Devil breathed a sigh of relief as the animals dispersed and left him alone with his future wife. Turning her in his arms, he smiled. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. One word from me and you’re kibble for them,” she warned, only half kidding. She was fairly certain that Chanel would try to eat Devil on demand and Coco would feast on his corpse when the dog was done. It would definitely be an ingenious way to get rid of his body if she ever needed it, she thought with a private smile.
“Hell, you’re looking all reflective,” he worried, staring down into her distracted eyes. “You’re at your most lethal when you look like that.”
“Are you scared, Devil?” Molly asked with a mysterious smile, looking up at him through a thick fringe of eyelashes.
“I should be,” Devil rumbled as the desire to claim her lips throbbed within him. “Mostly, though, you just excite me. You have since the day you walked into my office and announced that you would be the best thing that could happen to my business. You were completely wrong about that.”
“Oh, you are a sweet talker, aren’t you?” Molly retorted drolly.
“You were the best thing to happen to me, Molly,” Devil explained, lifting a hand to cup her cheek as he stared into her emerald gaze.
Damn it. How did he do that? One moment she wanted to pluck out his eyeballs and serve them to her pets as a succulent treat, and the next he was melting her heart with the tender things he said. He was an enigma. One that she was pretty sure she’d never fully understand. Variety was said to be the spice of life, though, and he definitely seemed to have a limitless amount of sides to his personality. Boredom seemed like it would be a distinct improbability with him.
“I like it when I’m able to stun you into silence.” Devil smiled. “I always feel like I’ve conquered the universe for a few heartbeats,” he murmured, stroking his thumb along the line of her jaw. “It’s a hell of a high.”
“Enjoy it while you can. I can guarantee you that once you announce our impending marriage this afternoon, nobody will be silent for long. Are you really sure about this, Devil? Once you tell my parents, there won’t be any way for either of us to backtrack unless it’s in a hearse,” she cautioned gravely, leaning slightly against his hand.
Kissing the tip of her pert nose, Devil grinned. “I want you. I want this. I’m not the one that has cold feet here.”
“Maybe that’s because this thing,” she stated, gesturing between them, “It hasn’t been defined.”
“I told you, Molly. I want a real marriage,” Devil reasserted, inching closer to her until their breath mingled. “I want you and me in a committed relationship where neither of us can run. Yes, this began because I wanted to make my grandmother happy during her last days, but I’ve always had feelings for you. Nana just offered me a plausible excuse to make a move.”
“You don’t need to marry me to sleep with me Devil. If that’s all you want…”
Devil’s jaw tightened. “Molly, you’re edging closer and closer to the spanking I promised you last night,” he warned darkly. “Don’t minimize what’s between us to mere sex.”
Why did the mention of a spanking send a pulse of pure wanton desire through her? When had she turned into a freak that liked the threat of discipline being held over her head? She had to regain some control here. “Fine, Devil, I will.” she agreed. “You, however, need to quit romanticizing it,” she ordered, jabbing a finger into his chest. “You’re horny. You’re not in love,” she accused tersely. She needed to remind herself of that fact as much as she needed to advise him. It would be too easy to get lost in those twin pools of blue sea currently staring at her. She wouldn’t forget that she needed to guard her heart from him. “This marriage is a business deal,” she reminded him. “It has a start and finish date - no matter how real it does or doesn’t get inside the bedroom.”
“We’ll see,” Devil replied blandly, stroking her smooth cheek once more before taking a step back and glancing at the gold Rolex on his wrist. “We need to get moving if we’re going to get there on time. Are you just about ready? You look beautiful,” he remarked, eyeing the teal sheath dress she wore appreciatively.
Straightening the seams of the dress’s pencil skirt, she nodded. “I just need to grab my sweater,” she murmured, uncomfortable with his praise. The dress fit her well, clinging to her curves in all the right places, but she always felt a little fat when she wore something form fitting. It seemed like no matter how much she dieted or tried to diet, the calories seemed to lodge themselves in either her hips or breasts.
Devil caught her wrist when she would have turned away from him and frowned. “Molly, look at me,” he urged. Waiting until she lifted her eyes to his, he repeated, “You look beautiful.”
“I look plump and curvy,” she retorted through barely moving lips, “But, I appreciate you saying that.”
Tightening his hand on her wrist, he held her immobilized when she would have taken a step away from him. “I don’t just say what people want to hear, Angel. I mean the words that I speak.” Witnessing the deep red blush that began to stain her fair complexion, he frowned.
Molly avoided his gaze, staring at the floor. “People are going to laugh their asses off when this gets out, Devil. I’m not the kind of arm candy that you’ve been sporting around for the last year. There’s nothing model-like about me. I don’t have the bloodline of a thoroughbred. I’m an average woman from a nice family. I haven’t made my name in the business world or on a runway somewhere. Don’t you understand that I am going to feel like an alien in your world? No one is going to accept that I had that little something extra it took to land the great white whale. I’m not even sure how your grandmother is buying this. I’m pretty certain my parents never will.”
“Then I’ll have to convince them the same way I’ll convince you. Time, hard work and perseverance,” he replied steadily.
“Good luck, Devil,” Molly replied with a sad smile.
“When I figure out who took a wrecking ball to your self-confidence, I’m going to kill them,” Devil growled under his breath, finally releasing her so that she could go get her sweater.
“I have plenty of confidence,” Molly returned over her shoulder as she reached into the coat closet and pulled out a cream cardigan, slipping it around her shoulders. “I’m just a realist that can recognize things for what they are.” Currently, she wished he’d recognize that this conversation was making her wish the Earth would swallow her whole and let it go.
“I do, too,” Devil replied, crossing the room to join her by the door. Cupping her upper arms in his hands, he stared into her slightly distrustful eyes. “I don’t lie. I have no problem calling a spade a spade. You, Molly, are one of the most gorgeous creatures that I’ve ever encountered. Convincing you of it will be my pleasure.” He brushed a chaste kiss against her dry lips. “Now, let’s go and get our day started. We have an engagement to announce,” he suggested, gently easing her toward the door.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Devil turned the Mercedes into the gravel parking lot of the moderately-sized Baptist church with ease, sneaking a look at Molly from the corner of his eye. She’d spent most of the half hour drive staring out the passenger window without speaking. It worried him, but he knew better than to intrude on her thoughts.
She was skittish enough already, and most of that was because of him.
Not that he’d change anything he’d done.
He wouldn’t.
Fate had already decided that Molly was predestined to be his, and he’d be damned if he’d walk away from the treasure that had been dropped in his lap. After a year of fighting his feelings, the truth had finally caught up with him. No matter how fast or hard he’d run, no matter how many women he’d used to try to shield his heart from Molly’s influence, the tiny woman had woven herself inside his soul.
He watched as she twisted the gold chain that hung around her neck with nervous fingers. His Nana would have called it
fidgeting. He just thought it was adorable. Pulling the sleek car between a green Impala and a white Dodge truck, he shoved the gears into park as he turned to fully face the woman beside him. “We’re here, sweetheart.”
Pursing her lips, Molly stared out the window. “So, it’s show time,” she said heavily, worrying her lower lip with her teeth. “I always wondered what opening night jitters felt like. Now I know,” she mused aloud, her green eyes darkening as she watched people gathering on the church’s steps, filing into the sanctuary a couple at a time.
“This isn’t an act,” Devil pronounced firmly. “We’re not playing roles here, Molly. At least, I’m not. I plan on being a part of your life for quite some time to come. I know the Church is a significant part of who you are. Part of the reason I’m here today is that I want to share that.” He wanted her to believe, if only just a little, that he cared about the things that she did. He wanted to be with her wherever she was.
Offering him a quick, stunned look, Molly swallowed and nodded. “We should go. Services will start in about fifteen minutes,” she informed him, reaching for her car door.
Stilling her when she would have shoved the door open, Devil shook his head. “Wait there. I’ll come around and open the door, Molly.”
“I’m capable of opening my own door, Dev,” Molly mumbled, tugging on the wrist he held.
“I didn’t say you weren’t. But I’m here now, and I was raised that a gentleman opens doors for ladies. Sit there,” he ordered before releasing her and shoving his own door open. He circled the vehicle quickly and opened her car door, offering her his hand as she climbed out of the car.
“Thank you,” she said softly and he squeezed her fingers.
“You’re welcome,” Devil replied gently, smiling at Molly reassuringly when she looked up at his face. “It’s all going to work out fine, babe. Just relax and trust me,” he assured her softly as he closed the car door and wrapped his arm around her slender waist.
“Sure,” she managed, the light tone she was angling for falling flat as she looked around the parking lot. “Everybody’s here, I see.”
“Who is everybody?” Devil asked as he guided her through the mostly full lot toward the sidewalk.
“Oh, you know. Momma and Daddy, Grant, Karen, and the kids, Sami, Viv…”
“Wait a second. Sami and Viv attend church out here?” Devil asked curiously, glancing down at her.
“How do you think we met?” Molly smirked. “Ah, so you are getting more than you bargained for, huh? Suddenly I feel a bit vindicated,” she commented with a small satisfied smile.
“You and that sassy mouth are going to find more trouble than you can handle if you keep it up, darlin’,” Devil warned with a warm smile.
“Promises, prom –…” Molly’s words abruptly broke off and her footsteps faltered as she gasped.
“Honey?” Devil questioned, grabbing her elbow and steadying her when she stumbled slightly. Frowning, he scanned the crowd ahead of them for the cause of her concern.
“No, no, no,” she whispered faintly, her eyes widening on the familiar man staring at her from the brick steps of the church.
“What’s going on?” Devil questioned sharply, tightening his grip on Molly’s arm as an elderly couple stepped around them on the sidewalk.
“He Who Shall Not Be Named,” Molly breathed as her eyes locked with the first man to ever break her heart. “It’s Sean, Devil. What in the world is he doing here?”
Following Molly’s gaze, the muscle in Devil’s jaw flexed as he spotted Molly’s own personal Voldemort standing against the iron railing of the church, looking smug in his expensive suit. Glaring at the man as he possessively drew Molly against his side, Devil didn’t miss how the other man’s nostrils flared and jealousy shined in his eyes as the jerk that had hurt Molly two years ago witnessed the gesture.
That’s right, asshole. She’s with me, Devil thought possessively. You lost your shot. Game over.
Gently urging Molly down the stone sidewalk, Devil murmured, “It’s fine, Molly. Just keep walking, sweetheart. He’s in your past.” Devil clamped down on his jaw as he watched the younger man move down the steps to intercept them.
“Molly!”
Turning her head as one of her two best friends hurried toward them, Molly tried to smile. “Hi, Vivian,” she weakly greeted the other woman.
Wrapping her arms around Molly for a quick hug, Viv whispered, “I was trying to intercept you before you saw him, sweets! Sami’s inside with Karen, trying to keep Grant from committing attempted murder with a Bible on He Who Shall Not Be Named. Sorry I was late, but as usual, my timing leaves something to be desired. Where the heck is your cell phone?”
“I must have forgotten it,” Molly murmured against Viv’s cool cheek, then whispered frantically, “What’s he doing here?”
Shaking her head quickly as she spotted Molly’s ex drawing closer to them, Viv shifted her serene gaze to Devil. “Evidently his new girlfriend attends services here, too. Kaitlyn Higgins, I think. Don’t let him get to you,” Viv ordered as Sean approached with a practiced smile affixed to his face. “Just take a few deep breaths and play it cool, Mols. And if you wanna impress me,” she hissed under her breath to Devil, “Be the intimidating SOB everybody accuses you of being and make that guy wish he’d never been born with one of those patented death glares of yours.”
Not a problem, Devil thought silently as Sean walked toward them and smiled at Molly. He’d crush the little irritant like a bug beneath his boot before he gave the other man a chance to injure Molly’s feelings again. He had cultivated that SOB reputation for a reason, after all, and he had done his homework to be well prepared for this little situation.
“Molly,” Sean greeted her with a wide smile as he nodded to Devil and Sami, “Long time, no see, huh?” he remarked, leaning forward to try and kiss Molly’s cheek.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Was that jerk actually going to try and kiss her cheek?
Molly stared in shock as Sean slowly leaned toward her. Taking an instant step back, she was thankful to feel Devil’s hands on her hips. He’d felt her recoil away from the younger man, and her back met his solid chest as she shook her head. Relaxing slightly as Devil’s arms slipped round her waist, she burrowed her stiff body closer to his warmth.
“Keep your hello kiss to yourself, Sean, and you better thank your lucky stars we’re at a church. Otherwise, I would tell you exactly where you could put your lips,” Molly hissed, keeping her voice low. Momentarily satisfied to see that her rebuke had stung him, she gave herself a mental pat on the back. She’d earned it.
“Now, Muffin,” Sean soothed, holding up his hands, “This is exactly what I was afraid would happen.” He eyed Molly appreciatively as she stood in front of a glowering older man. “You look good. You finally shed the freshman fifteen you were packing around from college.”
Molly watched as Vivian narrowed her glinting eyes on her ex-boyfriend and gave silent thanks that she’d been gifted with such loyal friends. “Molly always looked good, Sean.”
“Of course she did,” Sean replied a little uncertainly, looking from Molly’s face to the man behind her, his face completely unreadable. Clearing his throat, he redirected his attention to the woman he once dated. “I’ve tried to give you a call a few times, Molly. You must have changed your number.”
“I did,” Molly agreed tersely, remembering the barrage of phone calls she’d received from him right after they’d separated. She’d been forced to get a new phone when he still hadn’t stopped calling her after a week. “You and I said everything that needed to be said two years ago, Sean. Remember? I told you what a worthless human being I thought you were while you were struggling to pull your pants up and get that waitress out of my bed.”
“Now, Muffin…”
“Call me that one more time and I’m gonna forget we’re at church,” Molly warned ominously as she felt Devil’s grip tighten. Not even his strength, however
, was going to keep her from gouging out Sean’s eyes if he kept pricking her temper. She’d successfully avoided him for two freaking years, and now, on one of the most stressful days of her life, he reappeared out of thin air. She wasn’t sure what she’d done to tick off the Almighty, but she was fairly certain she was about to commit a huge sin in His house if she didn’t get away from her ex soon. “What are you doing here, Sean?” she asked in a clipped voice.
“I actually was invited by one of the members here. An associate at my law firm attends this church. She asked me to come along with her this morning. You might know her. Kaitlyn Higgins? I knew the name of the church sounded familiar when she mentioned it to me. Now, I know why.” Offering Devil a grin, he explained, “I attended here a few times with Molly when we dated. I’m an attorney now. I just passed the bar a year ago. I’m Sean Barlow, by the way.”
“Congratulations to you,” Molly bit out tightly, not giving Devil an opportunity to speak. “And give Kaitlyn my sympathies; she obviously doesn’t know that slime like you can’t be saved. Not even with the power of prayer. If you’ll excuse us, we need to get inside.”
“Now, Molly,” Sean soothed, taking another step forward, “We need to let bygones be bygones. I was a foolish young man when we had that unfortunate falling out.”
Glancing at Devil over her shoulder, she shook her head incredulously. “Unfortunate falling out. That’s what he calls boinking a waitress in my bed. An unfortunate falling out.” Seeing the darkening in Devil’s blue eyes, Molly was somewhat comforted. She knew him well enough to know that storms were gathering behind that steady gaze of his. Sean wasn’t fooling him with the good-guy routine.
“Listen, Molly, when I realized where I was, I thought maybe I’d finally be able to see you again. We could have a chat… catch up on old times,” Sean suggested with a charming smile. “I’ve missed you, honey.”
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