CHAPTER FOURTEEN
After spending some time socializing with Simon, Morgan could see that he was growing tired. “Why don’t I plan to pick you up next Saturday for our reading session? It’s been a difficult day, and you have company, with Jake visiting you.”
Simon’s face lit with pleasure. “That would be ideal. It’s always a stressful time when Constance is here, and I don’t feel up to reading right now.”
“Okay. I’ll check on you during the week and will plan on seeing you next Saturday,” said Morgan, getting to her feet and attaching the leash to Blue’s harness.
Brad joined her. “I’ll take these papers with me and let you know what I think about them,” he told Simon. “Then, you’ll be able to talk to your financial advisor about how you want to handle the situation.”
Simon rose from his chair. “Thank you, Brad. I appreciate that more than you know.” He turned to Morgan with a smile. “You two make a terrific team.”
Morgan and Brad exchanged glances, and then she simply said, “Thanks.” Inside, her pulse was racing. She wasn’t sure how to interpret the compliment. Brad looked uncertain himself.
Simon insisted on walking them to the door.
Morgan kissed him goodbye on the cheek. “See you next week.” She was still troubled by the idea that Constance might want him declared incompetent.
On the sidewalk, Brad faced her. “Why don’t you come to my house like we discussed? The dogs can play, and I’ll grill something for dinner.”
“That sounds great. There’s something I want to discuss with you.” She knew he’d be honest with her.
###
Morgan pulled into Brad’s driveway, surprised by how at home she felt. There was something so welcoming about the place. In the backseat, Blue whined with impatience when Brad’s dogs barked.
She parked the car and set Blue down on the ground. He took off, yipping with excitement.
Brad opened the front door and stood aside as Blue barreled past him. Laughing, he waved to her and waited for her to reach him.
“I see we’ve made a wise choice in letting Blue have some playtime with my dogs. He was moving very fast to get through the house and out into the backyard.”
She laughed. “He heard the dogs and couldn’t wait to get out of the car. Me, too. I had an upsetting afternoon, and I’m grateful to be here. Funny, it felt natural for me to be driving up the driveway.”
He returned her smile. “It’s beginning to feel natural for me, too. Come in, and let’s relax out back.”
They walked through the house and onto the back deck. It was an unusually warm fall day, and the sun felt good on her face as she took a seat in one of the chairs.
“What can I get you to drink? Are you hungry?” he asked.
“I’m ready for a glass of a light, refreshing wine and maybe something to nibble on,” she said.
“I’ve got just the thing,” he said. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
When Brad returned to the deck, he was carrying a bottle of Pinot Grigio, glasses, and a bowl of mixed nuts.
He poured two glasses of wine, handed her one, and sat down facing her. “Here’s to a pleasant evening.”
“Thank you,” she said. “It’s especially nice to be able to relax after realizing what my friend, Simon, is facing. I have something to ask you. Do you think Constance purposely bought him shoes that were slippery?”
Brad held up a hand to stop her. “Don’t go there. Constance is an unpleasant person, but I don’t think she’d do something that intentional. If you continue meeting him on a weekly basis, you’ll be able to keep an eye on such things.”
“Okay, I needed to hear that. The idea of her being so cruel has been bothering me,” she said.
“I not only want to keep meeting him on Saturdays, but I want him to join me for Thanksgiving at Ashley’s house.
And Brad, I hope you will join me and all of us for Thanksgiving Day, if you have no plans.
We’d love to have you there. I’m sure Mark would like the company. ”
“I think Simon will be very pleased by your invitation. I know I am. Holidays can be very lonely.”
“I’m so happy you will come. It means a lot to me.”
His features softened as his gaze rested on her. “You’ve brightened my life in so many ways.”
A warm flush filled her cheeks. “I feel the same way.”
Brad set down his wine glass. “Rules be damned. I don’t care what anyone at the office might think. I want to enjoy being with you.”
He got up and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve waited a long time to find someone like you.”
Morgan’s heart fluttered and then pounded as heat poured through her at the way he was holding her, tenderly but with purpose.
Brad tilted her chin and gazed down at her with such longing she wanted to cry for all that she’d missed with Dale.
When Brad’s lips met hers, they were soft but sure. Then, his kiss deepened, creating whirling emotions within her.
Morgan clung to him, allowing all her suppressed feelings for him to bloom into something tangible.
When he pulled away, she felt bereft and looked up at him, drowning in his blue-eyed gaze that swept over her face with a tenderness she’d never experienced with anyone else. There was vulnerability, too, which made him even more attractive than he already was.
“I’ve wanted to do that ever since that first day in the office together,” he murmured.
The dogs crowded around their feet, barking at them, wanting attention.
Brad laughed and stepped away from her. “I haven’t yet had to train them to leave me alone when I’m holding a beautiful woman in my arms. Until now, I’ve never needed to.”
Still dealing with new emotions, Morgan picked up Blue and hugged him, needing something to hold onto.
Brad wrapped an arm around her. “We’d better stop while we can.”
“It’s best.” As much as she wanted him, she didn’t want to rush into things too quickly.
Throughout their meal, sexual tension built between them. She couldn’t deny her feelings, nor the need inside her.
It was obvious that Brad felt the same. The simmering, sensual looks he gave her made it difficult to swallow her food.
After dinner, they sat on the couch, and it seemed natural to go into his arms. Then, lying side by side, Brad cupped her face in his hands. “I’ve fallen for you. I’ve hoped you’d feel the same way, even though you kept telling me it wouldn’t be allowed.”
“I was attracted to you from the beginning,” admitted Morgan. “But I wasn’t going to get involved with any man. But seeing how hard you work, caring for others, and defending them from further injury, I soon realized you were different. Someone I could rely on not to hurt me.”
“I’m sorry you’ve been hurt in the past. Want to talk about it?” he asked gently.
Morgan began to tell him about Dale and her parents, and it was as if a dam broke inside her. She poured out all the hurt, anger, disappointment, and pain that she’d experienced.
He listened quietly, stroking her back from time to time and tenderly wiping tears from her cheeks.
When she was through, she covered her face with her hands. “Oh, my! I don’t know where I’ve been storing all of that, but thank you for listening.”
“I’m glad I can be here for you,” he said. “I’ve struggled since my wife was killed and even before that when things weren’t going well between us. I’ll never be free of the guilt of her death. I will carry that with me forever. But having someone like you by my side makes the pain more bearable.”
“In time, I hope to help you heal from that pain,” she said, kissing him.
Exhausted, exhilarated, and hating the idea of leaving, she reluctantly got to her feet. “I think it’s best if I go home.”
“Sure you don’t want to stay?” asked Brad, giving her a winning smile.
She chuckled. “You know I want to, but I’d better go.” She stroked his cheek. “The next time you ask, my answer might be different.”
He stood, pulled her up beside him, and wrapped his arms around her. “Then I’ll definitely ask again.”