Brayden, Melissa - How Sweet It Is

“I have many more ideas we could test out.” Jordan placed a kiss just below her earlobe, sending a shiver right through her.

She covered Jordan’s arms with hers and hugged them to her. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but do you have to leave tonight?”

“I do.”

The wind fell from her sails a bit. It wasn’t great news. “I was hoping you’d decided to put it off. Stick around a little. Soak up small town life.”

“Trust me, I wish I could. And right about now, I’d give anything to stay right here and explore small town life with you , but George scheduled a meeting with Emory Owen tomorrow morning, the potential investor I was telling you about. I’ve put my life on hold these past few weeks. I’m afraid if I don’t take this leap now, I’ll miss my chance.”

It made sense. “Then you should go.”

“I’ll come back. Or you can come to Chicago. You may like Chicago.”

Molly turned in Jordan’s arms and wrapped her arms around her neck. “I can’t wait to come to Chicago.”

“You know.” Jordan stared skyward. “I don’t actually have to hit the road for an hour or two.”

“Whoa. That’s a lot of time,” Molly said seriously.

“A proverbial lifetime.”

“Suggestions?”

“Xbox Live?”

Molly laughed. “Could be fun. I’m pretty good.”

Jordan held up a hand. “Wait. Something has occurred to me. Technically, this isn’t our first date anymore. We’re past the first date mark which opens up…other exciting options.”

Molly grinned mischievously and kissed Jordan. “Do you want to drive or should I?”

*

It was one thirty-three in the morning when Jordan finally acknowledged the clock. She’d thus far pretended it didn’t exist and let herself get lost in Molly. The warm feel of her skin, the amazing scent of her shampoo, it was right where she wanted to be.

They’d lost their clothes fairly quickly after arriving back at Molly’s house and spent the evening in tantalizing exploration of each other. What began hot and fast had ended slow and sensual in just about the best mixture she could have imagined.

But it hadn’t ended there. They’d talked for a long time afterward, which made it that much better. And while it was true that they’d avoided the difficult topics, Jordan’s family, their future together, and Cassie, they’d found plenty of other interesting subjects to cover.

Molly looked down at Jordan, her head propped up on her hand as she traced lazy circles across the plane of her stomach. “So if you were stranded on a desert island, what would you do with your time?”

“Perfect the great American cartwheel. No question. You?”

“Wow. You didn’t even have to think about that one. Um, I might try the cartwheel thing for a while, but I’d probably spend time creating recipes from the naturally occurring foods there.”

“Well, then I win.”

Molly’s mouth fell open in equal parts shock and offense. “How do you figure? My thing is practical and serves a purpose. Your cartwheel, while festive, won’t keep you alive.”

“But think how impressed they’ll be when they find me. They’ll make me mayor of cartwheels. They’ll give me the key to Cartwheel City. You can visit.”

Molly shook her head in bewilderment and rolled on top, beginning to tickle Jordan mercilessly in a move that had her squirming and laughing to escape the assault. But in good news, Jordan was stronger and eventually won out, reversing their positions. She captured Molly’s wrists and held her down while she now wiggled and laughed beneath.

“Say I’m the mayor of Cartwheel City.”

Molly’s eyes danced. “You are so eccentric, it’s scary.”

“I’m charming. Say it.”

She softened. “You, incredibly beautiful person, are the mayor of Cartwheel City.”

She released Molly’s wrists and rolled to her side. “Aww. I like the way you said it. It was really nice.”

Molly slid against her in a move that had her breath hitching. She lifted Jordan’s chin with one finger and met her gaze softly. “I can be nice sometimes.”

“I love it when you’re nice.” And then there was her mouth. God, that mouth. She kissed it leisurely until finally, Molly curled into Jordan like she belonged there. And it felt like she did.

Jordan fought sleep, wanting to savor each moment until she had to get on the road. Technically, she could stay the night and drive in the early morning hours to still make her meeting, but she was practical minded enough to know she wouldn’t be at her best then. But as they lay with their limbs tangled, Molly’s face tucked into her neck, she seriously considered blowing off the whole meeting altogether. It was worth it. This.

Molly must have sensed her reluctance and whispered against her neck. “You have to go, don’t you?”

She kissed her temple. “Probably.”

Molly pushed herself up, looking adorably concerned. “Do you think you can stay awake for the drive? Let me make you some coffee.”

She sat up across from Molly. “I won’t need it. I think you’ve given me a lot to think about. Reflect on. Relive.” She raised an eyebrow in seductive punctuation.

“Good.” Molly leaned in and brushed her lips in a feather light kiss. “Was kinda the goal. Now let’s get you on the road to cinematic history before I change my mind about giving you up.”

Jordan dressed silently and Molly slipped into a robe. As they said good-bye in the doorway of Molly’s house, Jordan felt the lump form in her throat. She’d be back in just two weeks for her father’s birthday, but that seemed like an eternity. She didn’t want to leave Molly. And how ironic was that? She was the girl who always hoped the women she was with wouldn’t get attached, and here she’d gone and done just that. More than that even, because she wasn’t just attached, she was in deep.

Molly touched her cheek. “Call me when you get there so I know you’re safe.”

“I will.”

Molly went up on her toes and kissed her, lingering just a bit. “Bye, Jordan. Please be safe.” And as she pulled back, Jordan felt the loss.

“Sweet dreams, Molly.” She walked backward a few steps, memorizing the way Molly looked in that moment. Standing on the porch in her robe, still swollen lips. Sexy as hell. She’d done a lot of difficult things in her life, but leaving Molly that night had definitely been somewhere at the top of that list.

But they had plenty of time, she reminded herself as she pulled onto Main Street. Plenty of time.

Chapter Twenty-one

“Yes, hi. This is Molly O’Brien calling for Mr. Tranton again.” She shifted the phone to the other ear so she could better stir the brownie batter. The advance check he promised her should be ready soon and she needed to arrange for delivery or pickup, whichever would be faster. The bank continued to call on practically a daily basis now and she no longer had the luxury of that little cushion of time.

The curt woman on the other end of the line sighed. “Yes, Ms. O’Brien. Mr. Tranton received your messages and instructed me to tell you that your advance check would be ready by the end of next week. He was hopeful you’d have time to discuss a few details of the Walgreens deal. It’s almost in place.”

Praise baby Jesus.

She’d held the bank off as long as she possibly could, and the minutes were beginning to matter, a place she’d never thought she’d be. Even though she was growing further and further behind, if the check was ready when his assistant professed it would be, all would be well.

It was Tuesday. She could make it to Monday. She could. Big sigh of relief. “Thank you so much.”