her Hunter sat on a chair beside Ollie’s cage.
She had raised her hand to knock and alert Hunter to her presence, when he spoke first, obviously talking to the bird. “He dribbles down the court. He pauses by the basket. He goes for the layup. He shoots. He scores! ”
A grin tipped the corners of her mouth. The bird had chosen to entertain Hunter with his favorite trick, reaching for a ball and dunking it in his mini hoop.
Molly forgot all about knocking. “I didn’t know you were a basketball fan.” She walked into the room, laughing.
Hunter rose from his seat, a heated flush highlighting his cheeks. “You caught me,” he said, clearly embarrassed by playing sportscaster to the macaw. “But the bird’s fascinating.”
Molly grinned. “Ollie’s got his good points. He speaks when spoken to, he does tricks on command and he’s potty trained. Can’t ask for much more than that in a man.”
“Cute.” He stepped closer. “Did you eat dinner yet?”
She nodded. “I grabbed a Subway sandwich on my way home. Liza dropped me off afterward. What about you?”
“I ate with Edna. She makes a mean steak and potatoes.” He patted his stomach approvingly.
“Edna’s an amazing cook whether it’s for one or twenty. I can safely say I didn’t inherit that trait.” She spoke in a self-deprecating tone, well aware of her own strengths and weaknesses. “I’m sorry I didn’t come home sooner. I got tied up at the center.”
“You don’t have to apologize.” Hunter turned his back to her and began to straighten some papers he’d been working with, deliberately placing them in neat piles around the desk. “You don’t answer to me. I’m only here for-”
“My father, I know,” she said, grinding her teeth, her frustration building. One minute Hunter was kissing her in the hall upstairs, the next he was as cool as the night air outside.
“Hunter-”
“Molly-” They spoke at the same time.
“You first,” he said.
She shook her head. “You.”
“Okay. I paid your father a visit today. He’s a great guy.” Hunter shoved his hands into his pockets. “I wouldn’t have picked anyone different for you. In fact…” His voice trailed off and she got the distinct impression he was embarrassed. “Never mind.”
“No, tell me.”
Hunter met her gaze. “He’s everything you could have hoped for and more. I’m happy for you,” he said in a rush of words.
Warmth surged through her, a tingling sensation, one part gratitude and an even bigger part attraction. She couldn’t deny it. When he was kind and considerate, and didn’t seem to be holding himself back, Hunter was one very special man. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?” he asked.
She blinked. “I honestly don’t remember. I’m too stunned by what you just said. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you cared about me,” she said in her best Scarlett O’Hara impersonation.
She was dead serious yet she didn’t want to scare him away. Better for him to think she was teasing him than for him to get nervous and retreat.
“Who says I don’t care?” He reached out and wrapped his finger around a strand of her hair.
Molly felt the gentle tug straight down to her toes and she licked her dry lips. She hadn’t meant for the gesture to be seductive but his eyes followed the movement, darkening with molten heat and desire. A surge of warmth prickled at her skin and she swayed toward him, giving him an open invitation. One she hoped he’d take her up on.
His big hand slid upward and she tipped her head back into his palm, her gaze never leaving his. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for his lips to finally settle over hers. Her eyelids fluttered shut and she savored the feel of his mouth, the warm glide of his tongue over her lips and the delicious arousal thrumming through her veins.
She couldn’t help but notice how much more touchy-feely they’d become now, when his walls were supposedly higher and she had no idea where they stood. When he kissed her like this, she didn’t care.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, aligning their bodies flush against each other. His heat sucked her into a whirlpool of sensation and his scent ignited a flame of desire the likes of which she’d never felt before. She wanted him badly and the low moan that escaped the back of her throat ensured he knew it, too.
She tangled her fingers in the back of his hair at the same moment she heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. “Well, this is a fine welcome-home greeting,” her father said in his “general” voice.
Hunter flew backward. Molly jumped away from him at the same time and they both turned guilty looks his way. But the general had a huge grin on his handsome face.
And then his presence registered in Molly’s mind. “You’re home. You’re home! Oh my God.” She ran and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “I had no idea but I’m so relieved.”
“Same here,” he said.
She stepped back, her hand still inside his. “How? When?”
“Hunter freed me in time for dinner.”
Molly turned Hunter’s way. “You didn’t say anything.”
“Made the surprise that much sweeter, didn’t it?” Hunter asked.
Molly thought she fell back in love with him right then. If she’d ever fallen out. She doubted it.
She shot him a lingering glance before turning to her father. “Where were you when I came home?”
“Next door checking on Sonya and Seth.”
Molly nodded. “That’s good. And now that you’re home, you’re going to remain here,” she said in her most determined voice.
“I’m sorry to be the bucket of cold water, but bail is only a temporary solution,” Hunter pointed out.
Molly rolled her eyes. “Surely we can celebrate just for tonight.”
“You two certainly can. I have to bring myself up to speed, but I don’t want to put you out of your office,” Hunter said to the general. “As I told your mother, I can stay in a local motel.”
Molly’s heart skipped a beat. Although she’d fought the idea of him staying in the house at first, she’d quickly changed her mind. She hadn’t realized how much she counted on having Hunter right there until he’d offered to leave.
The general waved his hand, dismissing the offer. “Don’t worry about me. I can’t concentrate on work until this is over and there isn’t much I can do until I clear my name. Please make yourself at home.”
Molly forced herself not to show her elation. She didn’t even try to tell herself the reason was so she could be nearby to help Hunter with the case. She wanted him nearby for purely selfish reasons.
“We didn’t discuss money at the jail today but I need you to know something,” her father said, his serious gaze on Hunter’s. “I can’t afford to pay you much right now, but I will pay you back.”
Hunter shook his head. “I appreciate it, sir, but-”
“No buts. If you’re going to represent me, you’re going to be paid. I don’t take charity, so save the pro bono work for people who really need it. Once I can buy and sell real estate without this case hanging over my head, I’ll pay you for your services.”
A lump rose in Molly’s throat. She knew it wasn’t easy for her father to have this conversation with Hunter and she admired him for it.
“That works fine for me.” Hunter shook Frank’s hand.
She admired Hunter as well, not just for the way he’d handled her father and salvaged the general’s pride, but also for the plain fact that he’d shown up here at all. She’d needed his help and he’d come despite their past. Despite his own pride.
The two men had a lot in common. Including how deeply she cared for them both. She met Hunter’s gaze, hoping to convey her feelings in a glance.
He shifted his stare. “I have a lot of work to do if we’re going to make your freedom permanent,” Hunter said to the general.
