18. No More Playing Calm
1746 Words
Molly
He doesn't answer me.
He simply presses his lips against mine.
My body reacts instantly. Heat floods through me like a shockwave. My skin tingles, my knees go weak as his mouth claims mine with slow, deliberate hunger. I shudder, my fingers curling into his shirt as if letting go would break me apart. I want to drown in him. I want to forget where we are and who is watching. I want him.
Claps and whistles erupt around us but I do not care. I slide my arms around his neck and pull him closer, kissing him back with everything I have. The world fades until it is just us, breathing hard, lips swollen, foreheads nearly touching when we finally pull apart.
“You are mine, Molly,” he murmurs. “You just do not know it yet.”
The words hit me straight in the core. I should argue. I should deny it. But my body betrays me, still buzzing, still aching for his touch. I cannot lie when my pulse is racing this fast.
We stare at each other and I see it in his eyes. Hunger. Possession. Something wild and dangerous that makes my breath hitch.
He reaches into his jacket and presses something into my hands. “Here.”
I look down and blink. “The massage gun.”
“I got it for you,” he says simply.
I smile despite myself and roll my eyes as I take it. “I thought you wanted to get Maya the bracelet.”
“Why would I do that,” he replies calmly.
I narrow my eyes. “Didn’t you tell her you were not interested in me?”
“I never said that,” he says. “Maya was talking nonsense.”
I hesitate. “Then why did you run to carry her?”
He laughs softly. “I was worried. She was my partner.”
I don’t believe him and he knows it.
“Alright. I wanted to make you jealous.”
My eyebrows lift. “You wanted to make me jealous?”
“Yes,” he says without shame. “Because you pissed me off when you chose that man. I was angry and I wanted you to feel it.”
My cheeks burn. “What are you talking about,” I snapped.
He smiles slowly. “You are so innocent.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“I love your fire,” he continues, voice lowering. “And I would love even more to be the one who makes you lose control.”
My breath stutters. “Little Luna,” he adds quietly.
I stiffen. “What does that even mean? And do not call me little.”
He leans in. “Oh I love it. But you know what I’ll love more, you moaning my name when I enter inside your pussy.”
My stomach flips and my thighs press together. It is bold. It is sinful. It is entirely too much for a public place. “What has gotten into you, Charles? Why are you sounding… so… so…”
“Raw?” He cuts in calmly. “Because I’m done pretending. I’m not playing calm anymore. You are mine, and I’m going to make you understand that.”
“I’m not yours,” I shoot back.
He tilts his head. “Come off it. I hate liars.”
His gaze drops briefly before returning to mine, dark and knowing. “Your body tells me enough. Your arousal… I can smell it. You want nothing more than for me to f**k you hard until you are screaming my name.”
My eyes widen and my heart slams. This man is f*****g unhinged.
“Now come on,” he says casually, grabbing my hand. “Let’s go find Lily.”
Before I can protest, he is already pulling me along through the crowd.
I should be furious. I should yank my hand away. I should say something sharp and clever.
Instead, my body is on fire and my thoughts are a mess, my pulse loud in my ears as I let him lead me.
I hate that I want him.
And I hate even more that he knows it.
I spot Maya and Lawrence heading toward us before Charles does.
“There they are,” Lawrence says brightly when they reach us. “I had so much fun with Molly today.” Then he turns to Charles and beams. “And thank you for taking care of my baby.”
Baby? I nearly choke.
Maya’s eyes drop immediately to Charles’s hand wrapped around my wrist. Her smile tightens and the glare she sends my way could cut glass.
Charles doesn't even acknowledge her existence. He tightens his grip on me instead and starts pulling me away like this conversation never happened.
“Bye, Lawrence,” I call over my shoulder, waving awkwardly as I am dragged along.
The playground comes into view and I spot Lily instantly. She is laughing, throwing a little ball while Snow scampers after it with far more enthusiasm than coordination.
“Lily,” Charles calls.
She turns and immediately lights up. “Daddy.”
She runs straight into him, Snow following like a furry missile.
“I had so much fun,” she announces, hugging him tightly.
“I can see that,” he replies warmly.
Snow jumps up at me next and I laugh as I scoop her into my arms. She licks my cheek enthusiastically while I wrinkle my nose. “You missed me too, huh.”
I rub Lily’s cheek gently. “I am so glad you had fun.”
She tilts her head. “What about you, Molly? Did you have fun?”
“Yes,” I say quickly.
Charles gives me a knowing smile and heat rushes straight to my face.
“I told the kids I have a daddy and a future mommy,” Lily adds proudly.
I consider digging a hole and living in it forever.
“Come on,” Charles says smoothly, clearly saving me. “Let us go have lunch.”
I could kiss him for that alone.
After lunch, we head back to the cabin. The second my body hits the bed, exhaustion crashes over me. I kick off my shoes and grab my phone, scrolling mindlessly while Charles stays in the living room.
Amber’s i********: pops up almost immediately.
Paris. Eiffel Tower. Ridiculously romantic photos with Antoine.
I smile despite myself.
So I text her. “Hey Amber. You are having way too much fun.”
The reply comes almost instantly. “Not as much as you. I know you are enjoying yourself.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not. I’m losing it. My p word is literally on fire.”
A naughty emoji appears. “Your p***y? What happened? Did you fuck.”
“No,” I type quickly. “But I kissed him. Amber what do I do? I really want to sleep with him but I have known him for like five minutes.”
“Girl,” she replies. “It doesn’t matter. It’s your life. Go for it. You waited forever with Josh and look how that turned out.”
I sigh, staring at the ceiling. She is not wrong.
Another message pops up. “If he is handsome, responsible, and kind then why not. Just do it. YOLO.”
“What is yolo?” I type.
“You only live once,” she replies. “You are Gen Z acting like a f*****g oldie”
“I’m not old,” I snapped back. “And maybe I should. I’m so damn horny. I even tried…you know…”
“f*****g yourself? ” she fires back with a laughing emoji. “Just tell that man you want his d**k already.”
I cringe. “Amber! That's it. Goodbye.”
“Go f**k your man,” she finishes.
I drop my phone onto the bed and groan.
She is absolutely unhinged.
And the worst part is that a tiny voice in my head is agreeing with her. My body definitely is. I need a nap.
I try to nap. I really do.
I lie there with my eyes closed, breathing slowly, counting backwards, pretending my body is not replaying the kiss on a vicious loop. His mouth. His hands. The way my entire system short circuited like it had been waiting for him specifically.
I need something. Correction. I need someone.
Time thankfully moves faster than my sanity. Dinner is quiet, comfortable in that dangerous way where everything feels normal while absolutely nothing is. Charles cooks, Lily chatters, movies play in the background. I survived it all somehow.
After Lily is tucked into bed, Charles heads for the shower.
I wait longer than necessary before going in after him, hoping hot water will knock some sense into my body. It doesn't. It makes everything worse.
When I step out wrapped in my towel, steam clinging to my skin, I freeze.
Charles is standing by the wardrobe, shirtless, arms raised as he arranges clothes. Muscles flex. Tattoos shift. Water still beads on his skin like it belongs there.
Oh God.
My body reacts instantly. Heat curls low in my stomach. My toes curl against the floor.
I probably stare too long.
“Are you going to keep looking,” he says calmly without turning around, “or should I pose.”
“I wasn't looking,” I blurt, immediately walking toward the wardrobe like that helps my case. “I was just, you know, existing.”
“Stop lying,” he says.
“I am not.”
He turns.
That was a mistake.
His eyes lock onto mine and something dark flickers there. Something patient.
“You are really testing me,” he says quietly.
I lift my chin, because apparently I have chosen chaos today. “And if I am, what are you going to do about it?”
The space between us disappears.
His hand grips my waist and suddenly I am against him, heat to heat, breath stolen straight from my lungs.
“Maybe,” he murmurs, “you need a lesson.”
My body betrays me instantly. My core tightens, pulses, aches like it has been waiting for permission.
“Then do it,” I say before my brain can interfere.
His mouth curves slightly. “I’ll make you beg.”
My towel loosens.
- Writer
