Molly

Two hard knocks on my door at three a.m. wake me from sleep.

I check the security feed, but I already know who is waiting on the other side. I knew Cody would rat me out. The little shit has always been terrified of his big brother.

“You can lose the attitude. I’m not a piece of property and you sure as hell are not going to dictate what I can and can’t do.” I let him know as he brushes past me into my apartment.

Ah, good ol’ Cole Davenport, the brooding hard-ass who thinks he’s my keeper.

Cole leans on the back of my sofa, his arms across his chest, and he lets out a huff. If I weren’t so annoyed by his bossy attitude right now, it would be sexy as hell. Not that it even matters since he doesn’t see me that way, at all. I’m nothing more than Paddy’s little sister. Off limits, because of the stupid code of honor he has in his head.

“I think you forget, I’m your employer. What you did was insubordination, and I could fire you,” He threatens with a brow raised, daring me to challenge him.

Challenge accepted.

“Bullshit.” I cough into my hand. Standing taller, I continue, “You and I both know you’re not going to fire me. When you finally calm down and pull your head out of your ass, you’ll realize this is the best way to get closer to Dallas. You know...the asshole you’ve been chasing for what, two years now?” I mimic his stance and cross my arms over my own chest, drawing attention to my bust, something that isn’t hard to do with the thin sleep tank I’m wearing. For a moment I see a flicker of something in his gaze, but as usual, he suppresses it quickly. “You’re over-paying me and not allowing me to work to my full potential. I have a master’s in criminology, you’ve been field training me. I know what the fuck I’m doing, Cole.”

He moves closer to me, so close that I can feel his breath on my skin. I can smell his cologne, a scent that is totally and completely him. Straight to Heaven was aptly named for this man.  Sometimes I wonder if he chose that scent, out of thousands, simply to torture women.

“You lack experience. It’s my job to keep you safe. Not hand you over to a deadly criminal. Your degree means nothing stacked against a man like Dallas. You’re not ready for something like this. Goddamnit! You disobeyed me and as a result, made yourself a target.”

“Lack of experience? Disobeyed? Interesting choice of words, Cole. You do realize I am not one of your whores? I’m an employee, a member of your team. You know...an equal, like you, preach to us in all those team meetings.” I press my chest against his and stand on my tippy toes, though he still towers over me. “Or was that all for the show. You’re really in charge, and we’re just your minions. We do as you say and nothing more? Is that how this works?”

The change in his breathing and the tick of his jaw, warn that I’ve pushed too far. But I don’t give a damn. He wants to be an asshole, fine. He’ll get exactly what he deserves.

I’m not sure what I expect from him next, but it certainly was not his hands on my skin.

His hands cup my face, so fast that I flinch, even though his touch is gentle. Cole notices right away and compensates by rubbing his thumbs across my cheeks.

“No,” his voice is sharp at first. “You’re right, you’re not a whore. You’re so much more then you give yourself credit for. And, you are an equal. You know that. Mol, my business wouldn’t be what it is today without you,” he says softly.

We’re still so close together that I can feel his thickening erection between us. My own heartbeat picks up, and I feel like I’m gasping for air.

My God, when did he start having this effect on me?

The closer we began working together, the sparing, the shooting practice when he’d wrap his arms around me to help me perfect my stance. The shoulder squeezes, how he would brush past me at the office. I’ve convinced myself all along that I was imagining the chemistry between us, he was just being kind, but I can feel it clearly now. I’m not imagining this.

Not wanting this moment to pass, and before I can think twice, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his lips. Lips that I’ve longed to kiss for far too long.

I’ve dreamt of this moment.

A moment that, however brief, has already exceeded my expectations. Cole’s kiss is sweet, tender, and somewhere in my brain, I expect him to pull away quickly. Yet, he doesn’t. Instead, Cole takes full control and turns it into something so passionate that I feel like I’m crumbling to the ground. And falling head over heels in love with the man, all over again.

My hands take on a mind of their own, tracing down his arms, across his chest, roaming the hard plains of his body. I have no idea where this will lead, but the minute I fist his shirt in my hands, he pulls back.

Panting and visibly pissed.

I know what’s next, and so help me God if he says the words, I’ll kick him right in the nuts.

“Please. Don’t,” I beg, in a voice not much louder than a whisper.

Cole looks at me again and runs his fingers through his hair that he’s let grow out a bit more since he retired from the Marines. “Mol–“

“No,” my voice shakes. I won’t fall apart. I won’t let him destroy me, or at least I won’t let him know he already has.

“I’m sorry.” He shakes his head. “That should have never happened.”

Dagger. Straight to the heart.

“Yeah. You’re right it shouldn’t have happened. I’m not the dirty slut you need.” Every word is laced with venom. “I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. Forget about it.”

“I’m not the man you need, Molly. You’re just confused. You’ll find someone, but it ain’t me, babe.”

“No. Nope. You don’t get to do that with me. We’re done.” I keep backing away, building a wall around my heart with each step. “As for business, I got your message loud and clear about the whole situation. The thing is, Cole, you don’t get to dictate my life. I’m going to do what I want to do, with or without you. So, either set it up to give me the protection you think I need or watch me do it all on my own.”

“Molly,” Cole groans in frustration.

I have nothing left for him. “We’re done here. Get out. I’ll see you at work on Monday.”