Chapter 21
Morgan
My time with Kaylee lasted as long as Ellis was in the conference room with Robert. We sat and chatted in the living room, and the second he stepped out, she excused herself and followed him up the stairs.
I'm not exactly bitter about it. I know I can't spend every single second here with her, but I also couldn't do what I wanted because Whiskey was still in the conference room.
I opted to go up to my room. Since I've been struggling to sleep at night because I can't seem to turn my brain off, I got in bed for a nap.
I don't know how I can pass out so easily in the middle of the day and not at night, but when I wake, I notice the sun has already dipped behind the horizon. This is definitely not going to help me sleep tonight, but there's nothing I can do about it now.
I stretch, sitting on the side of the bed before going into the bathroom to wash my face.
When I open my door and step out into the hallway, I hear music playing downstairs. I can tell from the chatter that there are more people here than there were the other day when Whiskey arrived at the house.
I turn back into my room, unsure if I want to go down and join them. I don't exactly feel like being social or being around people I don't know, but staying in the room alone seems like torture.
I pull different clothes out of the closet and put on some light makeup before heading back out.
I gasp when I step back out of the room the second time. Robert is there, leaning over the balcony with a glass of amber-colored liquid in his hands. He turns toward me slowly, and I swear it feels like something that would play out in a movie.
"I was wondering where you were," he says, his smile easy. "Take a nap?"
"How could you possibly know that? Do you have cameras in my room?"
His eyes widen. "Morgan, I would never do that."
"I was joking," I say, my brows scrunching together.
"You have an impression on your cheek," he explains, and then the man lifts his hand and runs his finger down the line.
It shouldn't be that big of a deal. I can't count the number of times in my life my face has been touched, but unlike every other time, it sends a rush of electricity over my entire body.
"I was hoping it would go away."
"It's cute," he offers.
I fully expect him to take a step back, but he moves closer, forcing me to take several steps back until my back is pressed to my closed bedroom door.
His eyes drop to my lips.
"Wh-what are you drinking?" I ask, feeling a little shocked that he's so close to me right now.
It's not at all uncomfortable. I just thought he had intentions of torturing me until I begged him for more attention. This is a lovely change of pace.
"Scotch," he says, lifting the glass to his lips. "Want a taste?"
"Sure," I whisper, the word coming out breathy as I watch him take a sip.
Instead of offering me the glass, he inches closer, pressing his lips to mine.
Shock covers my entire body, and I can't help the gasp that escapes my mouth. It gives him the opportunity to sweep his tongue out, running it over mine. My knees grow weak, but he presses against me further, his free hand circling my waist. When he presses his palm to my lower back, I inch in even closer to him, lining our bodies up as best as I can manage.
The scotch tastes incredible on his tongue, and I moan as I lift up on my toes to get an even better taste.
My hands curl into his shirt, and if it were physically possible, I'd probably try to crawl inside of this man.
The kiss ends long before I want it to, and I'm left damn near panting as I look up at him.
He blinks down at me, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Want to go in here?" I ask, reaching for my doorknob.
"So badly," he whispers as he pulls back and adjusts his cock, pulling his shirt down so it's covered better.
He laughs when I open the bedroom door.
"We have to go downstairs."
"We don't," I argue.
He lifts that damned glass once more, draining the rest of the liquid before looking at me with a wide smile.
"Patience," he whispers as he reaches down and takes my hand."Let me introduce you to the new people."
I swear I nearly trip over my own feet when he directs me toward the stairs. How does something so damned simple hit me in places that have never been touched before?
"Who are these people?" I ask as we descend the stairs.
"They're from the team in New Mexico," he explains.
"They're a little intimidating," I whisper as we cross the room toward a huge guy covered in tattoos.
"Oh, hello there," the guy says, sounding a lot nicer than he looks. "You must be Morgan."
He holds out his hand, and I hate that I have to release Robert's to shake it.
"I'm Kincaid," he says. "And this is my wife, Emmalyn."
"So nice to meet you," the woman says, but instead of taking my hand when I release her husband's, she wraps her arms around me for a hug.
I step back from her, blinking because I can't believe that just happened.
"Sorry," she says. "I should've asked first. I'm a hugger."
"It's fine," I say. "Just took me by surprise."
I can't recall the last time I was hugged, but it felt wonderful, very nurturing, and motherly.
"This is Shadow and his wife, Misty," Kincaid says before turning toward another couple. "And Kid and Khloe."
I shake everyone's hand and tell them my name. These people all seem a little older than the team living here. I have so many questions, but I also know who they are and what they do are none of my business. Just like it's not my concern why they're even here in the first place.
"Oh, Kaylee," Emmalyn says with a wide grin like she's known my friend her entire life. "I left right in the middle of a discussion. Apologies."
"No big deal," Kaylee says, pressing her face into Ellis's chest.
The other women watch her, and I swear they're looking at her like she's their long-lost daughter who has just met her prince.
"What were you guys talking about?" I ask, jolting a little when someone grabs my hand.
I look over and see Robert once again at my side.
Kaylee looks down, her eyes locking on our joined hands for a second before her cheeks heat.
"We were making plans to go see a show while we were here in town," Misty says, and I can tell she seems to be purposefully avoiding her husband's glare.
"There are so many shows to choose from," I say. "Vegas is always a good time."
"Would you like to join us?" Khloe asks as Kaylee shifts her weight from one foot to the other as if she's suddenly uncomfortable.
"What show did you have in mind?" I ask before committing to anything.
Emmalyn looks to Kincaid for a brief second before answering. " The Stallion Revue ."
"Seriously?" I ask with a broad smile as I look toward my friend. "You'd go see that?"
"Would you?" she challenges.
"I've been several times," I say, doing my best to ignore Robert's tighter grip on my hand. "It's a great show."
Kincaid mumbles something to Emmalyn before pressing his lips to her cheek and walking away. Shadow and Kid do the same thing, and it's like a wordless demand because Ellis kisses Kaylee before leaving. Robert is last to press his lips to my temple before joining them across the room.
"Was it something I said?" I ask as I watch them gather about twenty feet away, all of them huddled in a circle.
"They aren't too keen on the idea of us going to watch male strippers," Misty says, and I can hear the humor in her voice as she smiles at her husband.
"But they'll let you go?"
"Let?" Emmalyn asks. "They don't control us that way."
"We probably won't even go, but we like to torture them every chance we get," Khloe adds, her smile just as wide.
"Keeps them on their toes," Emmalyn says. "Have you really been numerous times?"
I dip my head. "It's a very popular bachelorette party destination. You can even pay extra, and they'll let you backstage so you can oil the guys up before they perform."
"No," Misty says when Khloe steps forward as if interested in hearing more. "They can only handle so much."
All three women chuckle as if they live to rile their husbands up.
Kaylee doesn't seem so keen on the idea, as if she's still a little nervous that pressing Ellis's buttons would cause more problems than the teasing is worth.
"All this doesn't seem a little toxic?" I ask, honestly wanting to know where their heads are at.
The women laugh harder.
"When you've been married as long as we have, you have to find ways to have a little fun," Emmalyn says.
"Plus," Misty begins, stepping in even closer. "It keeps things alive in the bedroom, if you know what I mean."
"I want the record to reflect that Dustin and I have never had problems keeping our bedroom alive," Khloe interjects.
"Neither have we," Misty says, waving her hand between herself and Emmalyn. "It's just fun."
"I don't think that Ellis would find it very funny," Kaylee says, the beginning of a scowl on her face. "I don't want to start a fight."
"Why not?" Emmalyn challenges. "They're the most fun when they're riled up."
I huff a laugh, wondering if that's actually true. Maybe it is for people who have found their soulmates.
Kaylee still shakes her head. "I don't want him to leave me."
The other three women grow serious immediately.
"That man isn't going anywhere," Emmalyn tells her as she clasps my friend's hands.
"He's literally obsessed with you," Khloe adds.
"He's a good man, Kaylee," Misty says. "He'd never give you up over something so trivial."
"He might spank your ass for thinking it's a great idea, though," Khloe says as she looks over her shoulder at her husband. "At least that's what I'm hoping to get."
We all laugh at her antics as we look toward the group of men.
I don't know Robert enough to fully understand the look on his face, but if I were a betting woman, I'd say it was some form of a challenge. I just don't know what the stakes are.