“What about your mother?”
“My mother cares more about saving face than saving her son.”
Connor became uncomfortable from the sheer mention of his mother. If ever there was someone who made him feel ill and uneasy in their company, it was her.
“Well, I’m here, you can talk to me. I told you that before.” Molly lifted her feet off him, got up and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I know that this is all new, and totally crazy, but if you need to talk, then talk to me. Don’t bottle it up because believe me, doing that will destroy you from the inside out.”
Running a finger up and down her back, Connor kissed her arm. “Is that something you’ve learned from experience?”
“Yes!”
“What happened?”
It was the one question Connor had tried to avoid asking, but he knew that to understand the real Molly, he had to get beneath the surface. Even if it meant bringing up painful memories. “Long story short?” she said as a frown creased her forehead.
“If it’s too painful—”
“No, I want to… It’s just… I guess I’m afraid.”
“Don’t be. Not with me.”
Molly sighed and fidgeted awkwardly before getting herself comfortable in his arms.
“I ran away from home the day after my thirteenth birthday,” she said as she looked at her hands, her voice trembling as she spoke. “Up until then, I had spent much of my younger days being moved back and forth between foster homes and the places my parents would set up what they constituted as a home. My father did things to me, stuff no daddy should do to his little girl, and my mother beat the shit out of me, blaming me for leading my dad on.” A tear ran down her cheek and, sniffing, she worked hard not to break down. “I took to the streets, trying to survive. I mean, anything was better than being force-fed meth and vodka—right? But the problem was I got addicted to the taste of liquor, how it numbed the pain, the ugliness that I felt within me. I spent much of my teens in a drunken haze.”
“My God, Molly. I’m so sorry,” Connor said as he listened to her.
“I was convinced I’d die on those streets. I was starving to death and stealing to get my hands on booze. Those shelters I work at, those places saved me. Not that I knew it then, but, if it hadn’t been for Aggie, I’d be dead right now.” She looked at Connor as the tears began falling. “I was barely alive when they found me that morning. Normally you have to vacate the premises by seven a.m., eight by the latest—I was still in the bunk when Aggie shook me. I’d OD’d on Benzos and cheap vodka. I was in respiratory arrest and I was in a bad way.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Connor whispered as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“What can you say? I was a train wreck.”
“But look at you now.” Connor touched her face. “You’ve come out the other side stronger.”
“Maybe, but some things are hard to forget and live without, you know what I mean?” She paused. “I’m an alcoholic, Connor. Is that something you can deal with?”
Connor was stunned by her revelation. He had only half expected her to have issues with alcohol because she didn’t like the stuff. Not once did he imagine her having an addiction. “Is it still…a problem?”
“It will always be a problem, but do I still drink? No, I’ve been clean for over two years. My only setback was when Aggie passed away earlier this year.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t begin to imagine how hard life has been for you. My problems seem so mediocre compared to what you’ve been through,” Connor said, overcome with guilt about his own selfish depression.
“Don’t you dare,” Molly said as she stood. “Don’t give me your pity. I don’t want it, okay?”
“Molly, I didn’t mean—”
Molly turned her back on him and walked away, gazing out at the sea as tears flooded her eyes. Connor felt so bad. He hadn’t wanted to upset her, not like this. He was just floored by how hard her life had been. Not wanting be a complete jackass, he pulled on his pants before walking over to her. He had to let her know it was okay to be open and honest with him.
Standing behind her, Connor placed his hands on her shoulders, kissing down on the top of her head.
“Then let me love you.” The words had come out before he had realized what he was saying.
Molly froze.
Connor was stunned and rendered speechless. He couldn’t believe he’d said them. Words he was convinced he’d never say. Slightly giddy, he laughed nervously, but as he tried to think of something to do or say to help them move past the awkwardness, Molly turned around.
“Okay,” she said as she met his gaze.
Connor stared at her, his heart dropped hard into the pit of his stomach and the old familiar feeling of butterflies began swarming inside. Her beautiful eyes, fresh from crying, looked up at him, and all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her, protect her from ever being hurt again.
“Are we crazy?” he asked her as he took her hands in his.
“Probably, but what have we got to lose?” Molly shrugged.
“I could think of a few people who could compile a list,” he joked.
Kicking a little sand at his feet, Molly moved in close to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. The warmth of his chest next to her skin calmed her down. “Then let’s not think of anyone else.”
The way her lips connected with Connor’s felt right. Somehow, among all of the dizziness and confusion from everything that had happened in the past week, Molly had become a lifeline to him. Something had changed inside him and he was content to have his breath come and go with hers.
Connor couldn’t believe what they were doing, but it had never felt more right.
Chapter Fourteen
Molly couldn’t quite get her head around the fact that she had done a complete U-turn and was now embarking on something that had no rhyme or reason, other than the fact that it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
Being with Connor was so easy. He accepted her for what she was, all her flaws and insecurities along with it. For someone who didn’t trust so easily, she found herself falling headfirst for the guy from the bridge and knew there’d be no way back—not unless he broke her heart. That was a risk worth taking, for he’d opened up her heart and soul to everything she thought she didn’t deserve.
The setting sun—warm with fiery colors—slowly moved aside, allowing the beauty of the awaiting moonlit canvas to open up, leaving the night air sweet and fragrant.
Molly stood on the shoreline, loving the sensation of her feet in the tide coming in. The calmness that took over was second to none. If this was heaven, she didn’t want to leave.
“Let’s go up to the house,” Connor said from behind her as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in close to his chest.
“Hmm, just two minutes more,” she replied as she looked up at the star-studded heavens, the twinkling skyline a breathtaking sight.
Connor kissed her on the side of her face. He smiled as he followed her gaze, and lovingly stood there, taking in the wonder of the night.
* * * *
Hot steam immediately enveloped their bodies as Connor guided Molly into the custom shower. There was a narrow walkway lined with beautiful crisp white and bronze stacked stone walls. He smiled as his hands explored her body and moved in for a kiss.
The multiple rainfall showerheads sprinkled hot water over them from every angle, their bodies glistening from the moisture and steam, washing away the salty remnants of sea water.
“I never want to leave your side,” Connor gushed as he ran his hands over Molly’s lower back, his fingers moving down, resting on her well-rounded ass.
Molly didn’t say anything. She looked up at him, mesmerized by the way he touched her, the way he leaned down, groaning into her neck, his light kisses tingling her—the desire burning deep inside. Molly lowered her hand and ran her fingers around his growing hardness, rolling his balls in the palm of her hand. She loved how she made him hard, which in turn made her horny.
Without saying anything, Molly dropped to her knees, gripping the base of his cock as she licked the underside of him before taking him into her mouth.
Connor’s hips jerked forward as he let out a groan. “Fuck!”
Smiling, Molly began working him in her hand before taking him in her mouth, sucking and teasing, making the hardness swell as she moaned.
She’d never given a man oral sex before and was quite impressed with how quickly she learned. Connor held on to the back of her head as he pushed himself farther into her mouth, making her look up at him, her eyes blazing with the same hunger that burned in his.
Connor was unbelievably sexy. His well-ripped abs were glistening from the water droplets running down his chest. The muscles on his arms were clenched tight as his body tensed up from the way Molly pleasured him.
“Ah, baby!” he moaned as she teased him, taking him down her throat, then back out again. “If you keep doing that I’m gonna come.”
Lifting her chin with his hand, he pulled out of her mouth, helping her to his feet. Connor cupped a breast and kissed her as Molly ran her fingers through his hair, enjoying the taste of his tongue. His hardness rested against her pelvis, twitching with arousal the harder their kisses became.
Connor growled with a primal urge. He turned her around, pushed himself up behind her, pressing her hands against the tiles. One hand rested on her hips as the other guided himself inside her, thrusting up hard, making Molly cry out in surprise.
Slow at first, Connor moved in and out of Molly, letting the wave of pleasure submerge her completely. Molly was so overwhelmed by the way Connor made love to her. Her heart pounded hard in her ears. Leaning over, Connor tweaked at her nipple, massaging her breast, intensifying the building orgasm that was beginning to swell deep in her womb.
Molly cried out as the orgasm shook her body. The power behind the climax left her dizzy, her spasms clamping around Connor’s cock, sending him into a frenzy.
Grabbing her hips, he dug his fingers deep into her flesh as he buried himself inside her. Her ass against his hips, her feet tiptoeing on the floor as he leaned back, grinding her hard onto him. Gritting his teeth, Connor screamed as his own orgasm left him breathless.
Minutes ticked by before Connor released his grip of her. Molly stood up straight, letting the water fall onto her face, the heat refreshing against her. Turning to face him, she fell into his arms as they embraced, holding on to the other, clinging on to the moment, savoring the passion and love beginning to consume them both.
* * * *
Molly had just finished getting dressed when she heard Connor talking. Drying her hair as she walked down the steps that led to the open-plan living area, she saw Connor staring out of the patio doors, holding the back of his head.
“I said I will be back on Monday.” He sounded exasperated. “God damn it, Bruce, can you not give me a break?”
Molly stood in silence as she listened. She knew that the pressure was getting to him and worried that any more annoyance would send him over the edge. Connor saw her silhouette in the reflection of the glass. Turning around to face her, he rolled his eyes as he pointed to his phone and mouthed the word
moron
, making her smile.
But he wasn’t fooling her, she could see the stress on his face.
“Bruce, I’m going. I’m busy. Why don’t you go and enjoy that family of yours before you lose sight of your priorities.” Throwing the phone, Connor walked over, greeting Molly with a soft peck on the lips.
“Trouble?”
“Nothing that needs my attention until Monday,” Connor replied as he walked over to the refrigerator, taking out two steaks. “You hungry?”
“Well, I’ll not say no to steak,” Molly said as she watched him taking control, treating her like a princess, tending to her every need. “Do you want any help?”
“Nope, you just sit yourself down, let me sort this.”
Molly didn’t argue with him. She sat on one of the stools next to the white island, resting her hands as Connor set a pan on the burner, waiting for it to heat up before placing the sirloins inside.
Sitting contentedly, Molly took in her surroundings. Everything looked opulent from the gleaming wood floors covered in stylish throw rugs to the sheer curtains that billowed like mist as a breeze blew in from the open glass sliding door. The furnishings were modern, yet soft, and suited Connor well.
“How do you like yours?” he asked, pulling her attention right back to him.
“Medium—not too bloody.”
Connor winked at her and got to frying their steaks. With ease, he grabbed two plates from a cupboard behind him, giving them a wipe before setting them on two place settings at the other end of the isle.
“Want to make up some salad?” he asked Molly, who was more than happy to help out. She felt quite redundant sitting there, doing nothing.
“Sure!”
The two of them worked together as if they had been partners for a lifetime. Smiling and chatting as they each helped the other, it was hard to believe it had only been a week since they’d met.
The weekend had been a huge success, and one Molly never thought would be so relaxing. They explored each other, made love and fell into the kind of love that she’d only read about in one of her Nicholas Sparks novels. It was truly an amazing time and she hated having to say goodbye on Monday morning, but was excited at the prospect of seeing him later that week.
Some things in life were worth waiting for, and Molly was happy knowing that Connor was her silver lining.
Chapter Fifteen
The stress was clear on Connor’s face as he walked into the boardroom. Several heads turned to face him as he sat down in his usual spot, trying his best not to make eye contact with anyone. Bruce cleared his throat as he tugged at his tie. He was clearly on edge.
“Relax, man!” Connor whispered, trying his best to control the tight knot in his chest. The pressure from the anxiety was toxic as he tried to breathe through it. He could feel the sweat bubble, the uncontrollable sound of his heart vibrating in his head. If this was the start of a heart attack, he was convinced he’d die then and there.