The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [137]
“A little rendezvous in the hall?” he asked.
Misty felt like kicking Morgan. How did she always end up in these awkward situations when he was around? “Did we wake you?”
“Nope, I had early appointments this morning. The honeymoon is over now that a flu bug has started making the rounds.”
That sounded innocuous enough, and Misty sighed. “Well, I need to get going, anyway. I was just on my way out.”
Morgan tipped his head. “Didn’t you need something from your room?”
She closed her eyes. She’d come to her room just to escape him, but she wouldn’t admit that in front of Sawyer, who showed no signs of giving them any privacy. With a weak smile, she said, “Whatever it was, I’ve forgotten.”
She darted around Morgan and made a beeline past Sawyer. She was almost out of hearing range when Sawyer said, “You’ve got her on the run, Morgan. I just wonder if that was your intent.”
MORGAN GLARED at his brother. “I know what I’m doing.”
“And what exactly is that?”
They both left the hall in the direction of the kitchen. The smell of coffee was tantalizing, and Morgan needed a shot of caffeine to boost him. Unfortunately, Jordan was still there, the cat on his lap.
“You,” Morgan said, effectively distracted, “were ogling Misty when I walked in.”
Jordan shrugged, then said to Sawyer, “She’d climbed under the desk to get the cat for me.” His grin was unholy. “She has a damn fine bottom.”
Morgan felt ready for murder. “Keep your eyes off her bottom.”
“Why? You sure didn’t.” He rubbed the cat and said in an offhand way, “Sawyer, I meant to mention it to you earlier. I think there’s something wrong with Morgan.”
Sawyer filled his coffee cup then sank into a chair. He blew on the coffee to cool it, showing no interest in Jordan’s gibe.
Which of course didn’t stop Jordan. “Yep, I think he must be sick. Half the time I see him, he’s got this glazed look in his eyes. And once or twice, I’ve actually caught him smiling.”
Sawyer laughed. “No! Morgan smiling? That’s absurd.”
Morgan came half out of his seat, and Jordan held up a hand, grinning. “No, don’t throttle me. I’m on my way out the door right now. I just hung around to tell you…goodbye.” He stood, the cat tucked under his arm, and grabbed his keys hanging by the door. “I’ll see you all later.”
As the door closed behind him, Morgan muttered, “Good riddance.”
“Quit being such a grouch, Morgan. I survived, so I’m certain you will, too.”
“Survived what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Falling in love.” Sawyer added quickly, “No, don’t give me all your excuses. I’ve heard them all and even made up half of them. It’ll do you no good.”
Morgan felt like an elephant had just sat on his chest. He wheezed, then managed to say, “I am not in love.”
“No? Then what would you call it? Lust?”
“What I’d call it is no one’s business but my own.”
“I think Honey might disagree with you there. She loves her sister more than you can imagine. I think they spent the longest time with no one but each other. Right now, Honey’s convinced you’re an honorable, likable gentleman. But if you hurt Misty, she’ll take you apart. And I can tell you right now, there’s not a damn thing I could do about it.”
“I keep telling you that you should control your wife.”
“Spoken like a true bachelor.”
“Besides, I’d never hurt Malone.”
“Oh? You think having an affair with you won’t hurt her? She’s been through enough, Morgan. Did you know she went to her father and he offered not an ounce of comfort? Honey told me about it. It seems he was more disappointed with her than anything else.”
Which, Morgan assumed, pretty much guaranteed she wouldn’t bother him with her arrest and conviction. She’d known without asking that her father wouldn’t assist her, or even take her side. Morgan shook his head, feeling that damn pain again. Misty had come to the only person she could really count on: her sister. And thank God she had.
Sawyer frowned at him. “She needs some stability, Morgan, not more halfhearted commitments.”
Morgan downed half his coffee, burned his tongue and cursed in the