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Oh, fuck.
Turning to meet the movement, I saw her. She had just come down the stairs and was chatting up the barista. For a moment, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. She was gorgeous in a purple form-fitting sweater and black leggings that hugged every curve, and the ankle boots she wore boasted faux fur around the tops. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, and her emerald eyes were the brightest I had ever seen. No one had the right to look that good this early in the morning. No one except Buttercup.
She didn’t see us at first, and I took that as a good sign since my brothers had pointed out rather bluntly that I looked like literal shit. I sat, unmoving, and when she turned and reached across the bar to grab her coffee, I wanted nothing more than to push her down on that bar and shove my cock into her from behind just to listen to the sexy little whimpers that escaped her mouth when I forced orgasm after orgasm from her sweet little pussy.
“What do you think, Courtland?”
I jolted at the sound of my name, tearing my eyes away from that spectacular ass. “What did you say?”
“Man, you’ve got it bad. Jackson chuckled under his breath. “I said, will you still be in town for the barbecue this weekend?”
“Yeah, it shouldn’t be a problem.” When I glanced up from the coffee cup, three pairs of eyes were laser-focused in my direction. “What the hell, guys?”
Ben was the first to answer. “Look, Courtland, we know your life is in the Big Apple, but Dad and Mom are here, and we need you right now. You promised two weeks, and that’s what you need to give them.”
Holding up my hands in surrender, I pinned him with my eyes. “Ben, brother, I don’t need you three to remind me of what I promised. Believe me, I know exactly what I committed to. End of. Now, back the fuck off.” We sat in a four-way stare, then a slow grin spread across my face as I shook my head, and the rest of them followed suit, and just like that, the tension was gone, and we were back to the easy fraternal conversation.
“Hey guys.” Her voice was like a thousand sunrises breaking free into the morning sky.
“Hey, Molly.” Knight was the first to acknowledge her presence. “You want to join us?”
She stood a beat, biting her bottom lip, contemplating his offer. I hoped she couldn’t see how badly I wanted to be the one to bite, nip, and suck it. Jackson and Ben cut in at the same time. “Yeah, Molly, join us if you have time.”
That left me looking like a deer caught in headlights. “Um, yeah, Molly. Would you like to sit?”
Her face flushed as she stood staring at me. I don’t think I’d ever seen her as unsure as she looked at that moment. “Well, just for a few minutes. I’m opening the store this morning, and we all know what a demanding boss I have.” That got a good laugh from all of us, Molly included, and earned her a wink and a smirk from Knight.
I wanted to slug him.
I moved over so she could slide in beside me and slung an arm over the back of the booth, trying not to be obvious. Mae, the morning barista, according to my brothers, brought over a carafe of strong, black coffee, and we ended up on a caffeine high before nine o’clock.
“So, Molly, I don’t know if I told you, but Cooper’s will close at noon this Saturday,” Knight mentioned nonchalantly.
“Oh, is everything okay with your dad?” Her easy expression turned serious. What a sweetheart. With everything that she had been through in her life, here she was concerned about others. It was Jackson who piped in.
“Everything’s good with Dad. We’re hosting a barbecue Saturday afternoon in appreciation for everything the town has done for both our parents and how everyone has rallied together to make his journey as manageable as something like this could be. Most of the businesses are closing early so their employees can attend.”
“How wonderful. One thing I love most about Stone Creek is how everyone’s like family and cares about each other.” Her words were spoken like a true romantic. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she talked. Her voice became more animated as she went on. The deep green of her irises resembled pure emeralds untouched by human hands.
One by one, each of my brothers said their goodbyes and left us to ourselves. When Ben, who was the last to leave, closed the door behind him and the jingle of the bells died down, I took in a deep breath. “Look, Molly, I hope I didn’t do something really stupid last night. I know I wasn’t at my best, and I’m sorry for making a scene after your performance, which, by the way, was phenomenal as always.” She blushed as she took in my words, leaning in closer to me. Looking at her sitting there, her blonde hair falling in waves around her shoulders, made me realize I couldn’t let her go. She was mine since the first night I saw her at Club Max. I would just suffer with the guilt from long ago and hope she never learned the truth. At least, not until I was ready to tell her.
“What I’m trying to say and am not doing a very good job is tell you I meant what I said last night about a do-over. I know you’ve got your issues, and I’ve been dealing with shit back in New York. I don’t know what will happen next week, hell, or even tomorrow, but I’d like to spend my time here with you if you’d have me.”
I noticed the flare of surprise when I mentioned her issues, but she quickly recovered and offered a genuine smile. That would be a conversation for another time. “Would you like to accompany me to the barbecue on Saturday?”
When she didn’t immediately answer, I felt like a bigger fool than I already was, but she gazed into my eyes, and the earth stopped rotating. “Yes, Courtland, I would love to go with you to the barbecue on Saturday.”
Day made, I smiled back and unapologetically took her hand in mine. We sat there for a short while before she interrupted the silence. “Listen, as much as I’d like to stay and drink myself into a caffeine coma, I really need to get to work.”
When we stood to leave the cafe, I couldn’t help myself. “Let me know if that jerk of a boss gives you a hard time. I’d love to kick his ass.” I tossed the words over my shoulder and laughed as we went our separate ways.
Chapter 16
Molly
The King’s backyard was decorated in variations of purple in deference to patients with pancreatic cancer. Although Robert King was at the end of his treatments, there were many fighting this disease who weren’t as fortunate, and the family wanted to honor them as well. Deep shades of purple balloons were strung in an arch while lighter hues lined the stone walkway leading to the rental tent, where round tables were set up for the guests. Rectangular tables lined the far side of the yard and were adorned with dark violet cloths. These tables held the brisket, baked beans, and potato salad. Smaller tables with the condiments were inside the tent. Streamers of magenta and lilac hung from the peak of the enclosure.
Since it was unseasonably warm for the beginning of April, I wore denim cutoffs and a light purple Hippie Coalition tank top with flip-flops. My blonde hair was in a low braid that hung over my shoulder. Courtland was his dashing self in a pair of khaki shorts and a white linen button-down. He sported a purple ribbon pinned to his breast pocket in keeping with the theme.
