Chapter Four

The phone buzzed on his desk. Morgan caught it before the next ring. “Yes?”

“She just pulled into the parking lot.”

Relief rushed through him. “Thanks, Faith.”

Sighing deeply, he replaced the receiver. After last night, he’d had his doubts as to whether or not Kristen would show up at work today. He glanced at his watch. Not even eight. She was prompt—he had to give her that.

He should be pleased with the situation, but…why her sudden turnaround when she’d been so adamant about quitting last night? Jeff’s influence? Morgan told himself it didn’t matter. Ina few minutes, she’d be walking down the hall to her office.

Jeff Peters’ girlfriend, working for him. How ironic.

In sudden self-disgust, he shook his head. He had no business hiring Kristen. He knew that, but after Jeff egging him on by threats of a paternity suit, Morgan couldn’t resist the urge to retaliate. Well, the deed was done, and now he needed to make the best of the situation. Kristen, after all, might have the answer to the reason behind Jeff’s unexpected interest in Katie.

He stared blindly at the entrance to his office. Jeff. The name chafed his senses like steel claws against cement. Hard to believe they’d been partners never mind friends. What had happened, other than the obvious? Jeff’s thirst for the good life; his impatience to have it all? Or Jeff’s blind assumption that the money would always be there? Morgan closed his eyes. Questioning the past wouldn’t alter the present.

From the hall, a footfall whispered through the air, so faint he almost missed it. He bolted from the chair, strode to the door and paused. Straightening his tie, he took a breath, exhaled, then casually sauntered from his office.

His step faltered when he saw her. For some crazy reason she looked more alluring than last night when she’d stood a foot away from him and desire, wild and unexpected, had burned through his veins at her nearness. He ambled further down the hall all the while trying not to stare at those long coltish legs, trim knees and slender waist. And that blouse. Well, damn. The black material consisted of some frothy material, all feminine and frilly. The fabric curved over her full breasts in such a way, he wanted to stare that much harder.

He wondered what undergarments hugged and caressed her skin. Garters, lace and smooth, black satin? Or white, maybe pink cotton?

What the hell was he thinking? No one could fault her professional attire—even he couldn’t. So where was he coming from wondering what type of underclothes she had on?

Morgan met her half-way down the hall, quickly noting how her auburn hair was swept up into some type of bun and how several wisps had slipped free, curling and framing a face that took his breath away. Now he understood what Jeff saw in her.

“I’m glad you decided to come in today.” His words came out huskier than he intended.

“Yes.” She looked far too serious.

“So why did you show up? Yesterday you were so set on quitting.” He couldn’t imagine Jeff being the one to change her mind.

Inexplicable anger surged through Morgan. She was too damn classy and all wrong for Jeff.

And since when did Jeff go for freckles? She wasn’t Jeff’s type. She was more like…more like his type. He groaned inwardly, not wanting to know where that thought had materialized.

He didn’t have a type. Not anymore. Not after Marla defaced his beliefs in marriage and fidelity. Yet Kristen was different than Marla. Kristen wasn’t as worldly. While his late wife…he swallowed and decided he’d had enough of his thoughts.

She smiled, though the effort looked forced. “I couldn’t turn down your benefits or pay.”

“And here I thought it might have been my good looks and dazzling personality.” Humor twinkled in his eyes.

Kristen’s eyes widened and her pulse quickened. He was flirting with her. The unexpectedness of it left her momentarily speechless.

“Not likely,” she retorted, trying but failing miserably to ignore how her insides were responding in the oddest way to his masculinity.

Matters worsened when he stepped toward her so an employee had ample room to pass. As inconspicuously as possible—goodness knew she didn’t want him thinking she found his nearness distracting—she edged back, only to brush up against one of the clay pots filled with philodendrons against the wall. The leaves tickled the sensitive skin on the back of her knees.

She cleared her throat and only then realized he was saying something.

“—that’s a shame. You may want to pick Henry’s brains for the next three weeks. He’s going on vacation for two weeks. During that time you’ll have to come to me for any questions.”

“Two weeks,” she commented in a casual voice, while her mind screamed in protest. “That’ll be nice for Henry.” But depressing for her. At the thought of having to go directly to Morgan, a panicky feeling rolled through her insides.

“I just wanted to say that I’m glad you decided to stick around.” His engaging smile and compelling gaze caused Kristen’s heartbeat to stumble. “Given time, you’ll find out that we’re not a bad bunch.”

He left Kristen standing by her door, speechless and witless. The man had sinfully rich, creamy coffee eyes and exuded a charm she never would have predicted. A lethal combination.

Over the next few days Kristen soon realized not only Morgan’s charm but also his expert knowledge in business had garnered his employee’s respect, and he treated his people with equal regard, Kristen admitted while driving home from work at the end of the week. Yet even though Morgan conducted himself with the utmost professionalism, she never fully relaxed in his company. Deep down, she knew he had hired her because of Jeff, and she could and would never forget their first meeting and how he had set out to ruin her relationship with Jeff.

And those photos. She winced. She didn’t even want to think about them.

With a handful of computer binders from work, she struggled with the front door of her apartment and managed to slip inside without dropping the whole lot. Just then, the telephone, loud and insistent, called from the kitchen.

She dumped the folders on the counter and caught the phone before it switched to the answering machine. “Hello.”

“Is everything all right? You sound winded.”

Her grip tightened on the receiver. “Oh hello, Jeff.” She interjected a note of enthusiasm into her voice. “You caught me just coming in from work.”

“How’s it over at Eagle Builders? The bastard isn’t treating you bad, is he?”

At his disparaging tone, she pursed her lips. “No.” She didn’t want to talk about Morgan. “Why haven’t you called? I left a message at work and at home.”

“I had to leave town. I thought I told you weeks ago.”

“I guess it must have slipped my mind.” With everything happening these last couple of weeks, she was amazed she could remember anything.

“So tell me what it’s like over there.”

“It’s fine,” she said, realizing he wasn’t about to let the subject drop.

“And?”

“And what?” she asked, playing dumb as a delaying tactic.

“Well, have you found anything out?”

“No.” Resting a hip against the kitchen counter, Kristen forced herself to relax.

“Nothing?”

Clenching her jaw at his obvious disbelief, she didn’t know if she could or would lower herself to spying on Morgan. At this point, though, she kept her thoughts to herself, too tired to get into an argument with Jeff.

“Nothing,” she retorted.

“Well, then what have you been doing?”

Anger surged through her. “You don’t have to get so derogatory. And as to your question. I’ve been working. That is what one does to earn money.”

“You don’t have to act so offended.” He sighed. “Sorry, I’m coming across like such an ass. I hoped you might have learned something—”

“That’s all right.” But, weary of Jeff’s thirst for dirt on Morgan, she started to wonder if it was all right.

“Well, I’ve got to go.”

After he rang off with a promise of getting together for dinner one night next week, Kristen stared at the receiver with mounting suspicions. Morgan was making her really wonder whether or not she should be spending the rest of her life with Jeff.

Going to bed that night, Kristen found sleep elusive. Thoughts and pictures of Morgan plagued her as she hugged her pillow to her breast. Then much to her horror, wild, erotic images of Morgan naked in her arms formed in her mind’s eye. She buried her head in her pillow, the cotton casing cool against her brow as she tried to curb the yearning that coursed through her veins.

She hadn’t missed the look in Morgan’s eyes. Granted, he might want her at Eagle Builders because of Jeff, but he also wanted her physically. And no matter how much she longed to deny it, she found him equally attractive.

***

Late Friday afternoon while double-checking a couple of minor details regarding the company’s payroll, Kristen heard a child’s high-pitched voice. She paused, glancing from the computer monitor to listen. Seconds later Morgan and a young girl with wheat colored hair stepped into her office.

“Kristen, I’d like you to meet my daughter.”He placed a hand on the child’s shoulder. “Katie.”

“Hi.” Katie grinned at her. A dimple flashed on one cheek, giving the child an impish appearance.

“Nice to meet you,” Kristen returned the smile.

Morgan rolled back on his heels, looking decidedly uncomfortable. “Faith’s out sick today and I can’t find Henry anywhere. Katie’s with me for the rest of the afternoon, but I’ve got several business associates coming in a couple of minutes.”

“And you’d like me to watch her for a bit?” Kristen guessed with some amusement. Morgan needed a favor from her. Now that was a first.

“Would you?”

“I’d be happy to,” she returned easily, and glanced over at Katie. “I think we can find something fun to do.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it on such short notice.” He smiled in relief. “I shouldn’t be more than an hour.”

“No problem.”

“Maybe the two of you can play a couple of computer games.” Morgan arched a brow, amusement glittering in his eyes. “Oh, that’s right. None of my employees would think to waste company time on such things.”

She chuckled, knowing full well he was equally guilty of playing a game or two of computer pinball or solitaire. She’d caught him in the act just yesterday. “We wouldn’t dare.”

He rubbed his hand affectionately over his daughter’s head, ruffling her hair. “Be good. And don’t forget to say please and thank you.”

“Oh, Daddy.” She groaned in embarrassment, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, Katie...” He rolled his eyes in return, then winked and sent Kristen a roguish grin before disappearing down the hall.

Taken aback at the potency of Morgan’s masculine appeal, she returned her attention to Katie and found the child staring at her with large, curious, gray eyes.

“Do you like working for my dad?”

Kristen’s mouth parted in surprise. What a loaded question. Obviously, Morgan’s daughter didn’t have a problem with shyness. “Do I like working for Morgan…” she echoed in an attempt to give herself time to answer. “I like the company and people here. They’re all very friendly.”

“My Daddy’s friendly, too.”

Kristen smothered a laugh. “I’m sure he is.” She looked at the doll in Katie’s arms. “Who’s your friend?”

Katie held up the toy by its long, blond and tangled hair. “Her name’s Sara.”

“Have you had her long?”

She nodded solemnly. “Ever since Mommy died. Daddy says Sara has the same color hair.”

She looked at Katie with new eyes. To have no mother. To have to deal with death at such a young age. Kristen could only imagine. And Morgan, a widower, left to raise a child on his own. She blinked rapidly and struggled to swallow the sudden constriction in the back of her throat. “I’m sorry about your Mom.”

“I don’t remember her. I wish I did.” Katie’s head turned to one side. “Do you still have your Mommy?”

She fidgeted with the printout’s folded seams while searching for a safer and less intimate topic. “Yes I do. I see her almost every week.”

“Does she have pretty blue eyes like you?”

Amused at the child’s backhanded compliment, Kristen relaxed against her chair. “They’re the same color.”

Kristen looked around her office, at the black filing cabinet and cushioned chairs across from her. Other than paperwork strewn across her desk’s gray Formica surface, everything else was neatly filed away or set aside in the plastic bins on the corner of her workstation.

She sighed. Not one item to hold a child’s interest, except, of course, the computer. If that failed, well, they’d find something. “How about we try one of those games your father’s so fond of,” Kristen suggested, pulling up a chair beside her own.

Forty-five minutes later, Morgan walked in. “You two look like you’re having fun.”

Katie jumped from her chair. “Look what we made, Daddy!” Spanning her arms out in front of her, she displayed a chain of paper dolls. “Kristen’s so neat. She even promised to make some snowflakes with me when I come in to work near Christmas!”

“You did a great job, Sweetie.” Tenderly, he swept a wisp of hair from Katie’s brow. The gesture tugged at Kristen’s heart. If nothing else, he loved his daughter.

“This meeting’s taking longer than planned,” he told Katie, “so you’ll probably have to go over to Shauna’s.”

“Oh Dad, I hate Shauna. I want another babysitter.” Katie glanced over at her. “How about Kristen? She’s fun. All Shauna does is watch TV.”

“I know she likes her TV,” he said in some exasperation, “but that’s all I’ve got on such short notice.”

“Kristen would watch me. I know she would if you just asked her.”

Morgan quickly cut in, “Now Katie, don’t put Kristen on the spot. I’m sure she’s already got plans. She has a boyfriend she sees, no doubt, on a regular basis.”

Pretending to ignore the mocking tone in his last words, she met Katie’s pleading gaze and softened. How could a person refuse such appealing, gray eyes?

“I’ll be more than happy to watch her.” Oh, shoot. Why did she have to go and volunteer like that? Because she was stupid. And she loved kids…and she’d never been able to resist a pair of warm, innocent eyes.

Morgan looked back in surprise. “Are you sure?”

She shrugged. “It’ll be fun. I’d planned on having dinner over at my parents’ house, but she’s more than welcome to come. We’ll keep my Dad company while my Mom goes off and plays bridge. He loves kids. I’ll drop her off at your place around eight. Does that sound okay?”

“It sounds fantastic,” Morgan said, relief visible in his face. “And eight’s great. Katie doesn’t start second grade until next week so she can afford to stay up.”

When he left, Kristen sat stunned. She’d actually offered to watch Morgan’s child. Talk about infiltrating the enemy’s camp! But was Morgan the enemy? She didn’t know anymore. Other than that one horrifying afternoon, Morgan had been a perfect gentleman. She couldn’t fault anything he had done, said or implied.

She brought Katie over to her parents’ house. Her mother ooh’d and aah’d over Morgan’s daughter, complimenting her pretty eyes and hair. Then Sharon proceeded to feed the poor child until Katie couldn’t stand another bite. No doubt, Morgan would hit the roof if he found out about Katie’s sugar intake.

After dinner, Sharon went off to play bridge with her friends while Kristen, Katie and George sat down to watch a movie in the living room. Kristen sank into the cushions of the sofa and curled her feet beneath her.

“I haven’t heard you talk much about Jeff lately,” her father commented quietly.

“No.”

He nodded, then retrieved his pipe from the end table to the right of his recliner. Lighting the tip, he puffed several times, and exhaled. A plume of smoke swirled and danced away from his thoughtful frown. The aromatic scent drifted to her. The smell reminded her of when her father would put her on his knee and read stories to her, his pipe always within arm’s reach. Life had been so simple then.

“You two didn’t fight, did you?”

“No,” she said, unable to confide even to her father. How could she possibly begin to describe those lurid photographs of Jeff—and her boss’s involvement in attaining them? “We’ve both been busy. It’s hard getting together with Jeff’s tight work schedule and my new job.”

“From what you’ve told me, I think you’ve got yourself a good job. This Morgan seems like a nice fellow. Sounds like he takes care of his people.”

“But Jeff does too, doesn’t he? You’ve never really complained about work.”

George grunted. “Oh yes. Jeff takes care of his own.”

Kristen frowned at his snide tone. “Is something wrong between the two of you? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you had something against Jeff.”

He gave a gruff laugh. “What would I have against Jeff? I’ve worked for the man for the last five years, and you’ve had your eye on him for almost as long.” He grunted. “If you ask me, I’d take it real slow and not rush into anything like marriage.”

“I don’t know how you can say that. You just said yourself that I’ve known him for ages.”

“Yes, but you didn’t know him, you knew of him. A big difference. Plus, you’re only twenty-five. You’ve got many, many years to live it up before you raise that family you want. Most importantly, you haven’t dated much…” He must have seen her start to protest, for he raised a hand and nodded. “I know, I know, I won’t get into the reasons. But I still think you need to see what’s out there. This Morgan sounds like he might be worth looking into.”

Mindful of Katie crossed-legged on the floor watching television, Kristen lowered her voice. “I think you’re asking way too much. I don’t really know Morgan. He’s secretive and far too complicated. I want an open and honest relationship.” She trailed to a halt. But did she have an open, honest relationship with Jeff? Hating the question, she stuffed it back where it came from and relentlessly continued. “I have nothing in common with Morgan. Jeff’s the one I want.”

“And you have something in common with Jeff?” George raised a bushy, gray eyebrow, while placing his pipe against its holder on the end table.

“I love him.”

George’s lips tightened, and he folded his hands in his lap. “Yes, of course.”

Puzzled at the weariness in his voice, she stared at her father. He didn’t look himself, yet she couldn’t be specific as to the reason. Deep shadows clung beneath eyes that lacked their usual sparkle, though it could very well be her imagination.

“Are you all right, Dad?”

He looked startled. “Of course. Why do you ask?”

“Oh nothing. You just seem a little tired.”

“I’ve been putting in long hours, I guess. With Jeff’s business constantly growing, it’s hard to keep up.”

She nodded, not entirely convinced.

She glanced at her watch. “I better get you home, Katie.”

With the directions Morgan gave her earlier, she guided her Focus off Central Avenue into a private drive lined with eucalyptus and oleander trees. She pulled to a stop along a curved driveway in the front of a red bricked home. As she opened the door and stepped out, hot, dry air with the hint of honeysuckle enveloped her.

Katie slammed out of the car and raced ahead, while Kristen hurried after her, jumping in surprise when a bird in a nearby tree flapped loudly in protest.

The front door hit the wall in Katie’s hurry to get in the house. “Dad, I’m home!”

Morgan appeared in the foyer, looking casual and relaxed in a pair of khaki shorts, white-logo T-shirt and bare feet. Kristen tried not to stare at his long, lean and very athletic looking legs.

He swung his daughter up in his arms for a kiss and set her back down with a bounce. “Go ahead, Sweetie, and get ready for bed.”

As Katie disappeared around the corner, Morgan greeted Kristen with a friendly grin as he closed the door behind her. “You’re just in time to try my White Russian. Come on in and stay a bit. You can tell me how Katie did.”

Against her better judgment, Kristen followed him into the kitchen. It was an old-fashioned room with oak cabinets and powder blue tiled counter tops. Copper-bottomed pots resting against one wall gleamed beneath the bright fluorescent light.

She became aware of Morgan directly behind her and made the mistake of turning. She found him only feet away, his features impossible to read, but she sensed something dangerous and sexual beneath that mask. The blouse against her skin suddenly felt warm and confining, the cuffs around her upper arms too tight against her flesh. For the life of her, she couldn’t find a thing to say.

Dressed in a pair of yellow and white flowered baby-doll pajamas, Katie bounced into the kitchen and launched herself into Morgan’s arms. Pleasure softened his features, and he hugged her to him, touching his brow to hers. “Hey Sweetie. You ready for a story?”

With her arms firmly wrapped around his neck, she nodded, then smiled over his shoulder. “Night, Kristen.”

“Good-night,” she softly returned, not missing the way Katie’s smile widened before she snuggled deeper into her father’s embrace.

Kristen watched them disappear down the hall. Her fingers curled into a fist and pressed against her stomach. That’s what she wanted, a family like that. Eventually, she knew she would have one with Jeff, but for some strange reason the thought didn’t give her the joy it once had.

Assured he had Katie tucked in for the night, Morgan hurried from her room, hoping that Kristen hadn’t gotten it into her head to leave. When he stepped into the kitchen, he found her staring into space with a far off look in her eyes.

“I don’t know about you, but I could use that drink now,” Morgan said.

She jumped, her eyes cautious. “I think I better head on home.”

“Humor me, please. Stay for one small drink. It’s the least I can do for having you watch Katie.”

Pulling an auburn lock behind one ear, she searched his face. For a moment, he thought she would decline. “All right. One.”

He relaxed. In truth, he wanted her to stay. Not because of Jeff, but because he wanted her company. “You won’t regret it. I make a mean White Russian. Wait and see.”

She twisted her lips wryly. “You better not be lying.”

“I don’t—” He’d almost said ‘lie’ but knew he couldn’t say that in all honesty. He’d been lying for a long time now. He’d been lying to his daughter, himself, to this woman, and would continue to if it meant protecting Katie.

“You don’t what?”

He shook his head, attempting a smile. “It’s not important. Thanks a lot for watching Katie. She seems to have taken to you.”

“She’s a cute kid and obviously loves you.”

He smiled fondly. “The feeling’s mutual.”

Leaning back, she rested an elbow against the counter and surveyed him across the room. “It’s a real pleasure watching the two of you together. She’s a lucky girl to have such a caring father. I was just as lucky with my Dad. He was always there for me.”

“Even when you were a little hellion?” he teased.

A shadow crossed her delicate features. “Even then.”

“I can’t imagine,” he murmured, shortening the distance between them on silent feet, “that you gave your father any trouble. You look far too innocent…and beautiful”

“Looks can be deceiving,” she whispered. Something deep and private flashed in her eyes and tugged at his heart.

Reaching forward, he slowly trailed a thumb along her jaw line, then stilled on her lower lip. Her lips parted from the pressure of his finger. “It’s a damn shame Jeff treats you the way he does.”

Stiffening, she jerked away from his touch and edged past him and the counter. “He treats me just fine.”

“That’s your opinion,” he muttered, striding to the cabinets and wondering why he hadn’t kissed her while he’d had the chance. She probably wouldn’t let him get that close again tonight.

Frustrated, he grabbed two glasses and hunted around for the Kahlua. Even though he had his back to her, it was impossible to forget how she looked. Those legs—so long and shapely—and those faded denim shorts of hers were coated over her hips in such a way that they were like a damn aphrodisiac.

Quickly, he mixed their drinks and offered her a glass. “Tell me what you think.”

Suddenly fascinated, he watched how her mouth closed over the edge of the glass and her throat move as she swallowed. She lowered the glass. A fine film of moisture glistened across her lower lip, tempting him to taste and touch. “It’s good.”

Nodding, he glanced from her parted mouth, down past her neck to where shadows clung along the opening of her blouse and hinted at her feminine curves, making him wonder how her breasts would feel cupped in his hands.

Jeff had touched her there. Morgan’s grip tightened on his glass. The slimy bastard.

“So how’s your boyfriend?”

“He’s fine.” Her expression turned guarded.

“Mind me asking how long you’ve known each other?” He didn’t want to think why the thought of the two of them together rankled the hell out of him.

“Yes I do, but I’ll tell you anyway. Four years.”

“That’s a long time. Having second thoughts?”

He could tell he’d gone too far. Her eyes reminded him of a lake in winter, cold, deadly yet mysterious beneath the frozen surface. “Of course not. But it’s crazy to jump into something like marriage. Other than having children, it’s one of the biggest commitments a person makes in life.”

“Commitment? Jeff?” he scoffed. “I think we’ve got the wrong person.” He caught her look and relented. “Sorry. The only thing I know that Jeff’s willing to commit to is himself.”

“Oh, come off it. He can’t be that bad!”

He raised his hand. “All right. I’ll admit Jeff has his charm. We had a blast in college. But unlike me, he was willing to step over that line. From as far back as I can remember he always gravitated toward trouble.” It didn’t look like she believed him. “Can you honestly tell me he hasn’t gotten in over his head with something?”

“I’m not about to talk to you about Jeff’s private life. No doubt, that’s why you invited me to stay for a drink and—why you hired me.”

He shrugged, knowing any denial would insult both their intelligence.

She narrowed her eyes. “You have the lowest opinion of him. So you dated the same girl in college, and he stole her from you. That’s no reason to hold a grudge for so long. It’s unhealthy—”

Morgan’s harsh laugh cut her off. “Is that what he told you?”

Kristen gripped her glass with both hands. She looked like she was about to strangle the thing. “That and that you’re jealous of his accomplishments. That—”

“You know, from what Henry’s told me— you’re exceptionally bright—but in some things, you’re not very smart.” He shook his head in disgust. “Don’t look so offended. What else am I supposed to think when you let him fill you with such cockamamie stories like that?”

“Then why do you hate him so much?” She banged her glass on the counter, splashing droplets of liquid and rattling ice cubes. “Can you tell me that?”

“No,” he said through gritted teeth, equally angry. “If Jeff won’t tell you, I think it’s best you figure it out yourself.”

“You’re crazy,” she muttered, eyeing him with disbelief. “I’m not going to stand here and listen to this.”

Pivoting, Kristen strode to the door. Frustrated beyond imagination, Morgan followed, grabbing her arm and catching her before she left the room.

She jerked to a standstill and tried to twist free. Even though he saw how she pointedly looked down at his hand manacled around her wrist, he wouldn’t let go, not until he made her see sense.

“Step away from the situation,” Morgan insisted. “Try to look at Jeff with different eyes. He’s one of the best cons I know. He did a number on me, and I thought I was immune. He’s a user. He’ll use you until you don’t have anything more to give.”

His concern must have gotten through, because a flicker of doubt crossed her face. “There’s no reason Jeff would use me. I’m not rich, I don’t have anything of importance he’d want.”

“He only does things if it benefits him. That’s how his mind works.” He smiled without humor. Why couldn’t he let the subject drop? Why did he have to nag her like a crazed dog with a bone? Because he didn’t want to see Jeff hurt her. Even after all these years, memories of what Jeff did to him were starkly engraved in his mind.

Jeff had nearly run Eagle Builders into the ground. When the company’s growth and profits reached record highs, Jeff had a taste of the good life. Then the slump in the building industry hit, but Jeff, having already sampled what money could buy, wouldn’t give up his standard of living. That’s when he’d changed, turning into someone Morgan could never respect.

It was only after Jeff skipped the state that Morgan discovered the deals his ex-partner had made with some unsavory characters in the industry. It had taken Morgan years to get the business out of the red and get back his good name. As for Jeff’s affair with Marla—hell, he didn’t think he’d ever get over that.

Kristen looked up at him, so innocent, so beautiful with those red lips, pale skin and huge blue eyes. Blood roared in his veins. He wanted to shake some sense into her, kiss her until she forgot about Jeff and everything else but him. His grip on her wrist tightened. “If you were mine, I’d never even think of seeing someone else, never mind sleeping with them.”

He caught her indignant look as he let her arm go.

“But I’m not yours. And I resent that statement. It’s sexist and—”

“Sexist? Sorry honey, but it’s impossible not to think of sex with you in the same room.” The words were out without thinking, but it was the truth. She’d been in his head for weeks.

“Your mind’s in the gutter.”

“Maybe, but I’d never cheat on you.”

Her perfume drifted toward him, citrus, flowers and another fragrance he couldn’t identify. He wanted to drink in the scent, enfold her in his arms and make her forget about Jeff. He fisted his hands at his sides to stop himself from touching her as he noted her flushed cheeks and darkening eyes.

“Really?” Her bow shaped lips parted, revealing even, white teeth.

Seeing the rapid rise and fall of her chest, Morgan realized she was just as affected by his nearness as he was to hers.

“Really…” he breathed.

Katherine looked so damn sexy. All kitten like. He wanted to kiss those adorable little freckles across her cheeks and nose. But he wanted so much more. He wanted to hold her, imprint himself on her, make her forget Jeff. He wanted to taste those lush lips, find out if the rest of her skin was as silken as her arms…or even softer.

Desire flooded his senses. One kiss. Did he dare give into the urge? After all, what harm could one small kiss do?