Around the World in 80 Men Series Boxed Set 1-10

by Brandi Ratliff

  She was just walking out of the bathroom when a deep voice made her jump, for the second time that morning.

  “I hope yer hungry. I didn't know what you'd like, so I got a bit of everything.” He smiled at her reaction, again.

  Morgan took a deep breath to calm her nerves, and to help her not say anything stupid. “Thank you.” She stood in front of the door, and crossed her arms over her towel laden chest. “I am hungry. I'm probably weird because most people that are hungover don't like to eat when they wake up, but I do. Not that I've been hungover very often, but it has happened. And...” Morgan shut her mouth, rambling was something she did when she didn't know what to say. She squeezed her mouth shut, and looked down at her toes.

  Finlay felt bad for the girl, she was clearly still embarrassed about their official meeting, and he wanted to get past it all..for both of them.

  “Come here, sit with me.” His outstretched hand was all the invitation she needed. Morgan held her towel in place, not that it was falling, but just in case, and sat across from Finlay.

  The spread that he brought up was amazing. Fruit, eggs, hash browns, muffins, juice, and more! She picked up a blueberry muffin, and started picking the blueberries out as she saw them. It was something that she had done since she was a child, but she never did grow out of it.

  The man watched her, but tried not to be obvious about it. They both sat in silence, and Morgan was glad that she didn't have to talk much until she felt more comfortable around the man. When they were done, Finlay turned in his chair, and faced her.

  “Lass, do ye want to rest today? Or do ye want to go out and get some fresh air with me?” He knew that she probably didn't feel well, so he would leave it up to her.

  He's asking me? Why would he ask? Is he tired, does he want to rest? Shit!

  “Well, I'd love some fresh air. But we can do whatever you want to do.” There, that sounded good enough.

  Finlay ran his eyes over her toweled body, and answered, “what I'd like to do is watch you remove your towel. But what we'll probably do is go to my home and I'll show you around.” His smile widened as amusement flickered in his light brown eyes.

  She smiled in return. She liked the flirtatious Finlay. Although, he was just joking with her, it was a nice way to break the ice. But, it was also a nice way to show him that she was there to take care of him. Looking at the huge man, she knew that she would have no problem taking care of him. She scanned him from head to toe, taking in each detail as if her were fine art on display just for her. His hair was dark, almost black, and his eyes were a light brown that reminded her of melted milk chocolate that one would lick from their fingers. His jaw was squared just enough to give him a dangerous look, a dangerously sexy look, and his nose was narrow that ended in a small point above his full pink lips. But the thing that kept getting her attention above all, was his smile. It lit his entire face, and Morgan had a feeling that he didn't smile too often. What a shame. The rest of him was huge, he had shoulders that were broad enough to allow her curl in a ball and lay right on his chest. His waist was narrow, and she looked right below his belt to a place that she hoped would offer the same size as the rest of him.

  Morgan, still smiling, got up from her chair and walked to her suitcase. She bent to get her jeans and low cut black sweater, and looked at him as she stood again. “Was it this towel that you wanted to see removed?” She opened it at the chest, and spread it apart slowly. With her hands stretched to sides, holding the towel open with her fingers, she let go. It fell to the floor around her, and she tilted her head sideways as his eyes moved slowly over her body.

  “Aye, lass. That's the towel.”

  Chapter Two

  “Yer killin' me with all that, ye know” Finlay kept his eyes glued to the teasing woman as she slowly bent over to grab her panties. Morgan took her time stepping each leg into its hole and took even longer sliding them up her smooth legs. She turned around, facing her ass to him and picked up her jeans. She went through the same motion again.

  Morgan slid her bra over her shoulders and plopped down in front of the deprived man. With her back facing him, she reached around her neck and pulled her hair over her right shoulder, “mind getting this for me?” she asked, looking back at him with the most seductive smile she could conjure.

  Finlay groaned, but it was a sound that told Morgan he was enjoying the show. He leaned in closer to her neck and inhaled through his nose, taking in the sweet vanilla smell of her shampoo. He needed to touch her skin, just one touch...

  Morgan shivered as his fingers ran over her shoulders, to her neck, then under her pink bra straps. His knuckled dragged against her soft skin and she squirmed as his cold hands reached the clasp.

  “Thanks,” Morgan told him when he had secured her girls in place. She turned around and placed her hands on his knees, using him to stand up slowly, almost touching his face with her long hair.

  He grabbed her around her waist and Morgan let out a gasp. That look was enough to cure any woman from a hangover. Oh God, he is gorgeous. She remembered what Julianne had told her...no, she would not give herself to him, not just yet. Make him want me, make him want me...she chanted in her head. His hands felt so good around her waist; she wondered where else his hands would feel good. This is so hard!

  Her plan of teasing him had backfired, but she was sure he had forgiven her judging by the smile across his lips. She couldn't take the torture any longer and she slowly stepped backward and his hands slipped from her sides, landing in his lap.

  A look of disappointment spread over his face, like someone being told they couldn't have what they so desperately wanted. I know how you feel, darling, Morgan answered his plea, but only in her mind. Instead of giving into what he wanted, she continued the torture by walking slowly back to her bag, swaying her hips from left to right. It'll be better later, yes, when my head isn't pounding! Morgan tried giving herself any excuse not to ravish the gorgeous man right then.

  Finlay wondered how he was going to hide the growing desire under his jeans if she kept it up much longer. As if he had heard her last thought, Finlay spoke up, “lass, if you didn't have a damned headache...” He didn't have to finish the sentence. Just the thought sent a hot current though Morgan's body. She gave him a sweet smile, and pulled the sweater over her head.

  “Ye know yer goin' te pay fer that, right?” Finlay asked the blonde when she entered the lobby of the hotel. He told her he'd be downstairs grabbing a coffee while she added the final touches to her hair and makeup. Twenty minutes later, she made her appearance, nearly causing Finlay's jaw to drop.

  The low-cut sweater was a perfect choice. Her breasts were curved into perfect mounds, with a little help of the new push-up bra Julianne had picked up, and the sweater hugged her waist like a glove, showing off her curves in a way that would make any man's mouth water.

  “That's what I'm hoping for,” the girl innocently replied to Finlay's threat. Morgan walked up beside him and he offered his arm to her. She wrapped her arm around his, their elbows hugging. His arm seemed so thick, so strong and he smelled delicious. He smiled down at her, he was going to enjoy sticking her to her words. Morgan looked up at him, finally standing side-by-side, she got the opportunity to take in his full size.

  “You are a big man!” Morgan blurted her thoughts aloud.

  “Aye, so you've said,” he chuckled.

  “Oh,” Morgan drew her hand up to her face, trying to hide the crimson wave that was washing over her cheeks. “What..what else...I didn't say anything stupid did I?”

  The two continued walking through the lobby, past the bar, and into the parking lot. His smile grew wider, but he did not reply.

  “Please? Tell me, I didn't say anything bad did I?” she pleaded for a reply.

  “I cannae remember,” he teased.

  She gave him a shove to his massive arm, and she bounced back, knocking her a step off balance. Morgan growled under her breath in frustra
tion.

  “Easy, lass, you'll hurt yourself,” Finlay patted his own bicep, half-flexing as he did so.

  The young girl pulled her arm from his and crossed them in front of her chest and continued walking beside him in silence. She tried to keep a serious face, but he was too good looking to pull off such a feat.

  “Okay, okay, quit yer poutin'. You kin what you told me? Ye told me to get my hand outta yer arse,” Finlay turned around to face her, holding his hands out to his side, and spoke a little too loudly for Morgan's comfort. Nearby pedestrians stopped in their tracks to look at the accused.

  “Shh!” Morgan's first reaction was to make him stop talking. She buried her head in her hands, but muffled laughter escaped between her fingers, which grew into louder laughter until she was bent over the sidewalk, gasping for air. “Arse...I...I can't....breathe!”

  “Aye, an' you're bein a wee pain in mah arse right now, lass. Get in the car, will ya?” Finlay laughed. He had been holding the Hummer's door open for nearly two minutes, waiting for the giggling girl to get inside. She gathered herself enough to walk over to the beastly car, but Finlay's serious expression was worth another bout of giggles as she climbed inside.

  On the way to Finlay's home, Morgan discovered the context in which “get your hand out of my butt” had been used. Morgan had apologized again, but Finlay apologized for being late in the first place. He explained to her how his flight had been delayed due to the transfer flight being down for engine problems. Morgan was grateful he hadn't been on that plane, but she kept that to herself. In turn, Morgan told him all about her travel experience,and the short version of boy-next-door. She saw his hands clench around the steering wheel, but he didn't say anything about the incident.

  Morgan had taken turns touching every button in the hummer, and they argued about who's taste in music was better until Finlay told her that they were close to his home. Of course your driveway is fourty-seven miles long, that's necessary, Morgan exaggerated the long dirt road that led up to his estate.

  Finlay took a peek at Morgan as the car rolled to a stop in front of the fountain in the middle of his circle-shaped driveway. A fountain? That's necessary too, she added in her mind.

  Her eyes traveled over the white near-naked man, pouring water from a vessel. His youthful face showed no interest in something that it had been staring at, and his chiseled body had no shame since it only sported a small wrap around the waist. A fountain, in the middle of the yard, was the coolest thing that she had seen since she got to Scotland. Other than Finlay of course.

  In all of the women he had brought to his home, none reacted as the way she had. He found it to be overwhelmingly cute. She acted human, not like a prissy robot, who had been robbed of all emotion. He debated on whether to place his finger under her chin and close her mouth for her, but he decided to let her take it all in, in peace.

  Morgan realized Finlay was staring at her, and she crossed her hands at her lap and gave him a little nod that told him she was ready to go inside. She waited patiently for him to make his way around the front of the car to her door, and with her hand in his, he led her up the few stairs to his home.

  “You live here?” Morgan stepped through the wide doors, her voice echoed throughout the large room.

  “Nay,” Finlay shook his head, “It's my mate's house. I just came all the way here to use his bathroom. It's quite nice.”

  Morgan ignored his smart ass reply, releasing his hand so she could explore. “Wow.” Her gaze traced the spiral staircase leading to the loft upstairs, to the chandelier hanging above, to the....

  “No...no!” Finlay's voice caught her off guard and she grabbed her heart before it jumped from her chest. Oh, I wish he would stop that!

  It didn't take long for Morgan to find out why he had shouted. It wasn't at her; it was the two shaggy werewolves running full-speed toward her.

  Morgan instantly dropped to her knees as one of the colossal gray dogs ran toward her, the other was in the process of running circle's around Finlay.

  “Noooo,” the Scot demanded, this time, he was speaking to the blonde. “They're not very....”

  Too late. Morgan had the Wolfhound's head between her hands. “Friendly,” Finlay finished. He was astonished. He watched in awe as his fierce, fear nothing, guard dogs, ferociously.......licked her face.

  Morgan got the bigger of the two on his back, and he wriggled from side-to-side as her hand scratched back and forth down his belly. “They seem pretty friendly to me,” Morgan looked up at Finlay, with a big, knowing smile. The smaller, not by much, dog lifted his large paw in the air, demanding more attention from the girl. She obliged and wrapped her hands around his ears, “Oh, yes, you're not so tough. No, you're just a big baby, yes you are,” Morgan spoke to the dog as she played dodge the tongue.

  Finlay rolled his eyes, “aye, it appears so,” he agreed with her. “William, come boy,” he demanded. The large dog obeyed, jumped up from his belly rub and ran to his owner's side.

  William. I bet...Morgan grabbed the other dog's collar and turned it around so she could read the tag. Wallace. Morgan laughed out loud. She turned back to her client to tell him of her discovery, but he seemed engaged with the dog at the moment.

  Finlay tapped his chest, and in a second, the dog had his paws over his shoulders.

  “Holy shit!” The dog's head was parallel with Finlay's.

  Morgan stood, but the handsome man was on to her before she even knew what she was going to do. “Don't lass.”

  The girl smiled at him. “I mean it, don't.”

  She smiled wider, drawing her hands slowly to her chest. “Fine, go aheed, you'll do it anyway.”

  So she did. “Wallace, here boy,” she called out, giving her own chest a little tap.

  *****

  “Yer nothin' but trouble, lass,” Finlay pulled the ice away from Morgan's head as her eyes opened.

  “Ow!” Morgan rubbed the back of her head as she sat up from Finlay's lap. “Okay, don't tell me, I know.” Morgan sheepishly smiled as she tried to rub the lump away on her head.

  “Awrite, I won't tell ye. But I did tell ye not te do it. Can't say I didn't warn ye now,” he accusingly pointed a finger at her.

  For the millionth time in two days, Morgan was humiliated. The big oaf of a dog had a good ninety pounds on her. When he jumped up to her shoulder's, Morgan hadn't been prepared and Wallace pushed her straight to the ground, nearly knocking her out.

  Finlay had carried over to the couch, grabbed an icepack and used his lap as a pillow so he could hold the icepack there. That, and be in a better position to kiss her if she happened to open her eyes with an uncontrollable desire to meet his lips.

  It didn't take long for her to come around, but he had enjoyed watching her lay on his lap.

  “I'm sorry,” Morgan put her head down, not wanting to look at Finlay.

  He gently placed his hand under her chin, and her head followed the lead of his fingers, and she faced him. “Don't be, hen. I'm glad yer okay.”

  Chapter Three

  “How's yer heed?” Finlay leaned over the small outdoor table, and moved her hair from her eyes.

  Still humiliated, but feeling much better at moving outside to the garden, she smiled foolishly and laughed around a simple, “I'll live.” It really did feel better, and for the most part she just had the wind knocked out of her. At least, that's the way it seemed to her, so she would leave it at that.

  The large man leaned back in his chair, and looked her over as she sipped her tea. She was covered in dog hair, her makeup was all but gone, and she was probably still feeling lousy from the night before. He also had to laugh to himself with her new head injury, as she already hadn't had enough to deal with. To his amazement, however, he found the girl to be the perfect companion for his week at home.

  Morgan was full of life, and she clearly hadn't been anywhere outside of wherever she had grown up. He was good at figuring people
out, but he wouldn't need to be to see the real Morgan. She lived each moment to the fullest, and he was especially looking forward to seeing the world through her eyes for the next week. Yes, she was intriguing, and he was reminded at how seriously he had taken his life in the past few years. Perhaps he could learn a thing or two from the young woman.

  Morgan tried to keep her eyes to herself, or at least on her cup, but the muscular man across from her begged her eyes repeatedly to take a peek. She almost giggled out loud when she pictured herself taping her eyeballs to keep them in place. But she couldn't help herself, he was breathtaking in appearance, and his strong-silent persona begged her inner Morgan to make him laugh and relax. She enjoyed the few times that he let his guard down and flirted a little, but she most enjoyed his smile. It was rare, so she accepted the few gifts of seeing it with much gratitude.

  Keeping her eyes on her cup, Morgan asked, “Fin?”

  “Finlay. What do ye need?” He playfully narrowed his eyes at her as he waited for her response.

  Morgan wasn't sure how to ask, or bring it up, but the hovering cloud of question surrounding her role with him had not left her mind one time. Was she supposed to lure him to bed? Was she supposed to wait for him to initiate? Did he think she was too much of a klutz to take a chance of being too close to her person? She didn't know, and she planned to take good notes through the week so that she wouldn't be in the predicament in the future.

  She didn't have much of a chance to make him want her, considering she had made every mistake possible thus far. Oh, the only way to find out was to ask, not that Julianne would ever approve of that move.

  “Do I..I mean...is there anything that you wanted to do...now...or...later...with me?” Yep, that sounded great! Well done Morgan, next he'll hand me a coloring book and tell me that I need a timeout.