More than Temptation

by Taige Crenshaw

  “Such a sweet talker. And you’re a complicated”—she smiled—“sexy and intriguing man.”

  “That complicated thing I said will come back to haunt me.” Morgan chuckled.

  “You betcha, buddy.” Bella stared at his lips.

  “I want to kiss you but not here.” Morgan shook his head. “Let’s wait until after our first official date.”

  “Then you’re behind, since that was at the candy shop.” Bella smirked. “This is our second date.”

  “We’ll go to the candy shop together if you want. But our meeting wasn’t a date. It was a meeting of a complication that I sense will make my life very interesting.”

  “See, again with the sweet words. No one has ever called me a complication before. Maybe we can make that my pet name.” Bella laughed. “Oh, Complication. God that sounds so weird.”

  “You are one strange woman.”

  “That’s unique, to you.”

  “Unique.” Morgan smiled. “I like that.”

  “Now, since you insist, we need a first date that is ‘official’.” She made quotes with her fingers. “What shall it be?”

  “How about you pick?” Morgan suggested.

  “Sure, since I’m picking, I’ll pick you up. Say, tomorrow night at seven o’clock?”

  “That works for me. I’ll be finished with my shift at work by then. If anything comes up, I’ll call you.” Morgan took out his cell. “That is, if I can have your number?”

  “I’ll trade you.” Bella held out her cell and he gave her his.

  She input her number in his phone and he did the same to hers. He gave her back her phone and she took it then gave him back his. Their fingers connected for a moment.

  “Your drinks,” a woman said cheerfully beside him.

  “You have such bad timing, Khandi,” Bella said, not looking away from him.

  “And I brought you some snacks. Since you didn’t want any of my food,” a male voice said.

  Morgan glanced at the man, surprised. “Mallory?” He’d met the man through Julianne and her business partner Dakota, who was Mallory’s brother.

  “When Khandi told me you didn’t recall she worked here, I thought for sure she was crazy. I’ve mentioned more than once I work at a supper club.” Mallory wrinkled his brow.

  “You never said the name of it,” Morgan retorted.

  “I di—” Mallory Campbell narrowed his eyes then he sighed. “Didn’t. Well crap, I can’t give you shit for a faulty memory since I never told you the name of the club. Did you tell him, Khandi?”

  “Don’t think I did.” Khandi shook her head as she set down their drinks before them.

  “Well how the hell didn’t we?” Mallory slid a platter with appetizers on the table.

  “No idea.” Khandi stood by the booth.

  “I don’t care. Go away.” Bella waved them off.

  Mallory caught her hand and tugged. Bella glanced at him, glaring. Mallory grinned and in that smile, Morgan saw the same devilish look his brother had.

  “If you had come to laser tag or some of our other outings when he was there, you would have met him already.” Mallory patted her hand. “Even seen him sing and dance to the dance skits Dakota comes up with when we beat the women.”

  “He can sing?” Bella stared at Morgan.

  Morgan winced, thinking of his singing.

  “Man can’t carry a note. He’s beyond tone deaf, but I give him an ‘A’ for enthusiasm.” Mallory laughed. “He gets loud and starts singing really fast just to mess with Dakota, who tries to keep his dancing up with how quick Morgan is singing.”

  “Really?” Bella smiled. “I’d like to see that.”

  “Ummm…nope. Not singing in front of you.” Morgan wouldn’t. She was a professional, and he wouldn’t embarrass himself.

  “Come on.”

  “That’s our cue to leave.” Mallory led Khandi away, laughing.

  “Troublemaker,” Morgan called after them.

  “Complimenting them will only make them keep doing it.” Bella pressed against his side. “So what can I do to convince you to let me hear you sing?”

  Morgan stared into her eyes and wondered if he would be able to resist her. Stupid man, why wouldn’t you want to give in to her?

  * * * *

  Bella parked her dark cherry Honda Pilot in Morgan’s driveway and got out. She paused by the open doorway and pulled out her cell. Checking her messages, she grinned at the last one she’d received from Morgan—that he was looking forward to their date. They had exchanged a few texts throughout the day and when she got one, the giddiness at receiving it should have made her feel silly. But it didn’t and she couldn’t wait to see him. She closed the door before striding up the walkway as she admired his two-storey bungalow. She ascended the steps then went to the door before she pressed the bell. She waited, rocking back on the heels of her sneakers. The door opened and Bella tried to control herself from grabbing the sexy man and kissing him senseless.

  Morgan had kept true to his word and hadn’t kissed her yet. She wanted to see how he tasted. Instead of doing what she wanted, she decided to wait and glanced at his body, which was again covered in a T-shirt and jeans. This time the shirt was dark green and the jeans black. Like her, he had on sneakers.

  “Are you ready to tell me where we are going?” Morgan stepped close to her.

  “Uh-uh. It’s a surprise.” Bella touched his waist, tilting her head slightly to meet his gaze. “Are you ready?”

  “Want a tour of my house first?”

  “Another time.” Bella moved back. “I don’t want to be late or we’ll miss the best spots.”

  “Okay.” Morgan frowned then closed the door. “Spots. That doesn’t give me a clue of where we are going.”

  “I know.” She laughed and put her hand inside the crook of his arm. “Come on, my date. I’m about to dazzle you with a date not to be forgotten.”

  Morgan let her lead him down the steps then to her SUV. She opened his door and smiled when he looked at her.

  “My date, so I’m treating you like it.” She pushed at him firmly. “Get in.”

  “I—”

  “Hush. Get in, date.”

  “Bossy woman.” Morgan got in with a smile on his face.

  She went around the vehicle then got in. They were silent as she got them on their way. Bella turned onto the main street then glanced at him briefly.

  “Do you want to listen to some music?”

  Morgan nodded.

  “Take your pick. I have some CDs in the centre console.”

  He opened it and took out the CD book. He flipped through then said, “None of your own music?”

  “Nope.” She made a turn. “I listen to myself sing all the time. Love music of all sorts, so hopefully there is something there you might like.”

  He picked a CD and pushed it in. When the opening strains started, Bella smiled.

  “Reba is always a good choice.” She glanced at him again then back at the road. “So tell me, how was your day?”

  “No calls to investigate a fire.” Morgan placed his hands on his knees. “So that is always a good day. Just checking leads on my cases I already have open.”

  “Can you talk about them?”

  “No. They are still ongoing investigations.” Morgan shrugged then chuckled. “I did have something weird happen to me today. Someone taped a poster to my computer for when I arrived at work.” He touched her arm. “It was of you.”

  “Me?”

  “Of when you were ‘Bella’.” Morgan made a sound in his throat. “You’re different from how you looked in the poster. Almost like you had on a mask that made you become ‘Bella’ instead of the Bella I’m with now.”

  “You’re a very perceptive man. When you’re in the public eye and ‘on’ to be who people expect you to be, you become someone else. I kept some of me there but became ‘Bella’.”

  “Do you miss it?”

  “Nope.” Bella thought about
how to say what she was trying to formulate. “I had my time and loved every moment of it. The fans, industry and all that came along with it. But when I was ready to retire, I did, and haven’t looked back. I do, from time to time, lend my voice to others albums and writing songs, but other than that, I’m retired. And I do, from time to time, perform at my club.”

  “Next time you do, I want to see.”

  “You could just buy my music and listen to it.”

  “After I hear you sing live.” Morgan touched her arm again then leant back in the seat. “I can’t prove it, but I believe it was Keenan that did it.”

  “It probably was.” Bella chuckled. “Julianne and he came by the club after you left last night. I’m sure someone told them about you and I. And knowing my family, almost all of them, or if not all, already heard about you being at the club.”

  “Doesn’t it bother you that they’re all so in your business?” Morgan asked. He was used to being alone and not having to answer to anyone.

  “Nah. They are family and extended family, so I know if I tell them to back off they will. Well, some will and the others who don’t, I ignore and they get the hint eventually.” Bella smiled, thinking of her family and those they claimed as such. “They are a good bunch, even if there are some you don’t want anyone to know are related to you.”

  Morgan laughed. Bella knew, since he’d been around her family, he’d have heard the Lockes say the same thing. Someone telling someone to back off, the bickering or any other number of things families go through. Including someone saying they weren’t related to a family member as a tease. As she drove, she started sharing stories of the family. Morgan’s disbelief about whether her tales were true made her giggle and continue regaling him with stories of her family and friends.

  “No way your brother Sampson did that.”

  “He sure did.” Bella chuckled. “Don’t let that controlled exterior fool you. He has a devilish streak a mile wide.”

  “I’ll be damned. I would have never thought it.” Morgan pointed to the street. “Since we’re on this corner of Buchanan Avenue, I’m going to assume we’re going to Seaver Drive-in and Bowling for a film then possibly dinner after.”

  “You’re partially right.” Bella looked at the drive-in turn-off then continued and made the turn onto Walter Avenue before pulling into the lot in front of the bowling alley entrance and parking. “Let’s get our bowling on. Then after we can have dinner.”

  “You’re taking me bowling.” Morgan stared at her.

  “Yep. Come on, slowpoke. Let’s get our bowling on.”

  “How’d you know I love to bowl?” Morgan opened his door.

  “Had no idea. Just brought you to something I love to do and figured I’d convince you to love it too.” Bella grabbed her bowling bag from behind the passenger seat then got out of the vehicle, before she closed the door. They met at the hood of the car.

  “If I had known, I would have brought my ball and shoes.” Morgan slid his hand into his jeans pocket.

  “I’ll give you a handicap on the points since you don’t have your stuff.” Bella bumped her shoulder with his. “Also, how about a friendly wager? Winner gets to pick our next outing.”

  “I don’t need a handicap. And I accept your wager.” Morgan held out his hand.

  “Ohhh… I sense you’re competitive.” Bella shook it then held on. “I am too. And I will win.”

  “It’s on.” Morgan lowered their hands and led her towards the entrance of the bowling alley. “Get ready to weep when you lose.”

  “Hah. You wish, buddy. You’re the one who will be crying.” Bella jeered then leaned against him as they went inside.

  The bowling alley was spacious and very nicely designed. The lanes were not yet filled so she hurried them along so they could get a good lane. First, they stopped to get Morgan shoes from the counter before continuing. Along the way, she waved at the Seaver sisters who owned the drive-in and bowling alley. Morgan reached the lane she wanted and she joined him then sat to take out her shoes from her bag. Morgan retrieved them from her and knelt at her feet. He unlaced her sneakers and Bella stared at him, bemused.

  “What? I can take off and put on your shoes. Doesn’t mean you’ll beat me.” Morgan lifted her leg and slipped off her sneaker then placed her sock-clad foot on his thigh.

  Bella scrunched her toes along the denim of his jeans. Morgan stroked his hand down the back of her leg before he quickly put on her shoe then did the same with the other one. He rose and held out his hand. Bella stood but turned them and pushed him so he sat heavily in the chair.

  “My turn.” She knelt and pulled off his sneakers. She ran her hand along his big toe, which was covered by his sock.

  “Playing with my feet won’t make me go easy on you,” Morgan said in a deep voice above her head.

  “Like I need to do that.” She tugged on his toe. “I’m going to wipe the floor with you.” She finished removing his shoes and putting on the other ones before she stood again, holding out her hand.

  He accepted it and she watched him as he came to stand before her. Bella’s heart raced at the need in his gaze. She licked her lips and he followed the motion. Bella moved closer and he lowered his head until he was really close then stopped. She barely held back a whimper.

  “Another distraction.”

  “If you can’t kiss me and still win this game, that is on you,” Bella taunted, already imagining his lips on hers.

  “I can kiss you and win—”

  Yes. Hot damn! She held back her jump of joy.

  “But I won’t.” Morgan’s breath ghosted against her lips. “I’m going to anticipate kissing you later, after I’ve won.”

  “Since I’m going to win, I will be the one doing the kissing.”

  They stepped back and started to bowl. They heckled and teased each other as they played. Bella enjoyed seeing him that way and was already planning more times for them to have fun.

  Later as they walked up Morgan’s drive, Bella squeezed his hand in hers. They went up the steps and at the top, she released him and did a boxing stance, shuffling along the porch before putting up her hands in the air.

  “I’m the champion.” She did a dance away from him then came closer. “Admit it. Winner”—she pointed at herself—“right here.”

  “Gloating is so not nice.” Morgan strode to the front door.

  “You only say that because you’re not the one who is getting to gloat.” Bella continued to dance while coming to him.

  He opened the door and turned, leaning against the doorjamb, watching her. “Exactly. I wanted to be the one to win.” He pouted.

  “You almost did.” Bella laughed then walked to him. “That last strike took down a split and not many could have made the shot and knocked over the pins.”

  “You did it,” Morgan said.

  “I was lucky.” She stopped before him. “And I’m just that good.”

  “And modest, too.”

  “I can be modest on occasion. This isn’t one of them.” She leaned towards him and kissed him.

  Morgan put his hand on her waist and drew her close while he opened his lips. Bella pressed against him, stroking her tongue into his mouth. His taste burst across her tongue. The strawberry juice he’d had at dinner mixed with something she instinctively knew was him filled her senses. Morgan shifted and yanked her against his body. Bella moaned at the brush of his erection. Morgan again stroked his tongue in and out of her mouth and she clenched her pussy in time with each foray, imagining him taking her with the same thoroughness as he was kissing her.

  Bella pulled away, breathing hard, her head spinning from the lust coursing through her veins. She throbbed with need for him. Reluctantly, she moved away while in her head she called herself a fool for not pushing him inside and having him.

  “Have a great night.” Bella couldn’t resist kissing him briefly once more before stepping away. “I had a great time. Especially when I won.”

 
“Bella.” Morgan’s deepened voice made her stop.

  He moved towards her and she again thought predator. Morgan yanked her to him and kissed her thoroughly then released her before turning and going back to his open door.

  “I look forward to seeing what you have planned for our next date.” Morgan leaned on the doorway again, a small smile on his lips.

  Bella took a step towards him then forced herself to pivot and walk away. Moments later, in her vehicle, she pounded her hand on the steering wheel.

  “Stupid, stupid woman. Why didn’t you go inside and have sex with him?” Although she had said it, Bella knew why. She wasn’t built that way. Sex for sex’s sake wasn’t her style. She liked to get to know a man before she jumped into bed with him.

  “No matter what he said, I count the candy store, the club and now this as a date.” She smiled, already planning her seduction of Morgan.

  Chapter Three

  The doorbell rang and Bella went to answer but paused and rubbed her hand along her jeans. She pulled open the door then gulped as she took in Morgan, who was standing before her. Since it had got colder, he had a hat on, gloves, a wool coat and jeans. Although it had only been a few days since she’d last seen him, she’d missed him.

  “Come on in.” Bella moved back.

  “Thanks. When you gave me your address as Burrows Place, two-six-five-eight Locke Estates Two, I almost thought you meant the same area that Julianne lived, then I remembered she is in Locke Estate Four. I’ve been to her place, some of her other siblings, and your other cousins in Estate Three. Also went by her parents and yours, and the other aunt and uncles in Estate One.” Morgan looked behind him.

  “People mix up the places all the time.” Bella shrugged. “Usually I give careful directions, but I knew you had been to a few of the Estates before so I figured you’d find where I was at.”

  “Once I got which Estate you were on, I was able to find it. I’m always amazed at how your family property is set up similar to each other but unique in the houses and giving each other space from each other. I haven’t been to this part of your family property.” He focused on her, a slight grin on his face. “I see the pattern to how you all worked the set-up.”