Molly falls asleep in my arms, resting against my chest, and I’m in no hurry to wake her. I think the events of today really knocked her for a loop.
I’d like to show Todd what it feels like to be frightened, to be intimidated, to be at someone else’s mercy. The fact that he had his hands on Molly – hell, his fingers around her God-damned throat – makes me want to break something. Preferably something on his body. I’m trying to remain calm, for Molly’s sake, but damn it, I just want to make him suffer for what he’s done to her.
Molly makes a quiet sound in her sleep, a cross between a moan and a sigh, and she snuggles closer to me. I can’t help my body’s physical reaction to the feel of her warm body pressed against mine. I close my eyelids and inhale deeply, taking in the scent of her. My body responds with a mind of its own, and I can feel myself getting hard. Damn it. I have to shift a little to make room for my dick.
My body’s response is inconvenient, to say the least. I don’t think she’d welcome it right now, and it’s pretty damn uncomfortable for me. Still, I have to admit it’s a bit gratifying. Molly is the first woman I’ve had any sexual interest in since my accident. Since the explosion, I lived in isolation, first in a hospital, then in Shane’s house, rarely coming into contact with anyone other than family and friends and McIntyre Security staff. Meeting Molly changed all that. Now I just have to convince her to give us a chance.
I understand why she’s hesitant to enter into another relationship. Her failed marriage to Todd, and his asshole behavior to her now, probably soured her on men altogether. I get that. But we’re not all assholes. I’m sure she knows that, but right now she can’t see the forest for the trees.
But even if she were open to the idea of dating again, that doesn’t mean she’d want to date me. I’m defective. Although I can take care of myself and handle most situations, there will always be some things I can’t manage on my own.
I know she worries about what Todd might try to do to me. Hell, I’d love for him to take a crack at me. That’s all the justification I’d need to break every bone in his body. I’m pretty sure Molly has no clue what I’m capable of. Maybe I should show her. Maybe I should arrange to give her a demonstration of my physical capabilities in the boxing ring.
If she saw me go hand-to-hand with someone like Jake, someone who’s a real freaking bad ass, maybe she’d reevaluate me as a potential partner. I’ll have to call him and set something up – maybe at the wedding.
I’m still stunned she agreed to go with me to the wedding. I was so sure she’d say no. It was all I could do to remain calm when she said yes. Of course, she agreed we’d go as friends. But still, having her there with me is a big step in the right direction. If we can spend more time together, maybe she’ll see that I have a lot to offer her.
I reach up to rub my eyes and stop myself just in time. It’s an old habit, rubbing my eyes, and I still have the urge to do it when my eye muscles are tired, like they are now. To distract myself, I relax and pull Molly closer. She’s still out cold, and I’m enjoying the chance to hold her. Of course, I’d rather be holding her in my bed, both of us naked, but this will have to do for now. Anything more is wishful thinking at this point. But I’ll wait. I’ve got all the time in the world.
I brush her hair back from her face, letting the strands slide through my fingers. I love playing with her hair; I love the texture of it, the weight and the waves. I have an indistinct image in my mind of a woman with brown hair and brown eyes, about five-eight, probably around one-hundred-fifty pounds or so if I had to guess. But I can’t see her face. I’ll never see her face, but I try not to dwell on that. If we were to get married and have kids, I’d never see their faces either. It’s a shame we didn’t meet before the accident. At least then I’d have a memory to carry with me.
Molly’s cat jumps up on the sofa and starts purring as he rubs against my thigh.
“Hey, buddy,” I say when he bumps his head against my hand. “Sorry I can’t pet you right now. I’ve got my hands full. Maybe later.” I’m sure as hell not letting go of Molly to pet the cat. “No offense, pal, but priorities. You understand, right?”
Molly stirs, making a sleepy sound that goes straight to my dick.
“Who are you talking to?” she says, barely awake.
“Your cat. I’m sorry we woke you. Go back to sleep.”
She sits up, and sadly I have to let her go.
“I fell asleep,” she says, moaning as she stretches. “How long was I out? Please tell me I didn’t snore.”
I laugh. “You were asleep for about an hour, and no, you didn’t snore.”
“Oh, thank God. What time is it?”
I ask my phone for the time, and it obliges me. Four-thirty. It’ll be time for dinner before long. “Why don’t you come over to my place for dinner? I’ll cook something quick and easy. You can relax.”
She hesitates and I’m afraid she’s going to say no. I know what she’s thinking... slippery slope and all. We keep getting closer and closer, every time we see each other.
“Molly, it’s just dinner, not a commitment. Besides, you need to eat. We both do.”
She laughs nervously, and I know I was right. She’s afraid we’re getting too close.
“Okay,” she says. “Dinner sounds good. I am hungry.”
I gently lower Charlie to the floor and sit up, reaching for my glasses. I stand and lift my arms, stretching my back, which is a bit stiff after having been in the same position for so long.
“Why don’t you go ahead,” she says in an odd voice, making me wonder if she’s going to change her mind.
“Molly – ”
“I just need a few minutes to freshen up. I’ll be right over. Do you have your cane – oh, yes, it’s by the door.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in a few minutes. As long as you promise not to change your mind.”
“I promise.”