Two in the Afternoon

by Cora Cade

  He’d become her constant shadow at work. She might have spent her nights at Chris’s apartment, but her remaining hours were spent with Cal. Often, in the slower afternoon hours at the pub, Chief would join them for lunch and they’d discuss everything from books to past relationships to the perfect classic car.

  Cal and Chief did their male bonding while arguing the merits of Chevy versus Ford. Sometimes they’d even break out the cards and play some poker while nursing a pot of coffee between them. They brought a sense of normalcy to everyday life at the pub, and she was grateful for it.

  Little by little she was learning more and more about Cal, the enigmatic Army Ranger. His grandfather had been Samoan, giving Cal his unique heritage and a tight family unit. The distinctive tattoo that graced his left arm had been designed by his grandfather before his passing. Then inked by Lainey after she started her career as a tattoo artist. A fact that Cal had practically beamed about as he shared the story.

  He jogged with Bo daily and every morning she opened the pub, the two of them would be working on complicated training techniques on the pub’s deck. Bo was learning how to respond to hand signals and nonverbal cues, and if her guess was right, Cal was training him to be a guard dog.

  Aside from his work with Bo, Cal was quiet and only said what was necessary, but if you listened closely you learned that Cal was a boy scout at heart, had a firm belief in right and wrong, and loved his sister and father with enough zeal to make her yearn for something she couldn’t have. Falling for Cal was a mistake of a colossal size, but she was already halfway there.

  On their second training session in as many days, he’d held back as they sparred, and she’d gotten a solid jab in on his jaw. Not enough to do any damage, but enough that he’d stopped holding back—as much. She couldn’t hold her own against such a hulk of a man, but she could do enough damage to escape. And Cal was working his ass off to ensure that she was tough enough to do just that.

  Even though he was a massive and formidable opponent, he was taking the brunt of abuse as he taught her to strike weak spots on an attacker. How to use the flat of her hand on a nose, how to use the edge of her palm to strike a windpipe, how to take out a knee with a well-placed kick if she was on the ground. Molly felt more capable and in control, thanks to Cal’s tireless coaching.

  Danvers and Masterson had disappeared into the wind again. She was sure they were still trailing her, but they were like a pair of ghosts. More accurately, they were like a pair of hunters tracking prey. And Molly was more than happy to count them in her corner.

  Cal currently sat in the corner booth, reading a dog-eared paperback with a cup of coffee cooling unnoticed in front of him. The Saturday afternoon crowd was leaving as the evening party crowd settled in for the duration. The music was louder, the crowd rowdier, and Cal seemingly paid little attention to his surroundings. The overly large and attractive man gained plenty of attention of his own, though. Women eyed him with interest, and men just eyed him warily.

  Cal had spent the better part of every day and evening cloistered in the same booth, sometimes joined by his equally attractive sister, but usually alone with a book. Much like her brother, Lainey had become a staple at the pub.

  After their dinner that first night, the two women had bonded immediately and formed a fast friendship. Lainey was in no rush to return back to Ohio, casually hinting that she was ready to make a change, and seemed to enjoy tweaking her brother endlessly about his non-relationship with Molly.

  Even if Molly’s heart was already invested, she had to keep it light and casual. Falling for Callum Eversman wasn’t the smart thing to do. He was going to ship back overseas within a matter of months. They could pursue a long distance relationship or cut their losses when Cal returned to base next week. Neither option was a good one as far as she was concerned.

  Either way, he was always going to be in constant danger, and never around. It was hard enough to come to terms with when it was your brother doing the leaving, but she couldn’t even fathom watching the man she loved walk out of her life over and over again. Or possibly never returning. Molly reminded herself, again, that Callum wasn’t for her.

  For a Saturday night, they were on a skeleton crew, since much of their staff was down with a flu bug. Even Chief had missed his early shift. Tonight there was one cook in the kitchen and two waitresses working the floor, and Molly alone behind the bar. It was going to be a very long night from the looks of it. Chris was on his way in to offer a hand, but even with his capable help they’d be running their asses off most of the night. Hopefully things didn’t get out of hand. Sometimes working short meant it was easy to miss the signs of trouble brewing during the summer tourist season.

  Molly glanced up from pouring a drink as Lainey entered the pub and lifted her sunglasses away from her face before scanning the room for Cal. Several men eyed her over their beers before she headed in her brother’s direction. The woman was stunning and never seemed to be aware of the attention she garnered. Something the twins had in common.

  Without looking up from his book, Cal patted the space next to him in the booth as his sister approached. Molly had to smile; it was a dead giveaway that he was more aware of the room around him than he was letting on. He was always on high alert.

  As Lainey took her seat next to Cal, one of the waitresses approached to get her order. Molly’s attention was focused on the table across the room, and she didn’t notice when Chris approached her from behind.

  He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Who’s the hottie with Eversman?”

  Scowling over her shoulder at him, she said, “If you’d bothered to stop out at all this week, you’d know it’s his sister.”

  “Really? Not the flavor of the evening then?”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Instantly angry, Molly spun around and pinned him with a glare.

  He grinned, that slow seductive curve of his lips that had women dropping their panties for him on a regular basis, and said, “I knew it. I knew he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off of you.”

  “Chris, you are such an ass.” God, now she was going to blush. “I’ll have you know I’m the only flavor he’s been sampling.”

  “Is that so? Then why are you still staying with me when you could be getting some every night at his place?”

  She rolled her eyes at him in response but had to admit, if only to herself, that he had a point. Cal hadn’t asked, and she didn’t want to pressure him for more than he wanted to give. He’d kept Bo without complaint and seemed to enjoy the dog, but he’d never mentioned her staying over.

  Without another word about the sleeping arrangements, they fell into an easy rhythm that kept them busy until late into the evening.

  Cal scanned the room and noticed Molly and Chris behind the bar. They had an easy companionship and worked well together. Each anticipated the other’s needs as they worked to fill orders and keep the pub running smoothly.

  The evening was slowing down, and the last of the stragglers were heading out.

  Chris was elbow deep in soapy water, working on the last of the barware, as Molly wiped the mahogany bar down one final time. When she stood and stretched, arms reaching high above her head, Chris took the opportunity to splash a bit of water her way. She gave a quick screech and dropped her hands. In a blink she was on his back, monkey style, making loud whooping noises as she pretended to strangle Chris. Her skirt was pushed to the top of her thighs, and Cal could see her black panties as Chris swung her around, trying to dislodge her from his back.

  A group of three men stood at the exit, watching the entertainment. One of them was just brave enough to leave his friends behind and step closer to where Molly and Chris were goofing around. He gave a loud wolf whistle that brought everyone’s attention to him.

  Molly slid to the floor and tugged her skirt back into place before addressing the straggler. �
��Sorry, fellas. We’re closed, time to go.”

  Chris stepped away to flip the full lights on, bringing a harshness to the pub that highlighted Molly’s words about closing time.

  The man was oblivious to the interest Cal had taken in his advancement. As the fool closed a hand around Molly’s wrist and tugged her against his bulk, Cal stood to intercede.

  Before he had even cleared the table Molly had jerked away from the drunk, but his grip on her wrist was still in place. She said a few low words and the man laughed before reaching for the hem of her skirt mumbling about wanting to see her panties again. Cal was going to rip that motherfucker’s hand off.

  Cal was a moment away from snatching the asshole up by the scruff of his neck when Molly leaned in closer to the drunk’s form and gripped his junk. When she twisted her wrist the man groaned and crumpled forward. Cal’s little spitfire released her grip, stepped away, and let the man fall unaided into a heap at her feet.

  “Fellas, get your boy out of my bar and don’t bother coming back.” She gave them a stern look. “Or this Ranger over here will gladly show you the error of your ways.”

  The men collected their crumpled friend from the pub floor and promptly exited with apologies. Molly just returned to the back of the bar and went about cleaning up for the night.

  Cal couldn’t take his eyes off Molly. Calm, cool, collected. Damn, she was sexy.

  His sister leaned into his line of vision and waved a slim hand in front of his face. “Earth to Cal.”

  With a jerk, he snapped his eyes to his sister. “Yeah. What’s up?”

  “I’m heading back to the cabin now. Are we still on for lunch tomorrow? There’s something I want to ask you. I’m thinking about making some big changes.”

  Instantly, he zeroed in on Lainey’s face. She looked a little worried, maybe even hesitant. “Sure. We can talk now if you want.”

  She glanced over at Molly and Chris before saying, “No, that’s okay. I actually wanted to talk to Molly about it too. So, I’ll see you about noon tomorrow?”

  “We’ll be there.” He leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Just know whatever big change you want to make, I’ll always support you.”

  She reached into her bag and gathered her keys, glancing again at Molly and Chris. Something was bothering his sister, but Cal couldn’t put his finger on it just yet.

  “Here, let me walk you out. It’s late and those yahoos might still be in the lot.”

  His sister scowled at him. “Cal, you can see my car from the door.” She pointed out the glass to her rental. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Point taken. Be safe and text me when you get to the cabin.”

  “Love you, bye.” She gave a finger wave as she turned away.

  He watched her make it to her car and put her seat belt on before heading over to the pair currently laughing behind the bar.

  “Hey, Chris, do me a favor and follow my sister back to her cabin. I’d feel better knowing she made it home safe.”

  Molly immediately started pushing him toward the door. “Go. I’ll finish up here. Make sure Lainey gets back safe. She’s staying at the cabins out on Lookout Point. Hurry! She’s pulling out of the lot now.”

  Looking befuddled, Chris let Molly shove him toward the door. “What about you? When are you coming back to our place?”

  Our place? Oh, hell no. Maybe he had taken a little too long in his planned seduction. “She’ll stay with me tonight.” The words came out meaner than he anticipated, but he was definitely feeling a little pissy.

  Chris relaxed before heading out the door, and Molly stopped dead in her tracks at his words. She watched Chris follow Lainey’s taillights and locked the front door before turning to face him.

  “I believe we have some unfinished business, Cal.”

  “Do we now?”

  “I do recall someone going out of his way to get me all worked up, just to leave me hanging. What, was that almost ten hours ago?” As she stalked forward, she pulled her lightweight tee over her head, dropping it on a table before toeing off her shoes. Kicking them away from her path, she put a hand to the button of her jean skirt and hesitated as he shook his head. He wanted to do some of the unwrapping and wasn’t ready for her to unceremoniously disrobe just yet.

  She paused and stood before him in a black bra, bare feet and a miniscule jean skirt. Running a hand from her cheek to the back of her nape caused a small shiver to run through her body. Her bravado was wavering as he looked her up and down. Biting her lip and crossing one leg behind the other gave her away.

  Cal just stood there and watched her, making her nervous, but when he leaned down to place his lips against hers, everything inside her coiled in anticipation. As his lips brushed hers, there was a moment when their eyes met. The need she saw seared her heart, and coiled anticipation pulled into a hard knot of desire. Sometimes, when they were so close, it was easy to forget he was leaving. And he’d never be back.

  Her bra fell away with a deft flick of his wrist, and he palmed her breasts, causing her breath to hitch. He lifted her, sliding her body against his much larger one, letting her feel the power in his chest, the hard press of his erection against the soft skin of her belly.

  Wrapping his arms around her, he carried her behind the bar and set her down on the flat-topped cooler. He crowded into the space between her legs, pushing her knees wide. Her skirt rode up her thighs, exposing her black silk panties.

  “We’ve got all night, honey.” His finger stroked against the silk softly. “I’m going to start here.” His finger stopped at the distended nub of her clitoris, stroked there once. “Then I’m going to stretch you.” His finger slid under the silk, touching her smooth skin, meeting a rush of cream. “Because I want to fuck you all night long.”

  She was beyond words, his dirty talk always wound her so tight she thought she might break, but they’d never taken any of their make-out sessions this far. All she could offer in response was a soft moan of approval. Unable to wait, she rocked onto his hand, encouraging his movements.

  “So goddamn perfect. And all mine tonight.”

  His deep voice, the words, caused a shudder to ripple through her core and she clenched tight as she reached for the orgasm that was building.

  “Not yet, honey.” With his words he pulled away, and she collapsed to her back on the bar in disappointment. Damn him.

  Leaving her skirt in place, he pulled her panties from her hips and down her lax legs. Cal leaned in and she heard him take a deep breath, inhaling her scent before adjusting her legs over his shoulders. Under his scrutiny, her body warmed and flushed even further.

  He gave a soft hum of approval and sunk his tongue into her depths. With each stroke the tension of the evening smoothed away and she relaxed into the moment. Molly let Cal tease at length, letting the excitement build slowly instead of rushing toward an orgasm. Finally, with an upward stroke, she erupted, back bowing off the bar. His hands at her hips held her in place as he continued licking at her, drawing out her orgasm until she couldn’t take it any longer.

  Unable to form the words to beg him to cease, she could only attempt to squirm from his grip. He gave a soft laugh as she tried to break free. Placing a kiss to the inside of a thigh brought her to a halt, and a sigh escaped her lips.

  “On your feet, babe. I need to be inside you.”

  Finally.

  Not sure if her legs would hold her, she slid from the bar. Limp and sated, she could barely keep herself upright. Grasping her around the waist, Cal swung her around, pressing her against one of the coolers and she collapsed limply on the cool metal, nipples pebbling at the chill beneath her.

  Chapter Eight

  Molly spread her legs, leaving her ass bare and inviting before Cal. As he eased his erection from his jeans and put a condom on, he watched her pussy glisten in the overhead lights. She was
wet and ready for him.

  Palming his cock, he rubbed the head through her folds, teasing them both with the slow drag. With a hand on her hip, Cal stilled her movements as she pushed toward the invasion. Another pass through her folds brought a moan to her lips, and she arched seductively.

  She turned and made eye contact over her shoulder. “You are the biggest tease.”

  In answer, Cal dropped his gaze to the entrance of her pussy and notched his cock there. Her grip on the head of his erection tightened, seeking to pull him further in. Sliding his hands up her back, bringing them to rest on her shoulders, caused a shiver to run through her small frame.

  When she relaxed under his hold, he firmed his grip and drove home. Her body gave slowly, stretching to accommodate him, and when he was fully seated he gave a soft grunt.

  Molly pushed back with what little leverage she had and then rocked forward, creating a sweet friction that tightened his balls. With her bent over the cooler, legs spread wide, he was hard-pressed to hold back. She was doing her best to bring him to action, rocking back on his cock repeatedly, soft sounds escaping her throat.

  When she brought a hand back to grasp his thigh, urging him on, he took over the pace of their lovemaking. It had been a long week of near constant foreplay and he wasn’t ready to let her control their first time together.

  She dropped the hand from his thigh to fall between her legs, and Cal felt her delicate fingers circle his cock. The sensation of her stroking him as he sank into her body was more than he could take. Molly would never surrender complete control and Cal thought that was the sexiest thing about his little spitfire.

  Wanting her with him, Cal let his hands glide down her back and stop at her hips. With fingers digging into her soft flesh, he hung on as long as he could. He was so close that when she finally tumbled over the edge, her pussy milking his cock, he followed seconds after her. Shuddering against her body, he felt his orgasm set off small aftershocks in her core.