She dared herself to close her eyes, to nap while in the sky so she would be prepared for the night ahead of her. Images left her in peace and she drifted off to sleep, awakening with the intercom announcing their arrival home.
———
Morgan arrived home, excited, yet full of dread, for the night she had ahead of her. She was extremely excited about finally getting to see the paintings that she’d heard so many stories about. It was rare that a man would go from that type of profession to the dark seclusion of an artist. She was excited to meet him.
She showered, dressed casually as Matt had told her to, even though most of the wardrobe was in hopes that Shane would stumble all over her feet at the sight of her. She dialed Matt’s number.
“Hello?” His sexy voice oozed through the phone lines.
“Hi. It’s Morgan.”
“Hiya. You ready for tonight? I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you doing this for me.”
“No problem. I’m curious to see Dan’s art.”
“Great. How about something to eat before we get there?”
He gave her a sexy laugh. She envisioned his surfer smile. “Sounds great. I’m ready when you are.”
She gave him directions and made her way out of the apartment, down to Jay’s. She barged in and found them eating dinner from the couch, the TV blaring MTV’s finest tunes.
“He’s on his way.”
Phil turned, taking in her outfit.
“You look great!”
She looked down at her mini-skirt and spiked heels complete with tight fitting white vee-neck blouse. “Don’t think it’s too revealing?”
Phil gave her a curious stare then turned back to his plate. “Didn’t you say Shane was going to be there? That outfit will make her eat her heart out.” He forked a mouthful of food into his mouth.
“Ooh. Delicious. We get to see him?” Jay asked, ignoring their conversation about Shane.
“Yep. And don’t go crazy either. I’m sure he’s married or taken, or something. The same as you.”
“Pfft. Phil doesn’t count.” He goosed Phil in the side and pecked a quick kiss on his cheek.
“You guys are too funny,” Morgan said, admiring their cute ways with each other, their devoted love to one another.
“Literally. What took you so long to figure it out?” Phil mumbled through his mouth full of food.
Morgan was standing at the window when she saw the Lincoln Navigator pull to the curb. She motioned for Jay and Phil to follow her outside. They practically shoved her through the lobby doors and out onto the sidewalk.
She scooted off to the side as soon as she cleared the door, pressing her shirt down, giving them both a harsh glare. “Excuse me. I think I’m the one going out?”
They ignored her and watched Matt slide around the large vehicle. His smile lit up his face as he saw her standing there. “Wow. Look at you.”
“Hi, Matt.” She gave him a bright smile, giggling at Jay and Phil’s open mouths. “These are my druggie friends. They’re high on crack right now. Forgive the drool.”
Matt’s gaze turned on her friends, taking in their gaping mouths, and gave them a schoolboy smile. He nodded at their stares, then strode toward Morgan. He stuck out his hand as if she were a princess, getting asked for the last dance. She watched his eyes twinkle before her and slid her fingers into his palm. He closed his fingers around hers and led her to the car door.
“Your friends seem cool.” Matt said while he edged away from the curb, his hand resting on the gear shifter.
“They’re a mess alright.” That was an understatement coming from a man who’d just watched two gay men literally frozen with drool dripping from the corners of their mouths … and never batted an eye at them, as if he’d seen it hundreds of times.
They pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant then walked inside. Matt asked for a table in the back, away from everyone. The waitress led them to a table, then left them to ponder the menus.
Morgan looked around the empty space, wondering why he would want the seclusion. Didn’t John tell him that she wasn’t interested in men? She tried to recall the conversation with him in her head, unable to remember it in depth. Surely he’d been told and didn’t assume this to be a real date. Morgan wanted to pinch herself now for not bringing it up, letting him know he didn’t stand a chance, no matter how luscious his body was.
Matt tossed the menu on the table and cupped his hands together under his chin, elbows resting on the table. “Morgan, John said I could trust you.”
She tensed and shifted in her seat. “Of course.”
“Do you know anything about Dan?”
Morgan stared at him, flipping the pages of the computer screen in her mind with the research she’d done on him. “He’s a retired football player and now an artist. He used to own a gallery but closed it due to problems. He moved here from Chicago and continued his career as an artist. Now he’s opened the new gallery. He’s committed to painting football-related pictures.”
“And?”
“And. That’s all I know.”
Matt grinned at her, dipped his forehead to his cupped hands, and sighed. “Well, that’s not all.”
Morgan sensed a big whopping story coming up, something that was going to blow her mind. She straightened and waited.
Matt lifted his head. “He’s gay.”
Morgan felt a gush of warmth wash over her. She was ecstatic to know this man was “family.”
“That’s awesome.” She smiled back at Matt. “John never told me.”
“That’s because no one is supposed to know. Dan’s my partner.” His eyes took on a hazed glare. “I run his gallery.”
The whole whopping story crashed into Morgan like an asteroid. She envisioned the buff body of a football player with this walking cover of a magazine … a shun waiting to happen. No wonder their relationship was so hush-hush. Football players were never gay, nor were they artists. It was a double whammy for this man, Matt’s lover.
“Oh.” Morgan heard the unsurprised tone of her voice.
“You don’t act that surprised.” Matt leaned against the back of his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Well, to be honest, I am. I think what shocks me the most is how you were able to hide it so well.”
“Hiding it is not something I’m very happy about. But I love Dan. I’d do anything to uphold his reputation. But, after tonight, I’m done.”
“What!?”
“I can’t hide anymore. I’ve done it for five years … for him. It’s time to start my own life and stop living through his. When the party’s over, so are Matt and Dan.”
Morgan gasped and leaned closer to him. “You can’t do that to him.”
That beautiful surfer smile broke across his face. “He’ll be just fine. He’s a tough one.”
“You have to talk to him, give him a chance to make that decision on his own.”
“He’s already made his decision, for five years to be exact. He’s hid our relationship from everyone. He doesn’t want people to know, and I fully understand.”
Morgan leaned back, staring around the empty room. “He still deserves a chance to make that decision. It’s not fair for you to do that to him.”
The waitress arrived, took their order and scurried away.
“Thank you.” Morgan blurted to end the silence that formed around them.
“What for?”
“For telling me the truth … for sharing that with me.”
“Well, it’s the least I could do after you’ve agreed to be my date tonight. Thank you, by the way.”
“Speaking of which, do you do this often? Meaning, find a date to cover your truth.”
“Yes. Anytime there’s a big to do going on, I find a woman to waltz on my arm for show and parade around the room as if she’s the best thing that ever popped into my life.”
An image of walking through the room wrapped in his luscious arms, flashed through Morga
n’s mind. The sight of Shane staring wide-eyed at her fell behind it.
Morgan grinned. “I’m game for that. I have someone I’d like to aggravate tonight as well.”
“Oh, really?” He leaned in, curiosity glistening in his eyes. “So you’ll be making someone jealous while I’m hiding the truth?” A smile broke across his face revealing those perfect white teeth. “Sounds like fun.”
“You game? Maybe we can make Dan just as jealous, have him throw his career to the wind for you.”
Matt laughed. Cute dimples deepened on his face. “That’ll be the day.”
“I think tonight’s going to be a great night for both of us.”
They ate their dinner in silence, plans churning in their minds, getting ready for the night they both had ahead of them.
An hour later, they arrived in the parking lot of the gallery. They stood staring at the white brick building then looked back at each other.
“You ready for show and tell?” Matt asked then extended his hand out to her.
“Hell yeah.” She slid her fingers into his with ease, ready to turn all heads when she entered the room. “Let’s do it.”
He gave her a knowing smile then pulled her through the door. The crowd swallowed them as they breezed through, stopping to ogle the paintings sitting about the room. Football was this man’s life. It showed through every painting. He loved this sport like he loved no other, possibly more than his lover. Tonight would show that truth.
Chapter Seventeen
Shane watched the gorgeous man’s fingers entwined with Morgan’s, feeling a fist grip her gut. Shane gasped, unable to believe what she was seeing. Morgan … with a man?
Morgan’s long legs disappeared under a short jean mini-skirt. Shane wished her own hands were ducking under the fabric to encase a well-rounded ass. The white shirt wrapped her body like Saran Wrap, showing every curve of her breasts. Cleavage screamed for her tongue.
Shane stared as the man’s arm encircled Morgan’s waist, pulling her tight against him. Her breath caught in her chest while Morgan turned those beautiful blue eyes up to meet his, smiling her sweet smile.
Shane ripped her gaze from them, turning to stare at Teresa. She wore a wicked smile on her face.
“What!?” Shane yelled at her.
“You don’t have to tell me who Morgan is. The look on your face shows every emotion.”
Shane only glared at her, anger seeping through every pore of her body. “So what? I don’t give a shit what she does.”
“I’m thinking that two can play at this game. She doesn’t know I’m your sister.” Teresa winked at her, a smile breaking across her face.
Shane stared down at her then turned back to Morgan just in time to see her head fall back with laugher, her blonde curls cascading down that delicate back.
Shane pushed back the impulse to dart across the floor, grab those locks of curls in her grasp and ram her tongue down Morgan’s throat.
Scott bounced up, tearing her from her heated thoughts. “This party sucks. They need a dance floor and loud thumping music so I can shake my ass.” He stared between Shane and Teresa, his eyes widening. “What? What the hell are you two up to?”
He followed their gaze to Morgan. “Ooh. She’s here. And damn at the hot ass she’s toting at her side. Bitable, edible … and gay as hell. I have to have a bite of that.” Scott turned to flee in their direction.
Shane’s hand whipped out to grab his arm. “What do you mean gay?”
Scott stared down at her hand, eyes widening, then eased his arm out of her grasp. “Chill, baby. Don’t leave marks. I bruise easy.”
“What do you mean, Scott?” Her voice rose another notch.
“Gay. You know, like screwing men, gay, like that. Helloooo! Did you forget what that means?”
“Hell no I didn’t forget what it means. How do you know that man is gay?” She tossed her head in Morgan’s direction.
“His shoes.” His lips pursed while he ogled the couple. “And I want to take them off. See ya!” He shoved away and darted for Morgan and the man.
Shane turned back to Teresa. A smile was plastered on her face, eyes full of mischief. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Yep. I’ll lead the way.”
Teresa grabbed Shane’s arm, as sisterly as she could, but hint at seduction. Shane felt like a pervert while she let Teresa lead her through the crowd, nearing Morgan.
Morgan turned with their approach, hatred plastered in her ocean eyes. Shane gave her a serious smile then turned her gaze down on Teresa. Teresa snuggled into her. Acid stung Shane’s throat at the thought of her very own sister all snuggled up with her. They breezed past Morgan as if she didn’t exist.
Shane heard Scott’s voice rise. “Don’t you just love football? It’s so hot. I watch it all the time.” The liar! He wouldn’t know football if one smashed his dick.
She heard the man’s seductive chuckle and knew right then and there … he was gay.
Morgan was playing games with her. She was happy to see she cared enough to play it, yet determined to play her end just as well. If Morgan wanted a game, she was more than willing to give her a run for her money.
Teresa pulled Shane into another room. “Wow! Did you see the look on her face? She could have killed me with her bare hands.
“Yep.” Shane felt an uncontrollable urge to rush back, toss Morgan over her shoulder, find a dark secluded place, then drive her fingers deep inside her and hear her screams of satisfaction.
“Step one complete.” Teresa dared a glance around the doorframe. “Ready for number two?”
Shane’s heart raced in her chest at the very thought of what her sister’s next move might be. Shane didn’t think she could take too much more snuggling with her very own sister. How gross.
———
Morgan stared at Shane’s retreating back. The blonde on her arm stared Morgan down, giving her the biggest “fuck you” look she’d ever been given. She gave her a perfect one in return.
She held herself back by tightening her grip on Matt’s arm. She saw herself yanking that woman’s hair out of her head … one fistful at a time.
Matt squeezed back and followed her gaze. He gave her a knowing look attached with a wink.
“I love football.” Scott interrupted her thoughts. She turned back to stare at him, open-mouthed. The liar! Maybe the football players posing in their briefs. She stared at him as if he was some alien from outer space then heard Matt’s seductive chuckle. Uh-oh! Please tell me that was not two men making a connection.
Matt shifted his weight to another foot and his gaze fell to her. She gave him a tiny glare. His eyes widened.
“Can you go get me something to drink, babe? Crown and Coke?” She rubbed his arm for show.
“Sure.” He gave her a puzzled look, nodded his head at Scott with a smile, then walked away.
Morgan turned her attention on Scott. “Still want to cut my hair off?”
His eyes were glued on Matt’s retreating ass. He tore his gaze away and stared at her, a cute boyish grin stole across his face. “Maybe. I told you not to hurt her.”
“I didn’t. She’s the one that played a mean game, not me.”
“Sort of like the one you’re playing now?”
Morgan gasped. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, come on! That man’s gay as a three-dollar bill, yet you’re strutting around here like a grand-prize winner.”
Morgan’s face heated. She wanted to tell him it was a lie, but knew she couldn’t fool a gay man with their inner radar for other gay men. She was trapped.
“So, my question is, are you doing this for Shane’s sake? Or are you both doing it for someone else’s?” Scott gave her a serious look and crossed his arms over his chest.
Morgan watched Matt take the drink from the bartender and turn back in their direction. “Both. And besides, Shane has her own date for tonight.”
Scott tore her attention from Matt wit
h a loud piercing laugh. “That’s her sister!”
Recognition washed over Morgan. Those eyes. The woman’s eyes had been green … twins to her sister’s. So Shane was playing the game too, and very well she had to add. A devious feeling spread through her veins.
“Will you please excuse me?” Morgan ducked away and cut Matt off. She took her drink from his hand, downed it and led him away from the crowd.
“Was that her? The tall one with the blonde?”
She tossed her empty plastic cup in a trash can against the wall then turned back to him. “Yes, but it’s her sister. She doesn’t know I know.”
“Ooh. Yummy.” His face contorted as if he smelled a skunk. “And how yucky!”
A man approached them. Morgan knew instantly it was Dan, Matt’s lover. His broad shoulders nudged against Matt’s. Matt turned toward him. Love flashed in his eyes and was gone with a sizzling pop. Morgan felt for him. He loved a man that loved his career more than anything in the world.
“Who’s your gorgeous date?” Dan turned piercing brown eyes on her.
“I’m Morgan.” She stuck out her hand. Big burly fingers inched in her direction. He clamped his hand around hers with a tad bit too much strength for a lady, then dropped it. She could see anger gripped in his eyes.
“Are you going to come and join me tonight?” He turned brown eyes on Matt, his jaw clamped down hard.
“Dan, as a matter of fact, I’m having way too much fun with Morgan. I think I’ll hang out with her tonight. I’m sure you have everything under control.” He gave Dan a determined stare.
Dan’s chiseled jaw hardened even more. His eyes glazed over with anger. Morgan feared he would unleash that anger on Matt. She envisioned a gory mess at the hands of this huge man.
Dan gave Morgan a hardened stare then stomped away.
“Holy shit!” Morgan watched the beefy man retreat. “He’s huge.”
“Yep. And strong as an ox. Makes my heart go pitty-pat.”
Morgan gave him a sweet smile, warmth spreading over her. “Go with him. He wants you by his side.”
“I don’t care. I’m tired of being hid. If he doesn’t love me enough to show me to the world, then I’ll find someone who will.”
In the Eyes of Love Page 14