Sealed with a Kiss (Ty & Hunter #2)(18)
Author: Carly Phillips

“You really don’t know me. I’m not saying that to hurt you. It’s just a fact. That part of me was alive before I met you and it’s resurfaced since.”

“Okay, but why—”

“Forget it.” Hunter had no desire to explain his reasons to her. That would give her power over him and he refused to hand her that kind of weapon. “I didn’t mean to bring it up.” He felt stupid for even considering warning her against falling for him.

As if.

“Can I drive you anywhere this morning?”

“As a matter of fact, you can. Starbucks and then I do volunteer work. You can drop me off there.”

He inclined his head. “Caffeine sounds good to me. I don’t want to go over to the jail until I’ve heard from my office and it’s too early for them to have been in touch with the court.”

“Sounds good. Bring a pad and pen or a laptop. However you like to work. I’ll fill you in on some details about my father and the case, and we’re going to brainstorm our next step.”

Hunter narrowed his gaze. “Our next step? I didn’t know you were going to play assistant.” He liked to work alone.

“I’m not.” She straightened her shoulders, once again the cocky Molly he knew. “I’m going to play partner,” she said with an unexpected grin.

He was definitely in over his head with this woman. And it was too late to bail now.

CHAPTER FIVE

HUNTER HELD the door for Molly as she walked into the Starbucks on Main Street in town. Except for the fact that they were in a shopping center with a huge parking lot out front, they might as well be in Albany. All Starbucks looked alike, which would have given him a feeling of comfort if not for the woman leading the way.

He hadn’t looked beyond her luscious lips in the hallway earlier. He did now and she was still the Molly he admired but he realized that the woman who dressed for maximum impact was nowhere to be seen. Sure, she’d been in her red cowboy boots the day she’d come to see him, but he’d noted her bland-colored top then, and taking in her outfit now, he wasn’t the only one who’d changed.

She wore a pale pink V-neck top and soft faded denim jeans with a pair of running sneakers. No bright colors, no dazzling accessories, no red cowboy boots. Since seeing them on her long legs again in his apartment, red had become his favorite color. Just last night he’d had another dream about making love to her while she rode him wearing nothing except those sexy boots.

Today she’d ridden behind him on his bike.

She said she’d never been on a motorcycle before yet she’d settled in like a natural. She’d wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight, aligning her body with his and pressing herself into him harder with each turn they’d taken. He’d imagined her br**sts flattened against his back as he drove. The bike always gave him a rush and an adrenaline high, but with Molly plastered against him, he could add arousal and a surge of sexual energy he desperately needed to work off.

Considering the way she’d kissed him in the hall, Hunter didn’t think getting Molly into bed would be all that difficult. Unfortunately he still wasn’t sure it would be smart. He wasn’t certain sex would be the way to get her out of his system. Instead, he feared he’d want her even more, since that was the state he’d found himself in ever since that kiss.

As she walked ahead of him now, her clothes might indicate a woman who didn’t want to be noticed, but the sexy sway of her hips and the occasional flip of her hair told a different story. Everyone in the store took notice of Molly as she entered, and the farther they walked inside, people recognized her and called out a greeting.

“Hi, Molly.”

“Hey, Molly.”

“How’s your dad?”

The hellos and questions came rapid fire from around the shop and Molly answered each person by name and with a smile. She seemed more at ease and happier here than she had at any time in law school or in his hometown.

She really had found the home she’d been looking for. Could he begrudge her that?

They stepped up to the counter.

“Grande fat-free decaf latte with sugar-free vanilla?” a young guy behind the counter asked.

He had dark brown hair cut short and a roving eye that liked to settle on Molly’s chest. He was young and obviously cocky enough to think he could compete for a woman like Molly.

Hunter gritted his teeth as Molly treated the other guy to a wide smile. “You could have just asked if I was having the usual.”

The barista shrugged and picked up a cup. “But I wanted to impress you.”

Molly placed her hand on top of his. “You always impress me, J.D.”

“I’ll have a large black coffee,” Hunter said, fully aware he was being ignored by the kid who wanted to hit on Molly.

“How’s your father hanging in there?” J.D. asked Molly as he got to work on her drink.

“He’s fine. Confident he’ll be exonerated.”

“Glad to hear it. Once he’s out, you tell him anytime he needs a breather to come by. Coffee’s on me.” J.D. grinned at Molly.

“The way to a woman’s heart is through her father’s stomach?” Hunter asked.

Molly nudged him with her elbow. “Shh. He’s just being friendly.”

Over Molly’s objection, he paid for their drinks, hoping the gesture would make it clear to Romeo that Molly was here with him.

Finally, J.D. handed Hunter his change and turned his attention to the next customer, freeing Hunter and Molly to settle into a small table in the back.

“Don’t you have to be at least sixteen to work?” Hunter asked. “That guy is barely old enough to shave.”

She leaned back in her chair, her eyes glittering with laughter. “You’re jealous of J.D.?” She seemed seriously amused at his expense.

“I’m not jealous of anyone.” He couldn’t believe he’d gotten himself into this kind of discussion. “Now, about your father,” he said, choosing the one subject guaranteed to shift her focus.

“He’s innocent,” Molly declared forcefully.

And Hunter realized this topic wouldn’t be any easier. “It doesn’t matter whether he’s guilty or innocent, he’ll get my best representation anyway. You went to law school. You know that.”

She folded her hands together on the table and leaned closer. “But I need you to believe he’s innocent.” Molly frowned. A cute frown, but a turndown of her lips nonetheless.