Carter's Treasure (32 page)

He climbed on the bed next to her and wrapped himself around her, the heat of his skin burning her. His lips brushed hers lightly.

“This is the last time I’ll ever make love to you as Molly West. From now on, you’ll be Molly Sterling. You’ll be mine.” There was an edge to his voice.

A ripple of need rolled up Molly’s spine. “I’ve been yours since the night we met.” Her admission came out breathless.

Carter kissed her harder the second time, the possession in it not masked. His tongue passed over hers for a few delicious seconds before he made his way to her jaw and down her throat.

He slowed.

His lips gentled over her newest injuries. Carter never kissed that side of her neck roughly anymore, it was always with love and tenderness. Unspoken, but there, a simple acknowledgment of what he’d almost lost. Then, as usual, he let the moment go and moved past it. She had never asked him why. She didn’t have to…she knew.

His mouth continued down her chest, over her heart that was now pounding, to her breasts. Molly ran her fingers through his hair as he took the first in his mouth. She arched back with closed eyes as he moved to the other, the fire in her climbing higher and higher, need quickly eclipsing want.

“Carter,” she begged through a whisper. He was the only one that could give her what she needed now.

His mouth moved lower still, his kisses soft again. His lips settled on her stomach. Her hands moved to his shoulders, and she felt the deep breath he drew in, felt his words spoken against the tight skin of her abdomen.

“No more condoms.”

She ran both hands up his neck, settling her fingers on his cheeks. The shake of her head was slight. Dragging her eyes back open, she looked down her body to see his face, his chin still on her stomach, but his eyes locked on hers.

“No more pills,” she whispered.

His mouth made its way back up her body, this time on a mission. Each pass brought him closer and closer to her. It would be another first of sorts. This time, there would be nothing between them. She would feel him for the first time.

As Carter settled himself between her legs, he touched her cheek in silent understanding as he slowly slid into her body. The air that was in her lungs escaped as a hiss through her teeth. Not from pain, but impatience. Molly needed him now and the man was driving her out of her mind. There was no point in hurrying him, though. He never failed to give her what he knew she needed. A sheen of sweat glistened on her skin while she waited.

Tonight the wait was short.

“Molly,” Carter said under his breath, and then he started to move.

Immediately she felt herself splintering into a million pieces. Her eyes shut so tight she swore she saw stars. When she went tumbling, a high-pitched noise escape from her mouth, right before Carter took it over, kissing her faster and harder. Nipping at her, taking what was his, before slowing and taking more care with the lips he’d just punished, then quickening again. Carter dug his hands into the mattress on either side of her, and she felt the strength in the one last push, heard the grunt of power that came with it. Then he collapsed, sweaty and breathing uncontrollably on top of her.

“I love you, Molly Sterling.”

Carter’s declaration was barely heard. Molly tried to grin at her new last name and hoped he could hear her return the words. “I love you too, Carter.”

~

She grinned as she looked into the full length mirror, watching the three women move around her.

They had decided for a quick wedding. She was completely uncomfortable around a lot of people and Carter knew that. Instead, he insisted on a small, intimate affair with just their closest friends and family. Carter’s family was huge and she hated the thought that it might cause a rift. Their destination wedding had solved that problem. His only request was that it was sooner rather than later.

Molly had had absolutely no problem with that.

Finals week was the first week in May, the last race of the season, and it all ended in Vegas, a huge event with easy access to a wedding. Karen and Erin had quickly put together the small wedding. No attendants, no flower girls. Just the two of them in the small chapel that looked like it belonged in a little country town somewhere, surrounded by those that loved them.

Molly had pinned up the sides of her hair, leaving a sheet of thick gold hanging straight down her back. It was already warm there in May, so she had opted for no panty hose, going with only a white lace thong that she knew Carter would love and a white lace strapless bra underneath the dress.

She yawned as Erin, Connie, and Karen helped her carefully step into the white strapless silk dress with a sweetheart neckline, and pulled it up. The dress had little fabric covered buttons running down the back and a sash that was wide in the front and narrowed in the back to tie in a small bow, leaving the ends hanging long. It was a simple dress, plain almost, but with the full skirt and short train on her tiny little frame, anything else would have been too much.

Karen attached the elbow length veil in place with a small Swarovski clip. Taking a deep breath, Molly turned around for their approval, and was immediately smothered in hugs and kisses.

“Don’t make me cry.” Gentle laughter escaped her mouth as she tried to hold back the tears. “I have on too much mascara.”

“I love you so much, Mol.” Erin said as she hugged her tight. “You mean the world to me. You and Brody are my best friends. Remember, the three of us against the world?”

Molly smiled through the tears at their familiar motto. “Yeah, how could I forget? That got us into more trouble.”

“No, your brother got us into trouble.” Erin laughed and yawned.

Molly grinned. “Well he’s not here to defend himself. So yeah, we’ll blame him.”

“I was there,” Karen said as she hugged both girls. “He is to blame.”

Giggles burst from both girls again, and Molly had to dab beneath her eyes, trying to fix her mascara. “Why can’t this be waterproof? The stinking package said waterproof.”

Both girls yawned again at the same time.

“Why are you girls both so tired? You can’t stand up there on the alter yawning, Molly.” Karen’s chin tilted in suspicion.

Molly bit her lip. They were pretty sure they’d made a clean get away this morning. Carter had sent a text when he got to Brody’s room and promised her he hadn’t run into anyone. Erin had said the same. But when Erin yawned again, they both lost it. Molly was sure their laughter could be heard out into the small church.

“Girls, shh.” Karen waved her hand downward as she looked toward the door of the changing room. “What’s gotten into you two?”

Erin mouthed “into” to Molly and Molly lost it, the little dirty inside joke sending her into a hysterical tizzy.

“You had boys in your room last night, didn’t you?” The anger on Karen’s face would have been more threatening if she wasn’t fighting laughter so hard. Even with her hands on her hips, her face gave her away as it turned redder and redder.

Karen leveled her eyes at both girls, or at least attempted to. When Molly couldn’t stifle the yawn, the suppressed laughter started bubbling up all over again. That was the problem. Molly had a nervous giggle anyway, and once she started, it was like hell trying to get it to stop.

Karen shook her head. “So who did the sneaking?”

Both girls shouted their defenses at the same time, “The boys.”

Connie raised her eyebrow. “I had a feeling my son was to blame.” The crooked grin of the older woman barely hid her amusement.

Molly brought her hands up in surrender. “Technically, I never did anything wrong. I stayed in my room the whole night.”

Erin’s eyes went wide. “Well…I was kidnapped.”

Both mothers’ eyes rose.

Karen shook her head and finally chuckled, letting Molly know she thought it was funny. “We’d better put you back together. You have makeup running everywhere now.”

Erin took the tissue from Molly’s hand and wiped off another smudge. It reminded Molly of the old days, when they’d do each other’s hair and makeup. It had been a friend triangle that ended perfectly—Brody, Erin, and her. Finally after so many years growing up as friends, Brody and Erin had made it official. Now her two best friends were going to make her an aunt.

“Well, Mol. I’d better go find your brother and my seat. Who knows what those boys are up to? With all four of us in here, there’s no one to contain the madness that might be happening out there. I love Carter, Eli, and Jesse, but man, you add Brody to the mix, and those four together are one hot mess.”

Molly grinned and looked at Connie. “I’d say Mike could keep them under control, but from what I’ve seen—he and Sam just join in like little boys. What is it with good looking guys? They’re all freaking as ornery as hell.”

Erin shook her head and blew Molly a kiss as she walked out the door. Connie grabbed her purse and a couple of tissues.

“Ah, let me have one more.” Connie chuckled as she leaned in to hug Molly carefully. “All right, sweetie. We’re so happy to have you in our family, Molly. Tom and I love you.” Her words were cut off as she started to tear up, and she waved her hand in front of her face to try to get herself together. “I’ll leave you two alone. See you in a few minutes.”

When Connie disappeared out the door, Molly checked the clock on the wall for the four thousandth time and let out a breath, bit her lip, and put her finger to the cross at her neck.

“Nervous, sweetheart?”

“No, why?” Molly whispered.

Karen didn’t even have to speak, Molly could tell be the look on her face. Karen’s smile widened even more when Molly dropped her hand.

“Oh. Yeah, I guess so.”

“It has nothing to do with marrying Carter, does it? You’re nervous about walking down the aisle?”

“You know me too well.” Molly grinned and walked into Karen’s open arms.

Karen adjusted the veil. “He makes you happy, doesn’t he?”

“More than I thought possible.”

“I’m so glad, that’s more than we could have ever hoped for. You’ve turned into an amazing young woman, Molly. James and I couldn’t be more proud.”

“I wouldn’t be here today without the two of you. I will never be able to thank you enough.”

“Oh, baby girl, give me grandchildren and we’ll be even.”

“Done.” Molly smiled. “Karen?”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“I’ve been wanting to ask you something for a really long time, but never knew how.”

“What, honey?”

“Is it…would it be okay…um—“

“Sweetheart?”

“Well, I just feel like you and James are more than a couple who took me in when I needed help. I was wondering if maybe it would be all right… I mean, would it be weird if I called you Mom and Dad?” Molly asked, unable to hide the hesitation in her voice. She had wanted this for so long, but it was such an awkward request. The more time that went by, the harder it became. Her stomach rolled once as she bit her lip and nervously waited for Karen’s response.

The embrace she received from Karen was answer enough, but undeniable in the excitement bubbling out of Karen. “Oh my…sweetheart, you’ve just made me happier than I have ever been. We’d love that! We just never suggested it because we thought it might make you uncomfortable. We’ve always considered you our daughter, you know that.”

Molly shook her head yes, not trusting her voice. If she spoke now, she’d end up starting from scratch with her makeup.

A knock at the door startled them both. “Five minutes.”

“Oh, Molly, I love you, so much.” Karen dabbed both of their eyes with a tissue.

As hard as she tried to keep them from escaping, the tears of joy rolled down her cheeks in a fresh wave. Molly hugged Karen again, holding on tight. “I love you too.”

“I better go get Jam—I mean, your father.” She flashed a watery smile at Molly and then walked to the door, blowing her a kiss before pulling the door shut and leaving Molly standing in the room by herself.

Carter stood in his black tux, pulling at his collar. His friends and brothers had been chatting and joking with him, trying to keep him calm, but all he wanted was to be by her side, and even more so to have her in his bed. One by one they all shook hands and left to find their seats with their wife, girlfriend, or date, leaving him with just James and his father. James reached out his hand to his future son-in-law then pulled him into a tight hug.

“You’re a good man, Carter. You take good care of my baby girl.”

“I will, sir.”

“I know you will.” James smiled.

“I know it’s been quick and we’ve been through a lot…it’s been kind of a whirlwind, really. Thank you for trusting me.”

“Well, I do trust you, Carter. She’s happy, as long as you keep her that way, that’s all I can ask.”

“Thank you, James.”

“Well, I better go get my little girl. I’ll meet you up at the altar.” James nodded at Carter as he walked out of the room.

“Well, Son.” Tom straightened his son’s black bow tie.