Bidding Wars (Love Strikes)(13)

“What are you doing?”

“I was going to carry you to bed.”

“Oh. I can walk.” Molly pushed herself up and walked toward her bedroom.

He stood there, not sure what to do. He supposed he should head out. He began to leave when he heard his name. She stood at the end of the hallway, watching him.

“Luke, this might be forward, but I don’t want to be alone. I’m really tired of it. Would you lay down with me until I fall asleep?”

He gulped. “In your bed?”

“Yes.”

“Uh…OK.” He started to cross the living room to her.

“Wait, let me get undressed first and then I’ll call you.”

He nodded. The only thing he’d really heard was undressed. As in, she was taking her clothes off. And she was going to call him back there to get in bed with her. And she was going to be undressed. How undressed? T-shirt and panties?

His cock sprang to life and ached to know the answer.

“I’m ready.” Her voice echoed down the hallway.

Oh God, he couldn’t go in there with a hard-on. Down, boy. He had to think of something other than her in panties. He went down the hallway and into her room. She already had the lights off. He let out a sigh of relief. She wouldn’t be able to see what effect she was having on him.

He slipped his shoes off and climbed onto the bed, staying above the covers.

“You can get under the sheets.”

No, he couldn’t. If he crawled under the sheets with her, he was going to have to learn what she was wearing. And that wasn’t a good idea. “I’m OK.”

Molly rolled over so she was facing him. She scooted closer and laid her head on his chest. “Your heart is really pounding.”

He wasn’t sure how to respond, so instead he wrapped his arm around her, hoping she would fall asleep quickly. He gazed up at the ceiling and willed himself to stay awake. He was positive she didn’t want him to stay the night—just until she was sleep. But as he listened to her breath, he relaxed and decided a short nap would be OK before he sneaked off.





Chapter Ten





Molly was trying to be as quiet as possible in the kitchen as she prepared breakfast. She hadn’t expected to wake up and find Luke still in her bed. She thought he would’ve left at some point during the night, but instead he was lying above her covers, sound asleep with a sexy five o’clock shadow on his face.

Molly removed the crispy bacon from the pan and added a few more strips, hearing that popping sound as it cooked. She had the eggs ready to pour once the bacon was done. Taking a moment to breathe, she gulped down her coffee then went back to the task at hand. Cooking a big breakfast was one of those meals you had to stay on top of or something would end up burnt.

She peeked into to the oven. The homemade buttermilk biscuits were almost done. Maybe another two minutes and they’d be perfect. It had been a long time since she’d prepared a breakfast for someone other than herself. And all she usually made herself was toast with microwavable sausage. She wanted this to be delicious and just right and then send her uninvited guest on his way so he didn’t get the wrong idea. Or better yet, so she didn’t get the wrong idea.

She took the bacon from the pan and laid it with the rest. She stole a bite from one that had already cooled. Moaning aloud, she basked in the salty flavor.

“Good morning.” A deep male voice startled her.

She spun around. God, mornings were good to Luke. On top of that sexy stubble, his hair was slightly messy, his clothes wrinkled, and all put together made the hottest man she’d ever seen. Everyone needed to wake up looking as good as he did. She had made a dash to the restroom when she woke to brush her teeth, fix her hair, and make sure she didn’t have raccoon eyes from her mascara she didn’t wash off before bed.

“It smells amazing. It’s been a long time since I’ve had breakfast that didn’t come from a cardboard box.”

“I hope it lives up to your standards then.”

“I’m sure it will taste great. Can I help?” He moved a little closer to her.

“Uh, I got it. I just need to…shit! The biscuits.” She spun around and pulled the oven door open. They weren’t burnt yet, but were close. Grabbing a pot holder, she then pulled the tray out and laid it on the stove across two empty burners. She let out a frustrated sigh and then got back to cooking.

“I’ll get out of your way. Is it OK if I get a cup of coffee?”

“Yeah, help yourself.” She pointed toward the coffee maker. “This is almost done.”

Molly did her best to concentrate on breakfast and not the hunky man. He moved with ease through her tiny kitchen as he found a mug, poured his coffee, and then leaned against the counter for his first sip. Without having to look at him, she knew he was watching her.

Heat rose through her body and her cheeks warmed. Why was she so antsy around him? Oh yeah, she’d spent the night with him. Nothing had happened though, but it sure as hell felt as though something had.

She just needed to feed him and get him out of there.

That was the plan. Luke was incredibly charming; she could easily fall hard and fast for him. She wasn’t ready…however, the mouthwatering Luke was making her feel more and more as though she was.

Finally, breakfast was done and she’d prepared both plates. “Grab a plate and join me in the living room. I don’t have a dining room table. It didn’t seem like something I needed, with it just me here.” Why had she said that? She’d opened up conversation now to be about her.

He didn’t comment as he followed her and took a seat on the couch beside her.

“This is really good.” He took another bite.

“Thanks. I love cooking.”

“Do you cook much?”

“I’d like to, but I don’t get many opportunities. It’s kinda silly to create big meals for one person.”

“I suppose you’re right. Though I’m sure the men at the station would love your leftovers.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” She finished a piece of crispy bacon. “I’m sorry for crying yesterday. That was awkward for us both, I’m sure. But I was serious about calling Diane about the house.”

“You don’t have to.”

She set her plate down on the coffee table. “I have to. I really don’t understand why you stepped out. But I can’t take this house and be happy now that I know you. It’s not right. I want you to submit your offer and let the best one win.”

“The seller has already signed your contracts, and I’m sure your mortgage company is working on it.”

“I don’t care. If you don’t take this deal, then I’m going to back out. And that means I lose a lot of money. I put down a very hefty earnest.”

Luke leaned back on the couch and sighed. “I can’t change your mind?”

She shook her head.

Luke ran his fingers through his short, tousled hair. “I don’t know what to say, other than this is crazy. You’re crazy.”

“Diane may throw the idea out the window—”

“You think? That’s her commission you’re playing with. I don’t see your realtor going for it, but if you can convince her, I’m game. If that will make you happy.”

She gazed at him. “It will.”

He returned to his food, not saying anything. She wished she could read his mind and find out what he was thinking. He probably realized he’d spent the night with a loony woman and wouldn’t be knocking on her door again.

With the silence thick between them, it didn’t take long for them to finish breakfast.

“Can I do the dishes?” Luke set his fork on the plate.

“I’ve got it. I’m sure you have somewhere you need to be.”

“Sammy has a baseball game this afternoon, actually, at the local recreation center. Want to come?”

He caught her by surprise; she didn’t know what to say. It sounded like a great time, sitting there watching the young boys figure out the sport. And the proud parents in the stands as they cheered their little ones on when they hit the ball.

“I…”

“I don’t want some lame excuse. If you want to come, it’s at three. If you don’t, then it’s fine. I’m going to leave it up to you. He’ll be playing on ball field four.”

“OK, I’ll try to make it. But don’t tell Sammy, just in case. I don’t want him to be looking for me.” It dawned on her that even if she went, Sammy probably wouldn’t know who she was. The only person she would be disappointing was Luke. And for some reason, that thought alone caused an achy feeling around her heart.

“Well, if I see you—great.” He walked toward the front door. When he got there he turned. “Sure I can’t convince you that your idea about the house is bonkers?”