by Claire Adams
My cock hardened just thinking about her. She had a serious pull over me. “Get over your fucking self and call her. Stop thinking about the company and think about yourself for once. Shit.”
My phone rang, causing me to jump as I was mid-rant on myself. It was a strange life, being alone all the time, but I’d grown accustomed to it. Or had…
I picked up the phone to see it was Logan. He was the only person I didn’t mind talking to. “Hey, mate.”
“Alfie. Good to hear your voice, man.” He sounded far too chipper for the time of morning it was back in New York.
“I was just there a week ago. You’re getting sweet on me. I can tell.” I smiled before lifting my mug to my lips to finish off my cooling coffee.
“You wish, old friend.” He chuckled. “I was calling because I had an interesting encounter yesterday.”
“That so?” I leaned back in my chair. “Did you run into that old broad who nipped the tip of your dick back in University?”
He groaned. “You wait to bring that up every time, don’t you?”
“If I’m being completely honest, then yes. Of course, I do.” My smile had widened. The humorous memory had me wanting to laugh out loud, but the event had been a bit traumatic for Logan. He still had issues letting a woman suck him off. Not that I blamed him.
“Anyway. I shared a cab with a beautiful woman yesterday.” I could hear the smile on his face.
“Oh, yeah? Did you get her number?” I stood and started to gather my breakfast dishes.
“No, but I figured you might have it.” He paused briefly. “It was Molly. She’s much more beautiful in person for sure.”
I stopped in my tracks as my shoulders stiffened. “My Molly?”
“Yours? Is she still yours?” He was teasing me. Fuck me for not telling him that things had fallen apart between us.
“No. I suppose not.” I continued my trek to the kitchen. Maybe a pint down at Albert’s Pub would do me some good. At least it would take the edge off. “I didn’t call her after leaving New York. We got in a fight about the marketing strategy, and I felt like maybe it was a good time to part ways.”
“And how are you feeling now? Still happy with your decision to let a beautiful woman like her go?”
My mood soured. “No, Logan, but you know my life isn’t really conducive to having a woman in it. I run a huge company, and a lot of people rely on me.”
“Yeah, but what about you? You’re just going to hole up and never live at all? That seems like shit to me.”
“I understand your concern, and honestly, it touches me that you care, but I’m not sure what to do about it.” I shrugged, quite set in my reasoning for why I wasn’t pursuing a life with Molly. “Besides, she would end up raising our children mostly by herself and eventually falling for another man while we were still married. It just isn’t right.”
“She’s not your mother, Alfie. She’s not going to follow that same path.”
“You don’t know that,” I barked into the phone and immediately regretted it. Lashing out at Logan wasn’t going to help anyone.
“And you don’t know that either.” He put me back in my place. “You’re missing out on the greatest adventure any of us will get this side of heaven, man. Love is painful and scary as fuck, but it’s worth it.”
“Says the single guy with no worries.” I walked toward the foyer to take the stairs to my room. A pint was definitely in order.
“I don’t want to be single. I just pretend like I do. It sucks ass to be lonely every night.”
I nodded. I agreed completely. The little bit of time I had Molly in the house completely changed my view on being a bachelor forever, but the events in New York set me back a few steps. I was terrified of loving and losing, but here I was…doing it by choice now.
“I’m sorry for being a dick.” I climbed the stairs. “I miss her like crazy, and yet, I don’t know if calling her after ignoring her for a week would work.”
“What do you have to lose, old friend?”
It was a good question. “Her?”
“You’ve already done that, Alfie. Fix it. She wants you too…I promise.”
“You sure about that?” I stopped just inside my bedroom and let my eyes run across my crumpled sheets. There wasn’t much I wouldn’t have given to see her in the bed, stretched out, naked and horny for me.
“She was weepy and broken yesterday. She loves you, man. Go after her. Seriously.”
“All right. I’ll think about it. I’ll call you later, mate.” I dropped the call and tossed the phone onto the bed before face planting beside it.
He was right. I missed her so much my insides hurt, and the world seemed awfully dark. Even if we did get together and she ended up leaving for another man, I could deal with that shit then. And maybe… Maybe if I were really lucky, she’d stay, and we could be together, happy and raising a few beautiful kids.
It felt like a pipe dream, but maybe Logan was right.
Maybe it was worth the risk to see if it would work out.
*
“Alfie. Good to see you, young man.” Albert gave me a warm smile as I walked into the pub a few hours later. “You want something to eat?”
“I’d love some of your fish and chips.”
“And a pint of lager?” he patted me on the back and walked with me to my usual seat.
“That would be brilliant.” I dropped down and let out a long sigh. “You doing okay?”
“Oh, yeah. My wife loves your new phone.” He shook his head. “I can’t figure out how to work the damn thing, but she believes you to be a very gifted young man.”
I smiled. “Bring it to me, and I’ll show you everything you need to know.”
“I’ll do that.” He nodded and turned, walking toward the back.
Much to my surprise, the voice that called my name didn’t send a shiver of anger down my spine. Harry.
“Alfie. Hey, mate. Mind if I sit?” He stood beside the open seat across from me. “Please? I have some apologizing to do.”
I nodded, not quite sure what to think.
He dropped down and let out a long sigh, holding my gaze, which was brave of him. “I’m sorry, mate. I shouldn’t have been such a dick to come out to your place and act like I did.”
“I understand why you came.” I reached for my beer as Albert approached. He gave me a weary look and glanced down at Harry.
“Pint for you, lad?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll take whatever Alfie is having, and bring the bill to me, please.” He turned back to me. “The moment I met Molly back in the States, I knew she would be perfect for you.”
“What?” I snorted as I lifted my glass to my lips. “Perfect for me?”
“Yeah.” He leaned back and gave me a sheepish look. “I shouldn’t have proposed or taken advantage of her. She’s far too good of a woman for me.” He shrugged. “But I knew she would make a great wife and a fantastic business partner.”
“Why would you marry for practicality?” I leaned toward him as my brow drew tight. I couldn’t fathom marrying for anything but love. It was too fucking hard. You had to have the right kind of binding between you when things got tough because they would. I’d seen it with my parents and all their friends, as well as the people in my small beloved town. Love was the only reason to marry.
“Because I’m an idiot.” Harry reached up and took the beer from Albert, thanking him. “Molly had fallen for me, maybe not fully, but enough for me to know that we were compatible.”
“Then why did you cheat on her?” My voice grew tight as the room darkened a little. I wanted to reach out and beat his ass all over again for hurting her.
“Because I wasn’t in love.” He glanced down at his pint and back up to me. “I’ll make my peace with her over all of it because she’s worth the humility, but I’m telling you now that I’m sorry. I was a dick to both of you, and I shouldn’t have been.”
“What happened to you, mate?” I pulled my napkin i
nto my lap as Albert brought out my fish and chips. Harry stole a fry, and I started to reprimand him, but I couldn’t.
We’d been friends for years, and if I were really being honest with myself, I missed him. The old him. There had been many days where he’d carried my wayward ass out of a bar or helped me fight off some lass’s boyfriend because I’d dry-humped her on the dance floor.
“No clue.” He shrugged and smiled. “I was just thinking the other day that it’s almost like we traded places. You became responsible and caring, and I turned into a drunken asshole who would do anything for a laugh or rise outta someone.”
“Yeah.” I dropped my hands into my lap. “You took care of me a lot back in Uni. I never thanked you for that.”
“No need. I should thank you for taking care of Molly. She deserves so much better than me.”
“And me,” I added and reached for my beer. “Are you going to call and apologize to her?”
“Absolutely, but I thought I would start with you, seeing that you’re here.” He extended his hand toward me. “Please. Forgive me. I’m going to return to being the man my folks raised me to be. Let that begin today.”
I shook his hand without hesitation. Everyone fucked up and deserved a second chance.
I could only pray that Molly felt the same. I’d be taking a page from Harry’s book and calling her the minute I got home. I couldn’t live without knowing that I’d tried to reconcile things between us.
Harry was right about one thing: she was the woman for me. Of that, I had no doubt.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Molly
“Here, miss?” The cabbie turned and gave me a warm smile as he pulled up to Alfie’s estate in Devon.
“Yes. Perfect.” I got out of the car and walked to the truck, praying like hell that he would let me stay with him. He might not want to push things any further forward with us, but I had to give it a shot. I was in love with him, and my heart wouldn’t heal without me knowing for sure that it was over.
Over before it really began.
“Let me help you with that, lass.” The cabbie got out and helped me lug my suitcase up to Alfie’s front door.
“Thanks so much.” I tipped him and turned to knock on the door. Nothing.
“You need me to stay, just in case?”
“No, but thank you.” I turned back toward the door and knocked again. It was Saturday, which meant most people in Devon were relaxing and enjoying the weekend, but Alfie was different.
I’d give him an hour and then call his number to see where he was.
“Molly?” His voice surprised me a little.
I turned around, and my heart almost stopped in my chest. His rock band t-shirt and jeans didn’t fit his style at all, but had my knees weak nevertheless. God, he was so handsome.
Without saying a word, I moved toward him and wrapped my arms around his neck. I pressed myself against his chest and lifted to my toes, kissing him with all of the fucked-up emotions that beat through me.
He groaned softly and wrapped his arms around me, tilting his head and forcing his tongue deep into my mouth.
We stayed locked together on his front doorstep for a few more seconds, taking turns to make love to each other’s mouths.
“God, I missed you, lass.” He cupped the back of my hair and kissed me a few more times. “Please forgive me. I’d never take credit from—”
“No. I just misunderstood.” I kissed him again. “I’m sorry.”
He pulled back and studied my face before glancing just behind me. “You brought a suitcase. Tell me you’re staying for a while.”
“As long as you’ll let me?” I lifted my eyebrow and moved back toward the house. “And I’d really like a better welcome than just a kiss.”
“Oh yeah?” His lip turned up into a sexy smirk. “Make-up time?”
“Mmhmmm.” My butt bumped against the door, and I let out a soft yelp as he moved toward me and pressed himself against me. “Open the door. The neighbors will talk.”
“Let them talk.” He nipped at my ear before leaning over and opening the door.
I ran my hands down my sides and pulled him in for another long kiss as the door opened behind us.
He broke our embrace and pulled my luggage into the foyer. “You seriously flew all the way out here to see me?”
“Yes.” I reached for him as he slammed the door closed. “I met with Logan yesterday. It was a fluke, but I knew I needed to come see you.”
“I’m so glad we didn’t miss each other.” He reached for me, pulling me close, and cupped my ass tightly. “I was going to find a flight tonight to come back to you.”
I moved in for a long string of kisses. “Well, I beat you to it.”
“Such a marketing strategy.” He curled his fingers, pulling at the skirt of my sundress until it rested above my ass. He ran his hands over my cheeks, his fingers just under the lacy material of my panties. “I want you so fucking bad.”
“Have me.” I licked at his mouth. “Don’t make me wait.”
He smiled wickedly. “There’s something very sexy about making you wait.”
I tried to pull back, but his hold was too tight. “Then I’ll just make you wait too.”
“Nope. Good try though.” He released me and gripped my hand, pulling me up the stairs with him. “I was just thinking about how much I love the scent of your skin this morning.”
“Keep going,” I mumbled as we raced up the stairs.
“How nice it would be to walk into my bedroom and find you naked and wet for me.”
“That’s quite doable.” I walked into his bedroom and pulled my dress over my head as he turned to face me.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” He moved in and ran his hands over my hips, playing with the edge of my panties as he leaned down and licked my breasts along the lining of my bra. “I don’t know what I was thinking trying to save you from me.”
“Please don’t ever do that again.” I reached out and undid his jeans before tugging at his shirt. He moved back long enough to fully undress, leaving himself fully naked for me to covet. “I honestly thought we were through. I’ve cried more over you than any other man in my life. Why?”
“Because we were meant for each other, Mol.” He reached around me and undid my bra before sliding my panties down my legs. He hit his knees and leaned in, rolling his tongue up my slit before reaching up and parting my lips. “Fuck, I love how you smell, lass. The way you taste.”
I pressed my back against the wall behind me and lifted one leg, hooking my knee over his shoulder, and he leaned in and sucked my clit into the warmth of his mouth. His tongue beat over the tight bud of nerves, and I squirmed and slid my fingers into his hair.
The sound of his groans and enjoyment against my swollen skin mixed with the high emotion of knowing that we were going to try to make things work had me panting. He pressed two thick fingers into my heat and pumped them into me as my stomach tightened.
“Alfie. I’m going to come.” I arched my back and moaned as my release hit, the force of it buckling me.
“Mmmhmmm. That’s it, Molly. Give it to me.” He fucked me harder, opening me up as I rocked against him and prolonged the pleasure he offered.
“Enough,” I whimpered and pushed at his shoulder.
He stood, his lips wet and his eyes wide, cock thick and weeping. “Your turn, love.”
I smiled as I sunk to the floor and leaned toward him. “You’re so bossy.”
“No. I just want what I want, and I’m a damn fool for almost letting it go.” He slid his hand into my hair and gripped it as he took his cock and fed it to me, one inch at a time. The powerful hold he had on me combined with the salty taste of his dick as he pressed against the back of my throat was almost too much.
I reached up and played with his balls as he closed his eyes and moaned with each stroke. He pulled out a few minutes later and released me as he turned and walked toward the bed.
“Fuck. You’re goi
ng to be the death of me.” He turned and motioned for me to join him. “On the bed. Now.”
I got up and walked toward the bed as anticipation built in my stomach. There was nothing like the feel of him fucking me slow and deep or hard and fast. I would take him any way he came.
“Where do you want me?” I moved up on the bed on my hands and knees.
He caressed my ass and gave me a look of confusion. “I want you everywhere. In every position, but more than anything else…I want you. Hear me, Molly. This sex is just an overflow of how I feel about you, love.”
Tears burned my gaze, but I forced them back. “I want to see you while you make love to me.”
“Good choice.” He pushed softly at my hip, causing me to roll onto my back. He climbed up on the bed and gripped his cock, leading it down into my waiting wetness. “I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea what you do to me.”
“Then show me,” I whispered and wrapped my legs around his narrow hips.
He chuckled darkly and pressed forward, sliding in deep in his first good thrust. We both moaned loudly together. He reached down and took my leg in his hand, gripping me behind the knee. He lifted my leg a little, allowing him to press in a little farther.
I arched my back and pulled at his cock with my tight channel.
He groaned and lifted up, pumping his hips as I glanced down to watch where our bodies met. The erotic scene had my body purring with another release.
“You’re close,” he mumbled as he glanced up and locked gazes with me. “Come for me. Let me hear you cry out my name.”
I nodded, more than willing to do anything he wanted me to do. I lifted my hips and met him stroke for stroke as my orgasm him. I screamed his name, thrashing beneath him as he rammed into my pussy hard and fast. It was almost too much as pleasure pulled me under thick wave after wave.
“You’re so beautiful, love.” He pressed his chest to mine and reached up to brush my hair from my face. “Stay here with me, Molly. Come work at the company with me, and let’s give us a fair chance.”