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  Praise for Candy Caine

  Because of You

  “…Engrossing…a page turner… I would recommend this book!”

  —Romance Novels in Color

  “A sweet romance. I love the heartwarming ending.”

  —Library Thing

  For Your Love

  “…A cast of well-crafted characters you’ll want to cheer for…delightful story…”

  —Niambi Brown Davis, Author of Sanctuary

  “A sexy, fabulous read. I couldn’t put it down.”

  —Bertrice Small, New York Times bestselling author

  Heated Pleasures

  “If you are looking for stories that have love at first, menage a trois and the world of domination, then Heated Pleasures is the book for you.”

  —Romance Novels in Color

  More Heated Pleasures

  “…Candy Caine once again hits the right erotic sweet spots…”

  —Cynthia White, author of Awakened Desire.

  “A roller coaster ride of erotic thrills… Great fun!”

  —Alice Gaylord, author of The Reluctant Handyman

  Save the Last Dance for Me

  “A story about real relationships…the romance between Evie and Dillon is electric. Candy Caine’s writing is impressive.”

  —Latrivia S. Nelson, bestselling author of The Ugly Girlfriend

  Also by Candy Caine

  Because of You

  Christmas with A Stranger

  Dangerous Attraction

  For Your Love

  Forever Yours

  Heated Pleasures

  It’s Love That Really Counts

  Justify My Love

  Love With A Younger Man

  More Heated Pleasures

  Never is Not Forever

  Save the Last Dance for Me

  FLAVOR

  OF

  THE WEEK

  A NOVEL

  Candy Caine

  Arrow Publications, LLC

  Copyright © 2015 Candy Caine. All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, no portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the express written permission of Arrow Publications.

  Arrow Publications, LLC

  20411 Sawgrass Drive

  Montgomery Village, MD 20886

  USA

  [email protected]

  www.arrowpub.com

  www.myromancestory.com

  ISBN: 978-1-934675-93-9

  All names, characters and incidents featured in this publication are imaginary. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead) is coincidental. They are not inspired even distantly by any individual or incident known or unknown to the author.

  Author recognizes that all trademarked items mentioned in the book belong to the trademark holders of said items.

  Chapter One

  Raven Gould sat hopelessly stuck at one of the longest lights on Old Country Road in Mineola, New York. A woman could go through menopause waiting for that damn light to change to green. Even the Alicia Keys CD playing in the Bang & Olufsen 1200-watt 16 speaker music system of her BMW 640i couldn’t smooth over her annoyance of having to work late again. It was nearly eight o’clock and she wouldn’t get home to Westbury for at least another half hour. Raven knew it was past time to get her own place and stop inconveniencing her Aunt Dottie, who always kept dinner warming for her no matter what time she came home from the office.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by movement on her right. A woman and a small boy were entering the ice cream parlor on the corner appropriately named Flavor of the Week. She smiled to herself, knowingly. Ice cream was one of her weaknesses. It had to be genetic, because her dad loved ice cream, as well. He would take Raven to the Carvel near their home in Kings Point at least twice a week. Her smile faded with that bittersweet memory as the light finally changed to green.

  It had been a long, exhausting, but exhilarating day. Raven had shredded the testimony of the Assistant District Attorney’s star witness. The ADA tried to repair the damage, but Raven doubted it had helped. She had a good feeling that she’d introduced enough reasonable doubt to get her client acquitted. Tomorrow she’d begin questioning the witnesses for the defense.

  After court she’d headed back to the office to prepare for the following day. She’d known that new lawyers worked long hours—especially the first year—but she was now a third-year associate at Behr, Stern & West, and her days were still nearly as long. Of course, she was well compensated for her time, but she also wanted to have a life. If she continued to work at such a pace, she’d most likely burn herself out before she was thirty.

  Raven had wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps. That’s why she became a lawyer in the first place. Had he lived, he would’ve been so proud of her and happy that she continued the family tradition. After all, her father came from a long line of lawyers. Only… she wasn’t too sure that she still loved the profession.

  All this doubt didn’t just start overnight. Raven hadn’t been happy for some time now. It began to creep into her thoughts whenever her mind wandered…She sighed. Then again, what else was there for her to do? She’d wanted to be a lawyer since she was a little girl.

  When Raven pulled into the driveway of her aunt’s small house, she noticed a dark blue Subaru parked in front. Perhaps Dottie had a friend over for coffee. She opened the front door and found her aunt in the kitchen. Dottie wasn’t alone. With her was a well-dressed, dark skinned man Raven guessed to be in his 30s with close-cut black hair. They both looked up when Raven entered.

  “Here’s my niece, Raven, now.”

  Immediately, as if an invisible button had been depressed, Raven’s defenses were activated. Her aunt appeared to be playing matchmaker—again. If she was, she’d broken her promise. However, now was not the time to confront Aunt Dottie.

  “Raven, I’d like you to meet Dyson Eberly. He’s Mary Eberly’s nephew,” Dottie said, getting up to open the refrigerator.

  As Dottie placed a chef salad and a mug of coffee in front of her niece, Raven raised an eyebrow and glared at her aunt. Aside from being impolite and eating in front of this guy, she didn’t want his company.

  Aunt Dottie got the message loud and clear and in her own defense said, “Dyson stopped by to return a baking pan Mary borrowed and we started talking. He’s quite the conversationalist, you know. I guess the time just got away from us. Well, I need to fold the laundry before it creases, so I’ll be right back.”

  I’m sure you think he’s the perfect match. Raven smiled ruefully. Sipping her coffee, she said, “I didn’t know that Mary had a nephew. Do you live on Long Island?”

  “I’m originally from Westbury, but when my dad lost his job, we moved to New Jersey. I still live there. Your aunt tells me you’re a lawyer.”

  “Don’t tell me you need one,” Raven said glibly.

  He laughed. “Could’ve used your services last year. Maybe my divorce wouldn’t have been so nasty.”

  “Many divorce cases unfortunately are, simply because by that time the two people divorcing are at one other’s throat and in no mood to compromise.”

  “You sound like you’re talking from experience,” Dyson said.

  “Only in the courtroom.” It was getting late and Raven really wanted him to leave so she could eat in peace. She decided to speed things up. “What do you do for a living?”

  “I’m a schoolteacher. Third grade.”

  “Why the third grade?” Raven asked and took another sip of coffee.

  “No particular reason. That was the grade I was given when I first got the job as a common branch teacher, and I just continued to teach it.”

  “Where do yo
u live in New Jersey?” she asked, hoping it was far from New York.

  “Right over the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee. It’s not too far from here.”

  So much for being too far to commute, she thought. “It was nice meeting you, Dyson, but it’s getting late and I’ve got a ton of work to do in preparation for court tomorrow.”

  “Maybe we can have dinner sometime—”

  “Sure, I’ll call you,” Raven said rising from her chair.

  Dyson stood. “Here’s my number,” he said, writing it down on a napkin before following her to the door.

  “Say hello to your aunt for me. Goodnight,” Raven said, closing the door behind him.

  Dottie instantly appeared in the hall, as if she’d been right outside, listening. Raven whirled around to face her. “You broke your promise.”

  Her aunt began to shake her head, but saw the icy look in Raven’s eyes. “I just want you to be happy, baby girl. I don’t want you to end up alone like me.”

  “I appreciate your concern, but I can get my own dates.”

  “When was the last time you actually went out with a man—and not just wining and dining some client?” Dottie asked.

  “That’s irrelevant, and you wouldn’t know a thing about my dating life if I didn’t live with you. Besides, the last time you set me up on a date, the guy turned out to be a sociopath.”

  “In my own defense, his mom didn’t know it, either. So what’s wrong with Dyson? He seems like a very nice guy.”

  “So did the sociopath.”

  Dottie threw up her hands. “I give up with you. There’s no way I can win an argument. You’re…such a lawyer.”

  Raven grinned and put her arms around her aunt. “I know you love me and you’re only trying to help. But, if you really do want to help, please don’t. I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.”

  “Oh, go on and eat your supper,” Dottie said.

  Raven rolled her eyes and went back into the kitchen to eat. She tore into the salad, because she hadn’t eaten since she scarfed down a muffin that morning with one of her many cups of coffee.

  She truly couldn’t argue with her aunt about her dating. The last serious relationship she’d had ended a year ago. And it hadn’t ended well. Detonation was a better word to describe it.

  “So what did you really think of Dyson?” Aunt Dottie asked as she came into the kitchen.

  Raven’s eyebrows shot straight up. “I thought we ended that conversation.”

  Dottie began to clear off the counter. “Just thought I’d give it one more shot.”

  “To be honest, he seemed very nice, but I’m still not going out with him.” Raven finished her salad and put the dish into the dishwasher. “I’ve got work to do, so I’ll say goodnight now.”

  Dottie kissed Raven’s forehead. “Goodnight and don’t stay up all night working.”

  Raven rolled her eyes as she walked away.

  “I saw that,” her aunt called after her.

  * * *

  That night Raven couldn’t sleep. Her aunt’s cautionary words about being left alone buzzed around in her head like angry bees. They’d had this conversation before, but it had never bothered her as much in the past as it did that night. Had Raven confided in her aunt about her disastrous affair with Gordon White, she might have cut her some slack. However, Raven could never bring herself to tell another soul about her lame naivety.

  Raven had once desired a house with a white picket fence, a perfect husband, and several kids. She’d learned the hard way that believing in fairy tales was for suckers. Hormonal sex was fine on occasion, but she kept her heart under lock and key—safe.

  She was afraid to allow herself to love again. It was too risky. Gordon White was the main reason why. It had been a year, but time hadn’t erased the memory. How young and foolish she’d been.

  It had been during her first major trial. She was a first-year associate assigned to be second chair for Carl Scott, a seasoned associate and skilled litigator. It was a wonderful chance to learn from one of the best. On the morning that the prosecutor was to place his first witness on the stand, Carl Scott called Raven and told her to take over for him due to a family emergency.

  She’d been both scared and exhilarated, but never got the chance to discover how she’d do because the Supreme Court building in Mineola was placed in lockdown. An anonymous caller alleged that he’d planted a bomb in the building. Everyone had been herded outside to wait while police with K-9 units combed through the entire building. Gordon White had been casually leaning against a tree and called to her as she walked by.

  “Would you care to share this delightful tree with me?” he’d asked. “There’s definitely room for one more.” Usually she avoided talking to strange men, but whether it was the absurdity of the question or his southern accent, she stopped to reply.

  That’s how she met Gordon White. He sweet-talked her with his smooth southern twang into having lunch with him. Actually, he really didn’t have to work too hard, because he was big, black, and beautiful. Dressed in his tailored navy suit, he could have graced the cover of Ebony or GQ.

  He’d told her he’d been born and raised in Georgia. The most important part of their initial conversation was that he’d never been married and was looking for the perfect woman. She could still remember his words, “Do you know any?” as his soft brown eyes peered intently into hers, causing her heart to beat erratically.

  They began to date. The first time she and Gordon had made love would always be kept in a memory bank tucked away in the back of Raven’s mind. Gordon had morphed into the embodiment of all the princes from the fairytales her aunt Dottie had read to her as a child.

  Raven had met Gordon for dinner at an intimate lounge in the Quin, a posh midtown Manhattan hotel located on W. 57th St. at Sixth Avenue. Although he told her he was meeting a client from out of town there earlier, she had her suspicion that he had an ulterior motive to get her there. Funny how that hadn’t mattered in the least. Raven had simply been swept off her feet by his southern charm.

  What a glorious night it had been. Gordon met her in the elegant lobby. The furnishings were expensive and eye-catching. However, it was the man that she only had eyes for. Gordon gave her a quick kiss and led her to a fancy restaurant for dinner. He’d ordered steaks for the both of them, but Raven only picked at hers. She was too excited to eat. All she could think about was what was going to happen afterward. With Gordon refilling her glass with wine, Raven’s mind was free of cares. She felt euphoric that she was with Gordon.

  They sat so close that their bodies constantly touched, sending tingles throughout her entire body. A leg here, a hand there. Electric and magical. Between the wine and the nearness of that sexy man, Raven was stoked, her juices pooling in her silk panties.

  The room Gordon had booked for his client was no longer occupied and was available. In the elevator up to the room, Gordon leaned into Raven and kissed her. She felt the heat from his body. It wasn’t hot enough to melt her, but it certainly ignited the fire that had been simmering within her all through dinner. And she loved the scent of his aftershave.

  The elevator opened and Gordon led the way to the room. Like that of the lobby, the decor was elegant. There was a spacious sitting room and, beyond it, a large bedroom with a king-size bed. Gordon removed his suit jacket and dropped it on a chair. Then he took her into his arms and kissed her long and deeply. “I’ve been hankering to do that all through dinner,” he said in his smooth southern twang that stole her breath away.

  Raven kissed him back with the same intensity. Together they walked into the bedroom. Standing near the bed, Gordon nuzzled and kissed her neck. He slipped her suit jacket off her shoulders and tossed it onto an overstuffed chair. Then he opened the first few buttons on her blouse and planted a series of kisses along her tender skin. Raven tilted her head back and sighed with pleasure. Gordon opened the rest of the buttons on the blouse and Raven shrugged out of it. She tossed it on
top of her suit jacket.

  Gordon kissed the rising swells over her bra as he sensually ran his hands over the lines and curves of her back, sending a current of pleasure racing through Raven. He found her mouth again, his tongue seeking hers while he opened her bra. His full attention was given to her newly freed breasts. He sucked and teased both equally, further driving Raven into a sexual frenzy.

  As he continued to stroke Raven, she reached out to touch his cock, which strained against the fabric of his slacks. Knowing that it was hard just for her excited her even more, further soaking her silk panties.

  Gordon smiled. He knew what she wanted, but he had his own game plan in action now and pulled just out of her reach. Reaching behind her, he unzipped her skirt and it fell to the floor. Raven stepped out of it and it, too, landed on the pile of discarded clothing. Gordon then dropped to his knees and rubbed her cunt through her damp panties, paying close attention to her clit, which elicited a moan from Raven. He pulled her panties down and slipped his finger into her tightness, causing Raven to gasp and fall back onto the bed. Gordon licked and sucked her clit as she rubbed vigorously against his finger. She squirmed and closed her eyes, allowing the pleasure to overwhelm her. Raven threaded her fingers through Gordon’s hair as he continued to suck her pussy and finger-fuck her. He didn’t let up even when she let out a protracted scream, closely followed by a low moan as her body began to spasm with an unmistakable orgasm.

  Now it was his turn. Gordon nearly ripped the clothing from his body. Glimpsing him in the altogether nearly stole what little breath Raven had left. His bronze-colored body was beautiful from head to toe, but his cock was calling her name. She would’ve gladly dropped to her knees and repaid him in kind, but Gordon directed her to get onto her knees facing away from him. She heard the ripping of foil as he slipped on a condom before grabbing her hips and drawing her closer to him. He pushed his cock into her, slowly filling her tight pussy. Raven felt her muscles stretch to accommodate him. He began to pump into her rhythmically, each stroke ratcheting her pleasure more until she knew she could come again.