“Very happy.” His frown turned to a soft smile. “I think you and I are a perfect fit, actually.”
Grace damped down the urge to cry. She sniffled and tucked her head, laying it on his chest again.
“Grace? What’s wrong, baby?” Morgan placed his finger under her chin and tilted her head back up. “Talk to me.”
Grace placed her palm over his heart, feeling the strong, steady beat. “There’s nothing wrong. I just never expected to find someone like you when I applied for the internship. Someone who could fill my needs so perfectly. I’ve never been able to allow someone to have control of any situation, until I met you, Morgan. I do truly love you. I know I’m young, and you’re older, but I know what I want. I want you.”
Morgan ran his fingertips over her forehead and down her cheek. “Do you think you can put up with an older man?”
She smiled. “Not only can I put up with an older man, I can learn from him.”
A smile burst across his lips. “You are turning into so much more than my protégé. I can’t wait to get you into the office and find out just how spunky you can get.”
“So, I’ve definitely got the job then?”
He laughed, loud and long. “Are you serious? I wanted a protégé, and I’ve found the perfect one. Not only do I think you’ll do well in the office, you seem to be a fast learner here at the compound, too.”
“I’ve still got a lot more to learn.”
“I’m just the man to teach you.”
Grace captured his face in her hands and kissed him, long and hard. “So, we’re in agreement. I need an internship, and you need a protégé. I want a man in my life, and you want a woman.”
“We are totally in agreement. Shall we make it official?” Both his eyebrows rose.
Grace suddenly sat up. “What are you saying?” she asked, looking down into his deep, dark eyes.
Slowly, he rose to a sitting position. Looking at her eye to eye, he cleared his throat. “Grace, I never thought I would say this to anyone. I’ve never found a woman who could stand up to me like you do. Nor have I found one who enjoys what I like in the sexual arena except you. I’ve thought about this all night, and I’ve come to a decision.” He took her hand in his. “Grace, I don’t want to lose you. I know you have a chance at Harvard and want to continue your education after the summer of interning at the firm, but I want you near me. I’m different when you’re around. I don’t feel like I need to keep everything closed up inside me. I can actually be myself with you.” He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. “I’d like to make our relationship official. Grace, will you marry me?”
She swallowed. A lump had formed in her throat while he was talking, and she wasn’t sure she could find her voice. Clearing her throat, she began to speak. “Morgan, I love you, and I would jump at the chance to marry you but…” Her voice trailed off when she saw a shadow pass over his eyes. “I hope you understand, but I want to finish my education. I’ve worked toward it all my life, and I can’t just throw that away. Do you understand?”
He nodded. “I do.” He let out a small laugh. “I thought you might say no. But let me negotiate.” He cocked his head. “Let me ask you this. If I paid your tuition to Harvard and you went ahead and completed your education, would you say yes?”
She almost wanted to laugh. A formidable lawyer and a budding lawyer negotiating about a marriage and an education. “Okay, Morgan, I’ll bite. What do you propose?”
“I propose that you marry me, spend your free time with me, enjoy your life with me. And in return, I will finance your education, support you in every way I can whether it be as a sounding board, a shoulder to cry on if you ever need one, a husband who loves you more than the universe is wide, and will be there for you to even help you with your homework.”
Her heart was racing. Could it be true? Was she still dreaming or was this real? “You realize, if I attend Harvard, I will have to live near there, right?”
“Of course I realize that. Do you realize the firm has its own plane and it would make the commute between here and Harvard very short? Do you also realize I have enough money to buy a home near the campus and can do much of my work from home, only commuting when I actually have to make an appearance in court?”
She wasn’t cold any longer. Excitement flushed her with warmth, her mind and spirit soaring. “Under those conditions, with you supporting me in my quest to further my education, I accept your proposal, Mr. Moss.”
“Seriously? You’ll marry me?” His eyes were wide now, and he looked very much like a little boy.
“Yes, Morgan. I will marry you.” Her grin was so wide it was hurting her cheeks.
Jumping from the bed, Morgan snatched her from it and twirled her around. She laughed, dizzy with happiness and the swirling room. “Morgan, put me down!”
He set her on her feet. “I can’t help it. You make me feel like a kid. I don’t have to be the imposing lawyer around you.” He dipped down and kissed her. “I love you, Grace.”
“I love you, too, Morgan.”
After a shower where Grace fully warmed herself under the hot spray, she and Morgan shared breakfast together in Morgan’s living room, talking and enjoying each other’s company.
“There’s something I need to know, Morgan,” Grace said, swallowing a sip of coffee. She was full of scrambled eggs and toast and feeling extremely satisfied and comfortable.
“Ask and I’ll answer,” Morgan said, leaning back on the couch with his own cup of coffee.
“Now that we’ve become engaged and are going to get married, will we still come to bonding camp?” She wanted to get this question out in the open because she’d really like to continue coming back here and taking part in the benefits of bonding camp.
“I can see from the look in your eyes you want to continue bonding with the staff,” Morgan said, a rueful grin on his lips. “Of course, I plan on us participating in bonding camp. I know you like it. You know I enjoy it. We will continue to enjoy ourselves here.” He leaned forward. “And also at home, if you like.”
“At home?” Was she hearing him right?
“Wherever you’d like. Our sex life will be a very big part of our life, and there’s nothing I want more than to please you, Grace. I’m sure Justice and Rodgers would travel to our home should we ask. Also, there are other staff members you haven’t met yet.” He took her hand. “Like I said, all I want is to please you.”
Grace laughed. “I must say, as a lawyer, this is the best settlement I’ll ever negotiate in my life.”
THE END
WWW.CHRISTELLEMIRIN.WEBS.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christelle Mirin loves a good story. Her love of reading led to her writing career. She writes every chance she gets, including carrying a notebook along with her to her regular job just so she can jot down notes and plotlines. Christelle lives in Ohio with her husband, son, two dogs, and once in a while, her grand-dog. She has two daughters who live in nearby states and one granddaughter who she loves dearly. Living along a river, Christelle’s family enjoys the water, whether boating, Jet Skiing or just sitting on the bank and relaxing.
To learn more about Christelle and her works in progress, visit her website at www.christellemirin.webs.com and find out more. There you’ll see some personal photos, learn what she’s working on, and while there, be sure to visit her blog.
Also by Christelle Mirin
Ménage and More: Bonding Camp 1: Bonding Camp
Ménage Amour: Transference
Siren Classic: Finding Home
Ménage and More: Selling Secret Weapons
Ménage Amour: Answering Her Desire
Ménage Amour: Emma’s Heart
Available at
BOOKSTRAND.COM
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
and More)
Mirin, Christelle - Morgan's Protégé [Bonding Camp 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Page 7
