by Laura Iding
She was touched by his concern on her behalf. “She doesn’t mean to hurt me, it’s really my problem. I’ve never felt as if I was part of the family.”
He glanced at her. “I’m sure they adopted you for a reason, Molly.”
“Yes, but shortly after they brought me home they found out they were pregnant with Sally, and from then on things changed.” She lifted a shoulder in a careless shrug. “She became the center of their world, and I was more of an afterthought. Still, I know I should be grateful for what I have. I could have easily been sent from one foster home to another.”
He was quiet for a long moment. “I’m sorry that you had that experience, Molly. But living with a blood relative, a mother who gave birth to you, doesn’t automatically bring unconditional love,” he said. “Unfortunately, some people just aren’t capable of feeling that deeply about anyone else.”
His words stopped her cold, and she had the distinct impression he was talking from personal experience. About his own mother? Or just his ex who had married him and given birth to Josh yet hadn’t loved either one of them enough to stay?
“I feel sorry for those people, Dan. They’ll never know what they’ve missed.” She reached over and took his hand, vowing to prove to him that his ex had been stupid and wrong.
He and Josh were both special and very much deserved to be loved and cared for.
CHAPTER TEN
DAN WAS TOUCHED WHEN Molly reached for his hand, and he mentally cursed himself for allowing talk of their respective pasts to dampen the mood. He wanted tonight to be special. No sadness or regret allowed.
He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Hey, will you please do me a favor?” She glanced at him in surprise, nodding automatically. “Smile, Molly. I want tonight to be about us, two people having a nice time together. I want you to have fun tonight.”
She smiled and just like that the shadow that hovered over his soul was gone. “All right. So tell me, where is this place you’re taking me?”
“Valencia’s.” He grinned. “It’s one of the best-kept secrets. They have great seafood and they’re located in the West Village.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“Have you ever eaten there before?” He didn’t want to assume she hadn’t. For all he knew, that guy she’d been seeing had taken her there. The thought made him scowl.
“No, although I’ve heard wonderful things about it.”
Selfishly, he was glad she hadn’t been there before. He parked his car at a very expensive structure and they walked the rest of the way.
“Oh, my gosh, this is a cobblestone street!” Molly said with a gasp of surprise.
“Yeah, this is a colonial building that was once used as a carriage house.” He put his hand in the small of her back as she walked into the restaurant.
“Wow, fancy,” she whispered, as they waited to be greeted by the maître d’.
“We have an eight-o’clock reservation,” he said. “Dan Morris.”
“Of course, Dr. Morris. Right this way, sir. You requested a table by the fireplace, correct?”
“Yes. Thank you.” He smiled when Molly took the seat closest to the fire. “Would you like wine?” he asked. “Or maybe you’d prefer champagne?”
Molly blushed, or maybe it was the heat from the fire. “Wine would be great. I think I should stay away from champagne for a while.”
“Do you have a wine preference?” he asked, studying the wine list.
“Anything you choose is fine with me.”
He ordered a French red wine and watched Molly peruse the menu. Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she glanced over the options.
“The prices are outrageous,” she whispered in horror.
“Molly, relax. Splurge a little.” He hadn’t brought her here to intimidate her—he wanted her to enjoy herself. “What would you have if money was no object?”
She worried her lower lip between her teeth, making him want to kiss her. “I have a secret love of lobster,” she confessed. “And I also love a good steak.”
“Then have both,” he urged. “I promise you’ll love it.”
They placed their order and he noticed Molly relax as she sipped her wine. “This is very nice, Dan. Thanks for bringing me.”
“You’re more than welcome. Besides, you deserve special treatment. Do you have any idea what a great reputation you have at Angel’s?”
She arched a brow. “Do you have any idea what a great reputation you have at Angel’s?” she countered. “Your patients love you.”
“So do yours.” He reached across to take her hand in his. “Your bright, sunny attitude is amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who enjoyed their work as much as you do.”
She blushed and took a sip of her wine. “I’m sure you enjoy your work,” she countered. “Saving small children’s lives by doing open-heart surgery is far more important than what I do each day.”
He cocked his head to the side, wishing he could find a way to convince her how special she was. “Your work is just as important. We both give hope to our small patients and their parents.”
“Giving hope,” she murmured with a smile. “I like that comparison, even if you’re exaggerating my expertise.”
“Molly, believe me when I say that no woman has ever talked to me the way you did after Josh’s first therapy session,” he said with a wry grin. “Your passion for your work is unsurpassed by anyone I’ve ever met.”
“I let my temper get away from me,” she admitted with a deep blush, making him want nothing more but to take her into his arms. But the waiter arrived with their first course and he had to settle for watching Molly enjoy her salad.
“What made you decide to become a pediatric heart surgeon?” she asked, when she’d finished.
Unwilling to ruin the mood, he gave her the light version. “I always wanted to be a doctor, and once I started my surgical residency I knew cardiothoracic surgery was my area of expertise. Yet once I finished my pediatric rotation I knew that working with kids was equally important. Luckily, I landed a job at Angel’s that allows me to do the most with my little bit of talent.”
“Little bit of talent?” she echoed dryly. “I say you’re underestimating your ability.”
“Giving kids the opportunity to have a normal life is important to me.” He stared at his empty salad plate for a moment. “Yet I almost screwed up with Josh, big time.”
“Josh loves you,” she protested quickly.
He forced a smile. “Yeah, we’re getting back on track. And I’m thrilled he’s getting stronger every day. Today we went to another movie and for the first time in a long time he didn’t ask for you to come with us.” When he realized how that might have sounded, he tried to backpedal. “I mean, he loves having you around, but—”
She interrupted him with a laugh. “Don’t worry, I understand. It’s okay, he should want to spend time with you. You’re his father.”
As he gazed at Molly across the table, her red-and-gold hair glowing from the light of the fire, he realized that Molly would be an excellent mother. Far better than Suzy. Far better than his own.
And he was one lucky son of a gun to be here with her. Especially when she had no idea how unique and special she was.
He was sure his food tasted wonderful, but he didn’t really pay much attention, having more fun watching Molly as she enjoyed every aspect of their meal.
He forced her to split the chocolate mousse for
dessert and longed to lean forward to taste the chocolate from her lips instead of just from the spoon.
After they finished dinner, he followed her back outside to his car. “Thanks for the lovely dinner, Dan,” she said as they approached his car.
He hoped, prayed the night wasn’t over yet, but he didn’t say anything as he closed her passenger door behind her and then walked around to slide into the driver’s seat.
The ride back across town to her apartment didn’t take long. When he was within a block or two of the parking garage he glanced over at her, feeling a little bit panicked at the thought of letting her go. “Molly, I don’t want the evening to end.”
She went still, before she glanced up at him. “Is that your way of asking if you can come up?”
His gut clenched. “Yes, Molly. I want to come up with you, spend the night making love with you. But only if that’s what you want, too.”
When she didn’t answer right away, he figured he’d pushed too hard. But then she nodded. “I’d like that,” she murmured in a low voice.
He let out his breath in a soundless sigh. Last night they’d been carried away by the slow dancing and champagne. Tonight it was a deliberate decision, on his part and on hers. One that he didn’t want her to regret.
“I’m so glad,” he said. ”I was afraid you were going to make me beg.”
“Never,” she murmured with a laugh, and the last of his tension eased away.
He’d never looked forward to being with anyone the way he wanted to be with Molly.
* * *
Molly couldn’t believe Dan had spoken so bluntly about how he wanted to spend the rest of their night. As they rode the elevator up to her apartment, she was tempted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. He’d been so wonderful, so attentive at dinner. For the first time in so long she felt beautiful, special.
And she wanted to hold on to that feeling for at least a little while longer.
She couldn’t believe this was a mistake. Not when it felt so right. They were going to make love. She knew it. He knew it. For some reason, inviting him up last night had been easier but, oddly enough, she found tonight to be more romantic.
At least now she knew that he truly wanted her. Almost as much as she wanted him.
Still, she was nervous about taking this step, knowing that once they made love there was no going back. As they stepped into her apartment, she mentally kicked herself for not going out to buy some wine today, rather than window shopping.
“I only have soft drinks to offer you,” she said apologetically, when he’d closed the apartment door. She turned to go into the minuscule kitchen to get something for them to drink out of the fridge.
“Molly...” The way he said her name made her heart melt, and when he stopped her and pulled her close she didn’t resist. “I didn’t come here for something to drink. I came here for you.”
Before she could say anything more, he lowered his head and kissed her. Instantly, she forgot everything except how much she loved his mouth taking possession of hers.
Somehow he slid her coat off without her knowing, gathering her close as he deepened the kiss. She clung to his broad shoulders, enjoying the combination of sweetness and strength.
When he lifted his head and led her down the hall toward her bedroom, she gasped for breath and tried to gather her scattered thoughts.
“Are you sure Josh is all right?” she asked, when they entered her bedroom. Was she crazy to be here with him like this? “Maybe you should check on him.”
Dan yanked her close and kissed her again. “Are you stalling?” he asked a minute or so later. “Nothing short of a tornado is going to stop me from making love to you tonight.”
She laughed, but then her mouth went dry when he gently pulled her sweater up and over her head. In mere seconds he’d loosened the waistband of her skirt until the garment fell and pooled at her feet. Her bra and panties quickly followed.
For a moment she wanted to cover herself, but then his eyes darkened as he gazed at her. “You’re so incredibly beautiful, Molly,” he said in a voice husky with need.
She couldn’t speak, but tugged at his clothes until he was as naked as she was. And then he kissed her, and kept kissing her, even as he picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
Warmth radiated from his skin and she trailed her hands up and over his biceps, enjoying the sensation of springy hair as she reached his chest, softening the strong muscles. She loved being able to touch him. All over.
Everywhere.
When she trailed her hands down to his magnificent butt, he growled low in his throat and left a trail of kisses as he made his way down to her breast.
She gasped and arched her back when he licked and suckled her nipple. Moving restlessly beneath him, she tried to pull him closer.
“Plenty of time,” he murmured between kissing the tip of one breast and then the other. “I want to taste every inch.”
Dear heaven, she wanted that, too.
“Molly.” He lifted his head and stared at her. “You’re sure about this, right? You haven’t changed your mind?”
And just like that her nervousness faded away. She reached up to rest her palm against the side of his face, the same caress he’d given her after falling out of his wheelchair. “Yes, I’m sure. I haven’t changed my mind.”
“Thank God,” he muttered, and lowered his head once again to her breast.
And then all ability to think vanished as he proceeded to make good on his promise to kiss her all over.
* * *
Molly closed her eyes and hugged Dan close as their ragged breathing gradually slowed. The intensity of his lovemaking was unlike anything she’d experienced in her entire life.
After a few minutes Dan groaned and rolled over onto his side, taking her with him, apparently unwilling to let her go. She tucked her head into the hollow of his shoulder, and inhaled deeply, filling her nose with his scent.
She must have dozed even though she hadn’t intended to. But she woke up when she felt Dan ease away from her and roll off the bed.
“Where are you going?” she asked, before she could bite her tongue.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
She clutched the sheet to her chest and squinted toward the blue illuminated numbers on her alarm clock. “It’s barely five o’clock in the morning.”
“I know, but I need to get home before Josh wakes up.” He sounded apologetic but drew on his clothes. “I was trying to decide if I should wake you up or just let you sleep.”
He’d obviously chosen the latter, although he couldn’t know she was an extremely light sleeper. She tried not to feel bad that he was leaving. Logically, she knew he needed to get home to his son. For some foolish reason she’d envisioned them sharing a quiet breakfast together.
“Go back to sleep, Molly,” he murmured, leaning over to kiss her. “I’ll call you later on today, all right?”
“Sure.” She forced herself to get up and grab her robe, so that she could lock the apartment door behind him. She clutched the lapel tight and tried to smile. “Good night, Dan.”
“Good night, Molly.” He kissed her again before he left. And she locked the door behind him and went back to bed.
But she didn’t sleep. Being all alone in the aftermath of the intense pleasure they’d shared brought all her earlier doubts back. Had he been anxious to leave? Had he planned all along
to leave before she’d woken up? Was he regretting staying with her even as long as he had? Had he realized she was nothing more than a plain Jane with nothing special to offer?
Had she just made the biggest mistake of her life?
It was entirely possible, because right now she felt worse than the day James had told her that he loved someone else.
* * *
Molly got up and made herself a bowl of cereal and a pot of coffee. She read through the Sunday paper, determined to keep up with the news. After she’d completed a few loads of laundry, she decided to go over to see Dan and Josh. She didn’t call ahead, simply deciding to take the subway.
She got off at the stop that was near Angel’s and paused for a moment to gaze up at the impressive hospital overlooking Central Park. The history of the hospital’s origin was humbling. Back in the dark days after the Depression, after his little boy had died of polio, Federico Mendez had established New York’s first children’s hospital, known for giving charity care to those children in need. In the years since then Angel’s had become well known all across the country. Rich or poor, every child in New York was welcome to be cared for at Angel’s. Even on Sunday it was busy, and she watched a medical helicopter land on the roof, no doubt bringing another small patient to Angel’s house of hope.
She started walking toward Dan’s condo, but stopped abruptly when she caught sight of two people in wheelchairs heading down the sidewalk on the other side of the street. She recognized Dan and Josh, arms pumping hard as they propelled their wheelchairs down toward the park.
She stepped back so they wouldn’t see her, and watched as Josh laughed when he pulled ahead of his father. They were obviously enjoying some father-and-son time, which was good.
After watching Dan and Josh head into the park, she turned and retraced her steps to the subway. She shouldn’t feel disappointed that they hadn’t included her. Wasn’t this what she’d wanted all along? For Josh and Dan to become close?