"Look, Greg, that biker chick is here. Remember how she tore through the football field on her Harley, half naked, during graduation. I guess they must have mailed her diploma. Oh that's right, I guess you were at Military School then."

Greg Morris smiled as he pictured Candy speeding by the ceremony wearing only a smile and a string bikini as she shook up the crowd. Thanks to his father's interference, Greg had been cooling his heels at St Sebastian's Military Academy at the time. By the time he'd graduated from that penitentiary, Candy was long gone.

Greg stepped away from his booze-soaked former classmate while he made a mental note to see about getting him into Morris Papers treatment program. It was one hour into their ten-year high school reunion and Chad Daly, one of his key employees at his subsidiary company, Pendant Publishing, was already soused.

Greg's gaze snapped over to the registration table. Candace Blake was sticking a nametag onto her silver evening gown. Sweet Candy with the butterscotch hair and soft, pink lips. Greg had often wondered if she'd taste like butterscotch. Tonight, he hoped to find out. The sight of her made him groan under his breath.

After spending the past three months studying her business proposal and photographs, he already knew that her good looks were all that he remembered and more. Her long, long legs inflamed his imagination. She had the body of a Botticelli nude, the face of an angel, and most of all, and attitude in spades.

He knew that she probably wouldn't recognize him and he was counting on one magical night to make her see him in a new light. The Candy-Wear account would bolster Pendant Publishing's bottom line. Pendant Publishing, a subsidiary of Morris Papers, was his baby. But Greg didn't just want her business he wanted her.

The proud tilt of her head said don't touch me, to any male who might take her sultry appearance as an open invitation. He wasn't deterred by her feisty attitude on the contrary her was intrigued by it. This summer he intended to right old wrongs, make a new life for himself, and find out exactly what made Sweet Candy tick.

Greg moved to a secluded corner and pulled out his cell phone, ready to set his plan in motion.

Candace Blake took note of surprised expressions on the couple at the registration table as she gave them her name. She recognized Ted Adams and Sandra Burns without having to glance at their nametags. They'd been a couple who'd from a quick glance at Sandra's nametag had married. The two were former class officers who'd never given her the time of day back in high school.

Ted's gaze homed in on her cleavage as she bent to sign in. Winking as she straightened she asked, "did you enjoy the view, Ted?"

Candace enjoyed the dirty look Sandra threw him as she turned away. She heard him yelp as she walked away toward the ballroom. Served him right, the jerk.

She supposed she had to expect that kind of reception. Growing up a dirt-poor foster kid she'd never fit in with this crowd. To compensate she'd become a hell-raiser in high school. The fact that she was now, a successful lingerie model and designer probably did little to improve her reputation in this morally rigid little town.

Well, successful might be putting too good a spin on her designer status. But if everything went well with her negotiations with Pendant Publishing, she had hopes of expanding her fledgling catalog operation into a nation-wide firm to rival Victoria's Secret.

Why had she let Ma pester her into attending this reunion as a birthday treat? Some birthday! She would have been perfectly happy never to see any of these snobs ever again.

Little did her curious former classmates know that she was far removed from her wild-child teens. After daylong photo shoots, she went back to her lonely apartment to sketch designs late into the night. All work and no play made Candace a very dull girl indeed. Well, as long as she'd been badgered into coming to this shindig, she might as well try to have fun. Yes sir, it was time for Candace Blake to kick up her heels. And maybe set this little town on its ear again. The thought made her grin.

Candace fidgeted with the silver bracelet on her wrist then took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Taking a fortifying sip, she scanned the crowd looking for any familiar face. All her former classmates seemed to be paired off. She was probably the only one love had passed by.

Her eyes met those of a tall, dark, devastatingly handsome man, standing near the bar. He watched her, his interest palpable. He winked at her and a mischievous smile played across his sensual mouth as he raised his glass in a salute.

Who in the heck was he? She certainly would have remembered a hunk like this if he'd been in her class. He began to walk her way.

Butterflies fluttered in Candace's stomach as he drew near. She bit her lip and stepped back a pace. He stopped in front of her topping her five foot ten by six inches. Who could he be? She scanned the front of his tailored black tux but couldn't find a nametag.

"Hello, Candy."

He remembered her but his smooth baritone voice didn't ring any bells in her memory bank. "You're not wearing a nametag."

"I don't like nametags."

"So I see. But you have me at a disadvantage. You know my name but I don't know yours. Are you here with someone?"

His deep blue eyes glittered with devilish amusement. The crowd seemed to disappear as his magnetic presence filled her senses. Candace felt her pulse speed up in response. What was he up to?

"No, I'm here all alone. How about you?"

"Same here. As a matter of fact, it looks like we may be the only two singles."

"We aren't singles anymore."

His confident statement intrigued her. He wanted to remain a mystery man and the thought appealed to her sense of adventure. It would be nice to have an exciting partner this evening and he definitely fit the bill. Suddenly her birthday was looking up. He smiled a heartbreaker's smile and the cleft in his chin deepened. He clinked his champagne glass against hers, and she drew in a steadying breath, noting his crisp woodsy scent.

"What are we toasting?"

"Us." He gazed into her eyes as he took a sip.

Candace followed suit. "I didn't know there was an us."

"There is tonight. Dance with me."

Candace frowned at what was more a command than an invitation. Obviously, this man was used to issuing orders but she didn't take them. "I don't think so." She started to turn away.

"Please."

Candace turned back captivated by his tender plea. As she did, she noticed that they seemed to be the center of attention and frowned up at him. "Will you cool it? People are staring at us and while I could give a rip what they think of me I'm sure you wouldn't like to be the subject of gossip."

"What's the matter? Chicken?"

Candace gaped up at him startled by the playful taunt. "What did you say?"

"You heard me. Chicken!"

Her eyes narrowed when she saw a small grin kick up the corners of his sensual mouth. Incensed, she spat out, "Nobody calls me chicken."

"Braak..."

"Shut up." Candace cast a glance around. People really were stopping to stare.

"Make me."

Candace rolled her eyes. "Of all the stupid, juvenile ways to act." She wavered when he continued to gaze at her hopefully. Relenting, she started to smile. She had vowed to kick up her heels after all.

He held his hand out. "Please, dance with me."

"One dance." As his firm, tanned hand took hers, she instinctively took a step back, alarmed by the sensuality of the gesture. His smile was soft, tender, and sexy as hell. Entranced, she allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor.

His warm palm slid along her spine, molding her body to his, as the band started a slow number. They fit perfectly. Her breasts nestled against his muscular chest. Her belly pressed against his hard middle, and their thighs brushed together.

Candace clung to him for a moment then and pushed away, embarrassed by her instinctive reaction. "Give me a little space to breathe."

"Why? Tonight we can fulfill all our fantasies, Candy baby. And I've got to tell you, this is one of my favorites." He waited a moment then said, "Cat got your tongue?"

The hungry look in his blue eyes startled her she had no idea that she might have had a secret admirer back then. And the fact that he still apparently carried a flame was unsettling. Ten years was a long time to carry around a crush. "Are you joking?"

"I'm dead serious, sugar."

"But I don't even know you."

"That's what makes it perfect. We start with a clean slate." He bent to brush a brief, burning kiss across her lips.

Candace melted in response, then, coming back to her senses pulled away. "What about your reputation? Aren't you afraid associating with me will get you into trouble?"

"I don't give a damn about my reputation." He spun her around in a dizzying circle.

Candace laughed, startled by the vehemence of his statement and her heart leapt in response. Her instincts for self-preservation told her to slow things down. But it would be such a liberating experience, to laugh and dance with this man. She wanted to play near the flames for one glorious night and then walk away. As he said, tonight was just a fantasy and she did have a wild reputation to uphold. "Okay, I agree. Tonight is for us."

"And our fantasies."

His hopeful words were so like an excited little boy's she grinned. "And our fantasies."

When the song ended, he drew her off the dance floor. He snagged two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed her one. "Here's to a night to remember."

She licked the bubbling foam from her top lip, savoring the intoxicating flavor. Watching his hot eyes eat up the action, she felt her blood sizzle as a tremulous breath left her body.

"To tonight." She lightly clinked her glass against the one he held out.

"Why don't you introduce me, Greg?"

Greg was it? Candace recalled four Greg's in her class, Greg March a foreign exchange student, Greg Allen who transferred in from out of state, Greg James who wound up in Juvenile Incarceration, and Gregory Morris the toad. One glance told her the handsome man beside her could not possibly be the Toad. Relieved that the toad was eliminated she decided that her mystery date wasn't the Foreign Exchange Student. He didn't have a French accent.

Shorting the list of possibilities, Candace looked at the intruder and sighed. Ten years older, Magi Bains was still easy to recognize even though harsh frown lines now bracketed her mouth. She'd been one of the biggest snobs in school. How would Greg react? She glanced at his handsome face. He was scowling at Magi but then noting Candace's gaze on him relaxed.

"Magi, you remember Candy Blake. She was a classmate of ours."

"I didn't recognize you, Candy." Magi's haughty voice was saccharin sweet. "It's quite a surprise to see you looking so well after all these years."

Candace smiled back through gritted teeth. "You probably figured I'd wind up in the slammer like my old man, huh, Margaret?"

Magi gasped turning pale.

Greg put an arm around Candace's shoulder, drawing her close to his side. "Candy and I would like to be alone, if you get my drift."

Magi stared angrily at their embrace. "The two of you could at least show a little decorum. Neither of you really belong here, after all."

The list suddenly narrowed down to Greg James who'd done a stint in Juvenile Hall for shoplifting. She glanced at Greg, impeccably dressed and every inch the gentleman and smiled. He'd come a long way and the two of them fit together both having been outcasts. "Decorum, schmorum," Candace said with a chuckle. "Like Greg said, why don't you blow?"

Magi glared at the two of them and turned away saying, "Low rent gutter trash like you ought to stay where they belong."

Stiffening at the insult, Candace was about to respond when Greg interrupted.

"Oh, Magi, one more thing." Greg said.

Magi stopped and turned around glowering at him. "What is it?"

Candace took a sip of her drink and gazed up at Greg surprised by his suddenly serious expression. His fingers caressed her arm.

"You might want to spread the word. Candy and I are together. Anyone that insults her will have to deal with me."

Candy choked on her drink.

Magi's jaw dropped.

Candy thought she looked just like one of the carp swimming in the river outside.

Magi seemed to regain her poise and smiled sourly. "You bet I will."

Candace frowned as she watched Magi trot off with the news. So much for keeping a low profile during her stay here. "Why in the world did you tell her that? Magi Burns is the biggest gossip in the world."

He smiled down at her looking so dashing she found it hard to focus on her protest. She really ought to thank her Sir Galahad for saving her from the awful Magi Dragon.

"Now you won't have to worry about my reputation any more. Look, you can actually watch the news being spread around the room."

Candace looked at the crowd. It was like watching the game Telephone. One group told another until it ran around the group, and the room was abuzz with it. Candace wanted to fade into the woodwork when one by one people turned their way. "Now I know you're crazy."

"Yeah, about you."

Candace gazed up at Greg. He'd been in more trouble than she had back in high school and wound up in Juvenile Hall. She'd never gotten to know him back then but now she looked forward to making up for lost time.

"Cheer up, Candy baby. The damage has already been done." He smiled and led her back onto the dance floor. "Let's dance."

Candace stepped into his arms as the song began. The sensual rhythm of the salsa music strummed through her. Other dancers stepped aside and let them have the floor. Candace knew they made a striking couple. Greg was dark and dashing in his tux, and she was the light to his dark, with her shimmering designer gown and blond hair. They moved together in tandem, enjoying each other's sensuality unabashedly.

Greg dipped her almost to the floor as the music ended. She hung suspended, her breathing rapid, her eyes locked on his. He raised her up slowly and then his lips touched hers, hot and sweet. Electricity sizzled between them. Candace felt truly alive for the first time in years.

Time stopped and blood pounded in her ears. No, that was applause. She and Greg broke apart to see the crowd applauding them. She smiled at Greg as he twirled her around and took a bow.

Greg grasped Candace's hand and led her off the floor, toward the exit.

Startled by the applause, Candace struggled to catch her breath. Since when had this crowd ever approved of her? "Where are we going?"

Greg turned to look at her, boyish charm enhancing his masculine assurance. "Trust me. We're going someplace special."

"I don't know." Candace stopped in her tracks. Seeing the disappointment on his face, she reconsidered. "Okay, this is our fantasy night."

Greg ushered her out of the building into the starlit night. "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything." He opened the door to a low-slung black sports car. "Your chariot, my lady."

Candace grinned at his playfulness, sliding onto the leather upholstery and inhaling the new scent.

Greg got in and started the car, gunning the engine. "Just sit back and relax. We'll be there in ten minutes."

Candace's mind whirled in anticipation. Just what did he have planned? If anything went wrong with this magical night, she'd just die. This was her ultimate teenage dream come true and she'd enjoy it to the hilt. She supposed most people would think the life of a lingerie model was glamorous. Actually, the hard work of trying to compete with fresh-faced eighteen-year-olds left her with a non-existent social life.

Candace looked at him in surprise when he pulled into the parking lot at Silver Lake. "It's kind of dark for a swim, Greg."

"Not for a skinny dip it's not."

Candace thought he might be joking, but it was too dark to see his expression.

Greg got out of the car and went around to open Candace's door. He held her hand as he led her down toward the beach. The full moon turned the beach into a fairyland, creating frosted silver ripples on the dark water. A soft breeze billowed her skirt around her legs. Near the water's edge was a patch of light.

As they walked toward it, she saw two empty champagne glasses and a big bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket on a blanket spread across the sand. Lantern light turned the scene into a romantic candlelit nook. Soft music from a boom box drifted toward them, enhancing the spell.

Astonished by the elaborate scene, Candace turned to him. "You were pretty sure of me, weren't you? Or could it have been anyone?"

Greg was watching her, his face a shadowed visage concealing his thoughts. "No, it had to be you." Candace heard the sincerity in his voice. He stepped into the light and she saw his soft, intimate smile and felt her heart melt. Tears moistened her eyes, but she fought them back. Tough girls didn't cry. But then he'd probably already guessed that she was a marshmallow inside.

He started to sing along with the song on the boom box, "It Had To You." His voice was a smooth baritone. He swung her into his arms and waltzed her across the sand. Candace smiled, tucking her head against his shoulder, his white linen shirt crisp and the ebony studs cool against her cheek. The song resonated through his warm chest as he serenaded her.

It was like something out of an old Astair and Roger's movie, and Candace was a sucker for them. He stopped singing and looked down at her hungrily before claiming her with a kiss. Candace sighed into his mouth as it brushed hotly against hers.

Greg broke off the kiss and grinned at her. "Yum, butterscotch and jasmine."

Candace smiled up at him. "What?"

"That's what you taste like." He bent his head for another quick kiss and then led her toward the blanket. He poured them both a glass of wine, handed one to her. Then he trailed his finger along her bare arm and shoulder, causing a delicious tremor inside her and making Candace's heart race. Tomorrow was time enough for regrets; tonight was for her memory scrapbook.

She sipped the champagne and studied Greg. Lantern light highlighted the classic curves and planes of his face. His forehead was long, his nose straight, and the look of blatant desire in his eyes took her breath away. She reached out to run a finger down his smooth cheek. He inhaled a gasping breath, his nostrils flaring. She drew back her finger and smiled. "This is perfect, Greg."

"You're the one who's perfect, Candy baby." He put down his glass and reached for her. "Come here, we've got ten years to make up for."

Candace fell into his arms with a hunger that surprised her. Nothing else mattered. They kissed and then his mouth slipped down to nuzzle her earlobe. He nipped it and she gasped as heat raced through her. Her hands snaked their way underneath his jacket and she pulled his shirt up in back, aching to touch his skin.

"Hold on, baby, I'll help you." Greg leaned back, peeled off his jacket, and then yanked on the end of his tie, loosening it. She saw his hands shake when he stated to unbutton his shirt. Frustrated, she grabbed the edges of his shirt and yanked trying to help. Ebony studs popped off flying through the air but she didn't care.

Candace's hands were on him immediately, pushing the shirt off his shoulders and combing through the rough, dark hair on his chest. He groaned and leaned into her caress. His reaction caused a fission of heat deep inside her.

"My turn," Greg said running his hands through her hair. Greg's grasp tightened in her as he held her tethered while he claimed mouth in a deep kiss. He licked her upper lip, smiling. "Definitely butterscotch."

"What?"

Greg smiled. "That's what you taste like."

Candace laughed. "You're crazy."

"Only about you." Greg looked deep into her eyes while he slowly reached behind her and pulled down her zipper. The silky fabric pulled away from her firm, rounded breasts.

Greg groaned at the sight as moonlight bathed their peaks in honey light. He ran a tentative finger along the curved slopes. "Your skin is softer than the finest silk."

Candace gasped as his hands cupped her pushing more firmly into his magical hands. She was so sensitive, and his large hands warm and strong. Her strawberry peaked nipples beaded against his palms and she moaned. All sensation seemed centered on the aching peaks of her breasts. Greg's touch felt so good. She rubbed against him, pleading for his touch. "Please, more."

"Oh, baby. You don't have to ask." He lifted her hand to his lips. Then he met her eyes as he slowly drew her index finger into his mouth and sucked on it.

Candace couldn't look away from the passion in his eyes. She moaned as his mouth tugged on her finger. It caused a tugging deep inside her. He pulled her wet finger from his mouth and brought it to her breast, to circle her nipple. Candace gasped at the naughty caress, wondering what he was up to. When he bent down and blew on her damp nipple. Pleasure rocked through her.

Greg bent down to taste the tight, rosy bud and she was lost. Candace arched up from the blanket restlessly as gave her pleasure and causing an aching tightness in her abdomen. He pushed her dress down and she was covered only; by a high cut pair of silver panties. Greg's eyes darkened as his hand moved lower to lovingly cup the damp heat covered by her panties. His talented hand pressed against her mound rubbing that sensitive area and she cried out coming apart in his arms.

Above the thundering beat of Candace's heart, she heard tires crunch in the gravel parking lot. A spotlight suddenly bathed them in its chilling glow. Candace squinted.

Greg spun around to see who it was.

"Okay you kids, break it up, this is the police," crackled a voice through a bullhorn. "It's after curfew so get dressed and get out your ID's."

Candace sagged behind Greg, mortified.

Greg sat up. "It's okay, officer. It's just me."

"Sorry, Mr. Morris. I didn't know it was you. I thought it was those darned kids partying again."

The Toad! Oh good grief! Candace gasped and felt Greg stiffen in response. That wasn't the only thing that was stiff; she hoped the Officer wouldn't shine the spotlight on that prominent part of Greg's anatomy. How had a creep like the Toad managed to transform himself into this handsome hunk of masculinity? Greg Morris, the Toad, had been a head shorter than her, skinny as a beanpole, wore thick glasses, and had a case of the hots for her back then in high school.

Greg moved to the side to further shelter Candy from the spotlight. "No harm done, Gus. We'll leave in few minutes."

Candace heard the police car drive away and shivered. She'd almost made love with the Toad. What a disaster!

The Morris' were her sworn enemies. Her father died of a heart attack in prison when she was eleven. Greg's father had put him there accusing him of embezzlement at Morris Papers.

Despite the animosity she had for the Morris clan, the Toad had worn her down during their senior year. She'd agreed to go out with him fully intending to make it such a miserable experience that he'd leave her alone thereafter. But the crumb hadn't shown up.

The next day she learned that her foster brother beat the snot out of him. A week later Greg left town for boarding school. The buzz at school was that his parents were sending him away to keep him away from undesirables. As if she'd have him, oh good grief, she almost had. They'd been as close to making love as a couple could be without actually doing the deed.

Rushing to her feet Candace pulled the last vestiges of dignity around her. She tugged her gown up to cover her breasts. Greg still sat on the sand gazing up at her, a calculating gleam in his eyes. "Take me back to get my car."

"First, we need to talk about this."

"No."

"Our evening is ruined but that doesn't mean we can't put things right. Please give me a chance to explain. I wanted to give you a chance to see the real me before the past muddied the waters."

"I want to go back to my car right now. You can explain tomorrow." She did not intend to see him again but he didn't need to know that if it would help put some breathing space between them.

Greg shot her a humorless smile. "I'm not quite ready to go."

"Why not?" Candace looked down at his rock-hard unquenched desire and gulped. "Oh, I see."

"Maybe you'd better turn your back." Greg stripped off the remainder of his clothes and walked toward the lake.

Candace gave in to the urge to peek in time to see Greg wade into the water. Moonlight highlighted his flanks, giving her a spectacular view of his tight buns. She sighed with regret. The first man she'd been attracted to in years would have to turn out to be the Toad. There was no way in the world she could ever have a relationship with him. He was a Morris. And he'd conned her into this cozy little trap damn it.

She was fully dressed by the time Greg walked out of the lake. Candace sighed. This was a fantasy evening never to be repeated and now it was blown to smithereens.

Greg tried to take her arm but Candace pulled away. "Trust me, Candy, this is just a minor setback. We can work it out."

Candace reached down to help him gather up the picnic things not wanting to meet his hope-filled eyes. "Let's just leave."

They drove back to the ballroom in silence. Candace glanced at Greg as he smoothly shifted the powerful sports car and felt a twinge of regret. Too bad, he was a Morris. In a different time, a different place they might have been made for each other. But they were who they were and that was that. The Toad may have turned into a prince but he wasn't her prince. As a Blake she had a vendetta to uphold and no scheming, handsome, Morris was going to dim her resolve.

They pulled into the parking lot at the ballroom and Greg switched off the engine. She could feel his gaze on her but she wouldn't look at him. There was nothing more to say, it was over. She reached for the door handle and Greg held her hand stopping her flight as her irritation went up a notch.

"Please, Candy let me explain."

"Go to hell, toad. I have all the explanation I need, you're a lying, stinking, Morris." Candace saw a flash of anger in his eyes before his pillaging mouth came down to claim hers in a deep kiss. She could feel his leashed frustration as he tried to coax a response.

Despite her best intentions, her hungry body remembered his tantalizing touch all too well. Desire was quickly rekindled as his arms encircled her. She clung to Greg touching his hair, his face, the sexy cleft in his chin, desperately trying to memorize his features as she kissed him back. She trembled from the force of wanting him so badly. The need wasn't totally sexual and it scared her. If an abortive attempt at lovemaking touched her this deeply, how would she feel if they got involved and he walked away? Just like almost everyone else she'd ever loved had. Panicked, she pulled away reached for the door handle.

Greg kept a restraining hand on her arm, halting her escape.

Candace felt the power in his touch. He wasn't hurting her, but he wasn't letting her run away either. She sat motionless, staring out the car window at the dark parking lot, not daring to look at him. She was too near the fire and about to get burned. "I have to go."

"I'll call you in the morning."

"Don't bother."

"I don't give up that easily."

Candace heard the resolve in Greg's voice and dared a glance at his face. The strength of purpose in his gaze held her spellbound for a moment. She pulled away and climbed out of the car, slamming the door behind her. "Don't say that. Tonight was just a fantasy, remember?"

"I lied."

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