Daddy By Surprise

Like she was aching now.

Four years she’d been married to Lee Summers, and there had been some good times at the beginning. He’d been very attractive, too, and very aware of it. Yet she’d learned the hard way that even strong, attractive men have their weaknesses. Lee’s had killed any feelings she’d had for him.

Gazing now at Devin Gray, she could easily see his attraction, his strengths. And she couldn’t help wondering what his weaknesses were.

Chapter Three

Monday morning, with one eye on the clock, Molly grabbed a box of cereal and her canvas bag before heading out the door. Settling behind the wheel, she inserted the key and turned it. A few chugging sounds, then nothing.

“Ah, c’mon, Bessie,” she coaxed. “I can’t be late today after Hank gave me the whole weekend off.” Usually she had to work either Saturday or Sunday. More gently, she tried again, knowing that sometimes when the car hadn’t been driven in a couple of days, old Bess took her sweet time. However, not even a gasp on the second try. The menacing red light on the dash flashed on.

“Damn!” she muttered under her breath before getting out and propping up the hood. Leaning under, Molly made a quick assessment and moaned out loud. “Not today!”

“Having a problem?” asked a deep, masculine voice at her elbow.

Recognizing the voice’s owner, Molly didn’t even look up. “You could say that.”

“I take it she won’t start. Want me to take a look?” Devin offered. Although she looked cute in her neat white blouse and black slacks, trying not to get dirty as she stared into the innards of the Honda, he could all but see steam rising from her in frustration.

“I know what’s wrong,” Molly muttered in exasperation.

“You do?” Most women he’d run across knew zip about car engines. “What is it then?”

“The alternator.” Molly removed her blond head from beneath the hood. “I knew it was on its last legs, but I’d hoped it would hold out another few paydays.” There went her carefully planned budget. Ken at the auto repair service had warned her, but she’d stubbornly held out.

Not convinced she knew an alternator from a radiator, Devin persisted. “Mind if I try anyhow?”

“Suit yourself,” Molly said, wondering whom she could call to beg a ride from.

Devin got behind the wheel and gave the key a couple of useless tries, then noticed the red warning light. He got back out. “Could be your starter, or maybe a broken belt. But more likely your alternator.”

“Yes, I know.”

Puzzled, he studied her. “How do you know so much about cars? Your dad teach you? Maybe a boyfriend?”

Molly shot him a withering glance. “I took a night course in auto mechanics. Much more reliable.” She checked her watch. “Of all days…”

“Listen, it’ll probably have to be towed in to be fixed. That may take awhile. I can give you a ride to work, if you don’t mind riding double on a Harley.” Hands on his hips, he stood watching her. Daring her.

He thought he had her, that she’d sooner walk than ride a motorcycle, Molly thought. He was wrong. She smiled at him. “Thanks. I’d love to.” She grabbed her bag and box of cereal before following him to his bike.

“What’s with the cereal?” he asked over his shoulder.

“Breakfast.” To demonstrate, she stuck her hand in, came out with a fistful of Cheerios which she proceeded to eat. “Fast, efficient and good for you.”

“Uh-huh.” He bent to undo his lock. “Ever ridden one of these?”

Her gaze swept over the huge black-and-chrome machine, but her expression didn’t change. “Not recently. Once, in college, I rode double on a Kawasaki.” She’d done it on a dare and found it fun after her initial fright. She’d done a lot of dumb things in college.

“Well, then, you’re an old hand.” Devin saw the hesitation in her eyes and wondered if she’d woven a story to impress him. One thing he felt was true about Molly Shipman even on short acquaintance was that her independent streak wouldn’t allow her to back down from a challenge.

“Hold on a minute.” Quickly, he ran up to his apartment and was back in short order carrying a white helmet. “You need to put this on.”

“You don’t wear one,” she commented. It was only a couple of miles to the café and that stupid thing would really mess up her hair.

“You’re right and I should. If you want to ride with me, however, you’ll put this on.” It was one thing to risk his own neck and quite another to endanger someone else’s. He didn’t wait for any more arguments but unfastened the strap and slipped the helmet over her head.

The backs of his fingers touched the silk of her hair as he tucked in loose strands. Yes, just as soft as he’d imagined. While she stood perfectly still, he fastened the chin strap in place. Her eyes stayed on his face, making him wonder what she was thinking. He took her bag and cereal box, placing them in the leather tote attached to the back of his bike. “There, all set.”

Devin shoved up the kickstand and mounted, scooting forward on the generous seat. “Okay, climb on behind me.”

Molly hesitated for just a moment, wondering if she’d made a mistake accepting this ride. Probably Trisha could have come over for her by now and they’d be on their way. Taking Devin up on his offer meant she owed him now, and she hated that feeling. However, it was a little late for second thoughts.

Pulling up her pantlegs ever so slightly, she swung a leg over and behind him. The slope of the seat had her scooting right up against his hard body. She felt her pulse take a wild leap as she stared at the back of his head. “Now what?”

Devin pointed out the metal footrests on each side and bent to guide one shoe in place to demonstrate. “Now put your arms around my waist and hang on.”

The roar of the engine as it caught was loud in her ears. There was no turning back now. Molly slipped her arms around his broad back, her hands coming to rest at his sides which caused her torso to slide even closer. She felt the heat rise in her face.

“Not like that.” Devin took her hands and pulled them as far to the front of him as they would reach. “Like that. If you don’t hang on real tight, you’ll fly off if we hit a bump.” Which wasn’t exactly so, but sounded good. “I’m your only anchor so stay close.”

Sprawled across the back of him, Molly couldn’t imagine getting much closer. Beneath her hands, she could feel his ribcage under the thin cotton shirt he wore. Her breasts were flattened against his back, her head turned to the side and pressed to him. This was definitely not how she remembered her last ride in her college days.

Fighting a grin she couldn’t see anyway, Devin started the Harley down the drive as he raised his feet. She’d all but disappeared against his back so that he couldn’t see her in his rearview mirrors. But he could feel her.

Despite the thrumming of the bike, he could feel her heart rapidly beating against his back, could feel the soft flesh of her breasts as they pressed through the thin material of her blouse. He could feel her small, capable hands gripping his shirt in front as if holding on to a lifeline. And he could feel her warm breath as she exhaled in short puffs, revealing her anxiety.

“You okay?” Devin shouted, glancing over his shoulder as he swung onto Thomas Road.

‘Fine,” Molly answered, her voice quavery. The huge machine seemed to hum with a life of its own, causing her body to tremble in rhythm with it. Or was it the nearness of the man plastered to her in a closeness she never would have permitted off the cycle? She drew in a deep breath and smelled soap and the clean scent of man. She felt her heart gallop even faster.

Unbidden, Molly felt her senses stir and come alive. Here she was, curled around a very masculine form after vowing she’d never again put herself in that position. And worse yet, her traitorous body was enjoying the ride far more than her cautious mind. Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes.

Would they never get there? Molly wondered.

Devin wondered if he dared take a circuitous route, whether or not she’d notice. He found himself not wanting to stop, let her off and watch her walk away. Despite all his protests to the contrary, his constant affirmations that work had to come first, he had to admit that he was losing the battle. Not until recently did he realize how very much he’d missed the closeness of a woman.

Boiling it down even further, the nearness of this woman. For there was something about Molly that had him thinking soft thoughts, daydreaming, planning seductions. He wanted to sneak past all the barriers she’d put up since her divorce. He wanted to know more about her so he could figure how best to approach her. He wanted her to willingly and knowingly put her arms around him, not just because she didn’t want to fall off his bike. Now that he’d had the pleasure of being close to her, he wanted more.