“No, it’s okay. Alexa needs to be in love.” He shook his head. His hands were still on the steering wheel, but not squeezing the way they did when he felt something powerful. Loose, relaxed. “Actually, that’s not it. What she needs is to have a man passionately in love with her. If her husband gets too focused on work, family, whatever, she’s lost. She pouts, she teases, she tries to get him under her thumb again, then failing all else she finds someone else who fills the bill.”
Molly felt an unhappy cramping in her chest. “That’s what she did with you.”
“Yeah.” He was watching her now, his eyes shadowed but his mouth quirked on one side. “It was tiresome. I was trying to build the business to take care of her and the kids. Dad hadn’t retired yet. I had to be sure he wouldn’t erase any gains I’d made if I got sent to Iraq. I was signing contracts, working my butt off, hiring, supervising and firing until I was sure we had some solid employees, coaching Trev’s Little League team.” He shook his head. “And the truth is…”
“You weren’t in love with her anymore.”
He never took his eyes off her. “I’m not sure I ever was, except in a high school kind of way. But I’m a man who takes his commitments seriously.”
“His responsibilities,” she whispered, remembering his reaction when she’d suggested he didn’t.
“Yeah. I never looked at another woman. Wouldn’t have. I was building a life for my family. That wasn’t enough for Lexa.” He sounded impatient, shook his head. “The point is, she’s never in it for the long haul, at least until she finds a guy who will worship and adore her above all else, until they both shall die.”
“You don’t think that’s possible?”
“Yeah.” Even in the diffused lighting, she saw his jaw spasm. His voice was rough. “I do.”
She was melting down. Utterly. Completely.
“To hell with Alexa,” he murmured. “Molly, are you going to invite me in?”
There wasn’t any decision at all.
“Yes.” She tried to smile, felt her lips wobble. “Please, Richard.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” His hand slid beneath her hair, and he kissed her.
* * *
HE COULD HAVE MADE LOVE to her in the pickup, no problem. He wanted to. He hadn’t been so horny since he was sixteen. Damn, but he hated letting go of Molly long enough for them both to get out.
Richard had the presence of mind to hit the button on his remote locking the truck and met her on the sidewalk. He was reaching for her when some headlights swept over them. They were standing out on a city street at only ten-thirty on a Friday night. There would likely be a fair amount of traffic. In fact, some of her neighbors had probably been to the game, too.
“Josh doesn’t live near here, does he?” Richard asked hoarsely.
“No, and Sabrina doesn’t, either. We should be safe unless one of them gets homesick in the middle of the night.”
He’d have been amused by the idea if his body hadn’t been seized by such urgency. “You got your key?”
“I’m hunting.” She mumbled a swearword he guessed she didn’t say at work as she rooted through the giant leather satchel she called a purse. He steered her up the walk as she searched. Get inside before you start ripping her clothes off. There’s a plan.
She found the key and got it in the lock. The interior was dark but for a lamp left on in the living room. Richard shut the door, locked it and turned Molly to face him. Her purse fell from her hand and thudded to the floor.
“I want you,” he said, voice pure gravel. “Do you know what you look like in these jeans?” He spread his hand on her butt, squeezing.
“Fat?”
“Lush. Sexy. Stick figures don’t do it for me.”
“Thank heavens.” She sighed, and then their mouths met.
He tried to take it slow. This was their first time, after all. Slow didn’t seem to be a viable gear. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to care.
Richard kissed her deep and long. One hand roved while the other kept her tight against him. She seemed to be cooperating with that goal, since her arms latched around his neck and she matched every roll of his hips with one of her own.
Man, he wanted to take her up against the door, but what if her daughter decided to stop by the house for a forgotten item?
“Bed,” he growled.
“Upstairs.”
He grinned wolfishly. “You walk up ahead of me.” He could relive the fantasy that had tormented him during both basketball games, after watching Molly ascend the bleachers. Only this time, it would have a happy ending.