The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [127]
Feeling uncomfortable with her inquisition, Morgan cleared his throat. “That was given to me by the student council at the high school.”
“It says, outstanding community leadership.”
“I know what it says, Malone.” He glared, but she glared right back, and he gave up with a sigh. “I started a program where the students can interact with the elders in the community, helping out with chores and such. I’d hoped to give the kids some direction and the elders some company, that’s all. But now participation is recognized by the governor for qualifications to state scholarships.”
She looked at him. “That’s remarkable.”
Morgan shifted to face her, determined to satisfy her curiosity so he could get her mind on more pleasurable topics. “Naw. The students took it a lot further than I did, making it a hell of a program. That’s why I thought it deserved to be brought to the governor’s notice.”
She glanced at the writing on the base of the trophy. “It says here that you help supply scholarship funds, as well.”
Morgan rubbed his ear and bit back a curse. “Yeah, well, that’s just something I sort of thought would help….”
Misty reached up and took his hand, enfolding it in both of her own. Her blue eyes were filled with amusement and something else. He was almost afraid to figure out what. “Don’t be modest, now, Sheriff.”
“I’m not!”
“And don’t be embarrassed, either.”
He gave her his blackest scowl. “That’s just plain foolish. Of course I’m not embarrassed. No reason to be. It’s all just part and parcel of my job.”
Misty shook her head as if scolding him, and it rankled. “I can’t quite figure you out, Morgan.”
Slowly, so she wouldn’t bolt, he slipped his hand free and trailed his fingers up her bare arm to the back of her neck. He’d always loved the feel of women, the smoothness compared to a man’s rough angles. But for whatever reason, he loved the feel of Misty more.
Just touching her arm made his heart race, his groin throb. He could only imagine how it would be once he had her naked beneath him, able to touch and taste and investigate every small part of her. He shook with the thought.
Goose bumps appeared where he’d touched her, and she gave a small shiver. “I’m as clear as glass, sweetheart.” He was aware of how husky his voice had gone, but damn, he felt like he was burning up. Gently rubbing the back of her neck, he urged her a tiny bit closer, then closer still. He stared at her thick eyelashes, resting against her cheeks, at the warm flush of her skin. “I’m just a man who wants you.”
She answered in a similar husky whisper. “That part has been plain enough.” Staring at his throat, her small hands restless, she refused to meet his gaze. “It’s the rest that confounds me.”
“But anything else is unimportant.” And then he kissed her.
MISTY KNEW her joke about making Morgan miserable had backfired in a big way. She was the one suffering, not him. She realized she actually liked the big guy, and almost cursed. He was so cavalier about all he did, all the responsibility he accepted.
And she seemed to have no control around him at all. He was just so big and so strong and so incredibly handsome. But it was more than that.
Morgan was a nice man.
He was also an honorable man who took his job very seriously and cared about people, not just the people he called family, but all the people in his community. Like an overlord of old, he felt responsible for their safety and happiness. And that made him almost too appealing to resist.
A soft moan escaped her when Morgan touched his mouth to hers and she felt his tongue teasing her lips.
“Open up for me, Malone.”
Her hand fisted in his shirt over his hard chest. She felt the trembling of his muscles, the pounding of his heartbeat—and her lips parted.
Morgan let out his own groan only seconds before his tongue was in her mouth. She’d never known kissing like this, so hot and intimate and something more than just mouth on mouth. Maybe it was because Morgan was unique, but being kissed by him seemed more exciting