Candy Store by Bella Andre Read Free Book Online Page A

unrolling the new banner that spelled out www.calliescandies.com .
    He hung it from the roof of the gazebo where they were setting up shop. The gazebo was situated on the far edge of the large outdoor ice skating rink in Saratoga, less than a mile from the world famous racetracks. Based on his experience of taking his nieces and nephews skating over the years, he knew that on Saturdays and Sundays in January, the rink was packed with kids of all ages and their parents, the perfect audience to spread the word about Callie’s incredible confections.
    “I’m still not sure about the web site,” Callie said. “Wouldn’t people rather come into the store?”
    Feeling incredibly protective towards his luscious client, Derek wanted to allay her fears. “You’ve got a great store, Callie. It’s warm and inviting and who can resist your little surprises?”
    Derek saw the responsive spark in Callie’s eyes and caught himself just in time before he lost sight of business altogether.
    Focus, buddy. Focus.
    “What about people who don’t live in Saratoga and can’t get to your store on a regular basis?”
    Callie looked confused. “How would they even find out about my store in the first place?”
    “You see all of these people out here today?” Derek asked, gesturing to the growing crowd of skaters that were sliding across the ice. “People are willing to drive quite a distance to skate at such a great outdoor rink. Not to mention the fact that locals often have friends or relatives visiting them for the holidays from out of town.”
    “And you think these people will love my truffles and hot cocoa so much that they’ll want to order more from my web site when they get home?”
    “Exactly,” Derek said, pleased that Callie was letting herself be open to the array of possibilities for her business.
    “I never would have thought to do any of this without you. The web site. Being here today. Getting plans together for a special Valentine’s Day gift box.”
    “It's my pleasure,” he said, his voice husky with need.
    The only way he could keep himself from dragging her against him and kissing her was to turn and start pulling boxes of truffles out of the cooler for their sales table.
    Even during their brief phone calls, he had gotten so overheated he’d had to walk out of his office in just his shirt and slacks until the cold weather had frozen him completely through.
    Only then could he concentrate on business again.
    Thirty minutes later, just before the doors to the rink opened up to the crowd that had gathered in the parking lot outside, they'd finished setting up the Callie’s Candies booth, complete with steaming hot cocoa and truffles in ten different flavors.
    Callie had packed toffees, taffies and lollipops into small wicker baskets on the table.
    They took a few steps back to check over their candy display.
    “It looks great,” Callie said, not quite meeting his eyes.
    Derek nodded and smiled at the top of her head. “It certainly does. The table is colorful and inviting. I’m certain that Callie’s Candies is going to make a huge splash with both the locals and the out-of-towners today.”
    Callie walked back to the table and fussed needlessly with the display. Derek could tell that she was feeling nervous around him.
    It was taking every ounce of control for Derek to keep his mind on business, when all he really wanted to do was strip off Callie’s winter clothes. It was so cold he was starting to add intense visions about hot tubs and saunas to his previous beach and bikini fantasies.
    Not for the first time that day, Derek gave thanks that they were conducting their business together in the frigid outdoors. He didn’t think he could keep himself from tearing her clothes off if they were alone and indoors. Even as it was, the cold wasn’t working its magic on his overcharged libido.
    Callie’s pull was just too damn strong.

    * * * * *

    Callie looked at her watch and prayed that her