Page 36 of Ruthless King
Not realizing I had been holding my breath while she was speaking, I blew out the air and felt ten feet tall. She said yes. My Buttercup would be mine again, that was for damn certain.
“Oh, hey.” She looked at her watch. It was two-thirty. “I’d better head back. Knight is going to kill me.”
I laughed at her words. “Let me know if he gives you any trouble. He’s due for an ass-kicking.” She turned serious eyes on me before flashing a smile that twisted my heart in two. I was putty in her hands. I was free-falling without a parachute, and I loved every second.
“Come on, I’ll walk with you.” As soon as we hit the sidewalk, she grabbed onto my hand and laced our fingers together as we walked toward the center of town. Disregarding the time, we strolled at a leisurely pace, stopping and peering into shop windows and commenting on items that piqued our interests. I wanted to keep her with me as long as possible, and I think she had the same idea because when we passed the Bluebird, her eyes twinkled as she eyed the cupcakes teasing us from the pastry case in the window.
“You want one?” I knew she did, but I had to ask, anyway. I wanted her to tell me. Before she could answer, I had the door open and was pulling her inside. We walked to the pastry case and made our selection. The red velvet was her all-time favorite, at least that’s what she told me, and I made a mental note to catalog that for future reference.
After grabbing the sinful treats, we hustled back outside. The wind had picked up a bit, and Molly pulled her sweater closer and hugged herself. I instinctively wrapped my arm around her waist and tucked her into my side. Glancing down at her, I chuckled. She looked at me wide-eyed. “What’s funny?”
I couldn’t get the smirk off my face. Reaching up, I swiped at her nose. “You had a bit of frosting there. It’s gone now.” I said playfully as I licked my fingers and proceeded on.
Shaking her head, we settled into silence as we made our way across the three blocks to Music City. “I can go in with you and assess the situation,” I said with a wink.
“Sure. My boss is kind of a badass.” I knew she was kidding. Next to Ben, Knight was the most laid-back of the King brothers.
“Hey guys.” Knight met us at the front of the store. “I figured you weren’t coming back this afternoon, Mol.”
She looked embarrassed as she met his eyes. “I’m sorry, time got away from us.” He flashed her his most devastating smile, and I couldn’t help the jealousy that rose. I wanted to smack his pretty face for the way he was watching her, but when she noticed my death glare and matched it, I just smiled and shrugged.
“I guess I’d better go and let you get back to work. Can I give you a ride home later?” I wanted to see her tonight but didn’t want to press my luck. She had agreed to the festival, and that should have been enough for one day, but nothing could ever be enough with this beautiful girl.
“Yes, Courtland, I’d like that.” I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and left with visions of tonight in my head.
Chapter 25
Molly
Well, that was surprising. When I asked him to meet for lunch, I had no idea how the day would play out. I’d wanted to clear the air, and after we talked, it felt like new life had been breathed into whatever this was between us.
When I walked out of work, he was leaning against the rental car with ankles crossed, looking like dessert with his navy eyes shining, dark hair begging to be tugged, wearing a t-shirt that hugged his biceps perfectly. Trying to control my breathing as I walked toward him, he met me with a kiss on the cheek and opened my door.
“Hi there.” My words came out in a breathless rush as I slid into the seat.
“God, Buttercup. I thought you’d never get out of there.” His light teasing brought a smile to my mouth.
“Some of us actually have to work for a living.” He scoffed as he closed the door and hurried to climb in.
The ride to the Bluebird was quiet as we held hands, and the sounds of Sam Smith filled the void. My gaze was drawn to the shops around the square. The merchants had been busy hanging banners and lights for the upcoming festival. The sun was setting, and it painted the sky with washes of orange and pink. I was drawn out of my thoughts when Courtland’s phone buzzed. He had already pulled up front, so I motioned him to answer.
I wasn’t sure what his plans were, so I waited until he finished the call before I got out. “Sorry about that. It seems Jackson needs my input on some business shit he’s involved in. It shouldn’t take long. Can I come back after we’re done?”
Suddenly, it felt like a swarm of butterflies had taken flight in my belly. Feelings I hadn’t given voice to were flooding back, and my heart was hammering in my chest.
I hoped to hide the shake in my voice and the physical reaction my body was having to his words. “I’d like that. Just text when you’re on the way so I can have the door unlocked.”
As soon as the door closed, I kicked off my shoes and headed to grab the bottle of Pinot Noir from the wine rack. Taking a glass from the shelf, I headed to the bathroom, ready to indulge in the longest bubble bath in history. Placing my phone on the side of the tub, I started the water and poured in the bubbles. While it filled, I undressed quickly. After I poured a full glass of the red, I climbed into the delicious warmth, sliding up to my neck in bubbles as they cascaded around my slick body. I closed my eyes and let the heat soak away the stress of the day. I was caught somewhere between dreams and reality when the familiar jingle of my phone pierced the air.
“Julia, hey. What’s going on?”
“Hi, you. I’m good. Listen, I wanted to let you know I’m coming into town tomorrow and staying until the festival on Saturday.”
It took a minute for her words to sink in before I squealed, and water splashed over the side of the tub, soaking the tile and making me laugh even harder. “Jules, that’s great. How’d you manage the time off?”
“Ben has been badgering me to get my butt down there, so I made the time.” Her words sounded evasive, but I didn’t press the issue, and I couldn’t contain the smile that split my face. Julia and I saw each other at least once a month, but it was always rushed, only a day or two, and this would be a four-day visit. “I need to go, but I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.”
“Love you.” I echoed as I ended the call.