Chapter 2 – Andie
ANDIE
I was at Kate’s house in the kitchen with her and Nolan, and we were making good progress on the plans I had for my house.
“Let’s eat and then talk more,” Kate said, jumping up and moving to the fridge.
“I’ll head home. I’ve taken up too much of your time already.”
Kate pulled lightly on my arm and spoke just above a whisper, “Before you go, would you mind chatting with Morgan, and let him know what you want from the library room? He needs something to focus on. He’s had a rough day; his ex, Brooke, has been here shouting and screaming.”
“How bad was it?”
I hadn’t seen a lot of Morgan for a few weeks, things had been awkward between us since New Year’s Eve. I’d kept our alone time to a minimum as I still felt embarrassed about the way I’d acted.
“Pretty bad. I wanted to go out and smack her, but I’m not to get involved, right?”
“Right. Stay out of it as long as you can.” I nodded, though I imagined hearing someone putting your child down was hard, no matter how old they were.
“Talking over work might help him forget, maybe play a game or two. You two haven’t spent a lot of time together in ages. It really cheers him up.”
“Of course.” I didn’t want to but felt bad leaving him to wallow alone.
I grabbed my notebook of ideas from the kitchen table and ventured into the living room.
Morgan sat on the chair opposite the door, flicking through channels on the TV.
My heart thumped in my chest and my stomach did a little flip.
He looked good; his short, black hair was styled so he had a tip in the front, designer stubble, his t-shirt rose just a little in front, showing a rock-hard stomach. I involuntarily licked my lips.
“Hey, I’ve got the library plans to go over whilst your parents cook food.” I smiled and held up my notebook.
Kate was right. We hadn’t spent much time together since New Year’s Eve, just a few odd gaming sessions here and there.
I felt stiff and awkward around him. I didn’t know what I was thinking, he was younger than me, and Kate’s son.
I blamed it on New Year’s Eve magic. Everyone kissed on New Year, right?
“Okay.” He looked sad but switched off the TV and sat up.
I placed the notebook on the coffee table and opened it to the page where I had jotted down my thoughts. I took a seat on the sofa and Morgan shifted to sit next to me. His aftershave was dark and spicy, I took a deep breath through my nose to get more of it. Morgan let out a huge sigh.
“Had a rough day, huh?” I asked turning from the notebook to look at him.
His shoulders were sagging, his clenched hands lay in his lap and a small frown on his face. “Yeah, it’s not been my best.” He rubbed at his face and leaned forward. His lips were turned downwards.
“Your mum says you and Brooke got into it? Wanna talk about it?” I reached out and squeezed his arm, feeling the hard muscles underneath caused my heart to jump and a flutter of butterflies in my stomach.
“Not really. Mum shouldn’t be discussing things with you behind my back.” He complained, picking up my notebook and sitting back again, my hand falling from his arm.
“Come on, Morgan, we’re friends, right? Friends tell each other things.” I bumped him with my elbow.
For a few moments he just stared at the designs on the pages. “Okay, basically I was a shit boyfriend. When we were together, I didn’t do anything right and that’s why she cheated. I wasn’t good enough.” He huffed and slammed down the book on the edge of the sofa.
I drew in a deep breath. “Well, that’s bullshit. She cheated because of her own loose morals, not because of you. Now, she’s putting you down to make herself feel better about cheating.”
“What if she’s right? What if I am shit and I can’t get another girl?”
When his eyes met mine, I saw the hurt and worry in them. They had lost their usual sparkle and had a slight droop to them. He broke eye contact and shrugged, rubbing his hands over his face.
“Listen to me.” I turned to him and placed a hand high up on his leg.
His gaze darted to my hand, eyes darkening and tongue poking into the corner of his cheek.
My pulse quickened. I gave a small smile and re-positioned my hand on his knee.
“You are amazing; you’re kind, sweet and caring.
There will be girls lining up to date you.
Fuck, I’ll bet there’s even more who would love to spend one night with you and would count themselves lucky for that night. ”
I looked down, not wanting to meet his gaze so he wouldn’t see I was one of those girls. I’d bet one night with him would be worth it. The brief kiss we shared New Year’s Eve was intense and so damn hot.
“Pfft, yeah, I can see them now. Look out the window, the ladies are lining up.” He sat back. “Look, thanks for trying to cheer me up, I do appreciate it. Let’s just get back to work.” He picked the notebook back up and began flipping through the pages.
“Morgan, I meant what I said. Brooke is trying to pull you down because she feels guilty and probably wants you back. I may not have a say in this, but please don’t get back with her. Your perfect match is out there, someone who won’t cheat on you, and will love everything about you.”
“I won’t get back with Brooke, ever. But show me one girl who wants me as I am.” He gestured to himself.
Fuck, Brooke had really done one on him. “You will find someone. Fuck, Morgan, I’d kill to have someone good like you in my life,” I blurted out.
He shook his head and gave me an impatient look. “Yeah, right. You’re just saying that to make me feel better. Why the hell would someone like you want to be with someone like me?”
Still holding his leg, I squeezed it and leaned into him. “Morgan, I’d never joke or lie about something like that. You are amazing; I wish you could see what I see.” I stared into his eyes hoping he would see the truth there.
He looked like he was struggling with something, then he dragged me to him and kissed me. I returned it hesitantly at first, but eased into it. His tongue dancing with mine made me slowly lose my mind.
“Really?” He moved back; his eyes searched mine for a hint of deceit, but he wouldn’t find any. I did like him, things were just… complicated.
“Really.” I nodded, breathless and unable to hide it.
Morgan smiled and pulled me into his lap, kissing me again as his hands roamed my upper body, and I ran mine through his hair. “Fuck, Andie,” he moaned.
“Mmm.” Words escaped me.
I placed my legs either side of his, so I was straddling him. He claimed my lips again, and I ran my hands up under his t-shirt, over his hard stomach and chest as he rolled his hips. He was hard underneath me and my pussy pulsed in response.
“I want you so fucking bad, Andie.” He gasped, moving his head to suck at my neck.
“Fuck, Morgan.” I panted, thrusting my hips to get more contact with his cock.
“Let’s go upstairs,” he suggested, grazing his teeth down my neck.
I stopped suddenly, realising just whose lap I was on. It had gone too far. I looked into Morgan’s eyes, both of us panting, his face flushed and lips slightly swollen.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I offered him a small smile and started to slide off his lap.
“Hey, that’s okay. We don’t have to.” He pulled me back into place and planted a soft kiss on my lips.
I laughed nervously and buried my head into his neck. My hands were still inside his t-shirt, but I had slipped them around his back. Morgan’s hands ran up and down my back softly.
It felt so good with him holding me the way he was.
“Food’s almost done.” Kate’s voice brought us back to our senses and I jumped off him. I’d gotten so caught up in the feel of him hard underneath me, I’d forgotten his parents were in the next room.
Morgan went into the kitchen to help with food whilst I stayed back and tried to pull myself together.
What the fuck was I thinking? He was my friend’s son, but when he kissed me, I just couldn’t help myself.
I needed better willpower; he was so good to me, but I didn’t want to mess things up between us for a quick fuck.
I made my way into the kitchen. The four of us gathered around the table to eat. I saw the love and laughter in the family, and it warmed my heart. I loved being there.
Kate nudged me. “Thanks for talking to him,” she said quietly in my ear and nodded to Morgan who was smiling and laughing with Nolan.
“No problem.” I smiled back, hoping she would think the red in my cheeks was due to the temperature in the room and not embarrassment over what had happened.
After dinner, we went back over the house plans quickly. I was excited by what was happening to the house and couldn’t wait to see it come to life.
“It’s time for me to get home. I have an early start in the morning. Thank you all. You’re so good to me.” I smiled at them; they had become close friends of mine. I hoped I hadn’t fucked it up by kissing Morgan.
“Nonsense, you’re welcome here anytime, love.” Kate smiled and trotted around the table to hug me.
“Don’t you want a game or two first? We could set up in here whilst Dad watches the football?” Morgan asked.
“I’d better not or I’ll be up all night with you and then I’d regret it in the morning.” I grinned and pulled on my coat.
“Okay, I’ll walk you out.” Morgan stood and I couldn’t help but notice the knowing smile between his parents. I felt the heat rush up my chest into my cheeks and fought the urge to put my hands on them to cool them down.
“Thanks for tonight, I really needed that boost,” Morgan said as he leaned up against the door frame.
“Yeah, me too. It felt good to be wanted again,” I told him honestly. I wanted to drag him home with me and spend the night making him feel good.
“I’d like to do it again.” He leant in and planted a brief kiss on my lips.
Gone was the shy guy who couldn’t look directly at me when I first started spending time at Kate’s house. This was Morgan two-point-oh. He was gaining more confidence every day and I liked what I saw. And, hot damn, the man could kiss.
“It was good, but I’m not ready to start anything up yet. I hope I haven’t led you on.” I wanted to be open and honest with him from the get-go.
“No, of course not. It was just nice to share a moment with you. You’ve turned my day around.” I studied his face for a moment but was happy not to see any disappointment.
“Glad to hear it. Night, Morgan.” I smiled, bit my lip, and walked to the car.
“Night, beautiful,” he said softly behind me, but I heard it in the quiet of the night. He waited on the doorstep, and I waved when I pulled away from the house.
I was glad I was able to help him through his misery, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss.
I wasn’t lying when I said I’d be lucky to be with someone like him.
For the last couple of months, I’d been working with Kate again, and then her husband and son, so I’d been spending a lot of time with them.
Morgan was always happy, kind, and considerate, making sure I had enough to eat or drink, and that I was happy with the plans.
He was absolutely shit at fighting games, though, and I took great pleasure in beating him; I loved spending hours gaming with him.
He also was very easy on the eye. Tall, dark hair always styled nicely, bright blue eyes, designer stubble, and fuck me, his arms, the way they bulged had my pulse racing.
I watched him once, when he and Nolan were cutting wood for the fireplace.
The way the muscles bulged on his arms had me licking my lips and clenching my thighs together.
He was my kind of guy, one that could throw me around the bedroom and take control.
But I wasn’t lying when I said I didn’t want a relationship.
Hell, I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted another relationship.
I was getting divorced. My ex was a TV star I met when visiting my parents in L.A.
Everything had been fine until I came home one day and found him in bed with his much younger co-star.
I was devastated and humiliated, and with all the press watching us and covering our divorce I had to leave the U.S. So, I came back home to the U.K.
During those first few weeks, I didn’t leave the house.
The girls came up to visit, but I wasn’t in the right mind set to go out and socialise.
My brother, Jonathan, had mentioned that if I was spending all my time at home, I should at least make some improvements.
His argument was that I deserved to have somewhere I was happy.
It was a good point, so I decided I would like a bar area out by the pool, a library in one of my four spare bedrooms, and eventually a kitchen extension.
I knew Kate from when I’d hired her to kit out the nightclub about eight years ago, and when I mentioned getting the house done, she recommended her husband Nolan and their son Morgan.
Morgan was wonderful, and he would make someone a great boyfriend, but not me. No more men and no more relationships. Not now, not ever.