When You Dare - Lori Foster [157]
“George was okay with carrying on an affair. He said she was worth it.” Dare’s mouth twisted. “But he was also financially compensated.”
“So money was a better motive than love.”
“She paid him with her own allowance, which I gather is substantial.”
“It is.” Kathi had often bragged about the extravagances Bishop lavished on her. He wanted his wife to wear the best of everything, drive the best…be the best. The irony gave her no satisfaction. “I guess Dad was devastated?”
Dare scowled. “A little numb.”
“I understand that.”
“Thing is,” Dare said, “at least now he’ll be alive. If for no other reason than to clean up loose ends, Sagan would have killed him after he got rid of Kathi and George.”
“Dear God.” Abhorrence left her feeling sick. “So much scheming.”
“All of it centered around your stepmother.” Dare lifted her chin. “I don’t get it. She’s attractive enough, but she’s nothing special, so why these men were so anxious to win her over—”
“Under the circumstances, you hardly saw the best of her. Most of the time, she’s a charming hostess.” For as long as Molly could remember, she’d enjoyed her stepmother’s company more than her father’s.
“I saw the real her. That’s what everyone should see.” He kissed her, and that felt so good, so real and honest, that Molly didn’t want it to ever end.
Sliding his hand into her wet hair, Dare ignored the uniformed officer now standing there watching. “Outside earlier… I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
“You had a lot on your mind.” She touched his jaw. “I’m sorry that I punched you.”
Half smiling, Dare put his forehead to hers. “I couldn’t look at you, honey. I knew you were scared, and as much as I needed to separate from everything that had just happened, and how I felt about it, I knew I couldn’t, not if I saw how those bastards had affected you.” He kissed her again, harder this time.
The officer cleared her throat.
“Give us a minute,” Dare said.
Annoyed, she hesitated, then gave one sharp nod. “Make it fast.”
Dare gathered Molly closer. “You need to understand something.”
Her heart started thundering, and her breath felt trapped in her lungs.
“It isn’t just Chris that I love, or my dogs. Christ, Molly, I could have faced off with ten men to keep you safe, because I love you, too.”
Her knees felt weak again. She clutched at him, hopeful, dumbfounded. Elated. “You…?”
Dare smiled. “I love you like I didn’t know I could love anyone.” His eyes glistened, but only for a second. He looked down, took a few breaths, then met her gaze again. “I never thought it was possible, but you fit in here, Molly Alexander. In my life, my home and with my friends. Chris loves you, my girls love you.”
He hesitated, frustrated, and glanced over at the cop. With a roll of her eyes she moved out of sight.
Dare held Molly’s face in trembling hands. “Now that you’ve been here, nothing would ever be the same if you left.”
“Are you…? Do you mean…?” She couldn’t pull together a complete thought. So much had happened, but she knew how she felt, had known for a long time.
But she didn’t want to jump the gun and do or say anything to make Dare’s life more difficult.
“Stay with me, Molly.”
Well, that was pretty clear. “Dare.” God, she loved him. “Are you sure? No, wait.” She put a finger over his mouth. “You’re hurt, and you’ve been through hell tonight. You might not know—”
“I know.”
She shook her head. “I mean, you’ve felt responsible for me for so long—”
“Hell, honey, I feel responsible for almost everyone. That’s not going to change.”
“You do?”
That gorgeous mouth of his curled into a sexy smile. “Everyone smaller, older, weaker, younger—”
Molly couldn’t help but laugh. “And that covers about everyone.”
He shrugged. “Trust me, what I feel for you is different. I’d love for us to be responsible for each other, but it’s more than that. Hell, I don’t know what to call it, because I never felt it before now. But it’s as real as it gets, and it won’t change.”
“I’ve never felt this before, either.” Molly forced herself to think it through, instead of leaping with open arms.