“That’s cool,” Adrian said, reaching for the peanut bowl and pulling out several packages.
“Thanks,” Morgan replied, turning to face the room.
“No problem.”
“What are you looking for?” Adrian asked.
“I’ll know when I see them,” he replied, taking a long pull from his bottle.
“Wow, who is that?” Morgan followed his friend’s line of sight.”
“Wait, is that Kathleen? No...but she looks like her,” Adrian said.
“Yes, she does,” Morgan agreed, knowing who she had to be.
A beautiful woman wearing a red pantsuit and heels had joined the older man at the table. Before Morgan could react, Kathleen entered the bar, wearing an off-the-shoulder blue denim dress that came to just above her knee and heels that made her legs look longer than normal. Her exposed skin was like a siren’s call to him. Kathleen headed for the table, offering a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“There’s Kathleen,” Adrian said, pointing with his beer bottle.
“I see.” Morgan stood, pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and dropped it on the bar. “You can take off if you want. I’ll get a ride.”
Adrian laughed. “I bet you will.”
Morgan made his way over to the table. As he approached, he heard Kathleen and her guest conversing in French. Before he could introduce himself, Kathleen whipped her head around and caught sight of him. She flew out of her chair and into Morgan’s arms.
“You’re okay. I was so worried,” Kathleen confessed.
Morgan felt whole again. He tightened his hold on Kathleen and replied, “I’m fine, baby. I’m also sorry. I should have never tried to send you away,” he whispered.
Kathleen leaned back and looked up into his eyes. “I’m the one who owes you an apology and anything else that will make things right between us again,” she insisted, raising her head to meet Morgan’s kiss. The moment their lips touched, Morgan’s body responded, and he had to force himself to remain in control.
“Kathleen Winston,” a stern baritone voice called out.
“Before you two embarrass us any further, Kathleen, why don’t you introduce us to the reason we had to pull our team off a multimillion-dollar job and get here so fast?” The other woman’s annoyance was coming through loud and clear.
Kathleen turned in Morgan’s arms. “Sorry. Daddy... Kennedy, I’d like you to meet Morgan Kingsley.” Kathleen looked up at Morgan, and the look of love and happiness on her face made him weak. It was a feeling he was beginning to relish. How could he have ever doubted her?
She directed his attention toward her family. “Morgan, this is my father, Jonathan Winston, and the one with the sour look on her face is my older sister, Kennedy.”
Morgan held on to Kathleen with one hand and reached to shake Kathleen’s sister’s and father’s hands with the other. “Pleased to meet you both.”
“Join us,” Kathleen’s father ordered, his voice stern.
Morgan recognized the tone in her father’s voice and he felt Kathleen squeeze his hand. He knew she was assuring him that she was with him, no matter what, which made him relax.
* * *
“Be nice...please. He’s extremely important to me,” Kathleen told her family in French, taking the seat she’d abandoned that Morgan now held out for her.
After helping Kathleen into her chair, Morgan took the seat to her right. Kathleen’s father tossed back his drink and waved over the waitress. “Young lady, bring me another and bring him more of whatever he’s having.”
“Yes, sir. Will you be having your usual, Mr. Kingsley—whiskey neat—or would you like another beer?”
“My usual, Susan, thank you,” Morgan replied.
Kathleen’s sister gave Morgan the once-over before saying, “Mr. Kingsley—”
“Please, call me Morgan.”
“Morgan, I recently had the chance to see your mother in action. She’s quite formidable,” Kennedy complimented him.
Morgan’s eyes cut to Kathleen. Oh no. Kathleen had to make sure Morgan knew their relationship had nothing to do with her family’s business. “You had the opportunity to work with Victoria. When did we get in the oil and gas business, Kennedy?” Kathleen frowned at her sister.
Kennedy matched her sister’s confused look. “We aren’t. I know you’ve been away from the business for a minute and that I’m the company’s CEO, but you should know that too, Kathleen,” she said before reaching for her wineglass and taking a sip. “We were at Sotheby’s for an auction a few months ago. I saw her decimate the other bidders in pursuit of a stunning painting that she just had to have. It was impressive.”
Morgan reached for Kathleen’s hand and intertwined their fingers. “That sounds like my mother.”
Kathleen breathed a sigh of relief when Morgan squeezed her hand. “I asked my father to send help for the town, and fortunately we had a crew nearby,” she explained to Morgan.
“Yes, it is. I saw the equipment parked at the edge of town, not to mention all the lights illuminating the town square and Main Street.” Morgan turned to Kathleen’s father. “Thank you, sir.”
“Here you go.” The waitress returned with both men’s drinks.
“Thank you and please add their drinks to my tab,” Morgan instructed.
“Yes, sir.” The young woman smiled and walked away.
“That wasn’t necessary but thank you,” Jonathan said, reaching for his glass.
“It’s the least I can do.”
“Actually it’s not,” Kennedy stated.
“Kennedy,” Kathleen admonished.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. What else can I do?” Morgan asked Kennedy, reaching for his drink.
“You can convince my sister to come work with her family where she belongs now that she’s left OSHA.”
Morgan’s head snapped to Kathleen. “You quit OSHA?”
Thanks, Kennedy. “Yes. That’s one of many things I needed to talk to you about.”
“What is there to talk about? You’re a Winston with engineering and architectural degrees going to waste. We could use you at the company we will inherit someday,” Kennedy said.
Kathleen loved her sister, but right now she wanted to strangle her. Kennedy’s practical side annoyed the hell out of her. “Kennedy, I have plans of my own.”
“Looks like I have a lot to learn about you still,” he whispered. “And I’m looking forward to it.”
Kathleen giggled. “Kennedy, I—”
“Kathleen, you can’t seriously be considering taking another government or low-paying job. Not that you need the money, but most places can’t pay you nearly what you’re worth.” Kennedy’s mouth was set in a hard line.
“Why is everything about money and status with you, Kennedy?” She scrutinized her sister.
“Because you’re a Winston.” Kennedy turned to their father. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
“Kathleen, are you in love with this young man?” their father asked in his preferred language.
She held her father’s gaze as she felt Morgan’s eyes on her face. Kathleen raised her chin, turned her attention away from her father to Morgan and replied in English, “Yes, Daddy. I love him very much.”
Morgan released an audible sigh, brought Kathleen’s hands to his lips and kissed them. He turned to her father. “I love your daughter too, sir...very much.”
“Well, that’s that.” Jonathan Winston turned his attention to Morgan and in English said, “When you two decide to marry, Kathleen—”
“Daddy—”
“—there will be a proper wedding. There will be no elopement. Is that understood?” he stated, ignoring Kathleen, who was shaking her head.
“Yes, sir,” Morgan replied with a wide smile.
Chapter 23
&n
bsp; “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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Winning Her Forever
by Harmony Evans
Chapter 1
Sonya headed toward the classroom listed on her registration form. The hall was quiet and empty, too quiet,
in fact, and she wondered if she was in the right building. Her nerves crackled in anticipation of the evening ahead.
It felt surreal, and a little scary, to be back on a college campus, but it was just one of the many steps she’d taken to create a new life for herself.
When she reached the room, she tried the door, but it was locked. There was no sign posted on the glass, and no one inside. She leaned against the wall and dug out her phone, hoping for a last-minute email informing her that the room had been changed. While she was navigating to the application, the device shut off.
She recalled reading in her information packet that any class changes would be posted in the registrar’s office. She dropped her phone back into her canvas tote bag, dug around and groaned. In addition to forgetting to charge her phone, she had left the hard copy of the campus map at home.
Back outside, Sonya zipped up her lime-green rain jacket, ducked under her umbrella and glanced around. The Bay Point Community College campus was larger than she’d expected, and was bustling with students going to and from evening classes. There was a coffee shop near the parking lot. Maybe one of the baristas could give her directions to the registrar’s office.
She hurried toward it, weaving around puddles and dodging other students. By the time she arrived, the rain was slanting sideways. Afraid of getting her newly permed hair wet, she opened the door and stepped over the threshold into the coffee shop.
“Dumb thing,” she muttered as she struggled to retract her large pink-and-brown-polka-dotted umbrella.
“Hey, watch out!”
A man’s voice, bass-low and heavy with concern, washed over her.
She shook her head to reorient herself, pressed the button a few times, and after a long agonizing moment, the umbrella finally closed.
As she lowered it, her breath caught in her throat at the gorgeous man that stood in front of her, revealed like a game-show grand prize. His grim expression and now-empty paper cup in his hand led her to believe that all was not right in his world.
Her eyes widened at the large stain snow-flaking across the middle of his light blue T-shirt, no doubt caused by her.
The Heiress's Secret Romance Page 18
