Morgan slowly rose from his seat. “Excuse me.” He came from around his desk.
Kathleen placed her food container on the corner of his desk and stood defiantly in front of him. “At first I was going to let it go...exit gracefully. But you asked me out, then what...you changed your mind or did you just get a better offer?”
Morgan was confused, but by the scowl on Kathleen’s face he knew she believed what she was saying. “I have—”
“And another thing, mister.” She used her right index finger and poked him in the chest. “You don’t say all those beautiful things to a woman and just kick her to the curb without an explanation. What, are we back in high school?”
Morgan grabbed her finger and held it at his heart. “I didn’t kick you to the curb, and I certainly didn’t blow you off. You said you were leaving early and doing something with your sister this weekend. I’d say you blew me off.”
“No, I didn’t.” Kathleen stepped forward, closing the gap between them. “I wouldn’t.”
Morgan watched as Kathleen’s expression morphed from angry to confused to desirous. He could see how sincere she was and he was overwhelmed with emotions. Morgan lowered his head, scanning Kathleen’s face for any sign of rejection. Seeing none, he gently kissed her on the lips. Kathleen slid her hands up and around his neck, pressed her body against him and moaned his name in his mouth. Morgan deepened the kiss. Soon he heard, “Hello... Morgan.”
Morgan broke off the kiss and looked over at the phone. “Dammit!”
“What’s wrong?” Kathleen asked before she heard the laughing. “What was that?” Kathleen looked around the room.
“I was on a conference call when you came in.”
Kathleen buried her face in his chest. “Oh no. I’m sorry,” she replied.
“I’m not. It’s okay. Chill, you guys,” he ordered, his voice taking on a husky tone.
“I’ll go,” she whispered.
“Oh no, you don’t. I’m not dealing with that crew by myself,” Morgan said, snaking his arms around her waist.
“Who?”
“My family. Alexander, Brice and Kristen, I’d like to introduce you all to Kathleen Winston. Kathleen, the laughter coming through the phone is from two of my brothers and my cousin.”
“Hi, everyone,” Kathleen reluctantly replied, and everyone responded with an array of hellos.
Morgan bid farewell and ended the call. “Sorry about that. So...”
“So... What?” Kathleen asked, gifting him with a sexy smile.
Morgan captured a loose strand of hair and placed it behind her ear. “Can I have the pleasure of your company for dinner tonight?”
Kathleen smiled. “Yes.”
“Where are we going?”
“I don’t know yet. I haven’t heard from that sister.”
Morgan tilted his head. “That sister? How many sisters do you have?”
“Two, and one brother.”
Morgan tightened his hold on Kathleen. “I don’t care where we go. I just want to be with you.”
Kathleen rose up on her toes and collapsed her hands around his neck. “I want to be with you too,” she replied before kissing him passionately on the lips.
After finally coming up for air, Morgan asked, “Where do I pick you up?”
Kathleen stepped out of Morgan’s hold, and he missed her instantly. She reached for his cell phone that sat in its dock on the desk and handed it to him. “Pull up my contact information, and I’ll add my address.”
Morgan did as she asked and handed his phone to her. After inputting her address, she said, “I live in Houston. I’ll text you the time and location once I know the information.”
Morgan looked down at his phone. “This zip code looks familiar. Do you live near Hermann Park?”
“Yes, my house isn’t far from the park at all. I live in the North MacGregor Way area.”
“Nice. That area has a lot of newly renovated homes.”
“Yes, they do. I should go.” Kathleen picked up her lunch container and walked toward the door. She looked over her shoulder and said, “I’ll see you later.”
Morgan gave a quick nod but kept his feet planted. He knew if he didn’t he’d reach for Kathleen again and wouldn’t be able to let her go. Morgan had never felt like this before, and while the power this woman suddenly had over him scared the hell out of him, he couldn’t wait to explore where it would lead. Morgan turned his back to the door and picked up a stack of documents he had to review, knowing how difficult a feat that would be. He was having a hard time concentrating on anything except Kathleen, but had to give it a shot.
When Morgan heard his door open again, his heart started beating so hard, he just knew she would hear it. He grinned. “Forget something, Kathleen?”
“No, but apparently you did,” Adrian stated as he entered the office.
Morgan checked his watch. “Oh man. You’re right. I forgot all about the meeting.”
“No worries, I stalled. Van is taking them on a quick tour of the plant. We have a few minutes.” Morgan was sitting in his chair so Adrian took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. “I assume this lack of memory has something to do with Kathleen.”
The corners of Morgan’s mouth turned up. It has everything to do with her. Morgan knew he couldn’t admit that to Adrian because he would never hear the end of it. “Where are we meeting the Ultra Tech executives?”
“Ignoring the question only means that I’m right. That’s cool. They’re in the executive conference room back at the administration building,” Adrian informed him, leering at his friend.
Morgan’s smile widened. He knew there was a chance he’d get another glimpse at Kathleen before she left for the day. “Oh man, you got it bad,” Adrian concluded as he stood and walked toward the door. “I know my office is pretty cool but you do know that you have an office somewhere down the hall.”
“Technically the whole plant is my office,” Morgan countered.
“In that case why don’t you set up an office next to the training room,” he said, laughing as he walked out the door.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Morgan murmured to himself.
* * *
After spending a few hours with her eldest sister, Kennedy, Kathleen had finally made it home. Hannah had given her the information for the restaurant, and she texted it to Morgan. His reply, See you soon, baby, had her feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, something she’d never felt before.
Between her work and hobby of collecting unique antiques, Kathleen never seemed to have the time, energy or desire to date. She stood in her exceptionally large walk-in closet—which was a dressing room much like her sister’s—trying to determine what to wear when her doorbell rang. “Who could that be?” She made her way down the stairs. Kathleen knew Morgan wouldn’t dare show up three hours early, especially after she told him to be there at eight thirty. After checking her security screen, she heaved a sigh, but, deep down she was happy to see her guest.
Kathleen opened the door. “Hello, Lisa. Hannah sent you,” she stated.
“Yes. Hannah thought you might need a little help getting ready for your date.”
Kathleen waved Lisa inside. “Sadly, she’s correct. Wait, please tell me you were already in town.”
“I was,” she said, laughing.
“Good, follow me.”
The two women climbed the stairs and returned to Kathleen’s closet. “See the problem?” Kathleen pointed to her wardrobe.
The luxurious dressing room with a designer closet system would make anyone swoon.
Kathleen nodded and walked over to each compartment where her clothes were held and opened the doors.
“May I?” Lisa asked.
“Please.”
Lisa walked up to each compartment and flipped through all the garments. Nearly everything had a designer label, but it was all conservative professional business attire. Only one compartment had what could be perceived as business casual clothes.
“Is that it?” Lisa frowned.
Kathleen shrugged and nodded. “Except my jeans, leggings and casual tops, that’s it.”
“I see why Hannah did what she did.”
Kathleen exhaled noisily. “What did Hannah do?”
The doorbell rang, and Lisa smiled. “Right on time.”
“Shall I get that?” Lisa asked with a gummy smile.
Kathleen dropped down on one of the two gray-and-white chaise longues in the closet. “Might as well.” Kathleen knew her sister must’ve made arrangements for her to have something more appropriate to wear tonight. While she wanted to strangle her, Kathleen also wanted to thank Hannah. She only hoped there would be something she could wear that didn’t scream jump my bones, in spite of the fact that was exactly what her wayward body wanted.
“Here we are,” Lisa announced, returning to the closet. She held up two large stuffed garment bags that she hung on a freestanding rack. Lisa unzipped one, removed the clothes and hung them on the rack. She removed a small gift bag that she set on the dresser. Kathleen walked over to the rack, flipped through everything her sister sent and was pleasantly surprised. Everything suited her perfectly. All the outfits selected were sexy but not over-the-top, like those Hannah usually preferred, especially when she was going out.
“Wow, these are great. I can’t believe she picked these out,” Kathleen replied.
“She didn’t,” Lisa said, unpacking her makeup bag. “She sent me shopping for you. I’ve gotten a sense of what you like based on the few times I’ve had the pleasure of working with you.”
“You most certainly did. Thank you. Now, how many do I get to pick and when do they go back?”
“You aren’t some frumpy stepsister and we’re certainly not your fairy godmothers. They don’t go back.”
“What?”
“Hannah bought them all. She figured this would be the first of many dates you’ll be going on.”
“There’s, what, twenty outfits here?” Kathleen couldn’t hold back her surprise.
“There’re twenty-four actually,” Lisa corrected.
Kathleen fought back tears. She knew Hannah always had her back and doing something like this was right up her alley, but it still touched her heart knowing that her sister always seemed to know when she needed her the most.
Lisa looked over Kathleen, who had her hair in a messy ponytail; she was wearing leggings and a long white T-shirt. She shook her head and said, “We better get started. We only have two and a half hours before Prince Charming arrives.”
Kathleen giggled like a little girl. “He most certainly is that.”
“But first.” Lisa picked up the small gift bag she’d placed on the dresser and handed it to Kathleen. “This is from both of us.”
Kathleen’s brows drew together. “What’s this?”
“Something we both hope you’ll need, if not tonight, then very soon.”
Kathleen pulled out the decorative tissue paper and looked inside the bag. Her mouth fell open and her heart raced at the idea of using their gift. She bit her bottom lip and smiled. “Thank you,” she whispered.