“Hey there,” Lucian said, looking sexy as ever, leaning back against the wall. “I was hoping I would find you here.”
“What do you want?”
“Isn’t it obvious,” he said.
“If it was obvious, I wouldn’t have asked,” she snipped, completely irritated, and flustered at the same time.
“Feisty,” he said and his lips twitched.
Molly’s heart made an involuntary flutter. It was hard being mad at Lucian when he was looking at her like that. Then she remembered he was making out with Tracy and that feeling disintegrated. “I’m late.”
“Hey,” he said, reaching out to grab her arm.
“What?” She was suddenly on the verge of tears. She tried to hide her face.
“Molly, I didn’t kiss her.”
“You might want to tell that to your lips,” she choked past the tears clogging her throat.
“She kissed me. I promise.”
He sounded so sincere. “Why would she do that?”
“I guess I should come clean with you.”
“Go on,” she said even though she didn’t really want to know, especially if it was going to be bad.
“Remember when I told you I had been here a while?”
She nodded, afraid her voice would betray her.
“We kind of hooked up before, but…”
Molly jerked on her arm.
He held fast. “It was before I met you.”
“So why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“You want the truth?”
“That would be helpful.”
“I didn’t want you to think differently about me, or get upset.”
“Why would you care about that?”
“Because,” he exhaled. “I like you.”
Molly blinked stupidly.
“I mean,” he sighed. “I really like you.”
“Uh….” What was she going to say to that? Granted part of her wanted to jump up and down with glee but the other part, the more cautious part, wasn’t sure she believed him. “Then why did you kiss her?”
“I already told you. She kissed me.”
“Why would she do that?”
He shrugged. “I guess she wanted to…you know.”
Oh, Molly knew all right. It was the exact thing she wanted to do with him. It was hard not to, just looking at him made her feel warm and tingly all over.
“But I told her, I couldn’t because…”
“Because, why?”
“Because of you,” he said, finally, realizing how true it was.
“You told her that?”
“Yeah.” His brows creased. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know.” That was a big fat lie. There were a number of reasons that she could think of.
“Can we start again, I mean, if you can forgive me.”
Molly sighed. “I don’t own you.”
“I know but…I really do like you and I have been having such a good time with you.”
“You have?”
“Yeah,” he said, giving her a heavy-lidded stare. “I have.”
Molly waited for the surge of jubilance to shoot through her, to wipe away her trepidation but she had learned her lesson the hard way too many times to just…
He jerked her forward and pressed his lips to hers. He hadn’t meant to. But seeing her upset stirred something deep down inside of him. Of how he felt when Cecily had betrayed him and the last thing he wanted to do was make Molly feel the way Cecily had made him feel. Or at least that is what he told himself.
Molly was going to protest, push him away, but once his lips pressed against hers, all the protesting she was going to do went out the door. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and kissed him back.
“Damn,” he murmured against her lips, pulling her pliable body closer.
Muffled over her own breathing, she heard the announcement from the DJ for the first dance. “Lucian…” She pressed her hand against his muscled chest.
“I know,” he murmured, mistaking what she was saying. “Let’s go into your room.” He backed her towards the door, while he continued his assault on her mouth.
Molly wanted to cry and scream all over again, but for different reasons this time. She couldn’t go to her room with him now. She had to go back to the wedding or she would officially be the worst friend on the planet. She pushed back harder. “Lucian, I can’t.”
Lucian froze.
The last thing he thought he would hear from someone like Molly was the word can’t. “I don’t understand,” he said.
“I have to get back to the wedding.”
He raked his hands through his hair. “Right,” he exhaled, feeling somewhat relieved. “I forgot about that.”
“Can we continue this… later?” she asked hopefully.
“Yeah, later,” he said, trying to get himself in check.
“Do you want to wait in my room or come back to the wedding with me?”
At that precise moment, Lucian would have preferred taking a cold shower but he didn’t want her to go back out there alone. “I’ll come with you, that is, if you want me to.”
“Of course,” she said.
He smiled then. It wasn’t forced or fake, which is what he normally would have done in situations like this. “Shall we,” he said, holding out his hand.
She smiled, nodding.
“Okay.” She took his hand.
Holding hands, they both walked back down the corridor to the main room where the reception was held.
Lucian hoped Tracy kept away from him because if she didn’t, as hard as he was right now, he might not be able to tell her no, this time.
♣
When they walked back into the reception room, Lucian’s eyes boggled. People were flapping their arms and making cock-doodle-do sounds.
Molly saw his look and laughed.
“What are they doing?” he asked, his brows creasing.
“It’s called a Chicken Dance.”
“A what?”
“A Chicken Dance,” she said. “See.” She flapped her arms and bobbed her head, shuffling her feet. “Bock-Bock!”
It was Lucian’s turn to laugh.
He had never seen anything so ridiculous in his life, but right now, he didn’t even care. Joining in on the fun, he flapped his arms, making, “Bock-Bock” noises with Molly.
Laughing, they both shuffled over to the dance floor.
♣
After they danced the Chicken, and watched some guests do what Molly told him was the worm, a slow song came on.
Lucian tucked his hair behind his ears. “Shall we?” He held out his arms.
Molly had to pee but she didn’t want to stop dancing, yet. They were both having such a good time. It was almost like they were a couple…almost. And she couldn’t get what Lucian had said out of her mind—that he really liked her. She wanted to hug herself and pinch herself at the same time to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
He swept her into his arms, his hips moving fluidly against hers to the beat.
Molly decided rather quickly there was no way she could be dreaming because her mind could not have ever conjured something this perfect.
“I need a fearless love,” he sang in her ear to the Melissa Etheridge’s, ‘Fearless Love’ “Oh, if you can’t hold me now, you can’t ever hold me again.”
“I won’t settle for anything less,” she sang back to him.
His eyes became serious. He jerked her pliable body even closer—then he claimed her mouth with his own.
Molly didn’t care that they had an audience or that Dan was watching from the sidelines, or Tracy. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, kissing him back as the room and the people around them blurred before her half-closed eyes, fading away.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The sound of applause is what finally tore Molly from her kiss induced stupor and she slowly came back to her senses. She looked around the room at all the faces
. Cringing, she lowered her arms and let her feet fall back down on solid ground.
Lucian was still smiling, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “I think we have may have a bit of an audience,” he said.
“I think that may be an understatement,” Molly said.
Peggy ran over to them. “Are you two having fun?” She made eyes at Molly.
“This is a blast,” Lucian said. “Thanks again for inviting me.”
“Hey, I’m just glad you’re having fun,” Peggy said. “Do you mind if I steal Molly for a minute? I need some help.”
“Sure.” Lucian frowned.
“Ladies room dilemma,” Peggy said, lifting her full skirt.
“Oh, right.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, as the band started to play Elvis’, Don’t be Cruel.
”Are you sure,” Molly asked, looking to see where Tracy was.
He followed her line of vision and immediately felt bad for what he had let Tracy do earlier. “I promise, I will be right here, well,” he amended. “I’ll be at the bar.”
“Be back in five.” She pressed up on her toes and gave him a quick peck on his cheek.
“Make it four,” he said, smiling.
“I can do that,” she assured him.
“Come on, Molly.” Peggy grabbed her hand. “I’m going to piss myself.”
Molly gave Lucian an apologetic look as Peggy pulled her away through the crowd.
♣
“How did that happen?” Peggy asked, squatting on the toilet.
Molly held her gown higher, so it wasn’t touching the floor. “How did what happen?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t play dumb with me. You know I’m talking about you and Lucian hooking up.”
Molly grinned. “I didn’t expect it. We were drinking and joking around, and then he just pulled me into his arms and kissed me.”
“Was it good?”
“Better than good!” she exclaimed. “His kisses are amazing.”
“Better than, Dan?” asked Peggy.
Molly laughed. “What do you think?”
Peggy laughed, too. “I told you he would be great at helping you getting over Dan.”
“I know.” Molly became pensive.
Peggy saw her look and sighed. “Don’t over think it. Just have fun.”
“I really like him though.”
“Don’t start that yet,” she advised. “You’ll freak him out.”
“I’m not starting anything.” Molly made a face. “Actually, he told me that he really liked me first.”
“Really?” Peggy looked doubtful.
“Yes, really.” Molly helped Peggy stand and backed out of the stall still holding the bottom of her gown.
Peggy hobbled forward. “I think I’m good.”
“Okay.” Molly dropped the hem of Peggy’s gown and fluffed it out, then retied her sash.
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to have amazing sex.”
“Shut up!” Peggy nudged her slightly.
Giggling, Molly nudged her back. “I’m thinking about it.”
“Isn’t he leaving?”
“No. He’s going to stay here for a while.”
“When did he tell you that?” Peggy frowned.
“Earlier, at the mine,” she said.
“I thought he said he was just passing through?”
“He was but I guess he decided he wanted to stay for a bit. I’m going to let him stay at the boathouse.”
Peggy chewed on her lip. “You sure you want to do that?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I just don’t want you getting in too deep.”
“What’s wrong with that? I’m taking him sightseeing tomorrow. Well, I am if I can get someone to cover for me.”
“Does he know it’s your dad’s boathouse?”
“No.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
“You know why.”
“Molly,” Peggy sighed. “Not everyone is interested in your money.”
“It’s not my money. It’s my father’s.”
“Then why don’t you tell him.”
Molly shrugged. She didn’t tell Peggy the real reason. She was afraid he would look at her differently like every other guy she had dated once they found out her family had money. And then they would meet her dad and then she usually never heard from them again, except for Dan. He had stuck around. Sometimes she thought he did it just to piss her father off. “He has money too,” Molly said.
“If he has money, then why is he staying at your boathouse?”
“Well, he doesn’t right now. But he lived in a castle.”
“A real castle?”
“Well, per Lucian, he said it is more of a gothic monstrosity.”
“That bad?”
“Apparently,” said, Molly.
“You sure he isn’t lying.”
“No. He is not lying,” Molly, snapped, getting riled. “What is with the twenty questions?”
“Hey, I’m just looking out for you.”
“Well, in case you didn’t notice, I’m a big girl and can take care of myself.”
“That’s what you said about Dan.” Peggy gave Molly one of her staple ‘don’t be stupid’ looks.
“Oh, fine,” Molly, grumbled, pulling off a paper towel. “I will take it slow.”
“I didn’t say to do that. You deserve a good romp after Dan. Just don’t expect anything after, okay?”
Molly sighed. She knew her friend was right. She shouldn’t get so attached, especially since she didn’t know him very well. But, damn, how could she not. He was so sexy and ….”
“Earth to Molly!” Peggy waved her hand up and down.
“Huh?”
“Are you planning on staying in the bathroom all night?”
“No. I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“How good it’s going to be if we do have sex.”
Peggy laughed. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
“Peggy,” Molly gasped. “You’re married.”
“Hey, I may be married but I’m not dead. And by the looks of Lucian….”
“Peggy…”
“All right, I’ll stop, but you got to promise to tell me everything.”
“Oh. I will,” Molly assured her friend.
“Now let’s get you back out there before one of the other girls snatches him up.” Peggy turned to leave.
“They already tried.”
Peggy pulled up short. “What do you mean?”
“I caught Tracy kissing him.”
“Dan’s, Tracy?”
Molly nodded.
“When did that happen?”
“Earlier.”
“Are you freaking kidding me?”
Molly shook her head. “I wish I was.”
“What a slut.”
“Tell me about it.”
“But wait…if she was kissing Lucian, how come you’re going to let him stay at your boathouse?”
“He said she kissed him.”
“And you believed him?”
Molly sighed. “Yes.”
Peggy gave her a sympathetic look.
“I know, I know,” Molly said. “I’ll be careful.”
“That’s my girl.” Peggy gave her a quick hug. “Now let’s go. I got a bouquet to toss.”
“You better throw it at me.”
Peggy smiled. “You bet.”
♣
Lucian stood near the bar sipping a whiskey while he waited for Molly to come back from the bathroom with Peggy. He was already on his third drink. He kept close to the potted plants, hoping Tracy didn’t try to corner him again. He was still horny as hell from his impromptu make out session with Molly in the hall. He wasn’t sure what to make of it since he wasn’t usually that aroused with women, well, not since Cecily—the bitch, as he liked to call her. She had taken something from him that day at the cabin and he had yet to get it back. Hell, he wasn’t su
re if he even wanted to.
And even though he had always been a sexual kind of guy, in a very visual way, for some reason just thinking about how pliable Molly had been in his arms made him….
“Damn!” he swore under his breath. The last thing he needed was another girl in his life. He had sworn to himself not to get involved with anyone, at least not on an emotional level. He built a fortress around his heart and he planned on keeping it that way. He decided he would just enjoy his time here, check out the sights like she had suggested. Hell, maybe they would even go back to the mine and look for that old miner’s stash. They might even find it and if they did, then his problems would be over….
As the band started to play another eighties song, he took another sip of his drink, a plan forming in his mind at the possibilities of such a thing. Granted it was farfetched but what the hell did he have to lose?
Not a damn thing, he decided.
Molly split apart from Peggy once they were back inside the reception room. She wanted to make sure Lucian was close to the dance floor when Marshall threw the garter, especially if she was lucky enough to catch the bouquet. Halfway in, she spotted Dan and veered to the left.
As she cut across the dance floor, bodies bumped and grinded in drunken joviality to the hired bands version of, ‘You dropped the bomb on me’ by the Gap Band. She craned her neck, looking for Lucian but she couldn’t find him. A sickening feeling twisted in her stomach. What if he left?
Once she made it to the bar and still didn’t see any sign of him she decided to get a drink. Irritated, she slapped her hand on the bar top. “Another whiskey,” she demanded and then added in a nicer tone, “please.”
The bartender gave her a sweep with his eyes. “You sure you want another?”
“Yes. I am sure.” Molly rolled her eyes in exasperation.
“Hey, I’m just looking out for you,” he said, frowning.
“Well, don’t bother,” she snipped and then felt bad. “Sorry.”
The crease between his brows deepened. “Here, take it.” He pushed out the whiskey.
Molly felt bad. She really wasn’t trying to be a bitch but he shouldn’t be giving her his two cents when she didn’t ask. Ignoring his look, she lifted the glass and slammed the contents back in one gulp, hoping to get her happy buzz back.
“Thanks.” She placed the glass back on the bar. “Another, please,” she said, trying to keep the derision from her voice. It wasn’t his fault she was suddenly in a foul mood.
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