“Neither.”
“Music?” India asked. Morgan nodded. “Plan to be a traveling troubadour?”
India joked, but in a way, she hit the nail right on the head. Morgan had a burning desire to see the world. In all his eighteen years, the farthest he’d traveled away from Lake Darwell was one weekend in Detroit. He accompanied Sven to the Agriculture Exposition. Like a sponge, he absorbed as much of the city as possible.
Come June, he planned to pack his meager belongings, get in his truck, and drive. Morgan didn’t have a specific destination in mind. Anywhere would do—to start.
“What about you?” he asked after sharing his dreams. “College?”
India leaned against the counter, a faraway look in her amber eyes.
“Can’t wait.”
“Your first taste of freedom?”
Morgan meant the question to be a lighthearted tease. Instead, the glow on India’s face was replaced by resignation.
“My father and I have a deal. I get four years at the university of my choice.”
“What does he get?” Morgan asked, not sure he wanted to know.
“Nothing.” Taking a ferocious bite from the apple, India shrugged. “Told you. I lie. All the time. My father thinks we made a binding pact. He’s wrong. However, to get what I want, I let him live in his fantasy world.”
India omitted a lot of details, leaving Morgan with more questions than answers. He wasn’t about to push her because he respected her privacy. More important, he didn’t want anything to ruin their day—jeopardize those to come.
“One question.” He had to ask.
“I might not answer,” she warned.
Again, a stance Morgan respected.
“When the four years are up? You’ll have your degree. What happens then?”
“I’ll leave. Go out on my own.” India flashed him a smile. “See, like most people who were raised with money, my father can’t imagine a life where he isn’t rich. I can. Easily.”
Morgan didn’t respond, but the doubt he felt must have shown.
“I’m not the pampered princess everyone thinks.” She sighed. “Okay. Maybe I am. But under the designer clothing and luxury cars, is someone determined to make a difference. When I’m old and my time on earth is done, I want to be able to say I gave more to the world than I took.”
“Wow.”
“You don’t believe me?”
India’s gaze narrowed, the set of her shoulders telling him she was ready to argue. Or fight. Or run. Morgan didn’t want either.
“I believed every word,” he assured her. “Your passion blows me away. I expect to read about the things you’ve done. Good luck to whoever tries to get in your way.”
India beamed. Literally, a light shone from within. Dazzling and breathtaking. Morgan took a mental picture, tucking the image into the confines of his memory. If God forbid, today was the only time they had together, he wanted to remember her exactly as she was right now.
“Come on.”
India grabbed his hand, tugging him out the front door.
“Where?” Morgan laughed, happy to go wherever she led.
“I want to swim.”
“No, suits. Remember?”
“Bra and panties,” she said. “Basically, the same thing.”
Morgan slowed to a stop. His grip on India’s hand kept her from racing to the pond.
“Maybe not a good idea.” He could visualize the effect of water on two pieces of delicate underwear. Oh, boy.
“Come on,” she urged.
“Definitely not.”
“I’m not shy,” she teased. “Maybe you are?”
“What?”
“You don’t have anything on under your jeans?” India chuckled. “No problem. I promise not to look.”
“I have on boxer briefs.” Morgan raised a knowing eyebrow. “And damn straight you’d look.”
“I’m a liar,” India sobered. “But not with you. Not if I can help it.”
“Same here.”
“The truth.” She raised one shoulder in a half-assed shrug. “I’d look. Be a fool not to.”
“Busted.”
“You can look, too. I’ll be insulted if you don’t.”
India pulled on Morgan’s hand but quickly learned an indisputable fact. If he didn’t want to move, she wasn’t the one to make him. However, she was a fast learner. To counter his superior strength, she turned to her most effective weapon. Her womanly wiles.
“Come on,” she wheedled, biting her lower lip for added effect. “You know you want to.”
Morgan swooped India into his arms and strode back toward the cabin.
“I want a lot of things I can’t have—for now. Next time bring a suit. One piece. The less revealing the better.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
♫~♫~♫
“PRUDE.” INDIA STUCK out her tongue through smiling lips. “I have a bikini. Red. Thin little strings which hold in place itsy bitsy little pieces of material. Covers all the important parts. Barely.”
Morgan almost tripped at the image she painted. His arms tightened around her, his stride lengthening. Inside the cabin, he slammed the door shut with his foot.
“I think your bikini is a myth made up to torture me.”
“Could I?” India asked. “Torture you?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.” She chuckled. “But I swear, the bikini is real.”
“Your father won’t let you out past eleven. Yet, he doesn’t mind if you parade around naked?”
“Not naked,” India corrected. “Strategically camouflaged.”
“Semantics,” Morgan growled.
“True.” She sighed. “I bought the bikini last summer on a whim when we were in South America. The suit is practically puritanical compared to what most women wear on the beach at Ipanema.”
Morgan let go of India’s legs, but he didn’t release her. A hand on each side of her waist, he sat on the edge of the dining table, maneuvering her between his spread legs.
“Bet the men went crazy when they saw you,” he said, swallowing before saliva dribbled down his chin. “Women, too.”
The faintest shade of pink colored India’s cheeks. Morgan couldn’t tell if she was embarrassed by his words or pleased. Perhaps a little of both.
“You’re right about my father. He never would have approved. Still, I was determined to defy him—damn the consequences.”
“And?”
“I never worked up the nerve. When I left my hotel room, I wore shorts and a matching top. Very demure.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Morgan kissed the curve of her neck. “You could wear a trash bag and still stop traffic.”
India placed a hand on each side of his face, amber eyes filled with laughter,
“Oh, Morgan.” She shook her head. “The world is filled with stunning, gorgeous women in every size, shape, and color. When you break free of Lake Darwell, you’ll soon realize I’m, at best, average. Nothing special.”
“Remember the internet? Beautiful women at the click of a button. I’ve seen them. Admired them. Doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
“Photoshopped mannequins,” India said with a dismissive roll of the eyes. “Different when you see them in person.”
“I see you.” Holding her gaze, Morgan brought her fingers to his lips. “Dazzling.”
“Who are you?” she whispered. She placed her hand over his heart. “Flesh and blood, but so much more.”
“I’m just a guy. Nothing special.”
“You say I dazzle, then shrug off my words. Learn to take a compliment, young man.”
Morgan simply smiled. Comfortable in the shadows, he didn’t crave the spotlight or adulation. He looked deep into India’s eyes and found nothing but sincerity looking back. One on one, just the two of them, perhaps he’d make an exception.
If India wanted to make him the center of her
attention, Morgan would be a fool to argue.
“What are you doing?” he asked with a chuckle as she slipped her hand under the hem of his t-shirt.
“I’m not ready to have sex,” India said. “However, I’d like to— What’s the term you kids use these days? Make out?”
Morgan gasped; his stomach muscles clenched. India might not be experienced, but her instincts were dead on. She seemed to know exactly how to touch him. Hard. Soft. Everything in between.
“Make out. Fool around.” His head fell forward as his heart raced. “Playing with fire is a more accurate description.”
India’s wandering caress found the sensitive patch of skin at the base of his spine. She let out a low, delighted laugh when air hissed through Morgan’s teeth.
“Teach me how to touch you,” she cajoled.
“You’re doing just fine on your own.”
“I can do better,” she promised.
To prove her point, India lifted Morgan’s shirt. Wicked was the only word to describe the twinkle in her eyes as she lowered her mouth. One brush of her lips against his exposed skin, his stomach muscles tightened, and he felt ready to explode.
“Slow down, wildcat,” Morgan warned. But he couldn’t bring himself to push her away.
“Wild?” India kissed him again, then bit down on the ridge of muscles. “Everyone who thinks they know me calls me good. Good friend, good student. Good daughter. Declawed.” India shook her head. “They assume I was born without claws. A spoiled, docile housecat who wouldn’t think of raising a fuss or causing trouble.”
India’s problem seemed simple enough to fix. Then, just as quickly as the solution came to him, she touched him again, and Morgan’s mind went blank.
“You want to make out?”
“Yes. Please.”
Brilliant, or incredibly stupid, Morgan was beyond caring. He pulled his shirt over his head.
“Like what you see?”
“Yes.” India nodded.
“Want more?” he asked as he backed her across the room.
“Please,” she said in a breathless whisper. She played with the top button on her cotton blouse but hesitated. “Should I take mine off?”
Hell, yes, Morgan wanted to shout. He controlled the urge, swallowing hard before his words took over with a will of their own.
“No hurry,” he said. “Only when you’re ready.”
“I want you to touch me.” India undid the top two buttons. “Okay?”
Rather than answer, in case his voice cracked with need, Morgan gave her a push. Eyes wide with surprise, she toppled backward onto the bed, bounced once, twice, and laughed.
“When you decide to fool around, you don’t fool around.” India scrambled up the mattress until her back rested against the headboard. She kicked off her sneakers. “Want to join me?”
Hopping from one foot to the other, Morgan tugged off his boots. Taking her shoes from the floor, he set his and hers neatly by the door. He checked his pocket. The condom was right where he placed it. Not that he planned to open the packet. However, sometimes the best-laid plans fell apart. He’d vowed to protect India—every way and anyway.
With their whole lives ahead of them, the last either of them needed was an unwanted pregnancy.
“Are you sure?” Morgan stood by the bed. “You can say no. I won’t be mad.”
India tipped her head to the side, a question in her eyes. She pulled her legs to her chest as if creating a barrier—protection against what he might say.
“Are you sorry you brought me here?”
Morgan sat on the bed, rested his hand over India’s and squeezed.
“What I am is nervous.”
“No.” India shook her head. Her gaze sharpened. “Really? Why?”
“You put so much trust in me. Your first kiss went okay.”
“Talk about an understatement,” India said with a smile.
“Every girl I’ve been with knew as much as I did.” Morgan shrugged. “Sometimes more.”
“So?” Leaning away from him, breaking contact, India bristled. “Aren’t girls allowed to enjoy sex? Are they easy? Sluts? If so, what does that make you?”
“Grateful,” Morgan said. “Every time. What they gave me, what they shared, far outweighs what I gave them.”
“Okay. Good.” India relaxed and sighed. “What are you saying?”
“What if I go too fast? Or, do something you don’t like? Last thing I want is to turn you off sex because I don’t have the right moves.”
“I trust you.” India’s eyes grew wide. “Holy crap. I trust you.”
“Good. Great.”
“You don’t understand. I’m surrounded by untrustworthy people. Metaphorical knives fly fast and furious in my family. If you don’t keep constant watch, the pointy end lands right in your back.”
“I don’t carry sharp objects around with me,” Morgan said.
“Exactly.” She smiled. “With you, I can relax. Be me. You know why?”
Finally, he understood.
“You trust me.”
“Kiss me.” India placed his hand on her waist. “Help me discover how I like to be touched.”
Looking into India’s eyes, Morgan’s doubts fell away. To him, she was special. However, she wanted to be normal. She needed him to treat her like any other girl. Most of all, she trusted him with her body. And he trusted her to speak up if he did anything to make her uncomfortable.
“Close your eyes.”
Morgan whispered the words as he pressed a kiss to the warm, soft skin at the base of India’s neck.
“I want to watch,” India protested. But she did as he asked.
“Concentrate on every touch. Focus. Feel.”
Starting at the bottom, Morgan slowly unbuttoned her blouse. His lips followed close behind. He took his time, for her sake as well as his own. Savoring her taste, noting her every sigh.
As Morgan paused to nibble the outline of her ribs, India sucked in her breath, and he smiled. Eyes closed. Senses centered. She grasped the sheets, her hips rising from the mattress.
“You like when I bite. Not too hard. But a little pain can be good.”
“Doesn’t hurt,” India said in a breathless rush. “Feels good.”
Morgan released the last button and pushed the blouse aside.
“Black lace?” Running his finger over the edge of one cup, then the other, he hummed his approval. “Do your panties match?”
“I’ll never tell.”
Morgan took India’s gasped response the way she intended—as a challenge to find out the answer for himself. He’d get there, in his own good time. For now, he had something else in mind.
Grinning, watching for her reaction, Morgan licked his lips, then licked India. Her eyes flew open.
“Did you…?” She blinked. “Through the bra?”
Holding her gaze, he ran his tongue across her lace-covered nipple.
“Want me to stop?”
“No!” India gave a sharp shake of her head. “But I thought you’d take the bra off before you— Oh! God!”
Morgan replaced his tongue with his teeth, taking a bite then sucking her distended flesh into his mouth. Her response was everything and more he could have hoped for.
India tensed, sighed, relaxed, and writhed. Her mind shut down as the pleasure he gave her body took over. Instinct told her to grab his shoulder as the fingers of her other hand threaded through his hair. When she spoke, her voice shook—not with fear, but need.
“Soft.”
“You like soft kisses?” Morgan asked.
“I like everything,” she assured him. “I meant your hair. And lips. But…”
“What?” He raised his eyes, his gaze, as well as his words, demanding she tell him everything.
“I want more. Harder. Faster.” India shuddered and licked her lips. “Everything burns.”
“You want me to put out the fire?
”
“Can you? Please?”
Morgan toyed with the strap of her bra.
“So polite.”
“Want me to beg?”
Just then, Morgan realized the power dynamic had turned. He was the one with power and if he wanted, she would fall to her knees. From there, he could ask for anything his heart desired.
The idea of India humbled and vulnerable didn’t give him pleasure. Just the opposite. He wanted an equal or nothing at all.
Morgan framed her face with his hands.
“Promise you’ll never beg. Not me. Not anyone.”
“I promise.” India brushed her lips over the palm of his hand. “Never. Will you do the same?”
Promises weren’t something Morgan liked to make. He’d watched as his father broke his word without a second thought or a twinge of conscience. Because he tried to be nothing like Laird McCloud, he rarely gave his word.
Certain in his conviction, for India, he made an exception.
“I promise.”
One move had her blouse on the floor. A quick flick of his wrist, the bra followed, leaving her naked from the waist up. Again, India gasped but with delighted surprise. She stretched her arms over her head.
“Take a good look,” she teased without an ounce of shyness.
“Oh, I am,” Morgan said.
“You’re the first boy to see my assets. What’s the verdict?”
“I’d say you turned the corner from inexperienced to brazen at breakneck speed.”
“Any objections?”
“Do I look like a fool?” Morgan laughed. “Just pleasantly surprised.”
India raised his hand to her lips. Then, holding his gaze, she cupped his palm over her breast. They sighed in unison.
“I hide so much of myself from the world. Not from you. For the first time in my life, I want someone to see everything. Inside and out.”
Morgan was humbled. The woman he loved—and make no mistake, she was a woman—had presented him with two precious gifts. Her body and her trust. He wasn’t sure he deserved either. He sure as hell wasn’t worthy. But, from now until the end of time, he would try to be the man she believed him to be.
“Your outside is close to perfect.”
India threw her arms around his neck, laughing as she peppered his face with kisses. Morgan ran his calloused hands over her back. Small and delicate compared to him. Yet, he could feel the strength beneath.
ALMOST EVERYTHING Page 10
