Molly

Jamie picks me up at exactly five o’clock, as promised, and I’m relieved to see him. He comes into the back room and takes off his coat and leans against one of the work tables while I clean up my brushes. It’s been a really long day, and I’m exhausted. I haven’t had a chance to sit all afternoon.

After clean-up is done, I stand in front of Jamie and tug on the open collar of his flannel shirt. “Would you be too terribly disappointed if we got carryout and took it back to your place? I’m wiped out.”

He takes my hands in his and squeezes them gently, then brings them to his lips for a kiss. “That’s fine. What would you like?”

“Chinese? I have a craving for Veggie Delight.”

“Sounds good to me.” He releases one of my hands to pull out his phone and make the call, but he keeps a tight hold on my other hand, lacing our fingers together and rubbing the back of my hand with the pad of his thumb.

I close my eyes and listen to the soothing sound of his baritone voice as he places our order. The physical connection of our hands linked together eases some of my anxiety, and I feel myself starting to relax for the first time all day. Logically, I know Todd is no longer a threat, but I don’t think my fight-or-flight system has caught up to current events.

Ten minutes later, the shop is locked up for the evening, and we head back toward our building, stopping just long enough to pick up our carryout order. When we walk inside, I check both my mail box and Jamie’s while he holds Gus’s harness and the food.

I can’t help noticing that Mrs. Powell’s welcome mat is gone, as is the little hand-painted Welcome sign that always hung on her door. “Mrs. Powell’s decorations are gone.”

“She moved out today.”

“You’re kidding. I didn’t know she was leaving.”

“I met her granddaughter today. The granddaughter thinks it’s no longer safe for her grandmother to live alone, so she’s moving Mrs. Powell to her house.”

“Then both downstairs units are empty. It’s just us in the building now… at least until new people move in.”

* * *

After we eat our dinner and clean up the dishes, we cuddle up on the sofa for some much-needed relaxation. Both of us end up reading. I’m reading on my Kindle app on my phone, and Jamie’s listening to an audiobook on his. Charlie’s curled up on the back of the sofa, and Gus’s sleeping on the floor at our feet. I could definitely get used to this.

My apartment has been cleaned up and cleared for occupancy again, but Jamie hasn’t said anything about me moving back to my place. I’m in no hurry to move back, but I don’t want to wear out my welcome either.

Jamie pulls out his ear buds and sets his phone on the coffee table. “I have some news for you,” he says. “I think you’ll like it.”

I put my phone down too. “What’s that?”

“Come here,” he says, sitting up and reaching for me. He pulls me onto his lap so that I’m facing him, straddling his lap. “I asked Chloe if she wanted to move into Mrs. Powell’s apartment,” he says. “She said yes.”

“What!” I say, grasping his shoulders. I’m both surprised and elated that he would think of asking Chloe to move in here. “Are you serious?”

“Yes.” He laughs at my exuberant response. “I take it you like the idea? I was afraid I’d overstepped my bounds by not asking you first. I should have.”

“Oh, my God, of course I like the idea! I would love having her in our building.”

“Good. Her lease is up soon, so I told her to move in anytime. I’m sure the guys wouldn’t mind spending a few hours helping her move.”

“Jamie.” I cup his handsome face in my hands and kiss him gently. “Thank you.”

“And one of Shane’s employees is going to move into the other downstairs apartment. Cameron Stewart, former special forces. He’s a good guy. You’ll like him.”

I’m absolutely thrilled that Chloe’s going to move into our building, and I’m glad that the other downstairs apartment will be occupied by someone Jamie knows. Even though Todd’s out of the picture, it makes me feel better knowing we’ll have two friendly parties living downstairs.

“So, you’re okay with both Chloe and Cameron moving in?” he says.

I kiss him again, just a light, teasing kiss. “I think it’s wonderful.”

His hands come around me and settle on my rear end, gently kneading my butt cheeks through my jeans. “Good,” he says.

I sink my fingers into his hair and seal my mouth over his. He makes me so damn happy I could cry.

Jamie opens his mouth and licks his way inside mine, stroking his tongue against mine. His hands tighten on my butt cheeks, kneading me firmly, which makes my girly parts tingle. He pulls me closer so that I’m pressed up against his erection, which is straining at the zipper of his jeans. I rock forward, pressing my cleft against the firm ridge of his cock, and moan in delight. Suddenly, I’m aching for him to be inside me.

His hands have moved up and he’s rubbing my back, and it feels so incredibly good.

I grip the waistband of his jeans and kiss him. “I want you. Right now. Right here.”

He laughs again as he unbuckles his belt. “Yes, ma’am. You won’t get any argument from me.”

As he removes his belt and unzips his jeans, I brush my thumbs gently over his lowered eyelids, then lean forward to place a feather-light kiss on each one. This precious man lost an important part of himself serving our country overseas. He made a huge sacrifice, but he’s not bitter about it, and he came out his ordeal strong and whole. I’ll be his eyes. I’ll be his guide whenever and wherever he needs me. My throat tightens as the depths of my feelings for him rush through me.

He guides me to stand in front of him and unsnaps my jeans and works them and my panties down my legs. We both laugh when we realize my boots are still on. After I kick them off, he finishes undressing me from the waist down. Then he shoves his jeans and boxers down to his ankles.

He grabs a fleece blanket off the back of the sofa and lays it on the seat, then sits down, pulling me back onto his lap.

“Shit, condom!” he says, laughing.

“I’ll get it.” I hop up, feeling ridiculous standing there in my top and socks, bare assed. “Where are they?”

“In my nightstand drawer.” Jamie leans forward to remove his sneakers and socks while I race down the hallway to grab a condom.  When I return, he’s sitting impatiently, bare naked.

He pats his thighs, then pulls me back down onto him, taking the condom in hand. He rips open the packet and rolls the condom onto his erection. I stare, fascinated by the sight of him fully erect and by the sight of his hands smoothing the condom in place.

Oh, my God, I get to have some of that.

When I settle myself on his lap again, straddling him and ready to take him inside me, he reaches for the hem of my shirt and starts to lift it. I grab his hands to still his movement.

“What’s wrong?” he says.

“Can’t we just leave it on?” I really don’t want to be topless. “I mean, what’s the point?” There aren’t any breasts for him to nuzzle. There aren’t any nipples for him to lick or suckle.

His shoulders fall. “Molly.”

“Please. I just don’t feel comfortable being shirtless like this, in a brightly-lit room.”

“Charlie won’t care,” he says. “Neither will Gus. And if you think I mind for one second, then you’re dead wrong, and I’ll prove it to you.”

He never once let go of the hem of my shirt. He leans forward. “Kiss me.”

“Jamie – ”

“Kiss me and trust me.”

I’m shaking, and I know he can feel it. Reluctantly, I release his hands and suck in a deep breath as he lifts my T-shirt over my head and drops it on the seat cushion beside us. Then he reaches behind my back and unclips my bra. As the heavy, weighted breast forms fall into his hands, I feel suddenly very chilled, and I cover my bare chest.

He carefully sets my bra aside, his hands covering mine, and he grips my hands firmly. “Put your hands down,” he says.

When I don’t, he says, “You realize I can’t even see your chest, right?”

I laugh nervously. “I know.”

“Then why the shyness?”

“It just feels weird, being open, being exposed.”

He blinks. “I let you see my eyes.”

“I know, but that’s different.”

“How so?”

“Your eyes look normal – they’re beautiful. No one would even know they’re prosthetic unless you told them. My chest… doesn’t.”

He bites back a chuckle as he tries valiantly to remain serious. “Molly, you have to trust me.”

“I do trust you.”

“I mean with your body.”

“I do,” I insist.

He shakes his head. “Trust means letting go of your fear. Letting go of your insecurities.”

I make a sound that’s part frustration and part growl, and Jamie laughs. He encircles both of my wrists with his fingers and tugs gently.

“Okay, fine!” I drop my arms and sit rigidly on his lap.

When he lays his warm hands on my chest, I flinch. Slowly, his hands slide across my skin, his thumbs brushing along the path of my scars, over my sternum and across my ribs.

He gives me a moment to get used to his touch. Then he says, “Do you know what I feel?”

“Nothing. Because there’s nothing there.”

“Wrong. I feel the body of a survivor. I feel the courage and determination of a woman who took her health and future into her own hands.” He lays his hands over the ribs that cover my heart. “Your heart is inches beneath my fingers, just beneath your ribs.”

He leans forward and presses a gentle kiss to my sternum, making me shiver. “I love your body, Molly, because it’s yours. I love every inch of it. Every scar. Can you trust in that? Can you trust your body to me?”

Hot tears prick my eyes, and my throat tightens. I’m afraid if I say a word, I’ll start bawling like a baby. All I can manage is a vague, “Mmm-hmm.”

He smiles. “Is that a yes?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“I’m taking that to mean yes.”

Jamie wraps his arms around my back, drawing my body against his. Our chests are touching, his muscular, with a light furring of dark hair, mine pale and flat and scarred. I swallow so hard it’s audible, and he smiles again.

“That’s not so bad, right?” he says.

“Mmm-hmm.” I still can’t trust myself to speak.

He leans forward and places a gentle, almost reverent kiss on my lips. I don’t even realize I’m crying until I taste the salt on his lips.

Jamie reaches up and brushes my tears away. “Tonight is a new beginning, all right? You’re safe, you’re going to remain safe, and we have each other.”

I nod, my throat still tight. I don’t know what I did to deserve this second chance at happiness – to deserve Jamie. He’s exactly what I need, and I’ve never been so happy. I wrap my hands around his neck, threading my fingers through his thick hair, and lean forward to kiss him.  “A new beginning.”

 

 

The End… for now