What was she saying? She’d charmed the frost off his whole bizarre family with her conversation. “What kinds of questions?”
“I’m fine with the How did you do this semester in school? and What are you doing in your spare time? questions. It’s this one that has me worried.” She lifted the list so Josh could see. She was really close to him, and that vanilla mint was wafting off her hair and permeating his sinuses until he had to swallow hard and blink twice to refocus. Just when he’d gotten used to the honeysuckle and could start to ignore it, today she smelled like white Tic Tacs tasted. How could she do that?
“Let me see.” He took the list and tilted it toward the tree, which was giving off quite a glow. “What? When’s the baby? Where did that come from? Is this more of Seagram’s godparent insistence? Because if it will throw him off track, we should just tell him yes.”
Morgan winced on one side of her face and looked at the ceiling. “It’s beyond that.” She winced again. “There might have been an, uh, incident. At school.”
“An incident?” Josh let his mind go a really dangerous direction—like that Morgan had a boyfriend on the side, and the two of them had…
“I’d been talking with my mother right before my Advanced Accounting class, and it was when she told me about the reception, and it made me so upset that—oh, this is really embarrassing.”
“What?” Josh asked, his mind already taking relief. If it involved her mother, it didn’t involve a boyfriend and a pregnancy scare. Of course he should have known Morgan wasn’t that girl.
“The whole thing just made me run down the hall and throw up. The professor drew conclusions and announced them to the class, including the words morning sickness.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s pretty hard to be pregnant when you’ve never given yourself to a man. That phenomenon has only ever happened once in all history, and I guess that’s what Christmas centers on. But still.”
Josh laughed a little at this, mostly propelled by relief. “People.” He shook his head, reaching up and stroking Morgan’s hair to shake loose more of that intoxicating scent. “The rest of the questions seem all right. We’ll do fine.”
“I’m afraid the cameras are going to want to see newlywed lovebirds in their nest. It was one thing to be doing silly dating things all over campus, but this is life at home.”
“Why are you afraid of that?”
“Uh…” Her eyes closed a second.
“Can’t you act like that? Is it too hard?” He tried asking this with a light tone, but he knew it was transparent. At least it was to him. “I’m not going to have any problem.”
“You’re not?” She looked relieved. “Okay. Me, neither.” She nestled up even closer to him, and he reflexively put his arms around her. It didn’t seem to matter what way he embraced her—like this, or like they’d been together when her arms gave out in the bell tower, or with him carrying her through the waves like in that picture over the king-sized bed upstairs, or any other way—she fit, like a body meld. Properties of atomic chemistry came to his mind. Some chemicals formed ionic bonds, and others were covalent, naturally bonding with other chemicals. When he was with Morgan, he felt like the sulfur to her oxygen, each of them giving equally, sharing two electrons, forming a strong, natural bond, putting each of them in the chemically noble state.
Great. Now he was making chemistry analogies about her. The chemistry coming off her was doing weird things to his mind.
“So, there’s got to be a perfect kiss for the camera.” She said this, and it came out timidly, like she’d been contemplating it and barely dared say it, but it hit him like the pheromones did the other night when she wore red—rocking his world. “It can’t be too…you know.”
“Too what?” Too short? Definitely not that. He was looking at her lips now.
“Too…gross.”
“What? Like this?” Josh knew how to walk right through an open door. In a slice of a second his mouth was on hers, kissing it with intense passion, sucking off all her raspberry lip gloss and giving her neck a beard burn the editing people were going to have a rollicking time blurring out. And, to his supreme satisfaction, Morgan was giving back as good as she got. Soon she was sitting full on his lap and turning his hair into what had to be a tousled mess. “Or were you thinking more like this?” he asked through ragged breaths, and then continued his assault, trying new nuances to his kissing, and learning a few from her as well.
The doorbell rang.
Morgan nearly fell off the sofa, trying to scramble to her feet. Her hands went to her hair, tugging it back into place. He’d never seen it look so good. Then she reached out and smoothed his hair, looking a little dazed, her chest rising and falling faster and more distractingly than ever.
“I’ll get it.” Josh said. “You put on more of that raspberry lip gloss. It’s my favorite.”
“Your—?”
He zipped away before she could finish, and the cameras rolled into the living room, led by Darshelle, who looked festive in a green sweater and black velvet pants, but not nearly as festive as Morgan looked with that natural red blush going on. She had more glow on her than the golden-lighted tree.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt. How is your Christmas Eve? Mmm. Do I smell pumpkin pie?” Darshelle inhaled deeply.
“I made some for everyone, for after the shoot. I hope no one is allergic.” Morgan was at Josh’s side, pressing her body up against him, and he snaked his arm over her shoulder. She fit well here, too. He’d like to explore the other possibilities of where she fit.
“Let’s get this over with fast, then, so we can get to the pie.” Darshelle clapped her hands and led them to the reading room, where the tree and the fire were all so cozy and a few of the sofa cushions were now askew. She straightened them as Josh pulled a grin at Morgan who looked mortified. Josh repositioned himself on the sofa, with Morgan across his lap like they practiced. With any luck, they could resume this seating arrangement later, after the annoying intruders left. Josh had some unfinished business with Morgan Elise Clark Hyatt, and something he’d maybe like to give her for Christmas she’d never had before, if she was as into him as he hoped and as she’d seemed a minute ago.
Stupid camera contract, interrupting what might have been quite a pleasant Christmas Eve.
Darshelle looked over the setup. “Perfect. Great job getting this all exactly right. It’s just what Siggy will love. Especially this.” She waved her hands toward Josh and Morgan. “You two are striking just the right note. Now, let’s roll film.” She pointed at Ernesto, or Walt, to begin. “Josh, tell me how school went for you this semester.”
The questioning went exactly as outlined, including a few questions about the new Christmas presents from Seagram, which Josh had to bite the bullet and gush about, and thankfully Darshelle left off the pregnancy question. Josh had heard Morgan whisper something to the interviewer back in the entryway. It was probably to deflect that line of inquiry. Just as well. He didn’t think Morgan would like to talk about throwing up. Who would? It saved everyone holiday embarrassment. The taping eventually stopped, and Darshelle came over and sat on the coffee table in front of them to give them both a hug.
“It was perfect. You two are the perfect couple. I can’t believe how well Mr. Seagram chose when he picked the two of you. This next installment we’ll put on air tomorrow as part of a larger Christmas special detailing all of Mr. Seagram’s philanthropic efforts in hopes of inspiring other wealthy people to make a difference in individual lives.” She patted Josh’s knee and Morgan’s arm. “Your contribution to this effort is much larger than you know. Mr. Seagram has a broad agenda, and what you’re doing will make a difference in the lives of many people. You’re doing what Christmas is really about—dispelling fear of doing what’s right.”
Josh didn’t know what that meant. He glanced at Morgan. She looked as puzzled as he felt.
Darshelle and the men took their pie to go. It was Christmas Eve, after all. The sooner they finished the
cut for air tomorrow, the sooner they could get home to their families.
“What do you think she meant? All that hokum about dispelling fear?” Josh asked as he came back to where Morgan was still curled up on the couch. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that kind of responsibility.”
Morgan didn’t look as troubled by it as Josh felt. She looked like a sleepy cat, her knees at her chest, her head on the cushion of the couch. In an absent voice she said, “Oh, probably his agenda to get college couples to marry. You heard him at dinner the other night.”
Josh probably hadn’t heard. He was too much in his head to retain anything at that point. “Why does he want to do that?”
“Oh, Siggy thinks college kids put off marriage and then end up postponing starting families, and it’s going to result in demographic winter, and he’s taking up his own battle against it. He’s probably right. But I guess we’re probably the epically worst choice, not the perfect choice, to be his poster children.” All this spilled lazily from Morgan’s lips. She was tired. She’d been up working all day, getting this place to look amazing for tonight. She’d even made pie.
No question, she was right about Seagram’s choice of the two of them being unfortunate. Josh let a pang of guilt pass through him, but he let it sail right out. Tonight’s interview wasn’t half as stressful as the first one, possibly because, at least for Josh, there was much more reality to their reality programming this time.
“You want me to go pick something up for dinner?”
“Oh, it’s Christmas Eve. I should have made a turkey or something.” Morgan looked sleepy, not hungry. “If you’re hungry, I can cook something.”
“No, I’ll order pizza. I worked at Pizza Town one summer in high school, and believe it or not, Christmas Eve was probably our biggest night of the year.”
“That’s kind of sad.” Morgan pulled half a smile, her eyes shutting.
I’ll take care of it. Josh pulled out his phone and sat down near her on the couch. I’ll take care of you.
∞∞∞
Morgan only barely noticed when the pizza came, sinking back into blissful sleep after seeing Josh tip the guy. She’d hugged his neck as Josh carried her up to her room, set her gently on her bed and brought an extra blanket to place over her so she wouldn’t have to wake up enough to climb between the sheets. She’d snuggled in and dropped off in no time. Nothing wore her out like a good kissing match. He gave her delight-filled dreams.
She awoke when the sun’s rays hit her eyes through the white lace curtains. When she looked around, she realized she wasn’t in her room. She was in the master bedroom. Above the bed loomed the picture of her and Josh in the waves, lips locking, and she blushed, remembering their most recent encounter and the intensity of it.
“You finally waking up?” Josh’s voice sounded from the master bathroom. “Merry Christmas.”
Morgan pulled the blanket up around herself, happy all the way through for the first time since moving in here. “Merry Christmas.”
Josh came and sat down on the bed beside her. “I made you some breakfast. When you’re ready, come downstairs.” He had on an ugly Christmas sweater, red with a white deer and snowflakes. Morgan smiled, not expecting either the breakfast or the sweater. He came and kissed her hair before heading out the door, but taking one glance over his shoulder at her as the door swung shut. What did she see there in his face? It was new. She hoped it wouldn’t fade.
Lightning fast, she bathed, dressed in the cutest sweater and jeans she could find, and padded downstairs in her bare feet to find a toasted bagel and three kinds of cream cheese waiting for her.
“If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on your favorite being triple berry. But you might go for cinnamon honey. Or you might be a purist. I don’t know.”
“This is so sweet, Josh. Triple berry. You win.” She sat on a barstool while he slathered the bagel with pinkish-purple schmear for her.
“I can cook if only the toaster is involved, see?”
“I bow to your prowess.” She took a big bite, her soul relieved at getting food at last, after being too busy and then too tired to eat much yesterday. “Mmm.” She licked her lips, and noted that he watched that action. Then she remembered. “Oh, I have a present for you, too, but there’s something else.”
“Something else?” He got a wicked grin.
She rolled her eyes. “Not that. I mean something came in the mail for you yesterday, and you were asleep so I set it aside, then we were, uh, busy.” Making out. And she forgot. “Sorry.” She slid off the chair and went to the cupboard where she organized all their mail and bills and things.
“I’m not sorry.” He came over and put his arms around her. “Never apologize for that.”
“For keeping your important letter from the U.S. Patent Office?” She looked up into his eyes, and watched them catch fire.
“The letter came?” He dropped his arms and took it from her hand. He said nothing while he ripped it open and perused the text. Morgan held her breath until the smile spread over his face. “It worked! It’s been approved! I got it!” He threw his arms around her waist and swung her in a circle until her hair flew back and she started to get giddy, laughing along with him. “Best Christmas ever!” He kissed her, and then she kissed him back, and then they were kissing and moving toward the staircase where they sat down and kissed until they were breathless.
“I got you something,” Josh said at last. “It’s not much, but can I bring it to you?” He got up and disappeared for a minute. Morgan heard rustling from the room with the Christmas tree, and then Josh reappeared. “I wish it could be more. You’ve done a lot for me these past few months, Morgan.” He gave her a small box, wrapped in silver paper with a red bow. He looked nervous.
“I’m sure I’ll love it.” She removed the paper and peeked inside. “Oh, Josh!” she gasped even before she even saw the full contents of the box. “It’s exquisite!” There, on a little bed of cotton was a necklace and pair of earrings that exactly matched the style of the ring he’d given her when he proposed. Deep gold setting, antique-looking solitaires, none as large as the ring on her finger, but just as red and fabulous. “You didn’t have to do this.”
Josh looked sheepish. “To be honest, I didn’t plan this. I had something else, more cheesy, in mind, but Heather and Chip insisted. After they met you, they got this out of my mom’s stuff in their attic and wouldn’t take no for an answer until I agreed they should be yours.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about them.”
How she would feel about them! She felt like they were the highest class jewelry she’d ever seen, let alone been given. She felt like they were incredible. She felt like she was a queen. Her mouth was dry. “You were right—I do feel a little twinge at accepting them, but thank you. They are absolutely gorgeous. And the fact they were your mother’s makes them even more precious to me. I’ll cherish them.”
“Cherish them? I want you to wear them. We’ll go out on the town, New Year’s Eve, make a night of it. You can wear that red dress.” He put the chain on her neck, and the earrings through the piercings in her ears, in an act so intimate she felt even closer to him than when he was kissing her. The brush of his hand at her neck, gently tugging at her earlobe, pushing aside her hair. She had to clench her stomach muscles so they wouldn’t quiver.
“I might look ridiculous in my casual aqua sweater with this incredible, timeless jewelry.”
“You look stunning. As always.” Josh pressed a kiss to her ear. “And Morgan?” he whispered, sending the tremors through her again. “I heard from my job. They’re changing my shift back to days, so starting with New Year’s Eve, my nights are yours.”
Her innards screamed. What all did he mean by that? Was Josh actually getting more serious about her? Could it possibly mean as much as she hoped?
“It’s a date,” Morgan would have said, but Josh was kissing her again, and her heart was racing. The whole process they
were going through was so backward. Marriage, kissing, then dating. Shouldn’t it be the opposite? Probably, but for them, it seemed to be working. The ring on her finger felt so right. Everything felt so right. How could it be wrong? They were right. This was right. It was time to let him know.
“Josh?” she nuzzled his ear. “I’m getting…”
She was going to say serious about you, but he wouldn’t let her get the words out, and she wasn’t sure how to put them because her mind wanted to say serious about you and everything else wanted to say other things. But what could be wrong about being attracted to her husband and admitting it? Nothing. It was right. And every bit of her knew it except her conscience.
Josh worked his way all over her face with his lips, tugging her hair and tilting her head back so he could more easily kiss her throat. She put up no resistance. Finally, she was so thoroughly kissed she fell back in a heap on the carpeted steps. “Josh,” she whispered. “I’m getting serious about you.”
“If this is how you do serious, I’m all for it.” He didn’t miss a beat, leaning over her to kiss her some more. “I’ll take serious all day every day.” And he went back to his work, this time on her ear, until her stomach growled, and he stopped for a moment. She’d only had a single bite of her bagel before their distraction. “You didn’t get to eat yet, though. I’m being selfish.”
The truth was, she probably couldn’t eat a bite, not with all her chemistry mixing the way it was right this moment, but she took the breather to say, “I have a present for you, too.”
This present would take courage—much more courage than she ever planned on mustering before she’d gone on that Tuesday afternoon’s shopping trip to the bridal section of the department store with Tory—who’d pressured her and pressured her until Morgan finally snapped and bought the daring thing. She’d told herself she’d only give it to him if she was statistically confident he would accept. Morgan wasn’t statistically sure he would, but she was sure he was more likely at this moment than he may ever be. She heard herself emitting a high, nervous laugh, even as she went upstairs to retrieve the present. She’d bought him some cologne, a kind she knew he would smell amazing in, but she’d give that to him later, and from the deepest recesses of the walk-in closet in the master bedroom, she extracted the small gift that said Josh on the tag in her best handwriting. Her skin was buzzing. Would he understand the implications? Would he accept them? Or would he take her aside, apologize, and let her down easy?
Legally in Love Boxed Set 1 Page 27
