The Perfect Gift

“Are you going to see your parents for the holidays?” I asked her as I headed towards the cafe.

“They don’t have anyone there so Marta invited them to join us. She’s gotten closer to them over the last few years and Mom’s dying to see the cafe. I think they’d consider making the move here if a few visits went well. I’d love that.” I saw her smile in the light from the street as I pulled up next to Caleb. He nodded at me and I rolled down my window to greet him as I squeezed Molly’s hand. Noel pulled up and chatted with him while I kissed Molly goodbye, feeling something different in this kiss.

She smiled at me with a knowing look in her eyes before sliding out of the car. They walked with Caleb to the door as I watched for a moment, still in some disbelief over the happenings of last night. I had energy flowing steadily through me as I returned home and went for a long run, replaying everything in my mind. I went to get some coffee from Molly, needing to see her smile as she blushed at the sight of me. I was addicted to the strong roast and sweet muffin every day though Molly brought them over to my house at the end of the week sometimes. I told her that I wanted to order a couple dozen for the base on Friday since we were having a retirement lunch for one of the guys. I figured that would be a nice breakfast before the catered meal.

I didn’t stay long today since I had to get to work, but I told her to call me when she knew something about the car. She nodded and watched me leave, her eyes bright with need as I forced myself through the glass doors. When I walked into the building whistling, Michael glanced at me with a raised eyebrow. “What has you in such a good mood?”

“I had my coffee,” I replied as he smirked. I went into my office and got everything going in there, checking to make sure that we were in the classroom today. I looked at the students to see that Olivia’s fling wasn’t above the rest due to the affair, and he was actually doing slightly worse than some of the others. Maybe he wasn’t the hot shot that he perceived himself to be. I headed to the classroom when it was time, sitting in the back as Michael joined me.

Olivia walked in with someone else to assist her today and I sat back to watch. As much as I tried to focus on the lesson, I still had flashbacks of Molly running through my mind as I’d drift off. I noted that everything seemed calm between teacher and student and wondered if they didn’t just get sidetracked for a brief time. It was rough to have a woman teaching here for some of the men and I suspected that it got more hype than it might have deserved.

Lunch came at what felt like the end of the day and I had some of the leftovers. “Did you make that?” Michael asked as he made a frozen meal in the microwave.

“My girl brought it over for me last night,” I replied after a beat, liking the sound of the title. “I cook here and there, but nothing like this for just me.” I picked up a piece of chicken and bit into it, deciding that it was better the following day.

“She’s a keeper,” he observed as I smiled. We talked about the retirement on Friday for a bit as well as some sports chatter though I didn’t know as much as I normally would about that. I was with Molly a lot on the evening and if not, thinking about her.

Chapter 20

Molly

Noel led us to the back with a wide smile on her face. “Spill.”

“Spill what?” I teased as I turned on the lights and watched her get the bowls that we needed. “I am going to make some coffee and get some music going. Have you heard the new Paramore album?”

“Get your ass back in here, Mol.” Noel called to me as I snickered. I made some lattes for us and found an alternative rock station on the Sirius system that Noel had installed in the cafe when we opened. I brought the coffees back, handing her one before I went to stir the carrot muffin mix, inhaling the scent of cinnamon. “So, what happened last night? You’re glowing!!”

I looked up at her with a smile and she gasped. “I did it.”

“You slept with him?” Noel asked as she dropped the spoon to run over and give me a tight hug. “Was it okay?”

“It was amazing. I didn’t think it would ever be that good, but he…Robert made me feel so good. He was so caring.” I replied, blushing as I looked in her face. “I don’t know why I was so scared before, Noel.”

“It was never right before. That’s why, Molly. Lance was an asshole towards you and I am relieved that he didn’t ruin it for you forever. I’m so happy for you.” She reluctantly returned to mixing and stared at me. “So, no regrets?”

“None.” I stirred a few times before pouring my batter into the pans. “I am not blind to the fact that we could end, and very soon at that. I didn’t do anything last night hoping for forever. I just wanted him and I have since we met. I don’t know if I’ll ever be affected by a man this way again.”

“I don’t think it’s going to end anytime soon. He’s been to eat with us and the family a few times now and Dad told me that he wants to take us all to dinner. I won’t even point out the way that he looks at you.” She smiled at me. “I’m jealous. Nate is great and all but that older man vibe is so sexy. I’ll bet he lasts longer.” I was turning on the ovens and laughed loudly as I shot her a look.

“Oh, my God. Noel, you’re insane,” I told her as she giggled and started pouring her batter. I didn’t answer her question, not quite certain that I was ready for those kinds of details. I was still feeling shy about the way that I acted with him, and my skin heated up as I remembered the look in his eyes when I was on top of him.

“I wouldn’t turn a brother away if you were to offer one.” She raised both eyebrows and I shook my head.

“He does but he’s a police officer in Philadelphia,” I replied as she exaggerated a pout on her face. “I am going to get this place ready to open. Are you good back here?”

“I’ll be out front in a bit to load up,” Noel told me in a sing song voice as I smiled at her. Today was shaping up to be a great one, with the progress with Robert and the idea that I might be getting a car later today. I suddenly wanted the freedom of that, so I could just pick up and go. It didn’t mean that I would see Noel any less, just that I could drive when we went out. It meant that Robert wouldn’t have to drag himself out of a warm bed to get me here every day though I’d seen the look in his beautiful eyes when I said that.

Lance was controlling when it suited him, but never for my own protection. He got jealous about any guy that looked at me and now I know it was because he had others on the side. He probably did that the entire time that we were dating. Robert was different. I saw in his eyes and the way that he set his jaw that he was concerned about me driving alone out there. It was dark and while we met the police every morning, anything could happen on a dark day. Our town was small and it felt so safe, but I’d seen enough of the Discovery channel to understand that wasn’t always the case. We’d hash that out later, since I wanted a car of my own, regardless. The one I was looking at was a pretty shimmering forest green color and so cute inside.

The shift passed slowly in between customers and I cleaned up when I had some time, looking to get out of there as early as possible. Keith was getting off work early to pick me up, so I didn’t want to make him wait. It would be nice to be home for dinner and show off my new vehicle before I drove it over to Robert’s.

My thighs ached as I thought about him. I was slightly sore from the night, but I wanted him again. There was so much that he needed to teach me about sex and pleasure, with the new inner slut in me wanting to know it all. I knew that there was a darker part of him that still made me a little wary, but so far, he’d been nothing but caring, I just saw a look in his eyes from time

to time that suggested he had some trauma of his own.

I started getting butterflies in my stomach when it came time to close, and Noel urged me to leave when we saw her dad in his pick-up truck parked out front. She could close. I grabbed my purse and walked out, locking the door behind me so she would be safe. When I walked out to the truck, I smiled at Keith and thanked him again for doing this for me. “It’s no problem. Just one town over and I haven’t seen Jim in a while.”

We hit the road and I envisioned the SUV in my mind to get the naughty thoughts out of my head. That didn’t seem right to do with Keith beside me and I blushed as an image slipped into my mind. “Robert wants to take us to a new place by the dealership Friday. Maybe you can drive us.” His voice was light and I smiled at him.