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Collecting a feake-up calls today What was next? ‘I like it that you feel that way No one should be forgotten when they’ve been such a special part of your life Hearing you talk about her says a lot about you, all good’ Her sot aith it She wasn’t going to be as special to him because even if he wanted that, she couldn’t allow it to happen

Instead she had to back off in case he did start to fall for her That’s when the day would co odds of her ever getting pregnant Already she knew a quickening of her pulse whenever she heard Nathan’s voice or laugh Felt a softening of her limbs when he touched her This had to stop He’d been hurt once, she wasn’t giving him a second blow

‘It helps you understand’ Nathan turned back to the barbecue ‘I’d better take over before the guys burn the steaks’ He hesitated, faced her again ‘We’ll have some time to ourselves later’

‘I need to head ho in the charity shop toh Unfortunately leaving noould be aard after she’d helped set out the food and had said she couldn’t wait to sample the salads

‘If that’s what you want to do’ Nathan nodded abruptly Sensing her withdrawal?

As soon as dinner was over and the kitchen cleaned up, she’d go home and revert to the Molly he used to know No, not that She’d be friendly and outgoing, but noaouldn’t be siht to find she could be aroused by a man—one in particular

But they weren’t a couple It was presuht be ood time It was quite possible he wanted to have so for atooabout than getting her knickers in a knot because he was the one helping her step back out into the real world

Molly shoved aside all the reasons for not spending time with Nathan and said, ‘It isn’t, really I don’t knohat ca to disappear She should leave, now If only it was that easy When she finally cao back into the dark, cold space that her life had become

‘Gun-shy? I’h to scare anyone off’

‘More that I feel very comfortable with them—too comfortable, maybe’

He ruffled her hair like she’d seen hi with comfortable’

Yes, there was, if it led to greater expectations than were reasonable But for tonight at least she’d relax and continue enjoying herself And Nathan

The family didn’t leave early It was as if they knew they were frustrating hiround his teeth Molly had said she’d leave after dinner, then changed her mind Finally the brothers-in-law hadaway and he’d had the front door open with eht have, and he didn’t want that He wanted ti interrupted by one of the children asking forhim on his next holiday plans

‘At last’ He shoved his hands in his pockets before he could haul Molly into his arms and kiss her senseless

‘You don’tsensational with the riotous curls and that perfect body

‘Norht I just wanted to be with you for a while’ Hell, he wasn’t going to be able to not kiss her

Her breasts rose on an intake of air ‘I’m still here’

‘TellI don’t know’ He had to touch her Had to Placing his hands on her shoulders, he drew her closer And closer Until she was up against hi his chest, her , tasting, drinking her in As he kissed Molly he waited to see if she’d pull back or tense even a little, but, no, her ar into his Giving up on caution, he went deeper with the kiss, savouring Molly, her softness, her scent, all of her Everything about her woke him up

Then herrapidly, no disappointh desire to drown in

‘Yes, Mol I’d like to take you to bed’

She sank back against hi theher up into his arms, he asked, ‘Bedroom?’

‘No Right here Now’

As he walked her up to the wall, he said, ‘I’ll be gentle’ No way did he want to frighten or hurt her

‘Don’t you dare’ She lifted a leg to his thigh, freed her hands from his and wound them around his neck ‘I won’t break’