Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“I’ll walk you back to the hotel,” I say gruffly, not ready to answer her question, nor to face my own inner battle.
We walk in silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. Morgan stumbles once and I catch her. This time, she doesn’t let go of my hand and our fingers stay linked, comfortable like we belong together.
Soon, the lights from the resort shine in the distance, the main entrance just beyond the next sloping sand dune.
I stop and turn to the woman next to me, my heart thumping unexpectedly in my chest.
“Look,” I say calmly. “I’m not sure how you got to the lagoon today, but I’m happy that you did.”
Morgan nods slowly. “Me, too.”
“But I can’t see where this—you and I—can go. You’re only here for what, a few days? And I’m not a monster. I’m not going to use you and abuse you. Only assholes do that, and I may be a lot of things, but I’m not that.”
Morgan winces. “I have a flare for the dramatic,” she acknowledges, shaking her head slowly. “I know you wouldn’t do that, Brax. Or at least you wouldn’t intend to do it. I just know that it just happens sometimes. You have sex and then you never get a follow up call.”
I feel my rage build at the thought that someone from her past ghosted Morgan because where the fuck is she getting these ideas otherwise? It’s crazy that someone would dare to treat such a stunning woman with so much disrespect. Part of me wants to press her on this point, but I don’t want to make trouble either.
Still, I silently vow that, whatever may or may not happen between us, I will be honest with her. No matter how much it might hurt either of us.
I frown. “I’ll be candid, Morgan: I’m attracted to you—you’re damn gorgeous.”
Morgan scrunches her face and shakes her head. “Oh goodness…”
“But I shouldn’t pursue anything with you, as much as I might want to,” I explain, grappling with my inner demons and pissed as hell that I’m not caving to my desires. This is definitely out of character for me. Even I’ll admit it.
“Why not?” Morgan demands hotly, looking a bit petulant.
“You really think you could spend more time more with me and not wind up hurt?” I demand.
“I can be mature about it,” Morgan says a little too smoothly. I open my mouth to begin an argument, but then catch myself. Why, what’s the point? I’m about to let her go, so my heart shouldn’t be pounding with hurt and heady anticipation at once.
Get your shit together, Brax. You’re going to break this girl’s heart, I scold myself.
Or maybe, you’re worried she might break yours, the voice whispers.
I nearly snarl aloud at the unbidden thought. I’ve never fallen for a woman, and only a fool would be dumb enough to fall for a stranger who will be gone before the week is over.
Still, every instinct within me is screaming that I have to know Morgan—in every way that a man can know a woman. And in the same breath, I know that if I give my body to her completely, plant myself within her, then neither of us will come out unscathed.
I tilt my head and observe the curvy girl for a moment. What is it about her that tugs at my heart? I shake my head with frustration.
“My lifestyle— it hasn’t scared you off?” I ask, watching Morgan’s face for any cue that she might dissemble.
Instead, she looks thoughtful.
“Like I said, the room full of men, the sex servants… yes, that’s a lot. I’m not used to that,” she acknowledges softly. “But I like you, and I don’t see why we can’t spend a little more time together.”
She shrugs and looks anywhere but my eyes, clearly expecting me to reject her.
“Okay,” I tell her simply.
“Okay?” Morgan repeats, standing up a little straighter.
I grin. “Yeah, but I have a proposal.”
She winces. “Not the diamond kind I hope,” she says with a giggle. Her laugh alleviates the tension between us, and my heart pumps with renewed vigor.
“No, no engagement ring,” I reassure. “I propose a date. Tomorrow evening.”
“A date?” Morgan says with a quick inhale. “You know it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, right?”
I cock my head to one side.
“I didn’t know, but I don’t mind if it is. Why, do you mind?”
She shakes her head quickly, cheeks flushing.
“No, not at all. But do you mean a date at the hotel? That’s bound to lead to you coming up to my room…”
My manhood hardens at her suggestive words. Somehow, I manage a light chuckle, even though I want nothing more than to lay her soft body on the sand and take her right here, right now.
“Not the hotel,” I say slowly, my voice gruff. “I know a good spot that’s away from the noise of La Mirage.”