Had she done something wrong?
Had the novelty of being with a virgin her first time worn off?
She wouldn’t have thought so, because it appeared he’d been satisfied after they’d made love, but what did she know?
“Talk to me,” Fallon said, leaning in. “What’s going on?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard I’ve been seeing Jared Robinson.” Morgan took a sip of her crisp Riesling.
Fallon nodded. “I was surprised anyone would be ‘seeing Jared.’” Fallon made air quotes with her fingers. “He’s always been a sly one with the ladies.”
“I know.” Morgan offered a small smile. “His reputation precedes him.”
“That’s an understatement.” Fallon chuckled. “You have no idea the amount of mayhem he and Dane used to get into.”
“He told me before he asked me to be his pretend girlfriend.”
Fallon sat up straight. “Pretend girlfriend?” She frowned. “Explain.”
Morgan filled Fallon in on the details of their deal, explaining Jared’s predicament with the board, his grandmother’s demands and Chris’s absence.
“Morgan, honey.” Fallon reached for her hand, “You didn’t have to do this. Ayden and I, even Dane would have helped you find a job or given you whatever you need.”
“After Henry’s rejection, I was determined to make it under my own steam without any help from the Stewarts. That’s why I accepted the offer. But then Jared and I started spending time together and I realized I liked him.”
Fallon raised a brow.
“I think I love him, Fallon,” Morgan said quietly, glancing at her sister. “And if I’m honest, it might have been love at first sight when he rescued me at the wedding after I’d humiliated myself in front of our father. I drank too much and threw myself at him, but he didn’t take me up on it. Instead, he put me to bed when I got sick.”
“As he should have done,” Fallon responded hotly.
“Hey, it’s not his fault,” Morgan said. “He was very clear about our arrangement. Except somewhere along the line, our relationship became more intimate.”
“And you slept with him?”
Morgan nodded. “You see—it was the first time I’d ever…” She couldn’t go on. It was too embarrassing at her age to reveal she’d still been a virgin.
“Been with a man?” Fallon picked up on what Morgan hadn’t been able to say aloud. “Did Jared take advantage of you? If he did, I’ll sic Dane on him.”
Morgan shook her head fiercely. “No, I wanted him and it was wonderful. He was patient and gentle. And since then, well, it’s been nothing short of amazing. Or at least I thought it was. But the last few days, I can feel Jared pulling away.”
“And you’re worried he’s lost interest?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, sweetie, these things happen. Sometimes we’re not always meant to be with our firsts. Sometimes they’re only meant for right now. And considering Jared’s background, distance could be his way of trying to end your relationship without coming right out and telling you.”
“I don’t want it to end.” Tears seeped out of Morgan’s eyes and she wiped them away with her fingertips. “I love him.”
“Have you told him?”
She shook her head.
“Has he said those three little words to you?”
“No.”
“I don’t want to hurt you, but a guy like Jared isn’t meant for the long haul. He’s not the marrying kind.”
Morgan knew Fallon spoke the truth, but to hear it out loud still hurt. Perhaps she’d needed someone to sound the alarm and snap her out of this fantasy she’d been living in where she and Jared had a happy ending.
“Come here.” Fallon wrapped Morgan in her embrace and Morgan softly sobbed in her big sister’s arms. “I know it seems like the end of the word now, but I promise you, you’ll get through this.”
Morgan wasn’t sure. How did you get over your first love?
Morgan heard from Jared later that evening. She was at her apartment getting ready for bed and was curled under the cover with a good book when he finally called.
“Hello.”
“Morgan, I’m sorry I’ve been MIA this week,” Jared said.
“I understand. You’ve been busy.” She didn’t understand, not after the intimacies they’d shared, but what else could she say? She wasn’t about to embarrass herself by appearing needy and desperate for his company.
“I know it’s short notice, but I forgot to tell you about a charity event on Saturday my grandmother throws every year. It’s for Alzheimer’s research. It would mean a lot if you could come with me.”
Damn him.
Right when she was ready to write him off, Jared sprang this on her. She wanted to say hell no, she wouldn’t go. A girl had to have some pride. Yet despite his lack of interest in her over the past week, he had to know she wouldn’t turn him down knowing how dear this cause was to him.
“Morgan?”
She blinked and realized it had been several moments since he’d asked the question. “Yes?”
“Will you go?”
She paused again. Her head told her to end this now while she still could, but her heart told her to be there for the man she loved even knowing how much it might cost her in the end. “Yes, I’ll attend.”
She heard his audible sigh of relief on the other end. “Thank you. It’s black tie, so buy whatever you need.”
“I’ll do that.”
“All right, well, I’ll pick you up on Saturday night around six. Sound good?” His voice was stilted as if he was finding the conversation as difficult as she was. How could two people be so close one moment and so far apart the next?
“Fine.”
“Okay. Well…have a good night.” Seconds later, he’d hung up.
Morgan’s heart sank when Jared ended the call so quickly. He couldn’t bear to talk to her when barely a week ago, he couldn’t keep his hands off her? Was she really so terrible he no longer wanted her?
Morgan threw the phone down and flung herself on bed. This mess was of her own making. She’d agreed to this arrangement, which was supposed to be strictly platonic. Instead, she’d let herself be drawn into Jared’s family life and into his bed and now she was in too deep to see a way out.
Jared stared at the handset on his desk in his office. He felt horrible. He’d been cold and distant with Morgan and she didn’t deserve it. She hadn’t done anything wrong. She’d done everything he’d asked of her. No, she’d done more. She’d endeared herself to his grandmother and his entire family loved her. She’d befriended Kandi when she didn’t have to.
As for him, she’d brought a happiness into his life he hadn’t known before. He smiled. Laughed. And it was all because of Morgan. She was turning him into a better man. He was more engaged in his life than he’d ever been. It was no longer about the women, fancy cars and extravagant trips.
Having Robinson Holdings thrown into his lap had forced him to grow up and take stock of his life. He’d been going through the motions for years, aimlessly rushing from one thing to the next with no real direction. Becoming CEO had shown Jared he was not a useless member of the family. He had value and brought something to the table other than a bad boy reputation.
Meeting Morgan was the other catalyst. Seeing her at Dane’s wedding had revealed a protective side of his nature. He’d never considered himself a knight in shining armor by any stretch of the imagination, but somehow because of Morgan he’d become one. Saving her from the leech who’d been manhandling her at the wedding. Taking care of her when she’d become ill in her hotel room and putting her to bed. Stopping her from blowing up her family’s reputation with the gossip blogger. He’d done all of those things because she brought out the best in him.
Then their relationship took a turn a
t his family’s compound as he’d always known it would. The attraction between them was too strong to be denied. She’d opened up to him about her past and allowed him the special gift of being the first man to make love to her. And it had been epic. Beyond his wildest dreams or anything he could ever have imagined.
She’d touched him.
Now he was acutely aware of her—whether it was the inflection in her voice, the scent of her hair or the fit of those skinny jeans she loved to wear. He had spent every night of the last week lying awake, recalling their passionate unions, and he’d literally ached. All of it disarmed him and he didn’t know how to deal with it. He knew how to be the man he’d been, but Jared wasn’t sure he could give her the white picket fence she inevitably wanted. This week he’d pushed her away in hope of getting her out of his head. Or was it his heart he was afraid of?
Avoidance had worked until Ruth reminded him of the charity event she held every year in his grandfather’s honor to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and find a cure. He was ashamed to say it, given how he’d treated Morgan all week, pretty much ignoring her, but he needed her there. Not just for his grandmother, but for him. Every year, the event got harder and harder because his grandfather was slipping further and further away. Jared couldn’t stop it or control the outcome.
Morgan’s presence would be a balm; a comfort on a night when he needed it most. Jared knew he was being unfair. He should end it so Morgan could find someone worthy of her love and affection. He suspected she had feelings for him and it gutted him because he couldn’t return them.
Somehow, he would get through the night. And when it was over, he would release her from their arrangement. What choice did he have if he wasn’t willing to commit?
Eighteen
The night of the charity event, Morgan reminded herself to be calm, cool and collected. She mustn’t get carried away by the grandeur of being on Jared’s arm because after all it was a mirage.
When Jared arrived to pick her up from her apartment, he’d been distant. He’d remarked on how beautiful she looked in the shimmery metallic Dior gown with spaghetti straps she’d purchased earlier that day. The top was a bustier style, and the skirt, covered with thousands of silver sequins, flowed all the way to the floor. Morgan had loved the dress instantly despite the outrageous price tag.
She’d chosen to wear her hair down tonight and it now hung in luxurious waves down her back. Between the salon and the store, she’d had little time to get ready so she’d had to apply her own makeup. She was pleased with her appearance until she encountered Jared’s lackluster reception. He, on the other hand, looked dashing in a tuxedo, and it made Morgan’s heart clench in her chest.
She sat as far from Jared as she could in the limousine he’d hired. She couldn’t bear to look at him, let alone touch him, because deep in her gut, Morgan knew what they had was over.
The event was being held at the Hotel Ella, a beautiful historic hotel with a large wraparound veranda, circular staircase and expansive front lawn. Morgan half expected Scarlett O’Hara to descend the steps as they entered the foyer.
Scarlett didn’t, but Ruth Robinson greeted them in a floor-length gown and swept her up in a hug. “My darling, you look stunning.” She stroked Morgan’s cheek and turned to her grandson. “Doesn’t she, Jared?”
He looked at Morgan and the arresting expression in his eyes caused her to nearly stop breathing. She hadn’t seen that look all week and she hated that it still mattered to her. Morgan accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, swigged it and set it back on the tray.
“Yes, she does,” Jared responded.
Jared’s parents came forward to greet Morgan as did Chris and Kandi. Chris looked handsome in a navy tuxedo while shockingly Kandi wore a simple strapless gown with a side slit. It was tasteful and elegant. She was finally listening to Morgan’s advice and it brought a smile to her face. It reminded Morgan of how in a short time, these people had come to mean a lot to her.
“C’mon, I’d like to introduce you around.” Ruth looped her arm through Morgan’s and led her away. Morgan was thankful for a reprieve to get her mask back in place. She couldn’t let Jared know how much he was hurting her with his coldness.
“Is everything all right, my dear?” Ruth asked, once they were some distance away.
Morgan offered a small smile. “Everything’s fine.”
Ruth raised a brow. “What’s going on? Has my grandson done something wrong I need to give him a kick in the shins over?”
“No.” It wasn’t Ruth’s business what went on between her and Jared. She couldn’t put her in the middle and certainly wouldn’t cause dissension in the family now that their relationships were on better footing.
“All right, well, if you need me. I’m here,” Ruth said and walked over to a small group in the corner. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to Morgan Stewart. She’s my grandson’s girlfriend and very dear to me.”
Several pairs of eyes landed on Morgan. What she hadn’t been expected was to see her father and Nora in the group. Morgan swallowed the lump in her throat. She prayed neither of them would make a scene.
She needn’t have worried because Henry looked through her as if she wasn’t there and Nora, well, she x-rayed Morgan as if she was a specimen on a slab. She stared incessantly for what seemed like an eternity. Nora must have found her wanting, because she immediately excused herself. Henry glared at Morgan and quickly moved away to follow his wife.
Morgan tensed. Henry didn’t need to speak to relay the message. He hated her. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go powder my nose.” She extricated her arm from Ruth’s and quickly walked away. She was moving through the ballroom, trying to keep the tears at bay when a figure moved into her path.
“Morgan, are you all right?”
She heard Jared’s voice, but she wanted nothing to do with him. Not now. She needed air. Morgan rushed out and through a haze of tears she saw the sign for the restroom. She passed a varied collection of contemporary art until she arrived at a luxuriously appointed ladies’ room complete with a sitting room.
Morgan sank into one of the chairs and reached for a Kleenex sitting on the nearby table. Why did he have to be here? Morgan wondered. She could have gotten through the night and Jared’s coldness toward her, but to see the father who refused to acknowledge her was too much. Even hearing she’d taken his name hadn’t elicited a reaction from Henry. Just fury.
Tears flowed down her cheeks. Why was she here and putting herself through this abuse? She should have left Austin as soon as Henry rejected her. Instead, she’d allowed herself to get caught up in Jared’s life. And now that he’d gotten what he wanted, Jared was done with her.
“Really? You’re going to cry now after everything you’ve done?”
Morgan glanced up into the stormy brown eyes of Nora Stewart. She wore a long red gown with a V neckline and a billowing skirt. She looked regal and every bit the queen of the ball. Morgan sat up straight. “What do you want?”
“I want you to go back to whatever rock you crawled out from under and leave my family alone. You have no place here.”
Morgan stared at Nora and that’s when she realized it. Nora knew she was Henry’s daughter because tonight, for the first time, she’d really looked at Morgan and seen the same eyes staring back at her. “I have every right to be here. I’m Henry’s daughter.”
“You’re a mistake,” Nora said. “A moment of weakness on Henry’s part.”
Nora admitted the truth! “And you’ve forgiven him for cheating on you?” Morgan asked incredulously. “Why?”
“Despite what everyone might think of me, I love Henry and we’ve spent a lifetime together. I won’t let an interloper come in and cause friction in my family.”
Morgan rose to her feet. She wasn’t going to let Nora intimidate her. “They’re my family too. I didn’t a
sk for any of this.”
“Yet, here you are making pronouncements at Dane’s wedding. Showing up on our doorstep with your hand out,” Nora responded, folding her arms across her chest. “What else am I supposed to think?”
Morgan sighed. “I admit I could have waited for a more opportune time, but I didn’t know if Henry would see me, let alone believe me. And guess what? He didn’t. He hates me as much as he hates Ayden.”
Nora sighed. “Henry doesn’t hate you, but seeing you is like seeing his failure, his mistakes all over again.”
“I’m not a mistake,” Morgan said fiercely.
“You must see you’re not going to get the result you’re looking for. Henry will never accept you. Isn’t it better that you move on from this town? Hooking yourself up with Jared Robinson, a notorious playboy, will only bring you heartache.”
“Leave my relationship with Jared out of this.”
“How can I? When you’ve flaunted it to all of Austin,” Nora said, sweeping her hand wide. “He’ll never marry you. I’ve known that young man since he was a child and he’s easily bored, moving on to the next thing before he’s put down the first. You’re merely a distraction, nothing more.”
Morgan’s eyes narrowed. Even if Nora’s words struck a chord, she would never let her see it. “You can keep your observations to yourself.”
Nora shrugged. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Lifting her skirts, she swept out of the room, leaving Morgan staring after her.
Once she was gone, Morgan crumbled into the chair and placed both her hands over her face. Tonight was an epic fail. Not only had Jared rejected her, but so had her father. And according to Nora, that wasn’t ever going to change. She was a “mistake.” Whenever he saw her, Henry was reminded he’d cheated on his wife and she was the result. She was unwanted by every man in her life.
She had to leave now with as much dignity as she could muster. Rising to her feet, she rushed over to the sink and tried to repair the damage her crying jag had done to her makeup. She managed to obscure it, but her eyes were still red and rimmed with pain. Breathing deeply, Morgan pulled out her cell and called for an Uber. The car was nearby and would be there in minutes. She intended to slip out quietly before anyone else saw her.
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