Page 47 of Homecoming Heartbreaker

They could drink wine, take some time...

But hell, it was the end of the month and they’d taken most of yesterday off. Mack not only needed time to do whatever month’s-end duties he had for his own company, but he had payroll checks to sign for Moonlight Ridge, supplier payments to authorize and, as he’d mentioned, a series of online meetings scheduled.

And she had her own work to do...lots of it.

Being responsible was such a pain in the ass.

Molly stood in the doorway of the door that connected their offices and took a moment to study Mack, whose attention was on his monitor, fingers flying across his keyboard. A pair of black-rimmed reading glasses sat on his nose and he looked like a sexy scientist or a hot accountant.

And Molly fell in love, once again. At the rate she was going, by the time Mack left—and he would leave—he was going to, yet again, own all her heart. If he didn’t already...

Molly walked over to his desk, surprised that he’d yet to hear or sense her. He was in the zone, she realized, concentrating so deeply that he’d shut out the world.

Amused, Molly tiptoed into the space next to his chair, bent down and ran her hand down his chest.

Mack’s head jerked back, missed her nose and caught her cheek in a glancing blow. Molly released a quick hiss of pain, more surprised than hurt.

Molly held her cheek, breathing deeply. Mack stood up and gently peeled her fingers away from her face. “Mol, are you okay? Jesus, I didn’t know you were there. What the hell were you thinking sneaking up on me?”

Molly winced as his fingers prodded the area on her cheekbone his hard head connected with. “Ow, dammit.”

“I don’t think it will bruise but maybe we should get you some ice,” Mack said, his expression grim.

The pain was already fading and Molly waved his suggestion away. “I’m fine. It’s not that bad.”

Mack raised one eyebrow. “Are you sure?” he asked, his lips gently touching her cheek as if to kiss it better.

“Very.” Molly turned her head to drag her lips against his. “Let’s try this again... Morning, Mack.”

Mack smiled, his dark eyes tender. “Morning, Curls. Did you enjoy your late start?”

“So much. Thanks for letting me sleep,” Molly replied. She lifted her hand to touch his jaw, saw his concern and smiled. “I’m fine, Mack, really. And you’re right. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you.”

Mack placed his hands on either side of the desk and kissed the side of her mouth, gently moving his lips across hers in a kiss that was sexy as it was sweet. It was an “I missed you” kiss, a “hi, there” smooch.

Completely perfect.

When Mack pulled back, Molly remembered his earlier jumpiness. “What on earth are you working on that held your complete attention? I could’ve set off a bomb in here and you wouldn’t have heard a damn thing.”

Mack took a step back, then another and, before her eyes, he morphed back into being the supersuccessful businessman, the tough-as-nails negotiator. As his eyes darkened, her heart sank.

“There’s a problem, Molly.” He nodded to one of the visitors’ chairs. “Take a seat.”

Molly stiffened at his suddenly cold tone, his bleak eyes. Her cheek forgotten, she walked around the desk and perched on the edge of the seat, pressing her knees together. She knew, from a place deep inside her, that whatever came out of Mack’s mouth next would crack their shaky foundation.

“You’re starting to scare me, Mack,” Molly said when he didn’t speak. “Is it Jameson? Has he taken a turn for the worse?”

“No.” Mack turned his computer and tapped his keyboard before placing his hands flat on the desk, his expression intense. “As you know, I’ve been trying to make sense of Moonlight Ridge’s accounting system—”

Molly grimaced. “The books are in such a mess, I know. I’ve been pushing Jameson to hire an outside accounting firm but I haven’t gotten anywhere. Maybe you can talk him into doing that or, since you have power of attorney, you could just get it done.”

Mack stood up and folded his arms across his chest. “Grey has been tasked with hiring an accountant.”

“That’s a great idea,” Molly replied. When Mack’s hard expression didn’t change, she frowned. “Why do I think there’s still something you aren’t telling me?”

Mack hauled in a deep breath. “Grey is hiring a forensic accountant, Molly, because a considerable amount of money has been siphoned from the company.”

Molly felt the room spin and Mack’s tall figure faded in and out. This could not be happening to her, not now. Any minute now Mack would tell her he was joking and, after he did, she would, without a doubt, punch him.

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