When Hearts Collide

chapter 17

Molly just wanted to stay in bed and feel sorry for herself. But she’d done enough of that. It was time to forget and move on. To forget that she’d finally found the man of her dreams, but all her dreams had turned into a nightmare. Would she never learn that love was for other people, not her?

Thoughts of her sister’s happy marriage surfaced. Why couldn’t she have someone like David in her life? But she’d had that for a while, even if it was only a pretense. Pearce had been what she wanted, her knight-in-shining-armor, ready to slay the dragons; her prince to rouse her from a somnolent state; her king to share her kingdom. Then, as if by the stroke of a wizard’s wand, her realm had vanished.

At least she was back at her job at Saint Christopher’s Hospital. Randy had been discretely dismissed, and other than initial gossip, everything was as if she’d never been away. Molly felt her eyelids droop, then forced them open again. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could think of was Pearce and Gracie. She’d almost drifted off when she heard insistent knocking at the front door. She ignored it for several minutes, praying the person would just go away. The person on the other side of the door didn’t stop.

Throwing a housecoat over her nightgown, Molly yanked the door open. “What?”

Her knees gave way and she had to clutch the doorframe. “What do you want?”

Pearce stood there, a sad puppy-dog look on his face. “I need to talk to you, Molly. I need to apologize.”

Why had he come? Couldn’t he just leave her alone? “It doesn’t matter.”

It does, Molly. May I come in?” Pearce pleaded.

She wanted to slam the door in his face so hard it would knock him off his feet, the way she’d been knocked off hers. Instead, she let him slip through the door she still clung to.

He sat on the couch in the living room and waited for her. She curled herself at the far end of the couch, pulling the housecoat tightly around her, as if it might provide the armor she needed. But it was no shield against the emotional havoc his presence created.

I’m such a fool. I should have believed you, trusted you.” Pearce shook his head. “Molly, I’m so sorry. I want you to come back. I miss you so much.” He grinned tentatively. “Gracie misses you.”

Head reeling over Pearce’s confession, Molly asked, “How is Gracie?”

Pearce looked down at the hands he clenched in his lap, then looked up at her. “She’s not the same without you. We both want you back.”

Molly shook her head. “No. I can’t come back just because you think you need me. Or that Gracie does.”

Oh, Molly, I don’t just need you, I love you.”

You just think you love me because I took care of you, saved your life...It’s called The Good Samaritan Complex.”

Pearce shook his head slowly. He smiled, advancing on her, coming so close she felt the heat radiating off his body.

Is this a complex?” Pearce pulled her into his arms, his eyes smoldering with passion. He locked his gaze with hers. Icy shivers ran up and down her spine, and her cheeks burned with the flame he’d ignited.

His lips descended on hers. Lightly, then the pressure increased. She tried to resist, yet her lips responded. He pulled her closer. Her arms wrapped around his neck, fingers entwining in silky black waves.

You feel it, too. Your body can’t lie. Oh, Molly.”

He pulled her to mold into him. The soft swell of her breasts pressed against his chest, and she felt the pounding of his heart through his thin cotton shirt. Could he feel her heart racing like a two-year-old filly galloping to the finish line?

I’ve been so stupid.” Pearce shook his head. “I love you.” He grinned. “Do I need to have another car accident to make you come back?”

She shook her head. He tipped her chin until she raised her eyes to him. “Molly, my sweet angel, will you marry me?”

Are you sure?”

I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. After you left, it was torture. It took going through hell to make me realize how much I love you.” His eyes softened. “I couldn’t go through another day without you by my side. Please, Molly, will you say yes?”

Molly nodded her answer. She leaned against him, knowing with every cell in her body, that she belonged right here in his arms. This was what she’d been looking for her entire life. She was finally home.

When do you want to get married?”

Would right now be too soon?”

Molly gazed into Pearce’s eyes and studied his emotions. She’d seen the hot, searing lust there before, but now the passion was tempered with the softness of a deeper love, adoration, compassion, and her heart swelled, filling her chest until she thought she might burst. It was hard to breathe, even more difficult to talk.

Several seconds passed before she beamed up at him and whispered, “Right now would be perfect.”

His lips were hot against hers. The kiss was deep, sweet, hungry, taking possession of her.

Finally, their lips parted, and they surfaced for air. But not for long. Pearce started kissing her face, her hair, her neck. Every fiber in her being was aroused and begging for release. She had to know that this was really what he wanted, and that he was ready to let go of the past. Her body protested leaving the security of his arms as she pulled away. She closed her eyes for a brief second, took a quick breath and asked, “Are you sure this is what you want, Pearce?”

With all my heart.”

What about not wanting to ever commit to someone again?”

He sighed deeply, then grinned wryly. “That was before I fell in love with you.”

His grin widened and a twinkle gleamed in his eyes; a twinkle that sent her heart on a series of flip-flops. “My beautiful red-haired angel, you’ve made me dare to love again.”

Molly flung her arms around his neck again and kissed him soundly on the lips. She nuzzled into his neck, then became serious. “What about Gracie?”

Gracie wanted to come with me to bring her Molly Mommy home.”

Do you think Grace would like a brother or sister?”

Pearce chuckled. “She would like ten of them.”

Ten?” Molly’s jaw dropped open, and heat prickled every red root on her head. The thought of making one baby with Pearce quickened her pulse and stirred sparks of arousal, but ten babies? The heat spread like wildfire until it reached her toes. A lump had formed in her chest and it took several seconds before she could breath, and a few more before words crossed her lips.

What about you?” Breath hitched up her throat. Molly watched Pearce carefully for any sign he wouldn’t want a larger family. Yes, she loved him, but she wanted the whole package.

He crushed her lips to his. “I’d love to have children with you.” He laughed lightly against her mouth. “Though, maybe not ten.”

Relief swept through her, bringing a wide smile to her face. “Let’s start with one.” Molly suggested with a wink. “Shall we start now?” She tightened her hands around his neck and pulled his face close to hers. Her lips met his, and they sealed their pledge with a kiss that Molly wanted to go on forever.