Dark Chocolate Peppermint Read online

  “How do you do that?”

  He kissed my cheek. “I know my girl.”

  “Susie entered me in the Candy Man Delivery Service lottery,” I said afraid to say anything further.

  “Oh, I heard about that.” My mother leaned in to whisper in my ear. “I hear they live forever, smell amazing, and marry the women who are chosen. I’ll pray for you.”

  Shocked didn’t cover my emotional state. “You’re okay with that?”

  “Of course we are,” my dad replied. “You deserve special.”

  I expected my brothers to chide me. They winked. I stared at Susie.

  She shuffled her feet. “Your brother and sisters-in-law were in on it. In my defense, I had to make sure your family wouldn’t ostracize me if you were picked.” She held her hands up.

  “Am I the only one with doubts?” I asked. Looking around the room, the answer was clearly yes. “He arrives tomorrow. I’m hoping in the evening so we can be hear for Christmas with the kids.”

  “They’ll have everything open by nine in the morning. Come over, take pictures with them and then head back to your place for your gift.” Mom explained.

  “You don’t mind me not being here all day?” That was a first.

  My father cleared his throat. “We’ve demanded you spend every moment not in front of a camera with us for ten years. As long as the kids see you first thing, the adults can hold our curiosity for a while.”

  Tears rolled down my cheeks. It was the happiest I remember being as an adult. If this Candy Man didn’t appreciate my family, I’d send him back.

  “I love you guys.”

  We were pushed out the door.

  “I think they were trying to get rid of us.” Susie pouted.

  Laughing, I explained. “It’s the one night they can all have sex knowing the kids won’t leave their beds in case they upset Santa.”

  “I need to take parenting notes.” She typed it into her phone.

  “You don’t need to write it down. By the time you give birth, you’ll have it memorized.”

  “Can we stop for ice cream?”

  “Absolutely, Cold Stone Creamery.”

  “Ooh, decadent.”

  “Only the best for you.” I drove straight there.

  A place I used to avoid to keep my figure. Susie ordered a large and dove in with a spoon. I stuck to a small with few toppings.

  “Can I get pregnant from the Candy Man?”

  She stopped to look at me. “I don’t know. I didn’t ask that. Do you want me to call?”

  “Let’s see if I want to keep him first.”

  “Good plan,” she said.

  Or at least I thought so through the mouthful of ice cream and cookie toppings.

  We arrived at my condo full and happy. The valet took my car. I wonder if this man would understand valet parking? I lived in a private building with a lot of security. Mom called it a pretty fortress.

  Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I heard Susie giggling on the phone with Bear. He was good for her. My old diary in my hands, I paged through my high school days. Hoping for a boyfriend, waiting for boobs, feeling rejected by the cool kids. It wasn’t a fun time for me. Putting on soothing music, I lay back thinking about how things might change after tomorrow. I usually planned for any big changes months in advance. I’d had days, chaotic days, to think about this. My heart pounded as I went over the list in my head.

  I woke up in the same position to the smell of coffee and bacon.

  Chapter Four

  Full and caffeinated I drove to the hotel. My mind on later, I swerved in traffic.

  “You want me to drive? I’ve seen this route a few times now?” Susie looked concerned.

  Shrugging it off, I said, “No, I’ll be okay. Once the statue arrives.”

  “Understood.”

  We walked into the suite were seven young kids stood with their arms crossed.

  The baby spoke up. “We had to wait on you, Aunt Ally. It took you sooo long.”

  My dad drank coffee in the kitchen. “We’re all here. Go ahead.”

  The carnage. They tore through every gift in thirty minutes. A small pile appeared next to each adult as the older kids made sure our things survived.

  Each adult opened their gifts one by one. I took the pictures. Photography was a passion of mine before I ended up in front of the camera.

  Susie’s gift from my parents was a gift card for a baby store. I got cards for clothing stores and one for Rooms To Go.

  Greg spoke up. “That’s us, Ally. You need furniture for your new office. Might as well get an entire suite that matches.”

  Steven wouldn’t be out done by his older brother. “We got you a card for office supplies and the phone number of a top real estate agent.”

  They knew very well my modeling money would cover all of my needs. I loved them for doing that anyway.

  “Thank you.”

  “Now, go get me a son-in-law,” mom handed me hot chocolate in a to-go cup.

  I felt rushed. “No hurry to get rid of me.”

  Susie put hers and my gifts in her bag. “You’re already distracted. Let’s get you a man, then you can come back.”

  There was a van in the drive at the condos. I recognized the hearts on the doors.

  “They’re here!” Susie hopped out before I’d fully stopped.

  “Careful, you’re pregnant.”

  She thought about it. “Then, don’t make me yank you out of there.”

  In front of my door stood the hottest man I’d ever seen. Next to him was Viviana. After her man arrived, they made the papers.

  “Viviana, I’m so sorry, we were with my family.”

  “I know,” she said. “Are you ready?”

  I opened my mouth to say yes and paused. “I don’t know.”

  Her Adonis laughed. “Honesty. I’ll be right back.”

  He walked past us, and Susie swayed. “He’s not real.”

  Viviana winked as I opened the door. “I assure you, he’s all real.”

  I noticed every item even slightly out of place and tried to clean up. Until I heard Susie moan.

  Turning around, I saw him. He was carved perfection. Dark chocolate rippled over abs and pecs and…Oh! He was naked.

  “He doesn’t have clothes on.”

  Adonis laughed. “We arrive naked. I assume that’s okay seeing the look on your face.”

  “I’m not complaining. Viviana, you’re gifted.”

  Susie had a different reaction. “I need chocolate. I’ll be nearby at the candy store stocking up while you get acquainted.”

  My complex stood across the street from local tourist trap stores. One of them made superb home made candy.

  “Viviana, can I have children with this man?”

  She shook her head. “No, Alicia. He cannot have children. He’s a god inhabiting a statue. However, you can do as another couple did and use in vitro with donor sperm. Your man will happily be a father to any child you bring home. Here is the magic part. Take this bag of gold dust, speak to the statue about the list you made up, and sprinkle it over him. He’ll come right to life.”

  I stood there with the bag in my hand wrestling with how absurd this sounded versus the possibility of this man holding me. He certainly had the parts to make any woman happy. Walking around the back, I noticed his perfect ass. Blushing, I smacked it.

  “Okay, I’m jumping off a cliff here. I want a man who’ll respect my intelligence. My life has been about beauty, but my brains are more important. You have to love family, I have seven nieces and nephews who will knock you over if you’re not careful. You need to be kind. No assumptions, arrogance or ego. Ask me before you think you know an answer. Make me laugh. Make me shiver and moan. If you keep me safe, I’ll deal with in vitro to raise my children with you.”

  Sprinkling the dust on his shoulders, I felt ridiculous until I saw an ass cheek move as I rounded the back.<
br />
  “Look his butt jiggled.” Nervous giggles shook me.

  “That’s not all,” a deep voice said. “Would you like to see the front?”

  “You are more than a piece of meat.” I scolded coming around to face him.

  He looked down from his perch on the rolling delivery platform. “I know. Thank you for noticing. Still, it’s okay to appreciate the work Viviana did on this body. She’s gifted.”

  I tried not to look at his crotch. Really. But two seconds later I found myself staring right at a very happy cock. “Damn.”

  “That’s my girl. Respect my mind, appreciate my body.”

  That’s my quote. “You?”

  “Learned about you. You’re stunning, Alicia. May I step down, or are you sending me back?”

  “I’d be an idiot to push you away.”

  “You want children. I can raise them with you. I cannot be their biological father.”

  He understood. I felt dizzy. Before I wobbled, he was at my side.

  “You’re quick,” I said.

  Great, I sound like a swoony teen girl.

  “Thank you,” he replied.

  His voice rumbled, wakening sexual desire I’d spent the past two years ignoring, other than a few booty calls with former flames. The desire to taste him caught me off guard. I bit my lip. His liquid gray eyes stared back at me.

  “You have a name?”

  “Anything you’d like.”

  “No, that feels too much like I hired a stripper.”

  His laughter gave me goose bumps. “Vangelis.”

  “Really?” I thought it was a band in the 80’s.

  His smile lit up his face. “Yes.”

  I must’ve looked crazy. The fight to keep my eyes above his waist made my eyes widen.

  “Alicia, are you okay?”

  Honesty, I wanted it so I would give it. “I’m trying not to stare at your crotch.”

  “Would you prefer me dressed?” His voice smoothed over me.

  “For now,” I confessed.

  “I don’t have any clothing. Is there a store nearby?”

  This would be interesting. “Your size?”

  “I don’t know.” His confused expression made me laugh.

  “Hold on, I have two brothers about your height.”

  I texted Steven. “Candy Man needs clothes, your height, Greg’s build if he stayed in college shape. I can’t very well take him with me, naked. Suggestions?”

  The reply came back too fast. “We can bring clothes up.”

  “You’re here?”

  “Only Greg and I. We’re scouting for the family. The statue looked impressive.” He messaged back.

  “Bring clothes up.” I sighed.

  Vangelis hugged me. “Is there a problem?”

  “My brothers sat downstairs watching your delivery. They are bringing clothes up.” Embarrassed, I looked away.

  “They want to protect you. I would do the same.”

  The knock on the door came too soon. I wanted more time alone with him. That realization solidified my decision. He’d stay, and I’d adapt.

  Vangelis walked to the front door and flung it open. I heard my brothers gasp. Imagining the looks on their faces made me laugh.

  “You two have something to say?”

  “Uh,” Steve started. “Here are some clothes. Ally, we’ll call you later.”

  Mom would grill them. “Do you have the mental picture mom asked for?”

  Greg replied, “That and more. We’re good. Take care.”

  Vangelis laughed. “Is there anything you want to ask me?”

  “No, no, we’re good.” Steve sounded scared.

  They needed a rescue. I found both of them staring hard at his face, ignoring the nether regions. “I see you two found a place not to look at.”

  Their guilty expressions made me laugh. “You’re hysterical. He’s a man. Like you.”

  “Not like us, he’s not.” Greg blurted out before covering his mouth with his hand.

  “Thank you, I’ll return these as soon as we can shop for me.” Vangelis smiled walking back to the kitchen.

  Steven whispered to me, “Merry Christmas, Ally. We left Susie downstairs. We’ll take her back with us so you can have some alone time.”

  “Thanks.” I loved them all the more for not teasing me.

  “We approve.”

  “You just met him.” I still loved hearing them say it.

  “He stood naked in front of us and asked us if we had any questions. He has balls.” Greg rubbed his eyes. “We’ve seen them.”

  My laughter followed them down the hall.

  Vangelis joined me looking hotter in jeans and a t-shirt. “They left?”

  “Yeah, they have seven kids between them. Their wives would make them sleep on the couch for weeks if they stay away on Christmas.”

  “Yes.”

  Closing the door, I checked out his ass in the jeans. “Yes, what?”

  He pulled me into a hug. “I love children.”

  Lowering my head to his chest, I whispered, “I want to be a mom.”

  “We’ll do whatever we have to. Eros stocks a bank account well. If it’s expensive, we can cover it.”

  “You’d empty your account so I can get pregnant?” Heaven help me, I’m going to fall in love on the first night.

  “You need your savings to start your agency.” He kissed my forehead.

  How’d he know?

  Moving my head back, he kissed my nose. “I was there when you put both hands in your panties.”

  I opened my mouth to speak, and he covered my lips with his. So soft and gentle, he kissed me deeply. Moving my hands to the back of his neck, I pressed my body into his. His hands covered my back, gliding slowly downward.

  “This feels familiar,” I said.

  Leaning into me, he squeezed tight. “We can keep this going or do what you really want to.”

  “What is that?”

  “Take me to your family so they can approve before you sleep with me.”

  He already knew me well. “Do you read minds?”

  “People. I’ve been around long enough to pick up things. Besides, your brothers will need a break. Can you imagine your parents reaction when they realize he didn’t take a picture?” His chest shook with laughter.

  “I’m okay with leaving them to squirm for a while.” Sharing him wasn’t on my agenda, yet.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve lived a successful life following my gut. Right now, I want to keep you to myself.” Taking his hand, I led him to the couch. “How do you know about my agency?”

  He nodded. “Fair question. I looked in to see who you are. Not for long periods of time, or that would be creepy. But, for an hour here and there over the past month.”

  “You knew before I did?”

  “Yes, Eros thought I’d be a good match for you. I got a chance to see if I agreed.”

  “You picked me, too, then?” Flattered, I stammered a bit.

  He picked up my hand, kissing my palm. “Yes, Alicia. I got to know who you were before I decided to spend your lifetime with you.”

  That’s a commitment. Other men I’d dated would’ve run away at the thought. Here was Vangelis, ready to stand by my side until I died.

  “Until I’m dead?” My voice shook.

  “Yes, I’ll be at your side.”

  “Without talking to me, or sleeping with me?”

  He pulled me into his lap. “Sex is the easy part, my dear. You are intelligent with a great sense of humor. Most women would’ve become impatient in Alaska. You laughed at penguins. Pushing through school, ten years older than the rest of your class, with a perfect grade average. That’s determination. Your heart is your family. All of the little ones don’t make you irritable, you get on the floor and play with them.”

  He’d known me for an hour and could describe me better than a man I spe
nt a year with. “You’re good.”

  “Like you, I don’t rush into bed with just anyone. Love takes work.” He looked sincere.

  If I hadn’t been on his lap, I’d have melted to the floor. “I’ll give it the best chance if you do.”

  “Agreed.”

  He lay me down on my back, crawling beside me. When his lips touched mine, electricity ran down my legs. Running my hands down his sides, I felt the ripples of his muscles. He tensed when I slipped my hands over his ass.

  “I’m going to enjoy learning every curve of your body.” He lay on me, pulling me into him with strong arms, burying his face in my neck.

  My voice wouldn’t have worked if I’d tried. Instead, I turned my face to his. His kiss started soft and gentle, licking my lips until I shivered.

  He slipped his tongue into my mouth, teasing mine. He tasted like chocolate. I suckled his tongue until he moaned.

  Does everything taste that way? This could be a very happy relationship.

  He leaned up, caressing my body. His hands cupped my breasts, teasing the nipples with his fingers. I tugged at his shirt until he pulled it off. His skin was warm, the scent now intoxicating. Licking his shoulder, I nibbled.

  “You taste delicious.”

  “Your favorite flavor.”

  “All I need are marshmallows.” I couldn’t believe I’d said it out loud.

  He laughed. “We can melt those later, if you like.”

  My heart skipped. “No sticky stuff tonight.”

  He slid down my body, lifting my hips. I rocked into him as he picked me up. “Your room?”

  “There.”

  My comforter enveloped us as we sank into its warmth. He pulled my shirt over my head, undoing my bra quickly. I could see his arousal through the jeans struggling to contain him. Reaching down, I undid the button and zipper.

  “You too.” He pulled off my slacks and panties. “You are stunning. I know you hear that all of the time.”

  “Not from people who are trying to kiss my ass, or get me to pose for a picture.” Honestly, comments in my professional life, while welcomed, were frequently shallow.

  “Then you should know you glow from within with confidence and light.” He kissed me before I could tell him how beautiful I felt with him.

  His body pressed into mine, the heat rising from our centers. I turned slightly to reach down and grab his cock. It was hard, wet, and filled my hand. When I moved my fingers over the tip, he gasped.