The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [91]
“I am not sick!”
Her stubbornness annoyed the hell out of him, even as he continued to gently stroke her back. “Oh, then I’m hallucinating? That wasn’t you just puking your guts up in my bushes? Because I have to tell you, Malone, if you’re hoping to be a martyr to get my sympathy, it’s not at all necessary. Hell, I already—”
She turned to him with a feral growl, momentarily startling him, then practically shouted, “I am not sick, you idiot! I’m pregnant.”
3
OH, GOD. Misty stared at Morgan, horrified by her statement, and ready to be sick all over again. She slapped a hand over her mouth and gulped air through her nose, determined to hold it back. She’d thought the fresh air would help, and it really had, but then Morgan had joined her….
She frowned, her queasy stomach almost forgotten. It was all his fault, and she said, without the demonic tone this time, “I don’t suppose you’ll just forget I said that?”
Dumbly, he shook his head, his eyes still wide, his jaw still slack. For once he wasn’t scowling. He looked too stunned to scowl. “Uh, no. Not likely.”
Her temper snapped. “Oh, of course not. That would be too easy, wouldn’t it?” She frowned ferociously, wishing she could hit him over his hard head. “Well, it’s none of your business, anyway. And if you tell my sister, I swear I’ll make you regret it.”
Morgan’s expression hadn’t changed. It was a comical mix of surprise, chagrin and helplessness. Something else, too, something bordering on anger, but she couldn’t be sure. He blinked, but didn’t say a word. With a sound of disgust, Misty rolled her eyes and started to get to her feet. “Look, I’m sorry about your bushes. Really. Do you think anyone will notice?” Before he could answer, she added, “But in a way, you’re the one to blame. If you hadn’t kept prodding me…But that doesn’t matter now. I’m feeling much better, fine, in fact, so I’ll just go get dressed and get on my way. Please thank your brothers for me. And tell Honey I’ll be in touch.”
She was rattled, which accounted for the way she was blathering on and on. She wanted to bite her tongue off. She wanted more coffee.
She wanted away from Morgan Hudson.
He’d slowly stood when she had, and now he stepped in front of her, blocking her attempt at a strategic retreat. “I don’t think so, Malone. You’re not going to make a confession like that and then just creep off.”
She was too tired, too mind weary to deal with him now. As if speaking to an idiot, she said, “I didn’t exactly have creeping in mind. I thought I’d dress, pick up my bags, walk out the front door and drive away. There’s a big difference.”
“You were crying. Your eyes are all puffy.”
He said it like a heinous accusation. She waved a negligent hand, not about to explain herself to him. “Don’t be silly. I always look like hell in the morning. Lucky for you, you won’t have to get used to it.”
She started around him again, and this time he picked her up. She would have screamed her head off, she was so exasperated, except she sure as certain didn’t want the other brothers witnessing her this way.
Gabe was such a comedian, he’d probably start joking about the whole thing. And Jordan, with that mesmerizing voice Honey claimed could put a cow to sleep, would do his best to comfort her, which would make her cry again.
And Sawyer—she had no idea how he’d react to his new wife’s sister showing up pregnant.
So instead of screaming, she held herself stiff and tried to ignore how easily Morgan carried her, his incredible strength, the delicious way he smelled this morning and her twinge of ridiculous regret when he sat her on the swing.
It had been so long since she’d been held, so long since she’d felt anything like caring or concern or gentleness, she was almost starving for it. Even Morgan’s aggressive, demanding concern felt like a balm.
But she was also more savvy now, and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Morgan Hudson was not a man to take comfort from.
“Uh, Morgan…”
Hands on his thighs, he leaned down in front of her until their noses nearly touched.