The problem was, everything was said that needed to be said, and yet none of the important things were being said at all. Thus, an uncomfortable silence fell between them.

It was taking every ounce of control for Tobey 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, Tobey 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 twelve-year-old niece would show up already. She had asked Ellen to help them sell candy as a buffer. Being alone with Tobey was harder than she had ever thought it would be. And she had thought that it was going to be pretty damn hard.

He was so dark and tall and gorgeous, her breath caught in her chest every time she looked at him. She wanted to drag him behind a tree and pull him down onto the fresh snow with her. She wanted to feel his heavy weight on her, his thick penis plunging in and out of her.

But it didn’t matter what Callie wanted. Simply put, the facts were not in her favor.

Fact: He was her hired consultant. It would be morally wrong for her to engage in sexual acts with one of her employees. Under no circumstances did she want him to feel that he had to sleep with her or else she’d bad mouth him in the candy industry.

Fact: He wasn’t the least bit interested in her anyway, so all of the high and mighty morals she was desperately trying to cling to didn’t matter for much at all. She would have had to have been blind not to notice that since the day they had fucked in her kitchen, he had made it a point to keep away from her. Even his phone calls were oh-so-brief, as if he could hardly stand to talk to her again. Every time she thought about the way she had stuck her tongue down his throat in her store, with absolutely no provocation on his part, every time she remembered the way she had stripped off her clothes and begged him to touch her, Callie felt more and more ashamed by her behavior.

“Aunt Callie, I’m here.”

Callie spun around and hugged her little teenage salvation just a little too hard.

“Ouch.”

“Sorry, honey. I’m just so glad to see you.”

Ellen raised an eyebrow, looking far older than twelve. “Yeah. Whatever. Hey,” she said, elbowing Callie in the ribs, “who’s the hot guy? Your new boyfriend?” Callie turned a hundred shades of pink. “No,” she insisted, but Tobey was already making the introductions.

“I’m Tobey,” he said, as he reached out his hand to shake Ellen’s. “I’ve been working with Callie on her business. I’m a candy company consultant.”

Ellen smiled and then looked back at Callie. “That’s cool. I’m Ellen,” she said. Callie thought she was off the hook, but then Ellen added, “I just thought you were her new boyfriend or something, ‘cause she always goes for guys who look like you.” Tobey grinned and trapped Callie with his hot gaze before turning back to Ellen for more information. “So Callie likes guys who look like me, huh?” Ellen shrugged. “Big. Brown hair. Lots of muscles. They usually treat her like dirt, though, so I guess it’s a good thing you aren’t her boyfriend after all.” Not realizing that she’d said anything out of line at all, Ellen turned to Callie, “So, what do you need me to do?”

Callie was having trouble keeping on her feet at that moment, so she certainly couldn’t open up her mouth to reply. Tobey, bless his heart, stepped in and saved her.

“We need your help selling the candy and the hot cocoa on the table. Make sure that you tell everyone who buys something about the web site and hand them one of Callie’s cards.”

Ellen nodded. “That sounds easy.” She looked up and saw the web site address on the banner. “When did you get a web site, Callie? I’ll check it out when I get home.

You’re practically gonna be famous now.”

Callie still couldn’t get any of her synapses to fire. Ellen’s words kept playing in her head. They usually treat her like dirt, so I guess it’s a good thing you aren’t her boyfriend after all.

Was she really that bad at choosing boyfriends? How sad it was that she was only getting a clear picture of her bad choices out of the mouth of a babe.

The doors to the rink opened and within a matter of minutes, Callie, Tobey and Ellen were swarmed with skaters. People started with the hot chocolate to try and warm up, but then after they exclaimed with rapture over the exotic flavor of Callie’s cocoa, and after the adults inquired about purchasing the mix to take home, people turned to truffles and toffee and taffy. Tobey made several trips to Callie’s car as their boxes of backup supplies quickly disappeared. Between bites of candy and sips of cocoa, Callie heard snippets of conversation: “Did you know that she has a web site?” and “I’m going to tell all of my friends out in California about her.” and “This is the best truffle I’ve ever had. I wonder if she does gift baskets?” Between sales Callie stole glances at Tobey. Her breath went as she watched him joke with the customers. He was so warm and engaging, he had everyone eating out of his hands. She had to hand it to him. He had most certainly earned his Candy King title.

His love for candy came through in everything he did and his quick mind and charming personality sealed the deal.

It was too bad he obviously didn’t want to kiss her ever again. Because she couldn’t think of anything she wanted to do more.

* * * * *

Several hours later, when the initial crowds had finally died down and Callie was busy mixing up a new batch of hot cocoa, Tobey whispered to Ellen, “Can you hold down the fort for a little while? Your Aunt Callie didn’t want to leave you here all alone, but she’s been dying to go ice skating with me. And you’ve been doing the best job out of the three of us. I know a candy selling natural when I see one.” Ellen nodded, clearly pleased to be left in charge of the Callie’s Candies booth.

“Sure thing, Tobey,” she whispered back. “By the way, I think Aunt Callie kind of likes you.”

“Really?” he whispered back, enjoying the conspiracy. “What makes you say that?”