Page 19 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
“Do you want me to know?” His fingers come to my chin. He gently makes me raise my head to look into his eyes.
“I don’t know,” I whisper. His expression turns soft.
“We can play this however you want. I’m only worried about you being safe and not upsetting you or the baby.” His hand comes to my stomach. I love it when he does that. With Max, I would get uncomfortable, but he only asked a few times, thankfully.
“I’m not the party planner.” I come clean. I’m finding I don’t want him to think of me as anyone else. I want him to know me.
“That’s fine.” He shrugs it off so easily. “Is your name really Gwen? I would like to know that much.”
“Kinda. It’s Candy Gwendolyn Snow.”
“Now, that name truly does fit you. Snow being your last with your cool blue eyes and whitish blond hair.”
“Yeah, my birth mom must have thought the same because she just gave me the last name Snow. No one actually had it.”
“Seriously?” I can tell he’s fighting a chuckle. It is kind of funny when you think about it.
“Now the Candy part she might have stolen from one of the girls at the club she worked at.”
“Like a strip club?” I nod, my eyes searching his face. How will he see me if he knows about my past? The only reason I have some nice things is because of Max.
“It’s a stripper name,” I tell him.
“I don’t think strippers get to hold the rights to a name. I think it fits you too. You’re sweet. Sweet as candy.” Those stupid tears sting at my eyes.
“Max wanted me to go by Gwen. He was the one that kind of said Candy was a stripper name.”
“Max is a fucking asshole.”
“I’m starting to see that.”
“Oh, I’m going to show you, Candy. Your standards for people need to be lifted. I’m going to make sure that happens.” He drops his finger from under my chin. “I’m going to ruin you.” He smirks. “In the best of ways.”
I think he already has.
Chapter Ten
HOLLIS
When we finish with breakfast, I have Candy go up and get her boots and coat. I want to show her around town. I don’t give a shit what Kindred wants right now, but having that all off my chest is a relief.
Over breakfast, I hadn’t asked Candy how she got here or why she chose my home. We both know that unspoken question is hanging in the air. I’m going to let her go at her own pace for now. It’s hard to pump my own brakes. I have always been an all-in-or-out personality, but there are things I can do behind the scenes. That way when she’s ready, I’ve already got everything handled.
It should be no surprise to me that when a woman caught my attention, I’d be the same way. All of this should be irking me, but it’s not. In fact, each new little thing I learn about her only sinks me further. I recall my father saying he knew the moment he met Mom that she was the one. She’d been a waitress that wouldn't give him the time of day. He wore her down, and once he had her, he never let go.
I want to beat the shit out of this Max. The only thing he is good for is sending Candy running to me. That reminds me to pull out my phone and fire off a few texts. Candy GwendolynSnow is a somewhat unique name. My resources shouldn’t have a hard time finding out information. I’d rather her tell me on her own terms, but I also need to be able to protect her.
“Are you sure you want to take me around town?” Candy asks when she strolls into my office. “I’m sure you have work or whatever.” I’m noticing that she worries that she’s in the way or being a bother. I want her to bother the fuck out of me and stand right in my path.
“This town pretty much runs itself. Then there is Kindred.”
“Why isn’t she mayor, then?”
“I asked the same thing. She doesn’t want that responsibility. I think she’s got other plans in mind for her future.”
Kindred loves this town. It's a part of her. She doesn't say it, but I know she wants the rest that goes with that. Married with kids and a white picket fence. The thing is, I don't hear of her dating, but who is she going to date? A local? I think if the man for her was local, they would have been together long ago.
“Well, I hope whatever it is, she gets it. She’s so sweet.”
