Page 26 of Molly

I sigh and decide to let go of my fears for now.

I press my lips to his, and I melt. It’s the most beautiful kiss I’ve ever experienced. One of his hands comes up and cradles the back of my head gently. His thumb rubs the nape of my neck, and my body responds to his as if he owns it, lighting up completely. I moan into his mouth, and he swallows it. His other hand brushes up my thigh, gripping when he gets to my hip. He pulls back just enough to take my bottom lip between his teeth. He bites down gently, and I moan, pushing against his lips with mine. My hands roam over his hard stomach before finding the bottom of his t-shirt and tugging it up. As I lift the hem above his abs, he puts his hand over mine and stops me. “Mol, we need to stop, baby,” he says with a groan.

I shake my head slightly, my eyes still closed. I lean back in and kiss him again, tugging on the t-shirt he’s now holding down firmly. He chuckles into my mouth, but after a few seconds, he pulls my mouth away from his, cradling my face between his enormous hands. “Baby, when we take this further, I want you to stay here, in my bed, with me. Emma’s waiting for you at home tonight, and I know you won’t focus when you have that on your mind.” He quickly kisses me before continuing. “We’ve got time. I did this because I want to show you that you’re special. This is special to me.”

I feel a grin spread across my face. How is this the same man who jumped from bed to bed without even knowing the name of who he was screwing?

I like this version of him.Myversion of him.

I lean in and rub my nose against his, making him smile. “You’re a bit mushy, Ryan Anderson,” I whisper.

“Only for you, Molly Jackson.”

12

RYAN

“Alright, mate, you're all done,” I say to Matt as I finish wrapping him up.

Matt's been a client of mine for years. He made the trip down to Adelaide so that I could finish off his leg. He originally got an elephant on his thigh a year back, came in and wanted to add a giraffe, then a lion, and a cheetah. Today we finished off a giant python that wraps around his calf. It looks good to me, but give him a couple months, and he'll be back wanting something else. That's cool though, he's a good client. He can sit for hours without a break, and he doesn't bitch at me when it hurts.

He stands up from the tattoo chair and walks over to the full-length mirror to take a look. “Man, you're fucking incredible, you know that?”

“Appreciate that,” I reply, patting him on the back.

We walk out to the front to find Jess leaning over the counter, talking to a very grumpy looking Beckett. He shoots me a glare, ignores Jess, and keeps typing on the computer.

Matt leans in and whispers, “Fuck, who's that. She your girl? The one you were talking about?”

I shake my head. “Nah, man. She's all yours,” I reply, laughing under my breath. Jess could honestly use a boyfriend or even just a hook-up. She's turning into a stage-five clinger.

As soon as she sees me, her face breaks out in a massive smile. “Ry! I thought I'd stop by, take you to lunch.”

I walk Matt further into the front room and turn to her. “Sorry, love. I've got another client in twenty minutes, no time.”

Her shoulders slump, and she pouts like a child. “You're no fun.”

“Should have messaged me, would have saved you a trip.” I wink.

Matt clears his throat, and I jump to introduce them. “Shit, sorry. Matt, Jess. Jess, Matt.”

He extends his hand out to shake hers, and she switches to flirting mode. They stand there, going back and forth for a bit until the front door opens, and my girl walks in.

“Hey, baby. I wasn’t expecting you. Here, let me take those.” I rush forward, grab the containers of food she’s trying to balance on her hip, and give her a quick kiss.

She smiles up at me. “Thank you. I thought I’d just stop by and bring you guys some lunch.”

“He said he doesn’t have time for lunch today,” Jess snaps from behind me.

Molly’s eyes go wide. “Oh shit, sorry. I should have called.”

Her cheeks flush, and I reach down with my free hand to tilt her head back. “You don’t need to call, Molly. You can stop by whenever you like.”

“Typical,” Jess scoffs. I turn around and narrow my eyes at her. I'm over this'poor me, I need attention'attitude she’s got going on at the moment. She was never like this in Melbourne.

“Hi, Jess. Hi Beckett,” Molly says sweetly from beside me, instantly calming me.

Beck grins. “Hey Mol, how’s your day going so far? You bring me some chocolate cake?”

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