"What. Is. That?" Archibald Gold grumbled, his handsome face marred by a displeased frown. His son followed the line of his long, elegant finger through the store window of Gold's Antiques where a giant plastic lollipop was being erected on the storefront across the street.
"It's a candy store," Bae chirped, returning to his coloring book. "Called the Sugar Shack."
"It's a monstrosity," Gold snapped. "That huge, swirly disk they're mounting on that Sweet Shack is blocking out the sun."
"Sugar Shack," Bae corrected, flipping through his coloring book for a fresh page and choosing a red crayon. "It opens tomorrow.
"It won't open at all, if I have anything to say about it!" Gold threatened. "Come along, Baelfire, we're going to meet the proprietor of this establishment." He spit out the word like it was filthy rag.
"But Papa…" the boy's nose wrinkled in confusion. "You love sweets."
"Irrelevant," Gold barked, strutting across the road like he owned the town—which he practically did. "And I like cake, pie, cobbler…baked goods. Not that horrid garbage that gets stuck in your teeth." He flashed his gold tooth to illustrate his point.
When exactly had the town council managed to slip the approval for this little business past him, he wondered. Realization dawned and he growled. Damned appendicitis. Next time he needed emergency surgery he would just go ahead and die. The moment he turned his back... he was certain that Mayor Mills was involved in this debacle.
Gripping his cane like a weapon, Gold swaggered across the street with swift purpose while Bae scrambled to keep up with his father's quick steps.
As they approached the doors, a young woman in a tiny yellow skirt, crisp white blouse, and impossibly high red heels brought them up short. With chestnut curls cascading down her back, brilliant blue eyes, and cherry red lips, she looked…edible…better than the confections she was planning to sell inside.
"Hi!" She greeted cheerfully, practically bouncing over to them. Gold stared at her slender, shapely legs. "My name's Belle! We're not open yet, but I hope you'll join us for our grand opening celebration tomorrow."
Gold gulped and blushed at the sound of her accented voice, cheeks as crimson as the girl's four-inch stilettos. His Italian silk trousers suddenly felt impossibly tight and his chest constricted as he tried in vain to suck in air. Why was he so affected by this slip of a girl? He shifted his weight to his bad leg, allowing the pain to distract him from other physical discomforts.
"Hey," Bae replied, breaking the silence and earning an irritated look from his father.
"I demand to see the owner of this establishment." Gold recovered, his tone imperious.
"That's me. Belle French, Storybrooke's new Candy Girl." She laughed melodiously at her sweet little pun and Baelfire joined in.
"I'm Bae," the child offered. "I'm eight."
Gold tossed his son another irritated look. So much for familial loyalty. There'd be no dessert for him this evening!
"Hi, Bae." Belle winked audaciously at Gold before returning her attention to the child. "Who's your friend?"
"This is my papa," the boy replied proudly. "He owns Gold's Antiques across the street."
"You're Mr. Gold? I've heard so much about you. Namely that you're quite the businessman," Belle gushed. "Tell me, what do you think of my sign?"
Gold craned his neck to consider the massive expanse of colored plastic. "It's a giant sucker," Gold said stupidly. This interaction was not going according to plan.
"It's a whirly pop," Belle explained kindly. "Come on," she offered in an excited stage whisper, linking her arm through Gold's and pushing open the door. "Let me show you around."
Gesturing as she dragged him through the brightly lit shoppe, Belle pointed at displays of artisan chocolates, old-fashioned candies, and artfully designed jars of honey. "The honey's from my own bees," she confided as she beckoned them to a cozy alcove of café tables. "Come and have a treat with me."
Bae grinned broadly and sat down immediately, nearly toppling a chair in his excitement. Laughing at the boy's exuberance, Belle poured a mug of rich, house-made hot chocolate topped with a mountain of fresh whipped cream, shaved chocolate, and Mexican cinnamon. Serving it with a flourish, she smiled at Bae fondly, then turned her attention back to Gold. "I'll be right back," she told him, rushing toward the back of the store. "Have a seat."
Insistent on standing, Gold scowled at his son who was now sporting a ridiculous chocolate moustache. Children were so easily manipulated, he thought bitterly. A little sugar and a pretty face and Bae was practically eating out of this girl's hand.
"Ah," the candy store owner sighed happily, returning from the kitchen in the back of the building. She held something behind her back. "My special recipe. I think it's finally ready to be unveiled tomorrow at the opening."
She was practically jumping up and down with glee, Gold thought wryly. What could possibly be so miraculous about candy?
He was about to find out.
Whipping a plate laden with a warm apple dumpling, caramel sauce, and vanilla bean gelato out from behind her back, Belle waved the confection under his nose. Watching his nostrils flare, she smiled wickedly and tugged on Gold's tie. "Did I mention that I bake, too?" she asked slyly.
Gold's warm brown eyes darkened with desire. He was a terrible pushover for anything sweet and warm from out of the oven.
"I know you want some," she said seductively, guiding him to a tiny corner table. "We'll be over here, Baelfire," she called, and the boy nodded. "Enjoy your hot chocolate, sweetie."
And Gold could no more stop himself from following her than he could stop the sun from rising.
Once they were both comfortably seated, she scooped up a gooey spoonful of tender, sweet, hot apple and flaky, buttery crust. "Ready?" Belle invited, holding the spoon aloft.
Gold opened his mouth to accept the bite. He closed his eyes in bliss as flavors of fruit, brown sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg exploded on his tongue. "Good?" the temptress asked, delivering another mouthful. He groaned in delight, losing himself in the incredible taste.
After his third bite, Gold opened eyes drunk with sweetness, focusing on her lovely face. "You're not eating any," he prompted gently. "Please have some."
"I'd love to," she said, scooting closer and resting her free hand on his thigh. He looked astonished, but did not recoil or resist her touch. Belle offered him yet another taste of dumpling and he looked at her quizzically once more. "Trust me," she purred.
Nodding, he opened his mouth. As soon as he closed his lips around the spoon, she removed it, and covered his mouth with hers. Surprised, he stiffened, then obeyed the gentle pressure against his lips. Tentatively, Belle delved inside his mouth to taste him and share the sugary bite of pastry.
Gold groaned his approval, angling his head for a deeper kiss. She dropped the spoon to the table with a clatter and wound her arms around his neck to press him closer, threading her fingers through his long hair. Belle was even sweeter than the delectable dumpling she had served him. At last he lifted his lashes and gazed into her sapphire eyes. Mirroring his own arousal, they were dreamy, inviting, and as clear as a lake beneath a summer sky.
"Papa?"
Oh.
Gold wriggled uncomfortably and pulled out of Belle's arms. Bae was here. Waiting. Watching. Right next to the table where his father was snogging a neighboring store owner half his age.
"How was the hot chocolate, son?" Gold asked, praying that the boy didn't ask any more questions.
"Delicious!" The boy rubbed his full, slightly rounded tummy. "I really like Belle's store, Papa. Do we still need to yell at her?"
From the mouths of babes. Gold colored in shame. He had come here to humiliate her, and the guileless entrepreneur had turned the tables on him but good. "Of course not, son. Why don't you go pick out a few treats for us to take home and we can help Belle get a head start on profitability?"
"Is that business speak for 'We can buy stuff?'"
Gold nodded, grinning.
"Yay!" Bae cheered, wrapping his arms around Belle's waist for a hug.
Waiting until Bae was across the store choosing candy bars, Gold took a deep breath. Asking for forgiveness was never easy. "Belle, I owe you an apology. My son was correct; my intentions today were not honorable. I did come here to make trouble, but you have offered us nothing except kindness and hospitality. I'm sorry."
"That's all right," she said, holding out a hand so they could rise from the table together. "Your reputation precedes you. People in town…they're afraid of you, Mr. Gold."
"I hope you won't let that deter you," he smiled, squeezing her warm fingers.
"Now that I know you can be bought with a baked good? Not a chance." Belle threw her head back and laughed, and it was one of the most enthralling sights Gold had ever seen.
"Thank you, Belle. I've never eaten an apple dumpling to equal yours. And the other part, ah, that was wonderful, too." Gold reddened. Crap. He was no good at this.
But she seemed to appreciate his bumbling compliment. Cupping his jaw with her hand, she pressed her mouth to his and licked an errant sugar crystal off his upper lip.
"You're very welcome," she smiled against his mouth, "Thank you."
"It was my pleasure," he said quietly, ghosting his thumb over her satin cheek. "See you tomorrow, Candy Girl."
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I'd love to know what you think.