“Well, well,” he said with a knowing smirk. “Look who the cat dragged in. Hope you enjoyed your night.” He laughed on his way down the stairs.
Morgan blushed down to the roots of her hair and immediately rushed up the steps to their bedroom. She hoped she didn’t run into anyone else who would notice they were still in yesterday’s clothes. Morgan let out a deep breath when Jared closed the door behind him.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Morgan,” Jared said. “What happened last night is natural. My family know we’re together.”
“I know, but...”
Jared walked toward her, circling his arms around her. “No buts. You’re my woman. Everyone expects that we’re sleeping together.”
Morgan laughed, looking into his gleaming dark eyes. “We weren’t until last night.”
“But we will be going forward,” Jared said with confidence. “Because now that I’ve had you, I can’t get enough.” He bent his head and swept his mouth across hers.
Morgan pushed away from him. “Don’t start something we can’t finish. We probably already missed breakfast and I’m hungry.”
“All right,” Jared said as if he were a chastised child. “How about a shower?”
A half hour later, Morgan was embarrassed as she made her way to the dining room. She hadn’t known a shower could be such a sensual experience. Jared had soaped every inch of her with a sponge, including in between her thighs, where it was a bit sore from the previous evening. Then he’d stunned her by dropping to his knees, taking one of her legs over his shoulder and pleasuring her with his mouth.
When they arrived at the dining room, it was empty and the remnants of breakfast were being cleared by staff. They were about to leave when Antoine came in.
“Good morning.” He smiled at them. “You’re finally up. Would you care for some breakfast? I can have the cook whip something up.”
“An omelet would be great,” Morgan said, “with some veggies and whatever protein you might have. And I’d love a cup of coffee.”
“Right away. Jared?” Antoine waited for a response.
“I’ll have the same,” Jared said, helping Morgan into her chair.
Jared sat across from her. The predatory gleam in his eye made Morgan realize he was having naughty thoughts about her. She was about to comment when Ruth stepped into the room. She was in a stylish white tennis dress and sneakers, holding a tennis racket.
“You’re awake,” Ruth said. “I was beginning to think you’d rather spend more time with each other than us.”
Morgan was mortified and couldn’t muster a response, but Jared was quick to react. “Of course not. We were just tired. If you recall I worked yesterday.”
“You were tired?” Ruth smirked. “Sure, dear.” She turned to Morgan. “Mary and I were about to play some tennis. Would you care to join us?”
“Um, my breakfast is coming,” Morgan replied as Antoine walked in carrying a carafe of coffee. He poured Morgan a cup and moved to Jared. “Can we meet up later?”
“Of course. Get some rest.” Ruth winked at Jared. “Antoine, is the court ready?” she asked on their way out, leaving Morgan and Jared alone.
Morgan’s eyes were wide as she stared across the table at her lover. “She knows.”
“Grandmother wasn’t born yesterday. She’s aware of what happens between a man and a woman who are as attracted to each other as we are.”
“Is it always this—this intense?” Morgan whispered, reaching for her cup and sipping her coffee that she’d left black. She felt like she needed straight caffeine after the night they’d shared.
Jared watched her over the rim of his mug and Morgan felt a tug in her core. “Not always, but we’re very compatible sexually.”
She blinked several times, trying to escape the trance he seemed to have her in. “So what are you in the mood to do today?”
“Do I really have to answer that?” he asked with a hungry gaze.
“Jared...”
“Oh, you were talking about other than having you naked in my bed?” He placed his index finger on his chin, “Hmm, we could go hiking, canoeing on the creek or riding some horses. Whatever you want?”
“Care for some company?”
They both turned to find Chris in jeans and a polo shirt. Kandi was beside him in a denim jumpsuit looking like she was going to the club rather than a day out in the country.
“Sure.” Jared eyed his brother.
“How about canoeing? You and I can race and see which of us has the biceps to win,” Chris said boastfully.
“I’m game,” Jared responded. “It’s been a few years since I’ve given you a proper whipping.”
“Ha, ha, we’ll see who’s laughing at the finish line.”
Jared laughed. “Morgan and I’ll meet you at the dock in about an hour after we finish up breakfast.”
“See you then.” Chris waved and left with Kandi.
Morgan liked seeing the brothers together. She knew the strain of not hearing from Chris had taken a toll on Jared. She was hoping this weekend would heal the rift in their family. The Robinsons weren’t bad people, but they needed to be kinder to one another. Morgan supposed it was easy to see that from the outside looking in.
She could envision herself as a part of this family, but Jared didn’t want a relationship with her. Once their agreement was over, they’d go their separate ways. It would be difficult because Jared was her first lover. He would always hold a special place in her heart because he’d taught her how to give and receive pleasure.
Making love with him wasn’t simply about two bodies joining in mutual release. There was so much more to it than that. They’d shared an intimacy Morgan had never shared with another human being. Each kiss, each stroke, each caress had bonded her to him. She was now closer to Jared than anyone. She’d confided in him and told him all about her past. How could she not love him?
“Morgan?”
She glanced up and noticed Jared was frowning at her. “Is everything okay? I’d lost you for a moment.”
“I’m fine.”
“Fine is never good when a woman says it,” Jared commented. “Are you regretting last night?”
Morgan didn’t answer because Antoine came in with two steaming-hot omelets. “Thank you so much. We won’t be late tomorrow and make you go through the extra work,” she said.
“No worries.” Antoine nodded at Jared on his way out.
Morgan was about to tuck into her food when she realized Jared was waiting on a response to his question. “No, I don’t regret making love with you. It was the most wondrous, exciting experience of my life.”
Jared grinned. “I’m glad. And trust me, it only gets better.”
Fifteen
Jared laughed more that afternoon than he had in years. He and Morgan met Chris and Kandi at the dock as planned. After picking their respective canoes and paddles, he and Chris had helped the ladies inside. One of the groundskeepers was going to keep time and confirm the winner.
The race was challenging. Chris took off like a bat out of hell while Jared set a steady pace, conserving his energy for the long haul back. He let Chris pass him. When Morgan cried for him to move faster he said, “I’ve got this. Trust me.”
And he did. On the return to the dock, when Chris’s arms were tired and starting to fail, Jared kicked into high gear and surpassed his brother, finishing a full ten minutes ahead. He helped Morgan out of the boat, while they waited for Chris and Kandi to arrive.
“That was awesome!” Morgan yelled, wrapping her soft curves around his body and pulling him into a kiss. Jared accepted the congratulatory kiss, but he hungered for more. He had been since Morgan had cut short their shower fun earlier.
Their kiss was getting steamy so it was good thing Chris and Kandi came surging forward. “I want a recount,” Chris said as
the groundskeeper helped Kandi and him out of the canoe.
“I won fair and square.” Jared released Morgan, but only long enough to circle his arm around her waist.
Chris rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. You have youth on your side.”
“Anytime you want a rematch, you need only say the word,” Jared responded good-naturedly. “I’ll even give you a five-minute head start.”
Everyone laughed.
“How about a drink?” Chris asked wearily. “I could sure use one.” He turned to Kandi and rubbed her belly. “I’m sorry, babe, it’ll have to be sparkling fruit juice for you.”
The group returned to the main house and found Jared’s parents had returned from playing tennis. Or rather his grandmother and mother had played, while his father watched.
“There you kids are,” Ruth exclaimed as she lounged on the sofa. “I was wondering if you’d abandoned us old fogies.”
“Never, Grandmother.” Chris pressed a kiss on her cheek and Jared was glad when she didn’t pull away.
“Antoine has the chef preparing some lunch.”
“I’d love some,” Jared replied, joining them in the spacious living room. He and Morgan sat on one couch, while Chris and Kandi took the larger sofa with his grandmother.
“So what were you kids up to?” Ruth inquired.
“I was reminding Chris how old he is,” Jared responded with a smirk.
Chris glared at him.
“They raced canoes,” Kandi explained. “It was so much fun, but my pooh bear lost.” She looked adoringly up at Chris.
Jared wanted to gag. He couldn’t take the lovey-dovey thing. He liked Morgan a helluva lot, but he doubted he would be giving her pet names anytime soon. Even so, if he had his way, he’d have her naked for the duration of their weekend getaway. There was so much more he wanted to show her.
“I’m so glad you’re enjoying your visit,” his mother responded. “Ruth and I wanted to go into town and do a little shopping while the men did some fishing. We would love for you to join us so we can get to know you better.”
“We would?” His grandmother raised a brow and Chris sent her a warning look.
Kandi beamed with a smile. “I would like that. I’m afraid I didn’t know what to bring for a weekend retreat.”
“You look great, babe,” Chris said.
It was true that love was blind, Jared thought, because her denim jumper was the epitome of tacky. He was glad Morgan was a notch above the rest. She had been from the moment they’d met.
“You’re coming, Morgan?” His grandmother’s question was more of a statement.
Morgan didn’t bother looking at Jared for reassurance. She was comfortable holding her own against Ruth. “Of course.”
“Excellent.”
After enjoying a leisurely lunch of seafood salad, crusty bread and pinot grigio, the women left for town while the men stayed back to go fishing. It had been a long time since Jared, Chris and their father spent any significant amount of time together. And so, after gathering their chairs, poles, tackle boxes with fishing lines hooks and baits, water bottles and much-needed insect repellant, the Robinson men headed to the creek.
Once they had their lines baited and in the water, they sat along the creek bank and waited. Fortunately, Chris was smart enough to bring a cooler full of beer, so Jared reached inside, screwed off the top and took a swig.
“I’m glad we’re alone,” their father began. “Perhaps now you could enlighten Jared and I how you came to be engaged to Kandi.”
Chris’s expression sharpened. “If you’re both going to gang up on me, I’m going to head back to the house.”
“Far from it,” Jared said. “We just want to understand where you’re coming from. How did you meet?”
Chris sighed and the tension in his shoulders slowly began to lapse. “I met Kandi after one of our clients wanted to go to a strip club. I admit it wasn’t my thing, but when I saw Kandi on that stage, it was love at first sight.”
“I think you’re confusing lust with love, son,” their father replied. “It’s easy to do.”
“C’mon, Jared. Don’t leave me hanging. You said you met Morgan and were instantly intrigued. Am I right?” Chris asked.
“I was but that’s different,” Jared objected. He thought about how Chris and Kandi were already engaged. What if Morgan were his fiancée? His fake fiancée, he quickly amended. He couldn’t offer her more than that. So why did the idea cause his heart to speed up? “Finish your story.”
“After I took the client home, I came back to the club. At first, Kandi didn’t want to spend time with me because I was a customer, but I convinced her to come out for breakfast. And well, the rest, as they say, is history.” Chris shrugged.
“And you’re sure she’s not after your money?” their father inquired.
“Dad...” Jared intervened, but Clay held up his hand.
“I’m not done,” he said sternly. “A young woman who’s found herself on that stage may see you as her meal ticket. You’re worth millions.”
“Kandi isn’t with me for my money. And to prove it, she’s agreed to sign a prenup.”
Their father rubbed his jaw. “I’m pleasantly surprised, but I’ll believe it when I see it. All I’m saying, Chris, is I don’t want you led around by the wrong body part. I’m shocked to say it, but perhaps you need to be more like Jared. It appears he’s found a class act in Morgan. She’s poised, educated and not bad on the eyes.”
Jared felt proud his father thought so highly of the woman on his arm. “Thanks, Dad.”
“But she is the type of girl you marry.” His father wasn’t short on advice. “Are you ready to handle that?”
Both Chris and his father stared at Jared, but he wasn’t ready to answer their questions any more than he could the ones running through his mind since he’d met Morgan.
“How did this fishing expedition get serious all of a sudden?” Jared finally asked, lightening the mood. “I thought we were here to catch fish.”
Jared thankfully got a reprieve because one of their poles moved, indicating they’d caught something. Just like Morgan had caught his heart.
* * *
Morgan had no idea part of her weekend included being mediator between the Robinsons and Kandi, but that’s exactly what she was. After changing out of her active wear, Morgan donned a straight skirt, tank and her favorite jean jacket and joined the women for a jaunt into the town that was a few miles from the compound.
Ruth’s version of getting to know Kandi included loaded questions destined to trip up the poor girl and have her walk into a minefield. Morgan did her best to help, but it wasn’t easy. Her mind was still in the cottage with Jared where he’d introduced her to all the ways he could make her body sing.
The maelstrom of need he’d created in her after years of being frigid had Morgan feeling out of sorts. A kaleidoscope of butterflies was swirling though her insides as she anticipated the night to come with the man she loved. But what did he feel for her?
Kindness?
Affection?
Or was it simply about lust pure and simple.
“Morgan, darling,” Ruth called to her from one of the racks in the upscale boutique where they were shopping. “You must come here. I’ve found the most divine dress for you.”
Morgan smiled and walked over. She’d never had a grandmother. Heck, she hadn’t had much of a mother, either, so being fawned over by Ruth was heartwarming. Ruth held up a stunning silk green dress, but the price tag was outrageous.
“It matches your eyes,” Mary concurred.
“I’m getting it for you.” Ruth handed the garment to a saleswoman who had seemed to hover nearby ever since they’d walked in.
Morgan shook her head. “I can’t let you do that. It’s too much.”
“Of course you can,�
�� Ruth said, nodding at the clerk. “We’ll take it. And you, my dear,” she looked at Kandi, who’d been quiet since they’d arrived in the store, “we need to find you something.”
Kandi shrugged, glancing around. “This isn’t really my style.”
“You mean wearing clothes with decorum?” Ruth asked.
“Ruth!” Mary called her out.
“I’m sorry,” Ruth replied, “but, my dear—” she sauntered over to Kandi “—if you intend to be with my grandson, you’re going to have to change your look. Because this—” Ruth motioned to Kandi’s zebra-striped pants, bustier and leather jacket “—simply will not do. You will be an embarrassment to Chris and the entire family.”
“Oh!” Kandi clutched her mouth and rushed out of the store.
“Ruth, did you have to be so harsh?” Morgan asked. “She’s new to this world.”
“So are you,” Ruth responded, “but you’ve acclimated like fish to water. She has to learn proper decorum.”
“And she will in time,” Mary said. “I’m going to talk to her and let her know not everyone in the family shares your opinion.”
Ruth sighed as Mary left the store. She walked over to the clerk and handed her her credit card and then turned to Morgan. “Was I harsh?”
Morgan knew Ruth respected directness so she gave it to her. “Yes, you were. Kandi doesn’t have to be your enemy. In fact, you want her as your ally. Otherwise, Chris could leave again. You don’t want that, do you?”
“No, of course not.” She reached out and caressed Morgan’s cheek with her palm. “You are a marvel. I don’t know how my grandson was lucky enough to find you, but I’m so glad you’re a part of this family.”
Her words were like a knife to Morgan’s heart, because she wasn’t a part of their clan. She was only Jared’s pretend girlfriend, but somewhere along the way it had become real. Not just for her, but for his family too. How would they feel when they learned it was all a lie? Would they hate Morgan like they did Kandi?
Secrets of a Fake Fiancée Page 12