Page 102 of Dirty Rock

I shook my head, silently pleading with her to let it go as I dropped my hand and let it slap down against my thigh.

“Okay,” she said quietly, leaning in even closer with a victory grin on her face. “Let me say what you can’t. You’d be interested in me, but all you see is the woman who just looked at you like you’d stamped on her heart and tossed it to the wolves. You’d also usually be interested in Elle behind the bar, but you can’t for the life of you figure out why every time you’re in front of an attractive lady, all you can think about is that goddamn pretty publicist you should probably stay away from. You’d be interested in putting Elle and me together and seeing what fun the three of us could have before the sun comes up, but all you can think about is dragging your little short-haired beauty to the back room, locking the door, and forcing her to admit that she loves you.”

“You think she loves me?”

Molly leaned back, chuckling to herself. “I just mentioned a threesome with two women, and the one thing you picked up on was that.”

“Do you?”

“How the hell do I know? Grow some balls and go and ask her if you’re that interested.”

I growled and pushed myself off the bar to press the heels of both my palms into the sockets of my eyes. “This is such a mindfuck.”

“Poor, sweet, Rhett.”

Dropping my hands, I let out a breath and stared at Molly. I was officially helpless. “What do I do?”

She pressed her lips together, pushed them out, and shrugged.

“That’s it? That’s all you’ve got? A shrug?”

“I’m here to taunt you. Not point out the obvious.”

“Nothing is fucking obvious.”

“If you want the girl, go and get her. It’s that simple. Stop making it complicated.”

“But—”

“Either get over there, claim her as your own, or...”

“Or what?” I scowled.

“I’ll have to kiss you, Rhett.”

“Kiss me?”

“Yeah. That way I guess we’llreallyknow what she thinks.” Molly jumped off her stool, landing perfectly on ridiculously high heels without a single stumble or falter. Before I could move, she’d stepped in closer, pressed one hand to my chest, while her other slid around my neck.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“Getting you the girl.” She reached up on tiptoes and released an almighty laugh, tipping her head back with enthusiasm before she shouted out, “Rhett Ryan! How can one man be so insanely hotandso damn charming?” Then she flipped her head forward, and she rose up to try and kiss me.

Her lips were an inch away from mine when I reacted, reaching up for her wrist instantly and holding it tightly. I leaned back, pulling myself away—the frown on my face almost painful.

“Molly, what the fuck?”

She paused, and Molly held my gaze with a giant grin on her face. Her mouth moved, no sound coming out, but I saw what she was saying.

Look at her now.

I glanced at Julia without thought, seeing her staring right at Molly and me.

Those sad eyes again.

Those parted lips.

Her chest and shoulders high as she held her breath.

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