Back to the Start (Dangerous Love Book 4)

by Elle Keating

  Morgan brushed that thought aside and left for work. She stopped off at Saxby’s on the corner, a place she had quickly cozied up to since she’d moved and bought four large coffees. She was feeling good about herself and rejuvenated as she walked to the office. She loved that she could walk to work. It was the main reason she had bought the townhome she did. What was also an absolute plus was the number of great restaurants on all sides. She was looking forward to grabbing takeout on those nights that she was too beat to cook.

  Morgan entered the clinic and was immediately greeted by a Great Dane. The big guy was not fully grown but he was massive all the same and wagging incessantly. Morgan gave the pooch a pat on his gigantic head and then made her way to the receptionist’s desk. Felicia was typing away when Morgan placed a coffee to the left of her keyboard. “God, you are an absolute angel.” Felicia didn’t stop typing as she smiled at Morgan. “It’s been a crazy morning already, but nothing we can’t handle.”

  Morgan smiled at the middle-aged woman. Morgan had liked her the minute she had met her. Her eyes were kind, and from what Reagan and Allison had told her, Felicia was a workhorse who never complained. It was a refreshing change from what she had encountered in Boston. Chloe, her former receptionist, had not only been lazy, pissing and moaning when the office got slammed, but she had also been fucking Owen behind Morgan’s back.

  “I’ll leave their coffees here with you, on the off chance they get a moment to breathe and can take a sip,” Morgan said. She put the coffee on the desk and then retrieved her lab coat from her office.

  When Morgan came back to reception, Felicia handed her a clipboard and a patient’s file. Morgan looked at the name of her patient and chuckled. “Peanut?” she asked to a room full of dogs, cats and their eager owners.

  A petite woman stood and smiled at Morgan. She gently tugged on the leash and said, “Come on, Peanut. It’s our turn.”

  The Great Dane Morgan had seen upon arrival came bumbling toward Morgan, dragging his poor owner behind him.

  ***

  Jake

  Jake rolled over and stared at the photo in the frame. Why didn’t he just leave it tucked away in his nightstand drawer? Because he was a fucking idiot, that’s why. He had retrieved the picture frame from its hiding place last night and propped it up on the nightstand. He had fallen asleep looking at those two kids in the photo.

  Jake reached out and took the frame in his hand and lay on his back. His gaze, like last night, fell on the little girl’s hands. Her fingers were entwined with the boy’s as they sat with their backs to the camera. Her head rested on the boy’s shoulder as he held onto a fishing rod with his other hand.

  Jake remembered that summer. Morgan’s mom had been burning the candle at both ends, pulling double shifts as a waitress and finishing up her nursing degree at the nearby college. Her ex-husband had left Morgan and her mom with nothing, but Aunt Day wasn’t one to give up. Jake’s mom had graciously offered to babysit Morgan when Aunt Day had to work or attend class. With no family to lean on, Aunt Day had agreed and Morgan basically became the sixth McGinnis child, sleeping over when Aunt Day had to work well into the night and even going on short day trips with his family in the summer.

  Jake touched the girl’s hair in the picture. Morgan couldn’t have been more than six, which would have made him eight. But even at eight years old, he knew. Morgan Kelley was his girl...

  “You’re going to marry me one day, Jake McGinnis.”

  Jake rolled his eyes and glanced down at her. She was already fading. They had spent most of the day swimming in the lake. And now, as the sun was setting, Morgan sat next to him on the dock while he tried to catch a few sunnies before calling it a day. Her head rested on his shoulder. Her hair still smelled like her strawberry shampoo. He loved that smell.

  “Stop being gross,” he said, releasing her hand. “I’m not getting married.” Jake reeled in the line a little.

  “Yes, you will,” she said. Morgan yawned and nestled in closer.

  Jake tossed the frame on the bed next to him. He shook his head, trying to dispel the memory. His phone chimed beside him and he leaned over to read the incoming text:

  “I’m coming to Philly for a conference. Would love to be fucked if you’re in town.”

  He had met Lexi a few weeks ago in New York. His team had just beaten the Giants in overtime and they had gone out to celebrate. Though he had been happy over the win, he was also exhausted. He hadn’t planned on getting laid that night, but one thing led to another and he found himself fucking this beautiful and very willing brunette he had met at the bar of her hotel. After he had finished, he showered, dressed, and left without even exchanging phone numbers. He determined it was while he was in her bathroom that she had located his cell phone and discovered his phone number. She had texted him almost every day since their one and only encounter. Some texts were vulgar and straight to the point. That she wanted him to fuck her again. Others were of the “I miss you” variety. But this one was different. Lexi mentioned that she may be coming to see him and that could definitely not happen. He had no desire to fuck Lexi again. After seeing Morgan two nights ago, all he could think of, all he wanted, was her. Frustrated that he allowed himself to think of the woman who had stripped him bare, leaving him heartbroken with no solid explanation, he sat up in bed and discovered that he was rock hard.

  It wasn’t Lexi’s text that made his cock throb, it was Morgan and the recurring thoughts he had of her that sent his body reeling. Jake made his way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. He stepped in and let the water trail down his back. He looked down and took his cock in his hand. He didn’t want to think of her right now. He didn’t want to imagine her body welcoming him in, her whimpering, as he fucked his fist. But that was all he could envision. With one hand on the cool tile, he spread his legs and stroked his cock. Heat surged to his groin, and his body trembled. He closed his eyes and saw her. On her knees. Looking up at him as she took him to the back of her throat. He pumped harder and he exploded into her mouth. He heard himself groan as his cock jerked and twitched in his grasp. After he caught his breath, he finished showering and decided to do the one thing he had promised himself he wouldn’t do.

  He got dressed and was out the door. He had Googled the veterinary clinic in which she worked the minute she had left the reception hall the other night. What was he going to say to her? He hadn’t thought that far ahead.

  Jake entered the clinic and walked over to the receptionist. “Can I help you, sir?”

  He looked at the woman behind the desk. She gave him a friendly smile.

  “Um… yeah, I was wondering if I could speak to Morgan Kelley?”

  Before the woman could respond, a pretty blonde appeared from out of nowhere. Jake assumed she was one of Morgan’s partners because she was wearing a white coat and scrubs.

  “She left for lunch… with a friend.” The blonde smiled and then took two steps toward him. “Morgan should be back soon. Whom should I say stopped by?”

  Don’t give her your name. Leave. Go catch your flight to Dallas and don’t look back.

  Wait, what friend? A male friend?

  The blonde stood there, her grin growing by the second. Her playful smirk unnerved him. He had to get out of there.

  “I’ll catch up with her soon. Thanks, though.” Jake turned and left.

  ***

  Morgan

  “Okay, who’s my next victim?” Morgan asked as she slipped her white coat back on.

  “You have a Shih Tzu in eight and Allison, a cute but skittish Scottie is awaiting you in five,” Reagan said with a smile that looked...off.

  “Spill it, Reagan. What’s going on?” Morgan asked.

  “Well, if I must,” Reagan said, flinging her hair over her shoulder. “You’ve been in this city for less than a week and it appears you already have an admirer.” Reagan leaned over and whispered so only Morgan and Allison could hear, “A man, a beautiful, most likely well-hung
man stopped in to see you. How is that fucking fair?”

  Ordinarily, Morgan would have chuckled. She loved Reagan’s sass and filthy mouth. But all Morgan could do was stare at her friend. She began to sweat. No. It couldn’t have been...

  “Well, what was his name?” Morgan asked. She knew she was blushing. Her face felt like it was going to go up in flames.

  “Didn’t leave a name, just said that he would see you soon… before he bolted out of here like his sexy ass was on fire.”

  “What did he look like?” Allison asked. Morgan felt Allison’s gaze, but she didn’t dare look at her.

  “Six three maybe. Definitely over two hundred pounds… of pure mouthwatering muscle.” Reagan tapped her chin. “Green eyes and a head of brown hair that screamed to be fisted as you…”

  “Okay, I get the picture.” Morgan closed her eyes and shook her head. She retrieved her cell from her pocket and Googled his name. His picture came up immediately, along with his stats. Reagan wasn’t far off. According to the NFL’s website, he was six four and weighed two hundred and twenty pounds. His full, tempting lips were curled to form a boyish grin.

  Jake’s icy glare from the wedding reception suddenly flashed in her head.

  “Is this him?” Morgan asked, showing Reagan the picture of Jake on her cell phone.

  “Sure as shit, yeah! Do you know who he is? That’s Jake McGinnis, the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. How the hell didn’t I recognize him?” Reagan’s voice was louder than a whisper now. Morgan quickly shushed her, though it was most likely impossible for their clients to hear them.

  “Jake is a family friend. We ran into each other last week,” Morgan said with a level of confidence that she didn’t know she had.

  “Friend, huh? The kind of friend you would love to see date one of your best friends in the entire world… or… the ‘keep ogling him or I will tear your eyes out’ kind of friend?”

  This time Morgan couldn’t help but laugh a little.

  “The latter,” Morgan said, smiling sheepishly.

  “Thought so, honey,” Reagan said with a giggle.

  “Okay, let’s get to work, shall we? I have a male of my own waiting for me in room two. He’s no football god, but he’s handsome and from what I read on my clipboard, may have a nasty case of worms.”

  Morgan watched Reagan leave and then turned in search of her Shih Tzu. But Allison blocked her path. “Are you going to tell him what really happened?” Allison asked.

  There was warmth and unwavering compassion in Allison’s eyes. Morgan looked away.

  “No. Why dredge up the past?”

  Allison walked over and hugged her. Morgan was grateful that it had been Allison who had found her that morning eight years ago, taken her to the hospital, and had cried with her as she received the life-altering news from the emergency doctor. She was also thankful that Allison had kept her secret all this time, never once letting on, even to Reagan, one of their closest friends.

  “Mor, he was here today. Looking for you. Apparently, he’s still holding onto the past.” Allison stepped out of their embrace and looked her in the eye. “And this time, he will not go quietly. That boy you loved is now a man… and he is going to want answers.”

  Chapter Three

  Morgan

  Dinner with friends is good. You need the distraction. If you weren’t going to Carina’s right now, you would just be sitting at home thinking about him. Yep, a few wings and a beer or two are exactly what you need.

  The brisk October air whipped through her hair as Morgan rounded the corner. Again, Morgan silently praised herself for purchasing her townhome. Not only was she in walking distance to work, but Carina and Josh had officially moved into their new apartment just three blocks from Morgan. In the winter she may need to take a cab, but for now she would enjoy the crisp, refreshing air. She was just a block away when she spotted a couple on the sidewalk ahead of her. They were young, still teenagers, holding hands and walking as if no one else shared their side of the street. The girl leaned into the boy, which only made him pull her closer. They were carefree… fearless. Morgan didn’t want to resent them, but she couldn’t help it.

  “Why won’t you hold my hand?” Morgan asked.

  “Because,” Jake said in a gruff tone, one that sounded strange… and mean.

  Morgan looked up at him. She had to increase her pace if she was going to stay even with him. “But you always hold my hand when we walk to school.”

  “Not anymore.” Jake kept his eyes on the sidewalk ahead.

  “Why are you mad at me?”

  “I’m not mad… I’m just…” Jake stopped walking, but he didn’t look at her. He gripped the strap of his backpack tighter. “I’m not your boyfriend and you’re not my girlfriend. Okay?”

  Morgan didn’t want to cry, but she felt her eyes begin to well. Gabe and Brennan would often tease Jake and sing the “Morgan and Jake sitting in the tree” song, but he never got mad at them.

  And then she remembered Colin. That annoying punk in Jake’s fifth grade class. Yesterday, that brat had run around the recess yard telling everyone that Jake liked her. Jake had told Colin to shut up or he was going to punch him in the face. Colin didn’t say anything after that.

  “Colin’s a…”

  “Colin’s an idiot,” Jake said, interrupting her.

  Morgan giggled despite feeling like her world was being turned upside down.

  “Yeah, I know, he’s a real…”

  “And he’s wrong.” Jake shook his head and started down the sidewalk again. “I’m not your boyfriend and you’re not my girlfriend. Got it?”

  Morgan felt the first tear dribble down her cheek. She brushed it away with her sleeve. She needed to get away from him. Carina was less than a block away and walking with Gabe. Morgan yelled for Carina to wait up and took off running as fast as she could. She heard Jake tell her to stop, but she didn’t. And she didn’t look back either.

  “Earth to Morgan… come in, Morgan.”

  Morgan halted, though she couldn’t help but sneak one last glimpse at the young couple. The boy had just swooped in and stolen a kiss when Morgan fixed her gaze on Carina, who at the moment was looking a bit too curious for her own good.

  “Forget where I lived already?” Carina asked with a raised brow.

  “Give this girl some latitude. I did just move to this city, you know?” Morgan walked over and gave her friend a hug.

  “I’m so happy to have you back. Now when I need a Morgan fix, all I have to do is walk three blocks.”

  They linked arms and walked into Carina’s apartment. It was the first time Morgan had been there, though she had driven by it twice over the last several days. Josh greeted her immediately with a hug and a beautiful smile. “Thanks for coming, Morgan,” Josh said. Morgan saw his arm encircle Carina’s waist. As he drew her close Carina blushed, which was so lovely to see. Morgan never got tired of seeing her friend happy.

  “I’m foreseeing a lot of these get-togethers in our future,” Morgan said.

  Carina’s eyes lit up, which always made Morgan’s heart ache a little. Carina and Jake had the same haunting green eyes. They were forest green but could turn darker on occasion to a rich moss color. But where there was a playful spark in Carina’s eyes, there was a seriousness in Jake’s that had always drawn Morgan in. Even when they were kids, he could look at her and know what was going through her sometimes-scattered mind. He could tell with just a quick glance that she was scared, angry, or later when they were teenagers, horny as hell. No one could read her like he could.

  “You bet your ass. Now let’s grab you a beer. The game’s about to start,” Carina said.

  Thursday night football. Great.

  Josh released Carina, only to return less than a minute later and put a beer in Morgan’s hand. Good man. She would need a few of these tonight.

  Carina brought her to the living room, where her guests were taking their seats and getting ready fo
r kickoff. Mia, Carina’s roommate from college, came over and hugged Morgan. Morgan had always liked Mia. From the moment Carina had introduced them on winter break of their sophomore year, Morgan had known Mia was a keeper. She was kind and devoted and as it turned out, strong as hell. And from the looks of it, one of the happiest women on the planet. Her fiancé came up from behind and kissed Mia on the back of her neck. Her cheeks grew pink. “Paul, you remember Morgan from Erin and Chase’s wedding reception?”

  Paul moved to shake her hand without taking his other hand off Mia’s waist. “Hi, Morgan. It’s nice to see you again. I heard you’ve moved to Philly.”

  “Yep. I’m officially moved in. It will be nice to live so close to friends and family again,” Morgan said, appreciating the view. The two men she had encountered thus far were painfully gorgeous and so obviously in love with their women.

  “And just when I thought I had gotten rid of you.”

  Morgan smiled. She turned and faced the man who had helped make her tough. “You’ll never be rid of me, Brennan. Like it or not, I’ll always turn up,” Morgan said, folding her arms. They stared each other down and before she knew what hit her, Brennan swooped her up and hugged her against his ridiculously large chest.

  “So, you’re back for good?”

  “It appears so,” she said. Though he was just a year older than she was, he would always be her big brother, the McGinnis son who wouldn’t take shit from anyone. To this day, she didn’t know how he had avoided being expelled from school when he was a kid. Brennan had gotten in so many fights on the playground and even started one at Sunday Mass. He had been quick-tempered during those first few years after the adoption. But after some time and therapy, he had calmed down and his conflicts with the neighborhood boys were few and far between.