“Okay, since I'll be in the states, I'll pick something local...” She knew it would be another long flight home and she was already dreading it. Her next place would be warmer and a much shorter flight. “Hmm...what's warm in November.?” Morgan clicked on the map of the United States and scanned her options. Nearly every state on the map had blinking dots, so finding something shouldn't be a problem.
“California, that's warm!” She watched the little white cursor as it scrolled over to the west coast, then clicked on California. She was disappointed to only find two clients in the whole state. “
Let's see...Adam. Oh, no..no, no, no, no...” Adam looked like he had a badger on his head. “Lose the toupee, Adam! Doesn't work for ya!”
Moving on, she went to her second option. “Okay, Jeff, let's look at you. You're cute!” She made his picture larger. Tall, dark, handsome. “Perfect!” Morgan clicked on the button to confirm, but when she did, a yellow notice popped up, saying the form could not be completed.
Morgan remembered Julianne saying that it took one-two days for the system to refresh, so maybe he had taken himself off the database and it hadn't gone through completely. She exited the yellow screen with a sigh, then clicked on Florida.
“Wow! So Florida has all the hotties!” She scrolled through the list of fifteen men quickly, but one in particular caught her eye. Also, tall, dark and handsome. “Jake, eh? Well, Jake, it's going to be a pleasure to do you.” Morgan clicked on the man with the perfect smile and short, black spiked hair, then closed her laptop.
Her plans were complete, and so was her pizza. She'd go spend the week with Julianne, then she'd go to Florida. She'd always wanted to visit Miami.
Chapter Ten
Morgan had fallen asleep shortly after her man shopping, and only woke up long enough to open Julianne's message with the flight information for the following day. She turned her phone off shortly after, and went right back to sleep.
It was after midnight when Alrik finally joined her. He had checked on her hours earlier, and moved her to the middle of the bed and covered her before leaving. He and his uncle killed the time with several drinks and talk of how great they both thought Morgan was. Of course, all that talk of the girl, mixed with the fact that it was his last night with her, caused him to wake her when he finally got into bed.
For the first time that week, Alrik willingly let go of his need to control, and they enjoyed one another lovingly, and completely. It was nearly four in the morning when the couple was finally too exhausted to continue, and they held each other close as they drifted to sleep.
“You'll want to get up now.” Dag's voice was loud behind the closed bedroom door, and both of them sat up in bed. Alrik thanked him for the wake up call, and pulled Morgan back down beside him.
“No.... I wanna sleep all day.” Morgan whined into his chest and he pushed her hair from her face.
“As do I.” He kissed her forehead and held her close against his body. “We'll keep in touch, right?”
Fear? Was that what she heard in his voice? As she sat back up to look at him, her mind tried to answer that question. “I'd just like to know that you're alright. You're a special girl, Morgan, I care about you.” He answered her without even knowing it. He wasn't afraid, he was just a guy hoping that a girl liked him back. It was strange seeing that side of him, but endearing nonetheless.
“Absolutely. I'll give you my number before I leave.” She bent down and kissed him before leaving his bed for the last time. “My flight leaves at eleven and I need to get my things ready. Uh.. will you be working this morning, or...”
Alrik sat up and shook his head. “No! I plan to see you off myself. But I'll probably have to fight Uncle Felix for the final kiss goodbye.” They laughed and Morgan assured him that he would get the final kiss, but Felix was getting one as well.
He stayed in bed a few moments longer, listening to the shower and wondering how he could have grown so fond of her in such a short amount of time. It was the first time that he could understand what his uncle must have gone through. Not that Alrik was in love with Morgan, but with enough visits, he could see that it was more than possible. “I'm sorry, old man.” He spilled his apology to his empty room, and rubbed the sleep from eyes before getting up.
Thirty minutes later, Morgan joined the two men in the kitchen and was treated to Felix's perfectly scrambled eggs with cheese. Everyone was fairly quiet, that is, until Freddy came around and brushed up against Morgan's leg. “Well, are you going to bite me again, young man?” She stared at the cat and reached down slowly to pet him. His head went for her hand and he smashed against her with all of his might. “Who's my lover? Who is he?” She picked him up and plopped him on her lap. “Here, you'll like this.” She picked up a small piece of egg and put it front of him. Just as he had done with the chicken, he grabbed her hand with both paws and held her still while he took the food. That time, he didn't use his claws. “I think I'll actually miss you.” She kissed the top of his fluffy head and put him back on the floor.
It was quite a show for Alrik and Felix, but it was Dag that laughed out loud at the change in the big feline. “I can't believe it! She picked him up, and kissed him!” Everyone laughed at the butler's outburst, and it finally broke the ice on the near silence at the table.
“So, where are you heading next, my dear?” Felix slid his empty plate toward Dag and leaned back in his chair.
“I'm actually, going home.” She saw Alrik's face at the mention of home and she remembered telling him that she didn't have one. “My boss and I are going to have Thanksgiving dinner together..like a family.” Her smile and the overall happiness in her face cut through to the very soul of both of the men. How could someone so kind, and happy, have no one? They didn't understand, but both were glad that she was so happy to spend her Holiday with someone she obviously cared about.
Felix already knew that part, but he was wondering where her next client would be. He knew it was selfish, but he was hoping that she would head to California and maybe....just maybe..
“Then, I'm going to Florida for the week.” She shoved the last of her toast into her mouth and wiped the crumbs from her jeans as she stood. “I love the snow, but I think I'm ready for the sun again.” The men both agreed, warm weather would be welcome for everyone.
“You can relax, Dag will take care of packing your things and getting them in the car.” Morgan shook her head and smiled, she still had no idea how he seemed to know her every thought.
“He does that all the time, it's quite unnerving if you ask me.” Felix finished his coffee and laughed at Morgan's, I-totally-agree face. Then again, Felix had just done it as well. When she looked at him in realization that the two men shared the same talent, both of the men laughed loudly and Alrik pulled Morgan onto his lap.
The time, as always, seemed to fly by as the three of them continued talking while Dag got her things together. It was nearing the time that she would have to leave, and her sadness was beginning to be too difficult to hide. “I'm going to miss you guys.” Her pitiful tone brought Alrik's arms tightly around her waist, and he spoke to the back of her head.
“Don't be sad, we'll keep in touch and you're always welcome here...always.” He kissed her shoulder as he helped her stand.
Morgan excused herself, saying that she wanted to help Dag, but she really just needed a few moments to herself. She really would miss them, and the thought of leaving Felix with his broken heart was the most difficult part.
Morgan had always been the type of person to help people if she could, but helping Felix was far more important than the needs of most. A broken heart could never be forgotten or fixed on its own, and she knew then that she would do everything in her power to reunite them. She didn't care how much it would cost, or how far she would have to go, she wouldn't stop until she found Rose.
Alrik called her from the first floor and told her that they had to get going, so Dag carried all of her bag
s except for her carry on, and met the other two men by the front door. “I hate this part. I hate, hate, hate this part.” She put her head against the tall man's chest and let out a long sigh.
He pulled her against him and hugged her tightly. “You're a part of this family now, Morgan. I mean it, you come back whenever you want.” He smoothed her hair as he softly spoke the kind words.
She finally pulled herself away from him, and led the way to the car with Alrik, Felix, and Dag following close behind.
The trip to the airport was mostly quiet, with the exception of the men pointing out a few historic buildings along the way. Morgan's mind was too preoccupied with leaving to really appreciate what they were saying, but their voices were comforting and that was all she really needed.
When they got to the airport, the first thing Morgan did was peek her head inside the big double doors. The line to check in was only three deep, so she knew she still had a little time before she had to go. She had become a professional when it came to finding her terminal, so that wasn't an issue. Morgan had also mastered the art of running in high heels from all the times she had cut it close, and she had a feeling that day was going to be one of those days.
When she popped back outside of the door, Alrik and Felix were standing side by side and the expressions on their faces was enough to begin the familiar burning in her eyes. Too soon, stop it! She warned herself, but it was no use. When her client scooped her up for a tight hug, the tears fell free and fell to his shoulder.
“Don't cry, Morgan. You said you'd keep in touch with me, and if you're crying, that makes it seem like this is goodbye forever. And it's not,” Alrik consoled her.
“I..I know. I just..I can't help it...you...both of you,” she added Felix into the mix, “are wonderful. I had such a good time.” Morgan gripped her client tighter for a few moments, and before he released her, he gave her a long kiss that was sweeter than any kiss they had shared.
When he released her, she walked over to Felix, who opened his arms in invitation for another hug. Morgan walked into his offering and wrapped her arms tightly around the man. He wasn't as tall as Alrik, so she didn't have to stretch as much to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. He kissed her back, then slid his arms down to where he was holding both of her hands. “Hey, those tears are going to freeze if you keep it up.” Both of them gave a half-hearted laugh and Morgan wiped away her tears again.
“I'll find her, Felix. I promise,” Morgan squeezed his hands as she spoke. Felix's eyes lit up as he remembered the note...the note with all of Rose's information. He dug into his coat pocket, producing the piece of paper that was folded into a square, and with a quick look toward Alrik, he slid the note into Morgan's pocket. The young girl smiled and nodded, then gave him one final hug.
“I'll walk you inside,” Alrik said behind her after he looked at the time on his watch. Felix said he'd wait outside to give them their final minute together and after a final word of goodbye, Morgan and her client walked into the airport together. When they got to the front desk, Alrik pulled Morgan close for one more kiss. “I told you I'd get the last one,” he whispered and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Yes, you did,” Morgan giggled and grabbed the ticket from the woman behind the counter. “Looks like I have to go,” she whispered, not wanting to say the words aloud.
“Take care, Morgan.”
“I will...” She blew him a final kiss and made her way to security. When she finished walking through, she looked back and he was gone. Morgan was actually relieved he had left, because she would have been sure to cry again.
When she arrived to her terminal, she still had ten minutes to spare. She thought again about calling Angela back, but when that time came, she wanted more than a few minutes to talk to her friend. She had the whole week off, so she had plenty of time to catch up on all her friends...especially Angel. She couldn't wait to tell him all about Alrik. The blonde beefsteak...she corrected herself and shook her head with a few quiet giggles.
Morgan had already added Alrik's cafe picture to her scrapbook the night before, so she decided to use her free minutes to add the inscription to his page. She pulled out the book and her pen and flipped through the pages until she came to the gorgeous Swedish man. Like all of them, she missed Alrik already, but for the first time, she could honestly say, “it does get easier,” she spoke aloud. Knowing that she could always go back and see the men was reassuring, and her two new friends were definitely on the re-visit list.
The young woman pressed down the corners of the picture again, then snapped open her pen.
Alrik,
The sexiest man in all of Sweden...and the tallest. I'll never forget playing in the snow with you, and I'll never forget you. We yodeled and did the hokey fuckin' pokey and those are memories I'll always cherish. I'll see you again.
Morgan.
By the time she was finished, the attendants at the front were already boarding passengers. Morgan put away her pink book and got in line, praying she'd have luck and have an empty seat next to her again. No such luck.
A man who she could tell was going to have a snoring issue just at the sight of him, sat down right next to her. Morgan had to ask him to get off of her seat belt and she snuggled in as close to the window as possible after she put her bag under the seat.
It wasn't until the plane was in the air and Morgan put her hands in her pocket to find a comfortable position that she felt the note Felix had put in her pocket. “Oh!” Maybe there would be something he hadn't yet told her. Morgan opened the note with so much enthusiasm that she nearly dropped the small photo that he had enclosed.
I don't have much information, but I'll give you what I know.
Rose. I never knew her last name...just Rose.
Last known address (and this was in 1999) was 764 Moon Bay Blvd. San Diego, CA.
Her boss was Chloe Dawson, she still lives in California, but has never been much help. Maybe you can get more out of her.
Thank you, Morgan. I don't think you'll find her, but what you're doing is the kindest thing anyone has every done for me. You're an amazing woman, and I hope whoever you choose treats you like the queen you deserve to be treated as.
Felix.
When she finished the note, the tears fell again. He had obviously rewritten it to make it more personal since the original had just been a small list of facts.
She also felt defeated. There was nothing in the letter that was going to help her locate Rose. These are just dead ends. I'll never find her. Morgan silently apologized to Felix, but then reassured herself that she would at least try. When she bent over her seat to put the letter in her bag, she saw the picture that had fallen out of the note.
Well, let's see what you look li..... “oh, holy shit!” Morgan had flipped over the picture and brought it closer to her face. “Julianne.”
Florida
Book Ten
Chapter One
Morgan poked her head out from the thick comforter, then quickly reconsidered and covered her head right back up. Did she need to get up? No, not really. But the young woman had slept for nearly twenty hours since arriving to the room Julianne booked. Julianne's room was actually one floor up and, although the older woman's room was more extravagant, Morgan was relieved she had a room to herself. She didn't need all the extra space, nor amenities anyway.
She had arrived in the middle of the night on Friday and once she arrived to the hotel, she slept until three in the afternoon, then awoke due to nature's calling and the fact she was starving. By seven, she was back asleep in the comfortable bed.
“It's all your fault!” Morgan threw the blanket off of her, blaming its warmth for her oversleeping. She had to admit, it was nice to recover from the jet lag and time difference, and it was also nice to have some time alone. Of course, she enjoyed the company of all of her clients, but she'd barely had one day to herself since working for Julianne.
The first time she tried
to take a few days off for herself, she actually ended up spending her off time with Finlay, which inevitably, turned out with him being upset about her visiting his best friend. “That wasn't much of a vacation,” she thought out loud, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Morgan thought about the last time her monthly visit came. She thought she had a few days to herself in Hawaii, but she had met Kole early and lost out on her 'me time'.
Finally, she had a week off with no client obligations. She could sleep, take extra long baths, paint her toenails and catch up with all of her friends. Morgan smiled into the empty room and stretched out her arms and legs, urging herself to move from the bed.
Since she had slept most of Friday away, she hadn't even made it up to visit Julianne and she decided it was time to pay her boss a visit. I have so much to tell her! The thought of Felix entered her mind...the thought that had kept her awake and her mind reeling throughout the duration of her flights home. After looking at the picture of the much younger Julianne, Morgan's mind had raced with a million questions, none of which she could answer. Should she tell Julianne? Should she tell Felix? Maybe she could bring them together for Thanksgiving? Morgan didn't know what do to...she knew she had to do something, but she figured time would tell.
“Maybe Julianne doesn't even remember him,” the girl spoke aloud again as she climbed out of the bed and did another stretch. I hope that's not the case.
She looked at the clock and sighed. It was a little after one, and like clockwork, her stomach was ferociously growling. “I'll feed ya, shut up!”
As she showered and made herself presentable, she continued to think about the situation. “I'll find out if she's into him, and if so, I'll bring them together...” Morgan told her reflection as she applied a layer of blush onto her cheeks.
Around the World in 80 Men Series Boxed Set 1-10 Page 65