Page 22 of Moonlit Kisses

“I didn’t know they had been trying to have a baby. I felt like a real asshole to learn that tonight.”

“It’s probably not something they wanted people to know. You shouldn’t feel bad about it.” I pull into the parking lot at the sports field and stop behind Molly’s car. “Thanks for tonight. It was heaps of fun. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”

“Thanks for joining us. The boys enjoyed having you there.” I lift my chin toward her car. “Get in. I’ll follow you back to your motel to make sure you’re safe.”

Her head snaps up to mine. “Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’m fine.”

“I know I don’t have to. I want to make sure you get home safe.”

She gives me a tight smile but doesn’t argue. Hopefully, she’s learned that I don’t back down easily on things that are important, and her safety is important to me. I reverse, giving her space to leave the parking lot and then follow her fifteen minutes down the road to a dive motel. Slowing, I watch her drive into the central parking lot of the motel, which leads to the rooms. I don’t like where she’s staying; it looks too rundown.

I wonder if I should stop and walk her to her door? Perhaps that would be too much? I’ll see her at work tomorrow. I don’t think she’d appreciate my chivalry at this point, since I’ve already hijacked her evening.

CHAPTER11

–max–

The sun ison the rise as I make my way to work. I can’t believe Molly’s been working with me for a month already. The difference has been incredible. My home life has returned to being my break away from work and I’m able to work on more cars because I don’t have to deal with as many interruptions. The Sprint is almost ready to sell because I’ve had my mornings free to focus on her. That woman has been a godsend. I’m grateful she decided to sleep behind my workshop all those weeks ago, when she first arrived in town.

I glance across at the sports field where we lost our game last night. Even though we lost, I still feel energized from the challenge we gave the other team in the second half. It was a damn close game in the end. Turning back to face forward, a blue Jetta parked behind the building catches my eye. Changing lanes, I make my way into the parking lot and pull in behind the car that I’m pretty sure belongs to Molly.

Jumping out, I walk over to check it out.

What in the actual fuck?

She’s fucking asleep in the front passenger seat, blankets up at the windows. I’m guessing to give her some semblance of privacy. I don’t want to scare her, so I gently tap the front window where the shade has slipped down to get her attention. She doesn’t hear me, so I tap again, slightly louder. Meanwhile, my agitation at seeing her sleeping in a fucking parking lot is growing. I’m pissed that she’s put herself at risk like this. What the fuck was wrong with the motel I followed her to last week? I tap louder and she finally stirs. Her eyes open slowly, and she looks around as if trying to locate the source of the noise. Her eyes widen and she bolts upright when her steely eyes finally connect with mine.

I gesture for her to open her door and it seems to take an age for her to do so. Moving around to her door once the lock disengages, I rip it open, surprised it doesn’t come off from the hinges.

“Why in the fuck are you sleeping here in your car? What happened to the motel?” I snap.

She tosses her blanket away and climbs out of her car. Her hair’s disheveled and her eyes are full of sleep, but she still looks stunning. Straightening her shoulders, her nipples press against the t-shirt she has on as she pulls her hair out of the tie and works her long hair into a fresh ponytail, making her tits jiggle.

“It’s really not your concern, Max. You’re my boss. What I do with my time away from work is not your business,” she firmly states, as though it doesn’t fucking matter that she’s sleeping in her car in a public parking lot.

I work to temper my anger. “Did something happen at the motel that you didn’t feel safe there?” As if she would feel safe in a fucking parking lot.

She looks down at her socks, shuffling from foot to foot. “I’d rather not talk about it. I need to get ready for work. I’ll see you there soon.”

I try to soften further. Perhaps coming at her like a tyrant isn’t the way to go. Running my fingers through my hair, I notice her eyes follow the action. “Look, I’m sorry. I got worried about you when I saw you sleeping in your car. I thought you were staying in a motel; that you were safe. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.” Stepping back, I give her space. “I’ll, uh, see you at work. Feel free to use the shower in the office, if you need.”

She nods, her posture softening. “Thank you.” Molly’s eyes have a suspicious sheen to them as she turns away from me and I take the hint, leaving her to do whatever she needs to do.

* * *

Footsteps sound across the workshop floor as I’m polishing the final panel on the Sprint. I’ll be able to put her up for sale this week. It’s been a long time coming. Glancing across, I see Molly carrying her things into the office, her head down low. I’m glad she’s taken up my offer to use the bathroom. Heading across the road, I grab a breakfast sandwich for each of us. I have a proposition for my employee, and I want to make sure she can make a decision with a clear head, which means she needs food.

The shower turns off, and I set about making two cups of coffee. Her steps stall as she opens the bathroom door, her eyes locked on the office desk. I have two seats set at the desk and two sandwiches. I give her a smile as I carry the coffees to the desk and gesture for her to take a seat opposite me. Looking down at her feet, she slowly makes her way over to me and takes a seat, keeping her spine ramrod straight.

“Thank you,” she whispers, eyeing the sandwich in front of her. She takes a sip of her coffee and then her first bite of the breakfast I bought for her. I keep my mouth shut for now, opting to eat in silence.

The atmosphere is stifling and uncomfortable. I’ve always found her company to be easy and relaxed but this morning is different. It’s as though an immense brick wall has been built between us.

I don’t fucking like it.

Halfway through my breakfast, I can’t take it any longer. “I’m guessing you still haven’t found somewhere permanent to live?” I keep my tone neutral, hoping we can have a conversation about her living arrangements.

Her shoulders rise and fall. She shakes her head in the negative, not making eye contact with me. “Uh, no.”

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