Chapter Twelve
Salvatore
Driving back from Bel Air, the comically large check is wedged in the backseat of my car. A rough corner juts into the front seat, and Molly keeps hitting her head on it, no matter how I try to adjust it. I’d hoped that after today, I’d have a chance with Molly, but I’m afraid Franco’s theatrics are ruining my game.
She’s distant and quiet. There’s a shell-shocked look in her eye. I concentrate on the road ahead, trying to figure out where I went wrong. She needed money, didn’t she? And I got it for her. She should be so grateful that she’s ravenous for my cock. It seems that Franco’s act of charity has freaked her out. She glances hesitantly at the huge check in the backseat.
“Don’t worry about lugging that into a bank,” I say. “Franco will wire the funds to the center. I’ll take that thing to dump for you.”
“Did you know he was going to do that?”
“I had an idea.”
“You could’ve warned me.”
“It was supposed to be a surprise.”
She raises both eyebrows. “It was.”
I merge onto the busy highway. “It looks like your income problem is taken care of.”
Molly sighs. “I don’t know. The counselors need a raise. We need new carpet, and a new air conditioner-“ She stops herself, and looks up at me tentatively like she’s said too much. “I don’t mean to seem ungrateful. That was very generous of Franco. It was just out of the blue.”
“I see,” I say, leaning back in the driver’s seat. “You don’t like being onstage?”
She bites her lip. “That’s part of it.”
When we get to the apartment building, I walk her to her door. She slips inside quickly, then peeks out the open door. Her expression has changed. There’s anger in her eyes.
“Franco’s older, but he’s not unwell,” she says in an accusatory tone. “How long do you intend for this to go on?”
I show myself inside and she doesn’t stop me. The door swings closed with a final thud, leaving us alone. Molly takes a step away from me.
“This?” I step towards her. “This…what?” I want to hear her say it.
“This-“ she inhales sharply. “Fake relationship.”
I reach out slowly and take her hand. “Do you want it to end?”
She hesitates, her eyelashes fluttering over her cheekbones. I can see in her face that she doesn’t want this to end, not truly. It’s barely even begun. Taking a chance, I step closer to her, smelling the soft sent of her shampoo.
“Those kisses didn’t feel fake,” I say. “Were you faking it, Molly?”
“It was pretend. I was acting.”
I trail my fingertip up her arm, watching the goosebumps spread over her skin. “Are you faking it now?” I bring my hand to the back of her head, where I tangle my fingers in her luscious curls. I bend down, my face inches from hers, desperate to taste her. Her breath is quick and shallow. I know she wants me too. “So you don’t want to pretend anymore. Neither do I. Say you want me, Molly. I want to see the words on your pretty lips.”
She gasps, unable to speak.
“Say it,” I order her.
Her lips part as she studies my face. “I want to go to bed. Alone.”
I step back, dejected. I thought I had her where I wanted her. She walks to the other side of the room, her hands clenched into fists.
“You’re just trying to get into my pants,” she accuses, shaking her fist at me. “You’re not interested in me.”
I scoff. “Not interested? Are you blind?”
She shakes her head. “I’m on to you, Sal, your manipulation. It’s not going to work on me. I’m a counselor, remember?”
When she looks at me now with her clear-eyed stare, I feel exposed. I’ve always been able to manipulate people into doing what I want. I underestimated her perceptiveness.
I clench my teeth to keep from growling. “If you understand me so well, what’s the game, then?”
I give her a cocky grin, but a part of me is terrified that she’ll be able to guess my motives.
“My guess?” Molly says, cocking her head. “You’re using me to get into your uncle’s will. He won’t leave you anything if you’re single. Those other guys, Snake and Bruno, they’re married. And they’re pissed you’re trying to get a piece of the pie.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “Looks like you got a large piece yourself.”
She purses her lips. Her eyes light up with anger. “I never asked for that.”
“That was an interesting story you spun, but I don’t need that old man’s money.” I breathe heavily. My yearning for her has twisted my senses. I can’t think straight. All I want, in this moment, is to own her. “And I don’t give a fuck about your rent. You can stay here as long as you like and not pay a dime for all I care.”
“Oh my God. You can’t be serious.”
“I am.”
Molly’s confident posture waivers. That’s right, I think. Give in. Live here. Be mine.
She lifts her chin haughtily. “Well, I’m not doing that. And I’ll pay you back the discount you gave me.”
I shrug, not giving away how much this affects me. “If you change your mind, the offer still stands.”
Her eyes narrow as she studies me. “Why, why would do that? Because you want leverage over me, so I’ll do your bidding whenever you ask?”
Fuck. She’s in my head. She knows my moves. My face is still, not showing one crack in my facade. I nod in her direction, and go for the door. But I can’t leave it like this, with her having the upper hand. So, I try something new. I tell her something very close to the truth.
“I chose you, Molly,” I say. “I can think of a dozen women, off the top of my head, who would’ve pretended to be my girlfriend for free. I chose you because I wanted you. And I still do.”
My own words surprise me. When I watch her, standing there, fiddling with the hem of her skirt, I realize how true they are. I leave, quickly, before anything else can be said.
In my apartment, I pour myself a glass of scotch, and settle into my armchair. What the hell is happening to me? Why should I care if Molly doesn’t want to fuck me? I could just move on to someone else. But I can’t.
I think about her just down the hall. What’s she doing right now? What’s she wearing? I find myself thinking about her more and more. This isn’t a sexual conquest anymore. I want her body, and her heart and soul too. This is turning into an obsession.
But how do I get her? She’s too smart for my tricks, and can’t be swayed by seduction alone. Maybe, if I level the playing field, or if she thinks I’ve leveled the playing field, she’ll become more pliable.
I swirl the scotch around my tongue, savoring the burning sensation. Miss Molly, you’re about to find out that I don’t give up that easily. In fact, I don’t give up until I get exactly what I want.