Unbreak Me (16 page)

“Connor, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” She practically slurred the word as her eyes scornfully moved up and down Molly. Inspecting every inch of her.

Connor shifted a little. His posture was becoming rigid, but to prove a point, he refused to allow his mother to feed on his own deep-rooted insecurities.

“Mother, this is Molly, my girlfriend,” he said it slow and concise so the words would burrow themselves into her tiny brain.

“Lovely to make your acquaintance, Molly,” Eleanor said as she took Molly’s hand in hers. “Tell me, where did you get your dress? It’s rather fetching.”

Connor wanted to shut his mother up. The way she spoke to Molly made the bile in the back of his throat rise. He despised her. Detested how she treated anyone she believed to be beneath her. He pushed his anger to the back of his mind and was about to say something when Molly stepped in.

“Thank you, it’s lovely to meet you too,” she said, not once breaking Eleanor’s steel glare. “The dress I got in Ambience, not sure if you know it,” Molly said, then changed the subject. “You have done a fine job of the ballroom. You must be happy.”

“Oh, this.” Eleanor laughed. “I could do this in my sleep, darling.”

“Wow, now that’s devotion,” Molly said as the irony slipped off her tongue.

Eleanor noticed. Her face crinkled as she glared at Molly. “Connor never mentioned you before now. Are you his dirty little secret?”

“Mother,” Connor interrupted.

“Well, the sex has been amazing, but dirty? No.”

Connor looked at Molly as she said it. He couldn’t believe it. She was actually putting his mother in her place.

“Isn’t that lovely? I just hope he knows how to clean up after himself. He wasn’t the best as a child when he was finished with his playthings.” Eleanor wasn’t backing down.

Molly was about to respond, when Connor’s father came over to where they stood. He gave Connor that all-knowing look of his as he touched Eleanor’s arm.

“Well, hello there.” He shook Molly’s hand. “Glad you could join us tonight. I’d like to say they’re not a rowdy bunch, but their hearts and wallets are always in the right place.” Turning to his wife, he smiled at her. “Dear, my father would like to talk to you.” John was doing his best to avert any kind of public exhibition.

Nodding in Molly’s direction, John pulled Eleanor away, leaving Connor fuming.

“I cannot apologize enough for that,” he said as his stomach churned.

“Don’t worry about it,” Molly lied. “That’s nothing compared to what I’m used to.”

“You shouldn’t have to put up with shit like that. Not from her or anyone.”

Connor couldn’t believe that his mother never gave Molly a chance. She’d practically written Molly off before she got the opportunity to get to know the wonderful woman she was. He was so incensed in a simmering rage, he wanted nothing more than to drink a few shots and make a fool of them all. But he soon stopped thinking like that. He didn’t want to become a monster, a product of his parents’ disastrous attempt at procreation.

“Baby, I promise, I am good. Now let’s check out the seating chart and find where we sit, or you at least.” Molly gave Connor a gentle nudge.

As the evening rolled on, the dinner was served—so much food that Molly swore she’d burst out from her dress. Connor loved watching how she chatted with the other people at the table, engaging, giving them all much room for thought. Molly was not only beautiful but intelligent. He truly had struck gold with her.

“Don’t you ever get frightened working late at night? The streets really aren’t a place for young women,” Claudia Vanderbilt asked. Another lady of luxury, who just so happened to be intrigued by Molly.

“Not at all,” Molly responded as she stirred the milk in her coffee. “We face risks every moment of our lives. If the boogeyman is going to get you, it doesn’t make a difference if it’s day or night.”

Murmurs of agreement told Connor that she had more than wooed them. Connor rested his arm on the back of her chair as he observed her demure presence. He’d never seen her so stunning. Yes, she was always stunning to him, but right then, in that moment, talking away to people she’d never met, nor had anything in common with, made him fall deeper in love with her.

“You are an incredible young lady,” Claudia remarked. “You must allow me to make a donation to the shelter. God knows our city needs more vigilant people like you.”

Smiling, Molly sipped at her coffee, not noticing the glare she was receiving from a few tables away.

Connor caught Marissa’s daggers. He could see the jealousy permeate from every pore. She may have been something to look at, but underneath all the makeup and false bravado, she was ugly.

Marissa caught him staring and gave him a coy smile in return.

Turning his back on her, he wrapped an arm around Molly’s shoulders as the first of the auctions were about to take place.

Eleanor took to the stage, the spotlight brightly shining down on her. This was the shit she lived for—being the center of attention.

“Well, I certainly hope you enjoyed that delicious meal, because we have some rather splendid things in store for you all,” she gushed into the microphone. An applause erupted, and she nodded, absorbing the adulation, whether it was genuine or not. “We all know how important this cause is for our family, more so, my dear father-in-law, John Senior. We tirelessly try our best to raise awareness and funds to continue in the hope that one day we can eradicate illnesses that blight so many of us. So from me, and the entire Ellison foundation, thank you.” Another round of applause erupted, then it was down to business. “So, for the first auction, we have had the pleasure of a lovely donation by the fabulous Vanderbilt family. For a week-long stay at their family ranch in Colorado, you get a personal cowboy—yes, I said cowboy—training from one of the best rodeo experts today, Ray Holborn. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to unwind, get back to the basics and learn how to run a ranch. Bidding starts at ten thousand dollars.”

This was the part of the event that got ears pricked, mouths salivating and money dripping as they fought arduously for the best prizes going.

“Things will get nuts,” Connor whispered into Molly’s ear.

“I can only imagine.”

The evening went by in a haze. So much money was being thrown at offers that no one could stand the chance of another outbidding them. Eleanor beamed as they reached their target of three million dollars in less than two hours. Which was a record.

The band played good music as everyone danced, celebrated, rejoiced in their shared love of all things grand and expensive.

Connor swayed from side to side with Molly in his arms. They didn’t have to say a thing to each other. Their closeness was proof of how much in love they were.

“Guess what?” Molly whispered into his ear.

Rubbing his lips against her cheek, Connor asked. “What?”

“I’m not wearing any panties.”

Connor was both surprised and aroused. The mere words alone were the sexiest thing she’d said all evening. He wanted her. He needed her. He craved her touch and there was only one thing for it.

Connor grabbed Molly by the hand and they slipped out of a little side door, no one noticing their hasty exit. They were like two lovesick teenagers in the throes of a new relationship.

Connor pulled Molly into the ladies’ restroom, taking a sneaky glance to make sure it was empty, and just their luck, it was.

Closing the cubicle door behind them, Connor pulled at the hem of her dress, lifting it as their kiss intensified. Hot, wild and hungry. Running his hands over her bare buttocks, he couldn’t hide his need for her a moment longer.

Molly slipped her hands down, unzipping his trousers. Reaching inside, she released his erection, gently stroking him.

Connor groaned before he kissed her again. Sliding his hands down over her breasts, down her sides, over her hips and in between her legs, he touched the place he wanted. As he circled around her clit, Molly let out a gasp into his mouth.

Pushing his trousers down with urgency, Molly lifted one leg, wrapping it behind him. Pressing himself against her, he lifted her as he pushed himself inside her. She was incredibly hot and wet as he began to move in and out of her. Her sweet breath brushed against his ear as he began fucking her.

Molly let out a series of moans, each one getting louder with Connor’s hard thrusts, his movement hitting the very spot that left her gasping as the orgasm began to burn.

A breathless “I’m gonna come” was all it took from Molly to drive Connor to the point where he growled into her neck.

“Fuck!” he moaned as the tingling began in his balls. “Oh fuck!”

Together they moved, watching each other as their orgasms ripped through them, making their legs weak, their hearts pound and a satisfied grin spread across their faces.

Molly’s hot breath danced lightly over Connor’s face as he throbbed inside her. “You are a bad girl,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead.

“Maybe,” she replied, running her fingers through his hair. “But you love it.”

“I love you!”

“I know.”

Connor looked at her, loving the little deviant he’d just fucked. “Is that all I get?”

Giggling, Molly wrapped her arms around his neck. Kissed him hard, ignoring the smarting of her lip.

“I love you too,” she whispered as she pulled her face away.

That was all he needed to hear. That was the thing that now defined him. Molly and her love for him.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Molly cleaned herself before leaving the cubicle. Connor splashed a little water over his face. He caught her reflection as she walked out. She smiled at him. Molly blushed a little, which only added to her already flushed cheeks.

“I’ll go out first, make sure the coast is clear,” Molly said, winking at Connor as he fixed the belt on his trousers.

“Okay. I’ll not be too much longer.”

Molly reapplied her lipstick before fixing her hair then slipped out of the door, leaving Connor to follow along.

Walking back toward the foyer, Molly was on cloud nine. Her head spun from delirious happiness. The evening was going in a direction she had never expected. Gone was the apprehension and worry, replaced by a renewed confidence, and she loved it.

Molly slipped back into the ballroom, made her way to the table and sat down.

“Where did you sneak off to?” a curious Claudia asked as she took a seat beside Molly.

“Oh, I just needed a little air. It’s so hot in here.”

“You do look flushed. Are you okay?”

“Absolutely,” Molly replied. She couldn’t hide it. She tried, but it was too obvious.

“Where’s that young suitor of yours?”

Looking back at the door, Molly didn’t see any sign of Connor and shrugged. “I think he’s still talking to one of his father’s friends.”

“Men,” Claudia remarked. “They do love to talk, a load of nonsense the majority of the time, but still, they never know when to shut up.”

Moments slipped by and there was still no sign of Connor.

“Oh, we must exchange numbers. I would love to get more involved with the work you do at the shelter. Maybe even set up my own foundation,” Claudia said as she opened her purse, taking out her phone.

“Oh, that would be fabulous,” Molly replied, reaching her hand onto the table—she’d forgotten her bag. “Oh crap, I’ve left it in the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

Molly walked out of the ballroom and looked around the busy corridor. Still no sign of Connor.

“Where is he?” she mumbled to herself as she strolled back to the bathroom.

Pushing the door open, she looked down at her dress, not noticing anything, not until the door had closed behind her.

Connor was pressed against the wall, a woman on her knees, her head moving as she fumbled at his crotch. “Stop it!” he shouted, not seeing Molly standing there.

“I can smell her on you,” the woman growled as she released his cock from his trousers, stroking it.

“Get the fuck off me, Marissa.”

Tears began to burn Molly’s eyes when she realized what she was seeing.

Connor looked up and saw Molly. His face said it all.

Connor pushed Marissa to the floor, closed his trousers, fastening his belt as he walked toward Molly.

“Don’t you come near me,” Molly said through tears. “Don’t you fucking dare.”

Marissa’s laugh echoed in the restroom. Clapping her hands, she stood and furrowed her brow. “I can still smell your pussy on him.”

“Shut the fuck up, Marissa,” Connor roared.

Molly grabbed her purse from the stool, turned her back on them and fumbled for the door handle. Once she was free from the restroom, she lifted the hem of her dress, briskly walking toward the exit. All the while hot, steaming tears fell down her cheeks.

Outside, the noise of local traffic became discordant as she tried to get her bearings. Spinning in a circle, she looked up at the starry night sky, her heartbeat reverberating through her head. Her breathing was labored and echoed as she looked back down, the twinkling of the streetlights blurred through her tears.

“Molly,” Connor called after her. “Molly, please wait.”

Molly ran down the street, wanting to be anywhere but there. She thought she was going to vomit as her stomach refused to digest what she’d just seen. How could she have been so stupid? She’d let down her guard and now she was broken—again.

“Molly,” Connor’s voice echoed from behind.

Molly pretended she didn’t hear him. She didn’t want to. She just wanted to escape, go back home, wash the filth from her and rid herself of the façade. Anything was better than feeling used.

A hand touched her. Spinning around, Molly met Connor’s face with a hard slap. “Don’t touch me. Don’t you fucking touch me again.”

“Molly, you’ve got to believe me, I didn’t do anything.”

“Fuck you!”

Trying to move away from him, Molly tried hailing a cab.

“She came on to me. She knew we were in there.”

“I don’t want to hear it, Connor,” she cried, holding her hands over her ears.