiskey sour. Spiked apple cider sounds good too.

I go to stand but I've been on my knees so long I've lost feeling in my right leg.

I stumble forward, landing over the seat of his bike, but before the bike or me can hit the ground, thick, strong arms come around me, pinning me to a hard chest.

He turns me around and like this, with our chests pressed together, me bent over his bike and him over me, if anyone were to walk in, it would look a tad bit peculiar.

Or, down right naughty.

I press my oil-covered hands to his cream-colored tee, but he doesn't seem to notice or care. Those dark, piercing eyes lock on mine and neither of us can look away.

"Thanks," I whisper and I know he hears the quiver in my voice because that shit-eating grin of his is back and in full force.

"Don't mention it." he purrs, coming to stand between my spread thighs.

"It's been a while since I've held you like this."

I'm no wilting flower in need of a man, but he sure makes me feel like a delicate freaking daisy.

He slides me to straddle his bike cowgirl style but doesn't make a move to give me any more space than necessary. His hands hold mine, grease and all.

Which I kind of welcome. Night fell hours ago and Vermont in the Autumn isn't frigid, but it's still pretty damn cold.

Goosebumps pebble along my arms and legs and that's when I notice.

Flaming red fire hits my cheeks.

God, why me? Between the crawling around and twisting to get a good look at all the parts my daddy taught me to check on a bike, I somehow managed to get my dress and all twenty layers of ruffles up around my waist instead of mid-thigh where it belongs.

I wanted Belle and the Beast, but the longer this day drags on the more I feel like Cinderella after the carriage turned back into a pumpkin.

It is wishful thinking he doesn't notice. Hot eyes drag up my body and land on mine, and I know that look. Remember it. It's a miracle I made it through our dating days with my hymen intact. He said he would wait for me and vowed to never press the matter. And true to his words, he did. But that didn't mean we didn't do some heavy petting and if I can read the smoldering look in his eyes, he's recalling those moments too.

A rough, warm hand comes to my thigh and when he leans in, his lips barely a whisper from mine, I don't back away.

No.

Not me.

I startle us both and wrap my arms around his neck, drawing him closer, until I can feel the hardness of his pecs pressing against my pebbled nipples. And it's delicious. He's delicious. Tastes like my pie, missed dreams and fresh coffee. Bittersweet in a word.

My dress hasn't bunched just a bit. It has slid all the way up so now the hem sits on my thighs—right above my tiny white lace panties. My very see-through, very damp panties. Did I mention my body enjoyed every second of him standing close? My pussy started leaking the second I laid eyes on him and hasn't stopped since.

And isn't that just embarrassing.

His gorgeous body tightens under my hands, muscles bulging and clenching. He takes my weight against him when he slides onto the bike's seat with me.

Somehow my legs come around him, not sure if it's his hands on my ass guiding me or my wish to wrap myself around him that prompts the move. I'm just glad it happens, because if Ryder is hot standing near me, he's a volcano with my body clinging to his.

My mouth cracks open when strong fingers tease the crease of my hips. You know what I'm talking about. The area where it's just close enough to make you cream harder but not quite there . I want to scream for him to stop teasing me already, but I kind of like the foreplay too. It beats trying to get off on my battery-operated boyfriend which has less than a bubbly personality.

Ryder slips his thumb beneath the hem of my panties and brushes the rough pad of over my swollen, sticky dripping wet folds and I can't even claim to be embarrassed anymore. So what that he knows how turned on I am right now?

Yeah, ohh. My. God. He dips closer this time and I don't hold back. I arch into him, seeking a firmer touch.

My breath catches when he gives me what I want and slides a thick finger into my dripping core. Cream spills, and I swear if he were to move me right now, the leather on this seat would be wet with my juices.

His molten eyes are inches from mine when we break our kiss.

"Eager, baby?"

I love the feel of his hard cock pressing into me as I settle over his lap. The rough friction of jeans against silk is a filthy pleasure I've come to like again.

"Come home with me." I didn't recognize my own voice. The words coming from my mouth have never left my lips.

Ryder holds my eyes.

"You sure about that, babe?"

Unblinking, I stare back and give a one-word answer that shocks the shit out of both of us. Because if there's anything anyone knows about me it's that I'm a good girl. No sex till marriage kind of sweet, but I've learned something today. Something my momma tried telling me. Take the day by the balls and don't let go.

Well, I have a Wolfe by the balls right now and, baby, I'm not letting go. Marriage will come, someday. Maybe. But I'll be coming first if you know what I mean.

"Yes." I pin back my shoulders and run my hands beneath the hem of his shirt.

Mmm. Ripped abs meet fingers.

Oh, yeah!

"Yes," he repeats, those dark eyes of his nearly glowing with the amount of lusty heat boiling up inside. I know because I feel it too.

His deep, rumbling answer sends shivers skittering over every nerve ending. Working my mojo like I've seduced a million men I shimmy my hips and purr a sexy moan by his ear. "I can't think of a better way for you to repay me."

His eyes narrow on me while his hands battle with the ruffles of my dress. "Oh yeah? For what?"

"For the pie of course and now for the diagnosis. But this isn't a forever thing."

God, that sounded slutty, but screw it. I want to live a little. Isn't tonight all about treats? Well I'll be the candy.

He's on his feet, me wrapped around him in all my ruffled layers.

"Tell you what, more of that pumpkin pie only for me, one weekend and no strings. Nothing to worry about. Just your regular virginity removal services for the price of your company."

"And my pie."

"Touché. Deal?"

I think I just walked into a trap set by the devil, but what the hell. No strings sex sounds like something I can handle right now. "Deal."

I feel the bulge in his pants better like this. The length is intimidating, but man-oh-man, he's got the girth to match too.

He finally finds my ass under all the cloth. He growls a little like he's hit the jackpot. Long, strong fingers grip my bare ass cheeks and for once I'm glad I went with a G-string rather than the full piece I thought would be classier. Why, I dunno. Maybe I wanted to make sure I hit all the sex appeal notches I could manage on my wedding night.

Doesn't matter.

What matters is seeing the savage look on Ryder's face as his hands slide over my bare cheeks.

Heat pools between my legs about the same time my face blooms with a deep blush.

He chuckles. "Oh, beautiful, don't get shy on me now."

I can feel his cock pulsing through the thin barrier of my panties. Of course, he thinks I'm turning every shade of red there is because he's found me wet and practically bare under my wedding dress. But the truth is, since catching Buzz with his pants unbuttoned and my maid of honor sucking him off this morning, I've been furiously enraged and I'm sure my blood pressure can attest to the fact.

I mean, I was giving myself to a man who would rather screw my best friend's mouth than me.

Talk about a wrecking ball to my pride. I've been trying to back away from the humiliation for almost twelve hours.

"Hey, look at me, baby. Forget about whatever's going through your beautiful mind. I can see you tripping back to that asshole. Don't. Stay here. With me."

Ryder takes my mouth in another kiss, but this time it's a slow burner. The kind that makes a woman's toes curls and her ovaries burst. He works his lips over mine and I open for him with the slightest tease of his tongue. His hands tighten on my ass and I stiffen a little when his fingers caress over my asshole.

He slides farther down and when he drags a finger through my juices to tease over my ass again, I cry out into his mouth.

He pulls me tight into his body and I forget about my dumbass ex. Ryder makes me tremble with his languid strokes and...oh, God! My clit! His hands are between my thighs only this time it's my pleasure nubs he's after.

No vibrator has ever felt that deliciously wicked and spot on.

I break our kiss and cry his name, this time into the silent garage. I left the bay door open and God, I hope no one heard me.

"Oh, darlin', your body needs a man's touch."

True.

My hips buck against his hand. With an arm around his broad shoulders, I spread my thighs wider, inviting his touch.

Fuck. I never even let my ex get his hands down my pants, and in minutes Ryder has me panting and crying his name.

His chuckle tells me he knows exactly the kind of effect he has on me.

"Cocky ass." I mean it as an insult, but my breathy tone makes it sound more like an endearment. "Upstairs. Now."

I try to wiggle out of his arms, so you know, he doesn't have to carry me up a full twenty steps, but he tightens his arms. I'm not exactly a feather. "Stay right where you're at, baby. Just tell me where the keys are. Let's lock up and then I'm going to unlock you. One fuzzy ruffle at a time."

I reach between us and cup his huge bulge. "Forget about it. No one's going to take anything."

He cocks a brow at me and the firm set of his lips says the topic is non-negotiable.

"Keys, baby. Safety first. You never know who rolls into town."

I let out a flustered sigh. Worriers. A town this small no one takes anything. They come by, use what they need and go on their way. It's how such a small community survives. We help each other out.

My country-boy-turned-city high school crush has been gone too long.

I point to the back wall to a set of keys I haven't touched in...err...ever. The layer of dust on them is my proof.

Doors locked, I point to a set of rickety old stairs up the side of the building, and he takes them two at a time.

He growls something under his breath when he finds my door unlocked. Inside, with the door closed, he still hasn't put me down and his grip on my ass gets a little tighter as he kneads the muscles. His chest rises and falls with what I assume is irritation along the same vein as downstairs.

"We'll talk about your lack of safety later—right now I want to eat my candy."