Shocking Sapphires - Ann Omasta Page 0,35

don’t have your number,” I reminded him. I’d always just shown up at his room with Scout, so there’d never been a reason for us to exchange numbers. The few times I’d called to let him know I would be late or to see if he needed anything, I’d called the facility and asked to be patched through to his room phone.

He seemed to accept that, but it didn’t ease the tortured look on his face. His voice was filled with emotion when he asked, “How could you just dump us like that, Molly? I get why you would tire of me, but haven’t you missed Scout? He didn’t do anything to deserve this, yet you haven’t even reached out once to see him.”

“I’ve missed him desperately every single second of every single day.” Deciding I might as well admit the full truth, I added, “I’ve missed you both… so much.”

His eyes were sparkling with surprise, but I couldn’t imagine that he didn’t realize I would miss them both. Latching on to his misstatement, I said, “And for the record. I didn’t dump you two. I would never do that. You’re the one who released me from my job with no warning, hired someone to replace me, and wouldn’t let me near you to even request an explanation.”

“I didn’t do any of those things.” He was shaking his head to back up his words. “You found another job and quit on us with no notice then stopped coming around at all. I was so devastated that I decided I might as well go back to California where I at least knew some people.”

My mouth hung open at his accusations as I worked to process what had truly happened. “I thought you arranged that job for me, so you wouldn’t have to feel guilty for letting me go.”

“Why would I have ever willingly let you go? You were amazing with Scout. And me.”

Realization dawned on us both at the same time. We said the name, “Eva,” in unison.

Grant ran a hand through his thick, wavy hair before saying, “She manipulated us both to get her way.”

I nodded before saying, “And you two broke up anyway, right?”

“We were never really together, but yes, we officially cut ties with each other,” he confirmed before adding, “She’s not the one I want.”

My heart hammered wildly in my chest, despite my mind’s silent warning to it to calm down. Forcing my lips up into a fake smile, I said, “Yes, I saw you with Kristen Lawrence today. You two make a great couple.”

Grant started to respond, but his words were overshadowed by the booming voice of Cole Daniels saying, “Molly, my love, there you are,” just before he tipped me back and planted a wet kiss on my lips.

29

Molly

I smacked at Cole’s chest, but he had literally swept me off my feet, so I wasn’t able to get away from him without risking falling to the ground. Instead, I turned my face to the side and said, “Eww. Stop it.”

Cole reluctantly placed me back on my feet, but he kept his paw possessively around my shoulder. I tried to wiggle away, but he had a firm grasp on me.

“Let the lady go,” Grant said in a low voice that I’d only ever heard him use against villains in his movies.

“She’s with me,” Cole spat, before goading Grant, “Besides, what are you going to do about it, roll over my toes?”

“I most certainly am not with you, nor will I ever be,” I said firmly before extricating myself from the rude man’s grasp.

Once I backed out of the way, Grant wheeled closer to him. “Want to see what I’ll do about it? How about this?”

One of his powerful arms lunged out and landed a hit directly in Cole’s gut. The man doubled over before saying, “This isn’t fair. I can’t fight a helpless cripple.”

“Sure, you can,” Grant offered. Pointing to his chiseled jawline, he encouraged the other man, “Come on. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

When Cole reared back to take a punch at Grant, I squealed and lifted my hands to my face. Unable to keep from peeking out, I saw Grant stop Cole’s fist with his strong right hand, just before popping Cole in the eye with his left.

“Oh, that’s going to leave a bruise,” I quipped, enjoying watching Grant teach this jerk a lesson.

“Now, get out of here unless you want more of that because I’d be more than willing to continue beating your