Page 56 of Moonlit Kisses

“I had a brother, Ethan. He was thirteen.” My throat tightens as a lump forms, my heart beating double time, like it has to beat for him too. I work hard to keep my tears at bay. Beth must sense my battle and moves closer, wrapping her arm around my shoulder and I can’t fight the sadness any longer. “I miss them so much,” I sob.

“Oh, sweet girl. I can’t imagine what it’s been like for you.” She wraps her other arm around me and squeezes me in close.

I let go.

In this stranger’s arms. I break down.

All the pent-up tears and emotions.

The heartache and the loss.

It all comes pouring out of me like a tsunami. She comforts me like a mother would as her hand cups the back of my head while the other one rubs up and down my back.

I burrow into her, deep into her shoulder, and release my misery.

My utter devastation.

When I eventually regain my control, I pull my head away from Beth, noting the large wet patch on her shirt. I want to hide away, embarrassment swamping me.

She cups my face, tucking the loose strands of sweaty hair behind my ears. Her face is full of compassion. “You know, I’ve been thinking about you coming back here. How you and Martin found each other. It feels as though you were brought to us, Molly.” She smiles sadly. “Perhaps Nicole guided you home so you could be with us.”

I nod. I’ve thought the same thing. Perhaps I was supposed to come here and find my family. Everything fell apart so spectacularly after the accident that I had no choice but to make a major life-changing decision. Maybe Mom wanted me here. Wiping my tears, I try to give Beth a smile of reassurance. “Perhaps.”

She scrunches her eyebrows together and glances down at her lap, then draws in a deep breath before raising her eyes back to mine. “I know I’m not your mom and I could never fill her shoes. But I want you to know that I’m here for you. Whenever or whatever you need.”

I lick my lips as a couple more tears escape. “Thank you, Beth.”

“Maybe one day, we could be friends,” she hedges.

I nod slowly. “Maybe.”

The silence in the room has become stifling. “I’d better get home. The troops are probably wondering where I am.”

We both stand and Beth collects her purse. “Thanks for stopping by.” And I mean it. When I first saw her sitting on my steps, I didn’t want to speak with her, and I was close to brushing her off. I’m glad I didn’t.

She gives me a gentle smile. “Thanks for not sending me away. I hope we can chat again soon.”

“I’d like that.”

CHAPTER27

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I pullthe tow truck in behind the workshop, a smile of satisfaction touching my lips. I can’t wait to start work on this baby. It’s going to be a huge project but I’m up to the task. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on one of these for a while now. Molly steps out through the back door of the workshop, her hand shielding her eyes from the early morning sun, the other resting on her hip. Her almost-white hair appears to be glowing in the morning light, and I can’t wait to press my lips to hers. I would have been climbing into her bed last night if I didn’t get the call yesterday afternoon to collect the truck I’ve had my eye on.

She’s waiting at the open door for me when I drop down from the truck. I wrap my arms around her and drag her into me, loving how we fit together. I rub my nose alongside hers and then press my lips to hers. She opens for me without delay, and I sweep my tongue inside. My hands drop to grab her perfect ass and I press her closer, rubbing my cock against her lower belly. Remembering the jewelry she has dangling above her naval makes me even harder. She’s so fucking sexy in the most unassuming ways. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer as she climbs my body like a fucking tree.

And isn’t that the hottest thing?

This girl is as far gone for me as I am for her, and she’s not shy about letting me know. Using one hand to hold her up, I use my other to guide her head the way I want, tilting my head so I can deepen the kiss. Our tongues move against each other as though we’ve been doing this for years, not days. Molly’s heart pounds out a rapid beat to match my own as we reconnect.

We slow the kiss and shift back far enough to catch our breath and study each other. We’re both breathing heavily as our matching smiles grow. I move in and lay a quick peck against her swollen lips, satisfaction filling me at the sight. “Morning, Dimples,” I whisper against her lips.

She drops her forehead to mine. “Morning. I missed you last night.”

I’ve never been with anyone before who hasn’t played games with me. Molly’s open heart and honesty are possibly one of her most attractive qualities.

“Me too.” We’ve been spending most nights in her bed or mine. Once we crossed that line last Sunday morning, we haven’t been able to stop. Taking every opportunity to spend time together—naked!

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