Taking the Fall (21 page)

As Hunter headed out the door, he turned to shake his brother’s hand before Gage brought him in for a brotherly hug. They each slapped the other on the shoulder and when Hunter was on the porch and Gage was about to close the door, he did say solemnly, “You waited twenty years, Hunt. Don’t screw it up because I honestly don’t think if that happens, either of you would survive the next twenty.”

Molly was getting used to these sleepless nights, but last night was for an entirely different reason. Hunter Dennison still played the leading role, but this time rather than a fantasy, she dreamed of reality. Moments from the restaurant played over and over in her dreams. Even after he left, she could still feel his body against hers. She dreamily walked up the stairs to her home, all the while touching her lips and knowing she could still feel his warmth.

They had so much to discuss, yet she didn’t want to tear anything apart. Was it so wrong of her to want to hold onto him selfishly and not care about anything else other than Hunter having obvious feelings for her, deep feelings.

But she couldn’t help but feel what it said about her as a person, that after all was revealed, she didn’t push him away. Truth was, she wanted to. She wanted to make him hurt as she did. Never had she ever taken such a hit to the gut than when he told her the lies he believed about her character.

Yet she was willing to sweep it under the rug because it meant she too would be getting to live a dream—the dream where she was loved by Hunter Dennison.

She wanted nothing more than to show the entire town that they were, in fact, a couple, but she knew there were ramifications for doing so.

Did anyone else know about the lies that had him falling into Allison’s arms?

Was she just so completely oblivious that such lies could still be surrounding her today?

But even now, when alone and she could consider all that had occurred, there still wasn’t anything that could sway her from how it felt to be in his arms and to be kissed by him. She was putty in his hands and what wonderful hands they were.

So, were they in a relationship? If so, what were the boundaries and could she honestly live with and let go of the hurt she felt.

Was her silence worth what a relationship with Hunter Dennison would gain her?

She needed to talk to Hunter and clarify exactly what it was that they were doing.

Maybe his intentions are different?

If that were the case . . . if he wanted just a physical relationship, would she comply? Could she keep it strictly sexual?

These were the thoughts that shuffled through her mind on auto play as she drove through the town trying to square away everything in her mind, but once she justified one thing, ten more would pop up in its place.

Her emotions were on overdrive, to say the least.

By the time she pulled into the park’s lot, she couldn’t tell you what she had passed on her way. But one thing was for sure. Suddenly, whatever it was they were doing, whether right or wrong, just washed away.

Her eyes found him waiting for her and all concept of thought was gone.

He stood in his black track pants and a deep blue shirt that she was sure would make his gorgeous eyes glow if they didn’t have sunglasses covering them. His towering form looked anything but casual as he leaned against the front wheel well of his Jeep. The smile he wore grew even bigger when he saw her.

The time it took for her to open her car door and step out was all he needed to crowd her into the space between car and door. It was obvious that he didn’t care who knew about them. Not only proven by his actions but also by the long stem pink rose he held.

He invaded her space, but rather than feeling distressed, she found herself reveling in it.

“Beauty for beauty.” He repeated the sentiment from the night before as he handed her the rose.

Molly accepted his offering and brought the sweet smell to her nose. The soft petals tickled her there as she inhaled in the amazing scent.

“Thank you,” she whispered as she became aware of just how small an area they shared.

At that moment, she knew that nothing she worried about last night and this morning mattered. As they stood in his small space, she realized there wasn’t anywhere else that she would rather be. There was always payment required for anything good in life. If she wanted the goodness, she needed to accept the fee as worth it.

And she knew in her bones that Hunter was worth it.

Then there is your answer. You need to let the pain go.

So they didn’t have it all figured out, but the fact remained that he wanted her and she him. That was enough.

She moved her hand slightly so it rested on his chest, and she didn’t miss the clench of his jaw.

See, you didn’t imagine it. Your touch does have an effect on him—the man you’ve dreamed about almost half your life.

He removed his glasses, placing them atop his head. The smile that graced his face threatened to take her breath away.

“I dreamed of you,” he whispered, bringing his face into the crook of her neck.

Without thought, she found herself tilting her head to give him even better access.

He placed soft kisses against her neck and mumbled, “The hell with coffee, you are the key ingredient to awakening.”

His poetic words had her blushing. Or maybe it was the sensation that was growing inside her.

She needed to do something or the phrase “public display of affection,” would be given a new definition.

With the hand that rested on his chest, she pushed.

Hunter placed one more kiss on her neck and then pulled back enough to look at her face.

“That is the second time you’ve done that. I have to admit, I’m not a fan.” His smile threatened to cloud her original judgment.

She lifted on tiptoes kissed his lips chastely, before placing her rose back in her car and closing her door.

“Thank God,” he said quietly.

Looking at him confused like, she silently asked him to explain.

“I was afraid you would feel differently about what happened, and ultimately me, this morning.”

Comfort overtook her that she wasn’t the only one reeling from the whirlwind of last night, so she grabbed his hand, entwining their fingers and squeezed twice as a way of an answer.

He must have accepted that as a sufficient response. He led her toward the path, and they began a leisurely stroll hand in hand.

Both uncaring who saw them or what they thought.

It was quite freeing.

She was happy, and she basked in that realization.

Neither of them was in a rush nor were they aware of anything or anyone; they were just content to be together. They didn’t speak for a bit, but when they reached the curve in the path where two granite benches were with a flowering tree between, Molly voiced something she always wanted to know.

“So, how come you devote so much time to landscaping the town common and here in the park? Doesn’t being a doctor keep you busy enough?”

She looked at him and he rewarded her with a beautiful smile, but this one was different from his usual one. This one was told her that he had a secret.

She was even more intrigued.

“Of all the questions I figured you would ask, that is what you want to know?”

She blushed at his comment and feigned outrage, but then she realized that he too was nervous.

That had her feeling even more confident.

Hunter pulled her slightly toward the bench. He swung his leg over elegantly so he was straddling the granite. He brought Molly down so she sat close to him between his spread thighs. Her shoulder to his chest, he placed a kiss on her temple before slowly and methodically rubbing her back.

“My family has a strict motto for community service.”

She raised a brow at that, knowing his family’s moral stance on the subject, but the way that he is looking at her told her there was more to it.

“No? Not buying it?” Hunter whispered, using his index finger to brush the wayward lock of hair behind her ear giving him an undisturbed view of her neck.

This she could do. This, right here, seemed natural to her. Talking and being together, she felt like she was finally finding her groove in his presence.

Seeing and reveling in the playful side of him, she inquired, “You secretly wanted to be an arborist?”

Now it was his turn. “Funny!”

She leaned into his chest, enjoying the feel of him a little too much and being grateful that she had every right to do such. “Well, then I have no idea. If it isn’t your love for community service, I’m not seeing the connection.”

Hunter turned her chin the few inches and placed a kiss on her lips. It started out sweet and slow but quickly rose in intensity.

Would it always be like this?
Like two beings reacting to an unseen commanding power which drew them to each other.

She was helpless to do anything about it, but nor did she want to.

The feel of his skillful mouth and equally amazing tongue made her grateful to be sitting down. He ended the kiss too quickly for Molly’s liking. The clearing of a throat from a passerby had red returning to her cheeks, and this time, it had nothing to do with Hunter’s vicinity.

With one last kiss to her temple, he said confidently and clearly, “The reason I do it, the reason I’ve always done it, was for one reason and one reason only. You like it.”

Molly’s eyes locked onto his, trying to decipher what such an admission could mean.

He took pity on her and continued, “I remembered when you were younger how you loved the view from
Molly’s.
How the care for the common and especially the bandstand made you happy. Whether it was twinkling with lights in winter or draped in red, white, and blue in the summer. You always loved to see it in beautiful keep.”

She couldn’t believe her ears. She gasped aloud raising her hand to her mouth.

“Even if it was the only way I could do something for you, I did it so you would smile. Knowing that the beauty you saw and the resulting smile was my doing got me through a lot of pain and misery. You always liked to go on walks through this park, so I wanted you to have beautiful things to make your walks that much more special. If a flower pot or some fresh mulch did that, then I was happy to comply.”

She felt the tears pool in her eyes.

Taking her hand from where it remained on her lips, he brought it to his mouth, turned it over so it was palm side up and placed a kiss on the soft pad before professing one last confession. “I do it for you. I’ve always done it for you.”

“Oh Hunter, but why?”

“Because it was the only way I could be close to you. Even in my anger and my hatred,” making them both blush at the true revelation of how deep his pain really went, “I still wanted to do it for you.”

Her heart wanted to weep.

“Molly . . .” he spoke softly and the pain became so evident once more, “I was so foolish. So completely mindless, and because of it, we both paid the price.”

Now she held his head to her, soothing him and encouraging him to move past it. Because she knew if she dwelled, it would take its toll on her and them.

“Come on, none of that. We both need to look forward not backward. Besides, would you really want things to be completely different? Remember, if you say so, then Leah wouldn’t be in this world.”

That reality had Hunter agreeing somberly, but Molly knew regardless of what she said, Hunter would carry the guilt nonetheless.

Molly knew she needed to lighten the mood so she pulled her eyes away from him and the thoughts that were swirling around her and looked out over the park. From this vantage point, she could see the empty basketball courts as well as a playground. Many mothers with their little ones climbed, slid, and swung unaware of their audience.

That gave her a fresh, happy topic.

“So, we got sidetracked.” She smiled coyly. “When is Leah coming?”

Hunter stood, bringing her along with him, and they began their walk again with entwined fingers.

“Eight days, not that I’m counting, and I really want you to get to know her better.”

His desire to have her close to Leah tickled Molly, but it also brought the seriousness of what they were doing to light.

“You sure?” she asked hesitantly.

This had Hunter stopping once more.

“Absolutely!” Hunter turned her so she faced him and with a hand on each of her arms, he made sure she heard and understood his words’ meaning. “Molly, I know we have details and specifics to work out, but as far as I’m concerned, this is a serious and monogamous relationship you and I are in.”

Her stomach couldn’t help but dip when she heard his words, but she was nervous about the involvement of a new relationship, one that was so intense from the beginning and bringing their children into it.

He must have sensed her flooding concerns because Hunter moved his arms and cupped her face. “You, me and our girls. I don’t care how many hurdles are in our way. I’ve waited long enough for you, and I will not let anything as frivolous as preset logistics or societal guidelines guilt you in any way.”