The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [149]
The first three bedrooms were empty, but still Misty oohed over the tall windows and the ultrasoft carpet and the oak moldings. Morgan felt as if he might explode by the time he got her to his room. There were no curtains yet on the French doors that flanked the tall windows, almost filling an entire wall. The doors led to a wide, covered deck. The overhang wasn’t quite sufficient to shield them from the wind, and the rain blew gently against the glass. “Let me show you something.”
Without hesitation she came into the room and went to the wall of windows with him. “Look at the lights on the lake. Isn’t it beautiful?”
She stared into the darkness for long minutes, then finally nodded. “Yes.”
“I’ve always enjoyed the lake, the way sunlight glints on every tiny ripple, and how the evening lights along the shore turn into colored ribbons across the water. Even on stormy days, it’s great to watch. The waves lap up over the retaining wall and every so often the lake swells enough to cover my dock. The fish get frisky on those days and you can see them leaping up into the air and landing again with a splash. On my next day off I’ll take you boating and we can swim in the cove. Would you like that?”
She continued to gaze into the rainy night. “I’ve always loved being outdoors, and around water. When I was younger, we had a sailboat. My dad would take us out about twice a year, but mostly he used the yacht for entertaining his guests or business associates.”
Morgan hugged her from behind, knowing her relationship with her father had been far from ideal. “I don’t have a yacht, but I think you’ll like our boat. Or rather boats—we have three. An inboard for waterskiing, which Gabe uses more than anyone else. He’s as much fish as man. And a fishing boat with a trolling motor, which is so slow you could probably paddle faster. And a pontoon. My mother bought the pontoon and left it here, but whenever she visits she takes it out.”
Misty leaned her head back to look at him. “I didn’t know you had a gazebo.”
The gazebo was only barely visible in the darkening sky, a massive shadow on the level ground fifteen feet off the shore of the lake. He’d had electricity run down there so a bug light could hang inside the high ceiling, though it wasn’t lit now.
Morgan kissed her temple and looped his arms around her middle so that his hands rested protectively over her belly. “I had Gabe build it for me.” His fingers contracted the tiniest bit, fondling her gently.
She sucked in her breath, and her hands settled over his. “When?”
In a hoarse tone, he explained, “After that night I kissed you at the wedding. In the gazebo.”
She twisted in his arms. “But…you’d asked me to leave then.”
He searched her gaze. There was no accusation there, just confusion. “I wanted you to stay.” Very gently, he pulled her closer. “Damn, I wanted you to stay.”
Her smile was shaky, and then she touched the side of his face. “I have to tell you something about me.”
Morgan leaned forward and nuzzled the soft skin beneath her chin. He felt wound too tight, edgy and aroused and full to bursting. He tasted the silky skin of her throat, her collarbone. He didn’t say anything, waiting for her to continue.
He felt the deep breath she took. “You’re a special treat for me, Morgan.”
He grinned at that and continued to put soft, damp kisses on her throat, beneath her chin, near her shoulder. He felt her tremble and held her closer.
“I want you to understand what this means to me.”
He leaned back to look at her. She appeared far too serious and solemn to suit him.
“I know that an unwed pregnant woman sort of gives the impression of being experienced—”
“Damn it, Misty, I didn’t—”
She pressed her fingers to his mouth. “Just listen, okay?” He nodded reluctantly and she continued. “Truth is, I haven’t had much experience at all. Back in high school I got very curious, and we experimented a little. Very little, actually. Things didn’t last long with