Good Wood (24 page)

When he finally released me, I stepped back so I could look up at his face. I was both relieved and concerned to see him wearing a self-depreciating smirk.

“Do I know how to show a girl a good time or what?”

With no other play in my strategy book, I leaned in and pulling his lips down to mine, I kissed them over and over until that smirk vanished. Pressing my head to his chest, my words were garbled. “What am I going to do with you?”

AS WE DROVE back to Molly’s, I brooded over Bethany’s words. We’d had one previous encounter since the funeral. I’d stumbled into her at a sports bar and I’d been drunk as hell at the time. I can’t remember much of it, but I must have pissed her off because she’d slapped me good and the bouncers had to usher her out of the bar. Our encounter at The Salt Lick seemed to be a continuation of that argument, but since I couldn’t really remember the previous conversation it was all speculation.

“Joe. What was that all about?” Molly’s tentative tone made me feel bad. We were halfway to her house and I hadn’t said a word.

So much for being a gentleman.

I did my best to explain about Jessica’s gambling. How I didn’t know about her problem at all. How she’d embezzled tens of thousands of dollars from her clients as well as my fledgling business. That I’d had to max out my last credit card to bury her and Jack. My voice cracked as I said his name aloud, so I stopped talking. I’m not sure how articulate my explanation was, but unlike Dr. Greene, Molly let me get it all out without interrupting me once. Afraid I’d completely fall apart if I looked at her. I focused intently on the road and managed not to break down. I felt her hand grasp mine and I gave it an acknowledging squeeze.

I spent that night at her place. My plan from the beginning had been to kiss her goodnight at the door, but I followed her inside against all good judgment. When faced with the prospect of a night in her arms or a night alone, there was really no contest.

The following morning, she was gone when I woke up. She’d left muffins, coffee and a note that she had to train a new employee and that I should help myself. I was welcomed back on the site by everyone without too much razzing and bullshit. I brought a replacement radio for the broken one and the new guy accepted it with sympathetic eyes. Someone-probably Graham-had clued him in about me. If I never saw that look on another face, it would be way too fucking soon.

At lunch, I chose to go to a nearby drive-thru. I figured my behavior when it came to Molly was too unpredictable, and I might say or do something that would get my ass kicked by Mason and Mac. Graham had exercised a great deal of patience with me, and I didn’t want him to have to break up a fight on my first day back. As I ate my burger in the restaurant parking lot, I texted Molly.

I had a great time on our date. Until the interruption, that is.

A moment later my phone chimed.

Me too.

I felt my face crinkle in a smile and my fingers flew over the tiny keyboard.

I want to take you out again. Soon.

The two minutes I waited for a response seemed like forever. I spent the time taking out the last of my fries. When my phone chaboodled again I snatched it up anxiously.

I’d like that.

She didn’t question my absence at lunch, but that didn’t surprise me. I figured she’d understand.

The following morning, I stopped by Wrapgasmic on my way into the hotel. I poked my head in and saw the big Mexican kid chopping vegetables and a heavyset woman watching him. The kid glanced at me knowingly and went back to his task as he spoke.

“She’s not here yet.”

“Oh.” I blinked stupidly. “She’ll be here later though, right?”

“Yeah. She’s just running late.”

“Okay.” I turned to go.

“Dude.” The kids mellow voice made me turn around. He never looked up from his precise chopping. “I don’t want to be
that guy
…but I think I should give you a head’s up. If you hurt her, I’m going to shank you.”

His low key delivery combined with the threat caused me to stop and do a double take. The hefty chick with him eyed me suspiciously. I nodded in understanding. “You’d probably have to get in line, pal. And there is a good chance that I’d let you.”

Even though I played it off at the time, my conversation with her assistant bothered me. I decided to stay away from the truck for the rest of the day

I spent that evening in my shop using up every bit of wood I had left. When I couldn’t stand it a second longer, I dialed her number. It didn’t even ring but went straight to voicemail. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was 10p.m. She was most likely already asleep. Her voicemail message was a typical zany Molly-type deal. Hearing the laughter in her voice made me smile. Then I heard the beep.

“Hey.” I mumbled, looking up at the ceiling of my living room as if I might find the right words written there. “Sorry to call so late, I lost track of time in the workshop. I miss you. Call me.”

I was getting into bed a few minutes later when I heard my phone ring. Her name appeared on my screen.

“Hey.” I answered, sinking onto my bed.

“Hey, yourself.” Her voice had its usual spicy quality and I wanted to jump into the truck and burn rubber all the way to her door. Then I heard music and voices in the background and realized she was out somewhere.

“Where are you?” I asked, frowning.

“I went to see a band with some friends.” She called over the background noise.

“Hi, Secret Boyfriend!” I heard a male voice shout into the phone. Molly laughed and mumbled something like ‘shut the fuck up’.

“Where?”

She paused. “Where what?”

“Where are you exactly?” I sat up and reached for my boots.

“Bourbon Girl.” She answered with a small laugh. “Why?”

“I’m on my way.” I hung up before she could reply.

Thirty minutes later I showed my ID and paid the cover at the door. The band on the stage had a definite retro flair, and they were parading around the stage in old school clothes. I scanned the crowd which was eclectic even by Austin’s standards. I walked further into the place, and even then it took me a couple more minutes to find her.

I actually heard her before I saw her. That rich, throaty laugh drew me eagerly in her direction. I turned and focused on the sound which led me to a small area sectioned off with a half wall. My pulse accelerated as I closed in on her. Molly’s effect on me reminded me of some type of orbit, with the constant tug of war between going further toward her and pulling away from her. All the while her addictive gravity effortlessly lured me in.

She had her back to me, but I’d have known that ass of hers anywhere. Her red dress had my full attention. Skin tight, it hugged every one of her curves. Her short skirt revealed the lacy black tops of her stockings which had those lines up the back. Her black high heels made her legs look impossibly long. Slack jawed, I was unable to take my eyes off of her.

She was leaning on a table full of people talking to some guy with greased back red hair. He looked over and saw me watching them.

“I think Secret Boyfriend’s here. Either that or someone’s inspecting you for panty lines.” I heard him call to her over the music.

She turned and when her eyes landed on me, she lit up with a mile-wide smile.

“Hi!” She chirped, stumbling into me and throwing her arms around my neck. I breathed in her perfume and whatever it was smelled amazing. My hands found their way to her hips automatically pulling her into me, and over the top of her head I assessed the group she was with. Two guys, two girls: all four were dressed for the rockabilly occasion and all four eyed me with unabashed curiosity. Molly pulled back and her baby blues flitted over my face as if assessing my mood. She released me and grabbed my hand.

“Everybody…this is Joe. Joe…these are my obnoxious friends.” Her light tone seemed to break the tension amongst her companions and they all waved. She ushered me to a vacated seat against the wall that I assumed had previously been hers, and when I took it, she sat on my lap.

“Oh shit! I thought you looked familiar! This is
the
Joe, right? Mac and Mason’s roomie from back in the day, right?” I recognized her friend’s effeminate voice as the one I’d heard over the phone.

Molly flushed, “Yes, Jay.”

Everyone else at the table sat forward, obviously excited.

“Well…might I just say
nicely done
.” Jay cocked an eyebrow as he looked me up and down. He held up his hand which she promptly high fived. “She’s had the biggest thing for you, Joe. For years! It’s redonkulous.”

Molly kicked at him half-heartedly and her shoe fell off. A girl at the next table picked it up and planted it on the floor in front of her.

“Thanks, hon!” Molly called to the girl. Her cheeks were still rosy as I reached down and slipped the shoe back onto her foot.

“Is that true?” I could feel my mouth forming an amused smirk as I ran my hand up the fabric of her stocking. She looked amazing and I wasn’t sure how long I could keep her on my lap like that before I was too aroused to walk.

“Ha!” The girl behind me huffed and I turned to see her roll her eyes. “How could you not know that? She always followed you around like a bloody puppy dog.”

Molly covered her face with her hand. I pulled it away and she glared at the girl. “I hate you so much, Lisa.”

“Seriously?” My lips twitching in amusement. Everyone at the table murmured an agreement.

“This is so fucking embarrassing.” Molly groaned.

“Molly?” I pressed her, fixing her with an unrelenting stare. She frowned as her friends exchanged eager smiles. “Did you have a crush on me?”

“Yes.” Her lips bowed in a pretty pout and I wanted to kiss it away, but public displays of affection on that level were a bit out of my comfort zone.

“Remember that night he called her jailbait?” Jay gasped, his grey eyes shifting from Lisa to Molly. He put a dramatic hand to his chest. “Oh my God! You cried for days. I died your hair jet black and that weekend we took you out for your first tattoo.”

“Yes!” Lisa cackled. She twirled her curly ponytail and pushed up her cat lady glasses. “She used that shitty fake ID that said that she was twenty-five and her name was Pam Chung!”