Protecting Her: A Romance Bundle

by Mia Ford

  I raised my head and walked forward, flashing her a grin. “Good morning, Molly.”

  “Good morning. Out for a run today?” Her eyes dragged over my long running shorts and jacket slowly, making my cock harden underneath. I saw the heat in her gaze.

  “Yes, and now I need some coffee and one of those muffins,” I told her as the redhead paused with a cart of pastries coming from the back of the store. She looked me over and then gazed at her friend as I gave her a warm smile.

  “Sure,” Molly said as she rang me up, taking my money and watching me drop a bill into the tip jar. “Thank you. You don’t have to do that every time.”

  She moved to get me the coffee and gave me a long look as she slid it across the counter to me. “Was that you yesterday morning? The flowers? I know that Nate didn’t bring them to Noel.” That was the other girl’s name.

  “Did you like them?” I leaned closer as Noel got a fresh muffin and slipped it onto a plate, handing it to Molly with her eyes on me.

  “They were gorgeous. I took them home yesterday to put them in my room. They smell so good.” A hint of pink flushed her cheeks and she smiled, looking surprised for a moment. She looked around to see if there were any customers. “Why did you do that?”

  “To see that smile. I’m Robert Johnson,” I told her, offering her my hand. She shyly reached out to shake it and the sparks flew between us as I felt the heat of her skin.

  I wanted her so bad.

  “Molly Randall,” she offered as she looked down at our joined hands. “This is Noel Martin.” I reluctantly let go of Molly’s hand and shook Noel’s as she stepped forward. She was giving me that look that suggested she’d kill me if I hurt her friend when she told me that it was nice to meet me.

  “You have a great place here,” I told them as they both smiled proudly. I heard the door chime and looked behind me to see an older couple walking up to the counter.

  “I’ll get it,” Noel offered as Molly blushed and looked into my face.

  “I’d like to take you out,” I told her as she looked at me with big eyes. “Dinner, maybe a movie. Anything that you want.” I saw the fear pass through her eyes again and reached out for her hand.

  “Why me?” Molly asked in a voice that made my blood boil. Who did this to her?

  “You’re beautiful, Molly. I want to get to know you.” I looked into her eyes as Noel’s laughter reached us. “You’ll be safe with me. I just want to spend some time with you.”

  “Okay,” she said in s trembling voice as I stared at her. She said yes?

  “Can we have dinner tonight? I’ll have you home early since I know that you get here early.” I offered as she searched my face for a long moment.

  “Yes, that would be nice.” I asked for her phone and she grabbed it from the back counter as a crowd came in. I sent myself a text and told her that I would pick her up at six if she sent me her address. I turned to take my plate and cup to a table, feeling some eyes on me as I sat down by the fire with a cocky grin on my face.

  Molly was going out with me.

  I sat as long as I could before I had to get to the base, waving goodbye to the girls before I left. I normally didn’t worry about friends all that much, but Noel was more like a sister to Molly. I knew that I should treat them both with respect. I jogged home and showered before changing into my uniform. I was meeting the newest bunch of students today and overseeing the classes since the asshole that was getting a divorce had the job before I arrived. My reputation was impeccable and I was tough, so nothing would slip by me. I drove to the base and parked before heading into the teaching building, greeting Randy as he stood just outside of the classroom. “Are you ready for this?” He asked as I nodded and laughed. It almost seemed like yesterday that I was here, full of confidence that would slowly get knocked down as the class moved forward. I got it all back and had a great career, but there were some tough times.

  The students walked in, followed by Olivia and Brian as she stared at the floor. I’d gotten the best of her but if she was as stupid about things as she seemed, she’d be getting it from one of these kids. A woman teaching the class was always something of an uproar, but she knew her stuff after all her years in studying the planes. She just needed to keep it professional and I took a seat with Randy in the back of the room. I thought forward to the date, considering taking her to the local Asian place in town if she liked that kind of food. There weren’t the fine steakhouses here that I’d had in other cities to woo women, but I didn’t mind. I was starting to like it here more.

  The class went smoothly for the first day. There were the guys that thought they were going to be ahead of everyone else, but I knew what would happen as time passed. I was there once and damn lucky to have worked through it, making a fine career out of the opportunity.

  I left at four, ready to go home and get ready for my date. Molly had sent me her address and I stopped by the florist for a smaller bouquet for her. I selected lilies this time, tucking them under my arm as I walked to my car.

  I took another shower and dressed in black slacks and a button up shirt in a dark shade of blue. I slipped my feet into some black boots that I wore for errands that I’d been wearing for years. Once I liked something, I stuck with it. I was a simple man in some ways but to others I was so complex.

  I worried that I’d be too much for Molly as I followed the directions to her house. It was a nice ranch house that was up on a hill overlooking the town and countryside, so I took a long look as I got out of my used Pathfinder. It was beautiful and I returned my gaze to the house with the warm light inside. I walked up and knocked on the door with flowers in hand, smiling as a woman opened the door with a curious gaze. She was close to my age and beautiful with dark skin and eyes. “Mr. Johnson,” she greeted me as I frowned and shook my head with a chuckle.

  “It’s Robert. I’m not at work,” I assured her as she laughed and opened the door.

  “Come in. Molly will be right down.” Her eyes landed on the flowers as she smiled wider. “I can put those in some water. They’re beautiful. She deserves them.”

  “I agree.” I walked inside and she took the flowers through what looked like the living room as she told me to have a seat. Molly must live with them and I glanced around to see pictures of Noel and the woman with a man on the mantel. This must be her family home. It felt warm in here and full of love, so I was glad that she had a place like this. I heard laughter and then footsteps to my left and glanced over to see someone coming down the stairs, making eye contact with Molly as she smiled.

  She was wearing a green dress with black tights and flats and held a purse and jacket in her arms. “You’re stunning,” I said as I stood up and took her in eagerly, making her blush. Her hair was down around her shoulders and she’d added a hint of makeup to make her eyes pop. I knew that she didn’t realize how gorgeous she was and wanted her to as I watched her walk towards me.

  “Thank you. You look good, too.” Her eyes raked over me as she stopped and settled on my face. We heard someone coming in and both turned to see the older woman carrying a vase of flowers.

  “I’ll watch these until your home, Molly. Maybe Keith will get some ideas.” She smiled as she put the lilies on a table and Molly looked at me.

  “You brought those?” I nodded. “Robert, this is Marta Martin. Noel’s mother.” I shook her hand and saw a pride in her eyes for Molly that made me realize this was different from anything with any other woman in my life. I never met family nor did I care to, but I liked this woman and this house. I liked Molly.

  We made some small talk before leaving and I helped Molly into her thick black coat. She smelled like cherries and I inhaled deeply as she turned to meet my eyes. We walked to the car as the sun was setting on the horizon, and I paused as Molly looked at it. Her face was beautiful in the hues of orange and pink and I memorized her as she smiled and reached for my hand. “Thank you for everything, Robert. The flowers are beautiful and this is just…nice. I
don’t go out too much.”

  “It’s not a problem. I like seeing that smile,” I assured her as our eyes locked and fingers intertwined. Yes, there was heat between us. Once she seemed to be finished watching the sunset, I took her to my car and opened the door before making sure that she was securely inside and safe. I walked around the back and slipped into the front seat before looking at her. “I was thinking of Asian for dinner. Do you like that?”

  “I love it,” she replied as her red lips spread into a smile. I started the car and headed down the hill into town, smelling her in my car as the attraction between us increased with each passing moment. I looked at her at the stoplight to see her gazing at me, blushing when she was caught. Molly looked forward and pressed her lips together, forming a pout as I pulled forward at the green light.

  We parked in front of the restaurant and I shrugged into my leather jacket before walking around to her side. I opened her door and watched her slide out of the truck as she giggled and reached out for me for balance. “It’s a little high. I added the tires when I knew I was moving here.” I told her as our eyes locked and held. She licked her lips and I caught it as a blurry movement, too wrapped up in the intensity of her gaze. I was holding her by her waist and if I leaned in just a little, I could kiss her. I sucked in some air and stared into her eyes with a question as she pressed her hands to my shoulders.

  Her eyes screamed yes as she looked at me, raw emotion all over her face. I leaned down slowly, still searching her face before I pressed my mouth gently to hers. I brushed them softly against her lips and she let out a soft moan as the urge to push her against the car hit me. I wanted her right here, right now and I pulled away to breathe for a moment. I looked at her and saw the look in her eyes that mirrored my thoughts though I knew that she wasn’t ready yet. “Let’s go in.”

  “Yes,” Molly said as she glanced at the window of the car to check her face. Whatever she had on her lips was good because it looked perfect. It hadn’t smeared at all and I wondered darkly what it would take for a second before I took her hand and led her inside of the restaurant.

  8

  Molly

  My thighs were shaking as I walked in, still stunned by that kiss. It was gentle and light but it made my whole body react and I blinked as the hostess greeted us in the restaurant. She led us to a table in the corner as I glanced around the pretty room. I’d never been here before and I thought that I should spend more time in town. I was just working so much or sleeping. Robert waited for me to sit in the booth before sliding in across from me and asking for some tea.

  I read over the menu as I kept playing the kiss through my mind and I looked at Robert across from me, reading his own menu. He was so gorgeous and he wanted me.

  Me.

  I was smart enough to know that Lance was young and that this man sitting across from me wasn’t him, even with the memories of my pain. “See anything that looks good?”

  “I am thinking about the lemon chicken. It sounds delicious,” I replied as I looked at him. “You?”

  “General’s chicken. I get it every time I’m in a place like this.” I didn’t know what that was so I read the menu to see. It was spicy and I smiled. How spicy did he like things in life? Was Robert wasting his time with a girl like me?

  The waitress came over and focused on him, barely giving me a glance as I ordered. I frowned, thinking back to the woman at the cafe that day. What did I expect? He was handsome and so confident, so why wouldn’t every woman want him? Robert was cordial, but he didn’t flirt back with her and I watched with fascination.

  As soon as we were alone, Robert poured us each some tea and leaned forward. “Tell me about yourself, Molly.”

  I moved up in my seat and thought about what to say. “Well, I have lived here for almost a year now. Noel’s folks let us stay there and helped us open the cafe. It was something she’d wanted to do for so long and I suppose that she roped me into it. I graduated with a degree in Literature and thought life would be different. It’s good, though. I added the shelves and all the books to the cafe.”

  “I like that touch. I am sure that most of your customers do,” he said as I smiled.

  “I think so. It’s Noel’s place since she does the baking and the business side of things. Her dad is smart about all of that and he helps her. I just help where I can.” I shrugged as he frowned.

  “You do a lot more than that. Noel could never run that place on her own and in fact, I think that you two could use a little help. Do you get any days off?” Robert asked as I shook my head. “You have to get up early to be there?”

  “Around 3:30,” I admitted as he gave me a horrified look. “I help her bake everything fresh. I live on caffeine during the day and naps after work. Life on the edge.” I smirked to let him know that I was making a joke as Robert’s eyes softened. “What about your job?”

  “I am a major in the air force. I have been with them for twenty years now,” he boasted proudly as I nodded. “I moved here to do a little cleaning up at the base and now I am overseeing the classes for the new guys.”

  “You like it here, you said?” I asked as he nodded easily.

  “It’s a nice place to settle once I retire in a few years. I can go fishing and hunting. All of that manly stuff.” I laughed because Robert was the picture of masculinity to me. He was gorgeous but took excellent care of his body and had a bit of an edge to him. This place suited him.

  “How old are you?” I finally asked, needing to know. I’d tried to do the math, but it was too hard because he looked so good.

  “I am forty-two. How old are you?” Robert asked as I looked down at the table. That was a lot of years between us.

  “I just turned twenty-three.” I admitted, searching his face. “Is that too young?”

  “No, not at all. I think that you’re something of an old soul, Molly. I remember being your age and you’re above all of that.” He smiled and I wondered what he was like back then. Was he like Lance when he was my age? Was he like that now? There were a million warning signs going off in my head but my heart was beating fast in my chest. My body was craving him and I pressed my thighs together.

  “My mom always told me that, too. She said I was born older.” I grinned. “They’re in Malad City. I was born here, but I jumped around to go to college and then moved here.”

  “Any siblings?” He asked and I shook my head.

  “I’m it. They had trouble having kids and once I was born, they stopped worrying about it. We were happy when I was growing up.” I looked into his eyes. “You?”

  “I have a brother that’s thirty-eight. James. He’s a cop in Philadelphia where they all still live.” He smiled fondly as he spoke of them and I knew that he loved his family. “The military thing is a family deal. All the men were in the Air Force and James started there but ended up joining the police force. I have a hell of a lot of respect for him.”

  “I can see that you’re close,” I responded before the waitress came with our food. She set mine down quickly and leaned over to place Robert’s plate in front of him, smiling as he smirked at her. “Does that happen everywhere you go?”

  “Sometimes, but it doesn’t matter. I’m with you.” His words played through my mind as I took a drink of my tea. I’d heard them before.

  We ate and talked about the towns that surrounded us and places we liked there. I had only been to the movies a few times and the diner since Noel and I weren’t into drinking too much with our hours. We’d done a little hiking as well, but I admitted to Robert that Noel was a lot more social than I was.

  “We can get to know the town together,” Robert told me as I blushed. “I’m surprised that you don’t date more. You’re beautiful.”

  I leaned back and pressed my lips together. Behind this red lip stain and dress, I was still the scared girl that didn’t want to trust anybody. “I haven’t done a lot of that.” I looked at him and thought that he must have women throwing themselves at him since he
was in school. He dated. I could tell that he did and probably all the time. “I…I have something that I should tell you.” Was it too soon for him to know that I was a virgin?

  Robert leaned closer to me and met my gaze. “What’s that?”

  “I haven’t dated a lot and I also have never…slept with a man,” I took a good look around before speaking to assure myself that we were alone. I looked at him and watched his skin pale as he leaned heavily on his arms. “I know that you have probably been with a lot of women and I didn’t want you to waste your time with me.”

  He stared at me as a dark look crossed his face, filled with doubt for a moment. “How am I wasting my time with you?”

  “You could take me home if you want to. I know that I am probably not what you expected.” I heard the horrible words and self-doubt pouring out of my mouth but I couldn’t stop it. I lowered my face to stare at my lap as I tried to regain my composure.

  “Molly,” he said as I felt someone sitting beside me. I hated Lance and what he did to me as Robert circled my shoulders with his arm. “I don’t care about that.” I lifted my face to look at him doubtfully. “Someone did. Someone hurt you.”

  We left the restaurant shortly and he took my hand as we walked towards the car. I didn’t want to talk in that room where anyone could hear my embarrassment. “Do you want me to take you home?” His voice was low as I looked at him.

  I didn’t, but I was too nervous to say that. “Not really.” He paused and moved closer to me, locking his eyes to mine.

  “I didn’t bring you here to sleep with you, but I am attracted to you. Molly, I am so drawn to you but it isn’t all about sex.” He frowned and cupped my face with his hands as he looked at me.

  “Is that a first for you?” I asked as he looked past me and licked his lips.

  “God, I don’t know how to answer you. Yes, it is but I feel like you’re different,” Robert pressed his forehead to mine as I let out the breath that I was holding. I lifted my face to touch his mouth with mine, softly. I had not kissed anyone since Lance, and this was more than that had ever been. I felt foolish for wanting him at all now and I wrapped my arms around Robert’s waist, feeling his muscles tense. Robert tilted his head and kissed me harder as one hand slid into my hair to hold on.