The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [110]
“Yeah.” He could see the questions in her eyes and grinned. “I don’t, however, bring women here for overnight, if that’s what you’re asking. Casey is almost sixteen now, and he thinks he’s all grown up, but I still wouldn’t flaunt lovers in front of him. I remember being sixteen. Guys that age don’t need any help in the raging hormone department.”
She looked startled for a moment, then frowned. “Being raised in a house full of males must be ideal for a boy his age.”
Morgan shrugged. “We’ve done the best we could. But I know Casey loves the idea of having Honey around. Just as he’ll love the idea of you sticking close, too.”
“I don’t know, Morgan. I mean, the others…”
“It won’t be a problem. The only problem would be if I let you get away.”
She still didn’t look convinced, then she harked back to what he’d said earlier. “Gabe is your half brother?”
Morgan grinned, suddenly knowing how he’d reassure her. “Come here, Malone. I have a nice long tale to tell you.”
She snorted at that, but she did go ahead and seat herself—in a chair so he couldn’t sit beside her. He chose the couch, and realized they’d switched positions from earlier. He couldn’t remember ever grinning so much, but damn, she amused him with her constant advance and retreat. She was a mix of bravado and prudence, and he realized it was a potent combination, guaranteed to drive any man crazy.
“My father died when I was just a baby.” Her eyes widened and he laughed. “I know. Tough to imagine me as a squalling infant, huh?”
“The squalling part I can believe, but the idea of you ever being little boggles the mind. You’re just so—” her gaze skimmed his chest, his shoulders, then down to his thighs “—massive now.”
Because he had her attention, Morgan settled back and stretched out his long legs, then laced his fingers together on his stomach. Misty swallowed and slowly closed her eyes, so she didn’t see his grin. “I was still little when my mom remarried and had Jordan. But things didn’t work out and she divorced him.”
Her eyes snapped open. Looking more fascinated by the moment, Misty said, “After she had Gabe, you mean?”
“Nope.” He laughed outright at her confusion. “My father died in the war. He was my mother’s first real love, and she had a hard time getting over him. Then she met Jordan’s father. She was lonely and she had two sons to raise. She thought she loved him and married again. But not long after that he lost his job and started to drink. Things went from bad to worse. It wasn’t easy for her to work a job, care for three kids and put up with the small-town stigma of being a divorced widow with three sons.”
“I don’t imagine it would be.” Misty picked at a thread on her shorts, then admitted, “Even in this day and age, being a single mother has its problems. Not to mention being a mother of three. She must have a lot of courage.”
He said softly, “You have your own share of courage, sweetheart. Deciding to have the baby shows a lot of guts and determination.”
She changed the subject, or rather got it back on track. “Do you remember much of Jordan’s father?”
“Not really. I was only two when she married him, and I’ve never heard my mother complain much about those times. All she says is that he gave her Jordan, so she doesn’t regret a moment of it. But I’ve lived here my whole life and lots of people talk, mostly about how strong she was and how she’d gone off men completely after losing one and divorcing another.” He watched her closely. “I guess sort of like you claiming you don’t want anything to do with men now. A woman gets hurt like that, and it’s hard to ever trust again.”
He stared at her until she slowly lifted her gaze to meet his.
“I’m not hurt, Morgan. I keep telling you that. I’m just a little wiser, is all. My priorities right now are a job and security for the baby. I don’t need a man for that.”
But he wasn’t just any man, and he damn well wanted her to realize it. He went on with his story as if he hadn’t been sidetracked. “You know what I do remember? Sitting with her in the evening and reading books, coloring pictures or