The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [123]
Morgan frowned, as if surprised to see them. “Nope, no problems. I was just showing the lady around.” He opened Misty’s door and handed her out of the vehicle. Close to her ear, he said, “Two of the biggest gossips around. They weren’t supposed to be here today, but that never stopped them before. And since they’re here, we might as well take advantage of it.”
Misty leaned away to look at him. “I don’t understand.”
“Anything they see makes the rounds of Buckhorn faster than light. This’ll be a good place to start letting folks know you’re off-limits.”
Misty froze just as her feet touched the ground. Surely, Morgan didn’t mean to do anything in front of these nice old men! But then she met his hot gaze and knew that was exactly what he intended.
She started to shake her head but he was already nodding. And darned if he wasn’t smiling again.
7
ALL IT TOOK, Morgan thought as he watched Misty’s eyes darken and her lips part, was a nice long look from him. She could deny it all she wanted, but her hunger was almost as bad as his own. When he felt it, she felt it, and right now was proof positive.
Well aware of Howard and Jesse closing in behind him, their curiosity caught, he leaned down and kissed her. It was a simple soft touch. He brushed his mouth over hers, once, twice. She drew a small shuddering breath, and her eyes slowly drifted shut, but she didn’t stop him. No, she’d raise hell with him after, he had no doubt of that, but for now, she was as warm and needy as he. Her small hand fisted in his shirt, trying to drag him closer, proved it.
“Misty?” He whispered her name, watching the way her eyelashes fluttered.
“Hmm?”
His own smile took him by surprise. All his life people had teased him about his ferocious frowns, but something about Misty made him feel lighthearted, joyful deep inside. He touched the tip of her nose. “Sweetheart, we have an audience, or I’d sure do better than one measly peck, I promise.”
Her eyes flew open, then widened. She peeked around his shoulder cautiously, saw the two men, and her own version of a fierce frown appeared. Her fisted hand released his shirt, and she thumped him in the chest. “Of all the—”
Morgan grabbed her hand, threw one arm around her shoulders and turned, taking her with him to face Howard and Jesse. “I thought I told you two not to work on the weekend.”
“Nothing better to do today. We figured we’d get it done and out of the way.”
Morgan gave Jesse a good frown to show him what he thought of that, but he knew better than to start debating with him now. “So how’s the work going?”
Jesse nodded quickly, a habit he had when he was nervous, and being around women always made him nervous, especially the really pretty ones. “It’s getting there. I’ll have the lot of it cleared out by midweek.” Though he spoke to Morgan, his eyes didn’t leave Misty’s face.
Howard scratched his chin, watching Misty with acute interest. “It’s looking real good.”
Amused by their preoccupation, Morgan nudged Misty slightly forward and said, “This is Honey’s sister, Misty Malone. She’s here for an extended visit and she’ll be helping out around the station. Misty, this is Jesse and Howard.”
Both men did a double take at that announcement, but Morgan ignored their reactions, knowing why they looked so shocked. They’d obviously jumped to the wrong conclusion. He hid his grin and decided to explain things to them later.
Jesse tipped a nonexistent hat and muttered, “Nice to meet you.”
Howard stuck out his hand, realized it was covered with dirt and pulled it back before Misty could accept it. With an apologetic shrug, he explained, “I’ve been digging out the weeds. Messy work, that. Nice to meet you, Miss Malone.”
Misty smiled. “Call me Misty, please. What exactly are you doing back there?”
It was Jesse who answered. “There’s been a ton of weeds growing in the gully out back for as long as the sheriff’s been stationed here. It draws mosquitoes and gnats and it’s just plain ugly. Morgan wants us to clear them out and plant a line of bushes instead. We don’t