His Candy Kane (The Kane Family Book 3) Read online

  His Candy Kane

  C.M. Steele

  Copyright ©2016 C.M. Steele

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without written expressed permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.

  Cover design: C.M. Steele

  Cover Image: Shutterstock

  The use of actors, artists, movies, TV shows, and song titles/lyrics throughout this book are done so for storytelling purposes and should in no way be seen as advertisement. Trademark names are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and please purchase your own copy.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior express, written consent of the author.

  This book is intended for mature adults only. Contains sexual content and language that may offend some. Suggested reading audience is 18 years or older. I consider this book as Adult Erotic Romance.

  Contents

  Copyright ©2016 C.M. Steele

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  A Note from the Author:

  I feel special when I have an amazing group of people around me who support, motivate and cheer me on. It also helps that they read my work and tell me what I missed. Undoubtedly, there are many mistakes that would go unnoticed if it wasn’t for this awesome group. Thanks to Lisa, Melinda, Evelyn, Sonya and Lynne.

  Thanks to all those who support me! It truly means a lot to me, but I’m not great at expressing my sentiments.

  -C.M.

  Chapter One

  Matt

  “My new assistant will be here today,” Ryan said in the morning meeting. The three brothers met every morning to discuss the day and to catch up on family matters. They had taken full control of the company after their father suffered a heart attack. Richard Kane was the patriarchal man that any family would want, so they were all blessed when he pulled through. His wife forced him to step down and enjoy an early retirement with her and the grandbabies while the boys shared the responsibilities.

  “What happened to July?” Spencer asked. July had been working for Ryan since March and the brothers knew that there was some sexual tension brewing between the two and then she was gone.

  “She probably didn’t like the weather. Winter here is brutal. Isn’t she from the south?” Matt asked.

  “Too bad Mara isn’t afraid of the cold Boston weather,” Spencer joked. None of the guys cared for Matt’s twenty-five-year-old assistant with money in her eyes. Spencer trusted her least of all and told them on several occasions.

  “She’s a great assistant. I don’t care if she’s a money grubbing twat. As long as she does her job, I don’t have a problem. I’m not interested.”

  “No, you haven’t been interested in anyone since my wife,” Spencer reminded him, suspicion in his eyes.

  There was still a bit of concern that Matt wanted Rose, but those feelings weren’t real or anything special. He wanted her like any hot-blood man would, but he never even pursued her. “I suppose that’s right. Not that I was that into Rose anyway. If I was, she wouldn’t have been dating that other guy when you stole her.”

  “Hey, she landed at my doorstep. I couldn’t do anything about that.”

  “Didn’t you call her man and break it off for her?” Ryan asked, doing his best to keep a straight face.

  “No. I sent a text.” Spencer had no qualms about ending the relationship. He wanted her and nothing was going to stop him. “So, what do you know about your new assistant.”

  “Not much. She’s from the temp agency we use on occasion. Her name is Candice Nichols. She’s twenty with a bachelor’s in Business Administration.”

  “I call bullshit on that. Twenty with a degree? Unless she’s a freaking genius, then I doubt that shit,” Spencer said, shaking his head.

  “Same here. Most of those find a job right out of school, not hit up a temp agency,” Matt added. They’d all gotten their degrees even though they were born and bred to run the show at Kane Investments. Their father didn’t want anything to happen if the company should collapse for whatever reason.

  “Do a real background check on her, or better yet, you do it, Matt,” Spencer ordered. He was the oldest and in charge.

  “I got this. I’ll have the report ordered before I leave the office tonight.”

  “Are you looking forward to your trip next week?”

  “The fuck I am. Not looking forward to it at all. It’s not any nicer in London right now. It isn’t like I get to go somewhere warm, but it’s my turn to make the trip. I’m hoping the weather doesn’t delay my trip home.”

  “Yes, you should be getting back three days before Christmas, but you don’t have to come into the office, so that’s a plus. Remember to pick up something for Rose and Richie. He wants something from uncle Matt.”

  “I already got his presents wrapped and hidden in mom’s closet, but I’m going to find something cool to bring him back. What did Rose want?”

  “I already ordered it. I’ll give you the place and number. It should be ready the first day you arrive.”

  “Okay. Anything else, boys? I have to go downstairs and meet my new assistant.”

  “No. That’s it.”

  “I’m good.”

  They all got up from the conference table and headed to their respective offices, except Ryan who went downstairs to meet Ms. Nichols.

  Candice

  Candice Nichols stared at herself in the mirror, wondering how she was going to pull this off. Her dress was one size too small and clung to all of her curves. Starving had its advantages, she didn’t weigh much, so it was only her natural curves that she had to squeeze in the poor excuse for a dress. It had been one of the six outfits she purchased at the thrift store with the little bit of money she had. It was pretty plain and worn, but this was all she really had for the time being. Since today was the warmest day of the week, she decided to wear the dress. She had tights that she could wear under until she got there.

  She didn’t know how she managed to get this job, but she wanted it more than anything. Working two part-time jobs wasn’t enough to pay the bills. She needed something more. The company must have been desperate to ask for her to temp. She had no experience. Didn’t go to college and didn’t even have a proper wardrobe. This was going to be a mess and then she’d still have to go to her night job at the twenty-four-hour department store. She grabbed her hair into a big bunch and styled it int
o a bun. She had long, flowing, blonde hair, but she didn’t have a curling iron or straightener. The stupid apartment’s electricity shorted both of them on separate occasions. Of course, the slumlord blamed her for it, like a simple curling iron was going to short out the electricity for a whole apartment.

  This job was a sign of something great for her; she just knew it. After the past four years, nothing seemed to be going right. Her entire life hadn’t gone well, twenty years of poverty and no love. From birth, she’d been a burden on the parents who’d rather party than raise a child. Parents who were out doing whatever they wanted or home fighting.

  The shit hitting the fan reached an all-time high when her mother killed her father in their final fight. It left her with nothing but a life of shame and ridicule from those around. No boy even looked her way once they found out what her mother did. Not that she truly wanted to date. She didn’t want to have the chance of becoming her mom, so she stayed away from boys when she moved in with her aunt. Now, after saving every penny she could, she ran out the moment her aunt stole Candice’s social security number and destroyed her credit. For the past two years, she’d been repairing the marks, but it was a long and painful process that she didn’t have much time for with two jobs.

  Taking a deep breath, she left her apartment and headed off to her first day of work. On the bus, she thought about the family she’d be working for. When the agency gave her the assignment, she went to the library and Googled the family owned company. There were three brothers running the show, Spencer, Ryan, and the youngest and most captivating one, Matthew. He was a woman’s fantasy and for the first time in her young life, Candice wanted to know what it felt like to be under a man, particularly that man. Matthew had dark brown hair and deep green eyes. Even from just a picture she could see he liked to laugh. There was a smirk on his face, like he didn’t know how to be serious.

  The trip seemed shorter than she had originally expected, but that was a good thing. That meant that she was early. The building was only a five-story high made of brick and steel. The inside and outside of the building had an old look to it, but not in a bad way. In fact, it had an understated elegance about with it rich, mahogany pillars and reception desk.

  “Hello, miss. How can I help you?”

  “I’m here to see a Mr. Ryan Kane. I’m his new temp.”

  “Oh, Ms. Nichols, let me call his office.” He went to grab the phone when the elevator opened and there was Ryan Kane himself. “Never mind,” he said.

  “You must be Ms. Nichols.”

  “Yes,” she said nervously.

  “Are you ready to get started?”

  “Absolutely.” He walked her to the elevator when she tripped and he caught her.

  “Whoa, a bit slippery. Next time make sure to bring a change of shoes. I can’t have you breaking your neck to save time. Changing shoes takes thirty seconds.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t know what to expect.”

  “No problem. I’ve got a sister and there were so many times she’d wear combat boots through the snow then as soon as she hit her office she was walking in runway heels.”

  “I will remember that.” Ryan seemed nice to her so she was able to relax for a moment.

  “This is the executive floor. The office straight ahead is Spencer’s, to your right is Matt’s office, and this one on the left is mine.” He walked us past a posh looking seating area that was in the center of the floor lobby. “Each of our assistants have a desk outside our offices. This one right here is yours. Go ahead and get settled for a minute, then join me in my office to go over your duties and such.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “It’s Ryan. We’re all Mr. Kane’s, so we go by our first names,” he said, smiling kindly at her.

  “Yes, Ryan.”

  Chapter Two

  Matt

  “Mara, I need the minutes from the last meeting with Pinkerton when you come back from lunch, please.”

  “They should be on the printer. I’ll go get them,” she said, half sliding her arm in her coat.

  “No, it’s okay. You’re going to lunch. I’ll get them,” Matt said, waving her off.

  He walked down the small corridor near Ryan’s office and into the copy room only to collide with a tiny beauty. They both grunted before she fell into his arms, dropping the stack of paper she was carrying. He tightened his grip on her, holding her a little longer than he should before finally helping her to her feet. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Kane.”

  “It’s okay, I wasn’t looking where I was going. In a bit of a hurry.”

  “Oh no. It’s in one of the piles on the floor now.” She dropped to her knees in front of him to pick up the papers that were strewn about and his body had an immediate reaction. Calm down. She’s an employee. You know the rules, he thought to himself. Then he knelt down to help her pick up the papers.

  “I’ve got it,” she said, trying to shoo him away.

  “It’s okay. It works faster with help.” Matt gathered most of the documents, finding his right on the bottom of the pile. They both stood up and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling at her. A few strands of hair fell from her bun, making her look twice as lovely than just a minute earlier.

  “I hope I didn’t make you late.”

  “It was my fault, I’m Matt.”

  “I’m Candice Nichols.” He smiled at her, thoughts of every single minute of the next twenty years flashed through his head. My heart’s fucking going insane. She’s it. I know it, he thought.

  “I’m off to meet with your boss. Don’t worry, I won’t tell him about this. But it was nice bumping into you,” he said, winking and walking away a lot lighter. All I needed was a way to get some alone time with her. She’ll fall in love with me, he thought, feeling super confident.

  What he didn’t know was someone saw that simple but intimate exchange, and she wasn’t happy with it.

  He strolled into his brother’s office on cloud nine with a smile that hadn’t been seen in such a long time. He felt good inside. Now he needed to find a way to make her his because he didn’t think he could let her slip away. It was in the cards for them. He was certain of it.

  “Who’s jingling your bells?” Ryan asked Matt as he entered his office.

  “No one. Why would you ask something like that?”

  “First, you came in here with that cheesy, motherfucking grin and your cock isn’t tucked away. You’re going to make my new assistant faint at the sight of that monster.” Matt gasped and looked down. His cock was still rock hard and his brain was mush.

  “She can see it all she wants. I’ll catch her if she faints,” Matt said with a smile. The thoughts going through his mind weren’t of the innocent nature when it came to little Miss Candy.

  “Just wait until after the new year. I have so much fucking work and I need an assistant. She’s doing a great job so far.”

  “The new year is all I’m giving you and then I need to have her.”

  “You want her to quit or for me to fire her just so you could fuck her?”

  “No, so I can marry her.”

  “What?! Did I just hear you say that?”

  “Yes, you did. I want her and I want her badly. As soon as I spotted her I knew what it is. You know damn well what dad said.”

  “Yes, I do, and you know what dad enforced last year,” Ryan tossed back at his brother, mentioning the ‘no-fraternizing’ rule.

  “Yeah, and until now, I thought it was a fucking smart move.” Matt blew out a harsh breath in frustration. His mind all on her.

  “Don’t rush this. If she’s the one, get to know her. Did you already run the report on her?” Matt knew Ryan was being objective and reasonable, but he didn’t feel that way. He knew from the softness in her bright blue eyes that she was everything sweet.

  “I did. It should be sent to my private email soon. It’s going to be a basic one, then a full-blown report in less than a week.” Matt was now scared to review the materials that he knew would
hit his email this afternoon.

  “Talk to her and get to know her before you fuck up both of your lives.” Matt was getting more and more annoyed by the second.

  “You act like I go around falling in love with all these women. And for the love of God don’t bring Rose into this.” He hated when he teased him about Rose. Come to think about it, he hadn’t teased him about her in a long time.

  “I wasn’t. I know that’s not love. Hell, it was barely more than a friend zone.”

  “Exactly.” Matt steepled his fingers. “So, let’s talk shop and get this shit together.”

  Candice

  She didn’t get to make it out of the copy room before she was stopped by Mara. They didn’t really get introduced, but from the look on Mara’s face, Candice knew she wasn’t welcome.

  “He’s not up for grabs, Candy. Typical name for a bimbo,” she scoffed. “Did you think wearing slutty outfits was going to get you more than a quick roll in the sack? The Kane men only marry classy women. And Matt and I are getting married next year. So, stay away. I won’t have someone else trying to steal him away.”

  “Whoa. That’s a bit much. I barely said a few words to him. I don’t know you or him. I’m here to work. Excuse me, Ms. Black.”

  “Just wait. His heart isn’t available as much as his body. That belongs to Spencer’s slutty wife, Rose. She dumped Matt after getting engaged to Spencer. He hasn’t gotten over it.”

  “Whatever. Not my business,” Candice hissed before brushing past the bitch in all black. Her last name suited her. She wondered if it was true that Matthew and Mara were an item and getting married, but there was no one to ask. She didn’t know anyone and had no right to be concerned about Matthew’s relationship status. Next time she was going to take a look at her ring finger. She didn’t know why it bothered her so much, but it did. The fact that he was in love with someone he couldn’t have had broken her heart more for him than for her. It was terrible that he was longing for Rose’s love, but it was worse that he was fucking that snooty troll.