“To erotica, you mean?”

“I’m really excited about making the switch from young adult fiction to sensual romantic fiction, but I guess I’m feeling a little overwhelmed today by it all.”

Charlie smiled. “I know exactly how you feel.”

“You do? Are you new to erotica also?”

“Nope. I’ve been going at it,” he stopped and cleared his throat. “What I mean is, I’ve been writing erotica for a little over five years now. I can honestly say it is the most enjoyable, challenging writing I’ve ever done. But when I first made the switch from crime to erotica, it was pretty daunting.”

While he talked, Candace thought there was something vaguely familiar about Charlie, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. In any case, although she was greatly enjoying talking with him, she was worried about monopolizing his time.

Rather briskly she said, “Thanks for the pep talk, Charlie. But I don’t want you to feel like you have to baby-sit me all morning. I’m a big girl. I’ll be all right.”

Giving her an enigmatic look that set her heart pounding like a drum in her chest, Charlie brushed off her concerns.

“You know what, Candace?” he said, her name rolling off his tongue like warm butter. “I’d like nothing better than to show you around the conference hall and to introduce you to some of my friends and colleagues.” Leaning in closer to her he added with a wink, “Not that I don’t think you’re capable of taking care of yourself, of course.”

This time, instead of blushing at his double-entendre, Candace laughed. “Thank god I’m starting to get your sense of humor,” she said. “And by the way, if you’re going to be my chaperone, why don’t you call me Candy? The only people who ever use my full name are either my mother or my elementary school teachers when I really got into trouble for something.”

Clearly unable to stop teasing her, in a rough undertone Charlie asked, “Did you get into trouble a lot, Candy?”

Candace swallowed and stared into Charlie’s deep blue eyes. The flash of lust she had felt when their bodies had collided was jumping inside of her full-force now. Forcing herself to remember to be cautious, to remember how badly she’d been hurt, a shadow passed over her eyes.

Shrugging, she finally replied, “More times that I can count.”

If Charlie noticed her swift change of demeanor, he didn’t let on. Looping his arm through hers, he said, “I’m going to take you in now. But I’m warning you to be prepared for lunacy. We’re a naughty little bunch, you know, us erotica writers.”

Shaking off her painful memories, Candy smiled up at Charlie. “Lead on, oh wise one,” she said in mock subservience. “Lead on.”

Charlie directed them into a crowded common room, which had at least a hundred different information booths set up inside. Candace gaped at the displays all around them and started to wonder if it was too late for her to make her escape.

Seeming to sense her growing embarrassment in that incredibly perceptive way of his, Charlie held firm to her hand. “Now just remember,” he said, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “there’s nothing to be embarrassed about with these folks. We’re all in the business for the same reason—because we love it. No one’s going to look down upon you or call you a pervert today, I promise.”

Shivering as his breath gently blew against her ear, she looked up at him, a question in her eyes. “How did you know people have been giving me a hard time about writing erotica?”

Charlie gestured to the group of people in the room with them. “Every one of us has had to deal with misconceptions at one point or another.” With a grimace he added, “And I’d be lying to you if I said it’s all a bed of roses, even after five years.”

Suddenly, Candace was overwhelmed by the clear picture of the two of them, entwined together on a bed of rose petals. As warm heat pooled between her legs, she forced the vision from her head.

Thankfully, he didn’t wait for her response and led them up to the first booth by the door, which, to Candace’s dismay had the most comprehensive display of dildos she had ever seen amassed in one place.

Actually, considering she had never even gotten up the nerve to walk into an adult bookstore, they were the only dildos she had ever seen outside of a magazine ad.

“Candy, this is Albert. He’s an old-timer around here, and frankly, without him, none of us erotica writers would be worth a damn.”

Candy managed to muster up a smile for the gray-haired, bearded man, and reached out her hand to shake his.

“Don’t be shy, missy,” he barked at her. “Feel free to wrap your hands around any one of these babies to find out what they really feel like. I’ve got rubber. I’ve got really life-like skin. I’ve got hard dildos and soft dildos and dildos with vibrators attached. They come in a range of colors, including day-glo green with florescent pink stripes, if you’re really looking for something to spice up a scene.”

Candace wanted nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. She had never been so uncomfortable in her entire life. What made her think she could write erotica, she wondered frantically. For god’s sake, she had never even been able to have an orgasm during sex. And she certainly had never used a vibrator, or any kind of penis-like dildo to get herself off. Considering how naughty she felt when she used the stream of water from her hand-held shower head to bring herself to orgasm, she now had to face just how far over her head she was.

“Albert is a walking guru of sex toys. Thank god he’s willing to share his knowledge or I’d look like an idiot in more books than I’m willing to mention.”

Candace nodded mutely, knowing words were beyond her at this point. Not letting her run off, Charlie held fast to her hand. “We’ll talk to you again later Albert,” he said as he directed them to another booth.

At first glance, this one looked to be far tamer than Albert’s booth, with a simple display of hardcover books for sale. Candace breathed a sigh of relief.

Introducing her, Charlie said, “This is my friend Candy. Candy this is Steve Holt. He’s pretty much a hero around here.”

Laughing, Steve said, “Only second to you, buddy.” Turning to greet Candace, he said, “Welcome to the wild and wacky world of erotica. Unbuckle your seat belt and enjoy the ride.”

Candace laughed and gave silent thanks that everyone was working so hard to put her at ease. Of course, she knew that meant she was probably walking around with a panic-stricken look on her face.