Page 24 of First Comes Love… Then Denial

Chapter Ten

ZANE

Candice bit her bottom lip and stared at me. Her lips parted as though she was about to say something, but they closed just as quickly.

“Candice, you’re killing me here,” I chuckled nervously.

“Sorry, she replied quietly. “I’m not the girly type. I’m usually pretty cut-throat when it comes to men. But...

“But?” I prompted when she fell silent again.

“Somehow it is different with you. I feel like I’m some little kid,” she rolled her eyes. “A lame ass little kid.”

“Because I make you feel…Girly?” She nodded in response. “What’s wrong with being girly?”

On the outside, Candice looked like a bombshell. She had beautiful blonde hair and flawless skin. I just assumed that she was big into looks.

“I prefer to be a realist,” she shrugged again. “Girly girls get hurt.”

The look in her eyes spoke volumes. She looked scared. Scared of getting hurt? Or maybe someone had already hurt her? My heart ached seeing her like that.

I unfastened my seatbelt then hers. Within seconds, I had her in my arms. I kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back.

“Let’s not think about anything right now and just enjoy the moment,” I kissed the top of her head.

“Themoment," she repeated, nodding her head slightly then sat up. "Sounds like a plan."

"Shall we?" I asked, turning off the car.

"We shall," she smiled then opened the door.

"Wait. Let me grab your door for you."

Quickly, I took the keys out of the ignition then made my way out of the car and over to her side. She was already out of the car, grinning at me.

"Too slow," she winked then closed her car door. "This way. But don't say i didn't warn you. My place isn't fancy."

Before I could reply, she scurried a few feet over to a red door. On the front of the door hung a Christmas wreath and above it a silver-plated5.

I beeped my car then walked over to Candice. She was putting a key in the door. Her hand shook, making the other keys on the keyring jingle.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and placed my hand on her shaky hand.

"Relax, Candice." I kissed the side of her head then helped her open the door.

The scent of vanilla, cinnamon, and Candice's perfume rushed past me when the door opened. I inhaled sharply, flooding my senses with the smell. The smell was calming yet arousing at the same time. It didn't surprise me that the feelings it gave me were polar opposites. Since meeting Candice, my emotions had butted heads. Shy-Greedy. Romantic-Hornball.

"Welcome to my place," she whispered. I dropped my arms from around her waist but captured one of her hands in mine.

"Thanks," I replied, following her inside and closing the door behind us.

She turned on a light, illuminating the well-decorated room. A brown leather loveseat was in the middle of the room, facing a wood entertainment stand and T.V. A nice coffee table was between the couch and the T.V. The walls were decorated with paintings of people, sceneries, and animals.

My mom was an art lover and had taught me to appreciate the value of an artist's work. This artist had definitely taken their time and portrayed a variety of emotions in each painting.

"Wow," I said, releasing Candice’s hand and walking over to a painting of a little girl and a horse that hung on the farthest wall.

The little girl, who looked about five, had her small hand resting on the white horse's nose. She was smiling from ear to ear as though she was having the time of her life. However, her eyes told a different tale. She looked heartbroken.

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