“Romeo, slow down. Where are we going?” Molly panted from behind me. I didn’t stop or give an answer, unable to slow down for fear of marching back into the cafeteria and telling everyone the truth about us.
“Get in,” I ordered through clenched teeth once we reached my truck.
As we left school behind, every second in Molly’s presence calmed me down further, allowing me to ask, “Sure you’re okay?” She hadn’t said a thing since we’d been on the road, understanding that I couldn’t talk right now, that I needed some time to wind down.
Fidgeting nervously, Molly replied, “Yes. A little embarrassed, but I’m fine.”
Embarrassed? Fucking understatement! She hated attention, and today, Shelly had thrust her right into the spotlight.
“How dare she speak to you like that? She’s such a bitch! Why the hell did I waste so much of my fuckin’ time on her?” I snapped, more to myself. I was so pissed I could barely function.
“You took the words right out of my mouth.” Glancing over at Molly and seeing her tiny proud smile at her comment thawed my rage, and I couldn’t help but smile a little in return.
This girl amazed me. Shelly had mocked her parents in front of a good portion of the student body—her dead parents that she never really talked about. But she took Shelly’s vicious dig like a champ, taking the high road, putting me and my typically aggressive reaction to shame.
“Mol, I’m so sorry for what she said to you about your parents. I can’t imagine how that must’ve felt.”
A soft hand stroked across my knee. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
Gripping her fingers, I replied, “Not true. She’s ripping on you because she sees my interest in you. Saw it from our very first kiss. You’re the enemy now, Mol, and I can’t say sorry enough for that. I put you in this position and she’s going to try and make your life hell.”
With a stunning smile, she scooted closer, laying her head on my shoulder, her breath warming the bare skin of my bicep. She was fearless, never giving a shit what others thought. My body relaxed and, wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I ran my fingers through her loose strands of hair. It was the first bit of peace I’d felt in weeks. Right here, right now, just the two of us… it was perfect.
At least it was until she asked, “Rome, who was on the phone earlier, outside the cafeteria?”
Fuck. Didn’t expect the conversation to go there.
Clearing my throat, I asked, “You saw?”
“Yeah,” she replied sadly.
“I don’t really want to talk about it.” I really didn’t. What the fuck was I meant to say? Oh, yeah, it was my daddy. He’s been negotiating my prenup to Shel. You know… the girl who just tore you apart for being poor? Well, her. I never wanted Molly messed up in the shit between my parents and me, never wanted her to be on the receiving end of their crap; hell, I never even wanted them to know of Molly’s existence—she was too important to me to put in that kind of situation.
“Okay. Just answer one thing. Was it your parents?” she asked carefully, snapping me back to the here and now.
“Yes,” I finally admitted.
She squeezed me tighter around the waist for a few seconds, then moved back and peered out the window, no more questions about my folks.
“Why are we here?” Her eyebrows drew together as she took in the sprawling mall.
Getting out of the truck and helping Molly down, I said, “We’re getting you some new glasses. Come on.”
I tried to set off toward the ophthalmologist, but she dug in her heels and jerked me to a halt. Staring me down with steely resolve, she blurted, “Romeo, I can’t afford them yet.”
This wasn’t happening! Meeting her determined gaze, I repeated, “I’m getting them. Now come on!” She stood rooted to the spot, and I began to lose it again. I wanted to help her, dammit, but her stubborn ass was being all proud and shit. I just wanted to look after her—what was a few hundred bucks to make her life infinitely easier at school?
“Romeo, I’m not a charity. I’ll get my own bloody glasses when I’ve saved up enough money. You won’t buy them for me. I won’t let you. Being poor doesn’t embarrass me—taking pity money does!”
I groaned and pulled her to me, loving the way lust blossomed in her eyes every time her body met mine. “Molly, don’t fuckin’ push me on this. I indirectly broke the damn glasses with my bad pass. I riled up Shelly by showing everyone that I liked you, and I let her ego get too inflated by putting up with her queen-of-all-Bama shit for the last three years. I’m getting you new glasses and you’re going to let me. You don’t have a fuckin’ choice. It’s not about embarrassment; it’s about protecting what’s mine.” Her pupils dilated as she stared up at me. Yeah, she may be pissed at my pushy tone, but I wouldn’t back down. She was mine and I wouldn’t let her be called out for anything… by anyone.