Page 28 of Sleepless Nights and Hockey Fights

Ping!

@PitterPatterLetsGetAtHer: We are alone. She’s showing me a house I think I might buy. But I don’t want to make an offer because then I won’t have an excuse to see her anymore. Is that crazy?

@Singlemomcatlady: That’s so weird! Oh, sorry! Not weird that you want to keep spending time with her. That’s actually sweet. The weird part is I’m a realtor too! In fact, I’m showing a house right now.

Ping!

I grin and start typing another message saying that my client is the same one I was just...

My thumbs freeze as a buzzing sound rushes into my ears like a speeding freight train. Despite my strict instruction to stay still, my eyes fly directly to Bobby sitting two stools away at the gorgeous kitchen island. He looks like he belongs here. He also looks like he’s really enjoying whatever conversation he’s having on his phone.

Clearly sensing my gaze, he glances over quickly before returning his eyes to his phone. But his attention returns to me when he registers what I assume is my horror-stricken expression.

“What’s wrong?”

When I don’t respond—which, in my defense, is due to the crushing humiliation choking my windpipe—he rises from his stool and closes the distance between us. “Molly? What’s wrong?”

The words come out in a stilted whisper. “P-pitter patter?”

His brows draw together as he studies me in the same manner one might examine a concussed patient. It takes two-point-three seconds before his brows change direction and spike almost to his hairline.

“Cat lady?!”

Chapter Thirteen

Bobby

This is amazing. I mean, maybe I should be upset that I've been talking to Molly this whole time on the dating app and didn’t realize it. Maybe I should feel sheepish that I’ve been more honest with her online persona than with anyone in my real life lately. Maybe I should feel raw and exposed. But I don’t feel any of that.

Because Molly thinks I’m hot. She said so in our chat.

I step closer, her bare knees above the sexy pencil skirt brushing my legs as she remains stunned, perched on her barstool.

“Molly?” My voice is soft, lower than normal. She just blinks at me, gorgeous eyes wide and frightened. And I can’t have that.

My hands come up and sweep her auburn hair back, away from her face. Then I cup her jaw and bend down so we’re eye to eye. “Hey. I have a crazy thought.”

“C-crazier than what’s running through my head right now?” she mutters, still gaping at me.

I grin, wishing like hell I knew what she was thinking. Molly’s all buttoned up on the outside, a prim and proper realtor in her heels and skirts and proper manners. And yet I know she’s trolling the dating sites in her downtime, looking to get laid. And since I’m a gentleman who wants to make every lady’s dream come true, it’s important that I offer my services. Like, right now.

“You think I’m hot?” I ask, followed quickly by my own confession. “I think you’re ridiculously attractive.”

I feel her swallow hard, but then she gives me the briefest of nods and it’s all the confession I need.

“No take-backsies,” I murmur. It’s dumb, but the fear fades from her face, leaving her eyes filled with a heat I can feel from here.

As I move ever closer, her knees give way until I’m standing between them, one hand tilting her head to the side, the other tangled in her hair. She’s wearing it down today, a nice change from her usual ponytail, since it allows me to bury my hands in it. Her eyes widen even more and then they flutter shut as I lean in.

I’ve kissed plenty of women in the past, but I’ve never taken such care to make sure it’s good for them. I know more about Molly than most women I’ve kissed, and I want her to remember this moment. Remember me.

My lips briefly brush against hers. A test of sorts to make sure she’s with me. Her hands fly up and for a split second, I think she might push me away. Instead, she takes a fistful of my polo shirt in each hand and yanks me closer. Our mouths crash together, hard this time, a mutual desperation making the kiss clumsy and so fucking hot I can’t think straight. When my tongue flicks against her lip and she only hesitates a moment before opening for me with a whimper, I want to throw my fist in the air andgloat. I don’t, because absolutely nothing is going to break this moment for me.

The whoop of a police siren right outside the house blares.God-fucking-dammit.

We pull apart, moment broken, both of us breathing hard and staring at each other. Where am I, and what the hell just happened here? I blink several times, trying to come back to the moment even as my dick strains to free himself like that Burmese python. He thinks it’s playtime.

“The snake has been captured. Feel free to move about.” A police officer on a bullhorn going through the neighborhood should be offering relief, but I curse the bad timing.

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