Mike chuckled as he started the engine. “Time to make some money!” he laughed.
Lilly waved as James and Molly stepped into the house. “You’re late!” she called out, walking over to them with a grin on her lovely features. She gave Molly a hug, then looked sternly at James. “And you! I loved that speech you gave the other day to the unions, but seriously, you’ve got to stop kissing Molly and messing up her lipstick!” Then Lilly leaned over and hugged James, who chuckled at the friendly woman’s admonishment.
“I’ll try to restrain myself,” he promised. “Where do you want these boxes? They came in this afternoon, different types of stereo equipment.”
Lilly shifted around, then pointed towards the table by a long line of shrubs. “Over there,” she decided, pointing to one of the more empty tables. “Goodness, whoever is sending all this has pretty deep pockets!”
“I wish they would come forward,” Molly sighed, placing her stack of boxes on the table. “I’d love to thank them for the donations.”
Maggie came out of the house with her handsome husband’s arm around her waist. “I think that’s everything,” she said, looking around. “Oliver donated a few more things to the cause.” She nodded towards the table with cards. The cards were gift certificates to some of his luxury hotels in the Caribbean.
“You’re wonderful!” Molly stated, moving towards Oliver. But James pulled her back.
“No way!” he said, then reached out his hand to shake Oliver’s. “You’re not getting near the guy!”
Oliver chuckled as he shook James’ hand. “I understand completely and appreciate you keeping your hands off of my woman in return.”
Maggie only rolled her eyes. “Ignore them, Molls,” she said. “Lilly, get off of your feet. You look exhausted.”
“I’m fine,” she insisted, waving her hand. “I just need to–”
“You’re not fine,” Drako snapped, sweeping his wife off her feet and carrying her over to one of the sitting areas that surrounded a fire pit. “Stay there!” he ordered. “I’m going to get you a drink.”
Lilly grinned, but her look wasn’t one of obedience.
Maggie and Molly understood that look and sighed as they sat down on either side of their friend. “We’re staying here to watch over you and make sure that you follow orders,” Molly explained. James and Oliver took the chairs next to Maggie and Molly, leaning back to watch and listen. “So, what time do you think–”
Her question was interrupted by the ringing doorbell, indicating the time was now.
“And so it starts,” Lilly said, starting to get up.
“Don’t you dare!” Drako roared, hurrying down the stone steps with several glasses of something frosty. “I swear Lilly, if you move from that chair tonight, I’m going to lock you in our bedroom! You’ve been running all over town, getting this party ready. You’re going to relax and enjoy tonight!”
Lilly smirked as she accepted the drink. He then offered the other drinks to Molly and Maggie. “Keep her here!”
Then he was gone, walking off to greet their guests.
“You’d better go too,” Molly said to James. “You’ll make some important contacts tonight.”
James leaned back, shaking his head. “I’m fine right here,” he told her, lacing his fingers with hers. “I’ve done enough campaigning this week. I’m ready for a relaxing night of enjoying myself.”
Molly smiled, leaning her head against his broad shoulder. She ignored Lilly and Maggie’s knowing smirks as she sighed with happiness. Yeah, it wouldn’t last, she thought. But while he was around, Molly was going to enjoy him.
James watched as a group of guests came down the stone steps. They were dressed in beautiful, expensive clothing. Each had a drink in hand and the catering staff began circulating, offering cocktails, champagne, and mouth-watering appetizers. He was proud of Molly for what she’d accomplished in just a week, and also impressed with the idea of auctioning off the items that had mysteriously appeared at the community center.
She was right – the kids didn’t need such extravagant items as much as they needed funding for programs. Damn, he was so proud of her! She’d taken a strange situation and turned it into a way to help her community.
He wanted her. Not just for a night or a weekend, which was all they’d been able to manage over the past few weeks. No, James knew that he wanted her for the long haul. She was so perfect for him in so many ways, but every time he tried to talk about the future, she pulled back, closed down. She’d either kiss him or distract him, which wasn’t hard since he was easily distracted when it came to Molly. But he understood. She didn’t want to talk about the future.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep holding off. The ring was burning a hole in his pocket. He wanted to see that ring on her finger, see it glittering there as a symbol of their promise of a future together.
“Is she the one?”
James glanced at the man who had appeared at his side, trying to hide his impatience. “Having a good time, John?” he asked the reporter for the Washington Post.
“Excellent food!” John replied. “I’ve got to get the name of your caterer!” He popped another canapé into his mouth. “This is incredible!”
James chuckled softly. “Lilly Gatakis arranged everything.”
John nodded, licking his fingers before wiping them on the linen napkin. “So, any quote on Von Deuch’s response to your coastline erosion plan? I heard that–”
James shook his head impatiently. “Tonight isn’t about my campaign,” he interrupted. “This is about raising money for an excellent cause. Every item on display is up for auction. All of these items were mailed to the community center without a return address, so we don’t know who donated them, but Molly is determined to raise enough money to start a tutoring program this fall.”
The guy’s eyes widened. “Seriously? The election is only weeks away and you’re not going to use this moment to push your proposals?”
James shook his head and turned back, automatically searching for and finding Molly. “Nope. Tonight isn’t about me. It’s about the center and all of the amazing programs that the community center has for the neighborhood.” James pointed towards a table. “There’s a video game console over there where the bidding is only up to fifty dollars.”
John’s gaze immediately swiveled toward the electronics table. “Seriously? Fifty dollars? That’s a steal!” John walked away, eager to put in bids on several items.
James wanted to speak with Molly. Hell, he just wanted to be close to her, to feel her skin and hold her hand. Simply being close to Molly made him feel…good. No, good wasn’t the right word. Molly made him feel…alive! Even as the thought passed through his mind, Molly smiled at him. Immediately, James felt a white hot bolt of lust shoot through him.
“You’re not being particularly subtle about it,” a deep voice commented.
“He’s a goner,” another male voice explained and chuckled knowingly.
James looked around. Oliver Fenton was on his right and Drako Gataki was on his left. He’d gotten to know both men over the past few weeks since their wives were best friends with Molly. He’d also grown to respect them.
“I am,” James replied, not bothering to deny his feelings.
“So, what are you going to do about it?” Oliver asked, taking a sip of his scotch.
James laughed. “Not broadcast my intention to anyone but myself and Molly?” he offered.
Both men grinned, not offended in the least.
“He’ll do it,” Drako said, nodding with approval as all three of them watched Molly. Or perhaps Drako and Oliver were watching their own wives since all three lovely ladies were chatting in a group.
“She shouldn’t be on her feet! She’s been going nonstop all week!” Drako growled. He stormed over to his wife, who simply smiled up at him. James and Oliver watched as Lilly laid a gentle hand on Drako’s chest and, with a soft kiss, the guy was mush.
“Why does he let her do that?�
�� Oliver demanded, disgusted that Drako had practically melted at his wife’s feet. A moment later, Maggie glanced over at her husband and Oliver’s body tightened. “Right,” he said, then moved towards his wife as well.
James might have laughed. But instead, it just pissed him off that he couldn’t do the same with Molly. He wanted to walk over to her and wrap his arm around her shoulders. He wanted the whole world to know that she was his woman. He wanted everyone to know that they would have to deal with him if they hurt her in any way.
So, why the hell was he standing all the way over here? As soon as the thought popped into his head, Molly looked up and…those eyes! They compelled him. It was as if he could read her thoughts. And she was telling him that she wanted exactly what her friends had – a husband who loved her.
Damn it, he wanted that too! He wanted to be that husband! And he wanted that wife to be Molly!
So instead of continuing to pretend they weren’t a couple, James gave in. He walked over, grabbing a glass of champagne off a passing waiter’s tray, and stood right in front of her.
“I don’t want to hide what I feel for you anymore,” he told her firmly, handing her the glass of champagne.
Molly stared up at him, stunned by how handsome he looked tonight. “I like your suit,” she murmured softly, moving closer. But she didn’t touch him. She fought to keep her hands away from him.
She couldn’t touch him for fear that a reporter might catch her touching him. She knew that she couldn’t be the kind of wife he needed. Molly definitely wasn’t a political wife. She was just…herself.
James shook his head. “Give it up, Molly,” he warned softly. He took her hand and pulled her closer. “We’re not fooling anyone anyway,” he explained. “I can’t keep my eyes off you, and everyone who has spoken to me has commented.” He bent slightly to press a kiss to her forehead.
Molly gave herself a precious moment to lean into him. She breathed in the woodsy scent of his aftershave, closing her eyes to better savor the smell. “We should…”
“Hush, Molly,” he ordered gently. “Just hush.”
And with that, he wrapped an arm around her waist and turned, allowing the rest of the guests to see him talking with the woman he loved. Drako and Oliver watched, matching smirks on their faces. Molly glanced at her friends. Both Lilly and Maggie were smiling hugely as well.
Molly knew she should pull away. Several of the other guests noticed his arm around her and…!
Molly sighed and gave in. She leaned her head against his shoulder, allowing herself the joy of just being with him. Molly smiled when he pressed another kiss to the top of her head and pretended as hard as she could that everything would work out.
“I love you, Molly,” he whispered.
Molly stiffened momentarily, then leaned more heavily into him, closing her eyes. “I thought you were the ultimate diplomat,” she teased, smiling as she pressed her cheek against his chest.
His arm tightened around her waist and she felt as if the rest of the world just melted away.
“I thought I was too,” he teased.
“And yet, you pick the most inopportune moment to tell me that!”
Molly pulled away and looked up at him, her lips soft and needing to kiss him. But even now, in the back of her mind, she knew not to do anything that might hurt his image. Public kissing would definitely harm his image because the two of them rarely stopped at a simple kiss.
“Yeah, my timing needs work,” he replied. She heard the amusement in his voice.
Lilly glided over. “I hate to break up such a tender moment,” she teased, “but you really should check out the bids.”
Molly pulled away, but James didn’t let her get too far. He laced his fingers through hers as he said, “Let’s go take a look.”
Molly’s stomach tightened with dread. Was her idea horrible? Everyone seemed to be having a good time, but were all these guests here just to talk to Drako or Oliver? There was a constant stream of people heading towards those two. Molly suspected that they wanted to have a word with James as well, but he continued to talk about the center and the good work being done there.
And she loved him even more for it!
Goodness, it felt as if her heart was about to burst out of her chest. Watching him as he discussed something with another guest, she was awed all over again by how devilishly handsome he was. And he wasn’t just a pretty face, either. He could spout statistics and ideas off the top of his head, convince someone to a completely different opinion, or tease them out of a grouchy mood.
He must have felt her gaze because James reached out and pulled her against his side. Prior to tonight, she would have pulled away and feigned a casual friendship with James if they were around reporters. But not anymore.
Molly noticed Maggie and Lilly sharing a patio chair, whispering together.
She snuggled a bit more closely to James. Yeah, she was smitten. More than smitten. She was madly in love.
James must have sensed the change in her because he stopped mid-sentence and looked down at her. Those blue eyes of his bored into her hazel gaze and…he knew! His eyes sharpened and his arm around her waist tightened.
He didn’t say a word. Instead, he hugged her, then turned back to finish his conversation.
A few minutes later, Lilly tapped a fork against a glass, gaining everyone’s attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming tonight. And thank you for your wonderful generosity. Every penny will go towards additional programs at the center. The staff’s salary is paid out of federal, state, and local grants, so all the money donated tonight is headed towards the kids. You’ve seen the pictures and you know the results. So, thank you!”
Molly stepped forward and briefly went over the various programs that she wanted to implement, there was a round of polite applause, and then Molly was blinded as reporters took pictures. Molly knew that the press had been invited to the event, but she definitely hadn’t expected them to want her picture. Instead of shying away from the cameras, she stood very still and pasted a polite smile on her features, thinking about how James worked the press when at campaign events.
Finally, the reporters dispersed, heading out for the night, eager to file their stories.
An hour later, the bidding stopped and Lilly picked up all of the sheets. There was a round of applause as the winners came up to pay for and collect their “loot”. It was a fun evening and shockingly successful!
“Did you see how much you raised tonight?” Lilly asked an hour later, slumping down into a chair next to Molly and James. Immediately, Drako sat down next to her, pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms contentedly around his smiling wife.
“I hadn’t heard a figure,” Molly replied, leaning against James’ shoulder. She was exhausted and ready to be alone with James. But Maggie and Oliver sat down on the opposite sofa and Molly accepted that she’d have to wait at least a few more minutes.
Lilly named an amount and Molly gasped. “No way!”
Lilly grinned, nodding affirmatively. “Way!”
“That’s…wow!” Molly said, her mind reeling. “We can do all of the programs, plus a few more!”
“You did a great job.”
She leaned back, shaking her head. “I wish that there was some way to thank whoever had donated all those items. Some anonymous donor was very generous.”
“I agree,” Maggie said, smothering a yawn.
Molly stood up. “Lilly needs some rest.”
Lilly laughed. “Maggie’s the one who needs a nap,” she teased.
Maggie groaned, as she took her husband’s hands to let him haul her to her feet. “I’ll make sure that she gets some rest,” Oliver announced. Maggie grinned cheekily up at him. Everyone knew that Maggie wouldn’t be getting to sleep any time soon.
“Come, my dear,” James said, doing the same to Molly. “We have some unfinished business.”
Lilly smiled. “I’m going to call the reporte
rs and let them know the total donation amount. They can add it to their stories before they file them.”
“Thank you!” Molly said with enthusiasm as she hugged her friend.
A moment later, James had dragged her out of the house. “I thought we’d never get out of there,” he sighed as he started the engine.
Molly grinned as he drove, thinking that James was an incredibly handsome, wonderful man.
“Whatever you’re thinking, just hold onto that thought,” he said, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.
Molly laughed softly, gazing out the window. The city was flying by, but Molly didn’t really see any of the beautiful monuments. Her thoughts were focused on James. Finally, James pulled into his garage and Molly stepped out of the vehicle, eager to be in his arms.
“Now,” he said as he pulled her into his arms. “What were you thinking about?”
She laughed, sliding her hands up his chest so that her fingers could loop into his hair. “I was thinking about how much I love you and–”
Molly couldn’t continue because he kissed her, his mouth demanding as he backed her up until she was pinned against his sleek car. But even that wasn’t enough. James pulled her higher, his mouth ravishing her mouth as his hands roamed her body.
“Say it again,” he growled, his hands sliding under her black dress. It wasn’t a sexy dress, but while watching James move it out of the way, she felt sexy in it.
“I love you,” she whispered, and gasped as he spread her legs and stepped between them. Molly immediately wrapped them around his waist for balance, as he pressed his erection against her core and her mind went blank. There was no balance now, only lust. She wiggled, inhaling sharply when she felt that part of him pressing against her so intimately!
“Say it again!” he urged, ripping her panties off and tossing them away. He fumbled in his pocket for a condom, pulling away just enough to roll it down his shaft.
Molly watched, her hands sliding along his arms. The muscles bulged and rippled as he balanced her on the hood of the car without letting her feet touch the concrete floor.
Breathless Secrets (Rose Garden Apartments Book 3) Page 14