Almost snarling at me in disgust, Cait insisted, "Holler if you need me." She left, and the silence that filled the room was excruciating.

"Just leave, Romeo. I have nothing to say to you," Molly said coldly, looking so damn small in the center of her bed.

She'd given up on me; that much was obvious. My desperate fury took hold, and my hands were literally shaking with fear. I marched over to the bed and shouted, "Well, I have something to say to you!"

Her brown eyebrows drew in and she lashed out, "What? That you've been lying and cheating all this time, and that when you say you're training in the gym, what you really mean is that you're meeting up with Mommy Dearest and that tart?"

"That's not what fuckin' happened at all!" I tried to explain, but she put her hand up and hissed, "Whatever. I don't care. Leave."

I couldn't let her do this, couldn't let her push me away without hearing me out, so I reached out, holding her in my arms, forcing her to listen. "My momma asked me to meet her today. Some kids charity she's on asked for a signed Tide jersey for an auction. I went to drop it off and when I got there, Shelly and Mrs. Blair were waiting with her at the restaurant."

Her lips pursed, like they did when she was studying, and I knew I had her attention. Placing her back on the bed, I explained, "They fucking bombarded me. Shelly'd told them about you and they started going off about how irresponsible I was and all that shit. My momma laid into me and told me if I didn't break it off, she'd make damn sure she did. I can't let that happen to you."

How could she understand the real meaning of what I was saying? I'd never told her about how bad my parents were. She'd seen my daddy hit me, and now my momma manipulate me, but that was just a taster of how they could be. How could I possibly tell her the extent of their cruelty?

Seeing nothing but understanding in my girl's eyes, I confessed, "My folks... they... Look, baby. They treat me real bad. Not going into it, but they do, and I'm their fuckin' son! I couldn't let her upset you in the same way, so I made up some bullshit about you being just a fling, a friend. Shelly's too stupid to even realize I was lying. I stayed for the lunch to appease my momma. No way will anything happen to you. They'd have to get through me first."

Titling her head, she asked, "Why did you lie and say you were going to the gym? Why not just be honest with me?"

"I was honest, I swear. She called when I was finishing up. The plan was to just drop off the jersey and leave."

"But Shelly was touching you. She kissed you and you let her! How could you do that?"

God, how could I make her understand? "Because I don't want my parents to come after you! I had to play along... to protect you. You don't understand what they're like! Powerhouses, Mol. Around here they're fuckin' powerhouses."

Leaning down, I captured Molly's flushed face in my hands. "God, baby. I would never do anything to lose you. Believe me when I say that I sat there and endured their scheming hell to protect you. Fuck Shelly, I can't stand the bitch!" It was true. Any shred of respect I had for that girl had been completely eradicated over the last few days.

Running a hand down my face, I said, "Don't matter now of course."

"Why's that?"

I hadn't even had time to think over what I'd done today and couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh as I did. "Because I told Momma to shove her Blair/Prince marriage merger bullshit when I came gunning after you."

"You did?" she said, hopeful, and I knew I'd gotten through to her, my rigid body relaxing for the first time since she'd bolted into the cab.

Molly watched me as I approached the bed, climbing up, forcing her onto her back with the weight of my body. "Mm-hmm. Told her I ain't ever marrying Shelly because I'm with you. That I'm done with their shit because I'm with you. Plus, I ran down the street after your cab, screaming and banging on the paintwork. I'm sure that hammered home my point."

Her pupils dilated, and she clawed at my hair, bringing me to her lips, only to say, "You need to tell me if you're going through stuff with your parents. Tell me so I can't doubt you. It's hard for me to trust, but I'm learning to trust you. Please... confide in me."

I wanted to, but I wasn't ready yet. I'd never told a damn soul the truth about my parents, about the years of abuse I'd suffered... Never truly acknowledged it until Molly came into my life, showing me things could be different, that I could choose a different path. "Baby... you're safe with me, and I would've told you everything that happened when I got home. I didn't expect to see you. God, it almost destroyed me when I saw your reaction from across the road... and then you ran, after you promised you'd never run from me."

She shuffled beneath me, and, at the movement, my cock hardened and I pushed against her crotch.

Sucking in a sharp breath, she murmured, "I do trust you. I-it just looked bad. She kissed you. I... I didn't like it. I needed to get away."

Grinding harder, I said, "I'll never cheat on you, Shakespeare. You're too damn important to me for that. I told you I'd never fuck around on you, and I don't like to be doubted."

"Okay," she blurted, her breath now ragged and uneven.

I wasn't going to dry-fuck her like some damn horny teen. If she wanted me to give her what she needed, I was going to do it right.

Pushing her thighs apart and securing them in position with my hands, I leaned in and swiped my tongue from her pussy to the tip of her clit. Her hips almost lifted off the mattress as she cried out, testing the roots of my hair as her clenched fists wrapped around the long strands.

She tried to move her legs, but I held her tight as I worked her with my tongue, plundering in and out and sucking on her clit. Her moans were building and she was growing hotter-I knew she was close. My cock throbbed and I knew needed her too come before I came like a damn teenager in my boxers.

With a breathy moan, Mol fell apart, thighs tightening, her fingers pulling on my hair.

She was beautiful.

Moving back to the pillow beside her, I held her tightly in my arms, gripping onto her as if she might change her mind, as if she were going wise up and kick me the hell out of her life at any second. Today had been too close of a call.

After lying still for several minutes, Molly lifted her head, a conflicted smirk on her lips. "God, Rome. You've got me so confused. I never know whether I'm coming or going with you."

I couldn't help but make the obvious joke. "Always coming I hope."

Giggling, she jabbed me in the ribs, but the weight of today began to play on my mind, her now-worried expression pressing me to confess, "I'm not sure if you get the significance of what I did today in coming after you, in leaving my momma like that."

I was never going to tell Molly this, but I was scared shitless, petrified at what she may try to do. As I stared into Molly's golden eyes, I knew I wouldn't survive it if I lost her.

"Don't ever leave me," I whispered, the truthful words almost involuntarily spilling from my mouth in a moment of weakness.

"Hey, what's all this?" she asked soothingly as she pressed loving kisses to the top of my head.

"I just can't believe I've got you in my life. You make everything better and I don't want to lose you."

"I won't leave you."

"You almost did today. You told me to leave you." It came out sounding accusatory, but that shit hurt; it hurt to know I didn't yet have her full trust.

"It was a misunderstanding," she said firmly, but I heard her heartbeat increase slightly as I laid my head on her chest, causing me to look up at her in concern.

Swallowing, she asked, "Truthfully, Rome, how much trouble are your parents going to cause us?"

I didn't know that answer. I wish I did. There was a chance they would let everything go and cut all ties with me once and for all, but knowing my folks, I was preparing for the exact opposite. They could really try and hurt us. And I would protect my girl if it was the last thing I did.

18.

"Tide star QB's lucky kiss with girlfriend to save the season!"

I smirked at Reece as he read tonight's headline from the game report, thinking back in amusement to Molly cringing in the stands as the crowd chanted for her to come to the field and kiss me, wearing the Tide jersey I'd left on her pillow for her this morning-my number on the back, of course, with another sappy note attached.

My jersey for MY girl to wear at the game.

Sit with Ally and I'll come to collect my good luck sweet kiss.

Your Romeo X Yeah, yeah, I was whipped, and I honestly couldn't give two shits about it. In fact, I fucking loved it.

Her legs had shook the entire way to the field, but pride burst in my chest as I showed the hundred thousand fans in the stadium and millions around the world that Molly Shakespeare belonged to me.

As she approached my place at the sideline, I could see her eyes focused on the floor, her lips moving as she muttered words of reassurance to herself. I bet she never thought in a million years that my begging her to come to my game, in the library all those weeks ago, would result in her being put in the spotlight to kiss her quarterback boyfriend due to superstition.

As she stood before me, I inched forward, gripping the nape of her neck, making her focus only on me and, pressing my forehead to hers, I whispered, "Hey, Mol." With that she relaxed, a tiny smile on those pink lips.

"Hey, you."

"You going to give up that lucky sweet kiss?"

"If that's what you want."

She had no idea how much.

"It most definitely is." With that I leaned in and kissed her, my tongue searching for hers-duelling, lapping, owning-and then I broke away before I got too hard in my tight football trousers-family game and all.

The Tide won.

Molly was praised for the power of her lucky kiss, and then my bastard cousin chased me from my girl and ordered me to come back tonight at nine; she'd planned something for Mol. But only Christ knew what she was up to.

It hit eight forty-five and I couldn't wait any longer, so me and the guys headed out to Mol's sorority house. It was like withdrawal whenever we were apart, and I knew it probably wasn't healthy, but quite frankly, I didn't give a shit about that either.

Knocking on the sorority house door, Reece, Austin, Jimmy-Don, and I were greeted by the jock from the other night-Cait, was it? Perfect, we'd hit it off the first time so well.

After rolling her eyes and groaning in disappointment right in my face, Cait left the door open and made her way up the stairs, looking back only to snap, "Stay there. Don't come upstairs! I'll tell the girls y'all are here."

Jimmy-Don looked at me and took off his Stetson, shaking his head. "Cait, Turner, soccer jock and all-state champion. Heard she kicked the crap out of Cody Brown for grabbing her ass a few weeks back." Raising his eyebrow, he asked, "What you done for her to gun for your blood?"

Shrugging, I replied, "Barged in to speak to Mol the other day and kind of wrestled her off the stairs when she tried to outmuscle me."

Austin just shook his head, laughing. "I swear Rome, you sure know how to treat women. If they're not spreading wide for your moody ass, they're trying to kick it!"

"Carillo, fuck off."

As we waited for the girls, Jimmy-Don launched into a story about one of his brothers back in Texas who was into racing monster trucks. He was talking animatedly about a flip when Reece began tapping me on my arm. Shrugging him off, I turned my attention back to Jimmy-Don, trying to figure how the hell he moved the story on to cow tipping back in high school, but Reece didn't quit, and after a few seconds, I was ready to knock the little fucker out.

Swinging around, I asked, "What? Fuck, man, back off!" But Reece just pointed up the staircase, ignoring my attitude, mouth gaping open.

Looking up, I quickly registered what had him, and Austin-and now Jimmy-Don-gawking. Molly. My Mol looking like a friggin' supermodel walking down the stairs.

Pushing away from the wall, I shouldered Reece out of my way, ignoring the way his tongue was practically hanging out of his mouth at the sight of my girl.

Ally winked at me as she passed, but I only had eyes for Shakespeare: tight black dress showing her unreal curves, her long brown hair falling in soft curls over her shoulders, and her nervously flushed face looking so damn beautiful that it nearly made me drop to my knees.

Reaching out, I wrapped my arms around her waist, fighting the worst case of blue balls I'd ever had. Pressing a kiss to her full lips, I whispered, for her ears only, "Fuck, Mol, you're trying my restraint looking this beautiful. How the hell am I meant to get through the night? I'll be fighting off the guys with a stick. They're going to get in trouble if they even look at you for a second."

It was true; up until now I hadn't really had to worry about other guys watching Mol. She'd always slipped under their radar. But hell, she was beyond a friggin' ten as she stood before me now-she always had been to me, but now the world would see it. I wasn't sure I could stand other guys looking at her and imagining they were between her legs. It was going to drive me insane, no matter how much she assured me that she was mine and mine alone.

Tonight would be a test, that's for sure.

We sat down in one of Club Flux's private booths and ordered drinks from a blond waitress who looked vaguely familiar. I'd been right about tonight being a test-I'd already gained Molly's disapproval for nearly punching out an overeager Tide fan who'd grabbed her to congratulate her on her kiss. She'd forgiven me, but who knew how long that would last.

The blonde came back with our drinks, smiling suggestively at me, and the memory started to resurface.

It was last season, maybe after the Iron Bowl against Auburn? I'd been drunk out of my mind when she'd made her move, sitting on my lap as I almost lost consciousness on my chair, then leading me to the back of the club. I'd fucked her from behind, her face pressed against the wall, so I didn't have to see who I was screwing. It'd never mattered; a hole was a hole. But with Mol, she'd be looking straight in my eyes and I'd savor every damn second.

As I shook the memory from my mind, I focused back on the waitress. Ah, hell. By the look on the blonde's face, this wasn't going to go down well.

Molly had stiffened in my arms, and I tried to ignore the chick as she did everything but strip before me. Then she gave up trying to get my attention and finally said, "Hey, Bullet, how've you been?"

How've I been? I didn't even know the damn girl.

"We're done here," I said.

The rush of a challenge lit in the waitress' eyes, and Molly began to fidget. Ally subtly booted me under the table, and Austin rubbed at his eyes in frustration at where this was clearly heading. The two of them were just pissing me off more; I didn't need to be reminded that this was going to be real a clusterfuck of a situation.

"You never called me after our night together," the blonde said, and I knew that was it. Molly's first night in a club and boom, some cheap fuck tries to mark me as her territory. If roles were reversed, I'd have killed the fucker by now-as it was, I wasn't exactly sure how jealous Molly could get. I couldn't work out how she would take all this crap.

"I was never going to. I'll say it again... We're done here. Or if you need a simpler answer... fuck off," I growled.

Her mouth tightened and she spat, "I'd heard on the grapevine that you were pussy whipped-fucking waste of a good cock." She looked at Mol, taking in her natural curves and stunning face, and curled her lip. "And for that too. She must screw better than she wears that shitty dress." I caught Molly's sharp intake of breath. I knew she thought she didn't measure up to others, and that comment had hurt her.

Mol jumped out of my arms and snapped at me, which was a first. Her reaction set me to reeling mad, but before I could call her on it, she bolted to the restroom... She'd fucking run.

"Hell, Rome! You'd better go fix this!" Ally shouted, shooting daggers at me across the table.

"You fucked that waitress? Shit, can you set me up?" I glared at Reece, fighting the urge to launch him across the room. Tact, man, the kid had no tact or sense of damn timing.

"Go, Bullet, before I hit you again!" Cass pushed on my arm, and I shot up from my seat, nearly turning the bastard thing over, pounding through the crowd of dancers to get Molly the hell back.

I spotted her ahead of me. The blond waitress was standing at the bar, watching me run with a bitter smile on her face. Stupid bitch, she'd done all that on purpose, and it'd worked.

Reaching out, I grabbed Molly's arm, only to have her wrench it back, her golden eyes furious and filled with hurt. Fuck, it was the first time I'd earned that look from her, and I completely panicked. She looked... resolved... like her mind was made up on something.

No! She couldn't...

Beyond frustrated, I took her arm, dragged her with me like some fucking caveman, and locked us both in a dusty old closet.

Molly was panting, her fists clenched in anger. She didn't look like she was in the mood to be placated, so I just spat it out, "I fucked her once. Last year. There was nothing more to it. You don't need to be upset by it, and you certainly don't need to fuckin' run away."

By the way she froze, nose turning up in disgust, I realized I'd fucked up... again. "Well, excuse me if I don't enjoy your exploits flaunting their slutty selves in front of my face!"

I could feel myself getting madder. How the fuck was that my fault? I'd tried to brush her off; Molly had seen that. How could I help it if she wouldn't take no for an answer?

Closing in, watching Molly freeze in anticipation, I shouted, "You want to know all about my sexual past, all the sordid details? Fine! I've fucked a lot of girls, in many different ways, in many different places. They'd throw themselves my way and I'd give them what they wanted, and they'd fuckin' love it." I was pumped with too much adrenalin and knew I was being an ass, but when Mol's eyes blazed and she smacked me across the face, I felt like I couldn't breathe.