Protective: Legatum - Book 1

by Sylvian, LuLu M

  She stepped into her apartment and froze.

  “Well, go on in,” Morgan said, stepping in behind her.

  “Morgan, how?” Honey walked into her living room, dropping her purse on the floor next to the couch. Sitting on top of the TV stand was a new, large-screen television of a slightly better make and model than the one she had had. She walked around it in disbelief. Cables connected a new DVD player. A small stack of new, unopened DVDs sat on the stand in front of the player. “Oh, wow, this is amazing.” She glanced up at Morgan, a large toothy grin spread across his face.

  “I took care of a few extra things while I was here today,” Morgan explained.

  “How can you afford this?” She shook her head. “Never mind, I will pay you back. I promise. It’s going to take me a while, but I will.”

  “It’s a gift, Honey. You don’t have to pay me back.”

  “No, Morgan. That’s an expensive TV. I remember from when I got mine. I’ll pay you back. And the DVD player too.”

  “No, really. It’s okay. You don’t have to pay me back.”

  “I insist. Bryce would do things like buy me expensive gifts then threaten to take them back. I don’t want to feel like that could happen here.”

  “I’m not Bryce,” Morgan said, his voice low.

  Honey turned to him. “I know you aren’t, and no offense, really, but I need to pay for this or I can’t accept it.” Honey swallowed. “He came in the shop today.”

  Morgan stopped moving, his eyes narrowed at her comment. “Why? What did he want?” His voice was a growl. “There’s no reason for him to be in town. He’s not needed at the job site.”

  “I don’t know, but he said stuff about taking me back and how he’s now got a big screen TV. Almost makes me wonder…”

  “If he had anything to do with your burglary.” Morgan finished the thought.

  “Yeah but he’s just…” Honey began.

  “No.” Morgan bit. “He’s arrogant, volatile, and stupid. That’s a dangerous combination. Why is he even in town?”

  “Oh, he probably thinks he’s some kind of hero for the client. Last time he said something about being man-on-the-scene because someone was missing.” Honey gasped, covering her mouth in realization. “That was you!”

  Morgan nodded, his expression grave. “Maplecourt is a number cruncher. There is no reason for him to be at my job site. Look, Honey, I don’t want you talking to him. Just walk away. Never let yourself be alone with him.”

  “That’s not going to be a problem. Lana told him his money is not welcome at The Corner and to not come back.”

  “I knew I liked Lana for a reason.” Morgan held out the stack of new DVDs. “Maybe this will cheer you up. I noticed the movie we watched the other night was missing, so I got you a new one. Plus some other movies that seemed to be missing from your collection.”

  Honey flipped through the stack of movies. She held one of the DVDs up. It featured a scantily clad woman bedecked with firearms being chased by a zombie horde. “I’ve been meaning to get this one—” She held up another DVD “—and this one. How did you know?”

  “I sorted and organized your entire DVD collection this morning. Based on what you had here, I figured there were a few missing. Like you had all of the Evil Zombie Wars except the most recent one. Reason and deduction.” Morgan tapped his temple.

  “Thanks, Sherlock. But really this is too much.” She indicated the TV. Inwardly, she loved it. She was thrilled to have a replacement television so quickly, but the cost of it and figuring how to pay Morgan back twenty dollars at a time made her stomach twist into knots.

  Morgan grinned at her. “Hey, come see the kitchen. That took a while, but I think you’ll find everything in a logical place.”

  Honey stopped in the kitchen doorway. A brand new, cobalt blue, KitchenAid mixer sat on the counter next to a new Keurig single-serve coffee maker.

  She turned to face him. “Morgan, you didn’t.” He stepped in behind her. She had to tilt her head to look into his eyes. It wouldn’t take much to lift up on the toes and kiss him. “I will pay you back for everything.” Her voice almost a whisper. “I promise.”

  “Okay, Honey, I’ll let you pay me back.” His smile dazzled her. “But not for the movies.” He dipped his face closer to hers and held up a small box. “And not for this.”

  Honey looked at him quizzically. She slowly opened the box, uncertain what to expect.

  “I couldn’t find your pendant this morning. It wasn’t on the cat when I woke up.”

  She tipped the contents of the box into her hand. A thin gold chain dangled from Honey’s fingers. A small, round, gold pendant hung from the chain. Honey placed the pendant in her palm. A wolf paw print was etched into one side. She flipped it over and saw engraved on the back Protetta.

  “It means protected. It was the best I could do in the limited time I had.”

  Tears stung Honey’s eyes.

  Morgan took the chain from her and clasped it around her neck. “We can work out a payment plan over dinner that will make you happy and not eat up your whole paycheck. The movies and the necklace are a gift.”

  “Hmmm, dinner. Is that what I smell?” She stepped away quickly, suddenly shy. She wanted to kiss him, yet she didn’t want him to think her desire was only in response to his gifts.

  “No.” Morgan chuckled. He showed her the small pot where he had been simmering cinnamon. “It’s a trick my mother taught me. She said it makes coming home more welcoming. I wanted you to feel comfortable in here after what happened.”

  “It worked.” She smiled. “I think I might like your mother, Morgan.”

  Morgan’s smile dimmed in brightness. “She would have like you. She died about twelve years ago.”

  “I’m so sorry, Morgan.” Honey felt like a fool. She hadn’t known.

  “It’s all right. She was a remarkable woman. My sister Carol is very much like her. I’m sure you’ll like her when you meet her.” He stepped out of the kitchen, directing Honey to follow. “Now, dinner. I believe I owe you a nice meal out at an Indian restaurant. Shall we?”

  17

  Honey felt secure and comfortable in Morgan’s warm embrace. But it felt too platonic. The past few nights had been entirely too stressful, and she was more than happy he had been with her to help her cope. But now that everything had calmed down and they were watching TV, it was…well…too calm. He was being a perfect gentleman. Not a stray touch, not a lean too close. The only reason his arm wrapped around her shoulder now was because she had placed it there.

  The movie did not engage her mentally-exhausted mind. This was not what she wanted to be doing. She absentmindedly played with her new pendant. “I’m gonna go to bed.” She pushed up off the couch. “Can you stay? I feel safer with you here.”

  “Of course.”

  She heard him shift on the couch, ready for a long-term lounge. Honey closed the bedroom door behind her. She looked at her bed, then she glared at the door. Yes, she felt safer with Morgan here, but he wasn’t in here with her. He sat out there on the couch. She opened the door “Morgan? Do you like me?”

  He pivoted his head to look at her “Yes, Honey, I do like you.”

  She pulled her shirt off over her head, revealing the lacy red bra she had been wearing just for him. Last night it had been a blue set. She wasn’t going to let another night go by without her sexy underwear serving its purpose. She really didn’t want her bikini wax to go to waste either. “Then what are you doing on the couch?” She turned and took three steps into her room and turned to the door. She heard a thump and a step then Morgan filled the door.

  She looked at him. His expression was unreadable. His eyes appeared to glow amber. The nerves vibrated in her lower abdomen then spread across her skin giving her a brief flutter of excitement.

  Morgan took one long stride then wrapped her in his arms. His mouth claimed hers in a possessive kiss. His arms crushed her against his chest. She shifted her arms so that she
could wind them around him. With one hand on the back of her neck, he slid the other to cup her butt. He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around him. Honey wound her arms around Morgan’s head, consuming his kisses and hungrily pressing against him.

  He backed up and sat on the edge of the bed. Honey molded herself around him, but she could feel his balance was off. She broke the kiss and stood up, her eyes locked with his. He lightly stroked his fingertips across the swell of her breasts. His fingers were rough from labor and so hot her skin felt as if he lit her on fire. She dropped her jeans exposing matching red panties with lace panels and straddled his lap. Morgan drew in his breath with an appreciative hiss. He folded her into his embrace and gathered her to him. His lips sought her out. He unhooked her bra and she pulled it off without breaking their kiss. With one hand on her back, the other found her bare breasts. His fingers instantly going to a nipple, rolling it between his fingers. Honey lifted on her knees and rocked her hips as Morgan tugged on her nipple and sucked on her tongue. His lips left hers and he scraped his teeth along her chin. He trailed kisses down her neck and along her collarbone. His mouth found her breast. He kissed and licked and teased her flesh.

  Honey let out a groan of satisfaction. This is what she had been longing for ever since she had fallen for him, ever since that kiss. Morgan scooped a hand between her and the thin fabric of her panties, caressing her ass. His hand moved and he ran fingers over the thin fabric covering her sex. She inhaled sharply. His thumb drew circles around her sensitive peak. Honey grasped his shoulders for support and rocked against his hand. He continued to tease her breasts with his tongue. Moving the thin fabric to the side, his fingers caressed her entrance, already wet with desire. She moaned with longing as he slowly slid two long fingers into her. She lifted slightly on her knees before sinking down onto his hand. She grabbed his hair tilting his head back so she could find his mouth with hers.

  Morgan pumped with his fingers, and Honey ground her hips in time to his rhythmic massage. She sucked on his tongue, trying to take as much of him into her as she could. Honey felt on fire. Morgan’s touch burned, it was so hot, but she wanted more, she needed him touching her. Her soft moans began coming in rhythmic gasps as she reached her climax. She clamped down on Morgan’s fingers with internal convulsions. She slowed her thrusts as her internal muscles took over, all thought beyond getting Morgan inside of her gone.

  Agonizingly slow, with Honey vibrating with erotic shivers, Morgan slid his fingers from her. She rolled to the side so she lay on the bed. She pulled the sex-soaked panties off, flinging them away from her.

  Honey pushed herself back and away from the edge of the bed, so that her head rested against the pillows against the wall. She panted. She needed more. She needed Morgan inside of her. “I need you.” Her voice was husky with want and need.

  He stood. In hurried motions, he kicked off his boots and unbuttoned his shirt simultaneously.

  In one fluid sweep, he removed his jeans and shorts.

  Honey was breathless with desire. Seeing Morgan aroused for the first time was as thrilling as his kisses. His arms bulged with muscle. His chest was broad, pectoral muscles visible under a covering of curling, black, chest hair—hair that tapered down below his navel to spread thick again around his manhood. His narrow waist rippled with perfectly defined abs. His legs were long, and his thighs thick and strong. Honey took it all in savoring his erection last. Like him, it was long and appeared strong, as if it too bulged with muscle.

  And it was trained on her like a homing arrow.

  Morgan searched his jeans pockets. He pulled out a single foil square from his wallet.

  “Fuck!”

  “That’s the point, Morgan. I need you to fuck me. Now.”

  He looked up at her, “I only have one condom.”

  She practically cried with need. “Well, hurry up and put it on. We can get more later.”

  Morgan rolled the condom down his length then crawled on the bed towards her.

  Honey grabbed at him. He couldn’t come close fast enough.

  When he was above her, she wrapped her legs around his back pulling her hips up to his. His tip teased her folds, swollen with need. Without any more preamble, Morgan drove into her. Honey gasped loudly and joyously. Her frenzied need of him pushed him to the edge of his control. Morgan consciously slowed his rhythm. Purposefully stopping to focus on her breasts again, sucking and laving her nipples.

  Morgan slowly pushed into her and held his hips against her. Honey frantic with need continued to rock against him. “Why did you stop?” she panted.

  “One condom,” he said, pushing up on his arms to gaze down at her. She ran her hands down his chest and stomach to where they were joined. She toyed with the curling hairs about his shaft. Slowly, he pulled back. She stroked the sides of his thick anatomy as he unsheathed partially. Morgan growled deep in his throat. “Want to make this last. That’s not going to happen if you do that.”

  Honey smiled wickedly at him then moved her fingers back up his chest. Morgan drove back into her and began sliding in and out with a slow tantalizing rhythm.

  Honey gave up trying to focus and grabbed his arms as she came around him again. Her spasms were too much for Morgan to handle. His hips moved faster, replacing the slow pace with a hurried pounding. His own orgasm burst forth. Together they moaned in ecstatic bliss.

  After a few moments to catch his breath, Morgan rolled onto his back, bringing Honey with him so she lay across his chest.

  She traced her fingers across his strong jaw and teased his lips.

  “What took you so long to come to me?”

  “What do you mean?” He stroked his fingers up and down her spine.

  “You’ve spent the last two night holding me and sleeping on my couch without making one single move, barely even a hug.”

  “I didn’t want to take advantage of you. You needed compassion, not passion.”

  “And tonight?”

  “I was clearly being a fool. I am so glad you set me straight.” He wrapped a curl of her hair around his finger. “I’ve wanted to touch you for so long.”

  “I’m so glad you got the hint.”

  Morgan gathered her close for a kiss. It was gentle and giving, not like the all-consuming kisses they’d shared during their lovemaking.

  Honey, spent, laid her head against Morgan. She felt the rise and fall of his chest as his breathing calmed. Comfort and contentment lulled Honey to sleep.

  *

  Morgan sat on the edge of the bed, his jeans were around his waist but not yet buttoned. He bent over to tie his work boots. Honey groggily draped across his back. “You aren’t leaving, are you? I thought you said you could stay.” There was a touch of hurt in her voice.

  Morgan picked up her hand and kissed her palm before turning to face her. He brushed the hair from her face “Condoms. I’m going out for condoms. Now that I’ve had you, I need more.” He leaned down and claimed her mouth. The kiss was full of need and desire.

  “There’s a 7-11 on Lighthouse. My keys are on the hook. Don’t keep me waiting.” she sighed, “You’ve given me ideas.”

  Morgan leaned in for another prolonged kiss then left.

  *

  Honey wanted to throw the alarm clock across the room when it startled them awake the next morning, but she couldn’t reach it to smash it into silence. Morgan blindly hit at the clock until the annoying jangling stopped. She and Morgan had gotten very little sleep the night before. She started to roll out of bed. Morgan threw a strong arm over her and dragged her back against his chest. He began nuzzling her neck. “Where do you think you are going?”

  “You know—work. I have to open.” She squirmed trying to escape his hold.

  “Keep moving like that and you won’t be going anywhere for a while.”

  Honey pushed her hips back and ground her ass into Morgan’s leg. “Promise?”

  Morgan flipped her over and found her mouth with his. His tongue plunged bet
ween her lips, seeking to bury as much of him in her as he could. He knocked the alarm clock off the bedside table in his blind search for a foil pack.

  “Damn.” He broke the kiss and leaned over the side of the bed. The paperboard box of condoms had been shredded in last night’s hurry to access the contents. Foil wrappers were strewn everywhere. Some were open, others had been tossed aside for not opening fast enough. Morgan found one, ripped it open with his teeth. In one swift motion, he sheathed himself then buried his cock to its hilt in Honey. She gasped with the suddenness of it but physically was more than ready to accept him.

  Once Morgan started touching Honey, she felt like a drug addict craving her next fix. She had to have all of him at once. An entire night of Morgan and she still felt frantic with first-time need. Honey rocked against Morgan as he pounded into her. This morning wasn’t about touching and exploring so much as confirming they needed each other. Morgan’s orgasm seized his actions first. He stopped buried deep within Honey. She continued to pump against him as he held against her. Her orgasm followed shortly thereafter, clenching down on Morgan and making her head spin.

  “Oh, wow. I am not going to be able to function today.” Honey rolled out of bed. Morgan collapsed across the space she abandoned. He groaned.

  “Don’t you have to go to work?”

  “Yeah, but they don’t expect me until later.” Morgan made himself comfortable against the pillows.

  Honey squinted in mock anger at him “Bastard.” Morgan grinned, exposing all of his perfect white teeth. They gleamed against his tanned face.

  “You can stay, but you’re buying me lunch later.”

  Her legs wobbled under her as she made her way to the shower.

  *

  “Honey! Honey, Did you hear me? You have a call. Someone wants to ask about gallery space.”

  Honey blinked. Joyce’s friendly face swam into view.

  “Oh, right, phone. Thanks.”

  Honey couldn’t focus. Her mind kept wandering back to the hours of bliss she’d spent in Morgan’s arms the night before.

  She hung up the phone then stared at it. She had no idea what she had just agreed to. Someone wanted to show her their work, hoping for a gallery showing. Honey couldn’t remember the artist’s name or even when she said she could meet them. She shook her head. They would show up when they showed up. She would have to wing it.