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Max saw the pain he’d caused her that he’d not even meant to do. It had all been an accident.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I don’t forgive you. I don’t want to listen to this. I just want to do my job. Please, don’t make this hard,” she said.
He held his hands up. “I’m sorry.”
Max left the bakery and paused on his way toward the tattoo parlor. He had a spare key, and he let himself in. Sitting down in the reception area, he wiped the tears from his eyes. It was the first time he’d ever been called out for his actions.
He’d hurt Aria, and he needed for her to forgive him.
Chapter Seven
Molly opened her eyes, and as she did she became aware of a very male arm around her middle. Staring at the tribal ink that Dale got in high school, she smiled, snuggling against him.
“Morning, baby,” Dale said.
She turned toward him, and saw that his head lay on his hand, and he smiled down at her.
“You’re up already?”
“I’ve been watching you sleep for nearly an hour.”
“What time is it?”
“A little after seven.” His thumb stroked beneath her breast.
She lifted up the blanket, covering her mouth. Last night had been amazing. He’d made love to her, and had only stopped when hunger had gotten in the way. They’d made themselves some grilled cheese before coming back to bed and picking up where they left off.
“You’re worried about morning breath?”
“It’s a thing, you know,” she said, laughing.
“I don’t care.” He pulled the blanket from her hand and took possession of her lips.
She didn’t fight him. The moment his lips were on hers, all fight left her and she melted against him.
He pulled away, and she opened his eyes. “So what do you want to do today?” she asked.
“I was thinking we could head on out. Go see some of the town. Maybe pick up a gift for our kids.”
“I like that idea. I could use a shower.” She didn’t get to have one last night. By the time they collapsed on the bed, she’d been too tired to do anything.
Dale pulled the blanket back, picked her up, and carried her through to the bathroom. “We can shower together. We’re saving the environment that way.”
She giggled, and cried out as the cold water hit her flesh. He trapped her against the wall, the cold water hitting his back as he kissed her again.
“I’m addicted to your lips,” he said.
She curled her fingers into the hair at the base of his neck, kissing him back, moaning as he consumed her. “We have to stop.”
“Why? This is our week, Molly. Our week to catch up on everything we’ve missed. For me to get to know you.” He lifted her up, and she gasped as he filled her once again, sliding his cock deep inside her.
Closing her eyes, she felt his lips against her neck and just let go. Dale fucked her hard as water cascaded all around them. His lips were everywhere on her, and she basked in his attention.
By the time the water was hot, they were panting out their orgasm. Dale washed her body, taking charge as he finished in the shower. He left first, holding a towel out to her, which she took, drying her body.
Following him into the bedroom, they changed, sharing lingering looks and touches. When her cell phone rang, he answered it. She listened as he talked to the kids and then he handed her the phone.
“I’ll go and make us breakfast.”
She was walking on cloud nine by the time she put her cell phone to her ear. She talked with Sasha, then Luke, and listened as they told her about the movie day they had with Uncle Max, which made her smile. He’d always been helpful to her.
“June wants to talk to you,” Luke said.
She heard some shuffling as the phones were changed over. “How is it going?” June asked.
Molly glanced toward the door, touching her lips. The scent of bacon filled the air as he cooked breakfast. “It’s going … great. We’re about to head into that small town you talked about.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Yeah.”
“How are you and Dale? I know you’ve said that you two struggle when you’re in the same room. Tensions rise. Bad words were said, and all that.”
She licked her lips thinking about the past couple of hours. “I … everything is going great.”
“Okay, why don’t you sound happy about that?”
“I am happy. I’m thrilled. We’ve got a lot of history, but I think it’s time for us to put that behind us, you know.”
“What, so you both get the chance to have a fresh start?”
“Yes, I’d love to just have a fresh start. You know, no … looking back. Where we can finally just focus on each other, and the potential for a future.” The more she thought about it, the more she felt that it could be possible. What was to stop them having a future together? “What do you think?”
“I think that every time you and Dale look at each other, there’s fire. Not the kind that everyone has to escape from. No, this is the kind of fire that catches between two people. It’s like you both are drawn to one another, and that’s a pretty amazing thing.”
“So a fresh start it is,” she said, smiling.
“I think it’s more than that. I really hope you both find each other this week, and put whatever problems you’ve both had away. Not just for the kids, but for you as well, Molly. I’ve seen how sad you’ve become, and I know it’s because of him. I understand and get it, but you’ve got to find some happiness in life.”
She talked a little longer with her friend before finally hanging up. The scent of bacon was too much to ignore, and she made her way into the kitchen just as Dale served up.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“Everything is perfect.”
Molly poured them both coffee, taking a seat at the opposite end of the table. Dale put a plate in front of her, and it looked delicious. Her stomach chose that moment to be heard, and she groaned.
He chuckled. “Dive in, sweetheart.”
Picking up her fork, she took a bite of bacon and closed her eyes. “I had no idea you could cook.”
“Living with Max, I’ve had no choice. There’s only so long you can live on frozen pizza or frozen meals. Believe me, when you look at the stuff they pack into those meals, it’s enough to take notice, and maybe take a cooking class.”
“You took a cooking class?”
“Yep. I exploded our microwave twice before I decided to join the local college. I took a basic cooking class. I learned a few things as well.”
“I had no idea.”
“You learned to cook as well. If my memory serves, you didn’t have a clue how to boil an egg in high school.”
“Very true. I didn’t have the money to go to college though. Everything I know I got from books at the library. I’m still struggling. I nearly shattered the kids’ teeth on some brownies I made. Just to warn you, brownies are supposed to be cakey or squishy, not like bricks.”
He began laughing, and she sat there and watched him, smiling with him. She liked seeing him laugh.
“Wow.”
“Yes, wow. I’m learning slowly, and I do find it a lot of fun, but it’s not something I’ve been gifted with. I have to practice all the time.”
“Well, I’ve got no problem with you experimenting. I can teach you a few things.”
“Oh, yeah, like what?” She loved this. The easy banter between them. It reminded her of their first date where they just talked and teased each other the entire night.
“I can make pastry.”
“No, you can’t.”
“I can, and it’s melting and buttery, and oh, so good. I even got a marriage proposal out of Max. He says any woman that tries it will be completely at my mercy.” He winked at her. “So guess who is making dinner tonight?”
“Now, I don’t think pastry will win me over that easily.”
