Best of Buddies by Denise A. Agnew
Hard Shell Word Factory
This story copyright 2000 by Denise A. Agnew. Thank you for honoring the copyright. Published by Hard Shell Word Factory. 8946 Loberg Rd. Amherst Junction, WI 54407 http://www.hardshell.com Electronic book created by Seattle Book Company. eBook ISBN: 0−7599−1698−5 Cover art Copyright 2000, Mary Z. Wolf All rights reserved.
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatever to anyone bearing the same name or names. These characters are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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• Chapter 1 • Chapter 2 • Chapter 3 • Chapter 4 • Chapter 5 • Chapter 6 • Chapter 7 • Chapter 8 • Chapter 9 • Chapter 10 • Chapter 11 • Chapter 12 • Chapter 13 • Chapter 14 • Chapter 15 • Chapter 16 ♦ Denise A. Agnew Best of Buddies
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Chapter 1 SEVEN DAYS and seven nights, all expenses paid vacation at the famous Heart Inn Resort nestled in a romantic valley deep in the majestic Rocky Mountains. Courtney caressed the creamy white, expensive note paper. Impossible. Things like this didn't happen to her. She, Courtney Ann Devons, had never won a thing in her life. At least not until that moment. "I won." Courtney swiveled the rickety office chair and jumped up. "I won!" Rachel Higgins, Courtney's friend and accomplice in the tiny business of Devons and Higgins Accountants, appeared at the doorway to Courtney's lunch box size office. "No way." "Way." Courtney grinned, feeling a sense of well being all out of proportion to the prize. Rachel returned her smile and leaned against the door jam. She pushed a lock of her long, dark hair away from her face. "What did you get? Movie passes?" Courtney wrinkled her nose, then walked over and handed Rachel the notice. "Nada. This is ten times better." Chapter 1
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Rachel's mouth dropped open as she read. "Wow. This is great. The Heart Inn Resort? That's one of the most exclusive resorts in the Rockies." She cocked an eyebrow and looked up at Courtney. "What's the catch?" "No catch. I signed up for it at that bridal show we went to three weeks ago. Hell, I forgot all about the drawing until I opened the mail just now and...viola." Rachel shook her head and handed the card back to Courtney. "Wouldn't you know it. I'm the one getting married in four weeks and you win the honeymoon." Courtney sighed and sank back into her chair. "Maybe I can get it transferred to your name." Rachel snorted. "Are you kidding? You've needed a vacation for months and this is the perfect opportunity. I need you fresh and ready to be my maid of honor in four weeks. It'll do you good to get away." Perhaps Rachel was right. She'd been putting in extra hours at the office lately. "But seven days. I can't take that much time away. If it was a weekend−−" "Bull," Rachel said, her blue eyes flashing. "I've watched you work yourself into the ground and it's starting to worry me. You've got to take some time for yourself and sort your feelings out." Chapter 1
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Frowning, Courtney tossed the note card on her desk where it promptly slid off a pile of papers and into the trash can. "Rachel, I'm over him. There's nothing to sort out. I like working long hours." "Uh−huh." Rachel came into the office and picked up the five by seven photo of Stan and Courtney displayed on Courtney's desk next to the unicorn paperweight. She held the picture in both hands and turned it toward Courtney. "Then why do you keep this picture on your desk?" Courtney's mouth opened and closed, then opened again. She didn't know. She couldn't bring herself to throw it in the garbage. She was a self−proclaimed pack rat, but that was no explanation for keeping a picture of the man who had broken her heart four months ago. Sighing, Rachel put the photo back on the desk and smiled. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to nag, but isn't it about time you shoved that no−good, two−timing, slimy bastard out of your mind and started hunting bigger game?" A burst of laughter came from Courtney, and she threw her hands up in surrender. "Has anyone ever told you that you have all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop?" "Several times a week." Rachel reached into the trash and retrieved the invitation to the Heart Inn Resort. "Now call this place, confirm your reservations, get packed, and leave Chapter 1
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this weekend." "But today is Thursday. What about the new clients we've got lined up−−" "I can handle it." Rachel crossed her arms. "You've wanted to go to the Heart Inn for as long as I can remember. Now is your chance. Besides, when I go on my honeymoon you'll be stuck with the clients. Run while you've got a chance." "But this is unexpected. We've known when your honey−moon was going to be for months. It's not the same thing." "So what? Read my lips. You need some time off. Enjoy a little Rocky Mountain high, sip some champagne and ogle the men. It's not like you get this chance every day." She was right. The Heart Inn Resort, a one hundred year old lodge built in a secluded area deep in the mountains west of Denver, catered to clients with money. It was extremely popular as a honeymoon destination in the summer and the winter be−cause of its proximity to hiking, fishing and skiing. The resort's popularity included a local legend. It seemed visitors to the Heart Inn Resort found love on a regular basis. The number of couples who met, married, and honeymooned at the lodge was so regular, the Heart Inn had recently been touted in a local news−paper as the most romantic place in the Rockies. Wouldn't it be a dream come true to spend seven days eating luscious food, getting a Chapter 1
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massage, sitting around the pool and maybe meeting the man of her dreams? The man of her dreams? Yeah. Right. And she was the Queen of England. Such a man didn't exist. "Well, what do you say?" Rachel asked. Courtney nodded. "All right. I'll do it." "WHAT?" COURTNEY straightened in her chair and gripped the phone tightly. "You mean I can't use the reservations if I come alone?" She tapped a ruler on the brown leather blotter on her desk. "But I'm−−" She cut herself off just in time. There was no way she was missing this opportunity. She'd think of something. "Ah... all right. I under−stand. I'll get back to you later." After she hung up she tossed the ruler in the air and let it drop onto the blotter with a sharp thwack. "Damn!" Courtney heard Rachel's file drawer shut and then the tap of high heels as Rachel came out of her office and peered in at her. "What's wrong?" "You're not going to believe this. I won a honeymoon suite." Rachel's eyebrows speared upwards. "Hot damn." Chapter 1
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"Yeah. When they said I'd won accommodations for two people for seven days and nights they really meant it. It's for a married couple." "So? Can't they change it?" "Apparently not." Courtney shifted in her chair impatiently and promptly banged her knee on the corner of a drawer. She cursed softly and gritted her teeth as she rubbed her knee. "So much for my vacation." Rachel sat in the chair next to Courtney's desk. "Wait a minute. Don't you know any guys who might be interested in a vacation?" Courtney looked at the picture of her and Stan and shook her head. Then she turned the photograph face down and smiled. "Sorry, I'm all out of men." "What about Benny?" "Benny Drake? You mean Benny Drake two shops down? The mortician? I don't think so." "Come now, Courtney. I didn't think you were prejudiced against people because of their occupations." Courtney swallowed and reconsidered. Then she tossed the idea away. "Nope. He's very creepy. He came to your Halloween party last year dressed as himself and everyone Chapter 1
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thought he was wearing a costume." Rachel laughed and tossed her hair away from her face. Courtney sometimes envied her tall, long−legged friend's sense of ease, confidence and effortless beauty. Courtney's self−assurance had barely recovered to where it was before Stan entered her life. "Okay. Let's think." Rachel put her index finger to her chin. Courtney lifted her head and sniffed the air. "I think I smell smoke." "What?" "Your brain is on fire." Rachel snapped her fingers. "I've got it!" Her smile widened until she looked like the proverbial Cheshire Cat. "Morgan Lucas." "What?" "Morgan Lucas. Our neighbor and your friend. I'm surprised you didn't think of him first." She didn't think of him much at all. At least she hadn't thought about him in the last few months. First there had been her disastrous relationship with Stan, then the last four months when she'd been trying to bury herself in paperwork. She saw Morgan in passing, maybe, about once a week. Chapter 1
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A twinge of guilt cut like a knife into her conscience. Morgan had always been like a big brother to her and now their lives rarely touched. When had they drifted so far apart? It wasn't because she didn't like Morgan. The opposite, in fact. She'd known him since she was fourteen and he was seven−teen. He'd moved to Denver from Arizona thirteen years ago and had been a part of her life ever since. But Morgan was... Morgan. He might be the owner of his own antique store a door down from their accounting offices, he might have an entrepreneurial flair that bordered on the uncanny, he might have a nice smile and a generous heart. But he was still a tall, lanky... "Geek." "Pardon me?" Rachel asked. Courtney cleared her throat. "I don't think Morgan's the man I'm looking for." Rachel grinned. "Why not? Morgan's a nice enough guy." Courtney could feel her own face cracking as she forced a smile. "Because he's...uh...he's..." "Come on, I didn't say you had to marry him for real. I'll bet he'd chomp at the bit for a chance to go on an all expenses paid vacation for one week." Courtney laughed. "Are you serious? Pretend to be married to Morgan?" Chapter 1
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"Why not?" "Because he's probably as busy with his store as we are here. Besides, Morgan would never go for it. He's much too serious. Too grounded to do something that frivolous." Rachel rested her elbow on the desk and propped her chin in her hand and gave Courtney her best intimidation stare. "How do you know what he'll do unless you ask him?" "Because I know. Remember we've been friends a long time. I know how he thinks." "A man can change a lot in a few months and you haven't talked to him lately." Guilt surfaced again. She knew Rachel wasn't trying to be cruel. The truth hurt all by itself. A twinge of past pain threatened to stir a well of bad memories to the surface. Rachel might not realize it but she spoke as much about Stan as she did Morgan. Stan had changed a lot in a short period of time. Or maybe she'd been blind and had seen what she wanted to see and nothing else. In the six months she'd dated him, fell in love and moved in with him, she'd discovered Stan wasn't the man she'd thought. And during that six months Courtney had changed, too. Changed so much she only realized now the damage her relationship with Stan had done to her entire life. Chapter 1
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"This is a crazy idea," Courtney said, shaking her head to dissipate unwanted memories. Eyes sparkling mischievously, Rachel said, "Hey, it's either Morgan or Benny." Courtney sighed and looked at the invitation sitting on her desk. How could she pass up the chance to take a dream vacation? Morgan was a nice, safe, reliable kind of guy. Dull. She looked at the invitation again. Dull was looking better every minute. "Okay. I'll ask him." "Better the devil you know," Rachel said. COURTNEY'S NERVES jumped in her stomach like Mexican jumping beans. Maybe because she was doing the most incredibly audacious thing she'd ever contemplated in her life. As she walked out the door and headed down the sidewalk toward Lucas Antiques, she wondered for the hundredth time in the last half hour if she'd finally popped a gasket. Morgan would never go for such a crazy idea. Too level−headed, his feet were planted in the ground like the tree roots. Chapter 1
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She cleared her throat, determined a little hitch in her confidence wouldn't prevent her from taking a much needed vacation. Seconds later she reached Morgan's small store and waited a moment before entering. Instead she looked through the window. Although she didn't see him anywhere at the front, she figured if he didn't have a customer he might be in the back room working at his desk. If she wanted to see him today she'd have to hurry. He closed the store about this time every day. Quickly she opened the door, and the forceful jangle of the chime above the door rattled her nerves. Several seconds passed but he didn't appear. Frowning, she moved into the room and took in the surroundings. Not much had changed since she'd been in the shop two months ago. Two months ago? Had it really been that long? She reached down to touch a huge dark wood dining table that was in mint condition. "Hey, Squirt, don't touch that. You'll get fingerprints all over it." She started. She'd know the deep tones of that voice any−where. Turning, she leveled the biggest smile she had on him. "Hi." Morgan returned her grin and pushed his black−rimmed glasses higher on the bridge of his nose. A tremble of awareness passed over her nerves, alerting her to something different about Chapter 1
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Morgan. A sudden, nervous sensation rolled through her stomach, as if an elevator had dropped a couple of floors. "You're just in time," he said, strolling toward her. He tossed the book he carried onto a counter and gestured into the back room. "Come take a look." "Take a look at what?" she asked. Morgan might be a nice guy, but he wasn't beyond the odd prank or two. When she didn't move, he continued toward her at that lei−surely pace. He came to a halt very close to her. Although she was tall, she had to look up at him, and when she took a breath she drank in the spicy scent of his after shave. "I've got a surprise for you," he said. "Yeah, I remember the last time you said that to me." His dark brows twitched up. "When was that?" "I was a teen and you thought it was funny to scare girls with spiders. You put one of the nasty creatures in my lunch box." He laughed, and the deep sound spread through her like a rich and hearty wine. A twist of mischief curved his lips. "You still remember that?" For a second she thought he was asking if she remembered high school or what she'd Chapter 1
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eaten for lunch. Then reason asserted itself. "I remember every little trick you ever played on me." "Ouch. I guess what they say about a woman's memory being like an elephant's is true." "Damn straight," she said, smiling as she took in his appearance. He looked well−groomed, as always, in a gray suit, white shirt, and conservative navy blue tie. And, as always, his tie was slightly askew. Automatically, she reached up and adjusted the tie, pulling and arranging until she had it just right. He grinned at her. "Thanks." She patted his lapels. "What would you do without me to fix your tie, Morgan?" He reached up and captured one of her hands in his and held it to his chest. His grin faded and he looked into her eyes. For a moment time seemed to slow to a crawl and she felt that elevator do another drop. "Lately you haven't been around much to straighten my ties. I was beginning to think I was going to have to stop wearing them." She didn't want to think about the last few months and how little time she'd spent in his company. When she said nothing, he released her fingers. She took a deep breath, surprised by the way his gesture made her feel. Unsteady. Slightly breathless. He pushed a hand through his dark brown hair and it tumbled about his head in a riot of Chapter 1
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waves that reached to his shirt collar. She'd known about a dozen girls in high school that would have sold their soul for the chance to touch those sinfully thick curls. Her stomach fluttered wildly. Maybe the enchilada and tacos she'd eaten for lunch had been too spicy. Taking another steadying breath, she asked, "Now what did you want to show me?" She followed him to the back room, all the while drinking in the beautiful sight of antiques, and inhaling the unique scents of leather and age. "Here we are," he said as he opened the door to the large storage room. Sitting just inside the door was a massive dark wood desk with an impressive inlay of green leather edged with gold tooling. "I think you've been looking for this for a very long time." A jolt of surprise and happiness came over her. Indeed, she'd been scouting around for a desk like this one for a couple of years. Because work took most of her time on weekends, she hadn't done much antique shopping in months. Stan didn't care for antique hunting, and she'd found herself doing it less and less as a result. She caressed the wood and leather and smiled at Morgan. "This is beautiful. Where did you find it?" "An estate auction in Pueblo. I was down there last week−end and came across this. It'll Chapter 1
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look great in your office, or better yet, at your house." A sweet tingle of appreciation and warmth settled in the area around her heart. "Morgan, this is great, but are you saying you brought this up from Pueblo for me?" "Of course." "How much did it cost?" When he told her she gasped. "What? That's very high−−" "Not for a piece like this in mint condition and this old." She nodded. "I can pay you−−" He touched her shoulder and pressed it warmly. "No." "No? But−−" "No ifs, ands, or buts, Squirt. This one's on me. Think of it as a way to atone for all the spiders I put in your hair when I was a kid." She laughed, but part of her didn't like the idea of him paying for the desk. Morgan came from a wealthy family. Although she knew that he didn't rely on his father's money and did well on his own, she knew he'd never had to worry a day in his life about money. "I can't let you do that." He frowned, his look more the introspective man she'd come to know over the years. Chapter 1
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"Why not?" "It wouldn't be right." "You did my taxes for me last year for free." He had her there. "Yes, but you cut my lawn three times last summer and wouldn't take any money or a dinner..." The quirky curve of his mouth caught her attention so that she lost her train of thought. "I would have remembered dinner if you'd offered it to me, Squirt." His voice softened and deepened as he leaned slightly toward her. "I would have taken you up on it." Courtney felt a surge of warmth flood her cheeks. If she didn't know better she'd think he was flirting with her. Nah. Morgan was her friend. She swallowed hard and moistened her dry lips with her tongue. His gaze followed the movement, and this time her stomach didn't flutter, or even do an elevator drop. Instead she felt slightly giddy, like she was bobbing gently on a raft in a pond. Or a very large ocean. She put distance between them, walking over to a dusty tiffany lamp that graced one corner of the storage area. As she touched the multi−colored glass, he sighed. Chapter 1
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"Was there a particular reason you came to see me today?" he asked. She turned, her heart doing a tattoo she hadn't expected when she saw him leaning against the desk. He picked up a mug of tea he'd been sipping earlier and took a swig. He looked totally serious now. Good. This was the old Morgan she knew well. No surprises. Nothing to make her uncomfortable. "I think I know a way to pay you back for the desk," she said. "You don't have to−−" "I know. But you'd be doing me a favor as well." He tilted his head and a gave her his most befuddled Clark Kent expression. Well, Courtney, it's now or never. "Morgan...uh...will you marry me?"
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Chapter 2 MORGAN'S MUG of tea slipped from his fingers. The plastic mug hit the floor, splashing tea onto his legs and splattering liquid everywhere. Courtney jumped back to avoid the tea. "Oh no!" She grabbed a tissue from her pocket and dabbed at his pants legs. Morgan was too dumbfounded to have a reaction to the mess he'd made. Courtney Devons couldn't have just asked him to marry her. Not little, freckle−faced, pert−nosed Courtney. He leaned down and clasped her hand, stilling her attempts to sop up the liquid. "Come again?" They straightened up. A nervous smile played over her lips as she pulled her fingers from his. "Will you marry me?" He closed his eyes. Surely when he opened his eyes he'd be alone in the room and realize he'd been dreaming the whole time. "It would be for seven days and it would be all an act for the benefit of the people at the inn, but−−" Chapter 2
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His eyes snapped opened. "You want to marry me for seven days?" "Of course it wouldn't be real," she said hastily. "I mean, there's this vacation I won, and I need a husband to go on the vacation." "And you picked me?" She didn't answer, but her thickly lashed blue eyes grew wide, and another flush crept into her cheeks. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen her blush so much. In fact, if his memory served him right, he'd never seen her blush before today. If there was one thing he knew, his buddy Courtney wasn't the frilly, lacy, case−of−the−vapors type of woman. Somehow the subtle glow made her seem totally different. She'd always looked delicate, with small, finely cut features and a gangly frame. Yet he knew under that exterior lay a fine web of steel and strength. Life hadn't always been easy on her, and she'd come through it graciously and stronger than ever. Looking at her now, though, he saw insecurity marring her usual aplomb. With her bob of mahogany hair curving about her gently rounded, oval face, and the soft fringe of bangs almost hanging in her eyes, she looked a little tousled. Out of control. The only thing that resembled his friend Courtney was the conservative charcoal gray jacket and skirt she wore with a blue blouse and a black silk scarf shot with blue. Chapter 2
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More than anything he wanted her to be happy, and he knew that her relationship with Stan had put a big hole in her heart. More than once Morgan had wondered how to help her mend her heart, but nothing had come to mind. Meeting more men and having a little fun might do the trick. "Whoa," he said, holding up a hand as if to stop a charging animal. "I think I've missed the train. You need a husband to go on vacation? Since when?" She explained how she'd dropped her business card in the box at the wedding show weeks ago. "There wasn't anything that said you had to have a husband to take the trip." "Are you sure it didn't say something about having to be married to enter when you dropped your card in the box?" Her eyes narrowed. He knew he'd stepped in it up to his knees. She placed her small hands on her hips. "I'm an accountant for heaven's sake. I can't afford to miss details. No, they did not say it was a honeymoon trip." He started to smile but thought the better of it when her eyes narrowed even more. He reached over for a tissue box and grabbed a handful, then stooped down to dry the floor. "Why are they so adamant on it being a honeymooning couple?" She sighed. "I don't know. Maybe it's their reputation as the most romantic resort in the Chapter 2
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Rockies. Over the years hundreds of couples have met at the resort and eventually married." He picked up the mug as he straightened and set it on a table. "I've never heard of it." "You wouldn't," she said, giving him a gentle pat on the arm. He knew there was some significance in her patronizing tone but decided against trying to figure it out. No doubt it was a woman thing. "You really want to go on this vacation?" "Rachel will kill me if I don't. She thinks I've been working too hard." "She's right." He attempted a smile but it felt brittle. Courtney threw up her hands. "What is it with everyone? Is this a conspiracy to get rid of me? Are you and Rachel planning a wild party after I'm gone or something?" Morgan couldn't remember the last party he'd attended. Christmas at his parent's house last year? He'd wanted to invite Courtney, but knew Stan would come along. So he hadn't asked. Courtney's hurt look when she'd realized she hadn't been invited to a gathering she'd attended practically every year since high school had made him feel like a heel for weeks afterward. Come to think of it, he still felt like an ass for letting Stan come between them. His own foolish pride had gotten in the way. Brushing aside his troubled thoughts he said, "Rachel's worried about your health." Chapter 2
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"Have you been talking about me behind my back?" He tossed the soaked tissues in the trash can. "No. But I noticed you're in the office before seven and out after eight on most evenings. Lord, woman, when do you clean your house and eat?" "Burger Sam on the corner makes a great chicken salad. And I'm not at the house long enough to get it dirty." "What about weekends? I've seen you here on most Saturdays and Sundays. When do you have fun?" "Fun? Define fun." He held his hands out, palms up. "Picnics in the park. A walk through Hestings Art Gallery. Dates." She snorted. "I don't do dates anymore. There aren't any eligible men pounding down my door, and even if they did I probably wouldn't let them in." Recognizing the undercurrent of hostility in her tone, he knew he should switch gears. But with Courtney he had a difficult time steering away from trouble. "No dates since Stan?" She turned her face away so he saw her profile. From this angle the curve of her lips Chapter 2
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looked tender and full of a vulnerability he couldn't remember seeing before. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought him up," he said. She turned back to look at him, clasping her hands in front of her like a nervous school girl. "It's okay. Besides, if I go on vacation it'll give me a chance to meet some men." He nodded and smiled. "No doubt." He waggled his eye−brows. "And where there's a lot of men there's probably a lot of women." "See? If you go on this vacation you'll have a terrific opportunity to ogle some babes." He laughed at her choice of words, and when she smiled the warm curve to her lips vastly improved his outlook. Nothing was worse than a Courtney scowl. When she didn't reply he said, "Take the vacation. Rachel will worry about you if you don't. God knows she's uptight enough as it is with her wedding coming up." "Amazing. Most men can't even remember when their own weddings are much less someone else's." Grinning, he leaned forward so he was close to her. "Squirt, I'm not like any other man you know." She took a deep breath, as if she might say something monumental, but then she looked into his eyes and stopped. A pause stretched between them, and he realized neither of them Chapter 2
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had moved. Drawing in another deep breath, she shifted back slightly. "Something wrong?" he asked. "Uh, no," she said, taking another step back. "So, are you going to do it or not?" "Marry you for a week?" "That's the deal." "All expenses paid?" "You got it." He recalled he had an antique show he should prepare for, but the pleading expression on her face couldn't be ignored. Then it hit him. She needed a vacation for more than stress relief. She really did need to meet eligible men. If she didn't go on the vacation, she'd work herself to the bone and never date. Come to think of it, he'd been working hard and hadn't dated in months. Ever since Claudia had outlined his inadequacies... He shoved the unpleasant thought away. So what if his love life sucked? Courtney needed his help right now, and he couldn't let her down. He made it his mission to see that she got this vacation and also found someone new. Someone who could give her the love she deserved. Chapter 2
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"All right, I'll marry you," he said. "Yow!" She slapped her hands together and reached up to hug him. He laughed, and his arms went around her and her body pressed close to him. A jolt of pure, unexpected pleasure bombarded his senses as her warmth snuggled close to him. When was the last time he'd hugged her like this? He couldn't remember. One impression after another spark−led in his body. Every gentle arch of her slim body molded to him. The scent of her hair reminded him of something tropical and wild. Exotic. For a few seconds he let his senses enjoy the barrage of pleasant impressions. Without warning he felt arousal spike, and heat poured into his body, his loins. Oh, God. He was hard against her. Painfully, fully aroused. Quickly she drew back, a startled expression on her face. Embarrassment dowsed his arousal like ice water. What the hell had just happened? She started toward the door. "Where are you going?" he asked. She turned back and smiled. "Details, Morgan. Details. I've got to call the Heart Inn and tell them I'm showing up on Saturday with my new husband." As she went out the door he gritted his teeth. How could he get a raging hard−on by Chapter 2
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hugging Courtney? He'd always thought of her as his kid sister, a friend who happened to be female. He shook his head and looked down at the tea on his clothes. "God, Morgan, you need to get out more." SATURDAY MORNING dawned cool and rainy, and along with the uncharacteristic weather came doubts. Courtney watched as seconds ticked away on her mantle clock. He was late. He'd promised he'd be here by six thirty so they could get on the road and make it to the Heart Inn Resort by mid−morning. She huddled into her light sweater and a nervous flutter invaded her intestines. She settled onto the couch and decided getting crazy made no sense. True, it wasn't like Morgan to be late. He was so damn dependable it would take a Mac truck to stop him when he had a course of action in mind. Glancing out the window again, she noticed the rain coming down in heavy sheets. Great. Just great. Her first day of vacation was off to a wonderful start. Nervously twiddling her thumbs, she stopped the compulsive movement as soon as she Chapter 2
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recognized what she was doing. All day yesterday she'd been twitchy and had made Rachel insane. "If I didn't know better I'd say you were excited about going with Morgan on vacation," Rachel had said. Courtney had hit the wrong key on her computer and messed up the figures on the chart she'd just completed. "Morgan? Sure, it'll be fun to have him along. Well...not exactly fun. I mean, he'll be good enough company." Rachel had grinned. "Uh, huh." Courtney hadn't probed her friend for an explanation. Taking a couple of deep, cleansing breaths, she leaned her head back on the couch and closed her eyes. What had Rachel been trying to say? She thought back to Thursday and her meeting with Morgan to ask him to marry her. It had about killed her. When she'd gotten back to the office she'd realized her palms were sweating and all her usual composure was gone. She'd been rattled. Excited. Thrilled. So she was going on a vacation. Big deal. Certainly no reason to become so worked up both then and now. Memories of the way he'd leaned close to her and said he wasn't like any other man she'd known slipped into her thoughts. Chapter 2
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True. Morgan possessed qualities far outweighing any man she'd met. Reliability, stability...a solid person. Just the kind of friend she needed right now. Friend... She recalled when she'd hugged him and what she thought she'd felt as he held her. Had he really been aroused? No, it had to be her imagination. Smiling, she realized she'd calmed down considerably. Morgan would be here soon. The weather had probably delayed him. Instead of fidgeting, she visualized the mountains and how she would have seven uninterrupted days of pampering, luxury and fun. When she'd asked Morgan on Thursday what fun was, she'd realized she missed talking with him. He had been a part of her life before Stan came along. Over the years she'd seen Morgan go through his share of trials and triumphs. Her heart had ached for him when his fiancé Claudia had dumped him. She'd been the first one he'd told, even though he'd refused to tell her why Claudia had dumped him. He deserved a woman who could appreciate him. Maybe, with the Heart Inn's Resort reputation as a lover's paradise, he could find that special woman. She made the decision right then she'd help him find that woman. It was the least she could do for all the friendship he'd shown her over the years. Now that Stan was out of her life, she could cultivate Morgan's friendship once again. Chapter 2
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She frowned. Getting involved with Stan had been one of the dumbest, most idiotic things she'd ever done. Never again. Never again would she allow a man to manipulate and control her until she didn't know who she was or what she wanted. The doorbell jerked her out of her reverie, and as she glanced out the front window she saw Morgan's Land Rover parked in the driveway. She hurried to open the door. "Hi," Morgan said cheerfully, water dripping from him as she let him in the front door. He wiped his feet on the runner inside the door. "You look like a drowned rat," she said, perusing the hair plastered to his head. His glasses were spotted with rain. He grinned. "Thanks. I can always rely on you for an ego boost." "You're late." Then it dawned on her what he had in his hands. A large bouquet of red roses. He handed them to her. "Can't have a new bride without a bouquet, can we?" She knew her mouth hung open. Stan had never given her red roses, and now her best friend handed them to her as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Oh my gosh," she whispered. "These are beautiful." Chapter 2
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A strange light entered his eyes. She'd seen that look in his gaze a couple of times Thursday when he'd teased her and had given her a hug. A burning intensity that warmed and comforted her. "Glad you like them." "Thank you," she said, realizing her voice sounded sort of short−winded. Shaking off the unusual feeling, she headed toward the kitchen to get a vase. He reached for her arm. "Take them with you. They'll survive the trip. You can display them in the room when we get there." "Good idea. We'll look more like a real married couple." He crossed his arms. "What exactly does a real married couple look like?" She shrugged. "You know. They get that look." "Ah, I see. That, I−can't−believe−I'm−married, terrified look?" She laughed. "No, you brat. The, I'm so in love look." She reached for her purse. "Ready to go?" "One more thing." He reached into his rain jacket and produced two small black velvet boxes. "Rings." Courtney almost dropped her roses. Chapter 2
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"I thought of it yesterday." He opened one of the boxes. In−side the box nestled a beautiful, large diamond solitaire mounted on an antique gold filigree band. "Wow," she whispered and reached over to extract the sparkling ring. "Try it on." With a sense of excitement, she slipped the ring on the third finger of her left hand. It fit perfectly. She waggled her fingers and watched prisms of light dance through the stone. "How did you know the right size?" "I took a wild guess." She looked at him and frowned. None of this was like Morgan. Saying yes to a fake marriage proposal? Red roses? Having the presence of mind to think of rings? Taking wild guesses? He opened the other box and produced a wide filigree gold band and slipped it on his ring finger. He gazed down at her solemnly, the slightest hint of amusement in his eyes. "I now pronounce us husband and wife." A horrified thought came to her mind. "My God, Morgan. These rings must have been expensive." "Not to worry. I had these in the shop in the jewelry case." Chapter 2
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She released a breath. "Still, they aren't exactly Cracker Jack prizes." He looped an arm around her shoulders, hugged her to him for a moment and gave her a cartoon grin. "Heck, no. We want people to think this is authentic. Besides, it's only a loan. You don't get to keep the ring." "Gee, thanks." As he released her she appraised his raggedy, faded blue T−shirt that must be ten years old. His jeans had seen better days. She pulled on one of his sleeves. "Yuck. Aren't you ever going to get rid of that T−shirt? It's positively ugly." "It's my lucky T−shirt. A lot of good things have happened to me while I've been wearing this." "For such a practical kind of guy you sure are superstitious." "Hey, I only know this shirt has taken me through thick and thin." She wrinkled her nose and touched a hole on the chest. "It looks like you've been pulled through a knot hole backwards. This is a nice resort. If they see you in this they're going to think you're a bum, not a tourist." He smiled. "I never knew you were such a snob, Squirt." She gasped and put her hands on her hips. "I'm not a snob." Chapter 2
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"Uh−huh." He gazed at the silk, sleeveless white shell she'd combined with a powder blue gauzy skirt that flirted around her ankles. "You're dressed like you're going to a society luncheon at the club." She gave his T−shirt and faded jeans another disparaging look. "Better than a derelict or a biker." He laughed. "Derelict or a biker. Now that's an improvement. I don't think anyone's ever described me so colorfully. I think I'll take the biker image." Thunder rumbled, reminding her that they had a long drive ahead in bad weather. She punched him lightly in the shoulder. "Shut up. Let's hit the road, Cracker Jack."
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Chapter 3 RAIN BOMBARDED Morgan's Land Rover, wind shoving at the heavy vehicle as if it wanted to force them off the side of the mountain pass. Courtney gazed out her side window and wished she hadn't. There might be a guard rail on this part of the pass, but with the weather so severe it would be easy enough for an accident to happen. At a particularly wide stretch in the road, a car passed them going way over a safe speed. Morgan cursed softly. "I hope we don't see him go off the side of the cliff." She shivered and decided to take her mind off the chilling possibility. "It's got to be sunny when we get to the Heart Inn." He kept his attention on the road. "Why is that?" "Are you crazy? It simply must be eighty−five and sunny so I can get a tan." "Since when do you worry about getting a tan?" "Since today." "Hmm. I think you want to stand by the pool and watch guys flex their pecs." Laughing, she glanced down at her sparkling ring. "Is that the only reason you think I Chapter 3
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wanted to go on this vacation?" "You needed this vacation because you've been working too hard. Like I said, Rachel was worried about you. Whenever I'd ask her how you were, she'd say you'd locked yourself in your office for hours at a time without a break." Denying it was hopeless. Locking herself in the office was an understatement. Try barricaded. Day after day she concentrated on her work, so oblivious to the passage of time she some−times missed lunch and dinner. "We've been really busy. I don't think we're ever going to catch up," she said. "I don't think that's it." She turned slightly toward him. "What do you mean?" He glanced at her. "Rachel said you've changed since you met Stan." An ember of defensiveness started a spark within her. "I'm tired of people telling me I'm not the same happy−go−lucky person I'd been before Stan entered my life." "It's true. You used to be so cheerful. You had that special sparkle that made people want to be around you." She considered his words. She'd always been an extrovert, but lately she'd wanted to slow down, settle down. And do what? Chapter 3
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When she had fallen in love and moved in with Stan she'd thought life couldn't get better. Things had been so good until he'd started to tell her she couldn't go out with Rachel, couldn't see her other friends. Until he'd become possessive to the point of obsession. "Of course I've changed. Nobody goes through a heavy duty relationship like that and remains the same. It's taking awhile to get over it, that's all." He slowed the Land Rover as a line of cars in front of him came to a crawl. "Squirt, you just don't get it. You haven't changed back to the old Courtney we knew and loved before you met Stan." She tucked her hair behind her ears and heaved a frustrated sigh. "Since when did you become a therapist? I suppose you're going to tell me next that you know exactly what's best for me?" As the traffic came to a complete stop, he glanced at her and gave her a cocky, self−assured grin. "This vacation you're going to rest, relax, and enjoy yourself." That supercilious, haughty tone sounded a lot like Stan, too, and just the thought of it made her spirits take a slow slide downward. "Don't do me any favors and tell me what I'm going to do or how I'm going to feel, okay?" Chapter 3
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He looked at her again and this time his brows drew together. "That's an example right there. You never used to snap at people like that." "Huh! I've always snapped at you." He shook his head. "You've always teased me, and I've always teased you. Now when you come back at me with one of your witty comments it's laced with sarcasm." "You would be sarcastic too if your friends kept trying to tell you how to run your life." He sighed, disappointment spreading over his face. "Don't you see? All this started after you met that damned idiot. If you'd−−" She made a chopping motion with her hand. "I know. If only I'd never met the man in the first place everything would be peachy keen right now, wouldn't it? Don't you think I tell my−self that every single day? I wish to heaven I'd never met the creep." He didn't look at her. "Maybe we should talk about some−thing else." The psychologist tone drove her nuts. But she realized she wouldn't get anywhere discussing the relationship she'd had with Stan or the consequences of that relationship. Until that moment she hadn't known Morgan had taken notice of her love life. It never seemed to concern him before. As traffic moved again, she said, "From now on it's a taboo subject." Chapter 3
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When he didn't answer she scrutinized his expression. His lips compressed into a firm line, his brows drawn into a resolute scowl. Clearly she'd hit a sore spot and managed to agitate the ordinarily unruffled Morgan Lucas. It was actually a gratifying feeling to see the emotion in his face. On the other hand, she didn't enjoy the realization he might be mad at her. They'd been driving in silence for several minutes when she reached over and turned on the radio. Static filled the air−waves. "I brought some tapes. They're in the case behind my seat," he said quietly. She fished around in the case until she found a classical tape and popped it into the cassette player. The music was pleasant but too quiet for her. Her mind drifted back to Morgan acting the part of her husband on this vacation. "We need to catch up on what's been happening in each other's lives," she said. "And if we're playing the part of honeymooners I think we'd better learn." "You're probably right. Like what our favorite colors are and what our sign is." Feeling lighter of heart she smiled, relieved to have the tension in the car drift away. "We've got that covered. You're a Leo and I'm a Cancer...almost a Gemini." "Your favorite color is green and mine is...I don't have a favorite color." Chapter 3
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"Exactly." He slanted a suggestive grin at her. "What do you wear to bed?" "I...what? That's none of your business." "I'm your husband, remember?" "Like you really need to know that information." He shrugged. "You don't need to tell me. I can guess." A blush filled her face. How could he guess? "Uh−Oh," he said. "What?" She looked out the windshield, half expecting to see the traffic building ahead of them again. "I'll bet this honeymoon suite has only one bed, right?" One bed. Uh−Oh. "I hadn't thought of that." "Uh−huh." His jaw worked as if he were trying to stifle a laugh. "What are you thinking?" she asked, suspicious. "What do you think I'm thinking?" "I..." Her mouth dropped open. "You are sleeping on the floor, buster." Chapter 3
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"Damn!" He gave her a salacious grin. "What did you think was going to happen?" she cried. "If you think for one minute I was going to let you−−" "−−have the bed and you'd sleep on the floor." "−−sleep in the bed with me you're crazy." He laughed and this time his chuckle went on and on while she turned several shades of red, embarrassment filtering through her on all levels. His laugh rolled over her in deep, rich tones and had a decidedly odd effect on her. She liked his laugh. She'd always liked it. But this time the sound sent a shimmer of pleasant heat filtering over and around her body like a blanket. Several stunned seconds later she understood why she had a problem with his laugh. It turned her on. Great balls of fire! When had that happened? What had changed that made listening to his laugh different than the mil−lions of other times she'd heard him chuckle? She decided she had to be imagining things. "Shut up, Morgan. It wasn't that funny. You sound like a baboon." He barely silenced another guffaw. "Sorry. I couldn't help it. If you could see the look on Chapter 3
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your face..." She flipped down the sun visor and looked in the mirror. "I look fine. Perfectly normal." She pushed the sun visor back up. Two could play at this game. "It's my turn to ask a question. How many girlfriends did you have before you met me?" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let's see. About a dozen." "Right." He gave her a hurt expression, but the laughter in his eyes betrayed him. "Okay. Maybe only ten." She tried to recall how many girl friends he'd had in high school, and couldn't recall a one. Even those girls that had liked his wavy hair thought he was a geek and wouldn't give him the time of day. She remembered how insecure he'd looked his first day at his new school, and she tried to imagine what it must have been like to be uprooted from his old school and friends to spend his senior year in a new place. His locker had been right next to hers. It was ironic. He'd been a tall senior and her a skinny freshman. Yet she had been the one to introduce herself first. Remembering his stunned look when she'd shook hands with him that first day made her smile. "If I remember precisely you've had two serious girlfriends your entire life, including Chapter 3
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Claudia. You had other random dates here and there." "I didn't know you paid that much attention to my love life." "I don't." Love life. Somehow the words sounded intriguing coming from his lips. Certainly he'd been in love with Claudia. Courtney had seen them together and had envied the easy, loving way they'd had with each other. Then something had gone awry and all he'd told her was that Claudia had dissolved the engagement. He wouldn't explain, no matter how much she goaded him, what had really happened to make Claudia break off with him. Love. What would it be liked to be loved by Morgan Lucas? She imagined it would be pleasant. Steady. He'd be as loyal as a dog. To make love with him−− "Penny for your thoughts." "Uh...I was just thinking that you haven't exactly dated a lot in the last few months. Maybe you're working too hard, too?" Devilment spread over his lips in a huge smile. "How do you know I haven't been dating anyone?" She didn't have time to think about it because a loud pop came from somewhere outside Chapter 3
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the car and suddenly the vehicle skidded along the pavement and headed right for the cliff face at the side of the road. Sheer surprise caught her breath prisoner and her heart banged a frantic rhythm. She couldn't even cry out as Morgan wrested the steering wheel and worked the breaks so they slid to the side of the road and came to an abrupt halt. She looked out her passenger door window and realized if he hadn't gotten the vehicle under control they might have crashed into the guardrail or into the hillside. The pounding of her heart and the rapid slap, slap of the windshield wipers drowned all other sounds. "Courtney?" She looked at him as he reached across and cupped her face in his warm hands. "Are you all right?" "Yes." His gaze raked over her quickly, intensely, as if didn't believe her. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice deep with concern. "Positive." He released a breath and let go of her. The vehicle tilted oddly on one side. "Do we have a flat?" Chapter 3
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He turned on the emergency blinkers. "You bet. It's a good thing there weren't any cars around when we slid sidewise or we might have caused an accident." He unbuckled his seat belt. "Stay here." He opened the door and before she could make a sound he left the car and slammed the door. Stay here. She didn't think so. She jumped out of the car into the downpour and rushed around to the back of the car. Morgan was unloading the jack. "You don't need my extra weight holding the car down. Besides, I can help. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty." Instead of brushing her off he smiled and began to jack up the vehicle. "Hell of a honeymoon you've taken me on, Squirt." "Well, let's hurry up and get this tire changed before we both get pneumonia. Then we'll have something else to add to the list of mishaps." They made short work of changing the tire, although she became distracted a couple of times thinking about the undeniable look of distress on Morgan's face when he'd cupped her face in his hands. She'd never been in a car accident or even come close, so she probably had looked petrified. Still...the thought of him being worried about her was oddly pleasant. Chapter 3
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"Bull hockey," she said out loud as he tightened up the nuts on the tire. "What?" he asked through the howl of the wind. "Nothing." He glanced up at her but the action only served to mess up his glasses, rain running down the lenses. By the time they climbed back into the car she shivered with a cold that seemed to reach deep into her bones. She peeled off her raincoat and hung it over her seat. Before he started the car he reached for a blanket in the back seat and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Thanks," she said with soft surprise, smiling up at him. She could feel his warm breath on her neck, and she quivered with a tingle of awareness. He kept his arm around her, his hand rubbing her shoulder as if to get her warm. Droplets of rain clung to the lenses of his glasses. "Really, Morgan, you've got to get contacts." She snatched them off his nose and began to wipe off the moisture with a corner of the blanket. When she looked up she almost gasped. He had the most beautiful brown eyes she'd ever seen. Fringed with thick, dark lashes, they stayed intent on her and unwavering. Hot. More than the sweet warmth of a friend, his gaze transmitted fire and something that made her Chapter 3
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breath catch. Lord, without his glasses he was very, very handsome. This near to him she could see in intimate detail the straightness of his nose, the sensuous curve of his lips, the small dimple in his chin. Handsome was an understatement. Virile. Gorgeous. His eyes narrowed. "You okay?" She shifted and took a deep breath to get her lungs working again. "Great. Guess we'd better get going." He took his arm from around her, retrieved his glasses from her hand, and plopped the frames on his nose. "Yep. I think you're right, Squirt. From now on I wear those contacts I bought a month ago." Spell broken, he turned on the engine and pulled onto the road. While she couldn't imagine what he must think of her odd behavior, she was pretty sure she'd lost her mind. Morgan Lucas was not gorgeous. She spent the rest of the trip trying to convince herself she was right.
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Chapter 4 "MR. LUCAS IF you'll sign the register right here," the front desk clerk said to Morgan. Morgan signed the old fashioned register. The desk clerk looked at Courtney. "Mrs. Lucas?" "Courtney?" Morgan asked, nudging her gently with his el−bow. She broke from her perusal of the huge lobby to look at Morgan and the pragmatic front desk clerk. She smiled. "Sorry." She took the feather pen from Morgan and signed. Courtney Ann Devons. The man behind the desk turned the register around and his eyebrows rose. "Oops," Morgan said, realizing that she'd forgotten the charade. She looked chagrined for about two seconds before she recovered and pinned the front desk clerk with an imperial look. "I kept my own name." The man nodded and smiled, no doubt curious about her defensive tone. "Of course, ma'am." Chapter 4
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As they waited for the porter to load their bags onto a cart, Courtney turned away to observe the country style interior of the old hotel. Seconds later a tall, blond, well−built man wearing a muscle shirt and bike shorts approached Courtney. "Welcome to the Heart Inn Resort," the man said as he put out his hand to her. "I'm Alan Barns. Physical fitness director for the resort." She smiled as she shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Barns. I'm Courtney Devons." "I know. Jack at the front desk told me you'd just arrived. He said you put down on your information card that you'd be interested in an aerobics class while you're here. I teach one every day at 8:00am. Not that you need the exercise, of course." Morgan noted that Alan's gaze traveled over Courtney's slim figure. In fact, the overgrown beach boy was looking at her like she wore nothing at all. She didn't look disconcerted by the guy's attention. Good. She needed a man to appreciate her beauty. She laughed lightly and disengaged her hand from Alan's grip. "Thank you. I've been meaning to start an exercise routine for weeks and aerobics will be perfect." Alan's gaze assessed her again, as if he imagined her in one of those skin hugging outfits. Morgan decided he should at least introduce himself. Plastering on a smile, he Chapter 4
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approached and held his hand out. "Hi. I'm Courtney's husband." Courtney started, as if Morgan had announced her hair was on fire. "Oh, yes. Sorry. Alan, this is Morgan Lucas." Alan's grip was firm and no−nonsense, and his smile seemed genuine enough, but something seemed insincere about the guy. Maybe it was the way he never stopped smiling, or the way he puffed out his impressive pectorals. Still, it wasn't up to him to like the guy...if Courtney wanted to go out with the man, that was her decision. Impulsively, Morgan put his arm around her shoulders and brought her close. He looked down at her with what he hoped was a sufficiently besotted expression. "We're on our honey−moon." Stiffening, she smiled back and then looked at Alan. "Too bad I missed your class today. Do you hold classes on Sunday morning, too?" Alan continued to grin. "Actually, on Sunday I like to sleep in. But I have a class Sunday afternoon, so you won't miss out." "Great. I'll be there." The porter had their bags on the cart by this time, so they said goodbye to Alan. Chapter 4
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As they crossed to the elevator, Courtney moved out from under his arm. He glanced at her, wondering if he'd made her angry again. For months, since she'd started dating that creep Stan, Morgan had wrestled with his feelings. At first he'd thought he didn't mind she'd found someone. Then he'd had the opportunity to meet Stan and immediately revised his opinion. The man was far too cocky, conceited, and condescending. Obviously he thought because he came from a rich family and had a high position in a prestigious architectural firm that others remained beneath him in intelligence and worth. Morgan could still recall the day Stan had wandered through the antique store spouting limited knowledge about antiques and sniffing indignantly when Morgan had the gall to correct him. As time had passed, and Morgan rarely saw Courtney, he realized how much he missed her. Missed her laugh, her teasing taunts, her...pretty face. That's when life got rough. He'd plunged into his work fifteen hours a day until he ached in every bone. Last month he'd contracted a flu so serious he'd been forced to close his shop for a week while he recuperated or risk getting pneumonia. Rachel had wanted to tell Courtney he was sick, but he insisted she not say a thing. During his illness he'd lay in bed, fever making him a bit delirious, and he'd had crazy Chapter 4
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dreams about Courtney. Although the dreams stayed foggy, he distinctly remembered kissing her in one dream. The dream shocked him and he realized he needed to slow down and stop working so hard. When he started having wild dreams about Courtney, he knew he was two bricks short of a load. He wanted to think of this vacation as an opportunity to put their friendship back into firm standing. Almost having an accident had reminded him how much her friendship meant to him. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. Of course he'd been concerned about her. He would have worried about anyone. The elevator halted at the third floor, and when they found their suite, Morgan unlocked the door. Courtney got a good look at the room and let out a gasp. "Would you look at this place?" He'd been in a few sumptuous suites before, but this one outstripped all the others in elegance and size. At one end of the room resided a huge four poster bed with a canopy. "Damn," he said. "And here I thought they'd have a heart shaped bed." "Morgan!" He laughed, enjoying the light tinge of color rising in her cheeks as she glanced at the porter. But the man didn't seem to notice her discomfort. Chapter 4
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After the porter unloaded their bags and left, Morgan took another look at the room. An antique dealer's dream, the room was furnished with a mahogany secretary, and a high−boy. A large window with rich emerald damask curtains graced one wall. Next to the window nestled a small Queen Anne table with a pair of matching chairs. "This is a great place," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and flopping backward with a sigh. "And you've already made your first conquest." She sat in a chair by the window. "Conquest?" "The aerobics instructor." He propped himself on his el−bows and grinned. "He was drooling on you like an overeager puppy. The man needed a bib. Did you like him?" She laughed. "He's good looking. Very good looking. But I'll bet he treats all the women guests like that. Probably kisses old ladies hands and pats little girls on the head. It's how he gets people into his aerobics classes. Full classes means he keeps his job." "I saw how he was looking at you. And I don't think he leers at little old ladies in pink tights quite the same way. Way to go, Squirt. You'll have a date in no time." She stood up and advanced to the bed. "Who says I want to date him?" He fell back on the bed again and folded his hands over his stomach. Staring at the ceiling he said, "Might be nice to have a vacation romance." Chapter 4
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"Humph. Well, I don't know..." "Live it up. You deserve to have a good time." "That would blow our cover. I mean...if I dated." He twiddled his thumbs. "I don't think anyone would notice or care." Her face swam into view as she leaned over the bed and pinned him with a frown. She sank down on the bed next to him. "Maybe you're right. What about you? Did you see any potential lady friends?" He sat up. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen any women that had caught his interest. But he played along. "At least a dozen." She sniffed. "Good. As long as we've got that cleared up." She turned and headed for the wet bar. "I could use a drink." "This early in the day?" She gave him a wry grin. "Club soda. Want anything?" "No, thanks." As she rummaged around in the bar he rose from the bed and headed for the bathroom. When he looked inside he discovered it had a whirlpool tub big enough for four people. All of a sudden he imagined sharing the tub with Courtney. And she wore nothing but a Chapter 4
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smile. "Lord help me." "What?" Courtney called from the bar area. "Nothing." Leaving the bathroom and hopefully his over−active imagination within it, he retreated to the bar. "On second thought, I think I will have that club soda." After she poured his drink and handed it to him, she peeked around the corner of the bathroom. "Wow. I see what you mean. This is nice. The tub is even big enough for two." He choked on his drink. "Are you okay?" He coughed. "Yeah," he confirmed, his voice raspy. While he sipped his drink, she crossed to the window. "It's stopped raining. Perfect. I can't wait to try out the pool." She frowned. "Damn." "What?" "I just remembered I forgot to pack my swim suit. How could I forget that?" she asked, a slight whine in her tone. "So buy another one." She turned toward him, her brow wrinkled. "I suppose I could. There's a shop downstairs." She shook her head. "I'll bet it would cost a fortune." Chapter 4
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"So? This is your vacation. You're not paying for the room and you get free meals except room service. Splurge." "I think I will." She went behind the bar to put away her glass. A purely mischievous idea came to his mind. "Buy a bikini." "Why?" "You'd look good in one." She looked startled. "How would you know?" He leaned on the bar and recalled the last time he'd seen her in a bathing suit of any kind. If he remembered correctly she'd been eighteen. She'd blossomed into a pretty woman. Imagining what she would look like now almost caused him to choke on his drink again. "You have a nice figure." She looked up at him, her eyes wide and intent. "Thanks. But bikinis aren't my style." "Don't you want Dudley Do−Right Barns to notice you?" As she rinsed her glass she wrinkled her nose. "I don't plan on wearing a bikini to aerobics class." He laughed, and she play−fully threw a small dish towel at him. "I don't suppose you packed a Speedo?" The idea of wearing one of those tight, constricting contraptions made him wince. "No. Too uncomfortable." Chapter 4
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"Huh. Well, then don't complain when I come back with a one piece." As she snatched up her purse and headed for the door, he asked, "Are you saying you like men in Speedos?" She turned, hand on the door knob, and winked at him. "Some men. In red or black. It can be sexy on the right guy. See you a little later." After she left he looked in his suitcase and pulled out his swimming trunks. He held them up and grimaced. Orange and yellow stripes. What had he been thinking? RATHER THAN riding down in the elevator, Courtney decided to take the stairs. As she descended the wide, carpeted steps, she noted the photographs lining the walls. Some were black and white, some color. She slowed her descent and perused the pictures. At one particularly stunning, old black and white she stopped. The woman wore a high necked dress in the style of the 1890's and held a tussy mussy of flowers in her hand. She wasn't smiling, but there seemed to be a twinkle in her eye. The serious looking, handsome man next to her wore glasses. With shorter hair he might even pass for Morgan. She read the gold plaque at the bottom of the ornate wood frame. Chapter 4
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Garrett M. Douglas and Margaret A. Fortier met at the Heart Inn, May 1, 1899. Married at the Heart Inn, May 12, 1899. "Wow. Fast workers." She went down a couple of steps and found another pair, this photograph also in black and white. And so it went, all the way down the stair case. She marveled at the dozens of people who had met and married at the Heart Inn Resort. Every decade in the hundred year history of the Heart Inn seemed to yield dozens of marriages. Maybe, if luck smiled on her, the Heart Inn Resort would yield a dashing, sexy man who would fall in love with her. She brought herself up short. She was a little ambivalent about meeting men. Getting over Stan had taken a long time. This vacation screamed rest and relaxation, not necessarily romance. Sure she'd joked with Morgan about finding a man, but if she didn't it wouldn't break her heart. Her style didn't run to getting involved with men for short term relationships. Nope. No way. She had a feeling that was the type of relationship Alan Barnes would want. When she reached the beach wear store, she thumbed through racks of one piece suits, and thought about how nice it would be to spend time with Morgan. Ever since they'd Chapter 4
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become friends years ago, he'd been like the big brother she never had. After her mother died when she was eighteen, Morgan's entire family became hers. They'd always treated her well, and she'd spent dozens of holidays with Morgan's parents, his older sister Caren, and younger brother Mark. She thought about last Christmas. Morgan hadn't asked her over for his family's Christmas Eve party. At first she didn't notice the lack of invitation, because she'd thought she wanted to spend time with Stan. Unfortunately, that had been a disaster. Instead, she and Stan had ended up fighting and she'd cried herself to sleep, feeling miserable and alone. Shoving aside the depressing thought, she flipped through the next rack. Nothing fit her tastes. She had almost given up when she spotted a tamale red two piece bathing suit for half price. The saleswoman must have seen her eyeballing the suit. "I can't understand why that suit hasn't sold. It's an eye catcher and high quality. Want to try it on?" "I don't know..." "Can't hurt a thing." The saleswoman smiled and looked at Courtney closely. "You look about the right size." Chapter 4
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Courtney wrinkled her nose. "It looks too small." Snatching the suit off the rack, the saleswoman smiled. "Never can tell unless you try it on." Resigned, Courtney took the bathing suit into the changing room. Moments later she smiled with satisfaction. The suit was nice. The halter top was a good fit, and the high cut legs of the bottom half actually made her legs look longer. On the other hand, she felt very, very exposed. Almost naked. She wasn't used to flaunting what she had. She frowned, remembering the last time she'd tried to wear a form fitting gown to a party. Stan had become extremely jealous of the admiring glances she'd received from other men and had almost caused a scene. Totally embarrassed, she'd insisted he take her home. Sighing, she looked at the plunging neckline of the suit. Stan wasn't here now. He was out of her life for good and she didn't need to worry about what he thought anymore. She needed to please herself. A man would never have that type of hold on her again. When she came out of the changing room seconds later, she smiled at the clerk and happily produced her traveler's checks. Chapter 4
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When Courtney returned to the room a short time later, Morgan was gone. He'd left a note on the table. Squirt, Went shopping. Be back in a flash. Morgan Hmmm...the note was like Morgan. Essentially straightforward and never complicated. As she unpacked and put items in the chest of drawers, she wondered where to hide her new purchase. She decided to conceal it in a pocket of her suitcase. She didn't want Morgan stumbling across it by accident. At that moment she wondered what kind of briefs Morgan wore. She felt her face redden. She slammed the drawer with more force than necessary. Ridiculous. Why did the thought of Morgan's underwear make her blush? Since when had she ever thought about Morgan's underwear? She swallowed hard and went to get a bottle of water from the wet bar. Her mouth was as dry as the Sahara. Her mind jumped to the next preposterous thought without a modicum of reserve. What color of briefs did he wear? "I can't believe I'm even wondering," she said out loud, shaking her head. "And why do I Chapter 4
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care if he finds the bikini? He'll probably get to see me in the darn thing anyway." Now that was a terrifying thought.
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Chapter 5 "ROOM SERVICE, I'd like to order dinner, please," Morgan said into the phone. Courtney's stomach growled at the mere mention of food. Snapping up the television remote, she sank onto the love seat, slipped off her sandals and flipped through channels. After he requested two orders of shrimp scampi, coffee and a desert called Heart Inn Resort Sin, she immediately envisioned waking up tomorrow and realizing she'd gained ten pounds. She'd never get into her bikini. "And I'll have a bottle of your finest champagne," Morgan said. Her eyes widened at the mention of champagne, but when she looked at Morgan he simply winked at her and smiled. After he hung up she put down the remote. "Your finest champagne? That's probably Dom Perignon or something. Do you know how much that stuff costs? I'm surprised you didn't order caviar." "Yuck." He stretched and yawned. "Room service is extra. It's not a part of the package." "So what? We're on vacation." He strolled over to the love seat and plopped down next to her. "We can afford it." Chapter 5
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"You can afford it," she countered. He snatched the remote from her and switched channels until he reached a beach volleyball tournament. Several nubile young women bounced around in the sand. "Don't worry. I plan on paying for it," he said, his tone light as he grinned at her. "You're just being cheap." "Cheap?" she asked, her voice going up a notch. "I'll have you know I spent a good deal of money on a bathing suit today." His eyebrows went up. He pushed his glasses back on his nose. "Bikini?" "I−−" she cut herself off, an idea sparking in her. Let him wonder. "Wouldn't you like to know?" He nodded and the side of his mouth turned up in a barely suppressed smile. When he turned his attention back to the bouncing women, she snagged the remote from him and changed the channel. "Your business is doing well, and I know you're a saver," he said. "Can't you afford to treat yourself a little now and then?" She thought back to Stan's extravagant lifestyle and frowned. She'd always been a little tight with her money. Growing up in a single−parent household with a low income had Chapter 5
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taught her the value of a dollar and then some. But she knew Morgan was right. She deserved a little frivolity after months of working her tail end off. "I'm feeling a little lean in the pocketbook because I spent a tidy sum on the new suit," she said. "Right. I'll bet it was on sale." She had a horrifying vision of him peaking in the window as she'd bought the suit. She grabbed his forearm. "How did you know?" "Because I know you." He leaned forward and put his hand over hers so that he trapped it against his arm. "Let me guess. A granny suit with big, obnoxious flowers and a demure skirt that covers your thighs." She laughed. "Exactly." His smile grew wider. "That'll make Alan salivate." The crisp hair on his forearm teased her fingers, and she drew her hand out of his warm clasp. She punched him lightly on the shoulder with her fist. "Ow! Husband beater." "Oh, that didn't hurt, you brat." She picked up the small pillow on her side of the love seat and swatted at him playfully. Chapter 5
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He caught the pillow before she could complete a second swing and grabbed her arms and pulled her toward him. Capturing both of her wrists in one large hand, he held her prisoner while he tickled her unmercifully with his other hand. She screamed with laughter. "That'll teach you," he growled softly. Gasping for breath, she struggled to break his grip. "Let me go." "Not until you surrender." "Never." "Then I'm going to tickle you until you beg for mercy." "You can't make me." "Wanna bet?" His grin was pure rascality. He switched to a corny German accent. "Ve have vays of making you talk." He tickled her around the ribs again and she yelped, pulling on his grip. "I hate you." He shook his head and leaned in close until he could whisper in her ear. "I hate you, too." A warm stirring filled her stomach, but she wasn't sure if it came from laughing so hard her sides hurt, or from his warm breath tickling her ear. Chapter 5
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He pulled back slightly and removed his glasses. She wished he hadn't. Unencumbered by the lenses, his gaze assessed her, as if he saw her for the first time. His fingers loosened on her wrists. She was caught in a web, encompassed by a sweet, indefinable glow expanding in her body. She felt positively giddy. As if her senses had gone on overdrive, she heard the harshness of her breath and every one of his slow, deep exhalations. The scent of him teased her nostrils with a pleasant fragrance that spoke of pure masculinity. And his face, which should be as familiar as her own, suddenly became fascinating. The arch of his thick, dark brows, the handsome curve of his jaw. His nose, strong and patrician, didn't overpower the absolutely sensual curve of his mouth. She blinked. Get a grip, Courtney. This is crazy. His gaze dropped to her lips, and she felt his stare as if he touched her skin with a feather. When he gazed back into her eyes she saw a need there. An urgency she didn't quite under−stand. Whatever it was, though, it felt dangerous. Powerful. Lethal to their friendship in a way she didn't wish to risk. Her hair fell onto her cheek, a single strand touching her nose and lips. It tickled like Chapter 5
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crazy, and she twitched her nose to try and dislodge it. The stubborn hair stayed put. Slowly, without removing his gaze from hers, he reached out and brushed the hair aside. His fingers trailed lightly over her lips, sending a tingle of pleasure over her skin. Was he leaning slightly closer? Her heart started an erratic tattoo as his lips parted, as if he might say something...or was about to−− A knock on the door made them jump, and his eyes widened with surprise. Releasing her instantly, as if he'd been caught doing something indecent, he vaulted off the couch like a bull poked by an electric prod. "I'll get that," he said, his voice a little husky. It was room service. Even as the server pushed in the generously appointed cart, Courtney's nerves continued to jump. What had happened? Maybe nothing. The tremors of excitement she'd felt as he gently brushed the hair away from her face, his fingers touching her lips, the tenderness...all of it was a reaction to... Hunger. Yep. Starvation accounted for a variety of crazy mental aberrations. Starved and tickled half to death by her brat of a friend, she was bound to hallucinate about feelings that had no Chapter 5
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place between two buddies. By the way he'd jumped off the couch, she knew he couldn't wait to get away from her. Forcing herself to forget the wild feelings still coursing through her, she inventoried the cart containing their dinner. A large ice bucket held a bottle of champagne, flutes for the bubbly, silverware, main course, veggies, soup, a delectable looking chocolate desert... As the server lifted the lid off of each silver tray, Morgan made noises of approval. To her surprise, the server proceeded to set their dinner on the small table at one corner of the room. Once it was entirely arranged, the man left the room. "Place mats. Real silverware and everything," Courtney said as she sat down. "This is great." "Try the champagne." Morgan poured her a flute of the bubbly and sat across the table from her. She brought the crystal to her lips. As he watched her drink with studied concentration, she felt a disturbance deep within her. She glanced at him as she took the first sip, as the bubbles popped over her lips and tongue. His brows went up as she lowered the flute. "Like it?" She nodded and smiled, and he smiled with her. Somehow she didn't trust herself to Chapter 5
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speak right away. For the first time in a long time she felt secure and happy. She wanted to savor the moment and stretch it out for as far as it would go. Speaking would mar the delightful zing dancing through her. They ate in silence for a short while before she spoke. "Boy, what does this champagne cost? Ten dollars a mouth full?" she asked. He laughed. "Shut up and enjoy it." "Hey, give me a break. I've never even stayed in a hotel like this before." He sipped his champagne. "You've been missing a lot." "How often have you stayed in resorts?" "A few times." His mobile lips twitched up at the corners in a smile she recognized as conspiratorial. He tasted a piece of shrimp before responding. "This isn't the first time I've ever pretended to be married." She almost dropped her fork. "What?" He leaned back in his chair, contentedly chewing for a moment before responding. "When I was nineteen I went to the Canon Heights Hotel with Sandy Fremont and we signed the register as Mr. and Mrs. Filbert." She knew her eyes had to be bulging. "Randy Sandy?" He laughed. "That's the one." Chapter 5
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Her fork gripped tight in her fingers, she leaned forward. Morgan with Sandy Fremont? She wasn't sure whether to cackle hysterically at the picture it brought to mind, or be disappointed he had never told her. "But she was a cheerleader, a valedictorian, the most popular girl in high school." He cocked one eyebrow. "And?" She let her fork drop to her plate with a clatter. "I can't picture you together." "Why not?" Why not indeed? She never imagined in a million years that Morgan had ever done something as libidinous at nineteen as shacking up at the exclusive Canon Heights Hotel with someone as pretty and popular as Sandy. Her mouth opened, then closed. Or maybe it was the idea of Morgan making love with any woman. When she didn't answer, he grinned. "Kind of boggles the mind, doesn't it? That was the first and last time...with the exception of this trip, that I ever played husband. It was only for one night." "Oh," she said, looking at her shrimp with a false air of interest. One night with Morgan. Deciding she had to steer away from the intimacy of the conversation, she took a healthy swallow of champagne. Chapter 5
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"I thought you did a lot of traveling with your parents when you were younger? They went on vacations to exotic places," she said. "Alone. Taking kids to resorts of this type can cramp your style. Many of the places they traveled to weren't that kid friendly." She speared a piece of cauliflower. "This must be a unique place then. They have a baby sitting service and a kid's game room, a playground, and an arcade." "Aren't you glad we don't have to worry about that? Foot loose and fancy free." Kids. The thought send a momentary twinge of discomfort through her. If she'd stayed with Stan she might be a mother by now. Stan had wanted several children, but he'd also said she had to stay home with them. No ifs, ands or buts. Her accounting career would be over, he'd said. Giving her an ultimatum was not what she initially expected from Stan. She knew she wanted one or two children, and she wanted her career. Working at home was an option−− "Hey, you okay?" Startled out of her musings, she realized her dinner was getting cold. "Sure. I was just thinking." Chapter 5
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His firm lips twisted into a lopsided smile. "About the price of each mouth full of scampi? Or the fact that I'm already eating my Heart Inn Resort Sin and you're still picking at your shrimp?" "Sorry. I guess I'm not as hungry as I thought." His grin disappeared. "Are you feeling all right?" She forced another piece of shrimp into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully before she answered. "I'm fine. I was thinking about kids, that's all. Stan wanted children but he said I'd have to give up my accounting career to have them." Morgan grunted, a look of scorn passing over his even features. "Stan is a fool, Courtney." She finished her champagne and reached for the bottle to pour herself another glass. "A lot of women give up their careers to stay home and take care of children." He nodded. "Sure they do. But it's their choice. Or at least it should be." She'd never heard him express these feelings about family life before, and curiosity built within her. "What do you think? I mean, if you had a wife and you decided to have children, would you want her to stay home with them?" "I'd want her to be happy. And if that meant staying home with our kids then I'd do Chapter 5
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everything I could to make it a reality for her. But only if she wanted that." "What if she wanted to have a child, stay home for a short time, then go back to work?" "It would be fine with me." His eyes grew warm and serious behind his glasses. "Obviously you weren't the right woman for Stan." He snorted. "Did you honestly consider giving up your career to do what a sanctimonious twit like Stanley Ashford wanted you to do?" She sighed and thought back to the last big fight she'd had with Stan. "It was one of the issues that broke us up." When he didn't reply she wondered if she was boring him. But he appeared to listen intently, his gaze resting on her face with obvious attention. "When I told him I wanted to wait for awhile after we got married to have kids and that I wanted my career, he went off on me." His eyes narrowed. "What do you mean went off?" "Went into a rage." She shuddered at the memory of the contempt she'd seen in Stan's eyes. "He actually put his fist through the wall. It scared me so much I knew I had to leave that night. I never realized, until that moment, the power he'd had over me." "You were very smart to get out. You can find a better man." "All the good ones are taken." Chapter 5
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"Oh come on. You know that's not true." "Statistics say that when you reach my age the possibility of finding a man has decreased incredibly." "Huh! That's nuts. You're only twenty−seven." "And a lot of men are looking for young bods like those..." she gestured at the blank TV screen. "...those beach volleyball babes." He laughed. "Sounds like the title of a bad B horror movie." He held his hands out. "I can see the marquee right now. Beach volleyball babes from hell." Exasperated, she sighed. "I don't think there's a man out there for me. And that's okay. Because I don't need a man." "Maybe not. You've worked very, very hard in your career. He had no right to try and take it away from you by saying it was babies or a career. That is your choice, Courtney, and don't you forget it." The vehemence in his tone surprised her. His feelings intrigued her, urged her to peel back the layers of mystery he'd used to cloak around himself. Morgan always projected a cross between quiet intellectual and steely strength. Often she imagined him sitting on a hilltop gazing resolutely into the distance, his mind Chapter 5
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wandering through eons of philosophical problems. "Rachel told you a lot of what was going on between me and Stan, didn't she?" Courtney asked. "I mean, I didn't see much of you when I was going out with him." "Rachel didn't have to tell me a lot. I sensed something was wrong." "How?" He leaned back in his chair. "The simple fact that you couldn't be around me anymore. Whenever I did see you either Stan was there giving me the evil eye or you couldn't have lunch or dinner with me because of some excuse about needing to get back to Stan." Guilt stung her like a bee. She slowly stood and walked to the window to look out at the mountains in the distance. "I really neglected our friendship, didn't I?" She heard him come up behind her, but she didn't dare look at him. Would she see the disappointment fresh in his eyes? Per−haps blame? "Yes. You did." Well, if Morgan was anything he was honest. "I'm sorry." He clasped her shoulders, and she felt the strength of his fingers press gently into her flesh. "You're forgiven. It was a bad time for you. Besides, I wasn't exactly a saint myself." She turned, and his touch followed, so he still gripped her shoulders lightly when she Chapter 5
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faced him. As she looked into his dark eyes she lost herself. Floating on a breeze of sensation, she drifted, her mind wandering. Hell, even with his glasses on he was damned gorgeous. No man had a right to have such long lashes, nor such sinfully soulful eyes. Disoriented by the pleasure she took being so close to him, she spoke without thinking. "I think I'll save the sin for later." Looking thoroughly confused, he asked, "What?" "The cake. I think I'll save it for later." He cleared his throat. "Oh." Embarrassment zapped through her. Why did his simple touch, something she'd felt many times over the years, now turn her into a mindless, babbling air head? It didn't make sense. His gaze landed on her mouth, and his own lips parted. "Delicious." "Hmm?" It was his turn to look discombobulated. "The cake. It was delicious." "Uh huh." A glow of happiness at being with him added to the pleasant buzz from the champagne. Chapter 5
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Maybe the alcohol made her feel a cross between happy and sad? She felt as if she'd lost some−thing, but she also felt as if something else was right around the corner, waiting if she knew where to look. But the gravity in his gaze frightened her. So she switched gears and moved away from the past where so many hurtful memories remained. She smiled. "What did you do that keeps you from saint−hood? Were you running amok with blonde beach babes from hell?" He laughed, and his contagious mirth sent her into a laugh as well. Then, he suddenly sobered, an intriguing warmth back in his eyes. His fingers lightly caressed her upper arms. "God but you're beautiful when you laugh," he said huskily. She lost her grip on her champagne and it spilled directly onto his shirt front and down the front of his navy Dockers. He released her as she gasped in dismay. She ran for a towel in the bathroom. "Oh, my God. I'm so sorry!" "It's no big deal," he called out. "I always wanted to take a bath in Dom Perignon. But since it's twenty dollars a mouthful I thought bubble bath might be more prudent." "Twenty dollars! I thought it was ten dollars a mouthful." "Well, at two hundred dollars a bottle divided by...never mind." Chapter 5
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She burst out in laughter again and dampened the towel at the sink. When she came back into the room Morgan's bare chest confronted her, and he began to unbutton his pants. "Morgan!" He looked up as his pants dropped to the floor. "What?" "What do you think you're doing?" "Getting out of these clothes and taking a shower. If I don't I'll smell like a wino all night." He paraded past her in just his briefs and went straight into the bathroom and closed the door. Agog, she sat down on the bed, then flopped backwards holding the damp towel. "I don't believe this." Well, at least she knew now what kind of briefs he wore.
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Chapter 6 AS THE FIRST rays of morning filtered under the thick curtains of the hotel room, Morgan watched Courtney from his cramped position on the love seat. He'd decided observing Courtney sleeping must be one of the most fascinating things he'd ever done. For such a simple thing it gave him unusual joy. Yeah. Watching her sleep was better than hiking to the top of a mountain and looking down at where he'd been and seeing the progress he'd made. Nothing used to be better than that. Until now. For most of his life he thought a trek to hike, fish, and camp couldn't be beat. Gallivanting around the globe like his sister Caren did, or joining the military like his brother Mark, didn't appeal to Morgan. His income came from his antique business, and he enjoyed the quiet of being alone with objects old and covered with dust. But when he was in the out doors, taking in the fresh air and communing with nature, he was in seventh heaven. Heaven didn't describe his protesting muscles as he shifted on the love seat. Morgan cursed his chivalry. Eight inches shorter than him, Courtney would have fit on this tiny Chapter 6
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couch a lot better than him. He pushed up, tossing the blanket off and padding across the thickly carpeted floor to the window. He parted the curtains and squinted into the dazzling light spilling over the horizon. Today looked like a good day for a swim. He definitely needed something to clear champagne cobwebs and his crazy imagination. Something stopped him from going far. He sat on the edge of the bed and took the risk she might wake. She barely stirred. Her dark hair lay on the pillow, the wispy fringe of her bangs tantalizing him so that he wanted to reach out and touch her forehead. He almost groaned out loud. Thinking like this about his friend was stupid. Of all the people in the world, he'd never thought of this woman as anything more than his best buddy. Last night, though, he'd felt drawn to her. Wishing to touch her in intimate, personal ways, to dare and think about caressing her. Let's not go there, Morgan. He smiled. He'd enjoyed shocking her when he'd taken his shirt and pants off last night Chapter 6
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to take a shower. Just the sort of immature prank he would have pulled as a teen. Besides, it had taken the gravity out of the conversation. Initially it hadn't occurred to him not to take off his clothes in front of her. After all, he was used to being around her...he didn't think anything of it. Until he'd seen her face. Her shocked expression had surprised him. Not given to being an exhibitionist, he'd scuttled into the bathroom like a bug being chased by an inquisitive bird. When he'd come out she was laying on the bed, asleep. Careful not to wake her, he'd taken off her shoes and covered her with a blanket. Then he'd retreated to the torture device people had the audacity to call a 'love seat.' Sometime during the night she must have risen and re−moved her clothes, because she lay under the covers. She wore a white T−shirt with cute bunnies on the front. "This is insane," he whispered. As he looked down at the pale curve of her cheek and the way her breasts rose and fell, his heart got stuck somewhere in his throat and lodged painfully. She wasn't the gangly teenager with an awkward manner anymore. Instead she was self−possessed, competent, and energetic. He'd always known she was a great person and a Chapter 6
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great friend. He hated to think of Courtney spending her life wanting a man who'd tried to control her, tried to manipulate and suck the life from her. Hell, she deserved more. She needed the opportunity to find a man who would love her, honor her, and keep her until death do they part. Then he remembered she'd said she didn't need a man. Maybe she was right. She'd been burned. He knew only too well what it felt like to have a broken heart. Claudia Alonzo had seen to that. It had taken him more than a year to recover from his broken engagement from the woman he thought he'd wanted to share his life with. Scared by the sudden pounding of his heart, he retreated to the bathroom to change for a swim. COURTNEY LAY in bed for several seconds wondering where the heck she was. Vaguely pieces came together. Dinner last night. The delightful feel of champagne bubbles bursting on her tongue. The sight of Morgan's almost naked body. She sat bolt upright and looked toward the love seat. He wasn't there, and the bathroom Chapter 6
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door was open. No sign of him. Good. She needed some time alone to digest the bizarre emotions last night had generated. Reluctantly she admitted the sight of Morgan prancing...no prancing didn't capture it...traipsing around in white underwear probably wouldn't have stopped her heart a few weeks ago. What had changed? She allowed her mind to drift back to last night, and swallowed hard. Somehow she'd always imagined him in boxer shorts. The type with silly cartoons on them. Instead he'd worn those briefs with the legs that hit mid thigh, molding over his hard, muscled thighs and tight butt. She put a hand to her mouth. She had to get a grip. Right then she spotted a folded piece of paper at the foot of the bed and reached for it. Squirt, Went to the pool for a swim. Meet me there. Morgan. After hurrying through a shower, she put on the two piece bathing suit and delighted in the knowledge she hadn't gained ten pounds overnight. She put on a T−shirt and shorts over the suit and slid into her sandals. Gathering up the beach bag she'd brought with her, Chapter 6
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she grabbed a magazine and headed down to the pool. The Olympic size swimming pool wasn't busy at this time of the morning. A young blonde sunned on a lawn chair, two elderly ladies waded in the shallow end. Morgan did laps in the deep end. She commandeered a lawn chair. Morgan started a lap back in her direction and stopped to push his wet hair out of his face. Smiling, he waved at her and came to the side of the pool. As he stood up water sluiced off of him in sheets, and he shook his head so that the water ran off his face. Her breath caught in her throat. Lord have mercy. Since when had skinny, scrawny Morgan Lucas become such a hunk? He seemed to move in slow motion. Droplets of water clung to the dark hair on his muscled chest and broad shoulders. As he walked she could see every contraction and movement of his sinew hard arms, and long, strong legs. Black Speedos rode low on his hips and left little to the imagination. Obviously he'd been working out for some time. His crooked grin widened as he snatched his towel from the lawn chair next to her and proceeded to dry off. "Morning." She closed her mouth. If she didn't stop gaping at him like a beached carp, she might Chapter 6
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catch flies. "Morning." He gestured toward the pool side bar. "I was just about to get an orange juice. Want anything?" Since her mouth tasted like cardboard, she thought it might be a good idea. "Sounds good." She refused to take more than a quick glance at his behind as he walked away. Hastily she riffled through her beach bag and found her sunglasses. It was definitely too bright out here. While he was gone, an elegant looking older woman came into the pool side area. She wore a light yellow sun dress and carried a beach bag and a Bloody Mary. The woman sat a couple chairs over from Courtney. "Good morning," the woman said, her lined face creasing even more as she smiled. She ran a hand over her short, white hair. "My name's Edna Cartwright." "Hi. I'm Courtney Devons." Edna looked at the sparkling ring on Courtney's finger. "Ah, you're a newlywed." Courtney smiled. "How did you guess?" Chapter 6
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"Almost everyone who comes here is. Besides that, you have that special glow of a woman in love." Startled, Courtney sat up straighter. "Oh?" "I'm sorry, dear. Don't mind me." She dug around in the plastic bag she'd brought with her and produced a floppy straw hat with gaudy synthetic flowers lining the brim. She plopped the hat upon her head and took a deep sip of her drink. "I'm afraid I often open my mouth without thinking. By the way, you've heard the legend surrounding the inn, haven't you, dear?" "I saw photographs of the engaged couples." Edna waved a hand that boasted a ring on every finger but her thumb. "This is a place for discovery. For lovers. Did you meet your husband here?" Husband. The appellation sounded so strange. "No. We met in Denver." Edna gestured to the bar. "That him over there talking with the buxom blonde?" At the mention of the blonde, Courtney snapped around to look. Sure enough, Morgan chatted with a lusciously carved woman. "That's him." "My, oh, my. I'd say you'd better go over there and rescue him. That woman looks like she'd like to eat him up with a spoon." Chapter 6
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Courtney stared at the older woman, unsure whether to be amused or annoyed. She glanced back at the bar and noted the blonde had put her hand on Morgan's leg. His thigh, no less. Morgan placed his hand over hers. Well, well, well. It looked like Morgan had made a con−quest of his own. Courtney turned away from the sight. Edna chuckled. "Honey, he's a rascal if I ever saw one." Courtney shrugged. "I suppose." Edna frowned and took another sip of her drink. "Sweetie, he's your husband. Why wouldn't you care?" Courtney's brain locked up like a computer with too little memory. It would seem very odd if Courtney wasn't upset by the way Morgan allowed the woman to touch him. "We have an arrangement." "Sugar, forgive me if I'm a nosy old woman, but are you talking about one of those open marriages? My cousin Delia tried that back in the sixties at one of those love communes. Whooeeee, let me tell you. That was a mess." Courtney got a picture in her head of Morgan cavorting with several delectable ladies. "Ugh." Chapter 6
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"Exactly." "We don't have that kind of open marriage." "I didn't think so. I'd say you need to give Miss Bombshell there a little competition." Edna cast a disparaging look at Courtney's clothes. "Is that all you have? T−shirt and shorts?" "No. I've got a bikini under here." "Well, for goodness sakes why don't you show it? What's the point in wearing a bikini if you can't flaunt what you've got?" "I don't think my equipment comes anywhere close to what Miss Universe has." "Nonsense," quipped the older woman. Throwing caution aside, Courtney removed the T−shirt and shorts. Then she lay back on the chair, distinctly self−conscious. Edna nodded her approval and smiled. She stirred her drink with the celery stalk, then took a sip. "You've got a lovely figure. I used to look like that when I was your age." She gazed up at the heavens. "My Ernie, God rest his soul, never looked at another woman when I wore a bathing suit. And your young man won't either when he gets a load of that suit." Chapter 6
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Courtney decided to change the subject. "Tell me more about the Heart Inn Resort." Several moments later, Courtney noticed that the blonde had gone back to her chair. Morgan walked toward Courtney and Edna, his expression casual. "I see your hubby is making his way back to you, Sugar," Edna said. "I better go back inside before I burn to a crisp. Hope to see you around." As she got up and started to turn away she hesitated. "Say, do you like mountain scenery?" "Of course." "How'd you like to take in the sites of Heart Hill behind the hotel? It's a lovely hike. You might want to give it a try. It's a tough trail, but some people say it's magical up there." She winked. "Cures whatever ails you." Bemused by the other woman's intriguing mix of sweetness and brass, Courtney watched Edna walk off. Seconds later Morgan plopped onto the lawn chair Edna had vacated. Courtney didn't look at him. Instead she flipped through a magazine. "Wow," he whispered softly. She proceeded to turn a page in the magazine very slowly and casually. "Wow?" When he didn't say anything curiosity overwhelmed her and she looked at him. He was Chapter 6
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staring at her with the most blatantly devouring, most admiring look she'd ever seen in a man's eyes. Taken aback by the carnal assessment in his gaze, she let the magazine flutter closed. "This is the suit you got on sale?" he asked, reaching out to touch the shoulder strap of the halter top. She felt the warm tingle of his touch and drew in a deep breath. "Yes." Before he could say another word, a shadow fell over them. The statuesque blonde who had fondled Morgan's leg stood next to Morgan's chair. Her toothpaste ad teeth gleamed as she smiled down at him. "Hi, Morgan. Aren't you going to introduce me to your little friend?" Courtney felt the hair on the back of her neck prickle. Little friend? True, she'd been little when she was fourteen. Morgan hadn't given her the nickname Squirt for nothing. But at eighteen she'd shot up and filled out. Luckily for her, she'd managed to stay in descent shape. Nothing like the tanned and toned woman grinning territorially at Morgan, but not exactly chopped liver, either. "Felicia Glover, this is Courtney Devons, my wife." Felicia's hand shake was like being caught in a vise. Chapter 6
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"Pleased to meet you, Courtney. Morg here was telling me all about you." Courtney lifted an eyebrow. "Morg?" Felicia laughed. "Oh, Morgan you haven't told your wife about the nickname you got at that convention?" Courtney's other eyebrow lifted. "Convention?" Morgan gave Courtney a tight smile and put his hand possessively on her thigh. Her muscles twitched. "You remember, honey? The one I attended right before we were engaged." Courtney shook her head. What the hell was he talking about? "Sorry, Morg, I don't remember that one." Felicia's grin widened as she patted Morgan on the back. She giggled. "Morg, you scoundrel. You didn't tell her?" Courtney got the satisfaction of seeing his face turn red and she almost laughed. Obviously this woman really, really liked Morgan. It would make sense if she left now and gave both of them space. "Darling, I think you've been out in the sun too long." Courtney smiled and patted his arm. "You're as red as a lobster." She looked down at her skin. "And would you look at Chapter 6
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me? I think I'm getting a little pink." She stood up. She didn't want to get in the way of a potential love interest for Morgan. If he had a few little sultry secrets in his closet she didn't know about, she didn't care. What he'd done before he married her−−Oh, God. She really had been out in the sun too long. She turned on her heel and headed away from the pool. "Courtney!" Morgan called out, his voice sounding distinctly pained, as if he were an eight year old trapped playing Old Maid with his elderly aunt.
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Chapter 7 "WHY DON'T YOU want to go to aerobics class with me, Morg?" Courtney asked through the closed bathroom door. Morgan gritted his teeth at Courtney's use of Felicia's pet name for him. He rifled through the chest of drawers for athletic socks. After Courtney had left the pool, he'd been trapped listening to Felicia prattle about her antique shop in Seattle. Eventually he escaped back to the hotel room. "No," he said, locating shorts and a T−shirt. "Oh, come on. I'm sure it'll be good for you. Of course you could go back out and swim. I'm sure Felicia would appreciate it." "What in the Sam Hill are you talking about?" She mumbled, but he couldn't hear what she said. By the time she came out of the bathroom, he'd changed into his shorts, T−shirt and athletic shoes. When he caught sight of the blue sports bra and white bike shorts she wore, he took a deep breath. The material of the bra hugged her full breasts, and the spandex shorts finely molded her thighs. In some ways, the sinful suggestion of her exercise gear tantalized him Chapter 7
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more than her hot red bikini. He shook his head, hoping the motion would clear the totally inappropriate thoughts racing through his head. She's your friend, Morgan. Nothing more. She marched to the wet bar and retrieved a bottle of water. "Sure you don't want to come to class? There will be all sorts of beautiful women there." "And what makes you think I'm interested in watching a bunch of beautiful women hopping and jumping−−" "Think about it, Morg. Skin hugging leotards. Skimpy shorts. Form fitting spandex. This is your vacation. Live a little." He had to admit to himself that he'd told her the same thing when he'd suggested she splurge on the swim suit and champagne. "As appetizing as it sounds, I've always hated aerobics. I think I'll hit the treadmill and the weight machine." Her eyes flashed with mischief. He'd seen this mood before. It would take a mule team to drag out of her what shenanigans she had in mind. The devilment in her expression made him curious, and almost willing to take up aerobics. Chapter 7
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"I'll make you a bet," she said. "I think you don't want to do the aerobics because you know it'll kick your butt." "Huh!" "It's true. I'll bet you a drink that I can outlast you." He'd never been able to resist a Courtney challenge. As teens they'd challenged each other to arcade games, chess, checkers, Monopoly, and a dozen other ventures. "Put like that, I don't think I can resist. Under one condition." "I bet you a drink." He closed the gap until he stood very close to her. He watched her reaction and enjoyed the apprehension flitting over her features. Unholy mischief churned excitement within him. "Your terms are too wimpy. I've got another proposition." "I don't know if I like the sound of that." "It's not a bad deal. If I win you sleep on the love seat tonight−−" "No way." "If I lose, I'm relegated back to the love seat." She pondered the idea for a moment before she tucked the bottle of water in her bag and Chapter 7
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headed for the door, a sly smile curving her lips. "Okay, you're on." When they reached the fitness center, Courtney led him past the main desk toward a small gym cordoned off from the rest of the center. A conglomeration of old and young people formed rows at Alan's direction. He was dressed in black bike shorts and a muscle shirt. As Courtney paused in the doorway, Morgan said, "Bike shorts?" She glanced up at him. "What's the problem? I'm wearing them." He shrugged. "Well you look great−−" He cleared his throat. "I mean, I've always found them too tight and constricting. Cuts off the circulation to important parts of my anatomy." Her eyebrows winged up as she smiled. "What part? Your brain?" Before he could retort, Alan strode forward to greet them. "Courtney." He nodded to Morgan. "So you've decided to let Courtney put you through the paces?" "Put me through the paces?" Morgan asked, curiosity spiking within him. "I thought you were holding the class." "I am, but Courtney explained to me a new dance aerobics routine she wanted to try, and I said we'd incorporate it into this session." "It's a killer routine," she said, giving Morgan a grin that cemented his earlier assessment Chapter 7
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she was up to something. "Are you sure you want to do this one, Morg?" "Wouldn't miss it," Morgan said. Several moments later Courtney and Morgan lined up next to each other in the front row. Morgan wondered, for the next several minutes, if he'd have to eat his words. He could see Courtney took care of her physical fitness despite the long hours she'd been putting in at the office. She pushed herself hard; he could tell by the way she gasped for breath. He half expected to see her keel over any minute. Instead, she kept going and going and going, her movements fluid and graceful as she swayed to the music. The Energizer Bunny had nothing on this woman. Soon Morgan panted for breath and wished he hadn't laid off his usual work out the last couple of months. Alan looked as if he were barely breaking a sweat. As his limbs began to slow, Morgan noted Courtney's triumphant look. Sensing victory, no doubt. "Enjoying...yourself?" she asked between gasps for air. "Immensely. This... is... the... best... sensation... I've had... all... day." "Well enjoy it, Morg. Because you're...going...to lose this ...bet." "Okay!" Alan shouted over the beat of the music. "This is the tough part folks. If you Chapter 7
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can't keep up, feel free to drop out. Courtney, show us your stuff!" Swiftly, she moved from her row and replaced Alan, who took her spot in the front line next to Morgan. Morgan watched in fascination as he absorbed the view of her finely sculpted body gyrating to the music. He found that if he concentrated on watching her, he didn't notice the stitch stabbing his side. Alan didn't even appear winded. Morgan felt the stitch in his side rebound. A few people dropped out, pacing about the room to cool down. Morgan kept up the rhythm, refusing to stop and let either Courtney or Alan see he couldn't compete. Before Morgan could wonder if he might collapse from heart failure, Alan went back to Courtney's side. As the music changed to salsa overtones, Alan swept Courtney into his arms and the two did an impromptu dance that gave new meaning to the cliché of dirty dancing. Morgan heard titters of laughter all around him. Determined not to let up, Morgan kept going. For what seemed like eons he watched Courtney smiling at Alan and Alan smiling at Courtney like no one else in the world existed. It made Morgan wish he was the one enjoying her attention. That he was the one holding her in his arms. Chapter 7
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The music changed back to a less strenuous pace. "Okay! Time to cool down," Alan shouted above the music as he released Courtney. "Let's march it out!" "Thank God," Morgan gasped. "What?" Courtney yelled over the music. Morgan couldn't answer. Finally the music came to a stop and Morgan stopped abruptly, his lungs working like bellows. "Walk around people. Don't stop quickly," Alan said. Alan walked with Courtney, and he put his arm across her shoulders and said something into her ear. Morgan felt as if the blood had suddenly left his head when Courtney laughed and gave Alan a saucy smile. Alan's gaze lazily assessed every one of Courtney's curves. Morgan took a step toward them, but the floor became mush under his feet and the world around him went black. FOR A MOMENT Morgan thought he'd died and gone to heaven. Someone gently pushed their fingers through his hair, and a cool cloth traced over his face slowly. The stitch in his side had disappeared, and he no longer gasped for breath. He could tell his Chapter 7
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head lay on something soft, but not too yielding. "Morgan? Morgan can you hear me?" Courtney's voice sounded anxious. Suddenly it all came back to him. The ground had opened and swallowed him. "Alan, I'm getting worried about him," Courtney said, distress lacing her voice. "He's not coming around." "He's only been out a minute. House doctor should be here any second. Besides, his vitals seem to be okay." Morgan didn't like the worry in her voice. Slowly he forced his eyes open and discovered his head nestled in her lap as she sat on the floor. She pressed a cool cloth to his face. "Morgan," Courtney gasped, relief crossing her features. "Are you all right?" "Yeah, I'm okay Squirt." Alan stared down at him, his expression caught somewhere between concern and disdain. Morgan noticed, too, that several of the other people in the class circled around them like wagons getting ready for a siege by Indian's in an old western movie. Great, just great. Not only had he lost his bet with Courtney, he'd made an ass out of himself falling flat on his butt. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so mortified. Chapter 7
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As much as he liked the feeling of her ministrations, he didn't want to cause her more concern, and he pushed himself into sitting position. "Easy," she said, her arm going around him as he sat up. "Don't move. The doctor should be here in a minute." "I'm okay." He smiled at her to erase the troubled expression in her eyes. "It takes a lot more than an aerobics class to get me down." "It's not like you to flop over like that, Morgan. You're not going anywhere until the doctor checks you over." He nodded. "When you said that routine was a killer, you really meant it." Some of the class chuckled, including Alan, but she frowned. The sparkle that had been in her eyes when she'd per−formed the dance with Alan had dissipated. Impulsively, he reached up and cupped her face with one hand. "Hey, I'm all right." "Don't you ever do that to me again," she said stiffly, as if he'd planned to collapse in a heap. He opened his mouth to respond, but the doctor bustled in right at that moment. As Alan said goodbye to the other people in the class, and the doctor checked Morgan over, Morgan felt Courtney's stare boring a hole in him. He couldn't recall the last time he'd seen her look Chapter 7
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so frazzled. After listening to his heart, taking his blood pressure, and poking and prodding him, the doctor said, "You'll do. Looks like you just stopped exercising too fast and fainted." Fainted. It sounded far too girly a thing to do. Men were supposed to pass out, not faint. After the doctor left, Courtney sat in the chair next to Morgan. A little of her good humor seemed to have revived. "Looks like you stay on the love seat." He smiled. "You'd make me sleep on that love seat after I passed out? I thought after I fell over you'd feel sorry for me." Before she could say a word, Alan walked over to them. "That was a fabulous job you did today with the class, Courtney. You ought to help me with the morning aerobics class tomorrow. I could really use the help before and after." "We like to sleep in," Morgan said, keeping the smile in his voice. Then he realized how this sounded and he changed gears. "But that would be great. You'd really enjoy that, wouldn't you honey?" She gave Morgan a wan smile. "Uh...yeah. I'd like that." Alan flashed a grin so bright it looked as if he'd used white shoe polish to brush his teeth. Chapter 7
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"You must really be proud of Courtney," Alan said. "She should have been a dancer with those moves." She flushed and looked from one man to the other. "No way. I'm not that good." "You were positively hot," Alan said. She waggled her eyebrows at Alan. "Sinful?" Morgan cleared his throat. "Yeah, it's hot in here." He glanced at Courtney. "Why don't we go back to our room and get a shower?" As they started out the door, Alan stopped them. "I hope you're coming to the Karaoke competition in Tangos Restaurant later tonight." "We'd love to," she said, as if it were the greatest idea she'd ever heard. "In fact, Morgan is an excellent singer. Aren't you, Morg?" Morgan sighed. "Oh, yeah. I'm a regular John Denver." "I won a ribbon last year in the same competition. Do you sing Courtney?" Alan asked. "I can harmonize a little but I'm no great shakes." "I'm sure you'll do fine," Alan said, smiling down on her. "Well, I'll see you later." As he departed, she said to Morgan, "Was that really necessary?" Chapter 7
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"What?" "Pushing me into helping Alan with the class." He shrugged, warring with strange emotions. As they headed for the elevators he had to wonder. He did want her to get to know Alan, didn't he? Of course he did. "Hey, it's obvious Alan thinks you're the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's a great chance for you to get to know him." Her lips puckered in a frown as they arrived at the elevators. She pushed the button to their floor. An elevator opened and the elderly couple inside smiled at them. "You know, this is going to seem strange. People are going to think we're kinky," Courtney said as they stepped into the elevator. Morgan noted the old man glancing at them, his eyebrows raised and a small smile on his lips. Morgan smiled back and nodded. Courtney kinky? Although it had never occurred to him in quite that way, he could easily imagine her in black leather. Or one of those thin, see−through things...the ideas were endless. He put his hands on his hips. "Why would they think we're kinky?" "Because we're a married couple and yet we're hitting on other people." Chapter 7
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The old woman actually turned her head to look at Courtney. Her expression said it all. She couldn't believe what she'd just heard. Morgan knew Courtney had a point, but he wasn't going to let it bother him. "Yeah, well...since when do we care what people think?" "True...but it's hard to believe that Alan is interested in me...I mean, he knows we're married−−" "He's interested. Believe me, he's very interested. He'd like to spread chocolate all over your body and lick it off." Courtney gasped, her eyes wide. She glanced at the older couple, who by now looked one part scandalized and one part amused. "Morgan...uh...could we discuss this later?" He cleared his throat. "Sure." But he wasn't really sorry he'd shocked her. Nope. Some−times that's exactly what she needed. A little arousing. A little... the concept of her aroused caused a heady feeling to pass through him. He shook his head. He'd lost his mind, that was all. Totally, completely loony. When they got off the elevator and headed to their room, she said, "You're a nut, Chapter 7
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Morgan." "What kind?" "Huh?" "What kind of nut? I've always fancied being a cashew. Very sophisticated...the caviar of nuts−−" She stopped in the hallway and put her hands on her hips. "That's not what I meant and you know it." He grinned. "Okay. I guess I went a little overboard in the elevator." "A little." She snorted. She headed down the hall. As he followed, he watched her tight, curved backside sway the slightest bit. Dazzled by the desire that suddenly surged through him, he quickened his steps to match hers. "You have to admit the old couple got a jolt out of it. The expression on their faces was priceless," he said. When he saw her lips twitch, he put his arm around her shoulders. "Come on, admit it. It was pretty funny." She grinned. "Yeah, you're right. The lady looked scandalized, didn't she?" "I think the old man enjoyed it." He decided moving onto another subject would be an Chapter 7
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excellent idea. "Why did you tell Alan I could sing? You know I can't carry a tune in a bag." She heaved a sigh. "I figured you deserved a little more pain." A small frown creased her forehead. "You know better than to stop dead like that after exercising. You shouldn't have pushed yourself so hard." He smiled. "I never back down from a challenge. You should know that by now." He was galvanized by the warmth and concern he saw in her eyes. He gave her shoulders a squeeze. "Worried about me?" "Yes, I was worried. And if you ever do that again, I'll kill you." Once they reached their room, Courtney headed for the bathroom. She hadn't recovered from the shock of seeing Morgan's face go deathly white and then watching him collapse in front of her. In that moment she'd been more than worried. Terror had practically closed her throat. "I'm taking a shower," she said. Before she could take two steps, he reached for her arm and pulled her toward him. "Wait. I need to talk to you." "Can this wait?" Chapter 7
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"Are you okay?" he said so softly she wasn't sure she heard him correctly. The quietness of his voice disarmed her. The tenderness in his gaze made her insides go soft and warm. "I'm fine." "I don't believe you." Bringing her closer, his hands caressed her shoulders. "I think we need to talk." "There's nothing to talk about." He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them on a sigh. "Courtney, talk to me like you used to. Before you met Stan. You know you can tell me anything, don't you?" She put her hands on his chest and pushed slightly, but he didn't release her. "Let's not talk about Stan, okay?" "I just can't stand it that you won't talk to me like you used to. We used to have the greatest conversations−−" She moved out of his grip and stepped back, not wanting to be distracted by the warmth of his touch. "What's that got to do with Stan?" "Like I just said. I think the time you had with Stan has changed our relationship. And I don't want it to. I want us to be like we were before." Chapter 7
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She folded her arms and tilted her head to the side. "We are the way we were. We're friends." His grin grew cocky as he moved a step toward her. She took a step back but he followed and soon she bumped against the bar with no place to go. He placed one arm on each side of her and leaned close. She poked him in the ribs, but the jab didn't budge him. The warmth she saw in his eyes, mixed with satisfaction, disconcerted her more than she wanted to admit. His proximity made her feel hot and a little crazy. "While we've got time alone at this resort, why don't we try to get to know each other again." He sighed and gave her a smile so sweet her heart lurched and she felt instantly breathless. The boyish look on his face did nothing to keep her from feeling jumbled inside. "But we already know each other. We've been good friends for a very long time." "You know that isn't true, Squirt. We lost something a few months back and I know we haven't gotten it back." He shifted so he almost touched her and she tried to summon the will to feel indignant. His soft, dark eyes wouldn't let her look away. "Relationships change," she said. Chapter 7
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"True. But the good parts don't have to alter." "You think we've lost the good parts?" "Some of them. Trust, maybe. An ease we had between us." The very thought that he might not trust her thrust a knife into her heart. She touched his chest, putting both hands on his hard muscles. A jolt of awareness of him as a man warmed her palms and then invaded her entire body. Gazing deeply into his eyes, she found she couldn't look away. Couldn't take her hands away. "What did I do? Don't you trust me?" He reached up to brush a tendril of hair from her cheek. "Of course I trust you, Squirt. But I'm not sure you trust me." "I trust you with my life," she whispered. A broad smile transformed him from worried to happy in seconds. "I'm glad." A silence stretched between them, and her heart began to pound, her throat tighten with sudden tears. She couldn't lose him. He meant far too much to her. Heaven help her. The way he looked at her drove her wild for something she hadn't experienced in a long time. And certainly not for her best friend in the whole world. "Hey," he said. "How did we go from kinky to trust?" Chapter 7
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She giggled. It sounded girlish to her ears, but she didn't care. He laughed with her and let her arms go. She wanted his tantalizing male scent and heat close to her, but he stepped back. "And do me a favor," he said softly. "Don't call me Morg." "All right. I apologize for calling you Morg, even though I'd like to hear how you got that ridiculous nickname." "It's a long story." "You can tell me." "No way." "Why not?" "Why are you so interested?" Why was she so interested? She had a feeling Felicia had given him the nickname. So what? If he wanted to dally with someone on this trip that remained his business. She was free to go her way, and he was free to go his way. She shrugged. "Never mind. I'm going to grab that shower." As she headed for the bathroom she realized that she was actually disappointed. Part of her had longed to stay trapped against him...to see what might have happened if they'd Chapter 7
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stayed that way one moment longer...
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Chapter 8 "HOW DOES IT look?" Courtney emerged from the bathroom and turned in a slow circle for Morgan's inspection. At first he wondered if he was having a mild form of panic attack. He couldn't seem to get his breath. As Courtney made a pirouette, he noticed that the sleeve−less royal blue dress skimmed her beasts, waist, and hips with loving attention. As she made one more turn, his hungry gaze took in the keyhole back which exposed her beautiful skin. The skirt ended just above her knees. "Well?" she asked. She walked toward him slowly, and in his vivid imagination he visualized thigh−high stockings clinging to her firm thighs. He fantasized about the glossy sheen of her hair against his skin. This is not good, Morgan. You're having a wild fantasy about Courtney. Think, man. This is Courtney. She peered at him. "What's wrong? You look like you've swallowed something revolting." Chapter 8
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Mentally he shook himself and managed a smile. "I...you surprised me with the dress." Doubt widened her eyes, and tiny furrows appeared between her brows. "Do you think it's a little too revealing? I could wear something a bit more conservative." He heard it in her voice. That edge of uncertainty that never used to be there. Before she'd met Stan she'd been one of the most self−assured individuals he knew. He chucked her gently under the chin. "Of course not. You look...ravishing. Wear whatever makes you comfortable." She looked heavenward, then back at him. "Ravishing? Now you're going over the top." As she reached for his tie and began adjusting it, he took inventory of her features. Had he really thought of her as simply pretty the other day when she'd come into his shop to ask him to marry her? He took in a deep breath of her subtle scent. Some−thing lemony and gentle. A jolt of pure, masculine hunger gripped his loins. He gritted his teeth and fought for control. "There. Finally," she said, giving the knot in his tie one last jerk upward. He made a strangling noise. "Are you trying to kill me?" "Possibly," she said lightly, and turned away. He took a deep breath and let it out. He must get control of these wild physical reactions Chapter 8
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to her before he did something he'd regret. Nothing could be worth risking the friendship he had with Courtney. He stared into the mirror over the dresser. After he reached for a comb and gave his hair one last sweep, he smiled. He really should wear his contacts more often. Without those chunky glasses, he looked less like a nerd. He turned to her. "What do you think? Do I really look better without the glasses?" "You look even...more handsome." Handsome? She thought he was handsome? His heart did a stumble, a jump, and then started a quick rhythm. She looked disconcerted, as if she'd said something nasty. He stepped a little closer. "The glasses make me look like a mad scientist? Or maybe a geek?" Her cheeks went a little pink. "You could never look like a geek. Maybe a mad scientist−−" "Hey, you." He stayed close, unwilling to back away from her. "Any more of that and I might have to punish you." She grabbed his tie close to the knot at his neck. "Oh, yeah? If you're not nice to me I'll have to misalign your tie. And you know you'll never get it right without me." Chapter 8
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The satisfaction of seeing amusement in her eyes and her voice warmed him from the inside out. He held his hands up. "I give up." She kept her grip on his tie. "No you don't. You never give up on anything. You're pretty good at going after what you want." That was true. And in that moment he realized he wanted more than anything to taste her lovely mouth. He stepped closer to her, and he saw the confusion in her eyes as he moved quickly to kiss her at one corner of her mouth. He meant it to be a fast peck, but as soon as his lips touched her incredibly soft, warm mouth, he lost several inhibitions in rapid succession. Although he touched her nowhere else, his lips caressed hers with feather light brushes. An immediate tender−ness swamped him as her lips trembled in response. She leaned slightly into him, and her lips clung to his. Without hesitation he took the kiss one step more, flicking his tongue lightly over her lips. A small gasp escaped her, and he almost deepened the kiss. What the hell was he doing? He pulled back, his lips tingling from her touch, his breath coming fast and his heart hammering in his ears. He'd just kissed his best friend! He noted her flushed cheeks and slightly dazed expression. Chapter 8
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He turned away from her and headed for the door before he hauled her into his arms and made a very big mistake. "Come on...let's get out of here," he rasped. ALL THE WAY down on the elevator, he thought about what he'd just done. Of course, just because she thought he was handsome didn't mean she felt anything extraordinary for him. Just because he'd kissed her it didn't meant he felt more for her than friendship. She didn't look at him, her face still betraying a look of utter shock. Once they reached the restaurant, though, she looked completely normal. "I wish we could skip the singing part of the evening," he said as they waited to be seated. She threw him a satirical smile. "What's the matter? Don't want to listen to Alan? He's probably a great singer. Would he win a ribbon if he wasn't good?" He cocked an eyebrow. "Maybe he didn't have any com−petition." He saw Alan coming down the passageway to the restaurant and heading straight for them. "Here he comes." "Good evening," Alan said, breaking the mood. Courtney grinned at Alan and said, "How nice to see you." Alan slapped Morgan on the back. "Glad you're enjoying yourself. You're in luck...you Chapter 8
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get to hear me sing tonight." "Wonderful," Morgan said, trying to sound enthusiastic. Courtney smiled. "Great. We wouldn't miss it." After Morgan and Courtney settled at an intimate table in a secluded corner, she gave him a look that could have wilted lettuce. "You're giving me that look again," he said, studying the menu. "You're damn right I am." She leaned across the table and whispered, "Why did you kiss me?" "You're asking me that now? Here?" She sighed. "Was it really necessary to kiss me like that?" He put down the menu, leaned on the table and lowered his voice. "What way would you have me kiss you? A sweet, brotherly peck on the cheek?" "Morgan, that's not what I mean and you know it." The waiter arrived and took their orders before he could say more. Once the waiter left she said, "You don't have to pretend so hard that you're my husband." He didn't understand why she was bringing this up now. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. An impetuous thought hit him. Chapter 8
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One that made him burn with a sudden need to grab her by the hand and rush back to their room. "I don't think you're angry because I kissed you. You didn't push me away, Courtney. What does that tell you?" Even in the subdued light he could see the flush reach her cheeks. "That's ridiculous, Morgan. From now on when you get this notion to kiss me, keep it...keep it..." "Chaste?" "Exactly." He shrugged and smiled as he picked up his water glass and took a sip. "Okay, but do you think we can keep up this kiss on the cheek stuff and have people believe we're newlyweds?" "Yes." He shook his head. "Everyone knows newlyweds can barely keep their hands off each other." She started to speak, but music swelled to fill the room. Several couples filed onto the dance floor. "We were alone," she whispered. "If you wanted people to think we were really Chapter 8
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newlyweds, you would have kissed me in public." She sighed, dropping her gaze to the table. "Besides, we don't care what people think. Remember?" He reached over and took her hand. She tried to pull it back, then noticed that Alan was coming their way again and subsided. When Alan arrived at the table he grinned in his plastic way, and asked Courtney to dance. As she left with Alan, her smile was as smug as a cat tasting a fat mouse. Feeling a sudden surge of envy that Alan would be holding Courtney in his arms, he sipped his coffee and almost burned his tongue. Morgan saw Alan draw her closer and whisper some−thing in her ear. Morgan gritted his teeth, aware of an alarming sensation he hadn't experienced in such a long time he almost didn't recognize it. Jealousy. Ashamed of himself, he called a waiter over and ordered a double whiskey on the rocks. He'd acted like an ass. First he'd kissed her, then he'd had the balls to tell her that she'd like his kiss. From what she'd said he could see now that he'd been totally wrong. His kiss must have repulsed her. He barely held back a sound of self−disgust. This was not good.
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ALAN TALKED TO Courtney, making almost one sided conversation over the elevated volume of the music. She enjoyed Alan's pleasant discussion, but her mind kept drifting back to Morgan's kiss. At the memory of Morgan's lips on hers, a hot curl of desire spiraled through her stomach. Friends simply didn't kiss like he'd kissed her. When his lips had molded to hers and his tongue had gently caressed her lips, she'd almost put her arms around his neck and invited him to deepen the caress. What would his tongue have felt like against hers? She stiffened in Alan's arms as she noticed Morgan stared directly at them. "How long have you been married?" Alan asked. Taken by surprise by his question, she hesitated. His brows rose when she didn't answer immediately. She couldn't recall what Morgan had told Felicia at the pool that day. Well, what difference did it make? She glanced at the ring on her hand. In the low light it sparkled with brilliance and beauty. "We've been married a week." "Ah, so this is a honeymoon trip for you. The perfect place for it, too." She smiled. "I've heard this is a popular spot for people to meet and fall in love." "Definitely. I've seen it happen even with the most unlikely of couples." Chapter 8
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Her curiosity piqued. "Really?" "Really. We had this couple several weeks ago who signed up for the same package you and your husband are on and it turned out they weren't even married. They were just friends, but then they fell in love." She tripped over his foot and almost fell, but Alan righted her. "Whoa there." "What were you saying about my dance skills earlier today?" she asked. He chuckled. Taking a deep breath, she asked in her most disbelieving tone, "Are you saying you had someone playing at being a husband and wife so they could get a free trip?" "You got it." "How did you find them out?" "His old girlfriend came along and started a fight with the faux bride." Courtney swallowed hard. "Fight as in pulling hair and biting?" A corner of Alan's mouth twitched up. "Actually the old girlfriend had quite a right cross." Courtney winced. For a moment she envisioned Felicia coming onto the dance floor and delivering the old one−two knock out. "Ouch." Chapter 8
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"I'll say. It would have been kind of funny in a way, but then the bride's old boyfriend showed up a day later and tried to abduct the bride when he found out she was so−called married." "He abducted her? You're kidding, right?" "Nope. He came in this restaurant, right up to the bride and groom's table, and snatched her into his arms. He carried her off and the groom ran after them." "Oh, my God. What happened then?" "The groom punched the old boyfriend's lights out." "What happened to the unlucky bride and groom?" "Oh, they weren't really unlucky. After they confessed their love to each other on Heart Hill, they married in our chapel." Courtney laughed. Then she sobered slightly. "Did you make them pay for the room when you found out they weren't honeymooners to start with?" He smiled. "I don't think so. I mean, that would be bad publicity for the inn after everything that happened." After that they circled the floor in silence until he said, "I couldn't help but notice that you and Morgan have a sort of...interesting relationship." Chapter 8
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A spike of alarm jumped through her system. "Interesting?" He shrugged. "You know." A sheepish look crossed his face. "I don't mind confessing that I find you very attractive, Courtney." Surprised that he'd admit it to her, all she said was, "Oh, uh...thank you." "I mean...you're a married woman. I don't normally come on to married women. But you and Morgan don't seem very worried about having other...uh...liaisons, if you know what I mean." Oh, oh. Had he figured out that she wasn't really married to Morgan? Confusion filled her. Then she remembered Edna Cartwright talking about open marriages. Morgan might have kissed her, but she needed to remember that he'd pushed her toward getting to know Alan. Looking very doubtful Alan said, "Does that mean you won't have a drink with me later tonight?" Immediately she felt a surge of dislike for Alan. What kind of man would make passes at a married woman anyway? She glanced over at her table and saw Felicia sitting with Morgan. Morgan was smiling Chapter 8
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like he was having the time of his life. Seeing them together made her answer to Alan very easy. "All right. I'll have a drink with you." "Great. I'm staying at the hotel tonight. Room four twenty. Meet me there at nine o'clock. We'll have a drink and talk." She finished her dance with Alan when he confided he needed to help with set up for the evening's entertainment. She'd been about to head off the dance floor, when she heard a voice call her name. It sounded vaguely familiar. She turned and saw a man weaving his way through the crowd of people. Suddenly she wished she were the invisible woman. As the tall man came to a stop in front of her, a tiny burst of nostalgia traversed her spine. He wore an immaculate brown suit, his sense of style impeccable. His straight blond hair was cut shorter than she'd ever seen it, and she thought it made him look even more attractive. Green and intense, his striking eyes assessed her with the precise incision of a scalpel in a surgeon's hand. She had to take a deep breath before she could speak steadily and calmly. "Hello, Stan." Chapter 8
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He smiled brightly, as if their parting months before hadn't been filled with animosity. "Courtney, it's good to see you." He took her hand and kissed it, and she resisted the impulse to yank her hand away. She slowly disengaged her fingers from his grip. His smile widened as he looked her up and down. Then his gaze rested on her left hand. Instantly she thought of the wedding ring, and she clasped her hands together. "What brings you to the Heart Inn Resort?" she asked. "I needed a vacation. I've been working too hard these last few months. You?" "Same thing. Time to recharge." "How did you hear about this place?" "My name was pulled out of a hat during a drawing. What about you?" "One of the guys at work told me about it. Said it was a great place to meet women." He stared at her, his gaze detouring over her with familiarity. When he'd looked at her like that, all those months ago, she'd been flattered and excited by his interest. Now she felt nothing. A special exhilaration sped through her blood. She was truly over Stan. A new song arrived on the air waves, and she cringed inwardly. For months she'd Chapter 8
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refused to listen to this tune, for fear it would conjure up images of Stan. "How prophetic," he said. "Our song. Shall we dance?" "It's not our song anymore." "For old times sake?" "I don't know..." He reached for her hands. "Come on. Just this once." Once she was in his arms, she studied his face surreptitiously, knowing from experience he hid his true emotions and motivations very well when it behooved him. "You know, I've had a lot of time to think, Courtney." He hesitated, then took a deep breath. "About how our relationship ended. And seeing you now reminded me of what I've been missing all these months." Uneasy, she pulled back from him slightly. His grip remained firm, and his hand holding hers shifted, increasing pressure on her fingers. "I think we ought to put that behind us, Stan. It's all over." "Are you sure it's all over? We had a good thing, Courtney." She shook her head firmly. "No, we didn't. What we had was wrong for us, and now it's time to move on." Chapter 8
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His eyebrows drew into a glower, his standard face when he didn't get his way. He drew her closer, and she could smell his sandalwood cologne. Once the scent had thrilled her. Now she associated it with bad memories she'd fought so long to forget. Why oh why did he have to turn up on her vacation? "I can see you've moved on all right. What has it been, Courtney? Four months since we broke up? And you're married already?" Great. Wonderful. Terrific. He'd noticed the ring. Panic zipped through her veins. What should she tell him? Words were out of her mouth before she could take them back. "Morgan and I married last week." His face pulled into a thunderous frown. "Morgan Lucas?" "Yes." His lips grew tight with disapproval, as if she might be a small child who had broken a rule. "So it was true." A tingle of apprehension, of feeling like might lose control, began to corkscrew through her. "What?" His voice, when it came, was soft. "You had the hots for him all the time we were Chapter 8
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together." "That's ridiculous. We were just friends then, nothing more." He gave her a hurt look, something that she'd never seen him do before. "I don't believe you." Exasperation rescued her from slipping into an old pattern of trying to placate him. "Personally, Stan, I don't care whether you believe me or not." Her assertiveness seemed to throw him and he said nothing. Why had she let herself get into this position with him? She cast a look Morgan's way and saw that their table was empty. Surprised, she glanced around and spotted him coming her direction. She didn't know whether to be relieved or alarmed. Within seconds Morgan arrived. He smiled politely as they stopped dancing. "Stanley. It's good to see you." Morgan held out his hand to shake Stan's. "What brings you here?" Stan looked disconcerted, but he shook Morgan's hand. "Vacation." "Say, Stanley, I'd like to borrow my wife for a dance, if you don't mind." Giving them a glare of contempt, Stan walked away without another word. Morgan instantly took Stan's place, pulling her even more intimately against him than Stan had held Chapter 8
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her. He gathered her hand against his chest gently, cradling it with care. "You all right?" he asked softly. She nodded. "Yes. I was starting to feel like an anaconda's evening meal. He took me by surprise showing up like that. All of a sudden he was just there." "What's the creep doing here?" "He said he is on vacation." Morgan grunted. "Sounds fishy to me." "Coincidences do happen." "Humph. I'll bet he was surprised to see me?" "Well...I'm not sure he was surprised exactly. He noticed my ring." She wriggled her fingers. "And I told him we were married." His brows drew together in concentration, but he said nothing. Courtney wondered how long Stan would remain at the hotel. If they made one false move, he would figure out they had faked the marriage. Especially if he saw Morgan flirting with Felicia, or Alan flirting with her. "I wonder why he wanted to dance with me in the first place?" she asked. "He's still got a thing for you." When she didn't speak Morgan said, "That dress is like a Chapter 8
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magnet for every man in this room with a libido." "For your information, I didn't wear this dress to try turn men on," she said, the words mouthed slow and precise. "It's ridiculous, anyway, to think Stan would still be interested in me." He looked heavenward for a moment. "You're completely unaware of the effect you can have on a man." As they moved slowly to the music, she tried to imagine a more ridiculous situation. Here she was with her so−called husband who was really her friend, and her ex−fiancé had appeared out of nowhere. Wait a minute. Was Morgan trying to compliment her in some off hand way? To say that he, too, found her attractive? Was that why he'd kissed her earlier? Nah. She'd lost it. That was it. Her brain had been fried in the sun today and the resultant gray matter damage had removed every ounce of common sense she'd possessed. His eyes sparkled like a little boy's. "You really need some−one to show you the ropes. I can't believe how innocent you are." "I'm not a child, Morgan." Chapter 8
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"Of course you're not." When he gazed at the front of her dress with obvious appreciation, she felt a tight, tingling sensation deep in her belly. "Don't be silly." She gave him a mock glare, then smiled. "See what I mean? You're calling me silly. Like you did when we were kids and had a fight." "I believe in calling a spade a spade." "And I suppose you think a lug like you could show me the ropes?" "You're damned right," he said softly. Challenge. She couldn't back away from a direct dare like this one. "What did you have in mind, Morg?" The use of his hated nickname apparently spurred him toward revenge. He tucked her even closer to him. His gaze burned into her, sending a jolt of unexpected excitement through her. He lowered his head until he she could feel his breath on her lips. "If you play dangerous games, Squirt, you have to live with the consequences." She glanced away and saw Stan watching them from his table off to the side. Blatant dislike stained his face. When she looked back at Morgan, the look in his eyes told her all she needed to know Chapter 8
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about what punishment he had in mind. She slid her hand around to the back of Morgan's head and tangled her fingers in his hair. She pulled him down to her, and before she could take a breath his lips settled on hers.
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Chapter 9 AS SOON AS Morgan's lips touched Courtney's, he wasted no time with restraint. In front of anyone who cared to watch, he brought her into direct contact with his chest, his hips, his thighs, and every inch in between. She clung to the labels of his suit jacket, then slid her hands up until she could lace her arms about his neck. Nothing had ever felt as good, no kiss had ever set her alight the way Morgan's did. Again his tongue traced her lips, and she wanted him in her mouth, tasting her deeply and freely. As if he read her mind, he thrust his tongue into her mouth, flicking against her tongue with warm strokes that played a heady, erotic dance. The hot warmth in her stomach spread downward and pooled between her legs. She trembled as his arms tightened protectively about her. Suddenly, as if someone had thrown a cold bucket of water over his head, he released her. His hands slid to her waist and he held her away so their bodies no longer touched. "I think we've given the crowd a good enough performance," he said, looking a little dazed. He took her hand and led her from the dance floor. Chapter 9
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Although no one really seemed to take much notice of them, she knew Morgan was right. Mauling each other in public hadn't been the most polite thing to do. For her, though, the knowledge that they'd displayed affection...their sudden hunger in front of everyone felt exciting. Forbidden. As they returned to the table, the silence made her edgy. To be silent meant she had to think about what had just happened. "Thank you," she said. He gazed at her speculatively, his head tilted slightly to the side. Worried he might think she meant for the kiss, she hastened to explain. "For getting me away from Stan. I really do appreciate it." "I knew you could handle him, but I wanted to dance with you. So I took the chance and cut in. I'm sorry if I overstepped the boundary." Was he saying he was sorry he'd cut in to her dance, or for kissing her? Despite her doubts, her insides stayed warm as a toasted marshmallow. "Are you sure it wasn't me overstepping the boundary?" she asked. "Stan was watching us. I thought if we kissed he'd get the message." The hunger in his eyes made her stomach clench for the hundredth time that evening. "I'm glad you overstepped the boundary." A bit of a grin twitched at the corners of his Chapter 9
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lips. "This could get real complicated real quick." She didn't know if he meant that Stan's presence convoluted the situation, or whether the kiss had tangled things. Morgan watched her, his dark gaze penetrating her barriers. "We'll go about our business like he never turned up. Like nothing happened tonight," he said. Unwilling to admit even to herself that Morgan's kiss had made her giddy, she tried to draw a modicum of logic into her flustered brain. "Like nothing ever happened tonight." His eyes grew lambent, warm. "You sound so solemn." "I don't want this play acting to ruin our friendship." "How could it ruin it?" Admitting she might have more than sisterly feelings for him terrified her, so she said, "When our vacation is over, I don't want one of us to have the wrong idea about...how we feel about each other." "I can keep my feelings detached. After all, we're just friends." Just friends. The soft, fluttery feelings left her in an instant. A hollow yawned within her. The rest of their dinner was uncharacteristically silent. Courtney took note that Felicia had joined Alan at a table and didn't even look their way. Chapter 9
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Courtney ate her dinner, but she barely tasted the quiche. After the explosive nature of their kiss, Courtney found she couldn't think of anything else. Uncertain as to why she was so rattled, she ruminated on a cause. Morgan had surprised her with the initial kiss in the hotel room, and she'd been dumbfounded by the sheer intimacy of the second kiss. Yeah. Right. As she fiddled with her food, she recognized the folly in that theory. Surprise didn't make your heart pound long after the shock wore away. Surprise didn't make your skin tingle with heightened awareness, or the scent of your friend's cologne tease your nose with delicious commotion. Surprise didn't make your body sing with exhilaration as your friend gave you the most bone−melting, exquisite kiss you'd ever received in your life. When she'd been in Morgan's arms she'd forgotten about the world around her, unconscious of what others might think of their passionate display. That had never happened to her before. She was in big trouble with a capital T. She was attracted to Morgan in a way no platonic friend had a right to be. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at him. He gazed at her as if he could read her mind and knew all the hot, unbidden notions dancing through her head. Chapter 9
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"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, his voice husky. She carefully schooled her expression into nonchalance. "I was just thinking that Felicia and Alan make a good couple. They're on the dance floor right now." Morgan glanced their way and let out a scornful snort. "If he knows what is good for him he'll keep a close watch on his wallet. Felicia knows how to bag and tag 'em." "Are you saying she's a pick pocket?" "Not exactly in the conventional fashion. She does know how to get in a man's back pocket, though. She's bold, beautiful, and knows what she wants. That includes getting a man to spend lots of money on her." Unwilling to let him get away without explaining, she put down her fork and pushed her plate away. "How do you know so much about her?" His mouth opened, closed. After several seconds of silence, she realized he wasn't going to answer. "Why can't you tell me?" She remembered Felicia's references to the conference he'd attended. "Is it something to do with the conference?" He nodded. "I met her there." "Is she the one who gave you the nickname Morg?" Chapter 9
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He nodded. "Yeah. She's the type of woman who tells people what she's going to call them. She's bold, like I said." He smiled. "Like you." "Like me?" She frowned. He laughed. "In a sense." She gaped at him. "So first you tell me I'm innocent and now you tell me I'm like Felicia. Which is it?" He winced. "I don't mean you're exactly like Felicia. I mean that she's an opportunist. She grabs what she wants energetically and without regret." "And you think I'm an opportunist?" A million emotions flickered over his face in the few seconds before he answered. "Opportunist is a harsh word. What I mean is, you used to jump into life with everything you had. I was always amazed at the gusto you brought to what you did. It didn't matter what it was, you had perfect control and when you wanted something you'd hold on with both hands and wouldn't let go. I admired that." Admired. Once upon a time she used to be in control. His words re−minded her that even though she'd been away from Stan for months the lingering effects of losing herself remained. Chapter 9
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A part of her was gratified Morgan was so perceptive. Another part of her hated the vulnerability, the feeling of exposure. She was trying, damn it. It took time to get one's soul back after it had been stolen. Couldn't he see that? Before she could say anything, a warbling wail started up at the front of the restaurant. Grimacing at the hideous sound, she turned in her seat and noticed that the Karaoke machine had been fired up. Someone was already attempting to sing. Attempt was the operative word. Felicia strove to belt out a love song. Courtney thought she'd heard better noises coming from a mule. She turned back to look at Morgan and found him grinning. He winked at her. "Oh, boy." "Yeah, oh, boy. I think this deserves a drink." "A very large drink." After they procured drinks, they watched Felicia complete her rendition of a tune Courtney didn't know. Then again, it was entirely possible Felicia's talent obliterated all possibility of identifying the melody. Shortly thereafter Alan took the stage and sang. "He is good," Courtney said. "Not bad." Chapter 9
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After Alan left the stage and another singer took his place, Courtney said, "I think you should get up there." His eyes widened and he put both hands up. "Oh, no. You're not getting me up there." "Come on, you know you can sing." "I cannot." "You can." Two shadows fell on their table. Alan and Felicia stood side by side, their bright smiles dazzling. "Come on, Morg. We want to hear you sing," Felicia said. "No way," he said. Alan's grin widened. "I never took you for the type of guy to refuse a challenge." Morgan's expression changed from a man who didn't care to a man with a mission. He nodded and his gaze settled onto Courtney. "I think in order for me to take the challenge, there's got to be a prize involved." Felicia batted her eyelashes. "A dance with me?" Morgan switched his gaze to Felicia. "You're on." As he got up and headed for the stage, Courtney saw Felicia lick her lips like a predator Chapter 9
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anticipating a tasty snack. "Let's take a seat," Alan said to Felicia, moving back to their own table. As the MC announced Morgan, Courtney recalled a time in high school he'd been goaded into singing on stage for a play. He'd been good. Not fantastic, not wonderful, but he could hold a tune and harmonize. "Before I get started I'd like to dedicate this song," Morgan said. Courtney looked at Felicia, who preened like a peacock. "This is for my beautiful wife, Courtney." People turned to gaze at Courtney as Morgan gestured toward her with a smile. Her breath ceased. But he wasn't finished. "Thank you, sweetheart, for being my best friend." The large crowd in the restaurant clapped, their voices raised enthusiastically. Courtney was so stunned she couldn't even smile. Then she righted her equilibrium. Remember, Courtney, Morgan didn't mean what he just said. Morgan selected a song on the machine, and as the music began, she recognized the popular love ballad. Her favorite song, in fact. As his voice rose, mixing seamlessly with the instruments, she felt an intense warming Chapter 9
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somewhere in the region of her heart. Gone was the boy in high school. Gone was the not quite mature voice. Now his voice held a rich, full tone. The deep, slightly husky sound, combined with the fact he looked directly at her, filled her with a sweet sense of contentment. As he sang of love and everlasting passion, his attention made her feel special. She let his words transport her into a world where everything he sang was true. She imagined the soul−searching, explosive passion he'd given her earlier. No. It wasn't possible. He'd kissed her because she'd challenged him and he thought she was naïve. When he completed the song he received tremendous applause, and she almost called for an encore along with others in the audience. When she saw Felicia making her way toward the stage, she stopped clapping. Morgan leaned down to listen to Felicia as she whispered in his ear. Felicia stepped onto the stage and they selected another song. Inconceivable. Felicia was going to sing again. As soon as the song began to play, Courtney expected Morgan to leave the stage. Instead he stayed, and seconds later Felicia and Morgan blended their voices together. A lusty love song, it gave Felicia every opportunity to all but drape herself over Morgan. Chapter 9
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Instantly the pleasant glow that had surrounded Courtney fled. She wanted to be the one standing up there with him singing about love everlasting. She knew then, in the mere seconds it takes for emotions to change, that she was starting to feel something powerful for the handsome man on stage. But she was just his friend. If she did something ridiculous like falling for him, she would destroy their precious friendship. With a silly, sudden desire to cry clutching at her throat, she glanced at her watch. It was getting close to nine o'clock and her date with Alan. She retrieved her hand bag and left the room. MORGAN TRUDGED up the staircase to the third floor, figuring the exercise would obliterate the tumultuous emotions zinging through him like lightning. He was angry with himself more than anything else. He'd let things go too far. It was late, very late, and he knew he was a coward. He'd watched Courtney leave the restaurant and had continued to sing, even though the sight of her retreating from the room had distracted him. He couldn't imagine why she had left, and the thought that something might have upset her, or more likely, someone, almost sent him off the stage in mid−song. Chapter 9
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After the song he'd been tempted to go immediately in search of her, but his emotions were too raw. Instead he'd sat at the table he had shared with Courtney and contemplated what to do next. This vacation wasn't the piece of cake he'd expected. The last two days had been nothing but a roller coaster of emotions for him, foremost among them enjoyment and... What? He didn't know anymore what he felt. Now, as he walked down the hall to their room, he wore a silly ribbon around his neck that declared he'd won first prize in the singing contest. Alan had won second. He hastily pulled it over his head, tempted to toss it in the trash. As he reached the door to their room and inserted the card key into the lock, he half hoped she'd already be asleep. He wasn't sure he wanted to confront her right now. As he came in the room, he left the light off, but he could see the bed was empty. He searched the room for a note but found none. He sank onto the bed. Then he recalled that Alan had left the restaurant about the same time as Courtney. He took a deep breath. Okay, so maybe they had gotten together. That was good, right? Unsure of his feelings, he stripped and settled onto the love seat for the night. He squirmed, trying Chapter 9
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to find a comfortable position. He knew he had to face facts. He wished he was with her, but it wasn't meant to be. Anger took possession of him. It wasn't like her to simply leave without saying anything. Courtney would be the first to admit that going to a restaurant with one man and leaving with another was rude. But how could he blame her? Twice tonight he'd kissed her. Sure, she'd helped out the second time, but that was to keep Stan at bay. Time ticked by like molasses, and his thoughts turned to the rest of this vacation. How would he keep his feelings for Courtney from showing? Surely he could keep a full blown case of lust in restraint. All it took was willpower. Unfortunately, as he slipped into dreamland that night, his visions filled with Courtney. Courtney smiling at him as they danced. The feel of her soft skin as he held her close. The erotic movement of her tongue against his. He whispered sweet, erotic, loving things into her ear. Like how he wanted to touch her...feel himself sink deep into her satin softness. He wanted to make hot, passionate love to his best friend, Courtney Devons. Then Courtney metamorphosed into Claudia. Claudia pointing her finger at him, saying he couldn't please a woman if he tried. That making love with him was a total bore. Chapter 9
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He woke up, barely holding back a groan. Rolling over, he punched his pillow and gritted his teeth. It was going to be one hell of a long night. LATER...MUCH LATER, Courtney came in the room. He wanted to glance at the clock, but he didn't move. He faked being asleep as she quickly used the bathroom and went to bed. Time crept along until he heard the soft cadence of her breathing deepen into sleep. He looked at the clock. Four o'clock. Had she been with Alan all these hours? And if so, what had they done together? The thought ate at him, assuring him a sleepless night.
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Chapter 10 MORNING BURST through Courtney's cocoon of sleep as she heard the door of the hotel room open and the sound of voices. Reluctantly, she peeled one eye open and looked about the room. Morgan rolled a breakfast cart into the room, and the aroma of food wafted to her nose and had the effect of clearing morning fog from her brain. But with that awakening came the memory of everything that had occurred last night. She was amazed she'd fallen asleep quickly last night, what with her brain in high gear and her emotions in turmoil. The sight of Morgan clad in nothing but jeans served to remind her the attraction she'd felt for him last night hadn't diminished. As she let her gaze land on the impressive display of muscles rippling in his back and arms, she told herself that her friendship with Morgan tottered on the line. She had to make sure she didn't damage it by letting her feelings go too far. Incidents like the kisses between them last night couldn't happen again. Slowly she sat up in bed. "Morning," he mumbled, not sounding awake himself. He put the salvers on the table. "Want breakfast?" Chapter 10
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She let her gaze linger on his chest for longer than she meant to, and by that time he had a quizzical expression on his face. "Sure." Yawning, she crawled out of bed, grateful for the super− sized T−shirt covering her to her knees. He lifted the lid of a tray and discovered Belgian Waffles, and on another tray he found strawberries and a container with whipped cream. "Now this is breakfast." Glad he was smiling, she grinned, too. "It looks wonderful." They ate in silence for several minutes before she really looked at him again. She wanted to do something to wipe away the grim set to his mouth. Swallowing some pride she said, "I'm sorry about last night." He looked wary. "For what?" "For leaving while you were singing." He took a bite of waffle and chewed thoroughly before answering. "Why did you leave?" She opened her mouth, reluctant to speak. What could she say? "I had a headache. Too much loud music." He leaned his arms on the table. "Are you sure that's all it was?" "Yes." Chapter 10
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As he gazed at her with something like disbelief, he leaned back in his chair. He pushed a hand through his hair, mussing it. "You've never lied to me before, Courtney. It hurts." Stunned, she realized he was right. Why was she even compelled to lie? When he said nothing, she pushed onward. "I...I'm sorry. It's just..." Gazing at her curiously he said, "Go on." Instead of telling him right away, she pushed her chair back, scooped up a strawberry and began to eat it as she paced the floor. "I left the restaurant because I had a date for drinks with Alan." She stopped, looking at him to see what his reaction would be. His face remained emotionless and cool. Feeling a sting of discomfort deep inside, she retrieved another strawberry and started pacing again. "I don't know how much longer I can keep up this charade. I'd like to set some ground rules." His eyes narrowed. "What kind of rules?" "I think we should work on keeping our relationship...what it was before we came here." "What do you mean?" "We said we were free to go our separate ways on this vacation. Have fun. See other Chapter 10
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people while we're here." He didn't answer her right away, but looked at the floor. Finally he nodded. "That's right." She took a long, slow breath. "Good. I'm glad we've got that straight." He looked down at his plate. "Me, too." "It's all right with you?" she asked, knowing how the question sounded and hating her needy tone. "Of course. Why shouldn't it be?" He frowned, then pinned her with a serious gaze. "It's great you've got someone new in your life. And what you do is your own business. I don't have any control over you." His capitulation relieved her and yet hurt her like a thou−sand needles all over her body. It was just like Morgan to be straightforward and to give her space. He always wanted the best for her, and she knew that. Unlike Stan, he wouldn't be possessive. Still, his easy acceptance of her relationship with Alan surprised her a little. For one tiny moment she'd wanted him to tell her not to see Alan. But only because he wanted her for him−self. "There's something I want to understand," he said suddenly. "Stan appearing has sort of complicated things. If we don't act married, Stan will know you were lying." Chapter 10
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He was right again, and she hated the annoying reality of his words. "It doesn't matter what he thinks, but he might make a little trouble if he thinks we aren't married." He shrugged. "I don't see how we can have it both ways. If we are free as birds to see other people, then we won't look married, that's for certain." Exasperated, she said, "I think we can do both." Morgan nodded, but she saw doubt in his eyes. "Whatever you do, don't get back with Stan. And as far as Alan is concerned, be careful." A push of anger spiked with her. Too many times Stan had ordered her around, and a hint of the same patronization in Morgan's voice set her loose. She spoke without thinking. "You know, that sounds like something Stan would say. He was into telling me how things were going to be and who and what I was going to be. And you know, even if I did want to go back to Stan, it wouldn't be any of your business." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "I'm nothing like Stan. Don't compare us." She began to pace, her ire growing. She was on a roll and couldn't stop. "Maybe we should get separate rooms." Shock crossed his face and he sat up straight. "What?" "Get separate rooms. I mean, if I'm going to be seeing Alan and you're seeing Felicia, it Chapter 10
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would be inconvenient, don't you think?" He made a sound of disgust. "Maybe you're right. How about if I just check out now. I can still keep in contact with Felicia and you and Alan can have this room all to yourselves. I won't cramp your style like I did last night." A lump grew in her throat and tears stung her eyes. "What do you mean cramp my style?" "You didn't come in until four o'clock. I just figured−−" "You thought I was sleeping with him?" she burst out. She almost told him the truth...almost explained that Alan had been a perfect gentleman and they'd done nothing more than talk. When he remained silent her frustration sharpened. She did the only thing she could think of to retaliate. She tossed a strawberry at him, loaded with whipped cream. It hit him square on the nose and left a blob of whipped cream before it bounced onto the floor. "Why you little−−" Morgan hissed as he stood. He scooped up a handful of whipped cream and came toward her. "You've been asking for this one for two days." She backpedaled, but not quickly enough to avoid his revenge as he promptly plopped Chapter 10
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the cream onto the top of her head. "Oooo! You brat!" She reached for the bowl of cream and got another handful before he could pull her away. She flung the white stuff and it splattered onto his face. She scurried away from him, but he moved too quickly. He smeared cream onto her nose and over her lips. "Take that!" She stepped away and bumped into a chair. She would have fallen straight on her butt, but he reached for her, one strong arm looping around her waist. Her sticky hands landed against his bare chest, and her breath caught. Automatically her fingers contracted, feeling the hard contours of his pectorals. As her hands slipped to his shoulders, her fingers left a trail of sticky goo. He stared at her in the most unusual way, his face smeared with white stuff. She laughed. "Don't laugh," he said softly, failing to stop a smile from forming on his lips. "If you laugh, there will be consequences." "That's what you get for...for...for..." "Yeah?" "For everything." His eyes crinkled at the corners as he laughed, and her heart did a little flip. "Oh, I'm Chapter 10
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really scared." "You should be. Now let me go." His smiled faded into a hot, lingering look. "Maybe I don't want to." "Of course you do," she said, starting to feel a little dizzy. "Not until I apologize properly." This threw her completely off track. "Apologize?" He lowered his voice. "For upsetting you just now." He reached up to cup her face. "However, you are sticky, sassy, and definitely a pain in the butt." Surprise and warmth stole around her as well as the desire to throw more strawberries at him. An eternity passed as he stared into her eyes, and the tension grew and stretched. Despite the warning bells going off in her head, she couldn't stop caring, couldn't restrain the developing urgency to hold him close. "I apologize, too," she said. "Why?" "For not telling you up front that I was going to see Alan. But I want you to know it isn't like that between Alan and me. We didn't sleep together." His lips turned up ever so slightly, and the guarded expression in his eyes disappeared. Chapter 10
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"It's okay. I have no right to interfere." She grinned. "You're my friend. You're just worried I'll get hurt." Instead of confirming her statement, he tapped her gently on the nose with his index finger. "You ought to see what you look like." "I'm a mess. Ugly as sin." "Not half as ugly as I am." "You're right. You're horrid." "A perfect troglodyte." She laughed and shrugged. "But I like you anyway." Instead of releasing her, he smiled. She couldn't look away from him. She should turn away and jump straight into the shower. A very cold shower. He reached up to touch her face, managing to spread more whipped cream on her cheek. "Damn. Guess I'll need to get that cream off another way." Slowly his lips descended, and his kiss on her cheek effectively removed the cream. He pulled back, and their noses bumped. "You've got cream on your lips." "I'll need help getting it off," she whispered. His mouth descended on hers, and her lips tingled as he licked the cream away. Chapter 10
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"Mmmm," he said, his voice raw and husky. "Much better. I think we should eat desert like this all the time." Before she could respond his lips came down on hers again, and she let the feel of him enclose her, wrap her in tendrils of desire. She shut out the part of her mind that said she was walking a tightrope without a net. Morgan tasted far too good to resist. Abandoning any idea of letting him go, she twined her arms about his neck and plunged her hands into his hair. His lips moved tenderly upon hers, melting any traces of opposition with a gentle hunger that excited her. No man had ever treated her so delicately, with such reverence. Like she might be porcelain and would break in his embrace. Necessity grabbed her suddenly, pulling at her like a whirling storm, demanding that she take another step. She heard a soft moan and realized she had made the yearning sound. He tandled his fingers into her hair, angling his mouth to push his tongue deep within. A spear of pleasure darted within the most feminine recesses of her body. The world around her ceased to exist. Everything centered on how she felt as he kissed her with a fierce passion that rivaled their previous embraces. Her breasts ached against the hard wall of his chest. Chapter 10
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Soul−searing kisses were no longer enough. His hands lingered along her waist, then brought her hips closer. He reached to cup one cheek of her bottom, pressing her against his hips. At the unmistakable feel of his arousal, she gasped into his mouth, and he took advantage by kissing her with ferocious hunger. A few moments more and he'd be...they'd be...making love. She'd be making love to a friend. Suddenly she pulled away, and reality came back with a viscous slam. He stepped back, his accelerated breathing and the slight flush in his cheeks proving his excitement. His hair was a tousled mess mixed with whipped cream and stuck up in all directions. With whipped cream in his eyebrows, on his fore−head, and all over his chest, he looked like he'd just come from a very bad food fight. But he was an endearing, incredibly sexy mess. And what a food fight it had been. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that," he rasped. Around the edges, deep in his eyes, she saw passion lingering. Shocked by the force of what had happened, she remained speechless. "I'd better take a shower and get rid of this..." He gestured helplessly. Chapter 10
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"Yes." With that he turned and left the room, closing the bathroom door behind him. Sitting on the bed, she looked at the sticky mess on her hands. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this strange, this amazed at her own idiocy. What if she hadn't pulled away from him? The phone rang, jarring her out of her train of thought. It was Felicia. "Courtney, I hope I'm not calling too early," she said, her voice on the syrupy side. She looked at the clock. It was 9:00 am. "Not at all. What can I do for you?" "Is Morgan available?" "He's in the shower." "Goodness, you guys aren't up and about yet?" "It's called vacation. It means sleeping in as long as you want." She sweetened her voice, hoping it was as sugary as Felicia's tone. "It means not even getting out of bed if you don't want to." Felicia laughed. "Well, if you can leave him a message and have him call me back, I'd really appreciate it. It's important he call me back as soon as possible." Chapter 10
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"Of course." After she took the message and hung up, she stared at nothing in particular for several moments. She came to a conclusion. She had to get out of this room and do some serious thinking. She reached for the phone. MORGAN CONCENTRATED on the sound of his heart pounding and the thump of his feet as he jogged along the indoor track in the hotel fitness center. He hoped the endorphins would kick in soon. "How's it goin' Morgan?" the white−haired, spare gentle−man who jogged next to him asked. Morgan glanced over at the shorter man and grinned. "Great," he gasped. Jim Woodwill, sixty−five, wasn't sagging or dragging yet. In fact, Morgan had the distinctly uncomfortable feeling Jim could run another two miles. Jim had struck up a conversation with Morgan at the juice bar, and had invited himself to jog with Morgan. But Morgan didn't mind the company. Anything to keep his mind off what had almost happened between him and Courtney Chapter 10
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that morning. He gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder, increased the speed of his jog until he was running. Three miles. Maybe he'd go four, then pump some iron, then ride the exercise bike. "We can always stop for a rest before hitting the weight machines," Jim said, pushing until he came even with Morgan's pace. "Huh," Morgan grunted, saving his breath. "What?" "Uh, I said I'd better keep going." Morgan hated to admit it, but he couldn't let this older man wear him out. Not after the fiasco with Alan's aerobics class. "Want to go for four miles?" Jim asked. "Hell, no." "What?" "I said, hell yes!" Jim grinned. "That's the spirit. Why, when I was your age, I−−" "Walked...ten miles...to school...one way." Morgan drew in precious breaths of oxygen and felt his abused lungs strain. Chapter 10
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Jim chuckled. "Actually, my mother drove me to school." "Lucky bastard," Morgan said, grinning. "I walked...two miles...to school." Jim laughed again, his pleasant, narrow face a study in good humor. After they rounded the track for the umpteenth time, Jim asked, "So you been up to Heart Hill yet?" "No. But I've heard of it." "You've got to go there. Even an old man like me might find romance at a place like that." Romance. He didn't want to think about romance with Courtney. It was dangerous, dangerous territory. Nope, when he got done running he would hit the shower. But not the shower in the hotel room. He didn't want to go back there just yet in case Courtney was there. Coward. He was a coward for being afraid to go back to the room and face her. Face the consequences of the more than friendly attraction he had for her. Attraction. The word stabbed his mind, reminding him of those moments when he'd stood in the shower, washing away the whipped cream and wishing he'd stayed in her arms. Or, better Chapter 10
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yet, that she'd taken the shower with him. "Something on your mind?" Jim asked suddenly. "Not a thing. My mind is a complete blank." "Right. And I'm Attila the Hun. I read faces like I read books. And I can read between the lines, too. What's eating at you?" Morgan glanced at Jim, half tempted to tell him to mind his own business. But something about the man's honesty, and his friendly face compelled Morgan to talk. "My honeymoon isn't turning out to be what I expected." "How so?" "An old boyfriend of my wife's showed up at the resort." "Ouch." "Yeah. Ouch." "And this guy is a real jerk, I take it?" "You hit the nail on the head." "Your wife doesn't still have feelings for him?" "No. Not at all," Morgan said, at least certain of that much. "How long ago did she stop seeing this guy?" Chapter 10
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"Several months ago." "So you've only known each other a few months?" "No...we've known each other for years. We're good friends...I mean we were good friends." "Were?" "I mean we were friends first before we became...more." "Uh−huh." A terrifying thought came to Morgan's mind. What if he lost Courtney's friendship because his libido had suddenly gone into hyper drive? What if he lost Courtney's friendship because he hadn't learned his lesson the first time with Claudia? Claudia had been an anchor in his life that he'd lost because of his inability to communicate what he felt. He was such an idiot when it came to relationships with women. He had to learn to say what he meant. Why couldn't he come out and tell Courtney what he felt? You're a dunce, Lucas. When it comes to explaining what you feel, and what you want, you're a total klutz. Besides, isn't that the way Courtney's always going to see you? The awkward boy at seventeen? Chapter 10
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Jim increased the pace of his jog, and Morgan punished his lungs to keep up. "So you didn't meet Courtney here at the hotel. I figured you were like most of the other newlyweds here." Morgan gave a half−hearted laugh with the minimal oxygen he could inhale. "You mean those people that meet here, fall in love, and get married all in a week? These people are falling in lust." "I wouldn't be too sure. There's a special magic about this place. My late wife Mary and I met and married here." "And this was all in a week?" "Well...no..." "Aha! I knew it couldn't always work that way." "We married within a month of meeting. Had thirty−nine years of wedded bliss." Jim laughed. "In fact, that's why I'm here now. To hunt for another bride. My granddaughter told me I was getting old and stuffy. So I'm hoping I'll meet some young thing to light a fire under me." Morgan had to smile. "You seem pretty damned young to me. In fact..." He slowed his jog into a walk and Jim followed suit. "You've whipped my butt." Chapter 10
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Jim slapped him on the back. "I usually jog five miles a day." Morgan winced. Not only did he feel old as Methuselah, but he was taking love advice from an older man who was hunting for young babes. "So you actually think you're going to meet a new candidate for a wife here?" Jim shrugged. "Anything's possible. This is the Heart Inn Resort. Miracles happen. I met Mary at the top of Heart Hill. I'd decided to take a hike up there by the old trail, and when I got to the top she was there. The rest is history." "So you think it's this hill that makes people fall in love?" "Seems to work that way with some people. If they don't fall in love in the hotel, the hill makes sure they will eventually." Preposterous, Morgan thought. He brushed aside thoughts of Jim's statements when he got back to the room and discovered a note from Courtney on the bed. Morgan, Went on a hike to Heart Hill. Courtney. He crumpled the note in his fist. Damn he might have just missed her. What would have Chapter 10
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happened if he'd taken the hike with her to that legendary hill?
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Chapter 11 "IT'S BEAUTIFUL," Courtney said, taking the hill in front of her with sure strides, the exertion of the walk and the loveliness of the area invigorating her senses. The sun streamed through the trees, warming the late morning air. Geared up in a baseball cap, sunglasses, polo shirt, jeans, and hiking boots, Courtney felt ready for anything. She'd smeared on a healthy amount of sun screen, and she half wished she'd put on shorts. Edna smiled as she trudged along beside Courtney, spry and not even winded. "Told you it was a great place." The serpentine hillside trail had been built by the community that had grown up around the resort. Hacked out of the side of the mountain by volunteers, it was wide enough for two people to walk side by side. It wound through the area in strategic spots to give maximum views of the countryside. Courtney smiled at the older woman. "I don't know about you, but I need a break. I'm about to die of heat exhaustion." They found a wide spot in the trail and sat on the ground. Along with a supply of water, they'd brought a picnic lunch ordered from the hotel kitchen. Chapter 11
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"You're amazing. You're in such good shape," Courtney said after she'd taken a deep swig of water. Edna reached into her back pack for a granola bar. "Sugar, I spent a lot time in my youth climbing mountains like these in Montana. Enjoyed every minute of it." "Morgan and I used to do a lot of hiking." "Used to?" Courtney could see the speculative gleam in Edna's eyes and wished she'd kept her mouth closed. While they'd been hiking she'd tried to forget this morning and the last couple of days. It didn't work. Walking on the mountain reminded her of better times. Times when she knew the boundaries of her relationship with Morgan, and the thought of being his lover had never crossed her mind. She reached in the backpack for a granola bar of her own. "When we were teens we used to go hiking." "And you don't now?" "We haven't been hiking for years. Life got in the way. When we were in high school reality didn't intrude. It was easier to pack up on the weekend and take off." "So reality is stopping you now?" Chapter 11
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Uh−Oh. Edna was getting that fix Courtney's love life look in her eyes. "We have too much to do. Too many responsibilities." "Too busy to spend time with your husband? Now that doesn't make any sense." If Edna hadn't been such a kind woman, Courtney might have taken offense at the unsolicited advice. "Being a small business owner is a lot of work." Edna pursed her lips. "I'm surprised you had time to date and get married, let alone come on a honeymoon." Courtney smiled. If she only knew. "Marriages take nurturing," Edna said as she stood and stretched. "I should know. My husband was one of those scientific types, you know. No social skills and absolutely a bore at parties." Courtney chuckled. "Well, Morgan isn't exactly a scientific type. In fact, he's an intriguing combo. He's very smart, and he could have been a scientific type if he wanted. But he chose to go the opposite route. He's a dreamer." "And you're not?" She shook her head. "Not really. He's the optimist. I'm the pessimist." She swatted at a Chapter 11
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bug that landed on her leg. "He's got this incredible gift for seeing the big picture. What he calls seeing outside of the box. He used to sit on a trail when we were taking a rest, just like now, and spin these fantastic fairy tales. He'd make them up right on the spot. It was fascinating. Part of the fun of going on our hikes would be that I knew he'd weave a story for me." Tears stung her eyes, taking her by surprise. Drawing a deep breath to hold back the tears, she continued. "I think he could have been a writer, if he'd wanted. He has such a vivid imagination." Edna squatted down next to Courtney. "He sounds like a fabulous man. Why on earth isn't he out here with you now?" Courtney opened her mouth but couldn't think of a thing to say that wasn't a fib. "We're...we had a bit of a fight." Edna put her arm around her and squeezed lightly. "Oh, you poor thing. I wondered why you looked if someone had kicked your puppy. It wasn't over that Felicia Glover, I hope?" Sniffling and searching for a tissue in the backpack, she said, "No, of course not. My old boyfriend has turned up at the resort. He thinks that knowing this man changed me too much. I'm different than I used to be." "What do you think?" Chapter 11
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"I've changed." Courtney had thought about it as they began the walk this morning, and the fresh air and exercise had made her see more clearly. "But I'm coming around slowly. Get−ting back to what I used to be. I want to forget the bad times and start new." She realized, in a sense, that she didn't want something new. She wanted the old times back before Stan had entered her life. Now, if only she could think of Morgan the way she used to...in a platonic fashion. Uncomplicated. Edna patted her on the shoulder. "You'll never be exactly like you used to be. Everything we experience in life changes us in subtle ways, for better or worse. It's a part of our maturity. A part of who were are." "And the older we get, the more layers we have." Edna laughed. "Exactly, honey." She patted the extra ten pounds around her hips. "I've got more layers than I'll ever need." Courtney smiled, but within seconds she sobered. "Yet your husband still loved you, even when you changed over the years? Physically and mentally?" "Heavens, yes. Love isn't a static thing, or it's not really love. People get caught up in thinking the blush of first attraction is love. But when it comes right down to it, real love is the stuff that weathers tough times as well as good. It's the kind that never goes away." Chapter 11
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Courtney knew Edna spoke the truth, and that reality took a little of the burden away from her heart. She drew in a cleansing breath of the fresh mountain air, and enjoyed the happiness of being outdoors. "You're a treasure, Edna. I'm glad I met you." Edna groaned. "I don't know about being a treasure, but I know I'm getting too old to squat like this. Shall we walk on? We can talk more as we go." As they moved up the trail, they discussed life and love and Courtney came to admire Edna. She might have seemed eccentric at first, but her intelligence and sense of humor outweighed everything. They were almost to the top of the trail and the scenic area where they planned on having lunch. As they crested a steep hill, Courtney felt a feather light brush on the back of her left arm. Bugs. "Ugh!" "Don't−−" Edna said suddenly. Courtney shooed at the pesky creature without looking to see what it was. "Ouch!" A sharp, powerful sting of pain punctured her arm. She also wasn't looking where she was going, and hooked her foot underneath a tree root that had grown into the Chapter 11
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side of the path. "Whoa!" As she fell forward, her ankle twisted painfully. She landed flat on her face. The pain from her arm and her ankle hurt so much that she wanted to spew forth a thousand curses. Unfortunately, having the wind knocked out of her prevented any noise other than a slight squeak. Edna immediately got down on her knees next to Courtney, her face alarmed. "Are you all right, Sugar?" Courtney nodded as she rolled into sitting position and sucked in a deep breath. She cursed a blue streak until Edna raised her eyebrows. "Sorry." "Never mind being sorry, did you hurt yourself?" Courtney's left ankle throbbed, and she rotated it slowly. "I think I twisted my ankle, but it's not too bad." "Better get your shoe off so we can take a look at it." As Courtney unlaced her hiking boot, Edna looked at Courtney's bee sting. "Well, we've got to get that stinger out." Another twinge of pain from the back of her arm. "Great, just great." Edna released her arm and removed her own backpack. She retrieved a small first aid kit Chapter 11
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from the pack. "You ever been stung by a bee before?" Courtney sighed. "No. First time." Edna shook her head. "Sweet thing, you sure know how to have a honeymoon." "WHAT'S THE matter, Morg?" Felicia asked as she put her juice down on the pool side bar in front of her. Morgan shifted on his bar stool. He didn't want to be here. Didn't want to sit amiably with Felicia sipping water and chat−ting like old chums. But he needed something to distract him from thoughts of Courtney. No doubt she'd come back from her hike and ask him when he planned to leave the resort. He'd promised her he wouldn't get in her way any longer, and that's what he intended to do. Felicia leaned forward slightly so he could see down her generous cleavage, and he tried not to stare at her outrageous dress. It was an intriguing dress...if you were partial to tiger print. In fact, Morgan found looking at her boring. Something he'd never been able to imagine after that night at the conference...until now. Thinking back to that time, he wondered, other than pure male hormones, what had compelled him to think her attractive. She was too brassy, too artificial for him. He Chapter 11
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preferred the soft, natural look of... Courtney. "Hey, are you listening to me?" Felicia asked, looking a little indignant. "I'm listening." Felicia sniffed. "Right. So why aren't you with your new wife?" Turning a disgruntled gaze on her, he said, "She went hiking. Besides, you called me and wanted to have lunch, didn't you?" "Yeah, but isn't that kind of strange. I mean she went hiking without you? On your honeymoon?" "We have a special relationship. I go my way and she goes hers." She lifted one tawny eyebrow. "I see. One of those arrangements." "Yeah. One of those." He drank his mineral water slowly. She looked at his hand. "Forget your wedding ring?" He looked at the white section around his finger where the sun he'd received yesterday hadn't reached. Sure enough, he'd forgotten to wear his ring this morning. "Felicia, you have this uncanny ability to state the obvious." "Morg−−" Chapter 11
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"My name is Morgan." When he put his water glass down she reached out and touched his hand. "Since you've got a special arrangement with your wife, why don't you come up to my room tonight?" Morgan pulled his hand out from under hers. Across the pool he spotted Stan settling into a lounge chair and staring in his direction. "I didn't come here to take up where we left off at the conference, Felicia," Morgan said stiffly. Her grin was brittle. "Does your wife know what happened between us back then?" "No." "Well, maybe she should." Thunder rumbled in the distance, and he looked up at the clouds gathering over the mountains. If Courtney was hiking when the weather came in−− "You've got it bad for her, don't you Morg? I've seen the way you look at her." He gritted his teeth, tempted to tell her to mind her own business. "Why did you want to have lunch with me today? To give me a psychotherapy session?" She sighed. "When I saw you the other day I was really happy, you know. I thought we might..." Chapter 11
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"You thought we might take up where we left off." "Yeah." He could still have a short, wild affair with Felicia. Some−thing to get his mind off Courtney and how crazy she made him. When he didn't reply, Felicia looked at him knowingly. "But you're married. Not like the last time when you didn't seem to give a damn whether you cheated on her or not−−" "Don't remind me." "It's not like when you and I were together at the conference. Back then you were trying to get your mind off the fiancée you didn't love." He didn't know whether to be stunned by her statement that he was in love with Courtney, or that he hadn't loved Claudia. When it came right down to it, Courtney wouldn't care what had occurred at the conference because Courtney wasn't really his wife. Claudia had cared. It had put the last whammy on their al−ready on−the−rocks, about to break the engagement relationship. "Maybe," he said. "Maybe I used it as an excuse. A reason to get myself out of the relationship." Chapter 11
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Thunder rolled again, and the clouds darkened. He hoped Courtney had returned from hiking. He put money on the table for their lunch. "Thanks for having lunch with me, but I've got to go." Shrugging, she placed her hand over his again. "If you change your mind−−" "I won't." He pulled his hand from hers. He headed back to the room, but when he got there he discovered Courtney hadn't returned. He flopped down on the bed, hoping he might take a nap. Instead he thought about Courtney and their friendship. Courtney was his friend, he knew, because she saw him as this sort of bumbling, fumbling guy with a good heart. Okay, so may−be he could be socially tongue−tied on occasion, or maybe when he got into one of his philosophical moods he went off in the clouds. Courtney saw this as a cute, but awkward trait. He knew it because she'd told him so enough times. He would have loved to go hiking with her. Hell, he'd endured high school because she'd been there for him. She'd been a bright spot in the daily tedium of attending classes that bored him to tears. A's had come to him easily. When he'd applied to colleges and been accepted by MIT, Chapter 11
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his parents had been thrilled. But he'd decided to attend a small, private university in Denver and take up his interest in antiques and art history. Although most people thought he'd blown a gasket for bypassing MIT, he'd managed to hold out despite criticism from family and friends. One friend, though, encouraged him to live his dream. Courtney. After getting his degree, he'd worked with antique dealers around the Denver area for some time before going for his MBA. When some had looked askance at him for wanting his own shop, his best friend had been there for him again. Courtney. After graduating with his MBA, he'd opened his own store. Who had been there to cheer him and wish him good luck? Courtney. She had always been there for him. Like a beacon in a storm, she'd never failed him. A discomfort grew in his heart. He'd failed to be there for her when she'd had trouble with Stan. He couldn't have shut her out of his life more effectively if he'd told her to get out and stay out forever. Chapter 11
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"You're an idiot, Lucas. A damn dimwit." Rain began to splatter on the window. He realized that Courtney had experience, but concern nagged at him. Letting catastrophic thinking take over, he imagined all kinds of horrific scenes. She'd fallen off the trail and into a canyon. She'd broken an arm or leg. She been attacked by a deranged man who happened to be on the same trail. He stood and began to pace. He plunged his hand through his hair and sighed. "Get a grip, Lucas." After another thirty minutes of going a little demented, he told himself to stop the paranoia. But damn it, he was worried. He was going to find her. Snatching his Land Rover keys off the dresser, he headed for the door. COURTNEY COULD smell the moisture in the air, hanging in the dark clouds that threatened. She hobbled along, her ankle throbbing with each step she took. Although not a serious injury, the extra exercise didn't help. They hadn't passed anyone on the trail, and with the clouds lowering and building, she doubted anyone would be crazy enough to start up the trail. Chapter 11
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"If I hadn't been such a klutz we'd be at the bottom of the trail by now," she said, feeling an itch start where the bee sting on her arm throbbed relentlessly. "Don't worry," Edna said, shifting the heavy back pack on her shoulders as she walked along beside Courtney. She held Courtney's right arm, afraid that her ankle might give out. "We're not that far from the bottom. And what happened could've happened to anyone." A sharp pain in her arm made her gasp. "Damn." "What's wrong?" "This bee sting hurts like the dickens." "Sugar, I hope you're not allergic." "I doubt it." A flash of lightning made them flinch, and Courtney hurried her pace, disregarding the ache in her ankle. "All I need right about now is for it to−−" A raindrop hit her forehead. "Rain," she finished, sighing. She felt the throb in her arm increase and stopped to look. Edna glanced at the bite and her mouth tightened. "Sugar, this thing is swelling up." Chapter 11
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"Spectacular. Remind me to bring industrial strength bug spray with me the next time I go hiking." As they moved down the trail, Courtney wondered what could possibly happen next on her crazy honeymoon. Right about then she got her answer. She looked up and saw the man striding out of the trees toward them, and her stomach did a double flip.
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Chapter 12 IT WAS STAN. Courtney's stomach did another dip, and she tried to recall if the sight of a man had ever made her sick before. "You know that young man?" Edna asked as Stan strode toward them up the trail. She sighed. "Unfortunately. He's my former fiancé." "Ah−ha." "Exactly." She winced when she took a wrong step and al−most turned her ankle again. "Ouch!" Edna lead her to a large rock. "Here, you take a load off." Huge raindrops began to pelt down. "Here it comes." "I've got one rain poncho in here." "You take it." "No. You're hurt, you need it more than me." Courtney shook her head. "No way. You take it." Edna sighed. "You're a stubborn creature." Chapter 12
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"So I've been told." Edna donned the poncho as the deluge began. Stan arrived, dumping his backpack on the ground next to them. "What are you doing out here?" he asked Courtney and ignored Edna entirely. "Nice to see you, too, Stan." She gave him a stiff smile and gestured to Edna. "Edna, I'd like you to meet Stanley Ashford. Stan, this is Edna Cartwright." Edna smiled warmly and shook his hand vigorously. "Pleased to met you." Stan grinned back, turning on the charm. "The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure." Perturbed, Courtney sighed. "Did you just start hiking when you knew a storm was coming?" He shrugged, and she saw something pass through his eyes that made her suspicious. "No. I saw you come up the trail earlier and I thought I'd catch up with you. I've got something to tell you." As the rain pelted them, Edna said, "We'd better get out of this rain quick." Courtney agreed not only because the lightning sparking around them meant danger, but because she didn't want to con−front Stan's motives in front of Edna. Courtney stood and felt a wave of pain slice through her ankle. She sat down and cursed Chapter 12
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soundly. "What's wrong?" Stan asked. "She's sprained her ankle and she has a bad bee sting on her arm," Edna said, reaching to touch Courtney's shoulder. He knelt next to her and reached for her leg. She pulled her foot away, but the action caused another stab of pain to shoot through her ankle. "Stan, it's raining. We can do this somewhere nice and dry." "Well, you can't walk on this ankle." He put his hand out to her. "I'll carry you." Not about to allow him to touch her any more than necessary, she stood resolutely. Her ankle protested, her arm ached, and Stan's appearance irritated her. A slowly unfurling roll of nausea started deep in her stomach. No doubt she felt woozy because she hadn't had any lunch and it was hotter than Hades, even under the cover of the trees. Before she could object, Stan lifted her up into his arms with a grunt. "Put me down, Stan." At that moment two men dressed in yellow ponchos rounded the last corner in the trail and ascended at a determined pace. Courtney squinted and then she realized the larger man was Morgan. Chapter 12
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Edna waved as Morgan began to jog toward them. "Why look there, Courtney. Your husband is to the rescue." "Humph." Stan kept his grip on her tight. Courtney smiled and glanced at Stan, who had pinched his face up in an unattractive frown. "Morgan always comes to the rescue. He has this uncanny way of being in the right place at the right time just when I need him." "Humph." Stan shifted her in his arms as if he might lose his grip. "Must be love," Edna said, smiling. Love. Courtney didn't want to think about it. But the thought battered at her mind. Could she be spiraling ever closer to falling hard and fast for Morgan Lucas? Then again, maybe it wasn't so fast. She'd known him for a long time and had learned so much from him and about him...just as he had learned from her. As he approached, she could see the strain on his face. He looked... Nah... It couldn't be. Yep, it was there in the frown on his brow. He was very, very worried. Chapter 12
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"What are you doing here?" she called out, smiling. "Looking for you," he said before he reached them. "Everything okay here?" asked the thin, older man. "Right as rain," Courtney said. As the men arrived in front of them, Morgan took in Stan's determined grip on her. She'd be amused if her ankle didn't throb mercilessly and her stomach didn't tumble like a roller coaster. "Edna and I were on the way back down the trail when Stan found us," Courtney said. She didn't want Morgan thinking she'd been hiking with Stan. "We need to get Courtney out of this rain and to a doctor," Edna said. Morgan stepped forward, a mixture of confusion and worry mixing in his even features. "What's wrong?" "It's all right, Morgan," Stan said with a hint of gratification in his voice, as if he had full charge of the situation. "I've got everything under control." Morgan's eyebrows lowered into a glare that threatened more fireworks than the lightning in the clouds above them. "Bee sting," Courtney said, before Morgan could go off on Stan. She showed him the Chapter 12
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arm. "It's no big deal." Morgan grimaced. "This doesn't look good." He turned to Jim. "You're a doctor. What do you think?" Jim examined Courtney's arm. "Looks like a mild allergic reaction. But we shouldn't take chances. Better to get her to the clinic in town." "She's hurt her ankle, too," Edna said. "It's a tiny strain. While I was having a boxing match with the bee I took a header into the bushes," Courtney said. Stan's grip tightened on her. "I think she'd be in better shape if we got her off this trail and stopped dilly−dallying around." He glared at Morgan, as if Courtney's predicament were all Morgan's fault. "Exactly how did she get into this predicament?" Morgan looked directly at Stan, his voice non−threatening and casual. Stan's eyes flared with indignation. "Look, Lucas, if you're implying−−" "I said I was swatting at a bee and tripped," Courtney said to head off the challenge building in Stan's attitude. She took a deep breath and smiled congenially. "It was an accident." Chapter 12
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Morgan and Stan continued to stare at each other. Stan's dislike of Morgan was clear. Stan shifted her in his arms again. "Uh, Stan, you can put me down," Courtney said. Reluctantly he placed her on her feet. She took one step, but as soon as she did nausea rolled through her stomach. She closed her eyes, lightheaded. Morgan caught her arms. "Are you all right?" She pressed her hand to her stomach. "Um...I'm feeling a little strange." Immediately he lifted her into his arms. He marched off with her, back down the trail, Edna trotting behind, Stan and Jim trying to keep up with his stride. Courtney could feel the power in his embrace, and a surge of excitement zinged through her. She hadn't felt this way in Stan's arms. "Morgan−−" Courtney started. "Don't give me any lip." He glared down at her. "You've hurt your ankle so there's no point in walking on it, and besides that you're feeling sick. Jim, where is that clinic located?" "There's a clinic on Pine Bluff Road just below the resort," Jim said. Chapter 12
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"But−−" Courtney began. "Be quiet, or I'll kiss you," he growled. Edna chuckled. "I told you it was love." Disconcerted by Morgan's declaration and Edna's revealing statement, Courtney hazarded a look at Morgan. He didn't return her look, but she thought she saw a flicker of a smile cross his lips. "Of course it's love," he said, a husky tone replacing the ire in his voice. Courtney was dumfounded. Was he saying that he was in love with her? No. He'd only said so for the benefit of the others. A sinking feeling added to her other pains, and with a weary sigh she suddenly wished she'd never come to Heart Inn Resort. WHEN THEY arrived at the clinic, Morgan insisted on carrying her into the clinic and only relinquished her when a nurse brought a wheelchair. He sat with Edna, Stan, and Jim in the small waiting room. While Edna and Jim chatted amiably and Stan paced the room, Morgan fidgeted. He wished now he'd requested to go in the examining room with her. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so uptight. It wouldn't have surprised Chapter 12
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him if someone had told him he'd acquired high blood pressure on this so−called honeymoon. Restless, he finally got up and paced the room with Stan. After a couple of minutes Stan left to get coffee for all of them. "What's taking so long for them to examine her?" Morgan rumbled. "She's fine, honey. Don't worry about her," Edna said, giving him an encouraging smile. "Edna is right. She was more tired and hungry than any−thing. Hunger could account for her feeling faint," Jim said. Morgan pushed a hand through his hair. "She wasn't fine. Her arm was swelling, her ankle was hurting, and she was nauseated." "I'm sure she'll be fine now she's here. They'll take good care of her," Edna said. Morgan looked down on the small woman. "I'm glad you were with her." Edna crossed her legs and shifted in the plastic chair. "Me, too. But she would have been fine without me. She's a tough lady. Good spunk, good common sense." Morgan nodded, more than ready to admit to anyone who cared to listen that Courtney was wonderful. "But sometimes she tries to do too much. She won't lean on anyone if she can help it. She's damn stubborn." Chapter 12
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Edna laughed and then winked at him. "I'll bet you've al−ways admired that about her, though." True. All the things he liked about her were also the things that made him the most crazy. He was beginning to think he really was married to her. Edna and Jim watched him, and the feeling of being closely inspected unnerved him. "Do you always stare at people this way?" Morgan asked them. "Darn tootin," Edna said. Jim chuckled. "I'm a great observer of people. I poke and prod and scrutinize until I come up with their true personality. Must be the doctor in me." "Uh−huh." He lowered himself into the chair beside Edna. "And I suppose you've got me figured out." "You sound skeptical," Edna said. He shrugged. "Right now I'm a little scattered. I don't know what I believe." Edna crossed her arms. "I think you do. I think you're just backed up." "Backed up?" He glanced at Jim, as if the man could give him a definition. Jim shrugged and smiled. Edna patted Morgan's hand. "I don't pretend to understand exactly what's going on Chapter 12
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between you and Courtney, but I know you love each other something fierce. But for some reason you aren't able to admit it." Morgan felt his throat close for a moment. "What?" Jim laughed again. "Edna, I think you'd better stop while you're ahead. He's confused enough." Edna winked at Jim. "He's confused all right. That's why he needs our help." Before anyone could say another word, a nurse came out and told them Courtney would be released in a few moments. Morgan followed the nurse to the examining room. His heart did a flip−flop when he saw Courtney sitting up and looking much better. "How is she?" Morgan asked the doctor. "Very well. The swelling from the bee sting is controlled and her ankle will be fine in a day or two. The nausea was a small reaction to the bee toxin, probably, but she shows no signs of other allergic counteraction. All she needs is a little rest and something to eat. You can take her home now." Sighing with relief, Morgan thanked the doctor and approached the bed. Morgan reached out instinctively for Courtney and pressed her shoulder. She looked delicate with her ankle Chapter 12
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wrapped and her arm bandaged. He didn't like to see her this vulnerable. "How do you feel?" he asked. She smiled. "Good. Let's get me out of here." Morgan lifted her in his arms without hesitation. "Let's go home." Edna, Jim and Stan followed as they left the building. It took some maneuvering to get Courtney into the Land Rover. Stan hovered around the vehicle, as if he expected Morgan to drop her. "Watch her ankle," Stan said, a scowl parading over his face. Morgan ignored Stan's patronizing tone, and tucked her in the passenger side of the Land Rover. He glanced at Courtney and saw a thunderous scowl cross her face. She looked like she might haul off and hit Stan at any moment. Now that might not be such a bad idea. She opened her mouth, but Morgan caught her gaze and waggled his eyebrows at her. She cracked a big smile, and plea−sure rocketed through him. Stan was about to climb in the back seat when Edna came up behind him and clasped the young man's arm firmly. "Why don't you come with us in Jim's car? There's a lot more room." Chapter 12
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Stan's eyes grew round with surprise. "But−−" She practically yanked him away. "Come on. I think Jim is impatient to get to get to Tangos for that Margarita, aren't you Jim?" "You betcha," Jim said, smiling from ear to ear, a prankish twinkle in his eyes. "Would you care to join us, Stan?" "But−−" Stan's protest was cut off as Morgan shut his door and started the engine. "Good riddance," Morgan muttered as he pulled away from the curb. "I think Stan wants you back. When I saw you in his arms I thought...I wanted−−" But he couldn't say it. Not now. Not ever. She might get the wrong idea. She might realize how scared he'd been when he'd seen her in Stan's arms. Scared that she'd been seriously hurt. "You wanted to do what?" she asked softly. His mouth opened, then closed. "I thought he was going to drop you." "He had a pretty good grip on me." The thought of Stan having any kind of grip on her made Morgan's teeth ache. He didn't want him to hurt her again. Chapter 12
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"DON'T EVER DO that to me again," Morgan said as Courtney swung her throbbing ankle onto the bed and propped herself up with pillows. The glower on his face surprised her. She watched him retrieve a bottle of whiskey from the bar. "Do what?" "Scare the hell out of me like that." He poured the amber liquid into a small glass and walked back to the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed and took a sip of his drink. Her frown was replaced by the barest of smiles. "You were scared? When?" "When it got later and later and you didn't come back...I knew something had to be wrong." "But you know I'm an experienced hiker−−" "I know, I know. That didn't keep me from imagining all sorts of horrible things happening to you when the storm came up. I just knew something had happened." Sighing, she pinned him with a hard look. "I can't believe this. Nothing ever fazes you. Now you're running around imagining I've been abducted by aliens or something." The uncompromising set of his lips should have warned her she'd pushed him too far. He slammed back the rest of the drink and set the glass on the night stand. Chapter 12
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"It's the way I feel, Courtney. I was worried about you." He shrugged. "So sue me." When he called her Courtney rather than Squirt, she knew he was dead serious. Guilt prickled her conscious. Other than her father and Morgan, no man had every displayed such naked concern for her. Before she could speak he said, "Do you think that because I told you not to worry me again that I'm trying to control you like Stan used to do?" "No." "Good." He shifted closer. "Look, it's just that if anything had happened to you..." He closed his eyes, and she saw a flicker of mental pain cover his features. His tone, the emotion on his face staggered her. When he opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her, her heart began an excited tattoo. His eyes were so warm, so giving, that she forgot for a moment friendship and drifted to another place far more dangerous. She wanted to kiss him until he needed her more than he'd ever needed any other woman. Tears prickled the corners of her eyes, and an ache filled her throat and threaten to choke her. She reached out and touched his arm. The heat of his hair−roughened skin, the stability of his hard muscles propelled her to speak. "I'm sorry, Morgan. I didn't mean to hurt you or Chapter 12
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dismiss your feelings." She held out her hand. "Friends again?" A big smile transformed his face, and he took her hand in his. She sighed in relief. Instead of shaking her hand, he brought it to his lips and pressed a quick kiss to her flesh. Her entire body felt the hot touch of his lips and she shivered. "Friends," he said huskily. He released her hand and got off the bed. "I think you could use a nap. You look exhausted." "Actually, I'm exhausted and starving. No lunch." "How about if I order room service?" "Sounds wonderful. But you know, we really are acting like honeymooners. We spend more time in this hotel room than any−where else." "Must be love," he said. He watched her closely, his eyes reflecting something she didn't dare to imagine. A pleasant tingle invaded her body, making her forget her aches and pains. Then she saw his gaze alter, change to something far more circumspect. Disappointed to see that personal, ardent reflection leave his eyes, she tried to cheer herself. As he reached for the phone, she said, "No strawberries this time, okay?" Chapter 12
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Chapter 13 "YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL in that bikini," Stan said to Courtney as he strolled up to her pool side lounge chair. He displayed an appealing grin that reminded her temporarily of the charm that had drawn her to him in the first place. "Thanks." Clad in her bikini, her wrapped ankle propped by a rolled towel, she was not exactly pleased to see Stan. She'd been happy to sit by the pool, alone, while Morgan went on a jog with Jim and Edna. She forced a smile and glanced at his lean hips clad in navy blue swim trunks, his strong legs, and broad shoulders. Even if she didn't like him anymore, any woman with two eyes would acknowledge Stan's good looks. Yet she felt no stirrings of at−traction for him. Morgan, on the other hand, was so handsome he made her ache. Stan sank into the chair next to her. "How's your ankle?" "Fine. A day or two and I think it'll be almost like new." Half tempted to unwind the elastic bandage and scratch an itch that had been tormenting her for a good thirty minutes, she moved her foot experimentally. Her ankle ached, and under the bandage discoloration attested to the damage her little adventure yesterday had Chapter 13
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accomplished. After a few moments of ubiquitous conversation, his tone changed. "I can't believe you married that...that...Lucas guy," he blurted out. "He's a−−" "Stop right there. Don't say another word." Anger more potent than a volcanic explosion threatened to send her running from the area. But if she ran away she knew she would be admitting he had control. She wouldn't let him ruin her vacation any more than it had already been ruined by twisted ankles, allergic reactions, and heady kisses with the man who was supposed to be nothing more than her friend. "Don't you want to know what I saw him doing yesterday?" Stan asked. "No," she said. Did he honestly think after all this time that his wounded look would sway her opinion? Her days of being influenced by him had ended. "He was holding hands with Felicia Glover." She kept her expression neutral. "Is there some point to the conversation we're having, or are you bent on getting some sort of reaction out of me?" Irritated, she wiped at some moisture that trickled down her neck. She glanced at Stan and noticed his gaze followed her every movement. Chapter 13
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"I wouldn't feel right if I didn't tell you what I saw." Curiosity overtook her before she could clamp her mouth shut. "What did you see?" "Like I said, he was holding hands with her." "That's all?" "That's all? I'd think you'd be concerned." His voice rose slightly. "He was cheating on you. Doesn't that mean anything to you?" How would she react if she really was married to Morgan? Outrage? Cynicism? As it was, she felt a sinking sensation. "Come on, Courtney. The man was holding hands with another woman. If I was−−" "Just because you would cheat on your wife doesn't mean Morgan is cheating on me," she said matter−of−factly. He sighed and levered himself out of the chair. "I care a−bout you, Courtney. All I've ever done is care about you. I want to protect you." She almost laughed. He'd protected her to death. To the edge of her endurance and then some. Instead of commenting, she let her indignation simmer. "Have it your way," he said. "But I think you've made a big mistake. And I'm going to do whatever I can to make you see it." Chapter 13
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Before she could protest he walked away. As she wadded one corner of her towel in a tight fist, she felt her blood pressure rise. Stanley's vow to interfere with her "marriage" churned in her gut. She decided she'd be better off sipping a strawberry daiquiri inside the hotel than turning red from sunburn and anger. Maybe the alcohol would give her the courage to gear up for a final showdown with Stan. TANGOS VIBRATED with music and the chatter of guests, but Courtney remained in her own world. Her thoughts jumbled as she stared at the drink in front of her. "Hey Squirt." She about jumped out of her skin as Morgan came up, put his hand on her shoulder, and took the bar stool next to her. "Hey." She barely glanced at him, forcing herself to appear interested in sipping her second daiquiri and munching the chips and dip in front of her. At least she hoped she appeared blasé about his sudden arrival. When she looked at him again, her glance lingered, her heart pounding at the sight of him. His rumpled polo shirt wasn't tucked in, and he wore a pair of his oldest, most ragged jeans. Chapter 13
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"You're wearing your glasses again," she said. Looking bashful, he pushed the glasses up higher on his nose. "Allergies. My eyes are itching like crazy. After Jim and I took a jog up the trail to Heart Hill, I had to come back and re−move my contacts." "You jogged all the way up the trail?" she asked in disbelief. He grinned. "Are you kidding? Jim would have made it to the top, but I gave out about half way there." She sank a chip into the dip. As she crunched away, she realized he was staring at her. "Something wrong?" She looked down, half expecting to see a blob of dip residing on her white T−shirt and shorts. He reached up and traced his thumb over her lower lip, and as he gazed into her eyes, her heart vibrated unsteadily. He retrieved a napkin off the bar and wiped his hand. "You had dip on your lip." "Oh," she said breathlessly. She half wished he'd kissed the dip off like he had the whipped cream. "Thanks." He crumpled the napkin and tossed it on the bar. He started eating her dip and chips, and she wondered if this would be a good time to ask him if his relationship with Felicia had Chapter 13
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entered a new level. But she didn't have the courage yet. "Does it seem to you like we're eating all the time?" she asked. "That's what newlyweds do. Eat, drink, and be merry." "Be merry?" Giving her a thoroughly wicked grin, he said, "Okay. Eat, drink and make wild, passionate love. Not necessarily in that order." She avoided his gaze. "But we're not newlyweds." "I beg to differ, my lady," he said in a very poor English ac−cent. "I carried you over the threshold." "I guess I'd better slow down on the eating and drinking then." "Why?" "Because you won't be able to carry me over the threshold anymore if I don't." He laughed. "Like you need to worry about your weight. You're lighter than a feather." Impulsively she reached out and gripped one of his biceps and had the pleasure of feeling his rock hard muscles. "You're very strong." He grinned again. "If Jim has anything to say about it, I'll be in better shape than when I got here. The man's a torture machine." Chapter 13
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She looked down at her bandaged ankle and rotated it slowly. Hiking would be out during the rest of this vacation. But she wanted some fresh air. "I'd like some fresh air. What about a trip to the maze?" she asked. He winced. "We could be stuck in there for days, then there would be no more chances to eat, drink...or be merry." To her dismay, a vivid picture of them making love in the maze popped into her head. She tried to gauge his feelings. Sultry, his gaze was the epitome of cliché bedroom eyes. She thought she could feel his attention brush first over her hair, then down to her lips. As if he were touching, not just browsing. "Okay, the maze it is," she said softly. "All right. On one condition." "What?" she asked warily. "That you allow me to carry you." "My ankle is okay. I should be able to walk slowly. It's barely even sore." He sighed and stood up, stretching. "Squirt, you have to be the most headstrong woman I know." Chapter 13
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"So you've told me repeatedly." "Not without reason. Look, I'm not going to tell you what to do. I'll carry you only if you ask me to." "Deal." As they left the bar, she wondered about her feelings and his. She hated being this confused. With accounting she never had to worry about being uncertain. With relationships she walked the plank and stood at the edge, the possibility of being shoved into the sea. Maybe the maze, with it's winding passages and secrets, would help her ascertain her feelings once and for all. AS COURTNEY GAZED into the cerulean sky, she drank in a breath of the warm, gentle breeze. Walking slowly with Morgan, she headed toward the path that would lead them into the maze. As they approached the ninety−year−old hedge rows, she experienced a sense of anticipation, an awareness of walking into something that might change her forever, if only in a small way. Chapter 13
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As they stopped at the plaque by the entrance to the maze, she gazed at the maze. Several feet high, it gave the impression of an impenetrable series of walls rather than a living, growing thing. "Says here the maze has been visited by a variety of famous people," Morgan said, reading the plague. "Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Morgan Lucas." She laughed. "Right. Morgan Lucas." He switched on a look of feigned indignation. "What? Don't you think I'll be famous one day?" "You'll be whatever you want to be. I have faith in you." He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She drew in a deep breath, her body and mind delighting in being this close to him. His gaze was warm, almost tender. "Thanks, Squirt. But it looks like scientific minds aren't the best ones at getting out of this maze. It says here it took Albert Einstein twice as long to get out of the maze as it did Roosevelt." She chuckled. "That's not so hard to believe." "Why not? Einstein should have figured it out quicker." Chapter 13
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She shrugged. "Not necessarily. If he was anything like you, then he might have been lost in there forever." He pulled her even closer. "Hey, I'm good with directions." She tilted her head back to look at him. "Remember that time we got lost on the way to that party in high school? We were an hour late." "That happens to everybody once in awhile." She poked him in the ribs. "Yeah, if you call once a month once in awhile." He released her. "Okay, I'll make you a bet." She looked heavenward and then back at him. "Okay. Shoot." "If I remember correctly, the last time I made you a bet, I lost. I want a chance to win. The bet is I can find the way out of this maze, even without the map in my pocket." She gave him five. "You're on. What's the wager?" He gazed down at her, his eyes going smoky. A sensation brushed over her skin like an electrical tingle. Whatever the feeling was, it grew stronger every minute she remained with him. "That I stay in the honeymoon suite with you...that I don't get another room." A wave of relief washed over her. "You don't need to win a bet for that. I'm glad you've Chapter 13
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decided to stay." A gentle smile added to the warmth in his eyes. "That's not all. I get the bed tonight. That damn love seat is about ready to cripple me." "You're on," she said, certain he'd retrieve the map after a few minutes frustration. Once inside the maze, they wandered slowly, enjoying the sounds of birds singing, and the rustle of tree leaves in the wind. When they'd reached the center of the maze, her ankle began to ache. She came to a halt next to a Grecian style bench in a secluded alcove. "Damn," she said, sinking onto the bench. "I guess I was too ambitious," He stopped and turned back to her. "Ankle hurt?" "Yep." He sank down next to her. "We'll rest." "I'd ask you to carry me, but it would eventually break your back." He had the gumption to look offended. "Hey, you just got through saying I had muscles." He shook his head, his gaze tracing over her breasts, then downward over her legs. "You're perfect. Remember, I saw you in a bikini. I've felt you in my arms. You don't realize the potential you have to drive a man nuts." Chapter 13
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"I'm sure I drive you crazy," she said before she could think about how that sounded. "I mean, this whole trip has been strange. Not what I expected, I assure you." As the wind tossed her hair around her head, he reached over and tucked a strand behind her ear. "Do you regret coming here with me? To the hotel?" At his softly spoken, almost sad entreaty, another fragment of her heart yielded, and her fear that she was growing more and more attached to him increased. "No. It's had its high points." "Good. You know, I've been wondering something for so long now...I've been afraid to ask you." "Afraid? Why would you ever be afraid to ask me any−thing?" "Because of what's happened between us in the last few months. We haven't exactly been close." Sadness tweaked her. "I know." She looked down at her hands folded in her lap. "And it's my fault." "Why would you think that? It's as much my fault as it is yours." "I've neglected our friendship. I've put us on hold while I've been working. When I was with Stan I let us drift apart." Chapter 13
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"We had to drift apart some. I'm not sure how happy Stan would have been with us going to lunch together or movies or talking on the phone for hours." She nodded. "Stan is the jealous type. He was never sure that I loved him. It didn't matter what I said, he never believed me." "That's crazy. You didn't date other people." "No, I didn't. But he had to have control." He cursed softly. "I know. I didn't help things. I drove you even farther away from our friendship when I made sarcastic comments about him." "True. I mean, the few times I did get to see you, you were so intent on putting him down..." She saw a flicker of deep compunction draw down his mouth. She wanted to reach out and touch his lips, feel them against her skin again. Swallowing hard to resist the impulse, she waited for his reply. "I never apologized for that, Courtney." He put one of his hands over her folded fingers. "I was wrong." "You were concerned, that's all." "But you needed support, not criticism for being with him. I could have...I could have thought of some other way to show that you had my understanding." Chapter 13
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Before he could draw his hand away, she twined her fingers with his. Like a lifeline he held her hand tightly. "He was worse...the things he said about you, Morgan." He didn't look surprised. "I can guess." "He used to say that I couldn't have lunch with you, or talk with you. If he caught us together..." The pain of the memory caught her off guard, and she had to pause. It had been distressing being separated from Morgan. And looking back now the pain felt almost fresh, as if Stan could reach out and take Morgan away from her. Morgan remained silent, and she looked at the grass beneath her feet. "He said if he caught us together he'd know we'd been...fooling around." She saw surprise, concern, and finally, anger crossing his face. "He thought I was trying to take you away from him?" An ache gathered in her throat. "Yes. He said he could see in your eyes that you wanted me." She waited, hoping that he would say something, but he didn't. Instead, his features remained stony, ire firmly in place. "I told him it was crazy. I explained to him over and over again that we were only good friends. In the end, I guess, I rationalized that he was right. Not that you wanted me, but that it was wrong for me to be around you when I was Chapter 13
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with him." Morgan nodded, capturing her gaze with his. "So that's why you really drifted away from me. Not because you wanted to, but because he thought it was wrong for you to see me." "Yes. Things had been going wrong between Stan and me for a long time before he told me I couldn't see you anymore. But that night, when he told me to stay away from you, I felt like a defiant child battling a domineering parent." "When did this happen?" "In December." His hand tightened on her fingers. "And then I hurt you even more." She knew she must look puzzled. "What do you mean?" "The party. I didn't invite you to the party." The memory of that depressing time, when she'd discovered he wasn't going to invite her, opened a fresh vein. She let herself feel the hurt again. She pulled her hand from his. "Why didn't you invite me, Morgan?" An acerbic grin curved his lips as he shifted on the bench, turning toward her slightly. "I acted more like an adolescent than a man. I felt hurt. You had cut yourself off from me. You were always too busy to have lunch. Could never talk on the phone or in person. I Chapter 13
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should have tried harder to understand what was going on. All I saw was you drifting away." "I can understand why you felt that way. I didn't tell you why I was distancing myself." "I should have come to you and tried to really find out what was happening. Instead I let you go." She heard the hurt in each syllable as he spoke. "I'm so sorry. I hurt you so much, and it wasn't fair." He moved closer, his other hand coming up to cup her cheek, to rub his thumb lightly over her skin. She leaned into his touch, practically closing her eyes at the pleasure. "We hurt each other," he said softly "I'll never do that again. I promise." She'd wounded Morgan deeply, and now that she knew the extent of the laceration, she didn't know how to rectify the fissure between them. Then she knew. She couldn't remedy the gap. She couldn't go back to being friends with Morgan. She couldn't because she'd fallen in love with him. Fully and without reserve. He slid his arm around her so that he could bring her close. She sank into his gaze, Chapter 13
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feeling the sizzle of sexual tension, feeling an urgency to reach for him. She closed her eyes and tears rushed forward, threatening an immediate flood. The lump in her throat grew. "I've made a mess of things with you and now I'm afraid you'll never forgive me..." He brought her gently against him, making a soft noise that sounded like a moan as he touched his lips to her forehead. Then he pressed her head to his shoulder. "No, Squirt. It's not a mortal wound. There's nothing to forgive." His assurances and the comfort of being in his arms should have relieved her tears, but instead they came steadily. He rub−bed her back, pushed his fingers through her hair softly. The heat and hardness of his body warmed her, drew her into a cocoon she never wanted to leave. Raising her head from his shoulder, she looked up at him. What she saw in his eyes made her pulse race. Empathy and understanding resided there. Those alone would have freed her. Passion and hunger conveyed to her in his embrace and the way he traced his fingers along her jaw and throat, then over her back tenderly. And she knew he must see it in her gaze. Kiss me. Kiss me. As if he'd read her mind, his lips came down on hers, taking her mouth in a Chapter 13
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heart−stopping kiss full of promise. His touch enveloped her as his arms crushed her against him. His tongue stroked hers with an erotic rhythm that created a wave of heat through her body. His palms ran along her back, soothing, pampering, as if trying to comfort her for all the times he hadn't been there for her. Wanting to assure him, to give him the understanding he'd given her, she held him tight. She fingered the thick, soft texture of his hair, delighting in the soft groan that came from deep within him. Gently he released her lips, and she gave a little whimper of protest. "Morgan," she whispered, dazed and trembling. He cupped her face in her hands, bringing her lips close to his again. His breath came fast. "Ever been merry in a maze?" he asked. "No. Have you?" "No, but I'd sure like to try." His lips brushed hers, retreating and then returning. Each movement took her higher, bringing to life everything in her she'd thought dead. Every need lost from months of denial, from trying to pretend she needed nothing but work to keep her sane. Chapter 13
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His fingers brushed her breast, lightly cupping, and she gasped into his mouth as he traced a nipple with a gently circling motion. She tore her lips from his. "Morgan," she gasped. "Hmmm?" "Do you think we should be doing this here? I mean, some−one might run into us here." She saw a special amusement in his eyes, an appreciation for what she was thinking. "Oh, but it could be exciting here in the maze." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her ear, trailing his lips down to her neck. "The danger of being discovered." A flash of excitement enveloped her. "I never knew you were so...so...adventuresome." "There are a lot of things you don't know about me," he said, punctuating every other word with a kiss against her lips. "And I intend to show you every one." Another gasp tore from her as he cupped her breast again. "Oh, excuse us." Springing back from each other, they turned to see who had stumbled upon them. A young couple stood hand in hand, grinning broadly. "Sorry," the young woman said, her grin growing even wider. "No problem," Courtney said, her voice cracking. She cleared her throat. Chapter 13
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"We thought we'd visit the maze and see if what they say is true," the man said. "Who says what is true?" Morgan asked. The woman grinned salaciously. "Apparently walking in the maze has the effect of imbibing a powerful aphrodisiac. Al−most as good as a trip to Heart Hill." Courtney glanced at Morgan, and he looked as embarrassed as she felt. "Oh, really?" Morgan gave Courtney an uneasy smile and stood up. "Shall we go, honey?" As they bid the couple a polite goodbye, Morgan took Courtney's hand. His smile was wry. "I don't think I've ever been more embarrassed in my life." "I know. But we shouldn't be. We're married, remember?" "Pretending to be married," he said firmly. For Courtney, all the romance of a few moments ago seemed to dissolve like cotton candy in her mouth. Sweet but fleeting. She reminded herself he had been seen holding hands with Felicia, and despite the closeness and forgiveness they'd given each other in the maze, it didn't mean that he loved her. As her heart ached, she kicked herself a thousand times for being a fool. How could she have let herself fall in love with him? Chapter 13
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Chapter 14 MORGAN FELT sweat pour off him as he resolutely settled on the bench in the sauna. He hoped the steam would lull him into a peaceful frame of mind. He wished he'd never gone into the maze with Courtney that afternoon. He wished he'd never let his passion get control of his common sense. Instead he'd succumbed to needing her and realizing that if he didn't stop their escalating passion, he'd have lifted her in his arms, marched to their room, and made love to her. God, he wanted her. Maybe he'd always wanted her. The idea stunned him. What could he do about this increasing need? If they admitted it to themselves, the kisses and caresses they'd shared had nothing to do with pretending to be married for the benefit of those around them. He wanted her. And the way she'd responded to his kisses told him she wasn't indifferent to him. He was saved from ruminating about it when a familiar figure entered the room. Stan nodded at him. "Afternoon." "Afternoon," Morgan said. Morgan resolved to spend a couple more minutes in the Chapter 14
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sauna, then leave. Stan settled on a bench across from him. "I'm glad I caught up with you." "How did you know I was here?" "Courtney told me. I've got business to discuss with you." "I can't imagine that we have anything to discuss." Stan's face turned to granite. "Don't give me that bull, Lucas. You and I have a mutual interest." Morgan kept his voice steady. "Get to the point." "Courtney." "What about her?" "She's very important to me, and I don't want to see her get hurt." Morgan thought about laughing, even though he didn't find Stan's statement amusing. "Stan, I couldn't care less what you think about her." "Oh, but I think you do. Yesterday I had her in my arms again, and I don't think you liked it." Morgan shifted on the bench, crossing his legs at the ankles. "You were just trying to help her. I know that." Chapter 14
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Stan guffawed, one corner of his mouth tilted in a sarcastic smile. "Right. Well, she'll be back in my arms again. She confessed to me that she still needs me. She's forgiven me for the past and wants to get back with me." A sour sensation assaulted his stomach. Could she possibly still care about Stan in some way? After everything she'd confessed to him in the maze, he found the idea difficult to assimilate. He decided the best thing to do was play it cool. Stan would love to see him get upset. "She's her own woman. Whatever she decides is best for her life, I have to support her." Stan's grin faded slightly. Maybe he hadn't expected a calm response. "She's always been in love with me, and she told me that all she was waiting for was the right time to let you down easy." Impossible. Could Courtney have kissed him the way she had if she loved Stan? Morgan put up a hand. "Now wait a minute. She made the decision that your relationship wasn't working. She left you a long time before we decided to get married." Stan apparently didn't think listening to Morgan's replies was half as good as listening to himself talk. "Courtney needs a man to protect her," Stan said. "You don't fill the bill. Where were Chapter 14
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you when she was hiking and hurt herself?" For a moment Morgan almost let Stan get to him. Yes, he'd felt a little guilt, but that had passed as soon as he reminded him−self that she'd made the resolution to go hiking, that she hadn't gone solo, and that accidents happened. "Courtney is a grown woman, Stan, and she doesn't believe in letting a man dictate her actions. As much as I love her, I can't be with her every second of the day. That's where you went wrong in the first place. She's not an item for you to put on a mantle and polish and take out whenever you feel the need. She's a warm, giving, loving woman." Morgan stood and made his way toward the exit. Stan blocked his way, and Morgan wondered if the ignoramus planned to pick a fight with him. "Move out of the way, Stan." Stan's smile was closer to a grimace. "Not until you make me a promise to let her go." Morgan took a deep breath and put his hands on his hips. "Like I said, Courtney is an adult. Unlike you, I don't feel the need to control her actions for fear of losing her or for the thrill of possessing her." Morgan stepped forward and Stan blocked the doorway again. Irritation filtered into Morgan's blood. Chapter 14
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"Get out of the way." "Over my dead body. Not until you−–" "Look, Stan, it would be pretty undignified of us to have a fight right here clad only in towels don't you think?" Stan took that moment to draw back and land a good one right on Morgan's chin. "WHAT!" COURTNEY squeaked, sitting up straight and swinging her feet off the bed. She listened intently as Edna told her, over the phone, what had just happened downstairs. She shook the remaining sleep out of her system, trying to comprehend what Edna had said. "There's been a commotion downstairs involving Stan and Morgan. Jim and I were in the lounge having a cappuccino when we heard sirens and went out to see what was going on. There were police−−" "Police!" "Morgan's got this cut over his eye and a bruise on his chin. Actually Stan looks worse−−" Chapter 14
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"Morgan's hurt?" Courtney's voice rose sharply. "I think he's okay." Incredulous, Courtney put her hand to her head. "I can't believe this. I'm coming right down." "Sugar, I don't think that's necessary. The police are al−ready gone and I think Morgan−−" "I'll be right there." Courtney hastily replaced the receiver. As she slipped on her shoes, Courtney cursed the sun and the moon, and her own stupidity for imagining that a vacation like this could work. Was it asking too much for one day to go by without a fiasco occurring? She knew she shouldn't have told Stan that Morgan had gone to the sauna. Never in a million light years would she have guessed Stan and Morgan would fight. Before she could get her shoes tied, Morgan came into the room. Other than a band aid above his right eye, and a small bruise on his chin, he didn't look worse for wear. She hopped up and walked toward him, ignoring the steady throb in her ankle. "Morgan, what the hell−−" "You're not supposed to be walking on that ankle," Morgan said firmly, clasping her by Chapter 14
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the shoulders and marching her back to the bed. He gently pushed her into sitting position on the edge of the bed. "Who cares about my ankle. Are you all right?" A fleeting but genuine smile flashed across his lips. "I'm peachy. You ought to see the other guy." She couldn't buy into his attempt at humor. "Edna called and told me what happened." He sat on the bed next to her. "Leave it Edna to give the blow by blow account." Exasperated, she sighed. "She didn't give me a blow by blow account. But she did say you'd been in a fight with Stan." She reached up to tilt his head so she could see his wounds. "Actually it wasn't much of a fight," he said. She released his face. "What do you mean?" "Stan took a swing at me and got me on the chin." Morgan touched the spot and winced. "When I didn't do much more than stagger back he came at me again." "Oh, no." "Yeah. I guess he thinks he's a featherweight champion." Morgan's eyes lit up again, and she wondered how he could be so amused by the situation. "By this time we'd both lost our Chapter 14
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towels." "Oh, no," she said again. The image of a totally naked Morgan flashed into her mind, and the thought of it brought heat to her cheeks. "What happened then?" He shrugged. "It was stupid. I lost control. I swung back at him and knocked him flat on his ass. Unfortunately, I slipped on the wet floor and hit my head on the corner of a bench." She gasped, and reached up to touch his head next to the band aid. "Morgan, you could have been badly hurt. Are you sure you're all right? You should see the doctor." He shook his head. "It barely fazed me. Can't say that about Stan though." "What?" "Jim took him to the hospital." "Oh God!" "He's okay. Jim checked us both out. But Stan needed stitches." Her agitation heightened. "What were you thinking? Not only could Stan have hurt you, but the police might have charged you with assault. What kind of macho−−" "Hey, I didn't pick the fight. He did." "You didn't have to fight him." "I wasn't about to let him pound on me." Chapter 14
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"Yes, but−−" "If anybody should press charges it should be me." Worried that the situation would escalate into something far worse, she said, "Are you going to press charges?" He shook his head. "No." He sighed and lay back on the bed. When he remained silent, she realized he wasn't going to elaborate on the reason for the fight until she prodded him for information. "Fess up. Why did you fight him?" Bit by bit he related to her the conversation that had lead to the fracas. "He said you needed a man to protect you and that I couldn't do the job." "That's ridiculous. I don't need protection." "That's what I told him. I reminded him that you're an adult and make your own decisions." He sat up and gazed at her intently. He placed his hand over hers where it rested on her thigh. The heat of his skin seemed to translate clear through to her thigh. "He told me that you confessed to him you still care about him. That you want to go back to him." "What?" she gasped. "I did no such thing." "That's what he told me." Chapter 14
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"You know I wouldn't go back to him." For a moment she thought she saw relief enter his eyes. But then his gaze turned wary, not quite believing. A sting of tears threatened her eyes. Couldn't he see it? Couldn't he tell by now that she was in love with him...the one and only Morgan Lucas? "I don't love him, Morgan." She took a deep breath and touched the side of his face gently. "Are you hurt anywhere else?" A twinkle of amusement lightened his features. "My back is killing me. So much for soothing tired muscles in a sauna." "Poor baby." He gave her a mock frown. "Hey, next time I'll let you hit Stan." He rolled his shoulders slowly, and under the T−shirt his muscles rippled in a way that made her breath catch. He groaned. "If I'd known this vacation was going to require for me to jog, lift weights, and kick Stanley Ashford's sorry butt, I don't think I'd have come." "Really?" He smiled, then shook his head. "No. I've had too much fun." Chapter 14
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He rolled his shoulders again and tried to work out the tight muscles. Arousal pooled deep in her belly as she watched him. The desire to touch him overran her restraint. "Take off your shirt," she said. He stopped his stretching and looked at her as if she'd lost her mind. "What?" "Take off your shirt, and I'll give you a rub down. I've got some new massage oil. It's the least I can do for you...uh...since you kicked Stan's sorry butt." A thoroughly sweet and sweltering grin crossed his lips as the indecision loosened and flowed away in his eyes. His gaze locked on hers, and his pupils widened. She'd read somewhere this represented a sign of interest and arousal. The idea he might want her prickled along her nerve endings like a wild fire, thrilling her more than she would have thought possible. As if in slow motion, he tugged the T−shirt over his head. She felt her stomach drop into the basement as his fabulous musculature came into view. Giving her a cocky grin, he winked. "What about my jeans? Do I need to take them off?" His question floored her. Suddenly she forgot she had a voice. She cleared her throat. "Do your legs hurt?" Chapter 14
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With a suggestive tilt of his head, he said, "Oh, I ache all over." Caught up in the heat that filled the space between them, she swallowed hard. The room seemed incredibly small. What was she doing? If she touched him would she be able to stop at simply playing masseuse? How would she manage to knead his sore muscles without going up in flames? "We'll start with your back muscles and work our way...down," she said a little breathlessly. "What's next?" "Lay on your stomach." He did as he was told. She walked into the bathroom and looked for the bottle of oil. When she finally unearthed it, she dropped it twice. She took a couple of deep breaths to try and calm the commotion within her. She approached the bed, emotions spiking from doubt to happiness at having him with her. As she uncapped the bottle and poured a small amount of the oil in her palm, he began to snore. She cursed. His head snapped up. "What?" Chapter 14
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Embarrassment flooded her cheeks. "I...uh...thought you'd fallen asleep." Once again he winked at her. "Gotcha." "You brat," she growled. Instead of leaning over the bed to give him the massage, she straddled his perfect backside. He grunted as she settled her weight on him. "That deserves severe punishment." He moaned. "Punish me." She had a perverse desire to drive the man to within an inch of insanity, and she started to knead the tight muscles in his back. As the oil slicked over his tanned skin, she worked steadily, without pause, getting into the rhythm. Sighing heavily, he relaxed under her fingers, and she felt a keen power that had nothing to do with common sense or caution. She wanted him. She could feel it in the tingling sensation in her breasts, in the hot, tight pressure between her thighs. Oh, Lord. She was nuts and then some. Maybe if she talked to him about something that would distract her wayward and entirely sexual thoughts... "Stan told me that he saw you holding hands with Felicia." He instantly tensed, and before she knew it, he rose up, toppling her onto her left side onto the bed. Although his face had turned to stone, he remained lying down, and he put his Chapter 14
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hands behind his head in a casual pose. "I wasn't holding hands with her, Courtney." She shrugged. "It doesn't matter. If you're...if you're happy with Felicia than I'm happy for you." "She grabbed my hand. He was across the pool watching us. I pulled my hand away." He reached for her hand and clasped it in his warmly. "This is holding hands." As the moment stretched between them, she practically forgot to breathe. "I'd better finish that massage." She moved her fingers in his, but instead of letting her go, he pressed her fingers against his chest. As she allowed him to trap her gaze within his, she moved her fingers softly, learning the texture and feel of his hair roughened chest. "That feels great," he said huskily. Barely able to hear his low tone, she leaned down to hear him, temporarily stopping the massage. "What did you say?" "I said...if you don't stop I don't think I'll be able to resist." She licked her lips. "Resist what?" Before she could move, his arms came around her, and he plunged his fingers into her Chapter 14
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hair. He brought his lips to within a scant inch of hers. "This," he whispered. Then his warm lips captured her mouth.
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Chapter 15 WHEN MORGAN kissed Courtney this time, she knew there would be no going back. No denying their needs. No pretending to be lovers. Make−believe was over. How could she have taken so long to see that this wonderful, sweet, sexy man was right in front of her? For all her life it seemed he'd been there, and now she didn't plan on letting him go. Worries about their friendship defied her to forget. But with his next touch, every concern drifted away. And it seemed he touched her everywhere, stroking against her shoulders, along her ribs to the indent of her waist. For she knew he wanted to be her lover, and she would die if she couldn't feed this raw need reflected in his eyes. Like a starving woman she wanted to see that hunger in his eyes again and again and again. Excitement clutched her stomach and her breathing accelerated as Morgan used every erotic tool in his arsenal. Warm and seeking, his lips nibbled and tasted as his tongue moved in and out of her mouth in a blatant sexual invitation. Where his kiss might have held something back at one time, he restrained nothing now. A rough moan came from deep in his chest, as if the Chapter 15
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animal in him had been released. Through the haze of commotion in her senses, she knew she'd remember this moment for as long as she lived. Without forethought she slid her hands over his shoulders, testing the strength and power she found there. All her imaginings couldn't have prepared her for the hard, muscular flesh she cherished beneath her fingers. And the feeling of so much vigor sent shards of desire into her body. She ached to know every inch...to caress and press and tease. To make him happy in every way she could. She drew in the scent of him. The hot, masculine, aroused tang that from this day forward she would always remember as his. Slowly his hands took inventory of her, searching her face, trailing down to her breasts and her waist and her hips with feather light touches. Each sweet contact fed her hunger, and her urgency turned to a longing as pure and desperate as anything she'd ever experienced. He released her lips and looked at her with an unmistakable message burning in his eyes. He turned her over on her back and half covered her with his body. His lips came to hers again, exquisite and considerate. His hot arousal pressed against her thigh. Boldly she pressed her hips closer, aching to be filled by him. Chapter 15
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When he cupped her breast she inhaled sharply. Releasing her lips, he kissed a path to her ear. He traced his tongue about the tender lobe, then repeatedly pushed his tongue inside until she shivered and gasped with pleasure. Hot with need, she moaned when he stopped the delicious torture and nuzzled her neck, brushing tiny kisses over her sensitive skin. Morgan had never felt this way before. Had never wanted a woman as much as he wanted Courtney. Had never wanted to please a woman the way he wanted to please her. Every movement of her body as she strained against him drove him one step closer to loosing control. Part of him couldn't wait until he sank deep into her soft depths and felt the wet, tight heat of her surrounding him. He wanted to thrust in−side her hard and deep until the pleasure shook him to the bone. Yet more than anything he wanted to strip her slowly, take her gently until she screamed in pleasure and begged him not to stop. All thoughts of consequences fled under the power of his feelings and in the pounding need driving him toward completion. Above even the physical need was the knowledge that she was his for this moment. He would show her how much he cared and how much he valued her in every way. Slowly, as he drove her insane with his touch, he pulled the straps of her sun dress down, Chapter 15
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revealing her breasts. The sight of her round, sweet flesh drove a spike of hot urgency into his loins until he hardened painfully. The round, full breasts nestled easily into his hands and the warmth of them drove his hunger higher by the moment. He molded her, stroking, massaging, driving her crazy as he caressed her nipples with the tips of his fingers. For so long he'd wanted to touch her, take in the sight of her, and now it was a reality. He raised his head, and she saw the blaze of desire turning his dark eyes black with an animal need. A flush covered his cheekbones and his breath came fast. "You are so beautiful," he murmured as he tortured her nipples with flicks of his fingers. Before she could respond he moved with maddening slowness to taste the side of her breast, lingering with licks and small kisses. Her nipples rose to taut peaks that stung with pleasure. God, how she wanted more! Still, he avoided the tight centers, tormenting her until she whimpered. Finally he licked them with an exquisite touch that made her heart pound as he treated them to gentle suckling. She arched into his mouth, imploring. He complied, drawing on her until the fire between her legs reached a feverish ache. "Morgan," she whispered. Chapter 15
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He loved the way she sounded as she gasped his name, and he treasured the knowledge that he brought her deep pleasure. He took in the flame in her eyes, the plea within them that begged to be assuaged. Her lips parted, lush, full and offering a million secrets to plunder. Restlessly she traced her hands over the hard muscles of his body. She admired his flesh as she palmed her hands over him, tracing the dark mat of hair that covered his chest and narrowed down to his waist. With her index finger she teased him, trailing her finger over his chest, down to his stomach, then toying beneath the waistband of his jeans. "God, sweetheart, you're killing me," he groaned. With a seductive laugh, she cupped him through the fabric of his jeans. "Pick your method of death." His laugh caught on a moan as she continued to move her fingers over him. With each caress he took a halting breath, sharp and tell−tale. And by the mischievous smile barely touching her lips, he knew she delighted in knowing she did this to him, that his desire was for her and her alone. He opened the button on his jeans, and she pulled down his zipper. She reached for him, drawing him forth into her hand. The feeling of her hand circling him, moving over his skin, made him grit his teeth in Chapter 15
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painful pleasure. He slipped a hand along the smooth, firm length of her leg, slowly coming around to the inside of her thigh. He teased, never quite touching the spot that throbbed within her. A dazzling dart of excitement hit her as he relented, finally touching her between the legs. As he stroked her through her panties, the delicious friction of fabric against sensitive nerve endings increased her excitement. With every movement of his fingers, she felt herself grow moist and hot. Repeatedly he stroked and enticed until a gasp came from her throat. When she thought she could stand no more, he reached for her panties and pulled them down her legs. Desperate to feel her naked flesh against his, she sat up, yanked the sun dress over her head and tossed it away. Climbing off the bed, he shoved his jeans and briefs down so that he stood naked in front of her. She'd never seen a man as magnificent as him. Now that his entire body had been revealed to her, she took in the sinew and power inherent in his shoulders, his arms, his long legs. As she admired his body, he kneeled at her calves, touching them gently, reverently, pressing kisses over them. She'd never thought of her legs as an erogenous zone be−fore, but Morgan proved to her Chapter 15
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that they were keenly receptive. With soft kisses he trailed a path upwards, lingering on her thighs until he reached the part of her that ached the most. He hesitated, offering her a sexy smile that drew the breath from her. "Morgan," she whispered again as he teased her thighs with circular caresses. She drew in a sharp breath of pleasure as his lips and tongue made explicit acquaintance with the most intimate part of her. She lay back on the bed with a gasp, trembling. Without hesitation he learned every inch of her, every place that pleased her the most. He took her on a journey she had never experienced, never dared to dream about, never knew existed. As his tongue explored her, she plunged her fingers into his hair, soft moans of surrender and heightened pleasure breaking from her lips. Without mercy he tasted and licked, then concentrated on the sensitive regions that tingled and burned with each unrelenting exploration. Trembling on the brink, she moaned. "Morgan, you are driving me crazy." "Complaining?" he said huskily as he moved up her body, kissing her as he went. "No," she gasped. "You're wonderful." Finally he came up next to her, his lips hovering over hers, his eyes reflecting a heat of desire she'd never seen in another man's eyes. Tears of happiness sprang to her eyes, and as Chapter 15
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one trickled past her temple and into her hair, his brow furrowed. "Sweetheart," he said, his voice coming deep and gruff with passion. "What's wrong?" She smiled, her lips trembling. She reached up to touch his face, feeling the roughness of his beard against her palm. "Nothing is wrong," she whispered. "Everything is right." Aggressively she drew him into a passionate kiss that broke all confines. When his fingers found her moist and hot, her cry of need was captured against his lips. Morgan wanted to give her anything she wanted. He wanted to feel her contracting around him, driving him out of his mind with pleasure. But foremost he wanted her to want him more than she'd ever needed a man before. As he increased the stroke of his fingers, he whispered, "Tell me what you need, Courtney. I'll do anything for you. Anything." Panting, she breathed out the words. "I want you. Only you." The touch of her hand on him almost pushed him to the edge of madness. He couldn't wait any longer. Shifting his body, he moved between her thighs. He touched his hardness to her, drawing in a hissing breath at the feel of her. Slowly, for fear of hurting her, he took his thrust slowly, teasing her with small plunges. She arched against him as he dipped into Chapter 15
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her, and she gasped sharply. Her reaction set him free. He pushed deep. Her sigh of satisfaction feathered against his ear, and he kissed her with a passionate roughness. He remained still within her for long moments, savoring the acute sensation of her surrounding him in a velvet clasp. Moments drew out with agonizing slowness, and she knew he tortured himself and her...tortured because he wanted this pleasure to last and last. But she knew when he could no longer hold back. Felt it in the groan that broke from him, a tremble that rippled through his powerful arms. And he began to move within her, taking her with deep, lazy thrusts. She wrapped her legs around his lean hips and moved to his rhythm, discovering that each thrust and retreat created a pleasure so intense, she moaned with each stroke. She let all thought drift away until nothing existed for her but the continual sensation of Morgan immersing himself inside her again and again. He lost all contact with anything but the primitive need to drive into her. He shivered as her unfettered response urged him to thrust harder, to gradually increase his motion until he hammered into her. Within her the pleasure reached a state so acute, little moans escaped her as she gasped for breath. Then the joy reached a height she could no longer bear. With an unrestrained Chapter 15
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cry, she clasped him tightly and surged upwards as sounds of un−believable ecstasy broke through her in great waves. As he felt her climax, he let the last barrier down. He ram−med into her as darts of heat spread to every point in his body. Seconds later he gave one last solid thrust and cried out, spilling into her as his entire body shook with pleasure. When he regained his breath and resurfaced, he realized he had snuggled her close, his lips against her forehead, his palms rubbing over her back in a soothing, warming motion. She didn't speak, and he waited and waited for her to say something, anything that would tell him what she was thinking. A stark fear hit him. Claudia had been like this the last time they'd made love. She'd spurned him shortly thereafter, telling him that he was...inadequate. Maybe he was. Deep within he knew what he felt with Courtney was so different, so rich, that if she turned away from him as Claudia had, the pain would be far deeper. He hugged her tightly, and she squirmed closer, draping one leg over his thigh so that he could feel her feminine warmth against him. He took a deep breath and willed himself to let it out slowly, to release the panic and fear threatening him. It was a fear born of joy and insecurity and an exultation that knew no Chapter 15
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definition. Suddenly he knew beyond a doubt what made this time different. He'd thought he'd loved Claudia, but now he realized he never had. He'd already been in love with Courtney. Had always loved Courtney. Gladness broke over him, lifted him above the earth into his own special heaven. He must have made a sound, because she propped up on one elbow and looked down on him. "So..." Her voice was breathy and a touch mirthful. "Did I kill you?" She loved it when he smiled, and the grin he gave her now made her heart turn over triple time. "Squirt, if that's death, you can kill me anytime you want." At the husky, unmistakably erotic tone in his voice, heat stole into her face. She would have thought, with the way she'd come apart in his arms, exposed herself in the most intimate manner, that she couldn't blush again. "Tell me what you're thinking," he said, pulling her over on top of him and nestling her against him intimately. His inquiry surprised her. "I'm thinking that I've been a fool." "Why?" "For not dragging you down and having my way with you a long time ago." Chapter 15
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His laugh came suddenly and hard, rumbling through his chest. "What else are you thinking?" She leaned down to whisper in his ear, feeling inexplicably shy. "You are a fabulous lover." She saw a bit of male ego spike within him, and his grin was carnal and blatant. "I'm glad you said that. I was afraid I'd do something wrong. When Claudia−−" He stopped himself and the grin disappeared as he looked mortified that he'd mentioned her name. "What about Claudia?" Sighing, he ran his hand through her hair, mussing it even more. He shook his head, as if to dismiss the thought entirely. "Oh, no, you don't. You're not getting away with not telling me now," she said. He looked doubtful. "I don't want what happened to change your mind about me." Little spurts of fear did somersaults in her stomach. What could he have possibly done that was so bad? "Tell me." "According to Claudia one of the things that broke us up was that I was an...inadequate lover." Courtney knew her mouth had dropped open, and she stared at him in disbelief. Chapter 15
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Hastening to reassure him, she dipped her head and kissed him full on the lips. She'd meant it as a small token of understanding, but once his lips took hers, she was lost under the powerful assault of his mouth. His kiss drowned her in sensations that threatened to send them deep into the well again. When they came up for air, she said, "She must have been demented. You are incredible." At her words he hardened against her and an answering tug pulled deep in her belly. She wiggled her hips and he drew in a swift breath. "If you keep doing that I won't be responsible for the con−sequences," he said. She wiggled again, smiling. "I'll keep doing it until you ex−plain everything that happened. Did I imagine it, or did Felicia have something to do with your breakup with Claudia?" He rolled her over until he could cradle her against his side again. He kissed her forehead and sighed. "Not really. I met Felicia after Claudia had indicated she wasn't sure she wanted to marry me anymore." She waited for his explanation, but nothing came. This called for serious intervention. Reaching out slowly, she caressed his chest. She allowed her fingertips to drift down over Chapter 15
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his stomach, and then she touched her tongue to one of his nipples. He drew in an swift breath. She half expected him to tell her to stop, but instead he wrapped his fingers in her hair and encouraged her exploration. She lingered there for long moments, then drew back. "Tell me, or I'll torture you within an inch of your life." His eyelids fluttered open, and she saw the glaze of passion in his eyes. "I think I'm already there." "Morgan," she said in a warning tone. "Okay. Claudia had been acting strangely for a couple of months. She never wanted to make love, but when we did she seemed to go through the motions. We seemed to be stagnating, drifting apart. Nothing I did made a difference. Finally, after I tried to make love to her one last time, she told me the real problem was that I was dull. I couldn't make love to save my life. She said my personality was boring." Pain welled in her and anger that Claudia could have been so cruel and so wrong. "Morgan, that's ridiculous. You're the most interesting man I've ever known." He smiled tentatively. "I'll bet you didn't always think that." Chapter 15
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"I didn't recognize what I was feeling. I've been blind." He kissed her softly, and ran his fingers through her hair. "After Claudia told me I was a lousy lover, and she thought we'd better break off the engagement, I was glad to go to the antique conference in Atlanta. I needed to nurse my wounds, I guess. I meet Felicia there." The squares fell into place in the puzzle immediately. "And Felicia came on to you like she did at the pool the other day." "Exactly. I was smarting. A wound to my masculinity need−ed fixing, I guess. It didn't take much." "You went to bed with her." "Yes. Once. Immediately afterwards I was ashamed of my−self. I felt like I'd betrayed Claudia." Courtney absorbed his story. "I see." He tilted her face up to look at him. "Do you really?" Confusion did a dance within her, intimidating and annoying. She sat up, her bewilderment turning to doubt, her emotions building steadily, dangerously to a slow boil. "You loved Claudia and yet you were able to..." Chapter 15
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She couldn't say it. His expression hardened slightly, and she knew what he was thinking. She was condemning him for his action. "Yes. At least that's what I thought at the time. After I left the conference I was in worse shape then when I got there. I felt like I'd betrayed Claudia even though she'd told me basically to go to hell. What I'd done...it wasn't like me." She sighed, wanting to release every suspicious bone in her body. "Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone falls off a wagon and does a wild thing. I don't know anyone who hasn't." "I've always thought that Claudia was right." She shook her head and lay back down on the bed. She looked up at the ceiling, not touching him. "She hasn't a cell left in her little pickled brain." Silence stretched between them for a long time, until she began to worry that he was having second thoughts about what they'd done. "Are you still in love with Claudia?" He propped up on his elbow and looked down on her. "God, no−−" She grabbed him and kissed him, effectively stifling his words. She didn't want to know any more, and fear of losing him to something that had Chapter 15
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happened before propelled her onward. Only with passion, with blinding love could she make them both forget the past. When he released her, she looked up at him and knew. No matter what happened from this point forward, she'd always love him. With a deep and abiding commitment, there could never be another man for her. As he gazed at her she melted. Didn't the man have any concept how devastatingly handsome he was? Folding directly into herself, she burned like a pulsar, unstable and ready to explode. As he kissed her again she released all thoughts, blending into his embrace like liquid. As his tongue made love to her mouth, she moaned with a deep urgency. His hardness pressed against her thigh and she rolled with him, coming up on top of him so that she straddled his hips. Throbbing deep inside with a need to have him within her, she skipped preliminaries. Lifting herself up, she came down on him slowly, feeling the hot, hard length of him penetrate deep. He gasped and took hold of her hips as he thrust his hips up. Slowly she rode him, taking him gently until his hips surged upwards again and again, bucking against her until neither of them could take the pressure. Wild with a desire to reach her peak, she increased the Chapter 15
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pace. The heat of it ripped through her, blinding her to everything but the sweet, primal sounds that came from him as he joined her in ecstasy. Later, as they drifted into sleep, he knew he had to tell her what he felt. As they lay like two spoons, nestled close, he whispered the truth into her ear. "I love you." She sighed. A deep, relaxed, contented sound. "I know." His heart did a leap of gladness, a happiness deeper than anything he'd experienced moved into his soul. Somehow he had to show her she meant more to him than anything in the world. A plan formulated in his mind. Although he'd given her the antique ring as a sign of their pretend marriage, he wanted to give her a new ring. He'd get down on his knees and present it to her. Kissing her ear softly, he succumbed to sleep.
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Chapter 16 WHEN COURTNEY woke the next morning, a ray of sunlight filtered through a crack in the curtains over the window. Sighing, she savored the last vestiges of sleep clouding her mind, and the masculine scent of Morgan lingering on the sheets. She reached out to find she was alone in the bed. Unreasonable fear rocketed through her, and she sat up, her gaze searching frantically for Morgan. The room was empty. He wasn't here to share the excitement of waking up in each other's arms. For an irrational second, she feared he'd left for good. That if she checked the closet she'd find his clothes gone. But then she saw his suitcase. She flopped back on the bed and closed her eyes. How stupid. She thought back to yesterday and the passionate love− making they had shared throughout the afternoon. They'd spent the day and night loving, touching, laughing. It had been perfect. She recalled his soft murmur against her ear as she'd drifted to sleep, though she couldn't recall the words. Chapter 16
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Could he have said...no... She'd dreamed last night that he said he loved her. A void filled her heart where moments ago she'd recalled nothing but the time they'd shared in each other's arms...the miraculous love they'd made together. She realized that more than anything she wanted to be his real wife. Not as a convenience to qualify for a vacation, not as a temporary arrangement. She wanted their matrimony to be a permanent situation. She had to tell him she loved him, even if the answer she received wasn't the one she wanted to hear. She knew he cared for her deeply, but she wanted his entire heart. Taking a deep breath, she got out of bed. On the way to the bathroom she noticed a note on the bar. Squirt, Went shopping. May be gone for a few hours. Relax. See you later. Morgan. She sat back down on the bed. Went shopping? Her mind bounced from idea to idea. What was up his sleeve? Her stomach growled loudly. First things first. She'd get dressed and grab a croissant. Chapter 16
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Then she'd think about how she would tell him how much she loved him. She might even stop by that little negligee shop and get something to add to her love arsenal. MORGAN STARED at the tray of engagement and wedding rings, dazzled by the selection and price range. Price wouldn't be big concern. He wanted a ring that he knew Courtney would love and that would express his love for her. Her jewelry ran toward vintage looking pieces. Most of the things on the tray, however, were very modern in design. The salesman waited patiently. "Take your time, sir. I'm sure we have what you're looking for." "It's got to be just right. It's going to last forever." The man nodded. "Oh, unmistakably, sir." He gave a little laugh. "We specialize in marriage in here, if you haven't guessed already. The Heart Inn Resort is renowned for the number of weddings performed on the premises." "So I've heard. Help me locate the right ring and there just might be another marriage to add to your large and distinguished list." The door to the shop opened and closed, but Morgan ignored it. Several seconds later a Chapter 16
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warm hand clasped his arm. "Hello, Morg." Startled, he turned to see Felicia, decked out in a tight tank top and jeans. "Your fiancée, sir?" asked the man. "Why, Morg, you never told me," Felicia said, fluttering her eyelashes with mock dramatic flair. Annoyance tightened Morgan's throat. "No. Felicia and I aren't engaged." Felicia's pretty nose twitched. "What? I thought you and Courtney were..." "Going to be married. I'm asking her to marry me." "You're already married." Morgan gritted his teeth and looked at that salesman, whose eyes narrowed in disapproval. "I'm not already married." Felicia crossed her arms. "I don't get it. Why are you in the honeymoon suite−−" "Be quiet for once Felicia and make yourself useful." The man looked from Felicia to Morgan like he was watching a tennis match, a perplexed frown covering his face. Morgan shifted on his feet impatiently and hooked his thumbs in his front belt loops. "I Chapter 16
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need to find the perfect ring for Courtney." He showed Felicia the tray of rings. "She likes antique looking jewelry." The man perked up. "Well, why didn't you say so, sir? I have the perfect ring right here." Unlocking a drawer in the display case, he pulled out a small red velvet tray that held one ring. "This might be what you're looking for." Felicia gasped when she saw the ring. Morgan's eyes widened. A large, emerald cut diamond sparkled atop a wide white gold filigree band. The ring was beautiful and the diamond much larger than the other ring he'd given Courtney. Before he could inspect the ring closer, Felicia snapped it up and slipped it on her finger. "Wow." She turned to him suddenly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Before he could utter a sound she kissed him. He reached up for her arms and peeled them away from him, pushing her back gently. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Felicia?" Felicia pouted. "Just having a little fun." Morgan sighed impatiently and said, "Please take off the ring." She complied, and he handed it back to the man behind the counter. "I'll take it." COURTNEY HURRIED down the hotel corridor toward the honey−moon suite, her Chapter 16
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heart thumping wildly. When she arrived at her hotel room door, she jammed the card key into the slot and yanked it out too quickly. The red dot flashed. She cursed and tried again, forcing herself to go slowly. Finally the lock worked. Quickly she entered, slamming the door behind her and leaning against it. Surprise and hurt trickled through her as she played the vision of Morgan kissing Felicia. If the negligee shop didn't happen to be next to the jewelry store she wouldn't have seen their embrace. It took her several moments to calm down and realize that she was acting like a fool. Morgan hadn't committed to her. He hadn't promised her anything. She had to think this through like a rational adult. Confusion passed through her, making it difficult to know what she wanted to do. She paced the room, her hands clasped behind her back. Then it came to her. Morgan cared about her and wouldn't make love to her then fool around with another woman. But she wanted more than an affair. She wanted forever. She knew he was worth fighting for, and that meant she'd have to bring out the heavy artillery. Hell, she'd bring out the canons if necessary. She needed a battle plan. "Ah−ha!" She knew just who could help her. She ran to the phone and dialed Edna's number.
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"NOW THAT IS just about the most sinful piece of equipment I've ever seen," Edna said, looking at the red ensemble dangling from Courtney's fingertips. "Methinks you have a seduction in mind." Courtney smiled and caressed the intricate swirls of lace on the push up bra. "I figure if the bra didn't send him up in flames, the matching French−cut panties, garter belt, and thigh−high stockings would." Edna put her hands on her hips. "Sugar, you don't think you need these things to get your sweet husband's attention do you? From what I've seen, there isn't anyone else for him." Sighing, Courtney put the bra back on the hanger and looked around at the displays of multi−colored lingerie. "If ever a man was in love, he is," Edna said. Courtney didn't say what she was really thinking. Morgan hadn't said he loved her, and that made the difference. He'd made love to her, but that didn't mean he'd fallen for her. And when it came down to it, an arms depot full of negligees wouldn't guarantee he would fall in love with her. But she could give it her best shot. Edna made a tisking sound and put her arm around her. "Sugar, I sense something is rotten in paradise." Chapter 16
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"No. Not really. Everything is wonderful. But..." Nodding, Edna walked with her to the counter. "Why don't we get these nice, wicked pieces of seduction for you, then go and have some coffee. You can tell me all about it." After Courtney paid for the ensemble, they headed for the coffee shop where they settled down with scones and cappuccinos. Courtney inhaled the fragrant coffee. Edna buttered a scone and then took a bite of the fluffy concoction. She looked toward the ceiling, then closed her eyes blissfully. After she'd devoured the bite, she took a sip of her hot coffee. A sigh issued from her lips. "Ah. Heaven. There isn't anything better than this." Courtney chuckled. "Not even sex?" Edna laughed, coughed, and then laughed again. "Hon, you almost made me snort coffee out my nose with that one." They laughed together this time, until Courtney was practically shrieking. Edna's eyes streamed with tears as she dabbed at them with a tissue. Several other patrons stared at them, most with smiles on their faces. Realizing they were making a scene, Courtney stifled her laugh. "We had better chill. They might kick us out." Chapter 16
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"For having fun? I hope not. Now, tell me what's bothering you." Sorry they had reverted to the subject, Courtney took a deep breath. Edna seemed like a sweet, honest lady. She felt in her heart that this woman could help her. "Okay. Well, I saw something this morning that bothered me a little." Edna nodded, taking another sip of cappuccino. She frowned. "Go ahead. Tell me." Courtney held her coffee cup in both hands, absorbing the heat. "I was on the way to the negligee shop when I passed by the jewelry store and saw Morgan there with Felicia." Edna's frown deepened. "What were they doing?" With halting words Courtney explained that she'd see them in an embrace. "Why would he be in a jewelry store with her?" "No," Edna said, setting her cup down with a clatter. "I don't believe it." "They were kissing." Edna's brows drew downward and her eyes grew serious. "Now that is disturbing." "But not in the way you think. Look, I have something to confess." Courtney proceeded to explain about her make−believe marriage to Morgan. She felt heat enter her face as she explained that the relationship had become intimate yesterday. "But I'd realized before...that I was in love with him," Courtney said, wishing she had a Chapter 16
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little brandy to pour into her drink. "So that's why you bought all the lingerie. You want to seduce him into loving you?" "Well...no...I realize that if he doesn't love me, he doesn't love me. Nothing will change that." "Honey, he already loves you. There's got to be an explanation for what you saw. Morgan Lucas doesn't impress me as a man who would fool with two women at once." Courtney wanted to believe it. "I need to know for sure. Stan went out with another woman once when we were still together." "He made it hard for you to trust again." "Yes." "You've got to talk to Morgan, honey. That's all there is to it." Edna grinned, but the amusement didn't reach her eyes this time. "I suppose I shouldn't talk, though." "Why is that?" "Well, I've got a little love situation of my own." Courtney leaned forward. "Really?" "It's Jim. Since we met up on the hill behind the resort, I'm afraid I've started to feel something pretty powerful for him." Chapter 16
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"Maybe there is something unique about that hill." Edna put some jam on another scone. "Perhaps. But there's something I know for certain. Morgan loved you before you both went to the hill. You didn't need any alchemy to fall for each other. You have a strong bond built from years of sharing. All your love needs is to come out in the open. To be acknowledged." The light bulb came on in Courtney's head. That was it. She had to take a chance. "I said a man would never have control over me ever again. But I just realized that Stan still has control over me. I'm allowing the terrible relationship I had with him to hold me back from Morgan." Courtney felt a surge of happiness so strong she al−most shouted. "Edna, you're great. I knew talking to you was a fabulous idea." This time, when Edna smiled, the sparkle behind her grin said it all. "That's it, Sugar. You've found your answer. Now how are you going to tell that wonderful man of yours that you love him and want him for your own?" "SORRY, MORGAN. I haven't seen Courtney or Edna any−where this morning," Jim Chapter 16
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said over the phone. Morgan sat down on the bed and switched the telephone receiver to his other ear. He looked at the note she'd left on the bed. "She left me a note, but it's been a couple of hours. Thanks anyway." "If I know Edna, she's probably snatched Courtney and the two are shopping in town." "She did say she was picking up a...surprise." Jim laughed. "Well, if I see her I'll tell her you're pining after her." Morgan blushed. "Thanks." After he finished talking with Jim, he removed his shirt and shoes and lounged on the bed. More than anything he wanted to take Courtney in his arms again and make love to her. He ached to tell her that he loved her and wanted her to marry him. A slow grin covered his lips, but then it vanished in an instant. She hadn't said she loved him. Maybe she was out right now thinking over what had happened between them and regret−ting every moment. Insecurities from old wounds forced them−selves into his psyche. He knew she had some deep feelings for him or she wouldn't have made love with him. Courtney didn't give herself freely to any man. That was why her relationship with Stan had hurt her so much. When she gave herself to a man, she gave her heart completely. Chapter 16
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He felt a wave of warm satisfaction come over him. He'd just answered his own doubts. Courtney put her all into every close relationship with loyalty and affection and love. Unlike Claudia she placed importance on giving to those she loved. And she'd given him everything. She must be in love with him! As he sat up the door opened, and Courtney came inside She smiled brightly at him, and his heart began to race. He couldn't wait for a more romantic time to ask her to marry him. He had to do it now. A smart man didn't hesitate to tell a woman who meant more to him than anything in the world...that she was his world. COURTNEY'S BREATH caught as she saw Morgan sitting on the bed in nothing but jeans. The man made her heart race every time she saw him. Joy burst in her as she closed the door and walked toward him. She stopped just short of coming into con−tact with his legs. "Hey," he said softly. "I've been looking for you." "Edna and I went shopping and had coffee and scones." Chapter 16
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He glanced at the bags in her hands. "Oh yeah? Swindon's Lingerie Shop?" She put on a seductive smile and leaned a little closer to him. "I bought me...I mean you...a little treat." He reached out for the bag but she snatched it back. "Nope. We've got some talking to do first." His smile slowly disappeared at the serious tone in her voice. She put the bags down on the bed next to them, then put her hands on his shoulders. The hard muscles beneath her fingers quivered the slightest bit. Gazing into his eyes, she saw the apprehension laced with desire. Good. She wanted to affect him this way. Wanted him to want her. "What is it, Squirt? Is everything all right?" "While I was out shopping I had a revelation." She felt her throat go tight as she tried to get the words out, a little of her old timidity coming back. She wrestled with it. "I saw you in the jewelry store earlier." His faced blanched, and he swallowed hard. The moment of truth had arrived, and she held her breath. Finally, he said, "What did you see?" "I saw you kissing Felicia." Chapter 16
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He closed his eyes and sighed, worry clear in his expression. He clasped her waist, pulling her forward until she stood between his legs. His fingers tightened on her waist. "It's all a mistake, sweetheart. A misunderstanding." "What is?" she asked, panic making her breathless. His lips thinned into a tight line. "I went into the jewelry store to buy you a new wedding ring. Felicia came in and started bothering me while I was selecting a diamond. When I found one I knew you'd like, she took it. She put it on her finger and then grabbed me and kissed me." He cursed. "She must have seen you standing there. I guess you didn't see me push her away." Relief flooded her. But before she could assimilate every−thing he said, he went on. "Courtney, you know me better than any woman has ever known me. No one has touched my heart the way you have. Not Claudia, and certainly not Felicia. From the moment you came up to my locker in my senior year and introduced yourself, from the moment you became my friend, I've cherished that relation−ship more than anything else. And you know what? Maybe that was the problem all along." "What do you mean?" Her heart hammered, her gaze latching onto the deep emotion etching his beloved face. Chapter 16
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He slipped his hand down her body, caressing her softly. He brought her down on his lap, then plunged his fingers into her hair. The warmth and strength of his arms enclosed her until she ached with the need to kiss him. "I think that's why Claudia and I really didn't stay together. Because there was only one woman I could give my heart to. She was right. I was a lousy lover because my emotions and my feelings weren't caught up in it. She could feel that and realized I didn't love her." He kissed her forehead. "It's been you. All this time I've been blind. I let our friendship get in the way of my deeper feelings." "You're saying your relationship with Claudia didn't work because you wanted me?" He nodded. "When you were with Stan I should have recognized all the signs. Before I even heard that he was treating your poorly I felt something. Like my heart was breaking. I threw my−self into my work...I tried to forget you. It didn't work." The lump in her throat eased. "When I was with Stan I felt guilty, and I didn't really understand why I was spending so much time thinking about you." "God," he murmured and pressed a kiss to her lips. "If I'd only known. If I'd acknowledged to myself what I was feeling. We could have skipped this whole damn vacation and been married by now." Chapter 16
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Married. The word flooded her with a searing, unbelievable joy. She remembered what he'd said earlier. He'd gone into the jewelry store to buy her a new ring. Married to Morgan. Not play acting. Not pretend. Real life marriage. "You want to marry me?" she gasped. His lips almost touched hers and he whispered, "Yes." Then he kissed her, his lips warming her, treasuring her. Wholeheartedly she returned his embrace, feeling a low burn of excitement burst inside her. When he finally released her they were both breathing quickly. "I've known since yesterday that I was in love with you," Morgan said. "And I wanted to give you something new to symbolize that love." She smiled tremulously. "You don't have to do that. I mean, buy me a new ring." "I've already got it." She looked at the ring already on her finger. "I'd rather keep this one. As a symbol of our make believe marriage turning into a real one." Smiling, his gaze burned high with a special kind of joy she'd seen within him only a Chapter 16
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few times. "All right. Then will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?" This time the tears that came were happy tears. "Morgan, you...I..." "Maybe this will help," he said huskily, bringing her into a hot kiss that spoke of forbidden delights not far from reach. When he released her she felt slightly dizzy, as if she'd stepped off a gravity ride at a carnival. "I love you, Morgan." He smiled. "And I love you. Is that a yes?" She peppered his face with kisses. "Yes. Yes, and yes again. I can't believe I doubted you." "I understand. We've both got healing to do. But together we'll find a way to cure the bruises." He looked at the lingerie bag and a wicked glimmer came into his eyes. He pushed his hand into the bag and brought out the push up bra and examined the red lace. "Wow." "I was going to seduce you with it." His gaze grew sultry as he looked at the bra, then at her. "I don't think you would have had to work at it very hard." Chapter 16
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Smiling, she leaned against him. "That so?" "Mmmmm," he said, burying his nose in her hair. Then he pulled the panties, garter belt and thigh high stockings out of the bag. He lifted the garter belt. "I hope you were planning on wearing this, too." Giving him her most lascivious stare, she winked. "I was." He groaned and kissed her ears, her neck and finally came within a whisper of her lips. She burned, ready for anything he wanted. "Model this for me," he said. "What?" "You, in this underwear, now," he said, his voice deep and husky as his mouth brushed hers. "Gladly." THE HEART INN Resort Chapel, which sat on the grounds of the resort, rose high into the clear, Rocky Mountain air like a miniature grand cathedral. And within the stained glass splendor, two people very much in love repeated vows of tenderness and fidelity. The man wore a dark charcoal tux, the woman a soft mauve, tailored gown with a hem Chapter 16
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that brushed the floor. A nosegay of small, white roses nestled in her hair, and in her hand resided a small bouquet of the same sweet−scented flowers. Rachel and Edna stood beside Courtney as her bridesmaids, and Jim beside Morgan as his best man. Morgan and Courtney stared deep into each other's eyes and exchanged vows. When the reverend pronounced them husband and wife and they kissed lingeringly, the small group around them let out a whoop and clapped. Courtney and Morgan turned to their enthusiastic friends and hugged each of them. "If you two aren't the most delicious looking couple," Edna said. "What have you got planned for the honeymoon?" Rachel asked. Courtney and Morgan grinned but kept mum. "Well, come on. Are you slipping away to another resort out of prying eyes?" Rick, Rachel's fiancé, asked. Courtney reached for Morgan's hand and pressed his fingers lightly. "We're doing absolutely nothing." At Edna's severe look, Morgan cleared his throat. "Well, first we're having the celebration dinner with all of you. After that we're locking ourselves in our room for another two days−−" Chapter 16
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"Maybe three," Courtney put in. Morgan nodded. "Maybe three. Then we're heading home. We've got a lot of changes and plans to make." As they walked down the aisle, Edna, Jim, Rick and Rachel trailed behind. "Sounds like a proper honeymoon to me," Jim said. "Are you going to let the photographer put one of your photos up in the staircase at the hotel?" Morgan shrugged. "Why not?" "I think it's a great idea," Courtney said, looking up at him and feeling her love expand. "Then, when we come back on our anniversary, we can remember where we first discovered our love." Morgan glanced back at Jim, who had put his arm around Edna. "It looks like the Heart Inn Resort is going to be responsible for another marriage," Morgan said. Courtney smiled and winked at Edna. "Maybe that hill be−hind the resort does have some magical powers." Edna blushed and smiled at Jim. "I think you just might be right." The look Jim gave Edna said more than words, and he tucked her closer under his arm. Chapter 16
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"How did you guys guess?" Morgan shrugged. "Well, I think Courtney and I recognize love when we see it now." And as Morgan smiled down on her, Courtney knew he spoke the truth, and she knew they'd be back to The Heart Inn Resort to remember the place where they realized a love greater than they could ever have imagined. ~~
Denise A. Agnew As a child, Denise loved to read and also enjoyed inventing her own stories. As a teen she discovered a love for romance, mystery, and horror novels that stands unabated to this day. Most of all, she loves the combination of "things−that−go−bump−in−the night" and romance. A native of Colorado, Denise has visited Ireland, Scotland, Wales and has lived in Hawaii and England. Her travels in these countries, and her experiences with archaeology, have made their way into much of her writing. Denise A. Agnew
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Currently living in Arizona with her real life hero.her husband, she writes full time. Denise is the author of four electronic novels. Starlight Writer Publications released her time travel, BRIDGE THROUGH THE MIST in December 1999, and her historical LOVE FROM THE ASHES in April 2000. She is currently working on a romantic suspense and soon plans to scare the pants off her readers with a Jack The Ripper tale. Denise can be reached at
[email protected].
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