Did I fuck up? Did I say something wrong?
"It's nothing." Her response is breathy.
"Let me decide that." I sit down again, brushing my fingers over the back of her hand.
She sniffs. "Why are you suddenly being so nice?"
I shrug, although inside, I am wondering the same thing.Why am I suddenly being so nice? Making her tea, fixing her blankets. It feels weirdly relationship-y, but I can’t seem to stop myself.
I say, "Because you need it, Squeak."
She smiles at the nickname but shakes her head. "Hate that nickname."
It’s not the first time I’ve heard that from her. It’s better not to wade further into emotional waters right now, though. I tease, "Sorry. What should I call you? Darling? Sweetheart? Baby?"
My suggestions wouldn’t be the worst thing. I would love permission to call the girl I’m so obsessed withbaby.
"No." She blushes, then hesitates. "Can I ask you something?"
God, I want to kiss her right now. She’s so vulnerable, and we’re sitting so close. She looks up at me with those sweet eyes and it takes a lot to still myself. "You can try. I may not have an answer for you."
Mollie schools her expression and looks over my shoulder. "Is there something wrong with me?"
I tilt my head and narrow my eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Like..." The red in her cheeks increases and she twists the blanket under her hands. "How can I be more attractive? To guys, I mean."
It takes the wind out of me like a gut punch. "I... don't think being unattractive is a problem for you, Molls. I just punched a guy who wanted to sleep with you.”
She inhales a deep, shaky breath. "There's something fundamentally wrong with me, Thorne. The only guys who pay any attention to me are the kind of guys who try to... to take advantage of me. How do I meet someone who wants me and isn't... like Brad?"
She's spiraling.
"Mollie."
Her eyes snap to my face.
I scoot a little closer, lifting her chin with a finger. "I didn't turn you down because I'm not interested. You're gorgeous and we have incredible chemistry." I suck in a breath. "But you're off-limits. You know that, right?"
It’s nearly impossible to say out loud, but I have to say it. Someone has to put a damper on these ashes smoldering between us.
She nibbles on her bottom lip, her expression wobbling. "You think we have good chemistry?"
"Like adding jet fuel to a wildfire."
Her mouth twists. "Can I…"
I can't look anywhere but her lips. That sassy mouth of hers calls to me like a Siren across the sea. Her lips part, pink and lush.
Fuck, she’s going to kiss me. And I’m going to let it happen because I’ve been dreaming of this for years.
Mollie’s eyes close. She brushes her lips against mine, the faint touch of her petal-soft skin electrifying me. A groan escapes my mouth.
Holy fuck.The feeling of rightness settles over me. It was always meant to happen, no matter how long I resisted this moment.
There's nothing I can do but press my lips against hers and sink further into her hold on me. I cup her chin, tilting her head back, positioning her to my liking before running my tongue over the seam of her lips. They part for me, and she moans as I stroke her tongue with my own. Instead of the frenzy I’d always imagined, it’s gentler, deeper. She inhales and intensifies the kiss, her hand sliding around my shoulder to grip the hair at my nape.
I shudder. Mollie's tugging fingers feel too good, like candy that's so sweet that it will undoubtedly give you a toothache. Pressing her back into the bed, I count it down; one minute until I have to pull away.
