by Ciana Stone
"Okay, I'll be right back." Molly ran inside, put the printouts in her room, on the dresser and then opened a drawer to put the tank top inside. The choice of slogan on the shirt puzzled her. If anyone should come with a warning label, it was Wiley. Her eyes went to the chair. The one Wiley had sat in that day before he left, watching her. God in heaven, he could make her come undone with a look.
Her heartbeat sped up, and her skin flushed as she remembered. Then she looked at the printouts on the dresser. Wiley had made sure she'd get to see Kaylee's graduation. Regardless that kindergarten graduation was no big deal, he'd known it meant something to her, and he'd made it possible for her to be there.
What kind of man does that? She knew the answer to her own question. A good man, And the one she was falling for head over heels.
Chapter Seven
"If you want it, here it is"
"Tequila," Molly said, propped her elbows on the bar and slumped.
"God girl, you look like a whipped dog. What's up?" Cody asked and plunked two shot glasses on the bar between them. "Regular or top shelf?" She held a bottle in both hands.
"Top shelf. And don't put it away."
Cody shrugged, poured two shots and then set the bottle aside to pick up her glass. "Here's to whatever has you in a funk getting the funk outta Dodge."
"If only." Molly raised her glass, tapped it to Cody's and then drank it in one swallow. "Whew, yeah. Hit me again."
"You sure? It's way early yet – and aren't you supposed to be meeting Trina and Brody?"
"Yep, and Mica and Deacon. Just two happy couples and me, out for a boot knocking, tequila drinking Friday night." She accepted the refill, drank it and then propped her head in her hands. "Three more days, Cody. Three."
"Until you leave for Oklahoma?"
"Until I see my baby and my Gran."
"I can't wait to meet them."
"Oh, I can't wait for you to. They're going to love you, and I bet you'll love them."
"Well, it won't be long, and once you're back here with them, life will be perfect."
"Almost." Molly murmured and felt that warm tequila haze waft through her, heating her body and trying to numb her mind.
"Almost? Ah, you mean Wiley."
"Wiley," Molly repeated his name. "He's been gone so long."
"He'll be back. Just be patient."
"Patient? Easy to say when you have Mr. Sex on Wheels spooning your tight ass at night."
"My tight ass?"
"It is tight," Molly said seriously. "You've got a smoking body, and you damn well know it. And you've got Jax and dear lord, he's freaking sexy with all capital letters."
"He is that. So, you and Wiley are – you know – involved?"
"You mean have we had sex? No, not really." Molly cut a look around. There were not that many people in the bar. She'd come early so she could talk with Cody and because she was going nuts sitting at home.
"What does that mean, exactly?" Cody asked.
"Well, I've seen him in just a towel and holy hell, I damn near blew an ovary over that. And then the day he left, he stopped by and a vibrator I was writing a report on fell off the couch and –"
Cody started laughing and poured them each another shot. "I'd have paid to see the expression on his face. What did he do?"
"He –uh," Molly hesitated then downed the shot, blew out her breath and did what she'd wanted to do. Tell a friend and get some advice. "I sort of masturbated while he watched."
"Fuck me," Cody blew the words in a stage whisper. "Girl. That's hot as hell."
"You don't know the half of it. He showed up in this suit, all tailored and looking all James Bond and he has those icy eyes that just look right inside you and that voice and when he said, "take off your clothes and let me look at you," I nearly lost it."
"No shit. He's sexy as all get out. So, what happened? You know, after?"
"I asked if that was what he'd wanted, and he said, "for now." And then he said when he got back he'd take what he wanted."
"Take it, huh? How do you feel about that?"
"Like he'd have to beat me to it because honest to God if he was here right now, I'd climb him like a tree."
"Seriously?"
"Abso-fucking-lootley."
"Then this is your lucky day." Cody pointed toward the door.
Molly looked, and despite knowing it was impossible, for the life of her, it felt like time just stopped. One tick and then – nothing. He was standing there. Just inside the door. Deacon was beside him with Mica, and Trina and Brody were behind.
"Check out the shirt," Cody's voice drifted in, followed by a chuckle.
If you want it, here it is.
"Oh, hell yes." Maybe it was the tequila, but Molly didn't consider the fact that there were others in the bar, or that perhaps it wasn't the most ladylike behavior. She didn't think about anything but taking off in his direction. Three steps and her pace increased.
Wiley met and caught her when she launched herself at him. Her legs wrapped around his waist as her arms circled his neck. She heard him chuckle as his hands moved beneath her ass to hold her.
"I want it," she whispered against his lips and then kissed him.
Correction. She started the kiss. Wiley took charge and within two red-hot seconds had her forgetting everything but him, their joined lips and his hands squeezing her ass as he held her snug against him.
Were it not for the sudden hooting and cheers, she would have happily remained lost in the moment. But the stomping, shouts, and whistles intruded, and the kiss ended. She put one hand on the side of Wiley's face. "Hey."
"Hey, Foxy. Did you miss me."
"You have no idea."
He gave her another quick kiss and let her slide down his body. She took her time and saw the acknowledging smile on his face. It gave her a charge. "You go, girl!" Cody yelled from the bar.
Molly turned and grinned, not in the least ashamed. She was crazy about Wiley, more relieved than she wanted to admit that he was safe, and happy to be here, with him and surrounded by these people. Some were already her friends, and some might be one day. At this moment, life was excellent, and she was going to enjoy every second.
"When did you get back?" She asked as Wiley wrapped his arm around her and escorted her toward a table where Trina and Brody were already seated, along with Mica and Deacon.
"An hour ago. Trina texted before I landed that everyone was coming out here for the evening and she'd asked you to join."
"So, you wanted to see me?"
"You know I did. I do."
"I'm so glad. Oh!" She stopped, forcing him to as well. "Wiley, what you did. Those tickets. I – I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't have to. I know you want to be there for Kaylee."
"I do. So much. But you didn't have to—"
"I wanted to, baby."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now come on, let's join everyone and have a drink to celebrate. Or three maybe, to catch up with you."
She laughed. "Tequila shots."
"Tequila?"
"It makes my clothes fall off."
"Well hell, in that case –" He turned and yelled to Cody. "Send a bottle of Patron and some glasses over, would you?"
"You got it, Boss." Cody gave him a thumbs up and grinned.
Molly laughed and then smiled at everyone seated at the table. "Y'all are doing Tequila shots with us, right? Well, all but you, Mica. You gotta protect that sweet pea you got growing."
She saw how Mica's hand went to her belly and it made her smile. "You're going to have the prettiest baby."
"You think so?"
Molly looked at Wiley and smiled as he pulled back the chair next to Mica for her. "Thank you." She then turned her attention back to Mica. "Are you kidding? Look at the gene pool that little pea has to choose from. Between your family and Deacon's? Wow."
"Okay folks, here ya go. Fair warning, Molly's already three ahead of you."
&nb
sp; "Oh oh, you know what that means," Mica said and winked.
"What?" Brody asked.
"Injuns and fire water?" Mica asked.
Molly gave her a wink before responding. "Circle the wagons, boys, cuz it's about to go down."
Everyone laughed, and she leaned over to put the side of her head against Wiley's shoulder. He poured the shots, handed them out and then raised his. "Here's to going down."
There was more laughter, and everyone tossed back their shot. Cody got up on stage and announced that even though they didn't have a band tonight, there was still music, so everyone get up on the floor and get this weekend started.
Molly loved the way people cheered and clapped. When a slow country song rang out of the speakers, she turned to Wiley. "Dance with me?"
"My pleasure."
Wiley escorted her to the dance floor, spun her into his arms and held her with a firm but gentle hand as he slowly two-stepped her around the dance floor. Of all the things Molly had imagined, daydreamed and fantasized about, dancing with Wiley was not one of them.
She was quite certain she'd be adding it to the list. The man was smooth, like Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Michael Jackson moonwalking, smooth. It made her feel light as air and worked up enough she wished they were somewhere private.
One dance turned into three, and when the third song finished, Wiley pulled her to him for a kiss that had every nerve in her body humming like a high voltage electrical wire. "Damn, Wiley. Just when I think you can't get hotter, you go and turn on the moves."
He laughed and put his arm around her to escort her back to the table. "Oh, I have to visit the ladies room." She stopped, gave him a quick kiss and then headed for the bathroom.
"Yeah, girl, I saw that." Cody fell into step with her. "Who would've thought he had that kind of moves. Make you wonder if those moves carry into—"
"Oops! Sorry." Molly pulled Cody out of the way of the door, and they waited for two women to exit, then she commented. "And yes, it most definitely does."
She spotted a free stall and looked at Cody who waved her on. "Thanks. Come have a drink with us?"
"I think I've had my quota, but I'll come say hi when things slow down."
"Okay."
When Molly walked out of the bathroom, she noticed that the crowd was larger. She headed for the table but was blocked by a group of men who were drinking and talking. "Excuse me?" She asked and pointed straight ahead with both index fingers. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all." One of them, a tall fellow with thick blonde hair replied. "But it'll cost ya."
Molly recognized the tone and hated the flare of annoyance it provided. "Never mind." She looked for a way around them, spotted an opening and headed for it.
"Hey, hold up there, sweet thang."
Sweet thang? Oh hell no. She'd no more than had the thought when the man grabbed her arm, whirled her around and yanked her up against him.
"Get your hands off me."
"Or what?" He reached around, planted his hand on her ass and squeezed.
That tore it. There was a lot Molly could put up with, and this was not on the list. She smiled at him at the same time she raised her right foot and stomped on his toe as hard as she could.
About the time the yelp came from his lips, she poked him in the eye with her index finger and then pushed him. He stumbled back, wiping at his eye and cursing. "You fucking cunt, I'll-"
"You'll what?" Wiley's quiet voice came from behind Molly. He gently moved her aside, out of the man's range. "I suggest you apologize to the lady and call it a night."
"Or what, old man?"
Molly knew it would prove to be one of the biggest mistakes of the blonde's life when he reached out like he was going to shove Wiley. What happened next would be forever etched in her mind. Wiley's upper body turned with the shove, which made the man stumbled forward, out of balance.
Infuriated, he turned and threw a punch at Wiley. Molly literally gasped when Wiley's left hand shot up, caught the man's fist and stopped his motion. "Back down, son," he said in a tone that was quite low and probably the most intimidating she'd ever heard.
She could see the man's body slump and knew he was going to surrender, then one of his friends shouted. "Kick that old man's ass, Buddy."
Apparently, that bolstered Buddy's courage because he reared back with his free hand like he was going to throw another punch. Before he could, Wiley's fist hit him square in the nose. Blood flew, and Buddy's head led the fall at the same time his eyes rolled back in his head, and then he toppled to the floor.
There were cheers but also angry voices. Buddy's friends started for Wiley. He pushed Molly behind him at the same moment Deacon stepped up beside him. "You gonna hog the party, little brother?"
Wiley laughed. "Hell no. Let's do this."
Buddy's friends rushed them, their faces wild with anger and fists clenched. Molly bet they thought they were going to mop the floor with Wiley and Deacon. That wasn't what happened. It took less than five minutes before Buddy's five friends joined him on the floor, either unconscious or rolling around groaning in pain.
Molly heard sirens and looked around to find Cody standing behind her. "Don’t have them arrested," Molly pleaded. "Please?"
"Who Deacon and Wiley? Oh hell no. They were just protecting you. Those others? Yeah, they're headed for jail."
Molly hugged Cody. "I owe you."
"No, you don't. " They ended the embrace. "Friends take care of friends and—" she leaned closer and lowered her voice. "That was so badass it even turned me on."
Molly laughed. "Me too."
"Okay, what's the problem?" Charli Judd and Chief Tom Greene waded through the crowd, followed by two other deputies. Cody jumped in the foreground and told them that Wiley and Deacon were attacked by the six men on the floor after one of them harassed Molly and then put his hands on her in a sexual manner and nearly hit her when she resisted. Wiley came to her aid and stopped the man, but he and his friends attacked Wiley, Deacon joined in, and she called the police to come get the trash out of her bar.
"Is that the way it happened?" Charli asked Molly.
"Yes, officer."
"Either of you have anything to add?" Charli looked at Deacon and Wiley.
"No, ma'am." Both of them answered.
"Well?" Charli looked at the Chief, and he looked at Cody. "We'll let them spend the night in jail and then cut them loose in the morning. Unless you want to press charges?"
"No. I just don't want them in my bar again."
"I'll make sure they get the message."
Molly sidled over to Wiley as Charli, and the other deputies got the men up from the floor and cuffed them. "You are such a badass, Wiley Johns. My own personal hero. That was…" She fanned herself. "Something to see."
He smiled and shook his head. "That was just a scuffle."
"Well, it looked pretty badass to me. And thank you for coming to my rescue."
"Any time. Do you want to stay or are you ready to go?"
"Oh, I'm definitely ready to go. If—" Molly turned in to him and put her hands on his chest. "—you go with me."
"Where do you want to go, sugar?"
"You know."
Their gazes locked and the smile that rose on his face was sexy enough to start something burning in her belly. "Then let me take you there, Foxy."
"I thought you'd never ask." She smiled, took his hand and headed for the door.
"You leaving?" Cody yelled from the bar.
"Yep. Thanks, girl."
"Call me tomorrow!"
Molly grinned, waved and kept moving. Once they were outside, she stopped. "Did you drive?"
"No, I rode with Deac."
"I have a car." She fished out her keys, and he snagged them.
"I'll drive."
"Fine." Molly pointed toward the side of the building. "I'm parked over there."
They located her car and got in. "You sure about this?" he asked.
"Never been surer."<
br />
"Okay."
They didn't speak again. Molly watched him as he drove and several times he glanced her way. She put her hand on his leg, and he lifted it to his lips and kissed her fingers.
"I missed you." She finally said.
"I missed you."
It wasn't until he pulled up in her driveway that she spoke again. "Thank you for the tickets."
"I didn't want you to miss Kaylee's big day."
"That's an extravagant gift."
"Not really." He said as he turned off the car.
"It is to me." She opened her door.
"You're worth it." He opened his door and got out.
Molly looked at him over the top of the car. "Please don't break my heart, Wiley."
"Did you ever consider that it might be you who breaks my heart?"
Molly hurried around the car to him. "I'd never hurt you. Never."
"How can you know that?"
"Let me show you."
He gave her a look that spelled he wasn't sure what she meant. She took the keys from him then held out her hand. He accepted, and Molly led him to the door. Once inside, she locked the door, tossed the keys into a little bowl on a table beside the door and then moved to him.
"So, what will it be, Foxy?"
"You're going to take me there."
"Am I?"
"Oh, yes." She took hold of his T-shirt and worked it free from his pants. "Repeatedly."
He didn't resist as she peeled his shirt up over his head and tossed it aside but did pick her up and carry her down the hall to her bedroom. When he let her feet touch the floor, he claimed a kiss.
That was the match to start the fire. Within moments they were undressing one another, touching, tasting and kissing. Wiley pushed her back on the bed then nudged her legs apart and joined her. Molly wound her legs around him and threw back her head as his mouth closed on a breast.
Half an hour later she felt like dessert, one that had been licked, nipped, fondled, teased and pleased. "Dear lord, I don't know what you're best with, your hands or mouth." She blew out a breath and peeled wet hair off her neck before falling back on the bed and smiling up at him.
Wiley smiled down at her. "And what about this thing you're going to show me?"
Molly felt a moment's indecision. Only once in her life had she totally lowered her barrier, and that was with Kayden, a man she'd trusted and loved her entire life. Was she making the right decision?
