Page 42 of Last Round

Do you want me?Her question haunts my subconscious.

Of course, I want her. It would be a hell of a lot fucking easier if I didn’t. But I can’t. I don’t deserve her. My future is here, at the bar, reliving my glory days for as long as that recognition gets me by. After that, I’ve got nothing to offer her or anyone else.

He wasn’t afraid of anything, and if he wanted something, he fought for it.

That was different. I was training for a career, a dream. Rigorous workouts and strict diets will not help me be the man she needs, deserves.Right?

Before I can answer the question I asked myself, I’m running out the front door. I spot Molly a block in front of me—her head hanging low and arms hugging her midsection. If I lose her now, there is no getting her back. But if I go after her, there is no coming back from that either.

I’ve always been reckless and rarely cared about the risk or the consequences. Some things (thankfully) never change, because if they did, I wouldn’t presently be racing down West 7th to catch her.

Molly startles as I grasp her shoulder and spin her around to face me.

“What do you want?” she sneers. She might be acting tough but the nearby streetlamp reveals her true feelings.I broke her heart. It makes me sick, knowing I did this to her. Not only that, it’s like I’m reliving a bad nightmare. As though I’ve broken her like this before. Internally, I vow I never will again, not if I can help it.

I take her red, tear-stained face into my hands. My thumbs wipe away the streams of moisture. “Sean is going to fucking kill me,” I say right before I slam my mouth onto hers. There’s no hesitation as her body melts into mine. My fingers thread through her hair as she tugs me closer. All the frustration from before fuels our kiss as we allow it to consume us, until there is nothing left but lust and desire.

A cool droplet hits the back of my neck, quickly followed by another. Lightning cracks in the distance and the heavens open up to pour a cold shower over us. Molly is the first to break the contact. I hold on to her as she tilts her head and laughs up at the sky. It’s intoxicating and I join along. She leans back up and grips my face. The downpour is ridiculous. We’re both drenched instantly.

“I’ve imagined this, so many times,” she shouts over the sound of the rainfall. “Each fantasy is more perfect than the last. Part of me was terrified that when…ifthis ever happened, it would be a letdown. I didn’t know if it could ever live up to the image I built in my mind.”

“What’s the verdict?” I ask, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.Am I a terrible kisser?I’ve never received a complaint before. Then again, none of them were real—not like this.

“Better than I ever imagined.”

My lips lock with hers again. But another strike of lightning reminds us that a storm is brewing and we need shelter. “We should head inside,” I say.

Hand in hand, we run back to the safety of the bar. Before the door fully shuts, I turn, pin Molly against it, and capture her lips in mine again. I reach behind my back and pull my soaked shirt off before ridding Molly of hers. I continue devouring her mouth as she fumbles, attempting to undo my jeans. My cock swells in anticipation of finally being freed from his prison. Everything about this, about Molly, feels different—right. I’ve never been as desperate as I am now. Eager to feel every inch of her skin pressed against mine. Every barrier that exists between us is an enemy.

“Stop.” Although the words leave my mouth, I can’t believe I’ve said them. Worse, that I mean them.

“What?” Molly is equally shocked.

“We need to stop.” Why did I say that again?What’s wrong with me?

Molly appears mortified as she covers herself. “Am I… am I bad at this?”

I crash my mouth to hers, hopefully killing whatever doubt I just manifested.Damn it, I’ve got a fuck-ton to learn. Twice in a single night, I’ve nearly fucked this up. Which is exactly why I need to stop. “You’re fucking amazing. And believe me, my dick is going to make sure I suffer. But if we’re going to do this, I’m doing it right.”

“I’ve got the house to myself. My bed isn’t that big, but—”

“It’s not the location,” I clarify. “I want this. I really, really do.” I eliminate any doubt about that fact as I pressed my rock-hard cock against her stomach. “But I can’t make you like the rest.” Her brows pull together. “Fuck, I’m saying this all wrong.” I take a step back and pace, combing my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know how to do this,” I warn. “I’ve never done it before. But if I want to do this right, I can’t fuck you right now because that’s what I always do. I fuck girls. But you aren’t one of them...”

“Killian.” She grabs my face and stops my overthinking.

“Will you go on a date with me?”

She grins. “A date?” I nod, and she clarifies, “You’ve never been on a date before?”

“No.” The humor she finds in this is making me squirm.

“So, I’d be your first?”

“Yes.” My cheeks heat at the confession. Sure, I’ve been out with girls. We’ve had dinner, drinks, and danced, but it was never a date. Not a real one. Nothing planned or intended. I just kind of stumbled into them.

“Okay.” Her smile grows, all her anxiety from moments ago gone as it does.

“Okay?” I don’t know why I’m questioning this, but I’m way out of my comfort zone.

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