Carly Phillips - Sealed with a Kiss

Molly shrugged and looked to Hunter for answers.

He groaned loudly. “It means,” he said to Molly, “we’re going to Atlantic City.”

Molly took one look at the mixture of pain and reluctant acceptance on Hunter’s face and knew traveling to A.C. with her wasn’t high on his list of things he wanted to do. Apparently he also knew she wouldn’t let him go without her. She just wished he’d look a little more pleased at the prospect. Her head still hurt and fighting their uphill battle with Hunter wasn’t helping. She’d hoped dinner would help but the pain had only gotten worse.

After dinner, Ty and Lacey suggested they have drinks at their hotel bar. Molly couldn’t bring herself to disappoint them, so she smiled and went along.

Hunter and Ty gravitated toward the pool tables while Lacey and Molly sat at a table overlooking the gaming area. The trip to the hotel on Hunter’s bike hadn’t helped Molly’s headache and once seated, she ordered a cola, hoping the caffeine would do the trick.

She and Lacey sipped their drinks while looking over the railing at their perfect view of Ty and Hunter as they made their bets and chose their cues.

“I can’t believe we’re sitting here together after all this time.” Lacey smiled at Molly, then reached for her hand. “Of course, I wish your father hadn’t been arrested, but I know Hunter will get him off.”

Molly glanced heavenward. “I hope you’re right. In fact, I’m banking on it.” She took a long sip of her soda through the straw and watched Hunter, unable to deny the hunger he inspired in her.

She’d gotten nowhere with him earlier despite her attempts to flirt, then bully him into forgiving her and moving on.

Molly needed a friend, a shoulder to lean on, someone to give her advice, and she had nowhere to turn. She couldn’t burden her father with her own problems right now. She hadn’t been around her friend Liza often enough lately to keep her up-to-date on the situation with Hunter, the commander wasn’t in a position to understand the nuances of their relationship, Robin was away at school and Jessie was too young.

She turned to Lacey. Molly had always liked and respected her, even when her fondness for Lacey’s uncle had put them on opposite sides. She’d kept in touch with her after leaving Hawken’s Cove and Hunter last year, and Lacey hadn’t judged or condemned her for her decision despite being one of Hunter’s best friends.

“Can I talk to you?” Molly asked, leaning forward, elbows on the sticky bar table.

Lacey nodded. “You know you can. And I will not go back to Ty or Hunter with anything you tell me. Promise.” She crossed her heart.

Molly nodded. Her gaze strayed toward Hunter. He was racking the balls at the far end of the table, giving Molly a glimpse of his tight behind in worn denim. Without warning, a low sigh of appreciation escaped her lips.

“I don’t have to guess what the subject is,” Lacey said, laughing. Her gaze was also on Hunter and Ty, although it was clear she only had eyes for her dark-haired husband.

Molly shook her head and smiled. “No, you don’t.” She couldn’t tear her eyes from Hunter’s smooth moves. “He’s good,” she murmured.

“He’s the best, Molly. And I have a hunch you already know that, so what’s the problem?”

Molly leaned back against the chair, focusing on Lacey. “Ever hear the expression two steps forward, one step back?”

Lacey nodded.

“That’s us. I break through his reserve, I think we’re moving forward in our relationship and boom! I blow it again. This time I didn’t tell him something crucial about the case. I was protecting my father but he didn’t see it that way.” Thinking about things between her and Hunter caused the ache in her temples to get worse and she massaged her forehead with her fingertips.

Lacey shook her head. “This is how I see things. Hunter is a big-shot lawyer. The best there is, in fact. But deep inside he is still and always will be the wounded, unwanted little boy. When someone crosses him or hurts him, especially someone he loves, the only reason he can think of is that he’s fallen short.”

Lacey glanced over at the two men who played each other, laughing and hurling insults like brothers. “Ty and I are the only two people who can insult him and get away with it because we lived through the hell along with him.”

Molly swallowed hard, the swelling in her throat hurting beyond belief. “I can’t break through that kind of pain. I’m only human. I’m going to make mistakes and if the past is any indication, I’m going to make lots of them.”

“But you love Hunter and he loves you. That’s going to overcome the other stuff if you let it.” Lacey spoke with the certainty of someone who’d been there.

“Nobody said anything about love. ” Molly may have thought it to herself, but she’d never admitted it aloud. And as for Hunter, at this point he was as far from being in love with her as he could get.

Lacey shrugged. “Nobody had to say it. It’s obvious to anyone. You just need to be aware of what he needs, too.”

Molly closed her eyes, wishing it were so easy. When she opened them again, the room was spinning. “Would you mind if we headed home? My head’s killing me.”

Lacey glanced her way with concern. “Sure. Let me get the guys.”

Molly lay her head in her hands and waited for the cavalry to return.

***

HUNTER INSISTED Molly drive home with Ty and Lacey in their car. He figured her head must have hurt too badly to fight him because she willingly crawled into the backseat and lay down for the trip.

When they reached the house, all lights but the porch ones were out, so he decided not to invite Ty and Lacey inside. They promised to touch base tomorrow before driving home, and after thanking them and saying good-night, Hunter turned his attention to Molly.

He helped her into the house, stopping short of carrying her inside because if he knew Molly, she’d pull herself together long enough to hit him if he even tried. He led her up the stairs and into her bedroom, careful not to make noise and wake anyone. As they made their way down the hall, she curved her body into his, for the first time since he could remember showing her vulnerability.

He sure as hell didn’t need this now, not when his defenses had to be high and on alert. Still, he eased her into her double bed and followed directions, handing her an old T-shirt to change into. He even helped her, gritting his teeth as his hands brushed her bare skin and he caught sight of her dusky nipples beneath her skimpy lace bra.

She collapsed against the pillows and knowing he had no choice, he undid her jeans, slid down the zipper and wiggled the denim off her long legs. A man would have to be a saint to ignore her pale flesh and tempting scent. Hunter was no saint, but Molly was sick and that had him keeping his hands to himself.

“Well I certainly ruined your night out with your friends,” Molly said to Hunter in a pain-filled voice.

“I can see them anytime. I’m guessing this is a migraine?”

“Yeah.” She hadn’t moved her head an inch since lying down. “Can you do me one more favor?”

“Name it,” he said in a gruff voice.

Ever since Lacey had interrupted their game of pool to tell them Molly wasn’t feeling well, his protective instincts had kicked in. Where there had once been hurt and anger, he now felt a deep caring and concern.

And that worried him most of all.

She didn’t reply right away and he could see it hurt her to talk. Finally, she said, “There’s a prescription bottle in the top dresser drawer. Can you get me one of the pills and a cup of water?”

“You got it.” He took care of her request in record time.

Hunter helped her sit up so she could take the painkiller, then gently laid her back against the pillows.

“Shut the light?” she asked, her eyes already closed.

He grinned. “Bossy thing. Can I get you anything else?”

“No, but thanks for everything.”

“Anytime,” he said, his voice gruffer than he was used to, filled with a caring he didn’t recognize. “Time for you to get some sleep.” He started to rise from the bed.

“Stay with me? Please?”

He couldn’t deny her request as much as self-preservation told him he should. “Sure.” He kicked off his shoes and swung his legs onto the mattress, easing himself beside her. “Why don’t you tell me a little about these headaches,” he said.

“Nothing to tell, really. I’ve had them for as long as I can remember but lately they’ve been more manageable. Tonight’s the first bad one in a long, long time.” She picked up the cold cloth, turned it to the other side and placed it back on her forehead.

He caught her wince with any movement. “I’m sure it’s stress related.” And he wasn’t helping.

Molly was dealing with the possibility of losing her father, a man she’d just recently found and Hunter was punishing her for the choices she’d made regarding the man. Shit. Maybe Ty was on to something when he’d mentioned him having impossibly high standards.

Hunter wasn’t a man who liked being wrong. He didn’t like admitting it, either. Thank goodness Molly wasn’t in any position to be having a long conversation. Which didn’t mean he couldn’t make it up to her another way.

Hunter popped the snap on his pants, loosening them for comfort, and eased himself closer to Molly. “C’mere,” he said.

She snuggled into him, rested her head on his shoulder and let out a long, contented sigh. Hunter was anything but content. He inhaled her fragrant scent and he liked how she felt curled into him. He liked taking care of her. Too much.

They lay that way in silence and soon Molly’s breathing evened out. She’d fallen asleep, but for Hunter, it was destined to be a long, sleepless night.

JESSIE LOOKED at the clock on her nightstand. She knew it was early in the morning but she couldn’t wait another second to talk to Molly. Last night she’d accidentally looked in the bottom of Molly’s closet-okay, she’d been snooping-and she’d found a suitcase full of colorful clothes. Sweaters, scarves, funky jewelry and other really cool stuff. She wanted to borrow some of Molly’s things, but to ask, she’d have to admit she’d been snooping. Jessie weighed her options and decided Molly wanted Jessie to like her as much as Jessie wanted to wear Molly’s things. So she felt sure they could work out an understanding.

She paused outside Molly’s room and only debated for a second before deciding to walk in without knocking. Molly wanted them to be like real sisters after all.

She swung the door open wide, stepped inside, saw Molly under the covers, Hunter lying beside her and…Holy shit! she thought as everything registered.

Hunter stirred.

Jessie bit her bottom lip and wondered what to do. Didn’t take a college degree to figure out she should back out quietly and pretend she hadn’t barged in, but what fun was there in that?

“Ahem,” she said loudly.

Hunter groaned and turned over so his face was buried full in the pillow. Molly, however, jumped halfway to the ceiling.

“Jessie!” She lowered her voice when Hunter grumbled, still asleep. “What are you doing in here?” Molly hissed.

Jessie took a long look at Hunter, who’d begun to snore. “What’s he doing in here?” she shot back. “I was just trying to figure out a way to get you to let me borrow some of your funky clothes in the suitcase in the closet. Suddenly, I’m thinking blackmail.” She clasped her hands behind her back and grinned at her half sister. “What do you think?”

Molly closed her eyes for a quick second. “I think you’re a pint-size brat and we’ll talk about this later. Now shoo.” She waved her hand toward the door.

Jessie frowned but she was sure she’d win in the end since Molly looked annoyed but not angry. “Can I take the bright yellow cardigan first?”

“Out!” Molly said, this time pointing a finger.

Jessie rolled her eyes. “I’m going, I’m going.” She walked out the door, laughing as she went.

Suddenly, living with Molly was actually fun.

***

MOLLY FLOPPED BACK against her pillows, realizing her head was sore but the throbbing was gone. “Tell me that didn’t just happen.”

“It happened.” Hunter rolled to his side and propped himself up on one hand.

“You’re up?” She turned to Hunter.

His hair was rumpled, razor stubble darkened his cheeks and he looked extremely sexy lying in her sheets, staring at her with dark, bedroom eyes.

“I’m up but no way was I going to let Jessie know it. How’s your head this morning?”

“Not perfect but better. Thanks for staying with me,” she said softly.