Page 68 of Fangs with Benefits

I shake my head, though Dylan keeps bags of the gummy worm variety in the kitchen drawer with the packets of sauce left over from his takeout orders.

‘Makes sense.’ Molly shrugs. ‘Sour gummy worms and Red Forty weren’t popular in three hundred bc.’

Molly’s perfect ass rests against the conference table as she smirks at me. I take the opportunity to step closer, planting one hand on either side of her hips, crowding her against the table. She glances nervously towards the closed door, but amusement dances across her face.

‘You are such a minx,’ I tell her.

‘I can be nice,’ she says. ‘I’m plenty nice to you.’

‘No, Molly, I think you are very, very mean.’

Molly puts another two gummy bears on her tongue, chewing and swallowing them before grinning. ‘Would you like to taste one?’

‘I can’t…’

Her meaning dawns on me and her mock innocent look melts into the mischief I’ve grown accustomed to in these last days.

I lower my mouth to hers, both of us smiling as our lips, then tongues, press together. I fear I could kiss Molly for ever and ever and not feel the need to stop. She is delectable with the sweetness of candy on her tongue or not; kissing her feels like getting away with something.

I’m dangerously close to lifting her leg to slide up my thigh, but if we do that, I’ll be inclined to kiss her deeper, and then I’ll want to do other things, things we haven’t done yet, and the meeting will be starting in the next twenty minutes, so I think we’d better not unless I want to compel a team of Drummond employees into forgetting what they’ve seen.

I pull back and Molly’s eyes are bright and wanting.

‘Come out with me tonight,’ I say and she nods without pretending to think about it. ‘As friends.’

‘Fine,’ she says.

Texts between Molly and Elijah, 19 November 2026

Elijah: Hello Molly, Elijah here. Wondered if you’d like to accompany me to the cinema this evening. Dylan has informed me of an IMAX showing of Top Gun 2 that he says is required viewing.

Elijah: Let me know at your earliest convenience. Elijah

Molly: you don’t have to tell me it’s you, I saved your number

Molly: and don’t sign text messages

Elijah: noted.

Molly: Is Dylan coming too?

Molly: to the movie

Elijah: no, he has to work late

Molly: an emoji! Who taught you how to use emojis?

Elijah: Devi

Elijah: I like the wilting rose one best.

Molly: I like that one too, but have you seen the dove?

Molly: I’ll go with you. Dylan is right about it being required American viewing.

Molly: If you get the popcorn (extra butter) and a Mr Pibb, I’ll bring the junior mints and eat them all

Elijah: Consider it done.