Page 48 of Someone to Hold
He kisses me, slow and sweet like a promise.
And for the first time in a long time…I feel more than okay. I feel beautiful and powerful in a way I didn’t know was possible.
15
CHASE
I’ve never beenthe kind of guy to lose my head or heart over a woman, and that’s not changing any time soon. Yet after one night with Molly, I’m floating on some orgasm-induced cloud.
It’s not like I took a vow of celibacy or anything, but I outgrew wasting my time with buckle bunnies years ago. I’m choosy about the women I sleep with, especially since the accident. Recovery gave me an excuse, but the truth is, no one’s lit me up like that in a long damn time.
Everything was different with Molly. The way she let go and gave herself over to the connection between us fed something in me I didn’t know I was hungry for.
I’ve also never been much for sleepovers. But I couldn’t imagine a better way to wake up than with her warm, sweet-scented body curled into mine. When I fitted myself along her back and took her slowly from behind, it was like the rest of the world didn’t exist. Just us in our own little bubble of need and desire. And for the first time in forever, I didn’t want to be anywhere else.
She felt it, too. I know she did. We didn’t talk about what itmight mean going forward, but I saw it in her eyes before the kids got home.
Her friend Sadie dropped them off Saturday morning, along with Ian Barlowe, the football legend himself. I knew he lives in Skylark, married to Sadie, but this was the first time I shook his hand, and the guy’s got a grip like he was born to break bones.
They hung around for a bit, and Laurel must have talked up Fancy, because Sadie was eager to meet her. Apparently, she’s a sucker for anything with four legs. The whole group ended up following me to the barn, which shouldn’t have made me nervous, but it did. As if I were on display in a different way than I am on the back of a bull.
Sadie and Ian didn’t mention the circuit or ask what I’m doing next. For once, no one wanted something from me. There was no angle or pressure, just real conversation. It was refreshing as hell.
If Molly shared anything with Sadie about the deal I made with Linda, she kept it close to the vest. They talked flowers and building plans like nothing was off-kilter. And I loved that for both of us, even if I can’t wrap my head around how to make this work.
After they left, Molly, the kids, and I had the most uneventful, ordinary, and, in my opinion, amazing day. We did chores, worked in the greenhouse, made dinner, and then played rounds of Uno for hours. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to hang out together—almost like we were an actual family.
Yep, my idea of a perfect Saturday has switched from the bar scene to getting my ass kicked in cards by two first graders, like I was auditioning for Dad of the Year or something.
Yesterday, I took them over to Ray’s ranch. He and Janice are fostering a litter of shelter kittens, and I figured if I’m already playing the part, I might as well bring in the big guns. Kids and kittens? Game over.
I could tell by the looks Ray kept giving me that he’d picked upon the fact there might be something going on between Molly and me. The strangest part is that I have no desire to deny it.
Molly doesn’t exactly share that sentiment and only lets me steal a couple of quick kisses while the kids are upstairs getting ready for bed. I respect her boundaries, even though I’d rather ignore them and pull her into bed again. And again.
But for now, I’m keeping my dick in my pants and hoping—hell, maybe even praying—she decides another round or two (or twenty) is what she wants.
In the meantime, I’ve been mulling over ways to handle the situation with the land. I want to buy it, but I also want Molly to be able to keep her flower farm running. If she wants the farmhouse, I’ll build another one. No hesitation.
Sure, I keep telling myself this is all for Teddy. I’m looking out for his widow and kids because he was my best friend.
Yeah, I think we all know there’s more to it than that.
By this morning, the golden haze of the weekend with our shared chores, quiet laughter, and soft kisses has burned off like morning fog. The kids are at school, and Molly is back to treating me like the hired help. Just a guy lending a hand until her ankle heals.
“You’re welcome to drop me off at Sunnydale,” she says, like she thinks I’ve been quiet on the drive into town because I’ve got someplace I’d rather be. “I usually visit with a few residents after my weekly flower delivery. Monday mornings are sing-along time.”
I nod as I pull into the assisted living facility’s parking lot. “I know. My mom lives here.”
Molly draws in a sharp breath. “Were you going to mention that to me?”
I grip the steering wheel tighter. “I just did.”
“Alright then.” Her voice gentles, like she’s reading the tension radiating off me. “What’s her name?”
“Brittany Lynn.”
Her eyes brighten. “I’ve brought her flowers a couple of times, but we haven’t spoken much.”
