When You Dare - Lori Foster [83]
But first…first she had a phone call to make. And unlike her husband, she never did so without the privacy needed.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
AS MOLLY HURRIED UP the stairs, her thoughts churning over what Dare had said and his promise for the night, a fantastic change in her plot occurred to her. That’s how her writing went—she got inspiration from everywhere, and Dare certainly inspired her muse in remarkable ways. So far, there was more sex in this book than in any of her others.
Her dad would abhor that, but she’d bet Kathi would appreciate the new scenes. Most of her readers seemed to enjoy a little steam now and then.
Since meeting Dare, she could understand why.
Closing the door to the stairs, Molly leaned back and grinned.
“Is that a look of satisfaction?”
She jumped at the intrusion. Somehow she’d forgotten all about Chris. “What? No. I mean…”
He laughed at her.
“You’re terrible,” she accused without any real insult. “Actually, I just worked out a plot problem, that’s all.”
“Mmm. Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
She opened her mouth, but could think of nothing witty to say. “Where’s my stuff?”
“I put the bags in the room you’re using upstairs.” His smile never wavered. “So, where’s Dare?”
“Taking a shower. He said he’d be up in twenty minutes.” That didn’t leave her much time. She wanted to get the words down before Dare finished. “I, um…” She edged away. “I need to go write.”
“Have at it.” Chris saluted her and went back to unloading some groceries.
Forty minutes and six pages later, Molly saved her file and returned to the kitchen. Chris was at the computer, but looked up to smile at her as she entered. “You done?”
She nodded. “For now.”
Dare stood at the stove, cracking eggs into a bowl. They shared a look. “Chris said you were writing.”
“My muse takes some wild jumps, and good plot twists just occur to me. I like to get it on paper while the idea is fresh in my mind.”
Chris sat back in his chair. “Am I old enough to hear the details?”
“Sorry, no.” He was teasing again, but Molly answered with a writer’s seriousness. “I never, ever talk about my stories while I’m writing them. It dilutes my creative energy.”
“We can’t have that.” Chris laced his fingers behind his neck and stretched. “So, how long will it be before I can buy a copy?”
“A year, at least.” It amazed Molly how comfortable she felt with them both already. She took a seat at the bar. “After I turn it in, which won’t be for a while yet, it has to go through production. But when it’s done, I’ll give you an autographed copy if you want.”
“Really?” Chris dropped his arms and leaned forward. “If you’re serious, that’d be great.”
“I owe you anyway, for driving into town for me today.”
Dare poured his egg mixture onto a hot griddle. “You going to sign one to me, too?”
Why Dare’s question made her blush, Molly couldn’t say. She looked down at her hands. “If you want, I’d be happy to.” The thought of Dare reading her both pleased and worried her. His opinion mattered, a lot. “Molly?”
When she looked up at him, he said, “I’m going to pick up your other books, too.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
He flashed her an intimate smile. “You’ve got me curious.”
Aware of Chris watching them, Molly cleared her throat. “What I meant is that I have my own stash of author copies, so you don’t need to buy them. When I get back to my apartment, I can package some up and mail them to you.”
Dare sent her a look. “I’ll have brunch ready in a few minutes.”
All she’d had was the cold cereal earlier, and the crepes smelled delicious. “Thanks.”
Then Dare said, “We’re heading up to your apartment today, but no need to mail the books back. We’re only going for a short stay.”
A short stay. Molly stared at Dare in disbelief. She had assumed they’d go up and back. She needed to see her sister and check