In the Eyes of Love

by Sheri Livingston

  His tone ended the conversation. Morgan gave him an empathetic smile and turned her attention back to Scott. He was looking over the football paintings as if he’d found his long lost love.

  “Scott knows you’re gay.”

  “I know. Takes one to know one … as the old saying goes.”

  She giggled at him.

  “So. What now? Ready for show and tell with that hunky woman with her sister on her arm.” He opened his mouth and stuck his finger inside. “Gag!”

  She grabbed his hand and took off in the direction Shane and her sister had taken. She found them in another room. Her sister’s arm shot out to grab Shane’s. Morgan gave her a stare then smiled.

  Matt pulled her into his side and slowed their pace. “Would you like me to take you to a football game one day? You’d look breathtaking with a jersey and ball cap.”

  “Ooh, yes. I’d love that, Matt.” She snaked her arm around his waist.

  “And then when the game’s over, I’m sure you’d look even more spectacular in nothing but a jersey and ball cap.”

  Morgan cuddled into him as Shane’s head whipped around toward them. She darted her gaze away, not wanting Shane to see she was watching. She let her hand fall to his ass then dipped her fingers into the pockets of his designer jeans. This is not much different from a woman. Just don’t look at the bulge between his legs and you’ll never know the difference. Come on, Morgan. Play your game, baby.

  She dared a glance over her shoulder. Shane was grinning at her … not a care in the world. She yanked her gaze back. Was that mocking in her eyes? Did she know that Matt was gay? Was Morgan making a total fool of herself?

  They circled the room. Shane and her sister were standing arm in arm against the wall, staring at each other.

  As they approached them, Shane’s sister leaned to whisper something to Shane. Shane threw her head back and let out a fake laugh then turned her smiling face on Morgan. Morgan gave her a glare then tugged Matt out of the room.

  ———

  Shane watched Morgan duck out of the room. She’d never had so much self control. She wanted nothing more than to hear Morgan scream with pleasure, again and again.

  “That’s enough. You’re grossing me out.” Shane let loose her sister’s arm and turned to stare at her.

  “Yeah. Besides, she didn’t seem to give a shit anyway. You might be fighting a losing battle, oh dearest sister.”

  Shane knew exactly what she was talking about. She’d noticed it too. “I agree. It was almost as if she knew.” They glared at each other, eyes squinting. “Scott!”

  They both laughed, both completely embarrassed. “Shit. Now what? I’ve just come off as the biggest pervert in the world.”

  “I’d say.” Teresa dared a glance around the corner. “However, if you play your cards right, you’ll get a chance to get her alone. She’s heading to the bathroom.”

  Shane eased around her sister and watched Morgan’s curls bounce around her head while she strolled down the hall. Her ass twitched in her tight mini-skirt, begging for Shane’s attention.

  Shane eased out of the room and followed Morgan down the hall. Morgan turned into the bathroom. Shane stopped outside the door, sucked in a long breath, blew it out in a steady stream, and then pushed open the door.

  The door creaked, echoing around the blue tiled walls. Morgan was leaned over the sink, water spilling over her hands. She glanced into the mirror above her and caught the sight of Shane. Anger shot smoothly across her face while she diverted her gaze back to the water.

  “Having a good time, Shane?”

  “Grand time. And you?”

  “I’m having the time of my life.”

  Shane smiled at her back, knowing she was lying, hearing the lie in every word. “That’s great. And your gay boyfriend?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Is he having a good time, too?”

  Morgan’s head whipped around, hands dripping water. “My what?”

  As if a magnet had been turned on, she felt the force pulling her to Morgan, watching those eyes widen the closer she got. “Your gay boyfriend.”

  Anger quickly replaced Morgan’s confusion. She turned back to the sink, popped the handle down, and yanked a paper towel from the holder. With a slow, casual turn in Shane’s direction, she smacked the paper roughly between her hands, then tossed it in the trashcan by the counter. “Well, it’s better than waltzing around with your sister on your arm. How gross is that?”

  Shane watched Morgan’s lips move with every word, not hearing one syllable. White teeth gritted tight together, begging Shane to pry them apart with her tongue. She stopped within a foot of Morgan. Morgan’s chest heaved, pushing those breasts closer to Shane. Her gaze fell to them on their own accord.

  Morgan followed her gaze then looked back up at Shane. “What’s wrong? Didn’t get enough of them the first two times?”

  Shane felt the smile lift the corners of her mouth. “As a matter of fact, no, I didn’t.”

  Morgan stiffened against the counter. Shane had rendered her speechless. That was a good thing. Words weren’t what she wanted to hear anyway. Screams, pants, moans and groans, were the only things she wanted to hear escape those lips.

  A thought came to Shane. Why was Morgan being so cold? After all those messages she’d left? Why would she be so cold now? Shane had told her how sorry she was and how it was okay if she wanted Dawn back … no hard feelings.

  Shane looked at her curiously. “Did you get any of my messages?”

  Morgan’s smile slid back across her lips. Shane felt an urge to grab her, drag her into a stall and plunge her fingers to the palm inside her. She stilled the impulse and watched a serious look spread over Morgan’s face.

  “Nope. Glad I didn’t. You don’t have anything to say that I’d want to hear.” She turned and started around Shane.

  “I have a whole lot to say, and you will hear it, whether you like it or not.”

  Shane grabbed her hand. Morgan yanked it back. “Take your fucking hands off me,” she said through gritted teeth.

  Shane bit her lip, wanting to tell Morgan when she got them on her, Morgan would never want them off her again, but instead, she moved toward Morgan, trying to quiet her words. “We need to talk, Morgan.”

  Morgan’s eyes filled with rage. She leaned her face within inches of Shane’s. “And I told you. I don’t want to hear anything you have to say. You make me sick.”

  Morgan’s breath blew into Shane’s. Liquor stung her nose. Those perfect pink lips, only a breath away. Morgan leaned back, stood straight and tall, and held her ground, arms crossing over those rounded breasts in her tight-fitting shirt.

  “Get out of my way, Shane. And stay the hell away from me.”

  “We need to talk, Morgan. I have some explaining to do.”

  “You don’t hear very well do you?” Morgan’s teeth were gritted so tight Shane feared they might crack.

  “You’re going to listen to me dammit.”

  Morgan’s free hand was in motion before Shane could blink. She threw her head back to dodge the blow. Morgan’s open palm slapped the side of her head instead. Her hands were slapping and flailing everywhere, a wildcat unleashed. Shane grabbed at them, missing, grabbing again.

  Morgan’s face was contorted in obvious hatred, eyes blazing with fire. “Stop it, Morgan.”

  Shane managed to grab the hand pulling at her hair. “You make me sick!” Morgan screamed at her.

  Another hand captured. Shane held both of them in her tight grasp and pushed Morgan’s back against the counter. “Just listen to me.”

  “Get … your fucking hands … off me.”

  “When you hear what I have to say, I will.”

  Morgan’s blond hair, tangled around her face, stopped Shane from another syllable. Those fiery blue eyes stared at her with more hatred than she knew Morgan could possess, with a heart so sweet and kind. Her breath ragged, heaving her chest. Shane stepped into Morgan, pinning her fully again
st the counter. She begged her mind to get control over her body, to stop what she was about to do. Neither listened.

  She leaned down, watching Morgan’s eyes round in surprise, and pressed her lips to Morgan’s, feeling a soft moan rumble inside her. Heat burrowed between her legs.

  Pain shot through her lip while sharp teeth bit down. She yanked her head back, releasing one of Morgan’s hands. She lifted a finger to her lip and brought back a bloody tip. She looked back at Morgan who had a satisfied look plastered on her face.

  “Do you feel better now?” She swiped the back of her hand across her lips.

  “Nope. I have more if you want. I left the pathetic Morgan at home. Sorry.” Morgan’s lips sneered wickedly at her.

  “You’re anything but pathetic.”

  The urge to clamp her lips back over Morgan’s came forward again, stopping when she saw blood on the back of her hand.

  “Will you please listen to me?”

  “What choice do I have? I’m pinned against a sink. Talk dammit. I can’t wait to hear what pitiful excuses you need to say to screw me again. All you had to do was say, “„Um, Morgan, all I want’s a piece of ass; then you can scurry on your way.’ I might have been more inclined to endure the bullshit.”

  Shane hung her head, remembering too well the harsh words she’d said to Morgan right before she fled in tears. “I’m sorry. I had my reasons. And if you’d listen, I’d tell you.”

  “Forget it, Shane. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

  “It matters to me.”

  Morgan’s eyes, blue as the ocean, looked back at Shane with that fiery glow disappearing. Her breath steadied. Her delicate wrists were still clamped in Shane’s grasp.

  Tell her you idiot. It’s your last chance.

  ———

  Dawn drove down the street, barely slowing to turn onto Morgan’s street. Determination is what carried her. Morgan was her target.

  She’d created a monster, a monster she wanted to feel tremble beneath her. She couldn’t get Morgan from her mind no matter what she did, no matter who she fucked. She had to have her; even it was the last time.

  She pulled along the curb and stumbled from the truck. A beer can landed on the street. She kicked it away and started toward the front door.

  Jay opened the door before she could turn the knob. “What do you want, Dawn?”

  “Stupid question coming from a stupid faggot. Get out of my way, twerp.” Dawn pushed past him and started up the stairs. She heard Jay’s door slam and darted up the remaining steps, knowing he’d be calling the cops.

  She slammed her fists against Morgan’s door. The gold doorknocker bounced under her strength. “Morgan!” She screamed, her voice echoing around the tiny hall. She rammed again, jolting pain through her knuckles. “Open the fucking door.”

  She kicked the door. “Get your ass out here.” She leaned her forehead against the door, heart screaming in her chest. “I love you, Morgan.”

  “She’s not here, Dawn, and the cops are on the way.” Phil, her other faggot friend, screamed up the hall. She moved away from the door and peered down the stairs at him.

  “And where exactly did she go?”

  “None of your fucking business.”

  Dawn started down the stairs. Now she would get her chance to beat his ass into a bloody mess. He’d learn to stay out of Morgan’s business once and for all. She was tired of all these people putting thoughts into Morgan’s head. If they’d leave her alone, she’d come back, where she belonged.

  “Yes, it is my fucking business.”

  A misstep sent her tumbling down the remaining steps. The last thing she heard was Phil’s laughter echoing around the room.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Morgan stared at Shane, heat licking her crotch, love sheltered in her heart for a woman she barely knew.

  Shane loosened her grip on Morgan’s wrists and stepped back. “It matters to me. I …”

  Morgan held her breath and watched confusion wash over Shane’s face. You what? Love me? Wanna fuck my brains out? What? Morgan screamed the questions in her head.

  “You what, Shane?” she calmly asked.

  Shane stepped forward, freezing every ounce of blood flowing through Morgan’s veins. She squeezed the edge of the counter with all her might while Shane’s mouth closed over hers.

  A burst of light flashed behind her closed lids while warmth spread down her arms and legs, burrowing between her legs. Why did she want this woman so bad? What force was behind this attraction?

  Shane slid her tongue into Morgan’s mouth with a soft moan. Morgan loosed her fingers from the counter, slid them to Shane’s face then wove them through her hair, pulling her deeper for the kiss. Shane’s hands snaked around her waist, pulling her tighter against her. Their tongues danced together, exploring each other again.

  Shane ended the sensual kiss and leaned her forehead against Morgan’s. “We really need to talk. I have so much to tell you.”

  Morgan only nodded, words escaping her mind. Only heat and desire remained.

  “Can we please get out of here?” Shane whispered.

  Again, Morgan nodded.

  Shane leaned back, staring down at her. “Are you sure?”

  “Shane, I’m mad, confused, and hurt … don’t give me a chance to change my mind.”

  Shane eyed her curiously then extended her hand. Morgan’s heart swelled then plummeted. Was this just another trick to get in her bed? Would she be fleeing Shane’s bed within an hour, her heart wrenched again? Was she willing to take that chance?

  She let her gaze fall to Shane’s fingers. A spark of light flashed before her eyes, bringing forth the image of those fingers stroking her to an orgasm, drive after drive, inch by inch. Fire slithered between her legs.

  She slid her fingers out and let them entwine in Shane’s. They slipped through the bathroom door and down the hall. Morgan spotted Matt in a deep conversation with Scott. His eyes rounded with amusement as Shane pulled Morgan near them.

  Morgan pulled her fingers from Shane’s and walked toward Matt. He turned to face her. A knowing smile lifted the corners of his lips.

  “Thanks for bringing me.” She nodded her head toward Shane. “We’re going to have a chat.”

  “I think that’s a great idea.” He leaned forward and gave her a tight squeeze.

  “Tell Dan how you feel. It’s not fair to him.” Morgan whispered in his ear.

  She felt his grin against her cheek. “I will. I promise.”

  She leaned back and gave him a wink. She turned and found Shane talking to her sister. Shane motioned her over with an outstretched hand. Morgan walked toward them, embarrassed at the devious look she’d given her sister.

  Shane slinked her fingers into Morgan’s. “This is my sister, Teresa. She flew in with me.”

  Gorgeous, happy green eyes stared back at her. “It’s nice to meet you, Morgan.” She turned back to Shane. “Scott’s taking me bar hopping after this. I’m sure we’ll crash at his place when he’s done flirting with every Tom, Dick, and Harry so I’ll just call you tomorrow.” Her eyes twinkled with the mischief.

  Shane nodded her head, smiled, then pulled Morgan across the floor and out the front doors.

  Cool night air wrapped around them, doing little to cool the burning embers inside Morgan. Her heart flew into her throat. Was this a mistake? Was she asking for trouble and more heartache by going with Shane? She wanted to stop, but the fire burning between her legs needed a fire extinguisher. Her fire needed Shane.

  They walked toward Shane’s truck with fingers entwined. Shane held the door open while Morgan lifted herself inside. When the door closed, a shiver shot down her spine. Goose bumps prickled her arms. She heard a faint voice and froze.

  Shane slid into the seat beside her and gave her a curious stare. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she lied, giving her a smile.

  She wasn’t okay. Something was wrong, but what, she didn’t know. The faint v
oice still tickled her ears, begging to be heard. She strained to hear the words. Nothing.

  ———

  Dawn awoke with a grunt to the blinding light over the hospital bed. Pain pierced the back of her skull like a knife. She squeezed her eyes together, filtering out the light, doing little for the pain.

  Someone moved from beside the bed. She opened her eyes, pain slicing her head, and turned toward the noise.

  “Hello, Dawn.” Rachel rose from her slouched position in the chair by the bed, a smirk painted on her mouth.

  Dawn rolled back over. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “Just making sure you’re okay.” Rachel walked around the foot of the bed. “To my disappointment … you are.”

  “Get the hell out of here, Rachel.”

  “Not until you promise you’ll leave Morgan alone. She’s tired of these games and she’s tired of you.” Rachel made her way to the other side of the bed and slammed her hand flat down on the pillow holding Dawn’s head. “Do I make myself clear, you ungrateful, undeserving, piece of shit?”

  Dawn flew to a sitting position, holding her head tight between the palms of her hands, pain shooting behind her eyes. “You fucking bitch! Get the hell out of here.”

  Hurried footsteps rushed down the hall and a nurse skidded into the room, looking between Rachel and Dawn. “What’s going on in here?”

  Dawn looked up at the nurse, taking in her perfect figure eight under blue scrubs. Her gaze rose and met a pair of sparkling blue eyes. “I’m sorry to cause trouble.”

  She snapped a look to Rachel. Rachel glared at her, no doubt trying to figure out how to kill her right where she stood.

  Dawn turned back to the nurse, ignoring Rachel, and smiled her magnetic smile. “She’s mad because I broke up with her. I’ve been trying to make her see its over.”

  Dawn saw Rachel’s mouth drop from the corner of her eye. She found the twinkle in the nurse’s eyes more amusing. She gave her a wink then watched a flush spread across her cheeks. A smile lifted the corners of her pretty mouth.

  “I think I’m gonna have to ask you to leave,” The nurse said to Rachel. “She has a concussion and needs to rest before she’s released.”