Was that jerk actually going to try and kiss her cheek? She’d rather smooch a rabid Rottweiler!
Molly stared in shock as Sean slowly leaned toward her. Taking an instant step back, she was thankful to feel Devil’s hands on her hips. He’d felt her recoil away from the younger man, and her back met his solid chest as she shook her head. Relaxing slightly as Devil’s arms slipped round her waist, she burrowed her stiff body closer to his warmth.
“Keep your hello kiss to yourself, Sean, and you better thank your lucky stars we’re at a church. Otherwise, I would tell you exactly where you could put your lips,” Molly hissed, keeping her voice low. Momentarily satisfied to see that her rebuke had stung him, she gave herself a mental pat on the back. She’d earned it.
“Now, Muffin,” Sean soothed, holding up his hands, “This is exactly what I was afraid would happen.” He eyed Molly appreciatively as she stood in front of a glowering older man. “You look good. You finally shed the freshman fifteen you were packing around from college.”
Molly watched as Vivian narrowed her glinting eyes on her ex-boyfriend and gave silent thanks that she’d been gifted with such loyal friends. “Molly always looked good, Sean,” Viv bit out, her voice like ice.
“Of course she did,” Sean replied a little uncertainly, looking from Molly’s face to the man behind her, his face completely unreadable. Clearing his throat, he redirected his attention to the woman he once dated. “I’ve tried to give you a call a few times, Molly. You must have changed your number.”
“I did,” Molly agreed tersely, remembering the barrage of phone calls she’d received from him right after they’d separated. She’d been forced to get a new phone when he still hadn’t stopped calling her after a week. “You and I said everything that needed to be said two years ago, Sean. Remember? I told you what a worthless human being I thought you were while you were struggling to pull your pants up and get that waitress out of my bed.”
“Now, Muffin…”
“Call me that ridiculous nickname one more time and I’m gonna forget we’re at church,” Molly warned ominously as she felt Devil’s grip tighten. Not even his strength, however, was going to keep her from gouging out Sean’s eyes if he kept pricking her temper. She’d successfully avoided him for two freaking years, and now, on one of the most stressful days of her life, he reappeared out of thin air. She wasn’t sure what she’d done to tick off the Almighty, but she was fairly certain she was about to commit a huge sin in His house if she didn’t get away from her ex soon. “What are you doing here, Sean?” she asked in a clipped voice.
“I actually was invited by one of the members here. An associate at my law firm attends this church. She asked me to come along with her this morning. You might know her. Kaitlyn Higgins? I knew the name of the church sounded familiar when she mentioned it to me. Now, I know why.” Offering Devil a grin, he explained, “I attended here a few times with Molly when we dated. I’m an attorney now. I just passed the bar a year ago. I’m Sean Barlow, by the way.”
“Congratulations to you,” Molly bit out tightly, not giving Devil an opportunity to speak. “And give Kaitlyn my sympathies; she obviously doesn’t know that slime like you can’t be saved. Not even with the power of prayer. If you’ll excuse us, we need to get inside.”
“Now, Molly,” Sean soothed, taking another step forward, “We need to let bygones be bygones. I was a foolish young man when we had that unfortunate falling out.”
Glancing at Devil over her shoulder, she shook her head incredulously. “Unfortunate falling out. That’s what he calls boinking a waitress in my bed. An unfortunate falling out.” Seeing the darkening in Devil’s blue eyes, Molly was somewhat comforted. She knew him well enough to know that storms were gathering behind that steady gaze of his. Sean wasn’t fooling him with the good-guy routine.
“Listen, Molly, when I realized where I was, I thought maybe I’d finally be able to see you again. We could have a chat… catch up on old times,” Sean suggested with a charming smile. “I’ve missed you, honey.”
“Her fiancé might have a problem with that,” Devil remarked blandly from over Molly’s shoulder, resting one hand against Molly’s stomach as he smiled icily at the younger man. “Darlin’, why don’t you tell Sean our happy news? I don’t think he knows yet.”
Sean stuck his hand out to the older man. “I’m sorry. I don’t believe I know you. Although, I gotta say, you look real familiar.”
“I bet I do,” Devil replied evenly as Molly tensed in front of him, ignoring the younger man’s outstretched hand in favor of drawing Molly closer. “My name is William Delancy, but most people just know me as Devil.”
Molly couldn’t hide her satisfied grin as Sean’s jaw dropped. Her ex-lover had instantly recognized the powerful name. Why shouldn’t he? Half of Atlanta hoped to meet Devil Delancy one day, and the other half lived in fear he would show up in their nightmares. Obviously, Sean the Snake was in the latter half.
“Soon, however, I’ll be pleased to be able to call myself Molly’s husband,” Devil continued, pressing a kiss to Molly’s temple. “She’s going to make me very happy and make an honest man of me.”
Looking between Devil and Molly, Sean swallowed. “You’re marrying Devil Delancy?” he asked Molly, wide-eyed.
“I am,” Molly said cheerfully, nodding as she gripped the hand Devil held around her waist with her right hand and raised her left for Sean to see the ring Devil had slid on her finger last night. “We’re very happy. We’re actually announcing our engagement to my family after lunch today.”
“Married,” Sean echoed, looking between Devil and Molly.
“Yes, married, Sean.” Molly smirked. “You know, that holy institution wherein two people enter into and promise to do things like remain faithful to each other. Based on my past experience with you, I’m betting you probably wouldn’t like it very much,” she clarified with a grim smile, stepping out of Devil’s arms and twisting the metaphorical knife in her ex-boyfriend’s chest. “What with your wandering penis and all, fidelity is just a challenge I doubt you could meet.”
Sean winced, reaching out a hand to touch her arm. “Aw, Mols, don’t be like that. I’m a different man now.”
Quickly sliding in front of Molly, Devil intercepted Sean’s hand before he could touch his future wife. “Touching her would be a very bad idea, son,” he drawled, staring at the other man with eyes that glittered dangerously. “Molly, go inside with Vivian and wait for me in the lobby,” he ordered without taking his eyes off Sean. “I just want to have a little visit with Mr. Barlow.”
Okay, Molly thought, she was all for torturing Sean a little. After all, the guy had wrecked her life a couple of years ago. He deserved to twist in the wind a bit. The look in Devil’s eyes, however, indicated that he’d rather see Sean’s lifeless body twisting from the end of a rope tied around his neck. Normally, that would thrill her, but they were at church. “Devil, let’s just go inside together,” Molly murmured, lightly touching his tense back.
“Don’t worry, babe. I won’t commit any mortal sins in the parking lot. Sean and I are just going to have a man to man talk,” Devil assured her without taking his eyes off her now-sweating ex-boyfriend.
“Molly,” Vivian said softly, stepping forward to hook her arm through her friend’s, “Devil is right. I need a drink from the water fountain before church begins. Pastor Martin is conducting services today so you just know we’re going to be here late. We’ll wait for Devil in the lobby. You’ve got about ten minutes,” she said with a smile at Molly’s fiancé. “We’ll wait inside.”
“But…”Molly began to argue, abruptly closing her mouth as Devil turned to stare at her. She could see the determination shining in his blue eyes. He wasn’t going anywhere until he said whatever he had to say to Sean. “I’ll see you inside,” she murmured, letting Vivian drag her toward the steps. Looking over her shoulder one last time, she watched as Devil smiled coldly and took a step toward Sean.
She almost felt bad for the younger man.
Almost.
But not quite.