AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t mean to hurt you, Molly.” He avoided looking at her as he repeatedly rubbed the back of his neck. Much to her irritation, he resumed his incessant walking.
“Tell me,” she insisted. Any other woman might have left it at that, saved herself the humiliation, but she had to know.
“This embarrasses me. It happened the other night, too,” he said, as if making a confession. “I can’t look at you and not want to make love, but the minute I feel the baby move, my desire is gone. It’s the same way now. Ilove you, Molly, but right now I’m physically incapable of making love to you.”
Molly wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but not this. He was telling her he found her unattractive. His words hurt her badly.
Silence fell as he waited for her to respond.
It took Molly several minutes to recover. “Well, that answers that, doesn’t it,” she said, hoping to hide the extent of her pain. “I don’t have a single argument, do I? My figure certainly isn’t what it used to be.”
Climbing off the sofa, she reached for the lamp and turned the switch. Light spilled into the room. Molly would’ve given anything not to be wearing these sexy pajamas. She felt like an elephant who’d, by some miracle, managed to stuff itself into a bikini.
Gripping the front of her robe, she walked over to the door and opened it for Jordan. “I’m sorry you have to leave so soon.”
“Molly, don’t send me away. Not like this.”
In her opinion, she should be awarded a medal for keeping the tears at bay. Holding her chin high, she slowly turned her head so their eyes met. “Please, Jordan, just go.”
“The problem’s mine, Molly, not yours. You’re beautiful. I’m the one who needs help. Let’s talk about this.”
“Everything’s been said a thousand times,” she whispered. “I believe you put it best. This isn’t going to work.”
Jordan rammed his fingers through his hair. “I shouldn’t have said anything, but sooner or later you were going to suspect something was wrong.”
Molly could sympathize with him. He’d backed himselfinto a corner, but that didn’t make any difference. It would always be like this with him. Jordan wasn’t going to change and she was living in a dream world if she believed otherwise.
“You once suggested that the only good thing between us was the sex… I was quick to take offense,” she reminded him, “but now I realize you could be right.” This last part was the most painful. “Now that I don’t…arouse you, there really isn’t anything left, is there?”
“Molly, that’s not true!”
“Maybe,” she said. “But then again, maybe not.” All she could be sure of at the moment was that she wanted Jordan out of her home. If he didn’t leave soon, she’d be in serious danger of an emotional breakdown. Her pride was already in shreds, and she didn’t relish the thought of humiliating herself further.
“You’ll give me a call?” he asked when he realized she wasn’t going to change her mind. She stood holding open the front door, waiting for him to vacate her apartment.
“I don’t know,” she whispered, although she doubted she would. It probably would’ve been best to tell him that, but she didn’t want to invite additional arguments.
His eyes connected with hers before he left. In his she saw regret and pain and several other emotions. She forced herself to stare straight through him, hoping he’d read her lack of emotion as blatant indifference.
Of one thing Molly was certain—she’d never be indifferent to Jordan Larabee.
* * *
A week passed, and Jordan still couldn’t decide what he expected from Molly. He’d insulted her, wounded herpride and just about ruined whatever hope there was of salvaging their marriage. Whoever said honesty was the best policy had never been married, he thought ruefully.
He’d phoned her countless times in an effort to undo the damage, but Molly screened her calls. He’d stopped by her apartment so often the neighbors had started waving when they saw him. But he hadn’t found the courage to confront her, especially when she’d made it plain she didn’t want to see him again.
Nothing short of a blowup with Molly would have led him to visit his father-in-law. Ian Houghton would delight in knowing Jordan had made a fool of himself for the umpteenth time. But then Jordan should be accustomed to Ian’s attitude by now.
His father-in-law was looking pleased with himself when Jordan joined him in his den, with the book-lined walls behind him. The scent of lemon oil permeated the air.
“Jordan, good to see you,” Ian said as he stood to greet him. The two men exchanged handshakes.
“You, too.” Jordan sat down and rested his ankle on his knee, hoping to give a carefree, relaxed impression.
“My guess is that you’re here to inquire about my daughter?”
“What makes you think this isn’t a friendly social call?” Jordan asked.
