The Perfect Gift

“They’ve never made me feel unwelcome here. It’s like a second mom and dad for me.” Molly watched me as I opened the door. “Did he give you the Spanish Inquisition?”

“No, but he is protective of you,” I replied before closing the door and walking around to my side. I got in and started the engine before giving her a long look. “I respect that, Molly.

“It drives Noel crazy. I think that she dates some guys just to get under his skin. I’ve not dated since they met me so this is a first for him.” She laughed as I pulled down the long driveway and to the main road. “Thanks for staying. I was horrified when Marta suggested it but I had a great time. You’re fun to watch.”

“How so?” I asked curiously as she smiled.

“You’re so confident and you got along easily with them. I guess that’s because you’re older perhaps, but I never met a guy like that before.” She leaned back into her seat. “There’s also something about you that scares me; thrills me. Maybe something dark. I’m not sure.”

She had no idea. I headed to the theater that we’d seen one another at that night a few weeks ago and she stared at the offerings for a moment. “What sounds good?” I asked her, stroking her back as she moved closer to me.

“Will you protect me from the monsters if we see the scary one?” Molly asked softly as she turned to look at me, her eyes heavy with desire. I leaned in to kiss her softly, loving her heat.

“Yes, I will always protect you.” I murmured as I brushed my lips against hers again. I led her forward and bought the tickets for the show, walking inside to order popcorn and a drink to share. That was a must at the movies, and I knew that she felt the same from seeing her before. I walked into the small theater and asked her where she’d like to sit as she shrugged. I grinned as I took her to the back corner and placed the drink between us as she settled in.

I glanced forward to see Olivia walking in with

a guy that looked a little younger than her, making me wonder if it was a student. If so, she moved quickly. She glanced my way and frowned as our eyes met and then looked away, moving to the front of the theater. I reached out for Molly’s hand and held it as she reached for some popcorn with her free hand. I wondered if Olivia saw me with Molly, hoping that she did. I wanted her to see the kind of woman that appealed to me.

The room darkened and we settled in for the previews, my arm securely around her. She moved closer to me with the featured horror movies that they pushed on the crowd and I kissed her hair gently. The film we came to see was more of a creepy kind of scary than it was gory and Molly was practically in my lap by the end. She buried her face in my neck as she groaned and shook her head, making me want to groan back for completely different reasons.

Her lips brushed against my skin and I froze, feeling my body heat up in response. She kissed my neck and up to my jaw as I slid my hand into her loose hair, holding her close to me. “Will you come over?” I asked her as her lips moved up, closer to my mouth.

“I was hoping that you’d ask,” she murmured before kissing me softly. I wanted to push her back against the seat and kiss my way down her body, but when the lights came back on I was all too aware of where we were. She seemed to want to keep going, but I pulled away and took a breath. “Mmmm,” Molly moaned, leaning forward again as I gripped her hair again.

“Let’s take this elsewhere,” I suggested as our eyes locked in the light. I saw that she wanted more and reminded myself that I needed to stop when she asked me to. I didn’t want to and was rarely asked to, but this was important. I stood slowly and took her hand, leading her out of the building and out onto the street as she looked around. Her face was flushed and eyes heavy, making me stare at her.

“Major Johnson,” came a familiar voice as I glanced up to see Olivia. She was looking at Molly with an inquiring gaze as I smiled weakly.

“Good evening,” I greeted her, seeing that she was alone. “Did you enjoy the movie?”

“It was scary, wasn’t it?” She asked as I laughed and Molly squeezed my hand tightly. “I’m Olivia. I work with Major Johnson.” She extended her hand boldly and I sensed Molly cowering for a moment.

“I’m Molly,” she said simply as she shook Olivia’s hand. The women were so different but Molly was the one that I wanted to be with and I looked at Olivia to see disdain pass through her eyes.

“We’re going to head back to town. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said as I pulled Molly to my car across the street in the parking lot. I could feel Olivia watching us but I kept going until my keys were in the door.

“You work with her?” Molly asked softly as I looked at her. She looked so insecure and I left the key in the door to pull her gently against me.

“She’s an instructor at the base. I am overseeing the classes,” I explained as I moved closer to her.

“She wants you, doesn’t she?” Molly asked as I let out a slow breath.

“It doesn’t matter. I want you…I want to be with you,” I assured her as I stared into her eyes, moving in slowly for a kiss. She melted against me, returning it as I got caught up in Molly’s mouth all over again.

Chapter 12

Molly

I thought that I could stand there forever with him in that small parking lot. Every time he kissed me, my knees turned into jello. Lance didn’t even come close to this and I berated myself for getting involved with him at all.

I felt Robert push me against the car as his tongue slipped inside of my mouth eagerly, claiming me as his. What would it feel like to lay bare before him, feeling his tongue on my body? I shivered as I pulled him closer, tilting my head to deepen the kiss. We made out for a while before he pulled away, breathing raggedly. “Let’s get to the house,” he suggested as I nodded and pressed against him. “You make me crazy, Molly.”

“I feel the same way,” I admitted as I held onto him for a moment. I finally pulled away and he secured me in the car before going to his side. I thought about what he did to me for a moment, focusing on the way my stomach knotted up. I thought about the way my nipples were aching and how damp my thighs were. I knew that I wanted to sleep with Robert but I feared the attraction for a fleeting second. What if it was a mistake to take things that far?

I looked over as he got into the car and started the engine. "You look beautiful with kiss swollen lips, Molly.” I blushed. Robert pulled out onto the street and headed back to Mountain Home as I watched him drive. The way he held the steering wheel was sexy as sin, so confidently. He had no doubt about the safety of this trip; of me. He probably had little doubt about anything at all. He glanced at me and smiled for a second before looking at the curvy road ahead. “What are you thinking about?”

“I like watching you drive,” I told him as he frowned. “It’s so controlling and hot. Are you controlling, Robert?” Something told me that he was but I wasn’t scared.