by Emma Layne
Chapter Five
“Are you having difficulty falling asleep again?”
Molly glanced up from her textbook to find Blaze standing in the kitchen doorway. She hadn’t run across him since he’d pestered her at the front desk last night. This time, he didn’t appeared to be intoxicated.
It was almost midnight, and she didn’t feel the slightest bit sleepy, even though she’d woken up at five AM.
“Yes, I was hoping biology might put me to sleep.”
“But it isn’t working?”
“Nope.”
Molly leaned back in the chair, and rubbed her neck. She must’ve been hunching her shoulders. She tilted her head from side to side, trying to loosen the stiff muscles. She had a lot to do tomorrow. Maybe she should get a head start on it, and pull an all-nighter. Even the thought of it made her groan. She was exhausted, if not drowsy and couldn’t face plowing through all the coursework yawning before her.
“I’m sorry to hear it. We’ll have to cure this insomnia of yours.”
“I wish.”
Blaze snapped his fingers. “Before I forget, did you happen to see my comb when you were cleaning? I’ve been looking for the thing everywhere and haven’t been able to find it.”
Molly gulped. “Um, no, I haven’t.”
“Tell me if you run across it?”
“Yup, I will.”
Molly made a mental note to swing by the lab the first chance she got. The DNA test would be finished by now and she was itching to see the results, and she’d return his comb the next time she cleaned, like it never even happened.
He glanced at her arm. “You are injured. What happened?”
“My mom’s cat.” She glanced at the red scratch running the length of her forearm absently. Molly had barely found the time to feed Lucifer before class.
“Oh, yes, you keep small animals around the house for entertainment purposes.”
Hmm. “No, it’s more about companionship and snuggles, assuming the pet in question isn’t a psycho.”
“I see.” He scratched his chin.
She wondered if people in his town didn’t keep pets. Alaskans were a breed apart, and didn’t follow the cultural norms.
“And you don’t? Keep animals, I mean.”
“My people use them as beasts of burden, and livestock, but they are creatures to be ruled, not companions.” His features tightened.
She didn’t know what to make of the statement, it was almost as though Blaze took it personally. Maybe he’d cared for an animal as a child, and hadn’t been able to keep it as a pet. It was the only scenario that made sense.
“Too bad. They can be comforting.” Molly liked animals and planned on getting a pet when she had a place of her own.
“And this feline doesn’t like you?”
“Lucifer loves my mother, and nobody else. He’s a one-person sort of cat.” Molly barely stifled a yawn.
“It sounds as though you are tired. Have you tried a hot bath?” Blaze sat across from her.
“Yep, I’ve tried everything I can think of.” She pressed her hands together and arched her back, rolling the muscles. “Maybe I should give into it and get some stuff done?”
“You need your rest.”
“Easier said than…” Molly grinned.
“Than what?”
“You’ve never heard the saying?”
“No.”
“Never mind, it’s not important.” Apparently, they didn’t have clichés in his village either. She took off her glasses, and massaged her temples.
“Perhaps I can help.” Blaze crossed to the counter, poured himself a shot of whiskey, and downed it. “Want one?”
“No, thank you. How can you help?” Desperation was setting in, if she was considering turning to Blaze for assistance.
“It’ll soothe you.” He lifted the bottle in invitation. “Are you certain?”
“I don’t drink alcohol.”
“Perhaps something more personal then?”
“Like what?” As soon as she said the words, Molly regretted them. Yikes, I shouldn’t have asked.
“Touch.” His lips twitched. “You look positively thrilled at the prospect.”
“Elaborate.” She’d tried to convey a sweet tone, but it came out strained.
“I wasn’t suggesting anything improper. Have you ever massaged your pressure points?”
She shook her head. “No, because they have no scientific basis.”
From what she’d read, the notion came from traditional Chinese medicine, and Indian Ayurveda. Supposedly, areas of the human body could be manipulated. Molly thought it was all a bunch of New Age nonsense.
“Is that so?” He leaned closer. “You are massaging one right now.”
“What?” Molly nearly dropped her glasses. No one had ever accused her of being all crunchy, and free-spirited.
“I could tell you, but it would be easier for me to show you. After all, since you’re such a big believer in science, I assume results matter more than conjecture. Am I right?”
Well, he wasn’t wrong. Molly preferred to get her opinions from data, and hard evidence, not gut instincts, but she knew Blaze was working an angle.
“You want to touch me, and this is the perfect excuse?”
“Yes, but I’ve never been shy about that fact.”
“Is this some kind of come on?” Her dating skills were rusty, and she hadn’t gone out with a guy in three years. Molly hadn’t minded the extended dry spell. As Sage would say, Molly was achieving her goals #likeaboss, and nobody stood in her way.
“You agreed to give me a shot.”
“I agreed to a date.” Not a cleverly disguised grope session.
“Think of it as a genuine offer of help, with benefits, for both of us.” Blaze held out his hands.
She stared at them doubtfully.
“Come on, it’s at least worth an attempt.”
Well, he couldn’t make things any worse.
“Fine, but you’ll stop, if I say so.”
“You have my word.” Blaze gave her a solemn nod. “Remember, I’m only interested in enthusiastic participation from the women I touch.”
Molly rolled her eyes.
And then he was behind her, a hand on either side of her face. He slipped his fingertips below her ears, massaging the edge of her jaw. Blaze rubbed the area slowly, in a semicircle around the size of a quarter.
She barely resisted the urge to moan. Molly found herself leaning back, resting her head against his stomach, her eyes sliding closed. The tension leaked from her body, leaving her limp, relieved.
She’d never felt anything like it.
Molly’s mother had bought her a massage as a high school graduation present, and she hadn’t found it the least bit relaxing. Oh, sure, I’ll enjoy lying in an anonymous room, naked, while a stranger rubs oil up, and down my body.
But this? This felt like heaven.
She was centered, calm, and ever so slightly drowsy. Like before, his touch affected her on a visceral level, as though Blaze quieted her down just by touching her. She’d read studies, of course, about the power of human touch, but the effects weren’t this pronounced.
It’s like magic.
“Still think this is conjecture?” His voice was rough, full of gravel and with only a hint of smugness.
“Not at the moment, no.” Molly stifled a sigh.
“Because it’s working.”
“Oh, yes, it is.” She bit the inside of her cheek.
“Many women have told me I’m good with my hands.”
“Um, eww.”
Blaze chuckled. “I sound like a braggart.”
“Yes, you do.” A braggart? Where does he get this stuff?
“Does it count as a boast, if I’m merely relaying a fact?”
“Yes.” Molly didn’t even have to think about it.
“Well, perhaps you’d allow me to touch you in other places,” Blaze whispered in her ear. “And then you can judge my
prowess for yourself.”
A shiver danced down the line of her back. Molly couldn’t help but imagine his hands sliding down her arms, winding around her waist, maybe gliding down the length of her thighs.
Molly shivered. Somehow, his touch became teasing, warm, and her nipples peaked, poking against her shirt.
Her breath hitched. Stop it.
“You’re trying to seduce me, aren’t you?”
“You’re not mistaken.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Then I should tell you, I like sex, its fine, but I can take it or leave it.”
His hands stilled, and there was a long, puzzled break in the conversation. Blaze had stopped touching her, too. Dammit.
“Excuse me?”
“I mean it. I fooled around with this guy my freshman year, on, and off, but I don’t see what all the fuss is about.”
“So you’ve only been with one man?”
“Yes.” Afterward, she’d been consumed with school and while she’d gone on a date or two, she hadn’t had sex with them.
“Perhaps I can change your mind about the pleasures of the flesh.”
“I doubt it.”
The guy she’d been with, Matt, had tried to “rock her world” several times and she’d had fleeting orgasms but they’d been few, and far between. It had been more frustrating than anything else.
Although, it could’ve been her choice of partner. They’d hooked up, rather than dated. She’d talked it over with her mother and Leslie said it would be different with the man she loved, but Molly doubted it.
“Are you throwing down the gauntlet?” He walked around to face her and placed his hands on his hips.
“The…what?”
“Where I come from, a challenge is issued in such a manner.”
“No, I was simply informing you.”
“We shall see.”
She’d meant to discourage him, but Molly had a feeling she’d unintentionally intrigued Blaze even more.
Maybe I should have gone to Amy for some advice first? After all, she’s the only one with a bonafide boyfriend.
“We’ll continue this discussion another time. The hour is late and I believe you’ll have no trouble falling asleep, after my timely assistance.”
He was probably right. Molly didn’t feel as tense or nervous as before. If she changed into her pajamas and got between the covers, she’d probably drift off.
Before she could stand, Blaze swung her up in his arms, and carried her up the staircase.
“What are you doing?” She tried to twist away, but Blaze held on to her.
“What do you think?”
“I’m not sleeping with you.”
“No, you aren’t, not this evening anyway.”
She tried to slip out of his embrace once more.
“Stop it, or you’ll tumble down the stairs, and break your neck.” Molly thought maybe she should protest, but it would be halfhearted at best, so she just went with it. When they reached her floor, he knew exactly which room belong to her, without Molly having to say anything.
Stalker.
“There you are.” Blaze laid her down on the bed. “I’d ask to stay by your side, in a purely professional capacity, but I already know the answer.”
A great big no.
He stood, staring down at her, making no move to leave.
“You need to take better care of yourself, Molly. I want you to get more rest, eat a real meal at least once a day, not this process, packaged stuff you lot are so fond of.”
He sounded as though he was really concerned about her. And Molly realized she didn’t mind having him here, in her space, which was unusual. She wouldn’t go so far as to say she liked it, because Blaze still got on her nerves, but she didn’t hate it either.
Somehow, he’d broken through her outer barriers.
“I’ll be right down the hall, if you need me.” Blaze leaned forward, and pressed his lips to her forehead. And then he rested his cheek against her hair, as though savoring the experience.
Molly held her breath, but he didn’t go any further, and she sighed.
“Sweet dreams, dove.” Blaze cupped her cheek and then he was gone. “Soon, we’ll have our date.”
Oh my God. Am I actually disappointed he didn’t kiss my mouth?
Yes. Yes, I am.
What the crap is wrong with me?
Chapter Six
"Molly? Are you awake?"
The next night, Blaze knocked on Molly’s bedroom door, but there was no answer. He tried once more, and she still didn’t respond.
Once again, he hadn’t gone to the tavern with Destrian and Rowan. Perhaps because they spent most of their time making jests at his expense.
Instead, he done sword drills with Crispin and Jude, to keep his skills sharp, and because he needed the physical activity. These days, Blaze was on edge. Normally he eased his frustrations in the bedroom, but since he’d taken notice of Molly, it was no longer an option.
While he’d been knocking about with them, he’d landed on a grand idea for their first date, and couldn’t wait to impress her with his cleverness.
He’d been eager to run into Molly, but she hadn’t been around. Blaze didn’t know if she was avoiding him, or if she simply had a lot of things to do. He sincerely hoped it was the former.
“Molly?” This time, he rapped on the door harder, and more insistently.
“What?”
Blaze smirked. He could hear the annoyance in her tone even through several inches of wood.
“I thought you might be awake.”
“Especially after you kept pounding on my door.”
“We both know you weren’t asleep yet. Let me in.”
“I’m fine.”
“Molly, don’t be difficult.”
“All right already, come in.”
“I thought you’d never ask me to come inside.”
After waltzing in, Blaze shut the door behind him, and then leaned against the wall. She’d voluntarily invited him. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless and he’d savor it.
“Is that some kind of innuendo?” Molly sat up in bed, and turned on the lamp next to her.
“You tell me.”
“Nope, I’m gonna move right on past it.”
“Suit yourself.”
“I always do.”
His breath caught when she slid out of bed. She wore a pair of black trousers, which were quite formfitting, along with a long sleeved white shirt. The outfit, while snug, wasn’t the least provocative and yet he burned for her. He wasn't sure why but Molly grew more beautiful every time he saw her, and he already found her nearly irresistible.
Perhaps because they were in such close quarters and so near a bed.
Fantasies rippled through his mind—Blaze pictured fastening his mouth over hers, and walking her back toward the mattress, pressing her down upon it and then losing himself in Molly’s sweet body.
His throat ached with unquenched want, and he swallowed.
“Are you okay? You look, er, bothered.”
“I’m well, dove. Slumber still eludes you?”
“Yes and I don't know why. I've always had bouts of insomnia, but it’s gotten worse lately.”
Blaze smugly thought he might have something to do with it. He’d had some sleepless nights thinking about her as well. Even during the day, Molly crept into his consciousness, dragging his thoughts away from work, and toward much more pleasurable subjects.
“Perhaps because you’re in an emotionally vulnerable state. Fear not, I’ve come to your aid.”
“What do you mean?” She gave him a sideways glance. “You believe this is about you, don’t you?”
“Perhaps.”
“Well, it isn’t. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, but I haven’t been thinking about you. At all.”
“Whatever you say.” Blaze knew she was lying. Her interest in him was written plainly on her face.
“So what’s your insom
nia cure this time?”
"Physical activity. In the past, when I've been unable to get adequate rest, I found movement aids in the process.”
“If I tire my body out, my brain will let me sleep?”
“Precisely.” He offered her a hand. “Come with me.”
“And where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
She shook her head. “And what kind of physical activity do you have in mind?”
He chuckled at her suspicious expression.
“If I were going to seduce you, Molly, we’d stay in this room.”
Her eyes rounded. “Right. Okay, let’s go.”
Blaze led her out into the backyard. It was the middle of the night, and the world was cool and quiet. He was reminded of home. There wasn’t another house for several kilometers, and no one else at the inn was awake, so he felt as if they were the only two people alive. Their boots crunched through the thick snow pack as they trudged out to the wooded area behind the inn.
Moonlight gave the landscape a spectral quality—glittering and frosted. It had begun snowing once more, and a few flakes trickled down.
Iradian winters were far colder than Alaska, dropping down below -80°F at night.
A white dwarf star sat at the center of their solar system, and it provided precious little heat and light. The problem had been worsening over centuries, and things had finally reached a critical mass over the past few years. If it weren’t for the alchemists, and their warming enchantments, they wouldn’t have survived this long.
It was time to find a new planet to call home. Blaze almost wished they’d settle on Earth, but Prime planets were forbidden from establishing settlements on Tertiary worlds. Of course, Earth would be gone in a few short months, so it was a moot point anyway.
“Aren’t you cold?”
Molly was bundled up again. On the way out the front door, she’d grabbed a pair of boots, and pulled on a coat, along with gloves, a hat, and a scarf.
“Not at all. I find the weather quite comfortable.” He was dressed in a light jacket, a dark blue velvet shirt, and a pair of denim jeans. Blaze rather enjoyed this planet’s fashions. They were comfortable yet luxurious.
She glanced at him doubtfully, and Blaze could read the questions in her eyes, but she didn’t ask. He was grateful he didn’t have to lie to her once more. Withholding the truth from Molly felt wrong, even though he’d taken a solemn vow.