He cocked his head to the side, wishing he could find a way to convince her how special she was. “Your work is just as important. We both give hope to our small patients and their parents.”
“Giving hope,” she murmured with a smile. “I like that comparison, even if you’re exaggerating my expertise.”
“Molly, believe me when I say that no woman has ever talked to me the way you did after Josh’s first therapy session,” he said with a wry grin. “Your passion for your work is unsurpassed by anyone I’ve ever met.”
“I let my temper get away from me,” she admitted with a deep blush, making him want nothing more but to take her into his arms. But the waiter arrived with their first course and he had to settle for watching Molly enjoy her salad.
“What made you decide to become a pediatric heart surgeon?” she asked, when she’d finished.
Unwilling to ruin the mood, he gave her the light version. “I always wanted to be a doctor, and once I started my surgical residency I knew cardiothoracic surgery was my area of expertise. Yet once I finished my pediatric rotation I knew that working with kids was equally important. Luckily, I landed a job at Angel’s that allows me to do the most with my little bit of talent.”
“Little bit of talent?” she echoed dryly. “I say you’re underestimating your ability.”
“Giving kids the opportunity to have a normal life is important to me.” He stared at his empty salad plate for a moment. “Yet I almost screwed up with Josh, big time.”
“Josh loves you,” she protested quickly.
He forced a smile. “Yeah, we’re getting back on track. And I’m thrilled he’s getting stronger every day. Today we went to another movie and for the first time in a long time he didn’t ask for you to come with us.” When he realized how that might have sounded, he tried to backpedal. “I mean, he loves having you around, but—”
She interrupted him with a laugh. “Don’t worry, I understand. It’s okay, he should want to spend time with you. You’re his father.”
As he gazed at Molly across the table, her red-and-gold hair glowing from the light of the fire, he realized that Molly would be an excellent mother. Far better than Suzy. Far better than his own.
And he was one lucky son of a gun to be here with her. Especially when she had no idea how unique and special she was.
He was sure his food tasted wonderful, but he didn’t really pay much attention, having more fun watching Molly as she enjoyed every aspect of their meal.
He forced her to split the chocolate mousse for dessert and longed to lean forward to taste the chocolate from her lips instead of just from the spoon.
After they finished dinner, he followed her back outside to his car. “Thanks for the lovely dinner, Dan,” she said as they approached his car.
He hoped, prayed the night wasn’t over yet, but he didn’t say anything as he closed her passenger door behind her and then walked around to slide into the driver’s seat.
The ride back across town to her apartment didn’t take long. When he was within a block or two of the parking garage he glanced over at her, feeling a little bit panicked at the thought of letting her go. “Molly, I don’t want the evening to end.”
She went still, before she glanced up at him. “Is that your way of asking if you can come up?”
His gut clenched. “Yes, Molly. I want to come up with you, spend the night making love with you. But only if that’s what you want, too.”
When she didn’t answer right away, he figured he’d pushed too hard. But then she nodded. “I’d like that,” she murmured in a low voice.
He let out his breath in a soundless sigh. Last night they’d been carried away by the slow dancing and champagne. Tonight it was a deliberate decision, on his part and on hers. One that he didn’t want her to regret.
“I’m so glad,” he said. “I was afraid you were going to make me beg.”
“Never,” she murmured with a laugh, and the last of his tension eased away.
He’d never looked forward to being with anyone the way he wanted to be with Molly.
Molly couldn’t believe Dan had spoken so bluntly about how he wanted to spend the rest of their night. As they rode the elevator up to her apartment, she was tempted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. He’d been so wonderful, so attentive at dinner. For the first time in so long she felt beautiful, special.
And she wanted to hold on to that feeling for at least a little while longer.
She couldn’t believe this was a mistake. Not when it felt so right. They were going to make love. She knew it. He knew it. For some reason, inviting him up last night had been easier but, oddly enough, she found tonight to be more romantic.
At least now she knew that he truly wanted her. Almost as much as she wanted him.
Still, she was nervous about taking this step, knowing that once they made love there was no going back. As they stepped into her apartment, she mentally kicked herself for not going out to buy some wine today, rather than window shopping.
“I only have soft drinks to offer you,” she said apologetically, when he’d closed the apartment door. She turned to go into the minuscule kitchen to get something for them to drink out of the fridge.
“Molly …” The way he said her name made her heart melt, and when he stopped her and pulled her close she didn’t resist. “I didn’t come here for something to drink. I came here for you.”
Before she could say anything more, he lowered his head and kissed her. Instantly, she forgot everything except how much she loved his mouth taking possession of hers.
Somehow he slid her coat off without her knowing, gathering her close as he deepened the kiss. She clung to his broad shoulders, enjoying the combination of sweetness and strength.
When he lifted his head and led her down the hall toward her bedroom, she gasped for breath and tried to gather her scattered thoughts.
“Are you sure Josh is all right?” she asked, when they entered her bedroom. Was she crazy to be here with him like this? “Maybe you should check on him.”
Dan yanked her close and kissed her again. “Are you stalling?” he asked a minute or so later. “Nothing short of a tornado is going to stop me from making love to you tonight.”
She laughed, but then her mouth went dry when he gently pulled her sweater up and over her head. In mere seconds he’d loosened the waistband of her skirt until the garment fell and pooled at her feet. Her bra and panties quickly followed.
For a moment she wanted to cover herself, but then his eyes darkened as he gazed at her. “You’re so incredibly beautiful, Molly,” he said in a voice husky with need.
She couldn’t speak, but tugged at his clothes until he was as naked as she was. And then he kissed her, and kept kissing her, even as he picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
Warmth radiated from his skin and she trailed her hands up and over his biceps, enjoying the sensation of springy hair as she reached his chest, softening the strong muscles. She loved being able to touch him. All over.
Everywhere.
When she trailed her hands down to his magnificent butt, he growled low in his throat and left a trail of kisses as he made his way down to her breast.
She gasped and arched her back when he licked and suckled her nipple. Moving restlessly beneath him, she tried to pull him closer.
“Plenty of time,” he murmured between kissing the tip of one breast and then the other. “I want to taste every inch.”
Dear heaven, she wanted that, too.