by Alyssia Leon
“He said that? I only made a few suggestions. It was nice of him to consider them.”
Nan dried the last pot and wiped her hands. “I’m sure it’s more than that. Still, things are moving fast now, aren’t they? I hadn’t expected so much change.” She eased herself into a chair opposite Molly. “It feels different now, especially with Francine gone for good.”
Molly nodded. Barrowdene had slept when Francine owned it, but now with Jake, the house was awake again. “Jake mentioned she’s gone north, to the Lakes.”
“Has she? Now that’s a surprise.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, she grew up in the Lake District, but I always got the impression that was a place she was glad to have seen the back off. And now that her parents are no longer alive, it just doesn’t make sense for her to go back when she hasn’t been for years. “ Nan shrugged. “She has her reasons, I suppose. We’ll never know. Though, I would have liked it if she kept in touch. Life’s hard enough that she doesn’t need to be lonely as well.”
Molly smiled and patted Nan’s hand. “Don’t worry about Francine. Maybe she has friends there.”
“Yes, I like to think so.” Nan heaved herself up from the chair and went to the oven. “I am looking forward to seeing how the big house shapes up though,” she said, donning oven mitts. “I think I can bear the truckloads of people just to see the final result.”
She pulled golden bread out of the oven and Molly inhaled the hearty aroma and smiled. “I doubt there’ll be truckloads, Nan. It may not be as bad as you think.”
“Maybe not,” Nan said, placing the bread on a wire rack to cool. “And I suppose I don’t mind making a little extra for everyone. It’s been quite nice having Jake here this past week to cook for. I’d forgotten how pleasant it is to have the house lived in for more than a day or two at a time.”
But he wouldn’t stay. That fact was as certain as if carved from stone. The builders and decorators would be here for only a few weeks and very soon after that, Jake too would be gone.
Molly stood up. Nan was standing pleased in front of the bread, looking for all the world as if she expected life to continue as it was now, with Jake always at Barrowdene.
A fierce determination gripped Molly. Life would go on for her after Jake. It had to, however broken her heart might be. At least for Nan’s sake, she had to put things into motion now and make sure she found somewhere else for them to live. Martin would be able to help her.
Nan frowned. “Leaving already? But you only had coffee. Have some toast. You can’t go to work on an empty stomach.”
“I need to get to the office in case Martin comes in early today.”
Her phone’s notification pinged as she picked up her bag, and pulling it out, she swiped through to check the text.
“What is it?” Nan asked, as Molly shoved the phone back into the bag in exasperation.
“Martin. He’s gone to London and wants me to reschedule his meetings for this week.”
“That’s good, isn’t it? Now you can help me get Jake’s breakfast ready and have it with him.”
Molly frowned and shook her head. “I have to get to the office, Nan. There’s a lot to do.”
It was only Wednesday, and Martin never left for London this early in the week. He had to be running from Jake and desperately trying to sort things out himself. Guilt flared in her. She should tell Jake… of course she should. That was the right thing to do. But Martin was a friend, and he’d earned her deep loyalty.
And quickly kissing Nan goodbye, she left the cottage.
Unless Jake asked her directly, she wouldn’t give away Martin’s whereabouts. She would buy Martin as much time as she could for whatever he thought he needed to do. She could only hope for her own sake that he came to his senses quickly.
14
Jake stalked out of the en-suite with nothing more than a white bath towel knotted low over his hips. Luckily, the mouthy girls had stayed out of his room in the mornings since that incident.
Throwing the towel over the ottoman, he picked out boxers and a pair of jeans from a drawer and pulled them on. Molly had slipped out of his room sometime in the early morning and he’d woken to an empty bed. He grabbed the towel and dried his hair with more force than necessary. He should be grateful really. Mornings after were usually a drag, and there had been many a time he’d have been overjoyed if a past lover had quietly slipped out of his bed and his life without disturbing him. But this wasn’t one of those times. He wouldn’t have minded waking next to Molly’s warm softness. Her sweet voice wouldn’t have grated on his morning nerves if she’d wished him good morning, and a first kiss could have led to so much more…
He chucked the towel back on the ottoman and eyed the crumpled bed sheets. They stared back at him, a messy reminder of the passion-fuelled night he’d shared with Molly. Memory stirred fresh in his loins and with a groan he turned away to grab a clean t-shirt from the antique wardrobe. She would be going to work today. Maybe he could catch her there.
What the hell. He frowned at himself. He had to keep his head in the game. His project manager was arriving later today and work on Barrowdene would begin in earnest. Being here had always been nothing more than a quick detour while his real life lay on hold. But he had to pick up those dropped reins soon and set the fast pace again. Barrowdene and Molly would be nothing but a memory. She had to be.
He pulled on the white t-shirt and paused as an image of beauty filled his mind. Long dark hair like fallen silk, silver-grey eyes that had looked out at the world in wide innocence at first and then hardened with hate to flint. The fast world he lived in took no prisoners. You were either strong enough to survive or you were chewed up and spat out and Molly wasn’t strong enough.
Running a quick hand through his damp hair, he turned away from the wardrobe. Molly knew the rules. She’d agreed to a no-strings-attached relationship. But she wanted more. He’d sensed it last night. They always wanted more. In time though she’d see it was better this way. The infatuation always fizzled out. Perhaps it was just as well she’d left this morning. Now he just had to keep a cool lid on his relentless need for her.
* * *
Molly came off the phone with the last of Martin’s clients who needed juggling and sat back in her office chair with a sigh of relief.
She switched off the computer. Clearing Martin’s calendar had taken a little over two hours, and she wasn’t planning on staying at the office if he wasn’t coming back today. Better to get back to Barrowdene and see if Nan needed help with anything before the builders arrived.
There was also the undeniable thrill of seeing Jake again. She shook her head as the mere thought of him had her body reacting, her nipples pebbling as desire snaked through her. He’d looked so peaceful in his sleep this morning, and she’d had to fight the urge to reach out and stroke the light beard covering his jaw and run her fingers over his sculpted lips. Instead, she’d torn herself from his side and escaped back to the cottage.
But had it really been an escape? Doubt twisted her stomach into knots. She’d given herself to him completely last night, and he’d made it clear her love was unwanted. She had nothing more to give. But what if now that he’d had his fill, he was bored with her, and the end came for them sooner than she was ready for?
The front door opened and slammed, jarring her from her thoughts. And jumping to her feet, she raced out into the hallway.
“Where’s Martin?” Belinda Littleton had the look of someone about to explode with terrific violence.
Molly frowned. “In London?” Hadn’t Martin told his wife? Her last run-in with the woman had been unbearable. She’d have to keep her cool this time.
“Then why isn’t he answering his phone? He didn’t come home last night, and I have been calling and calling. I know he’s not in London.” Belinda approached her, looking like an Armani-clad harpy, a murderous scowl on her face. “He’s hiding in Appleby somewhere and you know where.”
>
Molly stopped herself from taking a step back, and stared at Belinda as if the woman had grown two heads. But then she remembered. Martin had said home was the last place he’d go, but surely Belinda must know more than Molly about what trouble Martin was in. Maybe if they worked together, they could figure out a solution for him. “I don’t think he’s hiding, Belinda. He said he’d do the right thing. I think he just needs time. Perhaps if you told me what—”
“The right thing? You little slut! I suppose the right thing is him shacking up with you. Well, let me tell you. I’ll not make it easy. If he dares leave me, I’ll take him for every penny he’s got, and then we’ll see how much he’s worth to a dirty money-grubber like you.”
Molly gaped. The woman was certifiable. “What on earth are you talking about?”
A snarl twisted Belinda’s features and she leaned forward, almost in Molly’s face. “Don’t play innocent with me. I called your grandmother last night and she said you weren’t home. You were with him, weren’t you?”
“That’s none of your business!” Molly’s cheeks flamed hot. “I could have been anywhere last night, with anyone.”
“Oh yes, you’ve a whole orbit of men trapped in your little game, haven’t you? You’ve still not taken your claws out of poor Brian, and don’t think people don’t see your pathetic attempts to flaunt everything in front of Jake Hennessy. But Martin, being the idiot he is, has jumped all in, hasn’t he? What did he promise you? A house? A car? Marriage?” She smirked. “But unfortunately for the two of you, I hold all the cards.”
“Out!” Molly shouted. She stalked past Belinda and yanked open the door. “Get out! I want you out. Now!” Her narrowed stare was pure disgust as fury burned through her. Enough rage filled her that she was sure she could pick the taller woman up and bodily throw her through the door.
Belinda laughed. “Oh, don’t worry, dear. You’re talking to someone who’s played this game much better than you could ever hope to. Martin may not be as street smart as men like Jake Hennessy, but even he’ll eventually see you for the whore you are. Just used goods to be thrown away after a few rolls in the hay.”
“I don’t know where Martin is,” Molly said through gritted teeth. “But if I did, I would do everything in my power to make sure he doesn’t return to an old hag like you.”
Just then Sophie bounced up the steps outside and came to a sudden halt at the threshold, the smile on her face disappearing as she looked from Molly to Belinda and back again. “I’m sorry. Should I return later?”
“No, Sophie, it’s fine. Belinda was just leaving.” Molly gave the older woman a pointed look.
Belinda strutted to the door. “Tell Martin, I’ll be waiting for him when he chooses to return to his senses.”
Stepping aside, Sophie let Belinda pass, and then waited until she was out of earshot before turning wide-eyes on Molly. “What was that all about?”
Molly groaned. Her legs had turned to jelly, and stumbling back into her office, she collapsed in her chair. “God, that woman is toxic.” She buried her face in her hands. “Give me a moment. I’ll be all right.”
She heard Sophie sit down. And a soothing hand came to rest on her back. She glanced up with a wry look. “Don’t be shocked, but apparently, I’m having a raging affair with Martin.”
Sophie goggled. “Are you?”
They stared at each other and burst out laughing.
“No. No. And no!” Molly yelped, wiping tears from her eyes. “Oh, I don’t even know why this is so funny.”
“It’s the shock, I expect,” Sophie said with a grin. “Don’t worry. It’ll wear off.”
Bit by bit, the laughter died down and Molly sat back, drained and eerily calm. “Thanks, Sophie. You’re my knight in shining armour. You got here just in time to save me from booting out that horrendous dragon.”
“Wow, I’d have been tardier if I’d known. It would have been funny watching Belinda tumble down the steps.”
They dissolved into laughter again.
“I’d have probably lost my job,” Molly said in between chuckles. “But it would have been so worth it.” She sighed and rubbed a hand across her brow. “Come to think of it, I probably will lose my job now.”
Sophie cupped Molly’s hand in hers. “Does Martin know about this?”
“He’s not even here! I don’t know where he is or when he’ll be back. Belinda doesn’t either, but she thinks I’ve got him stashed away under my bed.”
“What you need is an outing. Something to take your mind off all this rubbish. Remember, we were planning on going to Halstead today?”
Molly groaned. “No, anything but that. Abby will be there, and I really can’t face another of the three musketeers today.”
“Who’s the third?”
“Brian.”
“Ooh, they do all go well together, don’t they?”
“Yes, and anyway, I was planning on going home since Martin’s not here.” Molly stood and stretched. “I think a whole lot of peace and quiet is just what the doctor ordered.”
“Come on then, d’Artagnan. I’ll walk you home. That way I can protect all the big bad dragons out there from you.”
* * *
Molly folded a bed sheet and placed it on top of the tall pile in the airing cupboard in Barrowdene’s basement utility room. Beside her, the washing machine swooshed and whooshed like a mini jet engine, blocking out all other sounds in the little square room.
She’d spent the past hour changing bed linen. Jake’s bedroom had had her blushing furiously at the memories of last night, and she’d quickly moved on to strip the unused bed sheets from the other bedrooms marked for redecoration. Francine had always preferred every bed in Barrowdene to be fully made, even though no one actually slept in them. It gave the illusion of a comfortable home, hiding the reality of the empty shell it really was.
Rubbing stray lint from her blue-flowered blouse and comfy jeans, she picked up the last clean sheet in the basket and folded it. There would be a new family in Barrowdene soon. The thought stung, but logic insisted it was better that way. The house deserved love. Deserved to have its soul restored, even if for her it meant a life without Barrowdene and a life without Jake.
She hugged the folded sheet to her chest, remembering Belinda’s vitriol. She wasn’t going to kid herself that she meant more to Jake, just used goods to be thrown away after a few rolls in the hay. Truth hurt and she’d avoided searching him out when she’d returned early from the office.
But she ached to be with him even now. Her heart and body craved him. When would the ache go? When would she stop needing him?
Stretching up on her toes, she placed the sheet on top of the teetering pile in the cupboard. Strong male hands clasped the exposed skin at her waist where her blouse had ridden up.
“Careful,” Jake murmured in her ear. “You’ll bring the whole thing down on you.”
With a gasp, she spun around in his hands. He snaked one arm around her and crushed her to him, at the same time reaching up with his other hand to straighten the precarious pile of sheets. Then he swooped down and captured her mouth in a hard kiss.
She kissed him back like she would never get enough of him, her tongue dancing against his as she strained closer and dug her fingers into his hair, clasping him to her.
Bunching the cotton of her blouse in both hands, he tugged impatiently and with a dull rip the thin material parted and the buttons scattered. He pushed it off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor before moving to kiss a trail across her cheek and down her neck. Then with a quick flick, he had her bra unclasped and off.
She reached for the hem of his t-shirt, but stopped on a moan as his lips found one hard pebbled nipple and closed around it. He swirled his tongue around the tip, kneading her other breast with his hand, and she arched towards him as molten desire curled down her spine and wetness gathered between her thighs.
“Jake…” she murmured.
Releasing her, he step
ped back and pulled his t-shirt over his head revealing his hard, muscular chest. He let the t-shirt fall and gathered her in his arms again. “I haven’t been able to keep my mind off you all morning, Molly.”
His mouth captured hers again and she spread her fingers over the hard, sculpted contours of his chest, loving the way his muscles bunched beneath her touch. Then his hands slipped down to her waist, and lower still to the waistband of her jeans and he unbuttoned them. She squirmed against him, helping him as he quickly pushed her jeans down along with her lace panties.
Breaking the kiss, he caught hold of her hips and raised her slightly so she could step out of her jeans and panties. The washing machine whirred on beside them, and lifting her up, he placed her on the motionless dryer.
Jake stared at her sitting there naked, a self-conscious flush to her cheeks, a beautiful angel, ready for him. With a groan, he pressed his lips to hers once more and then parting her legs, bent down and buried his face in her sweet sex. She was soaking wet for him. God, he’d missed the taste of her. Holding her thighs apart with both hands, he flicked his tongue across her entrance, licking all the way up to her clit. She writhed and moaned against him, curling her fingers into his hair, almost painfully tight as he circled the sensitive bud with the tip of his tongue. He licked back to her entrance and plunged his tongue deep inside her, at the same time moving a hand so he could thumb her clit with ever increasing pressure.
Releasing his hair, she leaned back, her breathing ragged as she braced herself with both hands on the dryer. Her tight channel clenched and unclenched against his thrusting tongue. She was close, and he wanted her over the edge. He replaced his thumb on her clit with his lips, and thrust two thick fingers into her, pumping them in and out as he sucked down hard on her sensitized bud.
