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Chapter Twenty-two
Grace
I’m wide awake when my alarm goes off a few hours later.
Tip-toeing into the bathroom, I ease the door closed on a fast and silent prayer that I’ll be able to at least shampoo my hair before Molly comes barreling into the bathroom to pepper me with questions and breakfast requests.
Showering as quickly as possible, I do my level best to forget about Ryan. About the way he looked at me last night. About the things he said to me. About the fact that just the swirl of his thumb against the inside of my wrist was enough to make my legs shake.
About the fact that he’s passed out less than ten yards away.
Despite the fact that I was a quivering mess by the time he was done with me, I stood my ground. Did the right thing. The smart thing. I told him to make up his mind. Stop playing with me. He apologized. Let me go and I walked away on a pair of legs that felt like the they were made of rubber.
I crawled into bed and spent the last few hours watching the clock.
Get your head in the game, Grace. You have more important things to do than fantasize about all the dirty things Ryan O’Connell told you he’s been dreaming of doing to you.
I have a 9AM appointment at Bay State College to take the entrance exam and speak with a financial aid counselor and with Cari snuggled up in some hotel suite with her millionaire fiancé, I have no idea who I’m going to get to watch Molly.
So, basically, my entire future hinges on the next few hours of my life and all I can do stand here and wonder how many orgasms Ryan could give me before I passed out.
I’m so totally and completely screwed.
Turning off the shower with a vicious crank of the faucet, I step out and listen closely for signs of life.
Nothing.
Easing the door open, I peek my head out, hoping to see Molly still sprawled across the bed, sound asleep.
Nope.
Bed’s empty.
Shit.
Pulling on my robe, I barely have it belted before I’m out the door and across the hall. Pushing the door to Molly’s room open I find her bed just as empty as mine.
Just then, I hear Molly’s high-pitched giggle coming from the living room, followed but the low, answering rumble of Ryan’s voice.
Hurrying down the hall, I stop somewhere between the kitchen and the living room, and just stand there, staring like an idiot.
They’re both sitting at the kitchen counter. Ryan’s stoically chewing his way through a bowl of cereal while Molly completely ignores hers in favor of chattering to him like a magpie.
Forcing myself to move, I skirt the kitchen counter, making a beeline for the coffee pot. I’m going to need all the caffeine I can get if I’m going to get through today.
“Hi, Mom,” Molly chirps at me when I walk into the kitchen. “Ryan says he’s feeling better, so he made me breakfast.”
Grabbing the coffee pot, I turn toward them to stick it under the tap while giving him a quick once over. He does look better. Maybe a little bleary-eyed but who doesn’t at 6AM. “That was nice of him,” I say in a voice that’s unnaturally cheerful and bright. The second I hear it come out of my mouth I want to bite my tongue in half.
“I poured cereal in a bowl and put bread in the toaster,” he says, flicking a quick glance in my direction before refocusing on his own breakfast.
“That counts,” Molly informs him in a matter of fact tone. “Right, Mom?”
“Right.” I give her a smile before shutting off the tap and turning to pour water into the coffee pot’s reservoir. After scooping coffee into the basket and switching it on, I’m forced to turn around. “How’d you sleep?” I say, fighting to keep my tone casual and light.
The corner of his mouth kicks up just a notch, his deep brown eyes taking a quick coast over my towel dried hair and hastily tied bathrobe. “About as well as you did, I’m guessing.”
Despite the fact that I suddenly feel like I’m about to melt into a puddle, I reach up to pull my robe closed to hide the flush erupting across my chest.