Around the World in 80 Men Series Boxed Set 1-10

by Brandi Ratliff

  “What ye doin' lass?” His deep, sultry voice was going to put her to sleep.

  “Getting a bubble bath, of course,” she happily replied. Finlay asked about how she was and Morgan told him the same thing she had told Angel. They didn't talk long because Morgan really was falling asleep and she was afraid of dropping her phone in the tub, but Finlay had again told her that he'd come and 'save the day'.

  “I'll see you soon, Fin, don't worry,” Morgan yawn-talked to the Scotsman. They said their goodbyes, hung up and Morgan set her phone safely on the floor. Within seconds of sinking back down into the bubbly blanket, she was asleep.

  Chapter Eight

  Jake had taken his time at the store. He'd even gone to two different ones, hoping to give Morgan enough time to recuperate. When he got back to the room almost an hour later, he found Morgan still asleep in the bathtub.

  He slowly reached over to the shower knob and tilted it forward. “Nap time's over!” With his words, he turned the tab to the coldest setting and the ice cold water showered down on Morgan's body.

  The girl sat up, confused and disoriented. Her first reaction was to swat away the water, when that didn't work, she quickly tried to stand so she could get out of the tub. She got one foot out, then her second foot slipped and Morgan fell forward, knocking her head on the corner of the sink. When she lifted her head, Jake nearly began hyperventilating when he saw the cut above her eye.

  “Fuck! Morgan? Morgan, are you okay?” Jake slowly helped her to her feet, then grabbed a robe and wrapped it around the shivering girl. “Shit, you're bleeding bad...let's go to the hospital, I'll take you now!”

  “Jake. Relax!” Morgan still hadn't completely comprehended what had just happened, but she walked over to the mirror to examine the damage. “It's not that bad, it just a little cut, I'm....” Before her words were out of her mouth, Jake was out the door., yelling something about bandaids. “Fine,” she whispered to herself. The cut was deep, but it was smaller than a penny in length. It wasn't that big of a deal. Morgan actually smiled as she remembered a time when she had cut her chin riding her bicycle. “Rub some dirt on it,” Morgan cited her memory out loud. That would have been her grandmother's advice. Morgan washed the wound off, and made her way to the bed.

  Ten minutes later, Jake came storming into the bedroom and dropped an arsenal of medical supplies in front of her. Gauze, bandages, peroxide...work out wraps? She giggled at all of the stuff and picked out a small bandage, in which Jake tenderly applied to her forehead. “Thank you.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, it's just hurts like a bitch,” Morgan managed a smile, but regretted her words as soon as she spoke them.

  “Pain! Shit!” Again, Jake was gone.

  Morgan didn't even have the chance to tell the spaz that she had a bottle of pain killers in her purse. She tried, but only managed, 'I have' before he left the room in a blur. Another ten minutes, and her client returned. This time, he had a supply of every kind of medicine imaginable.

  “I..uhm...I didn't know. I just got everything...” he spoke as he dropped everything on the bed in front of her.

  Her eyes scanned the items, and by the time she got through the list, she was laughing so hard that she couldn't breathe. “Laxatives? Asthma medicine? Pepto?”

  “Well, fuck! Now you'll have everything you need for any kind of ailment!” They both laughed and Morgan picked out a bottle of pain relievers. She looked to the nightstand, hoping her bottle of water was there, but room service must have tossed it. Crap. Her legs flipped to the side of the bed, but Jake stopped her from standing. “What do you need?”

  She sighed and hoped her next words wouldn't make him leave again. “Water.” Whew. Thankful that he didn't leave the room, she watched him pour her a glass of water and when he handed it to her, she popped two of the little pills into her mouth. “Thanks,” she told him again.

  “Don't thank me, it's my fault...” He hung his head low, and guilt washed over him. He felt terrible that his immaturity had caused her to get hurt, and anything he could do to make her feel better, he was going to do.

  “Just lay with me.” Morgan laid down and brought him to her side. Just as soon as he laid his head next to hers, Morgan's stomach roared loudly. She grit her teeth in frustration as Jake, for the third time, left the room. That time, it was about food. Morgan would have been happy with her muffins, but he just wouldn't listen to anything she had to say.

  It was nearly a half hour later when he returned that time. In his hands were two bags, full of...soup? “Jake,” Morgan giggled, “I'm not....sick. Look, I really, really appreciate you doing this for me, and I really appreciate your enthusiasm, but...no, look at me!” Jake was pacing around the room in warp speed, not listening to what she was saying. He finally stopped and did as he was told. “Jake, you never had to leave. It stopped bleeding before you came back, I had pain relievers in my bag, and I could have eaten my muffins!” She nearly bellowed at him, but it finally got his attention.

  “I'm sorry, Morgan. I just...I'm not good with...anything. I don't know how to...” He struggled with his words and Morgan called him over to the bed. He walked over slowly and sat down next to her and she rest her head on his shoulder.

  “Oh, Jake...,” a soft sigh left her lips as she ran her hand softly across his chest, “ya have to slow down. You have no idea how much you're missing out on.” Her tone was sad, nothing like what we was already used to hearing from her.

  He didn't respond because he knew that she was right, so he closed his eyes and held her, knowing that she would be asleep in a matter of minutes. He was right, and while her warm body relaxed against his side, he stayed where he was a little longer to make sure that he wouldn't disturb her when he finally moved again.

  For the next hour, Jake tried to keep himself quietly busy while Morgan slept. His mind flipped through scenes of his life, and everything that had brought him to the place it was that day. His fruit had been picked over, the room tidied, and his new shoes were laced, but his mind still wouldn't give him peace. When he turned the television on, minus sound, he was ready to give up on the whole arrangement and send Morgan on her way...he suddenly felt it was the best thing for her.

  The sound, however, was not turned down and the words from a man shouting about the best water sealant on the market brought Morgan awake, and brought more guilt to Jake. “I'm sorry!” He fumbled with the remote until he was able to quiet the obnoxious salesman.

  “No..it's alright, I'm sorry I fell asleep.” She sat up in bed and stretched her arms above her head, letting out a loud yawn before moving to the side to get up. When he tried to stop her, she made it clear that the bathroom was a better place for her to pee, but she didn't get the smile from him that she was hoping for.

  Morgan didn't even attempt to cover herself as she walked slowly to the bathroom, but Jake did attempt-successfully-to keep his eyes on the television until she was out of the room. He couldn't get distracted, he had to tell her soon that she would be leaving and then he could get back to his normal life without dragging the poor girl along.

  When she returned, and was properly covered in her white robe, he patted the bed next to him and waited for her to sit down. Once in place, he told her of his plans. “I'm taking you to the airport this afternoon, I mean...if you're up to it. If not, then we'll go tomorrow.” Morgan felt as if the wind had been kicked out of her as she searched his face for answers. “Look, I can't slow down....I've tried, and all I've managed to do is make you exhausted and now...,” he looked at the deep gash in her forehead and ran his finger across the top of the cut, shaking his head at the bruise that was already surrounding the entire area, “I've managed to hurt you.”

  Morgan took a deep breath and nodded slowly, she knew that it would take a miracle to get through to him, but it wouldn't hurt to try. “I see. So....is this why you're single? Is this the reason that you never date at all? You're....too busy living yo
ur life?” His eyes opened wider and his body obviously tensed, and it was the exact reaction that she was hoping for. He only hesitated for a few seconds, then the truth came spilling out in an emotional confession that few had ever heard.

  “Yes. I just can't..damn it! My dad died when he was only thirty five....thirty five! And I know for a fact that he didn't get to do one tenth of the things that he wanted to do! I was fifteen when he died and I didn't really get it then, but I do now, and I'm not going to let one day slip by where I'm not getting the most out of it, not one day!” He got up from the bed and walked quickly to the room's door.

  “Fifteen? You're so lucky, Jake.” Morgan didn't look at him when she spoke, she was facing the window, speaking to a ghost that he couldn't see.

  He came back and stood in front of her, waiting for her head to turn in his direction. When it did, he asked the most reasonable question. “Lucky? You think I'm lucky that my dad died? Are you serious?” He looked hurt, but she knew that it was still what he needed to feel.

  “Yes, you're lucky.” She stood and faced him. “You're lucky to have had a dad for fif....teen...years. I would have killed to have had one for fifteen minutes.” She crossed her arms over her chest and welcomed the debate that she hoped would happen. He put his head down slightly, but he wasn't ready to give in. The pain of losing his father was too great, but her words did shed a small light on what he should be grateful for. “Let me guess, you're mom is great. Supportive. Wonderful. She's probably a great cook, and everyone loves her..is that about right?” He didn't answer, but his silence was enough to know that she was pretty close. “Mine's an alcoholic who dropped me at my grandmother's door when I was a baby. I would see her when she came by to sleep off a binge or borrow money. But she always left a parting gift of bruises all over my body for just...being...alive.” The tears welled in Morgan's eyes as she mentally scolded herself for saying too much. The lesson was his to learn, and she had to stay strong to get her point across.

  Jake pulled her to his chest and whispered for her not to cry. “I'm sorry...I'm so sorry that you went through that.” She kept her face buried in his chest until she was able to keep her emotions under control.

  “Don't be sorry, I'm not. I love my life, and I get to do things that I've never dreamed I would. But here's the thing..the most fun that I've ever had, was doing things that weren't planned or expected. You need to find a way to enjoy what's around you, or you're going to be an old man someday knowing that you didn't enjoy one tenth of the life that you could have had.” She put her arms around his waist, and gave him one last bit of encouragement. “If you need to plan each moment to find peace, then why not plan time to just enjoy what comes your way, like this.” She kissed his cheek and nestled her face into his neck, praying that her words would help him, even just a little bit.

  Several silent moments passed before either of them were willing to end their embrace, but Jake pulled away with the intent to lighten the mood. “So, if you're done yelling at me, how about I get you a real meal?” They laughed and Morgan wiped the remnants of her past from her cheek in the single tear that had managed to escape earlier.

  “I'll stop yelling at you, if ya get me pizza.” Her wide smile, mixed with the ghastly cut on her otherwise perfect skin, was enough to make him promise her anything. He also came to realize in the split second, that she had managed to change his mind about ending their time together, and she had also eased his personal torment, at least for then.

  “I underestimated you, Morgan.” She smiled a knowing smile, as if to tell him that she's been told that before. “Alright, pizza it is...but back in bed with you.” He picked her up and walked her the few steps to the bed, then placed her gently as if she were too fragile to handle any other way. “I'll be right back.” He kissed the better half of her forehead, and walked to the door. “Morgan, you make sense, ya know. I get it, and I'll try...I really will.” His smile, that she couldn't get enough of seeing, was back on his face as he walked out of the room.

  Morgan was finally able to move around the room without the hawk hovering over her, but she had to admit, it was very endearing that he cared so much. He cared so much that he was willing and ready to send her away for her sake. Not because he didn't like her, but because he knew he was wearing her out. Morgan felt bad for spilling everything like that, but she felt better that she thought she might have thrown a speed bump down. “If that didn't work, I'm going for the spike strips!” Morgan laughed and walked over to her small bag to get her laptop.

  She didn't even know what she was going to do with it, she just needed an emotional distraction before thoughts of her past plagued her. When she opened it, she instantly remembered Julianne. “Facebook!” Morgan signed onto Julianne's page and was happy to see that her boss had three friend requests.

  “Drew Marshall. Kyle Kline. Evzen Vanek...from....Czechoslovakia?.” Morgan sighed at the three names, none of which were Felix, but had to giggle at the three men. All were around Julianne's age, but she could tell each of them were still handsome for their age...obviously previous clients. “Oh, Julianne...” Morgan knew she had to call her boss. She didn't know what history Julianne had with the men and she wasn't going to add them without her approval.

  The young girl checked the time and figured she still had a bit before Jake returned, so she grabbed her phone and found her warm spot on the bed again. On the second ring, Julianne answered.

  “Morgan, my child, how are you?”

  “Great!” Morgan answered, then covered her cut with her hand as if Julianne might see it. “Guess who has three friend requests?”

  “What are you talking about?” Julianne asked.

  “Facebook...remember? I made you an account and three people found you!”

  “Oh, I forgot that!” Julianne was still in Vermont, sitting in her hotel. Since her computer was already open, she tried to sign onto her profile while Morgan explained more about the people. “Morgan, what's my password?”

  Morgan looked down at the computer, then around the room. Nobody was there to offer support. Should I tell her? Will she delete it? “I...uhm...don't remember...” She was terrible at lying to begin with, but that was an even more awful attempt than usual.

  Julianne tried Morgan's name as the password. First name, last name, first and last name. Then, she tried her own name...still nothing. “Morgan, tell me wha...” Julianne tried another word and it went through. “Moscato. The password is Moscato. I should have known.”

  Morgan cursed herself for making it so easy, then asked Julianne not to delete it. After Julianne saw her friend requests, there was no way she was going to delete it. Morgan's boss opened up about all three of the men. The one from Czechoslovakia didn't get accepted. Julianne explained that he had been a bit of a stalker and it was no wonder he had already found her.

  The girls enjoyed their walk down memory lane until Morgan heard the door click with the sign of Jake's return.

  “Jake's back. I'll call you Wednesday!” Morgan told Julianne, then hung up. Back in Vermont, Julianne was still looking over the two clients that were now listed as her friends. Morgan had no idea, but she and Julianne were hoping for the same thing. If those two men had found 'Rose', then maybe her true love would find her as well.

  “As you wished,” Jake pushed through the door, carrying two boxes of pizza. Morgan was actually surprised there weren't more, considering he had a tendency of going overboard.

  For the rest of the evening, Morgan enjoyed her client like she should have from day one. They sat in bed together and talked, giggled, watched movies, cuddled and kissed. It was a perfect evening and it ended with Jake being completely relaxed...he actually fell asleep first, and Morgan smiled to herself, knowing she might not have to use the spike strips after all. “Goodnight,” she kissed him on the shoulder and fell asleep.

  Chapter Nine

  “Morgan? Morgan wake up!” Jake shook the girl by her shoulders, gently at fi
rst, then with a bit more force until her eyes slowly opened. “Look at me.” The room was dark, but the first sign of light Morgan saw was a flashlight in her eyes.

  “Jake, what are you doing?” She sat up and pushed him away. Jake got in front of her again and shined the light in her eyes once more. “What are you looking for?”

  “I...I don't know. I've seen them do it on T.V. When someone gets hit in the head, I've heard that you're supposed to watch them...and uhm...make sure they're alright.”

  “I'm fine, Jake.” Morgan touched the side of his face, then kissed his cheek softly. She couldn't be mad at him for being concerned. “What time is it?” She stretched her arms over her head and yawned loudly, then looked at the clock for herself. Three-seventeen AM.

  “Yeah...sorry. I just...I just wanted to make sure you're okay.” He led her back down on her pillow, then laid back next to her. Jake had woken up a few minutes earlier and hadn't heard her breathing. It had been the most terrifying moment of his life, so he didn't feel too bad for waking her up, but he was more than relieved she was alright.

  “It's okay,” Morgan whispered and was back asleep in seconds of her head hitting the pillow. When morning actually came around, Jake had woken again, but let Morgan sleep as long as she wanted. He had gone out for his run, worked out in the gym downstairs, showered and ate breakfast, then still had time to catch a show on fishing before Morgan woke up.

  They spent the whole day inside the hotel room, mostly for the reason of Morgan having a rather large bruise around her gash, but also because Jake wanted to try out the 'relax' thing. The only times he left during the day was to go get movies for them to watch, then again to grab a bottle of wine from the downstairs bar. (That took Morgan's convincing from going out to the liquor store again).

  She was proud of her client for taking the time out for her, and that night, she rewarded him for his progress. They had a beautiful night together making love, and in the morning, Jake slept in with Morgan. It was the first time he had slept in past eight in over a year, but when he woke up at nearly noon, it was the first time he didn't even care.