Collecting a few wake-up calls today. What was next? ‘I like it that you feel that way. No one should be forgotten when they’ve been such a special part of your life. Hearing you talk about her says a lot about you, all good.’ Her smile wavered, but since he wasn’t watching her she got away with it. She wasn’t going to be as special to him because even if he wanted that, she couldn’t allow it to happen.
Instead she had to back off in case he did start to fall for her. That’s when the day would come that she’d have to tell him the very long odds of her ever getting pregnant. Already she knew a quickening of her pulse whenever she heard Nathan’s voice or laugh. Felt a softening of her limbs when he touched her. This had to stop. He’d been hurt once, she wasn’t giving him a second blow.
‘It helps you understand.’ Nathan turned back to the barbecue. ‘I’d better take over before the guys burn the steaks.’ He hesitated, faced her again. ‘We’ll have some time to ourselves later.’
‘I need to head home early. Catch up on sleep. And I’m working in the charity shop tomorrow.’ She needed to think all this through. Unfortunately leaving now would be awkward after she’d helped set out the food and had said she couldn’t wait to sample the salads.
‘If that’s what you want to do.’ Nathan nodded abruptly. Sensing her withdrawal?
As soon as dinner was over and the kitchen cleaned up, she’d go home and revert to the Molly he used to know. No, not that. She’d be friendly and outgoing, but no more kisses. Already, walking away wouldn’t be simple. Not when she’d finally come out of a drought to find she could be aroused by a man—one in particular.
But they weren’t a couple. It was presumptuous to hope there might be more to Nathan’s invitations and kisses than having a good time. It was quite possible he wanted to have some uncomplicated fun, and wasn’t looking for a more permanent arrangement, and that she was reading too much into his friendliness. Something she’d be better thinking about than getting her knickers in a knot because he was the one helping her step back out into the real world.
Molly shoved aside all the reasons for not spending time with Nathan and said, ‘It isn’t, really. I don’t know what came over me.’ Except she did, and it wasn’t going to disappear. She should leave, now. If only it was that easy. When she finally came out of her cave she didn’t want to go back into the dark, cold space that her life had become.
‘Gun-shy? I’m not surprised after meeting all this lot. It’s enough to scare anyone off.’
‘More that I feel very comfortable with them—too comfortable, maybe.’
He ruffled her hair like she’d seen him do with his nieces. ‘Nothing wrong with comfortable.’
Yes, there was, if it led to greater expectations than were reasonable. But for tonight at least she’d relax and continue enjoying herself. And Nathan.
* * *
The family didn’t leave early. It was as if they knew they were frustrating him. Nathan ground his teeth. Molly had said she’d leave after dinner, then changed her mind. Finally the brothers-in-law had made sounds about heading away and he’d had the front door open with embarrassing speed. But if they hadn’t gone soon Molly might have, and he didn’t want that. He wanted time with her not being interrupted by one of the children asking for more ice cream or a sister quizzing him on his next holiday plans.
‘At last.’ He shoved his hands in his pockets before he could haul Molly into his arms and kiss her senseless.
‘You don’t mean that.’ She smiled as she stood in front of him, looking sensational with the riotous curls and that perfect body.
‘Normally I’d agree, but tonight I just wanted to be with you for a while.’ Hell, he wasn’t going to be able to not kiss her.
Her breasts rose on an intake of air. ‘I’m still here.’
‘Tell me something I don’t know.’ He had to touch her. Had to. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he drew her closer. And closer. Until she was up against him, those breasts nudging his chest, her mouth so near to his. Then his mouth was on hers, kissing, tasting, drinking her in. As he kissed Molly he waited to see if she’d pull back or tense even a little, but, no, her arms were winding around his neck and her hips were pressing into his. Giving up on caution, he went deeper with the kiss, savouring Molly, her softness, her scent, all of her. Everything about her woke him up.
Then her mouth was gone. ‘Nathan?’ she gasped, blinking rapidly, no disappointment blazing out at him this time. But hope was, and enough desire to drown in.
‘Yes, Mol. I’d like to take you to bed.’
She sank back against him, and returned to kissing the minutes away, until he couldn’t take any more. Swinging her up into his arms, he asked, ‘Bedroom?’
‘No. Right here. Now.’
As he walked her up to the wall, he said, ‘I’ll be gentle.’ No way did he want to frighten or hurt her.
‘Don’t you dare.’ She lifted a leg to his thigh, freed her hands from his and wound them around his neck. ‘I won’t break.’
The corners of his mouth lifted. ‘Tell me something I don’t know.’ Then he claimed her mouth, and placed his hands on her butt to lift her higher. When she wound her legs around him and settled against the growing evidence of his sex he had to take a deep breath and hold onto the need trying to break free. This wasn’t just about him.
‘Nathan,’ she growled.
He returned to kissing, drawing out the exquisite moment for as long as possible. His mouth trailed below her ear, down her throat, to the neck of her jersey. ‘Damn it. This has to go.’
How she did it he had no idea, but within moments her lace-covered breasts were before him, drying his mouth and tightening his groin to breaking point. Molly first. He pushed between them, slipped his hand under her trousers, then her underwear, and found her centre, and touched, caressed, and felt her blow apart with one hard, swift stroke.
She clung to him, hauling in gulps of air, her eyes barely open.
He waited, kissing her forehead, her breasts, her arm.
‘Nathan, let me.’ She wriggled in his hold, trying to unwind her legs from his torso.
‘Steady,’ he whispered against her feverish skin.
‘Inside. I want you inside. It’s your turn.’
‘Shh. It’s not about turns. I’m here, with you. We’ll get together as soon as we remove the obstacle.’ But, yes, he was more than ready.
She blinked. ‘Obstacle?’ Of course. ‘Then let me down. I’ll be quick.’
‘You’d better be,’ he grunted as he lowered her carefully and held her as she got rid of the rest of her clothes.
Then she was back in his arms, her legs wound around his waist. Lowering herself over his sex.
He couldn’t halt the trembling throughout his body as he pushed deep inside. Molly held on tight as he withdrew and returned, winding her tighter and tighter until she exploded again. Then he let go, and rode the wave of desire, passion and need. Unbelievable.
* * *
Nathan stretched out in his bed, one hand behind his head, the other on Molly’s breast as she slept. Earlier she’d been exhausted, and now after two bouts of lovemaking she’d succumbed, and had been comatose for a couple of hours.
Not that he minded. Lying here with her, listening to the soft snuffles she made, he couldn’t have felt more relaxed or happy, in a way he hadn’t expected to ever feel again. Though lately he’d been open to it, he just hadn’t believed it might happen. Certainly not with Molly O’Keefe. Here was a woman who’d turned out to be nothing like the face she presented to the world. It could be that he hadn’t known what to look for and her feisty, strong personality had been simmering in the background all along. Or it might be that with the divorce papers in her hands she’d found the hope and courage to go in search of the life she wanted.
Whatever it was, it didn’t really matter, as long as he
was a part of the future she unravelled. This had started as a challenge to make her like him, to be friendly towards him, but now the challenge had changed. He thought he might want her in his life—in all ways possible. Since Rosie no other woman had made him want. Love, a partner, family. Molly did that. Rosie. His heart slowed. He still missed her, but not as severely as in the past. Was he getting over the crippling loss? Did he want to have a future with another woman? Yeah, he thought he might. The only problem was that it was happening fast. Too fast?
‘I’m glad your family turned up today or this might only be wishful thinking.’ Molly’s sleep-filled voice sounded sexy as hell.
As his body reacted in the only way it knew, he grinned, and caressed her breast, extracting a gasp of pleasure from her. ‘You have an open invitation to visit any time you like.’
The sleep was rapidly disappearing from those sensational eyes, replaced with a sparkle that warmed his heart as Molly reached for him, wrapping her hand around his obvious attraction for her. ‘Knock, knock, I’m here.’
‘Can’t argue with that,’ he muttered as he leaned in to kiss that exquisite mouth, before exploring her body with his mouth. He couldn’t get enough of her.
* * *
Hours later he woke suddenly as the bed rocked sharply.
‘Look at the time.’ Molly sounded frantic as she tossed the covers aside, along with the arm he’d had around her waist. ‘Ten past eight. I’ve got to be at the arena by nine.’