Lip Lock (7 page)

Molly set her jaw. “I’m going to hit you.”

“Oh, you’re into that kind of thing.” Curtis shook his head with regret. “I’m not into kink. I’m not sure if this relationship is going to work.”

“I should have asked Brian,” she muttered to herself.

“Hell, no.” Curtis draped his arm over her shoulders and Molly did her best not to jump from the unexpected and overly familiar touch. “Brian’s gay. Everyone knows that.”

Then she’d made the right choice.

“Hey, Kyle,” Curtis called out and motioned for him. “Come sit down with me and my girlfriend.”

Or not.

Curtis and Molly?

No.

Even though he saw it, his body rejected the idea. His mind tried to block the image of the two cozy with each other. His iron control stamped out the urgency to rush over and tear them apart.

He caught Molly’s eye. She slowly blinked and smiled wide. Oh, yeah. Something was up with Molly. He was going to find out what. Either that or he was going to find out why she picked that guy over him.

There was no way that could happen.

Kyle made his way to the couple. “Curtis. Molly.”

“Sit down.” The elite programmer gestured to the other side of Molly. “There’s plenty of room.”

He’d rather sit between Molly and Curtis. Then shove Curtis off the bag and have Molly all to himself. But he’d be good. For now.

Kyle sat down next to Molly. He could feel her heat. Inhale her scent. Brush his arm against hers.

What the hell was he doing? He could grab Molly by the wrist and haul her against him. Carry her out of this room and show her every reason why she should be with him. In graphic detail.

No one would stop him. Might add to his legend. Why was he playing this game?

Kyle took a long sip from his soda can. “So, how long have you guys been dating?”

“Very recently,” Curtis said before he pressed Molly against his side. “Isn’t that right, sweetie?”

“We sort of drifted together,” Molly explained as she shifted position and tried to sit up straighter.

Kyle knew Molly was lying. But why? “What about your wife, Curtis? Did you guys separate?”

Molly’s body tightened and her eyes went wide. Although she kept herself very still, Kyle could feel her muscles quivering with rage. He guessed Molly didn’t know about the wife.

“Oh, the missus and I have an understanding,” Curtis said with an exaggerated wink.

“Uh-huh,” Kyle drawled out.

“And Molly,” Curtis said as he curled his hand on her knee. “She doesn’t mind sharing.”

Molly discreetly crossed her legs, trapping Curtis’s hand between her knees. He didn’t see her applying force, but Kyle saw the other man wince.

“Hey, loverboy,” Brian said from in front of the TV. He held up his Xbox controller. “You’re up.”

“I’ll be back.” Curtis dove in for a kiss. Molly automatically turned her head to the side. Curtis’s mouth landed on the corner of her lips.

That was too close for Kyle’s comfort. He wanted to bat the guy away like a pesky insect. Smash him into the wall.

“Try not to miss me,” Curtis said to Molly.

“I’ll do my best,” she replied with a bright smile.

Curtis made another attempt, but Molly was too fast and his mouth landed her ear. “She’s such a tease,” Curtis explained with a laugh.

Kyle made some noncommittal sound and nod. He watched Curtis go to the competition with a sense of good riddance.

But his mind went into overdrive as he understood something essential about the woman he craved. Molly Connors was a liar, not a tease. She lied with her mouth, not with her body.

She couldn’t help it. She would smile and lie with Curtis, but reel back from the most innocent touch.

Or was she like that with every guy?

“Do you like games?” Molly asked suddenly.

Kyle turned and gave her a look. “Depends on who I’m playing with.”

She swiped her tongue against her lips. His chest squeezed tight as he watched. “I meant computer games.”

“I’m looking at the screen all day. It’s not my idea of recreation.”

“What is?”

He knew his grin was wolfish and he didn’t bother to hide it.

Molly pressed her lips together. “Maybe I better not know.”

“I’m sure your imagination is wilder than my experiences.”

She scoffed at the idea. “I seriously doubt that.”

“But then that’s the best combination.”

“What is?”

He looked at her mouth intently. “When imagination meets experience.”

She swallowed heavily.

He slowly reached up and pressed his thumb against the corner of her mouth. Her skin was smooth and warm. Molly parted her lips and tilted her head toward his thumb.

There was nothing he wanted more right now than to dip his finger into her mouth and watch her close her lips around his thumb. Lick the tip, swirl her tongue against his skin before she drew him in.

No. Now was not a good time. He wanted privacy so he could act on the promise.

Kyle gently brushed his thumb against her lip, as if he was removing Curtis’s branding.

Molly frowned and drew back.

“Pizza sauce,” he lied.

“Oh.” She dazedly covered her mouth with her fingers.

He looked into her eyes, wanting to know what she was feeling, wanting, but she shielded any message with the slow shutter of her eyelashes.

Smart move
.

“Um…” She looked around the room. “You didn’t get any pizza,” Molly breathlessly announced. “Let me go get you some.” She jumped up and headed for the boxes, as if demons were after her.

Smart girl.

Why wasn’t Kyle leaving? Molly wondered as she nervously chewed her bottom lip. He’d stayed long enough to be considered sociable. He could leave anytime he wanted.

As it was, she was running out of avoidance tactics. She had gone into manic hostess mode and talked to everyone—not an easy task when some of the guys had no social graces and talked primarily about
Star Wars
and
Halo
, both of which she knew little about.

She flitted here and there, making sure everyone had something to eat and drink. The pizza was long gone and Kyle was still here, his eyes smoldering with a dark, sensual promise that she was about one minute away from accepting.

She had to stay away from him. She needed to keep her job, not give him one. Remember?

The only option left was to sidle next to her “boyfriend” and give him a French kiss.

Curtis. She glared at the man’s back. Married! She couldn’t believe he didn’t mention that detail. Jerk.

But Curtis was having way too much fun with the new status. The guy had a warped sense of humor. The rays from his computer screen must have baked his brain.

She took a quick glance and saw that Kyle was playing Xbox with some other players. From the sounds of it, he was winning. Annihilating the competition. Why wasn’t she surprised?

But it meant that Kyle was going to be occupied for a while. Guys got that way. Must be all that testosterone. Must be wearing.

Then again, maybe not. The only person who seemed to be fading fast was her. She plopped down on the extra large bean bag and closed her eyes. Why wasn’t everyone leaving? She was ready for sleep.

And she was most definitely spending the night at Ashton Image Works. On this bag, if she could get it. If she didn’t have to move, even better. She wondered what would work as a blanket…

A shadow descended on her. The bag dipped at her side. She didn’t need to open her eyes to know who sat down next to her. Her nerve endings were already going berserk.

“Who’s winning,” she asked, not opening her eyes.

“I am,” Kyle said.

“Surprise, surprise. So why aren’t you playing?”

“It was getting repetitious.”

She felt the corner of her mouth lift up. Only Kyle Ashton would find winning boring.

“You should head home,” he whispered in her ear. He was so close that her skin tingled. “Go to bed.”

Will you tuck me in?
The question bubbled on her tongue and she quickly pressed her mouth closed.

“Do you need a ride?” he asked softly.

“No!” Her eyes popped open. She tried to erase the image of Kyle’s sports car pulling up next to her DIY truck. “I got that covered. But thanks.”

Amusement danced in his light green eyes. “You don’t want me to know where you live?”

How did one answer that without offending? One didn’t. “Do you want
me
to know where
you
live?”

“Don’t you already?”

“Yes, okay,” she admitted. “I know your address—
addresses
—but it’s not like you want me to drop by and say hi.”

“Why not?”

Did she have to spell it out? “Because I’m your receptionist.”

“What’s wrong with being my receptionist?”

“Nothing!” Terrific. Now he thought she was complaining. “It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”

“Aw.” Kyle groaned and looked away. “And here I thought you were different from all the other yes-men I’ve met tonight.”

“I’m not just saying that.” Sheesh, tell the truth and where did it get her?

“Sure you are. What other jobs have you had?”

That was dangerous territory. “Go look at my resumé.”

“Come on, Molly.” He said it so seductively that Molly’s toes curled. “Tell me the ones that didn’t make it on your resumé.”

Oh, he was good, but nothing would induce her to share that information. “It doesn’t matter. Ashton ImageWorks offers the best pay and medical insurance. I’m here to stay.”

“There’s not much advancement in being an executive assistant’s assistant.”

She wrinkled her nose. “We really need to work on that title.”

“I’ll get right on it.” He smiled and Molly felt her heart do a flip.

“I’m not looking to advance,” she said in a nervous rush. What she said was true. It was the main reason Sara hired her. Her boss didn’t want to train someone every year.

A cynical smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. “Everyone is looking to get ahead.”

“Not me.”

His gaze connected with hers. “Even you.”

“The only thing I want to get ahead on is my bills.” She froze as the words left her mouth.

What had she said? Her mind frantically scanned her words. She shouldn’t have said anything about the bills. Or the benefits. It totally went against the “trust fund baby” image.

Okay, bills. People could think she had an outrageous Nordstrom’s bill. But the benefits? She winced. No heiress worried about insurance premiums!

“Wow.” Molly stood up abruptly. “I had no idea it was this late. I should go.”

Kyle moved to get up. “I can still give you a ride.”

“I’m good,” she said as she hurried away. No telling what she’d say as the throaty purr of a sports car lulled her to sleep. “But thanks.”

It was Saturday afternoon when Kyle walked into the kitchen and almost collided into the head of security.

“Timothy?” Kyle asked as his friend jumped away from the door with amazing reflexes. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going on a weekend getaway with Jan. No, Cindy. Marsha?”

“Carol.”

“Right.” Kyle headed for the refrigerator. “What happened?”

“Why do you think I’m here?” Timothy made a face. “Because someone is trying to steal our idea before it’s patented. I am going to take him down and then I’ll go on vacation.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Kyle said as he reached into the refrigerator and retrieved an ice cold water bottle.

“Yeah, I do.” His friend’s tone took on an edge. “My sweat, blood, and tears built this place as much as yours did.”

“True.” Was that why he was the unnamed insider for the tell-all book? Was he not given enough credit for the sacrifices he made? Did he not receive enough credit?

“When was the last time you went on vacation?” Timothy asked. “It’s been a while.”

“I go to one of my weekend homes to relax.”

“Yeah?” His friend folded his arms across his chest. “And when was the last time you went to one?”

Kyle rolled his eyes. “If you are trying to prove that you are better at finding a balance between work and life, then consider yourself the winner.”

“Not quite.” Timothy rested his hip against the kitchen counter. “After all, I’m here on a Saturday when I should be getting laid at a romantic bed and breakfast. Have you heard that most of the working population doesn’t come to work on the weekends?”

“It’s a myth,” Kyle said as he drank the water.

“Yeah, it must be.” He thumbed toward the door. “I even saw Molly wandering around here today.”

Water spurted from Kyle’s mouth. “Molly? Molly Connors?”

“Yeah. Isn’t she an hourly?”

“Don’t worry. Her overtime won’t break the bank.” But what
was
she doing here?

“Since when do receptionists work while the office is officially closed?”

“Since that receptionist is working hard to be Sara’s assistant,” Kyle informed him.

“Ah.” Timothy nodded with understanding.

“And since when have you been so suspicious?”