Technically, she could leave Hope. Her mother was fine, her dad more than capable of taking care of her now, with Emma helping out by looking in on her.

But now she had a new job, and maybe she’d give that job a chance.

Which didn’t mean she was staying, nor that she had any intention of falling in love with Carter all over again.

Though her heart skipped a beat when she heard him drive up.

She kissed her parents goodbye and went outside where Carter was waiting for her in the driveway. She slid into the passenger seat of his car.

“I was going to come in and say hi to your parents.”

“Not necessary, and we don’t want to be late for the movie.”

“Okay.”

He shifted into reverse, and headed down the driveway.

Molly inhaled. She had no idea what he wore—aftershave, maybe, or his soap—but she loved the way he smelled. All she wanted to do right now was bury her face in his neck—maybe her tongue, as well.

“Are you all right?” he asked as he drove down the main highway toward the movie theater.

“Fine,” she said, shifting her gaze to him. “Why?”

“You made a sound. Like a groan. Or a moan.”

“Did I?” She pulled her mirror out of her purse and checked her lip gloss, smiling at herself.

They got to the movie theater, bought their tickets and purchased a couple of sodas and some popcorn, then grabbed seats. Since it was a Monday night in a small town, the theater wasn’t crowded, which was perfect.

“I’m glad you called me,” Carter said as they watched previews of upcoming movies.

“I’m glad you suggested a movie. I’ve actually been looking forward to seeing this one. I’ve kind of got a thing for Channing Tatum.”

Carter arched a brow. “Is that right? Now I’m going to have to watch you closely during the movie.”

“For what?”

“Drool.”

She laughed. “I think I can control myself with Channing, if you can behave yourself around Mila Kunis.”

“I’ll try my best. No guarantees. Me and Mila go way back. We’re like this.” He crossed his fingers.

“So . . . there’s another woman.”

His lips curved and he put his arm around her. “No one but you, babe.”

His words made her tingle. They shouldn’t, but they did.

The movie started, and Molly settled in to enjoy the action. But she couldn’t help but be distracted by the fact this was the first movie they’d been to together since they were teenagers. Back then, they’d hide in the back, hold hands, and steal kisses.

Now, though, they sat in the middle for a good view, though once they finished their popcorn, Carter grasped her hand.

Some things changed. Some didn’t. She was satisfied with that.

The movie was great. Action filled, with a lot of tension and nail-biting scenes where she clenched Carter’s hand, hoping the characters would come out of it alive. For a while, she wasn’t certain. Finally, right near the end of the movie, she released her breath as the characters made their escape.

And the romance at the end was swoon-worthy, the hero making such a huge gesture to the heroine. The heroine kicked butt as well. She loved this kind of film. She was pumped and excited as the lights came up.

“What did you think?” she asked Carter as they stood and excited the theater.

“It was good.”

“That’s it? Just good?”

He shrugged as he tossed the empty popcorn bucket and drink cup in the trash. “Yeah. Good.”

She shook her head. “I thought it was fantastic. That scene when they were dangling out of the helicopter—oh, my God. My heart was in my throat the entire time. And when she had to shoot right over his head. If he hadn’t ducked a quarter of an inch, she would have grazed him. It was like they had telepathy.”

“Uh-huh. Yeah, that part was good.”

She slid into the car. “Good. That’s all you’re going to say about the movie.”

“I’ll leave the superlatives to the critics.”

“You’re no fun to go to the movies with. Next time I’m going with Emma, Jane, and Chelsea.”

He turned to her. “I like action movies. They hold my interest. But I’m not much for dissecting.”

Now she remembered this about him. She’d come out of the movie theater having loved or hated a film and wanting to spend the next half hour discussing it, while he either said he liked it or didn’t like it, and that was the end of it. She remembered it drove her crazy.

So disappointing, but she couldn’t change that about him.

At least he’d held her hand.

When he drove her home, she was even more disappointed.

“What? No hot sex at your place?”

“Sorry, Miss Burnett, but it’s a school night. And it’s already late.”

She laughed. “I can’t believe you’re giving me a curfew.”

“This is what happens when you’re dating the boss. I have a big day planned for you tomorrow, and you need your sleep.”

She unbuckled her seat belt and grabbed the door handle. “You are no fun, Mr. Richards.”

“Wanna bet?”

He grasped her arm and tugged her toward him. Before she knew it, he’d hauled her onto his lap. His hands were in her hair—all over her actually, as he kissed her. A smoking-hot kiss that left no doubt he was as reluctant to let her go as she was to be let go.

It was like being struck by lightning, this feeling she got whenever he kissed her. He had been the first boy to give her this feeling, and no boy, or man, since, had ever made her feel the same way.

When he let her go, she lifted away only a few inches, both of them breathing hard.

“You sure about that smoking-hot sex thing?” she asked.

He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip. “Am I sure? Hell no. I think you can feel that. But if I take you home with me, Molly, neither of us will get any sleep tonight.”

Damn. Mental visuals of that would keep her up tonight. “All right.” She climbed off of him and grabbed her purse. She looked over at him and his delicious erection.

“Last chance,” she said.

He cocked his head to the side. “Don’t tempt me.”

Clearly he was the only one practicing restraint tonight, because she had none. “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”