Page 54 of Burning Embers
“We going to stay with Buster?” asks Molly, her tone pleading.
I look to Rachel. I can see she’s about to say otherwise, so I jump in. “Yes, he would love that.” Molly squeals and jumps in the car.
Once Rachel has fastened her in, she closes the door and crosses her arms. “Olly, we can’t impose on you like that.”
I love it when she calls meOlly. I pull her into my body. “You’re a package deal, Rachel, and I wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t mean it.”
She stares up and nods, a small smile passing her lips. “Okay, but I need to go home first—grab some overnight stuff. And I promised I’d let her have a Happy Meal.”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “Okay, I’ll see you at mine in a bit.” I step away and tap on the window to Molly. “See you later, alligator.”
“In a while, crocodile,” she replies with a toothy grin.
Rachel pulls up about an hour later and ushers Molly from the car, dressed in her unicorn onesie. I pull open the front door and Buster comes to greet them, tail going crazy. As soon as Molly walks in, he rolls onto his back for a belly rub.
We all go to the kitchen where Molly sits at the table to finish off her dinner. I pass Rachel a glass of wine. “Thank you,” she says before taking a satisfying sip.
“I put a lasagne in—thought you’d be hungry.”
Her dimple shows as her eyes bore into mine. “Why, Oliver… Are you trying to seduce me?” she says quietly with a wink.
I lean over the counter and tap the tip of her nose. “Maybe.”
A soft laugh escapes her lips, and we stand together, watching Molly as she plays tug of rope with Buster. When she yawns wide, Rachel puts her glass down. “You tired, baby?”
Molly nods and reaches for my hand. “Olly, read to me?”
How can I say no to that pout? I take her hand, Rachel grabs the flamingo rucksack, and then we all head upstairs.
“Teeth first,” Rachel says, leading her into the bathroom. I switch on the lamp and pull out the only book in her bag. The Jungle Book.
Molly runs in and jumps on the bed.
“Sorry,” Rachel says to me, and I shake my head.
“It’s fine.”
Molly pats the bed. “I want Olly to sit, too.”
Sitting up against the headboard, I open the book and start reading. Ten minutes in, soft snores notify me she’s already in the land of nod.
I close the book and peer over to Rachel, who is looking down at Molly, a soft smile on her lips.
“Looks like today wore her out,” I whisper.
“Makes two of us,” she replies, her eyes darting to mine.
“Come on, you, there’s a glass of wine waiting for you.”
We quietly shuffle off the bed, and then Rachel plugs in the monitor, bringing the other one downstairs. “In case she wakes up,” she explains.
I take her hand and pull her towards me. “It’s fine, you don’t have to explain to me,” I say, brushing my thumb over her cheek. Her eyes flutter closed, and a soft breath escapes her.
Unable to resist, I lean down and brush my lips over hers. The kiss escalates quickly, and I move until her back is pressed up against the wall.
When the buzzer from the oven interrupts us, I let out a groan and pull back. “Hungry?” She nods, and reluctantly, I head to the kitchen, Rachel on my heels.
We eat in a comfortable silence until I bring up what’s been eating at me since the party. “Is that true? Marcus doesn’t contribute towards Molly?”
