“Oh my God,” Simon said. “Your sensitivity is astounding.”
“When you’ve got it, you’ve got it.”
Kirk grinned. Until he caught Scott watching him closely.
“Don’t worry,” he said without thinking, “she’s safe with me.”
“As in you’ll let someone else move in on her?” Ryder asked.
“They wouldn’t want to try.” Goddamn, there went his mouth again, running off before he’d even thought about what he was saying.
“Heh heh.”
“One day, Ryder, you will get yours.”
“Never going to happen.”
“You poor dumb bastard,” Simon said.
Ryder glared at him. “What the hell…? Why does everyone keep saying that? Do you know something I don’t?”
“Really?” Simon looked at Scott, then Kirk. “Really?”
“Really.” Scott nodded.
The conversation somehow slid to other things, and by the time his friends left it was getting dark.
Standing on the veranda listening to the cars disappear up the road, Kirk stroked Sparkles’s tail where it hung down the front of his chest, his thoughts turning to Molly.
He wondered what she was doing, what her plans for the future were, her hopes and dreams.
His gut tightened again at the memory of the stripes on her creamy skin, the vulnerability in her eyes. He would do anything, give anything to see that vulnerability replaced with happiness.
Yeah, he’d do anything he could, but first he had to get her to trust him. And wasn’t that a kicker? Because damn it, he was a dominant man. He just had to make her see that it wasn’t always a bad thing, that he wasn’t the kind of bloke who demanded absolute obedience, that he respected a woman’s decision, saw her as his equal. But neither could he deny his protective side, the one that would ensure his woman did what he told her to keep her safe when warranted.
Yeah, he just had to convince her that he was an okay bloke she could trust.
Convince her because he wasn’t letting her go.
Molly was his and he was going to ensure that no one hurt her ever again, or they’d be answering to him. He just had to take things slow and easy, not scare her away, figure out how to do it without giving her a false impression of him.
Sparkles turned on his shoulder, tickling his neck with her whiskers.
Reaching up, he stroked her gently with a finger tip. “Going to do it the only way I know how, Sparks. Just going to be myself.”
It was all he could do. No subterfuge, no pretence. Just be himself, treat her like the special woman she was, and take it one step at a time until she realised he was the man for her, that she had nothing to fear, and she’d fall into his arms.
Good plan, but he thought it sounded a lot easier said than done.
Especially because, he had to face it, he wanted her in his protection, in his home, in his embrace, in his bed, safe and sound and all his to kiss and cuddle and make love to all night.
“Think it’s gonna take a bit of time, Sparkles,” he drawled. “But sure as God made green apples, she’s worth it.”
Chapter 6
Driving down the street, Molly pulled in front of the bank which occupied a small colonial stone building, the front shaded by the bull-nose veranda. Getting out, she walked to the ATM machine and pulled out some cash.
As she slipped it into her purse, she heard voices and looked around to see two women standing and talking to a cop who stood with his back to her. The figure was tall, broad-shouldered, and even without the gold hair glinting in the sunshine she’d have recognised Kirk immediately.
Cripes, just the sight of him had her fingers clenching a little tighter around the zip as she closed her bag. Everything about the man just screamed assurance. No wonder the women were peering up at him with open admiration, laughing at something he said, their every attention centered on him. Leaning forward, one of the women laid her hand on his arm and said something, looking a little disappointed when he shook his head.
Wondering what she’d asked him - probably to put the fire out in her slutty panties because the look in her eyes was pure heat - Molly crossed the street towards the supermarket.
Feeling someone watching her, she glanced over her shoulder, her attention caught by the Dawson brothers pulling into a space not far from her, Jason leaning out to greet her cheerfully.
Managing a polite smile and nod, she quickened her steps, going up on the footpath and starting for the supermarket door.
Unfortunately, he took that as an invitation, swinging open the car door to jump out quickly. “Molly!”
Hiding a sigh, she turned to face him. “Yes?”
“Just wanted to say I’m sorry for getting shitty with you the other day.” Smiling amicably, he moved up to stand in front of her.
“Forget it.” She moved to the side.
He moved with her. “No, really. We kind of got carried away, weren’t thinking straight.”
“Yeah.” Brand shut the door to the car, looking over the hood at her, his gaze sliding down to linger at her breasts before sliding back up to her face. There was a distinct lustful gleam in his eyes. “But you got guts, girl, attacking us like that.”
“Attack? I didn’t attack you.” She started to walk away, had her path blocked again by Jason. Her heart beat a little faster but she hid her slight unease. “Excuse me.”
“Just wait a minute, love.” Good-looking in a rough way, Jason was obviously seeking to win her approval.
Cripes, wasn’t that a laugh.
“Got something to ask,” he said.
Seeing that she wasn’t going to get anywhere without causing a scene, Molly sighed. “What?”
“How about you join us for a little drink?”
She blinked, sure she’d not heard correctly. “I beg your pardon?”
“Manners. She’s got manners.” Jason grinned. “Ain’t that cute?”
Brand moved to stand beside him, both of them looking down at her.
Uneasily, Molly stepped back.
Brand’s hand shot out to grab her arm, but when she glared at him, he withdrew it. Far from making him angry, it seemed to make him even more interested.
“Never had a woman fight me before,” he said to his brother.
“Yeah, just bet she’d be a…” Jason cleared his throat, attempted a politeness that was so fake. “So, how about it? You and us?”
That particular wording had her skin crawling. “No, thank you.”
“Look, we got off to a bad start the other day-”
Enough was enough. Molly lifted her chin. “Forget about the other day, I have. It was of no importance. Thanks for the offer of a drink, but no. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
Brand’s mouth twisted into a sneer. “Too good for us?”
Before she could retort, Brand and Jason stepped back as warmth came from behind her, a tangible presence in the air that seemed to slip around her soothingly, surrounding her in a protective aura.
“Problem?” a deep voice asked coolly.
Kirk. She’d known who it was before he even spoke, before she registered the annoyed expressions on the Dawson brothers’ faces. She’d known it was him as if she could see him. It was both a relief and a puzzle.
How could she know it was him?
“No problem,” Jason replied.
Molly shifted to the side, looking up at Kirk who was closer behind her than she’d thought.
He studied her face calmly. “Molly?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” she replied a trifle tightly.
His gaze switched to Brand.
“Just asking her for a friendly drink, Officer,” Brand said belligerently. When Kirk just looked steadily at him, he scowled, thrust his hands into his pockets. “She said no.”
Jason glanced at his brother.
Fearing that Kirk might take umbrage at Brand’s tone, Molly tensed, but when he just continued to watch the brothers without a hint
of unease, not in the least intimidated by them, she relaxed a little.
When Jason shifted suddenly, just a small step, she unconsciously took a step closer to Kirk. Realising almost immediately what she’d done, annoyance trickled through her. Damn it, she could take care of herself!
Lifting her chin, she looked coolly at the brothers. “Thanks but no thanks.” Switching her gaze to Kirk, she added, “Thanks, but I’m fine. A problem only occurs when I can’t handle idiots. That hasn’t happened yet.”
There was a flicker of something in his eyes, a slight narrowing at the corners that fanned the laughter lines outward, and no, it wasn’t a figment of her imagination, because one corner of his mouth quirked ever so slightly in amusement. “Glad to hear it.”
Before she could smile involuntarily, his gaze cut to the Dawson brothers, the amusement disappearing. It had come and gone so fast that if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would have doubted it.
Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked into the supermarket, shoving down the urge to look back once more to see if Kirk was watching her. Stupid woman, like that matters!
So caught up in her thoughts she almost bumped into Will, the grey-haired, rotund owner of the supermarket. He was standing near the window, hands on hips as he peered between the advertisements painted on the glass.
“You all right, love?”
“Fine, thank you.” She nodded.
“Was watching through the window,” he explained. “Was about to come out and rescue you from the Dawsons when I saw Kirk come up behind you.” He chuckled. “Didn’t take them long to back down.”
“I was handling it.”
“The Dawsons aren’t harmless, love. If he hadn’t turned up it might’ve got ugly.”
Moving up beside him, she grabbed a shopping trolley. “I don’t need a hero, Will.”
“Huh.” Obviously not listening, he grinned. “Those boys are getting a talking to about something and they don’t like it.”
Unable to help herself, Molly glance out the window, intending to have only a fleeting peek, but she couldn’t stop herself from lingering.
Whatever Kirk was saying wasn’t revealed on his face, but it obviously rankled the brothers. They glared at him but didn’t approach him. Smart move, because he was definitely bigger than them - taller, more muscled, and with a definite authorative presence about him that seemed to permeate the very air around him.
Molly felt a trickle of warmth go through her as he stopped talking and just looked calmly down at Jason and Brand. He didn’t yell, didn’t threaten, didn’t posture….didn’t have to, because the quiet intensity that was so much a part of him brought the Dawson brothers to heel.
They might not have liked it, hated it in fact, as was easy to read from their surly expressions, but they buckled under it. Brand nodded, his mouth still twisted in a sneer, while Jason stuck his hands back in his pockets. They both turned and walked back to their car, getting in and slamming the doors before reversing and pulling back out onto the road.
Kirk didn’t even wait to watch them go, just turned his head to meet her eyes directly - oh God, he knew I was watching! - winked suddenly and walked away, leaving her standing there with her mouth agape.
“That boy is something.” Smiling, Will moved away from the window and back behind the checkout.
He’s something all right. That wink had left her with butterflies in her stomach. One bloody wink and her stomach had dipped and fluttered. Stupid bodily reactions.
Straightening her shoulders, Molly took a deep breath to help regain some commonsense, tightened her hands on the trolley handle and started shopping. She’d barely started when she spotted two of the three women who had been openly and shamelessly flirting with Kirk.
The women looked at her, whispering between them.
Molly raised one eyebrow at them. They blushed guiltily and looked away. It gave her immense satisfaction to remember how Kirk had refused whatever they were offering, and she couldn’t stop a grin. He obviously has better taste in women than you two hope.
Feeling immensely better, she walked past the two women who were now trying to pretend they hadn’t seen her at all, which amused her.
Life was just full of little surprises.
The rest of the morning went without any further incidents, and she joined Del, Dee and Ash for lunch in the little backroom of Dee’s newsagency.
“Did you see Yvonne and Charlotte practically pawing at Kirk this morning?” Del peeled the plastic wrap from around her sandwich.
“I saw her practically shove her boobs in his face,” Dee replied. “Not to mention the fact that her shorts were so short that the flaps of her twat were hanging out each side of the crutch.”
Molly nearly choked on her salad.
Ash did choke, coughing and spluttering, eyes streaming.
Dee handed her a napkin without missing a beat. “One day poor old Kirk is going to find himself abducted by lust-maddened women intent on doing the nasty with him.”
Molly was watching Ash in concern. “You all right?”
“Fine,” Ash gasped. “You’d think I’d know by now, but I never learn.”
“Learn what?”
“To inhale with a mouthful of food when Del and Dee are talking.”
“I object,” Del said. “What we say is interesting factual stuff. Right, Dee?”
“Hell no,” Dee replied. “It’s gossip and innuendo. But it is damn interesting.”
Del grinned.
Ash picked up her can of Diet Coke. “I did hear, though, that the Dawson brothers were asking you out on a date with them.”
Dee’s head snapped up. “What?”
Molly grimaced. “Actually, it’s true. How disgusting is that?”
“That’s disgusting, all right,” Del agreed.
“How the hell did that happen?” Dee queried.
“They pulled up in their car, Jason apologised-”
“Had to,” Dee interrupted, “or Kirk would have rearranged his face.”
“I doubt it.”
“You don’t know him like we do.”
“Whatever.” Molly shrugged, not about to even contemplate that little titbit. “Then Jason asked me out and Brand joined him.”
Ash shuddered visibly.
“Want to know what’s worse?” Del added another shudder. “Being sandwiched between those two. I mean - really?”
“Lucky for you my appetite can take anything,” Dee said. “Otherwise I’d be spewing my lunch everywhere.”
“Yeah, but Dee, imagine it!”
“Thanks, but I’d rather not.”
Molly drank some Diet Coke before forking up more lettuce and ham. “Thought it was going to get ugly, actually. I told them ‘no’ several times and then Brand got that sneer thing going - you know the one.” She demonstrated.
Dee burst out laughing.
Del pointed the fork at Molly. “That’s so similar it’s scary.”
“Those two arseholes were the same every time I came here for holidays.” Molly grinned. “Jerks as kids, bigger jerks as bigger kids.”
“I hear that Kirk came to your rescue,” Ash stated.
“I don’t need rescuing.”
“Whatever.” Ash mimicked Molly’s earlier shrug. “He came and the Dawson dills backed down.”
“How romantic.” Del slid a sly glance at Molly from under her eyelashes.
“Nothing romantic about it,” Molly instantly denied. “He’s a cop doing his job. Saw me being harassed by those two nongs and came over to investigate.”
“I also heard they took off with their tails between their legs.” Ash took a bite of salad.
“You hear a lot, don’t you?” Molly looked her up and down. “You hear too much. Who fills your head with all this crap?”
“You mean the fact that the handsome town cop came running to your rescue, being all protective and stuff?”
“Good grief. Yes.”
“Half t
he town saw it. Will told Cheryl from the café, who told Ernie her husband, who came to pick up his car from Ben and told me.”
Geez. Small towns. Molly rolled her eyes.
“I especially like the fact that Yvonne was trying to get Kirk on a date and he refused.” Dee smirked.
“A date?” Molly asked. “Kirk with her?”
“I know. Doesn’t that make your gag reflex kick in?”
“Kirk didn’t tell you that.” Del looked at Dee. “Who told you?”
“They were right outside the bookshop. Jill heard everything.”
“And she told you first?”
“Yep.”
“That bitch. Last time I give her a cut on her dresses.”
“Don’t be mean. She told you the gossip first the last time.”
“What, she’s taking it in turns?”
“I think so. Haven’t you noticed a pattern?”
“Now that you mention it…”
Ash closed the lid on her empty salad container. “Scott’s coming over later to help you shift that sideboard, Molly.”
“I can manage it,” she replied instantly.
“Don’t be a nut. You’ll bust a gut doing it by yourself. That piece is huge and heavy.”
“I don’t want to come upon him every time.” Molly swirled the Diet Coke in the can, listening to it bubble and fizz. “I’m supposed to be doing the job of cleaning, not him.”
“He’s shifting it, sweetie, he’s not mopping the floor.” Ash smiled. “Besides, you know what he’s like. No woman lifts heavy stuff, carts heavy stuff, or even thinks to tackle heavy stuff herself. Not when he’s around.”
“Makes four of them, then.” Dee crumpled up the lunch wrapper that had contained her sandwich. “When I tried to shift some furniture in my house so I could paint, it was like the news went by a psychic connection right to their collective ears. Simon turned up first, closely followed by Ryder, and next thing you know Kirk and Scott were there and everything was shifted out of the room. Took ten minutes. I was under strict instructions to call them when it was all painted so some of them could return and shift it all back. I had to paint the whole house like that, calling them in for the heavy furniture.”
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