“Now that that’s settled, we should leave these two to do whatever. We have a plane to catch,” Kennedy stated sarcastically, rising from her seat.
Jonathan Winston got to his feet and finished off his drink. “We should go.”
“What... Where are you going?” Kathleen’s eyes jumped between her sister and father.
“Thanks to this grand gesture of yours, we have to go smooth things out with a pretty pissed-off client,” Kennedy informed her sister.
“Sorry, Daddy.” Kathleen and Morgan got to their feet.
“Sir, please allow me to cover the cost for the inconvenience,” Morgan offered.
Jonathan set his glass on the table. “I’m an extremely wealthy man, and I’m not talking about my ridiculously large bank accounts. I have the love of four children who mean more to me than any amount of money. Satisfying their needs and often their wants is my pleasure, regardless of the cost. Not to mention the people of this town we get to help too. I can’t begin to give you a number to repay that particular pleasure.”
“I can,” Kennedy said, winking at Kathleen, who burst into laughter.
“Do you have to leave now? We could have dinner,” Kathleen suggested, feeling overwhelmed with happiness.
“Next time. Kennedy’s right. We need to go smooth Old Man Beckman’s feathers. Reassure him that his building will get built on time and within budget.” He extended his hand to Morgan. “Take care of my girl.”
“Yes, sir.” The two men shook hands.
Kathleen hugged and kissed her father and sister before walking them to their car. As he stood and watched the car pull off, Morgan leaned over and asked, “Is that invitation still open?”
Kathleen looked up, frowning, feeling perplexed. “What invitation?”
“To join you in bed.”
Kathleen giggled and turned red. She pulled a key card out of her pocket and handed it to him. Kathleen hid her face in Morgan’s chest as he picked her up and carried her through the lobby, down the hallway to the elevator for the short ride up three flights to her hotel room. Morgan opened her door, crossed the threshold and placed Kathleen on her feet. He backed her against the door and kissed her as if it was his last opportunity.
Kathleen gently pulled back and said, “We should talk.”
“It’s not necessary. I know everything,” Morgan explained, then devoured Kathleen’s mouth and raised her dress.
“Wait...what do you mean it’s not necessary?” Kathleen asked between kisses. She could see the love and passion in Morgan’s eyes, and she wanted nothing more than to satisfy the need that they both shared, but Kathleen was determined to clear the air before they went any further.
Morgan sighed, dropped his hands and took a step back. “I talked to my mother.”
Kathleen’s forehead creased. “Victoria talked to you. What did she say?”
Morgan took Kathleen’s hand and walked over to the sofa. He sat down and pulled Kathleen onto his lap. “When I found out who you were and what you really did for OSHA, I called her. I felt she had a right to know if someone was coming for us.”
Kathleen bowed her head. “I was...at first.”
Morgan used the index finger of his right hand, slid it under her chin and raised her face. “I know. I also know why you felt you had to.”
“I’m—”
Morgan placed two fingers over her lips. “Let me finish. Yes, I was angry when I found out the truth. Well, most of it, anyway. But in spite of my anger, I couldn’t deny how much I love you. I knew there had to be more to the story. There was no way the woman...my woman...would do anything to hurt me intentionally. Not my future.”
Kathleen was so overwhelmed by the sincerity in Morgan’s voice and love in his eyes she could no longer hold back her tears. “I wouldn’t.”
“After my mother explained what happened to your mother, it all made sense.”
Kathleen cupped his face. “I’m so sorry I lied to you.”
“It’s over.” He gently kissed her on the lips.
Kathleen shifted her body and straddled him. “Yes, it is.” She rose up slightly and pulled her dress over her head and tossed it. “Now, where were we?”
Morgan smiled. “One more thing.”
Kathleen swerved her hips, leaned forward and kissed him. “Just one.” She pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor.
He smirked. “Why did you quit your job?”
“I was hoping you’d forgive me and make me a better offer,” she explained as she unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants.
Overwhelmed with love and need, Kathleen freed his erection, slid the fine cloth covering her sex to the side and lowered herself onto him. “Yes,” she whispered, circling her hips. “Damn, no condom.”
When Kathleen rose up off Morgan, he held his tip at her entrance. “We’re both healthy and in love, right?”
“Yes,” she moaned as his tip slipped back inside her.
“Your future’s with me and you want my babies, right?” He thrust his hips upward slightly.
“Yes...oh yes,” she cried out with her eyes closed.
“Then we’re fine,” he insisted.
Kathleen gripped Morgan’s shoulders with both hands and slowly but deliberately circled her hips, engulfing his shaft. Morgan removed Kathleen’s bra, caressed, kissed and sucked her breasts. They moaned their satisfaction in unison. As Kathleen’s need increased, she took more control and Morgan grabbed her hips with both hands to assist in her effort. The manic pace he set had them sweating, breathing hard and then falling into sweet bliss together.
After, Morgan wrapped his arms around Kathleen and whispered, “Marry me,” in her ear. She leaned back and stared into his eyes. The lump in Kathleen’s throat wouldn’t let the words come forward. She nodded and kissed Morgan with a great deal of passion.
After surrendering to the need for air, Morgan wiped away Kathleen’s tears and asked, “How’s that for a better offer?”
Finding her voice, Kathleen replied. “One I couldn’t possibly refuse.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Winning Her Forever by Harmony Evans.
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