Page 81 of Molly

“Oh, um, yeah.”

I nod and pick up the EFTPOS machine.

He’s acting odd...

“So, Molly, any chance you’re free Friday night?”

I freeze, staring at the numbers I’ve just punched into the machine.

Shit. How do I word this nicely?

“Oh, I, um…”

“No, she’s not.”

My shoulders tense, and I feel the heat from Ryan’s chest press against my back. I didn’t even see him come around the counter. He’s been here for about thirty minutes with Beckett, having lunch. I should have known he’d spot someone hitting on me a mile away. I feel his hand creep around my body and land on my hip.

Ugh, poor Rob. He’ll never come back.

“She’ll be with me Friday night. And every night. So beat it,” Ryan adds, making my cheeks flush with both embarrassment and anger. It takes a lot of guts to ask someone out, and Ryan’s making this whole situation a lot more embarrassing than it needs to be.

Rob’s eyes widen and slowly move down to Ryan’s hand. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know you were dating anyone, Molly…”

“Well, now you do,” Ryan snaps.

Rob ducks his head, taps his card, and grabs his coffee before practically sprinting out of the cafe.

“Seriously? He’s a nice guy. He’s been coming here for years,” I hiss. He smiles, and I want to punch him in the dick. “This isn’t funny, Ryan! You can’t treat my customers like that.”

He leans down, his eyes blazing. “You’re mine.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, yes, I’m yours. That doesn’t mean you can act like a fucking caveman.”

He scoffs. “I beg to differ.” A smirk spreads across his face. “Do you want me to show you just how caveman I can be, Molly?”

I feel my pussy clench from his tone.

I’m not going to win this argument.

“Mmm, you like that idea, baby?”

I shake my head, but my breath quickens as he takes a step towards me and my back hits the counter.

“I think you do. I think you love the idea of me showing you exactly who owns you.” His breath hits my face, sending a cold shiver through my body. “Ryan, there’s people…”

He leans in, places a kiss on the corner of my mouth and whispers, “Let them watch.”

I clear my throat and look around. Penny is standing by the staff room entrance, leaning against the door frame, chuckling to herself. I look back up at Ryan and place my hands on his chest. “Honey…”

“Fine, but tonight… You’re mine.” His eyes gleam with mischief. He winks at me and then walks around the counter, back to his table. I release the breath I was holding and watch his ass move as he goes.

“You and Ryan seem good,” Penny says, standing next to me, leaning on the counter.

“Yeah,” I reply, looking over at him as he sits down across from Beckett. “We kind of just snapped back into place, you know? It’s as if nothing ever happened…”

“And you’re okay with that?” she asks.

I nod. “Yeah. It feels right. We feel right. I’m taking a leap of faith here, but I’m not scared anymore.”

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