by Rhian Cahill
‘It’s more than I need, but Wade and Brent hooked it up and you know how they’re always testing some new fandangled option.’ He shrugged. ‘I’m happy for them to use the place as a testing ground.’
She smiled. Morgan’s two best friends owned one of the largest security firms in Australia and Jenn knew all about their constant testing of new systems. She’d let Wade’s wife, Emily, talk her into letting them install an alarm on her apartment. Not that Jenn ever remembered to turn it on. Good thing she didn’t have anything worth stealing. ‘They are a little intense when it comes to security.’
Morgan laughed. ‘They just like playing with gadgets. Toys for grown up boys.’ He shook his head.
‘Uh-huh, ‘cause that isn’t a toy for a grown up boy at all.’ She tipped her head in the direction of his bike.
‘This’ — he patted the seat — ‘Is no toy. It’s a serious machine.’
Jenn laughed. She wasn’t about to get into this argument with him. ‘Whatever you say.’
He scowled at her. ‘Mmm…you’ll keep. Anyway, got to go. See you in a few hours.’
Jenn couldn’t tear her gaze away as Morgan flipped his visor down and straddled the bike once more. The man was poetry in motion and had parts of her moving along with him. Giving herself a mental shake she tried to break the trance he had her in, but it was useless. She was mesmerised by the man.
The bike roared to life and with a tip of his head, Morgan took off. He looped around the parking lot and out into the morning traffic. Jenn stared until he disappeared from view. She really needed to get over her fixation with him.
Morgan revved the bike and zipped around a slow moving truck, backing off as soon as he’d overtaken. The last thing he needed was a speeding ticket even though he was a little antsy about getting to Jenn’s place. He wanted nothing to derail the next couple of hours — or tomorrow — with her.
He hoped today’s little trip would lift Jenn’s spirits. He’d noticed in the last few weeks her mood had taken on a sombre edge and put it down to the first year without her parents. Morgan would do everything he could to ensure she found some joy in this first Christmas since their deaths. She’d come a long way from the dark first days after the accident and it would kill him to see her go into that pit of despair again.
Her building came into view and he slowed the bike, gave himself time to shake off the black cloud that had settled over his thoughts before he pulled into the drive and parked. He unsnapped his helmet as he kicked the stand down then climbed off. He’d barely taken two steps when Jenn came through the front door of her block.
‘You brought your bike?’ Her steps slowed as she walked towards him.
Morgan slipped one strap of his backpack off and swung it around in front of him. ‘Problem?’ he asked as he unzipped the bag and pulled out an extra helmet.
‘Um, I’ve never been on a bike before.’ Jenn’s teeth sank into her bottom lip.
‘Well you’re in for a treat, then.’ He stepped forward. ‘Here, let me get this on you and then we can go.’
She backed up a couple of steps. ‘Um, I’m not sure…’
‘Jennifer, you have to know I’d never ask you to do anything that would put you in danger, right?’ Morgan chanced a step closer.
‘Oh, of course, but…’
‘I promise to take extra care.’ Morgan didn’t want her to back out of helping him, so added, ‘But if you’re really against getting on the bike with me, you can drive your car.’
She eyed the bike behind him, then the helmets in his arms, back to the bike before finally meeting his gaze. ‘Could we have some sort of signal that I can use if I freak out?’
‘Definitely.’ Morgan thought about it for a second. ‘What if you tap three times?’
‘Tap? Tap how? Where?’ Jenn arched one eyebrow. ‘I’ll be too busy holding on for dear life to tap anything.’
Morgan laughed. ‘Who do you think I am? Evel Knievel?’
‘Who?’
He shook his head. ‘He was a stunt rider…never mind. Come on.’ Morgan turned and headed back to his bike.
‘A stunt rider?’ Jenn jogged to catch up to him, her ragged words more fear than her physical exertion.
‘Yeah, he’s a famous, although obviously not that famous, motorbike daredevil.’
‘Oh.’
Morgan turned to face her. ‘I’d never do anything stupid on the bike, but I understand your reluctance to get on, so we’ll take your car.’
She looked at the bike once more, her throat working as she swallowed. Taking a deep breath that raised her breasts and drew his gaze, she straightened her shoulders and faced him once more, forcing him to quickly look up. ‘We’ll take the bike.’
Yes. ‘Here, let’s get this on then.’ Morgan hung his helmet on the handlebar then helped Jenn slip the spare one on. He made sure the strap beneath her chin was secure and snug. ‘There. Now let me get on first.’ He raised his voice so she could hear through her helmet.
‘You’ll go slow?’ she asked in a loud, obscured voice as he grabbed his helmet and straddled the bike.
‘I promise to stay at least ten kilometres under the speed limit,’ he assured her before putting on his headgear.
‘Oh, you don’t have to be overcautious. I’m just not sure I’ll be able to stay on if you go too fast.’ Jenn stood beside him, her hands twisting together at her waist. ‘And what should I do with my bag?’
Shit. He’d completely forgotten about her bag. ‘Here, stick it in my backpack. Can you wear it and hold on?’
‘Is it heavy?’
‘No. There’s nothing in it now you’re wearing the helmet.’
She smiled. ‘I think I can manage that. And my bag is only light.’
Jenn slipped her handbag into the backpack and zipped it up. She slid her arm through one strap and Morgan leaned over to help her get her other arm in. When she had the bag settled he held her hand and steadied her as she climbed on behind him.
Morgan let her get comfortable then grabbed both her hands and pulled her arms around his waist. ‘Hold on. If you’re worried at all, tug on my shirt three times and I’ll pull over.’
He tried to ignore the fact the woman he wanted was wrapped around him and concentrate on getting them both to the orphanage in one piece. But it was a tough ask. Reaching back, Morgan lowered her visor before lowering his own, then started the bike. As the engine revved she wiggled closer — if that were possible — and her arms tightened. His body responded identically. Every inch of him grew tense. It didn’t help that his mind had registered the soft breasts prodding his back or the warmth of her crotch pressing against his butt.
Taking a deep breath he focused on the bike and, making sure Jenn’s feet were on the pegs, he kicked up the stand and eased them forward. He got them out onto the road and to the end of her street before he felt her move. She remained plastered to his back, but her arms relaxed and instead of tucking her head down behind him, he felt her lean to the side to look around.
When he pulled up at a stop sign, Morgan turned and yelled over the engine, ‘All good?’
‘Yes.’ He could hear the smile in her voice.
Morgan got them on their way again and all too soon they were approaching their destination. He found a spot on the street outside the gated property and parked. Switching off the engine, he waited for Jenn to hop off, but she stayed curled around him for long seconds. Thinking something was wrong he kicked down the stand then slung his leg up and over the handlebars.
If he thought he’d find a traumatised Jenn sitting on his bike, he was dead wrong. She flipped up her visor and just about blinded him with her smile. ‘Oh my God, that was amazing. Can we do it again?’ She fumbled with the strap under her chin.
‘Ah, sure, I have to get you home when we’re done.’ He leaned over and helped her slide the strap free and lift the helmet off. ‘But I could always take you for a ride one day. Up to the mountains is a good run.’ Morgan really liked t
he idea of spending the day with Jenn riding behind him.
‘You could?’
He smiled. ‘Of course. How about Boxing Day? I’ve got nothing planned.’ Mentally crossing his fingers, Morgan held his breath waiting for her to answer.
‘Really?’
Morgan nodded.
‘Okay. Yes. Let’s do that.’
Air rushed out of Morgan’s lungs and a smile stretched his lips. He’d managed to convince her to spend one of their days off together without breaking a sweat. And tomorrow was already a done deal. She just didn’t know it yet.
December 25th
Christmas Morning
Jenn did a double take when the taxi pulled up at the huge, wrought-iron gates. ‘This doesn’t look like a restaurant,’ she mumbled.
‘It’s the address you gave me, love,’ the grisly old driver snarled. ‘Are you getting out or what?’
‘Oh, yes, sorry, what do I owe you?’ She fumbled in her handbag for her purse, but before she could pull out her money, the door next to her swung open and a hand appeared in front of her face, waving a fifty dollar note.
‘I’ve got it.’
Morgan.
Her gaze darted to the side just as he stuck his head in the cab. ‘Morgan?’
’Hey.’ He smiled as he leaned in further and thrust the money between the front seats. ‘Here. Keep the change.’
‘But that’s thirty dollars!’ Jenn argued when she glanced at the meter.
‘The man is working on Christmas day, Jenn. Shouldn’t he get a little something extra?’
‘Oh, well, yes, but — ‘
Morgan grabbed her hand and tugged. ‘C’mon. Let’s get you out of there,’ he said as he pulled her from the back seat to stand on the driveway.
He slammed the door shut and the taxi sped off down the street disappearing around the corner before Jenn could bat her eyelashes. She stared after the car, her brain a whirlwind. What was Morgan doing here? And where the hell was here? Before she could form her questions into words, he was ushering her through a small gate beside the two larger ones spanning the driveway of the biggest property she’d ever seen.
‘Oh my,’ she breathed as the gardens and house came into full view on the other side of the enormous front fence. ‘What is this place?’
Morgan glanced over his shoulder when her feet slowed and she lagged behind. ‘Technically it’s mine, but my grandparents are in residence, so I think of it as theirs. I live in the guest cottage out back.’
‘Guest cottage?’ She’d fallen down the rabbit hole. ‘You live here? Wait. You own this place?’
Jenn couldn’t wrap her head around that. She knew Morgan’s was successful, but she had no idea the restaurant was doing that well.
Morgan laughed. ‘Yes. But it’s not what you think. The place is held by the family trust and it’s worked in a way that the youngest first born inherits the place at birth, but the generations before him or her live in it for life.’
She shook her head. That sounded far too complicated for her currently muddled mind to deal with. ‘Okay.’
His laughter rang out across the lawn as he continued to tow her in the direction of the imposing front doors. She dragged her heels until she realised she was digging up the manicured grass and leaving a trail in the pristine yard.
‘Wait. Wait.’ Jenn yanked on her hand until it came free. ‘Why am I here? I don’t understand…’ But then she did. ‘Oh my God. You’re my Secret Santa!’
He had the good grace to blush.
‘Why? Why would you do that?’ Tears stung her eyes. She’d refused his invitation to spend Christmas day with him and his family and he’d tricked her into it by giving her a Christmas lunch at what she thought was a restaurant as her Secret Santa gift.
‘Hey, hey.’ Morgan slipped his arms around her and pulled her close until she was tucked snugly against his warm chest. ‘You don’t have to stay. I just thought it would be a better idea if you were around people today. At least come into the house. If it’s too much you can head out back to my place where I promise no one will bother you.’
She shook her head. She’d been thrilled when she opened her present and read the certificate. As much as she’d believed it best to be on her own today, she’d been dreading it to the point of feeling sick to her stomach. The gift of not being alone — of not spending the hours dwelling on why she was by herself — had given Jenn’s depressed mood a boost until she could barely contain her excitement.
Morgan rocked side to side while he tightened his hold. ‘I’ll take you home now. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just couldn’t bear the thought of you all alone with no one to turn to if you wanted — or needed — to.’
At some point her arms had snaked around his waist and her head nestled into the side of his neck. She could smell soap and pine and Morgan. He always smelled sweet. Jenn was sure it was all those sinful desserts he made. Taking a deep breath she saturated her senses with his tantalising aroma. With her body curled against his, it was hard to remember why doing this with him was a bad idea.
‘Jenn?’ he murmured into her hair and she could have sworn he pressed his lips to her head. ‘Do you want to go home?’
‘No.’
‘Are you mad at me?’
‘No.’
‘Okay.’ His arms loosened and Jenn gripped his waist tighter. ‘Okay, not letting go yet.’
Just a few more seconds. A few more heartbeats to pretend it was all right to be in his arms — to feel his body pressed against the length of hers. She squeezed her eyes shut and etched every single sensation into her memory. She’d take it out on those rare occasions when she allowed herself to think about Morgan as something other than her boss. A sigh raised and lowered her breasts against him.
Her boss.
It didn’t matter how good this felt — how right — being in his arms was wrong. With great reluctance, and a strength she didn’t know she possessed, Jenn let go and stepped back. She tried for a smile, but her lips wobbled and her eyes still held the sheen of tears. Not sad ones. And that was another reason to cry. It had been so long since anything had moved her other than grief.
‘T-thank you.’ She blinked rapidly to disperse the moisture gathering on her lashes. ‘I don’t really want to be alone today.’ It was hard to admit, but Morgan deserved to know where her head was at.
‘I still shouldn’t have pushed the issue.’
‘No. But I’m glad you did.’ Jenn smiled and nodded towards the house. ‘So are we going in?’
Morgan glanced over his shoulder towards the mansion. ‘There’s going to be a lot of people in there. They’ll definitely get overwhelming at some point. Jeez, they overwhelm me and I grew up in the middle of the madness.’
‘I’m sure they won’t be that bad.’ But Jenn was a little worried. As an only child she didn’t have much experience with large families.
He brushed the back of his fingers down her cheek. ‘If at any stage you want out, tell me. I’ll take you down to my place and we can hang out there for a while or you can stay there by yourself.’
She couldn’t help herself. She moved into his touch. The shout from across the yard snapped them both out of the moment. They jumped apart and Jenn had to take several deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Her palms were damp and the soft, gooey warmth swirling in her lower belly left her with an ail-too familiar, Morgan-related tension.
’Someone is calling you.’ Jenn couldn’t get a good look at the person waving at them, but she knew it was a woman. If the flowing dress hadn’t given it away, the slight frame and flamboyant, red, curly hair draped over bare shoulders would have.
Morgan closed his eyes on a sigh. He’d hoped to save Trud for last when he introduced Jenn to his family. He should have known his grandmother — who preferred everyone refer to her by her shortened first name — would expect to be first in line. At seventy-five, she behaved more like a twenty-five year old and presided over the family like a queen.
‘I think she’s heading this way,’ Jenn murmured.
‘Shit.’ He opened his eyes and spun around. Grabbing Jenn’s hand, he tugged her in Trud’s direction. The damn woman only ever wore sky-high heels and those did not mesh well with the spongy grass. ‘C’mon, before she hits the lawn in those suicide shoes she always wears.’
He raced them over the remaining distance to the paved driveway. The shortcut across the yard didn’t seem so smart now. But then he hadn’t expected to stop in the middle. They were only a few feet away when his grandmother started talking.
‘Morgan, why are you skulking around out here like a common thief? Bring your guest inside like a proper gentleman.’ Trud clicked her tongue and shook her head. ‘You’d think I never taught you any manners.’
Before she could reprimand him further, he made the introductions. ‘Trud, this is Jennifer Browne, the manager at Morgan’s. Jenn, this is my grandmother, Trud.’
‘Oh, it’s nice to meet you Mrs…’ Jenn stuck out her hand as she stumbled over what to call Trud.
‘None of that nonsense. No Mrs for me. Everyone’ — she waved one bony hand at Morgan — ‘and I mean everyone, calls me Trud. You will too.’ Trud gripped Jenn’s hand and spun on one spike before dragging Morgan’s guest towards the house.
‘Trud, go easy. Jenn’s not used to bossy old women.’ Morgan jogged to catch up. For an old woman, she moved damn fast. Then again, Morgan couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t gone at warp speed.
Morgan beat them to the door and held it open.
‘Ah, there they are,’ Trud said.
He looked into the foyer but didn’t see anyone. ‘Who?’
Trud patted his forearm. ‘Your manners. I knew they were around here somewhere.’
Jenn chuckled and Morgan rolled his eyes. ‘Very funny. Is everyone in the family room?’
‘Yes, dear. We were just waiting for you to come inside so we could start opening the presents.’ Trud let go of Jenn’s hand and led the way through the foyer to the hall beyond the stairs.
‘Oh, perhaps I should—’
‘Nonsense.’ Trud waved her hand in the air. ‘There’s a present beneath the tree for everyone.’
