by T. N. King
As the night began to wind down, Joanna asked Ellie if she’d like to cash in on a few extra hours. “You can close up tonight. Maybe have a cup of coffee with your admirer over there,” Joanna said pointing a pudgy finger towards Morgan and smiling.
Ellie rolled her eyes. She definitely needed the money though, so she agreed. Morgan could wait if he was truly sincere, but she figured she would be nice and at least let him know that it would be a while. She expected he might just take the easy way out and leave. Maybe he just felt guilty, after all he was nice guy, right? A very good looking nice guy, too. That little voice nudged her. Like she needed reminding. She rolled her eyes. “I have to close,” she said unceremoniously from where she stood at the edge of his table. “It’ll be a few more hours.”
“I’ll wait,” he said in his usual calm demeanor.
She hated that even now, he could be so sexy and cause her stomach to feel like it was in knots. She remembered that same sexy voice from last night, only it hadn’t been calm, it had been growling, groaning, demanding. STOP! You need to try and forget all that sexiness. It had been just sex to him. She shrugged and started to turn to leave.
“You can get me a coffee, though. Black, no sugar,” Morgan called out from behind her.
Ellie turned slightly and nodded without lingering, then went to get his coffee. She hoped he was squirming after the hell he put her through. But she asked herself. Hadn’t she realized that before the dinner, before the sex? She had known. Oh, she felt so confused. Did she really have the right to say anything? He hadn’t committed anything to her. It was just hot fiery, amazing sex. She needed to remember this and shut her heart up. Sighing and taking care of her side work, she knew the facts were not penetrating her heart even if her brain was well aware of them. She could give him the benefit of the doubt but she didn’t have to let him know that just yet.
When she returned to his table with his coffee and handed it to him, he made an effort to touch her hand. Ellie noticed but didn’t let on and instead, immediately turned away to check on her other tables. She needed to not cave in so easily. She jumped in bed immediately. Gave him everything she had immediately—and look what happened?
She damn well hoped he was worried. Him showing up though, sent her mind in a whirl. What did it mean? He wanted to apologize but it did not mean permanent relationship. She was a fool and she knew it. Giving him a chance would be yet, another bad idea. Look at what going out with him had done to her, thinking she could just be fine when he walked away?
When there was only a half hour left before midnight, and it was just her and Morgan left in the diner, she figured he’d waited patiently long enough. She had to give it to him…he could be patient as a saint, or as patient as an angel. She shook all that away. Look at what lie beneath that calm exterior. His power over her in bed. Yet, it had empowered her too. Damn, why did he have to be the perfect guy? Then again, look at the mistake he’d made. She didn’t know which was the real Morgan and she was already eaten up with curiously as to what he intended here too.
Now, is the time to find out, Ellie.
She grabbed a cup of coffee for herself and took him another cup, too. After setting his cup in front of him, she took a seat and said, “Okay, I’m listening.”
Morgan closed his laptop to give her his full attention.
Ellie peered at him from her icy cold perch, one that sat on top of fire, she admitted to herself.
Morgan cleared his throat and then began, “Last night was wonderful. I just—I’d had it in my mind that you were a distraction for me. Since meeting you, I’ve been messing things up with work. I’ve been canceling meetings just to come down here and see you.” He reached for her hand.
Yes, her first instinct was to pull it away from him, she thought better of it and allowed his touch. It was her attempt at teasing him because at this point, she really did want to hurt him back just like he had hurt her. She never knew she could be vindictive, she’d never felt the need to be, maybe?
Morgan continued, “I wanted to return to my former self, the suave, cold businessman, but I needed to get you out of my system, first. That was my plan, but I didn’t count on it being so hard to get you out of here.” He pointed to his chest. “I genuinely have feelings for you, Ellie.”
There was that smooth, charming talk, again. It all sounded wonderful, but she needed to be more skeptical. She pulled her hand away from his. “How do I know that you’re not just trying to have sex with me, again?”
Morgan laughed. “I absolutely do want to have sex with you again.” He gave a slight chuckle. “But, you see, that’s what I wanted to hear. You at least thinking before you leap. Ellie, do you know that since the moment I saw you run back into a burning building, I’ve felt like your protector? You’re a smart woman, I can tell, but you’re impulsive. That’s not such a good thing.”
Ellie raised a brow. “It was for you last night,” she retorted.
“It was,” he agreed. “I was counting on that, though.”
Ellie tightened her lips and looked away. This wasn’t showing her in a good light at all. But unfortunately, he was right. She just threw caution to the wind and jumped right in. Maybe she was a slut? She’d never done that before him though. She could count the three men on one hand that she’d had sex with and they never got past her panties until a month of dating. They weren’t this man though. So good looking, charming and with a helluva body beneath those perfectly fitted suits. So, to her female way of thinking it was all HIS fault. Yes, hold onto that bit of nonsense, it will help you through this, Ellie.
“Ellie, I care about you. I’m here now because I realized that there’s something missing from my life. That something is you, and I don’t want to be away from you.”
She shook her head. As much as she did want to accept what he said was true, she knew it could be still just infatuation for him. He just wanted more hot sex. She had been impulsive. So maybe, Morgan wasn’t completely to blame for what happened the other night. She turned to look at him and was instantly sucked into his smoldering grey gaze.
Goddamn those eyes!
“You hurt me,” she retorted as tears welled up in her eyes.
The sharpness to his features softened and he said, “I know. I will kick myself in the ass forever for having caused you even a second of hurt, but I’m here now. That has to count for something.”
“I just don’t know,” she muttered. “What happens now?”
Morgan brought her hand up to his lips and placed a soft, lingering kiss to her skin. “You forgive me.”
She drew in a breath and the feel of his warm lips on her skin again, caused fire in her belly instantly. He definitely had a way with words, or maybe that was just her weakness…that voice…that smile, those eyes and let’s not forget the body he had. She was doomed and now almost regretted him showing up here, it could leave her worse off later, when he did finally get enough of her. Either way, she knew she couldn’t pretend to hold a grudge forever. Won over by his gaze and sincere words, she finally replied, “Okay.”
Morgan pulled her onto his lap and embraced her. Ellie put an arm around him and a hand on his chest. He lifted her chin up to his lips and claimed them with a kiss.
The kiss was deep and tender. Sealing his words to her. Then he forced is tongue in and deepened the kiss, it was suddenly a storming, a branding, as if he wanted to own her mouth. Shivering at the feelings the kiss awoke in her, she kissed him back. The kiss lasted for a few minutes and she was left utterly breathless, when Morgan finally pulled his mouth away from hers.
When he pulled away, he gave her that smile. Then he took a look around at the empty diner. “So, are we the only ones here?”
Ellie nodded and dug some keys out of her pocket. She dangled them in front of Morgan. “I have to lock up tonight.”
Morgan glanced at his wristwatch and commented, “It’s ten ‘til. Joanna wouldn’t mind if we locked up a little early, would she?”
&n
bsp; Ellie shook her head. “We just won’t tell her,” she said with a laugh.
Ellie had to work the breakfast shift today at the diner. She should have thought about that before staying out nearly all night with Morgan. She only got back to her apartment this morning at 3 a.m. They strolled through the parks and walked around looking in different shop windows. Ellie felt glad in one way that he hadn’t tried to seduce her. Then in another way, she felt disappointed. Yes, she still wanted him and she damn well knew he wanted her. Then they decided that they were both starving, so they went out for an early breakfast at the waffle house, and now, it was 6 a.m. and she needed to rush to get to work on time.
And, she really did like Morgan. In fact, she wouldn’t be lying if she said she had actual feelings for him, and not just the kinds that revolved around sex, although, those kinds of feelings certainly helped strengthen her desire for him. Was that wrong? Sex was important. She felt sure of that. Except that this time, she had determined she would not jump right back in bed with him, not until she felt positive that he cared for her like he’d claimed at the diner.
After getting dressed and drying her hair, Ellie walked out of her bedroom and yelled, “What the hell?”
Morgan chuckled from where he stood near her small kitchen counter with a cup of black, freshly brewed coffee in his hand. “You should really update your security system here,” he said. “I had no problem letting myself in.”
Ellie closed her eyes and shook her head. “How did you even figure out where I lived?”
Morgan laughed and crossed one arm over the other. “That was easy, darling. I just looked up your Facebook page. You know there are some things you really shouldn’t put online—like your address. I’m thankful you did, though. Another impulsive decision made long ago that you have long since forgotten, I assume.” He smirked and took a sip from his mug.
“Well…” she started and then sighed. “What are you doing here? I have to be at work to open in a little while.”
“Yes,” he said and set his cup down on the counter and approached Ellie. “That’s why I’m here.”
“What?”
He kissed her when he got close enough and took her by the hand over to her couch, so they could sit and talk.
Ellie followed, still very confused, but intrigued.
He gazed at her and tucked a stray lock behind her ear. “I wasn’t kidding about what I said last night about you being what was missing in my life. I am crazy about you.”
She could feel her face flush with warmth and smiled. “I’m crazy about you, too.”
“That’s good.” He nodded., “I had a plan B before going to see you last night, just in case my apology wasn’t enough. Here.” He pulled a set of keys out from his pocket and handed them to her.
“What’s this?”
“It’s your new car,” he announced.
Ellie’s eyes widened. “That’s nice, but not necessary. I can’t afford the upkeep on a new car,” she said shaking her head and handing the keys back to Morgan.
Morgan pushed them back into her hands. “The car’s paid for and already licensed and insured. All you have to do is put gas in it, okay? And if you need money for that, I’ll cover that, too.”
“But, I don’t understand. What do I need a car for?”
Morgan took her hand in his and looked deep into her eyes. “Ellie, you work hard. I see that. But there are so many more promising opportunities for you, and I am in the position to help you obtain them, so please let me.”
“Okay?” She was still lost here.
“You know, Hunt Industries offers college scholarships to hard working individuals like you. I want you to accept my offer to fund your college education with the condition that, after you graduate, you come work for me for four years. How does that sound?”
Ellie’s jaw dropped. She needed to look at this in the right light. Impulsive remember? “I am unsure about all of this, Morgan. I have to get to work. Can we discuss this later?”
Morgan chuckled. “No, you don’t, Ellie,” he said. “I’ve already spoken to Joanna. Since you will be attending college fulltime, you won’t have time to work and keep up with your studies, so, I’ve arranged for you to take a temporary leave of absence from the diner.”
Ellie stood up. “But I have bills to pay, Morgan! You can’t just leave me unemployed like this!”
Morgan stood up, as well. “Shhh. Calm down. Do you really think I would do that to you?”
“Do you expect me to just rely on you for everything?” It sounded wonderful yet horrifying at the same time. Like too good to be true. Like him...too good to be—
“Look, you’re not relying on me for anything, okay? You will be working hard. I’ll make sure of that, and I’m only helping you attain your full potential—in everything,” he said and gave her a mischievous smile.
Ellie sensed that he was talking about more than just studies and felt herself blush, again, but insisted. “But, Morgan, where the hell am I going to keep a car at in this dump? It’ll be stripped overnight.”
Morgan raised a forefinger and reached inside his pants pocket with his other hand. “So that brings me to part 2 of Plan B.” He pulled out another set of keys and handed them to her. “Here’s the keys to your new apartment, just off campus.”
“Uhh.” She took the keys and stared at them. Keys, to her heart, to her soul? Suddenly, she felt the oddest mixed feelings. Terror and joy? This was insane! “Just off what campus?”
“Oh, yes,” Morgan said. “I got you in at the University of Pennsylvania. I looked up your old high school grades and ACT scores. You’re actually pretty smart, you know. You’ve just been dealt a shitty hand. Not that I ever thought you weren’t smart, just, I don’t know why you didn’t decide to go to college after graduating high school.”
Ellie gave him a look. “Do you really think that I didn’t think about it?”
“I didn’t mean it like that, I—”
“It’s okay,” Ellie said and shook her head. She sighed and continued, “By the time I got out of high school, my dad was already sick. I knew if I went off to college, he would have to keep working to support himself. So, I decided to get a job so he could take an early retirement and I could take care of him.”
Morgan caressed her cheek. “See, you really do deserve this.”
Ellie shrugged. “An ivy league school? I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” Morgan urged. “You can choose from law, business, design…I hope you choose business, though, because I could use a smart woman like you at my side, and the Wharton School of Business is world renown.”
Ellie closed her eyes and shook her head. “I just—can’t believe that this is happening.”
Morgan drew her into his embrace. “Believe it.”
She couldn’t hold back the tears and buried her face in Morgan’s suit jacket. “I need to think about it, though,” she sobbed.
“Oh, no,” he said and held her away. “None of that.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “No tears, okay? You deserve this. All of this. I’m only thankful that I drove by a burning diner that day.”
Ellie laughed. “Pulling me from the flames.” Then setting me on fire in other ways. She didn’t say this aloud though. All of this took her by storm. Hell, Morgan had taken her by storm.
After wiping away her tears, he kissed her.
Ellie felt her knees weaken; damn the man could kiss her into a sweet oblivion. What had they been talking about...again?
He pulled those skilled lips from hers and rested his head against her forehead.
Almost breathless, she blinked her eyes. Oh, yes, him handing her a new life. This was the subject they had been discussing. “But I can’t just accept all of this,” Ellie said. “It’s too much.”
Morgan put his hand up to his chin while wearing a thoughtful expression. “Alright then, since you have the day off, why don’t you change and you can drive your new car to check out your new apartm
ent, okay? That might help you to decide.”
Ellie arched a brow. “I believe the technical term for that is bribery.”
“So it is. Let’s see if it works.” He gave her that dazzling deal signing smile of his.
Morgan
After Ellie changed clothes, Morgan led her down to where he’d parked her car. He hadn’t thought of it as a bribe, but more as a gift to make up for him being a jerk to her the other night. And he genuinely wanted to help her get an education. If nothing else, he could feel good about that.
As they approached the cute little candy apple red coupe, he could tell that maybe bribery would work.
Ellie squealed with delight. “Oh, my god! Is this it?”
“Uh-uh.” He nodded.
She ran towards it with the keys in her hand. “It’s so cute! What kind is it?”
“It’s the latest Mini Cooper model, but I had it customized slightly.”
She pushed the key pad to unlock the car and slid in to the driver’s seat. “This is so amazing!”
He stepped in to the passenger’s seat and beamed a big smile at Ellie. “So, you’ll keep it?”
“I’d be crazy not to, right? But…” Ellie turned to look at him with a serious look. “That would be an impulsive decision.”
Morgan chuckled. “Touché. I’ll ask you again, after you’ve seen the apartment.”
He gave her directions to her new apartment just off the University of Pennsylvania’s campus. It was in a nice area and the complex had its own covered and monitored garage.
After parking in her own private spot, they got out and Morgan led her to the elevator. “You’re up on the eleventh floor,” he said.