Beyond Temptation - Brenda Jackson [69]
A few hours later Morgan was back at his place soaking in a hot tub of water. He and his brothers had played some pretty rough games today, but then he’d need the brutal workout to work out his frustrations. Now he could settle down and think.
He shook his head at the audacity of Cassandra and Jamie. They had tried their best to get him to agree to meet them some place for drinks and to play a game of tennis. He leaned back in the water thinking he wasn’t stupid. He had seen that same look in Jamie Hollis’s eyes that he’d seen in other women on a manhunt. She was a woman with a plan just like he had been a man with a plan. A plan that had backfired on him.
He wondered if Lena had figured things out yet and if she had, did she even care? Well, hell, he cared and if she thought he had given up on her she had another thought coming.
He got out of the tub and began drying off. Something Bas had said earlier piqued his interest. Evidently Lena was a part of Vanessa’s latest community project, and there would be a meeting at her house sometime this evening. There was no reason for him not to stop by and give his regards to the ladies.
Vanessa Steele rolled her eyes at the man standing on her doorstep. “What are you doing here, Morgan?”
He smiled. “Do I need a reason to visit one of my favorite cousins?”
She frowned. “No, but it does seem odd since you haven’t been over here since Christmas.”
He chuckled. “Only because the last time I dropped by you told me not to come back.”
Her frown deepened. “I told you not to come back if you had to bring Cameron Cody with you. That man is not welcome in my home.”
Morgan shook his head. “Wasn’t it just last Sunday that Pastor Givens spoke about forgiveness?”
She lifted an arched brow. “I’m surprised you remembered the sermon since you, Donovan and Bas usually fall asleep during service. It’s a sin and a shame.”
“No need to get ugly about it.” He shoved away from the wall. “So, are you going to invite me in or not?”
Vanessa stared at him as if she was considering his question, and then she moved aside. “Only because Dane’s going to drop Sienna off and he might hang around if you’re here.”
Morgan entered the house and glanced around, heard feminine voices coming from the back and smiled when he heard one in particular. He then turned to Vanessa and asked, “Why does Dane have to drive Sienna over here?”
Vanessa couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her lips. “Because they’re driving to Memphis right after the meeting to spend the weekend.” She leaned closer and whispered, “Sienna has some special news for Dane.”
Morgan nodded. From the way Vanessa had said it, he had an idea just what that news was. He then thought of Lena and the day she would tell him some special news. But first he knew he had to win her over. First he had to get the wife, and then the baby.
“Well, ladies, look who just showed up,” Vanessa said to the three women in her kitchen.
Everyone turned and stared at Morgan, but it was Lena who held his gaze the longest. “Hello, everyone. I just decided to pay Vanessa a visit, so don’t mind me,” he said.
Jocelyn, who was still trying to get to know her husband’s family, smiled over at him and said, “It’s good seeing you, Morgan.”
“Same here, Jocelyn.” He then glanced over at Kylie. “And how are you, Kylie, besides pregnant?”
She made a face at him before saying, “Fine and counting. One more month to go and I’m free.”
He nodded. He then crossed the room to Lena. She was standing alone near the sink. Remembering their last conversation he wasn’t sure how her attitude would be toward him. “Hello, Lena.”
“Morgan.”
“How’s your mother?”
“She’s doing fine. Thanks for asking.”
He nodded. “I told Vanessa I would make myself useful while I’m here. I’ll be outside trimming her hedges if you need me for anything.”
She lifted a brow. “If I need you for anything?”
He smiled. “Yes.”
Lena stared at him, remembering what Kylie had told her just that morning. The only reason Morgan had hired her to sell his house was that he had wanted her, although she