Wilder Than the Rest: MacLarens of Fire Mountain (14 page)

Mollie told herself Pierce was doing his job, getting close to someone who might have information on the activities being investigated. Her heart had an altogether different reaction. She knew it for what it was—jealousy. She’d heard of it, watched as others had experienced it. The feeling was new to her, and she didn’t like it.

She turned at the entrance to the dining hall just in time to see Georgiana place a hand on Pierce’s arm as they walked inside. The woman gazed up at him and smiled. Mollie suspected Pierce had made an assignation with Mrs. Grayson and scolded herself for the pain that sliced through her at the thought. She steeled herself as they stopped beside her.

“Mollie, I’d like you meet Mrs. Georgiana Grayson. Georgiana, my wife, Mollie.”

Georgiana looked Mollie up and down before an almost feral smile tilted her lips up.

“It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Grayson.”

“No, dear, the pleasure is all mine,” Georgiana responded and tightened her hold on Pierce’s arm.

Pierce felt the pressure from Georgiana’s hands, watched the scene play out between the two women, and noticed the strained faces even as each tried to hide them. He was doing his job and he believed with every fiber of his being that Mrs. Georgiana Grayson would be able to provide more information about the war chest, as Chaz had termed it.

He’d learned during their brief conversation that the woman adamantly opposed the current president and would welcome his departure from office. If he hadn’t misread signs, she seemed to have a profound dislike of the man, almost bordering on hate. Pierce was determined to get close enough to her to learn more about the people behind the money.

“Shall we?” He held out his other arm to Mollie and escorted both women inside.

******

Supper was a magnificent affair with stunning dishes that Mollie couldn’t pronounce. She and Pierce sat at a table with Gerald and Viola Black, Harold and Lottie Goss, a gentleman who worked for Gerald, and Georgiana, who had planted herself on the other side of Pierce.

Mollie tried to act unaffected when, midway through the meal, she saw that Georgiana had rested a hand on Pierce’s arm as she spoke. He made no attempt to remove it. She found herself wondering if all women, married and widowed, were as bold when pursuing married men or if Mrs. Grayson and Virginia Traxton were exceptions. The fact that they weren’t actually husband and wife helped Mollie deal with the intense dislike she felt for both women, although not by much.

She was thankful when the dessert plates were cleared and the music began. The Mayor and his wife led off the first dance, with other couples joining them. Mollie pretended interest in the couples on the dance floor until she realized Pierce had stood and was offering his hand to Mrs. Grayson, disregarding the custom of the first dance being with your spouse. He didn’t even look at her, simply led the beautiful widow onto the floor.

Mollie couldn’t define the incredible hurt she felt, even though the rational side of her knew it was ridiculous to feel anything for the man who was her partner, who had a vested interest in solving the case—a man who’d kissed her senseless, leaving her confused and thrilled. He was doing his job, as he should be, and it was time for Mollie to do hers.

“Mrs. MacLaren, would you do me the honor of a dance?” Lloyd Johnson stood next to her, his hand extended, offering a warm, sincere smile.

“I would love to, Mr. Johnson.”

The band played a beautiful waltz and Mollie discovered Lloyd was a very good dancer. She also realized he was a very good-looking man. He was older than Pierce, not as tall or as broad across the shoulders as her partner. He had a flat stomach, unlike many of the other men who had allowed their middle to jut out beyond their belts.

“Are you enjoying yourself tonight, Mrs. MacLaren?” Lloyd asked as he kept hold of her when a second song started.

“Immensely, Mr. Johnson. However, I do have one request.”

His lips turned up in a slow grin. “And what is that?”

“I’d like you to call me Mollie.”

“It would be my pleasure. And you must call me Lloyd.”

She nodded up at him as they continued the dance. “Tell me what you do at the law firm, Lloyd.”

“That’s easy. I am the majority partner, so I work on only the most difficult or highly publicized cases. In addition, I try to bring in new clients and cases.” He peered down at her. “I would love to host you for lunch some afternoon. Your husband too, of course.”

“That would be lovely. However, I believe my husband may be finding other ways to occupy his free time.” She glanced at Pierce who had danced within a few couples of them. If she hadn’t mistaken it, Mollie thought she’d seen him glare over Georgiana’s shoulder at Lloyd the last time they’d swirled past.

Lloyd followed Mollie’s gaze. “I see. Well, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Georgiana’s charms wear thin after a while.”

“You sound as if you have experience.” Mollie’s tone was light, non-accusing.

He laughed. “I knew her husband, Walter, for a long time. He was a good friend and confidante. That’s the main reason I didn’t handle his legal affairs. I’ll only say she has a vast appetite and has never made a distinction between single and married men. However, I have no first-hand experience with the woman.” He watched Mollie’s eyes cloud. “If I were you, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. If your husband is a smart man, and I’d wager he is, he’ll see through her mischief. Whatever happens between the two won’t last long. It’s the way of it, Mollie.”

She bit her tongue. Mollie had no real experience at this level of society and realized the types of assignations Georgiana sought might be quite common in this world. “Why did Mr. Grayson put up with her, well, activities?”

“The reason most men would, and the reason you might put up with your husband’s dalliances, if he has them. Walter was besotted with her.”

Mollie fell silent, wondering if it truly was that easy or common for some men and women to ignore their vows and seek pleasure somewhere else. She chose to change the subject.

“What do you think of our president?” Her question took Lloyd by surprise. He chuckled at her seemingly sincere interest in his response.

“You are full of surprises, Mollie. To be honest, I’m not a fan. The man seems pleasant enough and honorable, but I believe a good number of his policies are misguided.”

The music stopped and Lloyd escorted Mollie back to her seat.

“If we don’t see each other again this evening, please be assured that an invitation will be sent out early next week for our meeting.” He kissed her hand before pulling out her chair.

Mollie watched him leave, realizing she was looking forward to seeing him again and discovering what other information he might provide. It was quite obvious he was well connected, moved in the right circles, and most importantly, he wasn’t a proponent of the president. Eva and Chaz were right to put the lawyer on the list—there was much she could learn from him.

Pierce had not returned to their table. Mollie looked around the large room, expecting to see him on the dance floor with Georgiana. He emerged a moment later, Mrs. Grayson on his arm, both laughing.

Georgiana dropped her gaze from Pierce long enough to notice Mollie watching them. She pulled Pierce down to place a kiss on his cheek and whisper something in his ear. He stared at her then nodded.

Mollie swallowed the bile forming in her throat as she watched the spectacle they made.
It’s just a job to him,
she chanted to herself repeatedly, wishing she could believe it. She didn’t understand why she was having such a hard time on this assignment, when this had never been an issue before. Granted, the other case didn’t involve beautiful women and Pierce wasn’t asked to use his charm and good looks to draw information from the women he targeted. Still, before their current job started, Mollie remembered disliking him to the point of almost walking away. She no longer felt that way and couldn’t identify when everything had changed.

“Mollie, would you care to dance?” Pierce asked after he’d seated Georgiana.

“Not now, Pierce. Please feel free to spend your evening with Georgiana as you’ve done for most of the night.” She turned away, pulling out the list from her small purse and looking over the names. Perhaps she had time to meet at least one more gentleman before it was time to leave. She didn’t notice that he still stood over her, glaring down and wondering what in the hell was wrong with her.

Pierce did as Mollie suggested and took several more turns on the dance floor with Georgiana. They had made an arrangement to meet later that week for a late breakfast. He believed Georgiana expected they’d move from breakfast to bed, but that wasn’t going to happen. He would need to be very careful how he handled this, so it didn’t blow up.

He’d never admit it, but a few months ago, he wouldn’t have considered refusing an invitation to bed a beautiful, willing woman. It wouldn’t have bothered him a whit. Now, he had no desire for the stunningly gorgeous woman he’d held in his arms most of the night. There was just one woman he wanted, and right now, he couldn’t have her. When this was over, however, the rules would change and he would go after what he’d desired for months.

Chapter Thirteen

“I was doing my job,” Pierce explained for the third time, his frustration evident in the set of his jaw and narrowing of his eyes.

“I know, and you were doing it with obvious pleasure, completely ignoring me. We’re still supposed to at least put up a front that we’re married.” Mollie hissed and tried to slam the door, but his foot stopped it. He pushed the door open, glaring at her and daring her to try to stop him from entering. “Do you know what Lloyd Johnson said?”

“No, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.” His words were hard, measured, his eyes slits.

She stepped backward, her eyes blazing as Pierce stalked toward her after kicking the door closed. “He told me not to worry. That you’d grow tired of her quickly,” she huffed. “That’s how obvious it was.”

“It wasn’t meant to be a secret, Mollie. Georgiana made no attempt to hide her interest in me. I was just returning the attention.” He was inches from her now, not backing down at all.

“If that’s how this is going to happen, then the same rules apply to me.” She matched him stare for stare.

“I believe you’ve already demonstrated that.”

“Demonstrated what?”

“That you are fully capable of playing by the same rules as me.” He turned from her, paced a few feet away, squeezing the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “You know what?” His voice was low and husky as he walked back toward her with slow deliberation.

“What?” Her sarcastic tone wasn’t lost on Pierce.

“I didn’t much like the way you threw yourself at Lloyd Johnson, either.” His tone was hard, rough.

“I did no such thing,” Mollie shot back. “I only did the same as you were doing with Georgiana.” She drew the woman’s name out in a caustic sneer.

“Is that so?” He was within inches of her, staring down into soft brown eyes that had darkened to a deep chocolate, his lean, tall frame towering over her.

“Yes.” Mollie tilted her chin up in defiance. She felt her body warm and tried to back further away from the source of the heat, but he’d have none of it. Her legs hit the edge of her mattress. She felt trapped, glancing around Pierce to locate a means of escape, but saw none.

With dawning amusement, he leaned down. “And what was I doing with Georgiana?” His voice was soft, thick, almost menacing in its intensity. His hands moved to her arms and lightly gripped her shoulders. “Tell me, Mollie. What was I doing?”

She tried to shift her gaze away from the deep blue eyes that mesmerized and scared her all at once. Her heart beat so rapidly she felt like it would explode from her chest. She felt sure Pierce could hear it.

“You were... Well…” Her voice caught.

“What?” Pierce’s breath wafted over her, causing heat to pulse through her body.

Mollie lowered her chin before she felt firm, warm fingers grasp it and tilt her face up. She kept her eyes closed, scared of what he’d see in them if they were open.

“Mollie, look at me,” Pierce encouraged as his lips brushed softly across hers. Instead, she squeezed them more tightly together. She didn’t see the slight smile that crossed his face as he moved his lips over hers a second time without breaking contact, increasing the pressure while his hands rubbed restlessly up and down her arms. He stopped abruptly, pulled back a couple of inches, and waited.

Mollie’s eyes drifted open as a slow sigh escaped her lips.

What Pierce saw in them thrilled and terrified him. The look she gave him did nothing to cool his raging desire. If anything, his blood flamed more intensely, and he knew he’d pushed them both further than he’d ever intended.

He lowered his mouth to hers once more. His tongue outlined her lower lip, seeking entrance to the delectable sweetness inside. She opened for him as her hands came up around his neck and pulled his head to her. He plunged inside, tasting a combination of strawberries and sherry, losing himself in the feel of her.

His body was on fire. He couldn’t remember ever wanting a woman the way he wanted Mollie. No one had ever caused his blood to boil the way she could.