Scorched(6)

Molly’s shoulders relaxed slightly as she listened to him confess to needing her. She knew he had a valid point. For the past several weeks, her life had revolved around their little girl and her crusade to deliver Nick and Mannie a picture-perfect commitment ceremony. To his credit, Devil had been incredibly supportive…by Devil’s standards, at any rate. More than a little bit ashamed of herself, she realized that her own relationship with her husband had been the last thing on her mind.



Dropping her head against Devil’s solid chest, she released a long breath as she felt his strong arms slip around her. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled against his throat. “I guess I’ve gotten a little carried away with everything.”



“Yeah, I got that when your six-week checkup came and went with absolutely zero fanfare,” Devil replied, smiling against Molly’s temple.



Eyebrows furrowing as his statement sank in, Molly’s jaw dropped. That couldn’t be right, could it? She’d have noticed being told she could resume sexual relations with her husband, wouldn’t she? Thinking back to her last doctor appointment, she grimaced when she remembered it was on the same day that she’d met with the florist from hell. She’d spent over two hours haggling prices and convincing the stubborn woman that a blend of purple orchids and white antique roses could be done for the wedding reception if that was what the grooms wanted. She’d gotten her way, but it had been a bloody battle. She’d ended up being thirty minutes late for the doctor and extremely harried, and her OB had been rushed when he’d seen her, working her in between two of his scheduled appointments. She remembered discussing birth control and had taken a handy-dandy shot, but obviously she hadn’t planned on actually needing it! Honestly, in the interest of her sanity she’d tried to banish that supremely irritating day from her mind.



And now, as she looked up into Devil’s face, she realized what a grave mistake she’d made. “Devil, I’m sorry,” she whispered, feeling emotional as tears stung her eyes. Ever since the baby was born, she felt like a walking hormone, crying at the drop of the hat. She’d thought those days would end with the birth of their baby, but she’d been wrong. Really wrong. “I’m a bad wife,” she whispered unhappily.



One of Devil’s large hands fell against her hip and squeezed firmly. “Now, that’s just bullshit,” he objected sternly, his jaw hardening as he stared into Molly’s expressive eyes. “It’s been a crazy month. New baby, gay friends committing their lives to one another, needy husband… you haven’t exactly had it easy, darlin’.”



“Still…” Molly whispered, trailing off as she dropped her eyes to stare at the floor. “I should have done better,” she admitted through a thick throat, her nose stinging ominously.



“Molly, if you cry, I’m not gonna be happy, babe. There’s nothing here for you to be sorry about, okay? I just want us to take tonight and devote a few hours to each other. Sound good?” he asked, pressing a gentle kiss against her forehead.



Molly nodded eagerly as she felt some of the tension start to release from her shoulders. “Sounds really good. Did you have something special in mind?”



“Nothing much beyond being with you. I need to put your flowers in water,” he pointed out, indicating the roses he’d bought for her with a nod to where he’d dropped them on the kitchen table. “What about you? Do you have any thoughts on what you’d like to do this evening?”



“Oh, I’ve got a few things in mind that you just might enjoy,” Molly returned coyly with a wicked grin, her overworked mind starting to formulate a plan. “Why don’t we start by relaxing together? I’ll go draw us a nice, hot bath in the Jacuzzi while you put my gorgeous flowers in water. And, I should say thank you for them, too, shouldn’t I?” she noted huskily, going up on her toes to press a damp kiss to Devil’s lips. “Thank you, Devil,” she breathed, nipping his lower lip as she drew back slightly and smiled at him. “Maybe you could pour us a couple more glasses of wine, too, while I get the bathroom ready for us?” she asked, more than ready to take this night and make things up to her husband. She’d screwed up; it was true, but, he’d reminded her where her true priorities were.



Seizing her lips for another heated kiss before he released her, Devil groaned as he let her go. “Get out of here before I decide that a soak in the Jacuzzi sounds overrated and that our nice, king sized bed seems like a much better option.”