I’d thought the silent auction was a great idea when I first suggested it, but the amount of additional work it represented was enormous. At eleven that night, I was still writing descriptions for the donated items, trying to make them sound both interesting and amusing. Try to describe a hand-painted porcelain tea set without sounding boring, and you’ll see how much fun I had.

When the door opened and Morgan came in, part of me was glad for the interruption, and even more so when he suggested I give it up for the night. And yet… the same thoroughness that had never allowed me to turn in school work that was any less than A material demanded that I finish this batch of first drafts tonight, so I could go back and tweak them over the next couple of days.

“I still have six descriptions to write,” I told him. “And more should come in tomorrow. I’ve got to…”

He didn’t let me finish and pushed the top of the computer down, slowly enough that I had time to pull my hands away.

“Tomorrow,” he said in a firm voice. “We still have four days. And I’ll help you with the descriptions, I promise.”

Stepping behind me, he tugged the rolling chair away from the desk, turned it sideways, and offered me his hand.

“You work too hard, Angelina.”

I took his hand and let him pull me up to my feet. His fingers were as cool and gentle as I remembered them, and despite myself I found myself clinging to them a little too long.

“I just want the gala to be a success,” I said, trying to cover how flustered I was. What was wrong with me? A touch of his hand didn’t warrant my heart beating so fast.

He let go and stepped back, opening the door wide for me.

“It will be,” was all he said, but he knew, I was sure of it. He knew how that small, innocent touch had affected me. That had to be why he didn’t meet my eyes before saying good night.

It was a long time before I found sleep. I woke up from dreams that left me hot and bothered and wishing my vibrator wasn’t back at my apartment. But not at all wishing I were brave enough—crazy enough—to go knock on Morgan’s door.

 

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