When Hearts Collide - By James, Kendra Page 0,54

Pearce saw the fire in her cheeks. Did he know how she longed to be a mother, longed for a family to call her own? Though she longed for a child of her own, Gracie had captured her heart. How was she ever going to be able to leave her? Or this man who, like his child, had ensnared her heart. How could she leave him?

In the stillness of the room, Molly kept vigil over her now sleeping charges. It was just before sunrise when Molly shook his shoulder. “Pearce, Pearce. Her fever’s broken. I think she’ll be okay now. You need to go to bed. You can’t sleep in that chair all night.”

His head jerked up, and Molly found herself caught in the dark blue pools of his eyes. His lips curved into a gentle smile, and his hand reached up and caressed her cheek. “Oh, Molly, how can I ever thank you?” His hand branded into her flesh. “You have done so much for us.”

She looked away from the intensity in his eyes. She couldn’t reveal to him how much it meant to her to be here, to feel part of his family. That it wasn’t work when you looked after people you cared about. How could she tell him how fond she’d become of both of them? Her mouth felt like she’d been walking in the desert for days. How could she tell him that she no longer did it for the money? That she stayed because she’d fallen in love with him, fallen in love with both of them.

“Let me help you back to bed.”

Pearce used the arms of the chair to get himself upright. Molly slid her arm around his back and helped him hobble to his room. He was worn out by the time he reached the bed and flopped down on the mattress.

Before Molly could move away, his face turned toward her. His lips were so close, the heat of his breath tickled her cheek. Then his lips were brushing her skin. Her breath caught in her throat. An uneven sigh escaped his lips, tickling hers just before they met. She felt the soft touch of his mouth and returned the pressure.

He groaned as her lips parted and his tongue teased hers, intensifying the kiss, intensifying her response. She leaned into him. His fingertips caressed the tender hollow of her neck. Her heart raced and tiny electric shocks sprinted along her shoulders.

Then his hand traced downward, a whisper touch to her soft curves. A shudder ran through her. His hand cupped her breast, and she felt her nipples react through the thin cotton of her nightie. She leaned into him.

What was she doing?

“No. We can’t.” Molly pulled away so quickly she almost lost her balance. Turning so he couldn’t see the tears trickling down her face, she ran out of the room.

Molly woke the next morning to the sound of Gracie laughing. She glanced at the clock on the dresser. 9:15. She’d overslept. Where was Gracie? The laugh sounded like it was coming from outside. She scrambled out of bed. How did she get outside? Was anyone with her? Molly raced to the window.

Below, on the patio, she saw Gracie, fully dressed and throwing a ball for Trooper. Pearce sat in his wheelchair at the patio table drinking a cup of coffee. He also was fully dressed.

She threw on a pair of slacks and a T-shirt and raced down the stairs. Her heart sank into her chest as she realized her time here would soon be ending. Soon neither of them would need her. Pearce looked up as she slid open the patio door.

“Hello, sleepy head.”

“Pearce, I’m sorry. I overslept.”

He was grinning, and the twinkle in his eyes made him look ten years younger. Molly felt the blush coloring her cheeks. Overdue for a haircut, his black hair curled down the nape of his neck, and she resisted the urge to reach out and run her fingers through the waves. He’d been going outside every day, and now a bronze gleam replaced his hospital pallor. Molly stopped in her tracks. He was so attractive she had to swallow the lump in her throat before she could breathe, or speak.

“How did Gracie get dressed? Has she eaten yet?”

“I told her to bring her clothes down here and let you sleep. You’ve been overdoing it lately, what with looking after me, and Gracie, especially when she got sick. Now she’s