Cherished Enough, page 4
“And I was right.”
A muted crash sounded from the other end of the line and Morgan let out an ear-piercing scream.
“What was that?” I asked when I heard the sound of an alarm. I got up and started pulling on sweatpants and a T-shirt so fast, I was positive I did it in record time. “Morgan?”
“The alarm for the shop is going off! I think someone threw something through the glass down there.”
“Is your alarm on?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice riddled with fear.
“Do not move. Lock your bedroom door and stay in that room, do you hear me?”
“Y-yes. Ryan?”
I grabbed my keys and raced down the steps to the barn and out to my truck. “Yes?”
“I’m really scared now!”
“I’m in the truck, sweetheart. I’ll be there as fast as I can. Call the police.”
“I hear sirens. I think the police are already coming.”
“I don’t care, Morgan. Call nine-one-one. I’m on my way.”
“O-okay. Be careful.”
“Hang up, sweetheart, and call right now.”
There were a few beats of silence before she replied, “’Kay. Bye.”
The moment she hung up, I called Blayze.
“Ryan?” he mumbled sleepily. “What’s wrong?”
“The alarm at the store is going off. Morgan said it sounded like the glass was broken. She’s calling the police now.”
I could hear Blayze already moving on the other end of the line. “Hold on. Georgiana got a call from the alarm company a couple minutes ago, but her phone was on silent.”
Fuck! “I’m already on my way there,” I said as I blew past stop signs and pushed harder on the gas.
“Wait—Morgan called you first?”
I wasn’t sure how this was going to sound, but at the moment, I could care less. “I was already on the phone with her when it happened.”
“And she’s okay?”
“When I last talked to her, she was. I told her to lock herself in her bedroom, then I made her hang up and call the police. Wait, she’s calling me back now.”
“The alarm company just notified Georgiana that the police have arrived. We’re on our way.”
“Okay, see you there in a few.”
I hit End and picked up the other call. “Morgan?”
“The police are here. I mean, they’re down in the store and here in my apartment. One officer said it looks like someone threw a big rock through the window.”
“I’m almost there.” The moment I heard her start crying, my entire world flipped upside down. I was going to kill whoever did this. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.”
A few sobs slipped free before she managed to say, “Of all the nights I picked to listen to a damn true crime podcast!”
Morgan sat on her sofa with her legs drawn up and her arms wrapped around them. I could see she was still shaking, even though she was trying hard to act like she was okay. I sat next to her and held out the hot tea Georgiana had made.
“Here’s the tea,” I said quietly, waiting for her to take it. Blayze sat on her other side, and Lincoln was in the chair opposite the sofa.
“Thank you,” Morgan replied softly as she reached for the mug. Her hands shook, and I had to hold back the rage I felt for the person who’d scared her.
Brock walked into the apartment, a scowl on his face. “The police seem to think it was teenagers messing around. There were a couple other businesses hit as well.”
Morgan took a shaky breath, and I thought I saw her shoulders relax a little.
“Why don’t you come on back to the ranch tonight, Morgan?” Brock suggested.
“No,” she replied. “I was a bit rattled, that’s all.”
Lincoln stood, walked over, and sat on the coffee table in front of her daughter. Taking her hand, she said, “Of course you were. Anyone would be. I think your father is right, though. You should come home. Just for tonight.”
Morgan shook her head, giving her mother a soft smile. “Honestly, Mom, I’m fine. I don’t want to leave. Besides, Ryan is staying the night in the guest room.”
My gaze whipped to Morgan, then around the room. All eyes were on me—and I found myself focusing on Brock more than anyone else.
“Is he?” Brock asked at the same time I said, “I am?”
Before I could even utter another word, Blayze stood. “Okay, then it’s settled. Ryan’s going to stay. I’ll be sure to follow up with the police tomorrow. It’s late; I think we should all head on home.” He looked down at Morgan. “If you’re okay with that?”
She nodded. “I’m exhausted and ready for some sleep.”
Lincoln stood and kissed Morgan on the forehead. “You’re sure you want to stay here?”
Morgan dropped her legs and stood. “I am. And like I said, Ryan will be here.”
I forced myself to nod when Lincoln gave me a smile.
“Thank you, darling, for staying with her.”
“Um…of course.”
Lincoln stepped around the table and Morgan followed. Brock walked up to her. “You call us if you need anything, pumpkin. Got it?”
Morgan kissed her father on the cheek. “I will, Daddy.”
Brock turned to face me—and I readied myself for whatever was about to come.
“Thank you for staying with her tonight, Ryan. I feel better knowing you’re here…that she’s not alone.”
Okay, not what I’d expected. But he wouldn’t be saying that if he knew the dreams I’d had about his daughter. Clearing my throat, I shook his hand. “Of course, Brock. I don’t mind at all.”
He slapped me on the arm and started for the front door. Georgiana hugged Morgan, followed by Blayze. I stood back while Morgan walked to the door and said goodbye to her family. Blayze paused in front of me, and I saw the smile he was attempting to hide as the corners of his mouth twitched madly.
“We’ll talk tomorrow?” he asked. I wasn’t sure if it was a question or a command. I decided to take it as a question.
“For sure.”
He kissed his sister on the cheek and then shut the door. Morgan locked it behind him and turned to face me. I was ready for her to make some kind of joke about me staying so many feet away from her or something about lines that couldn’t be crossed.
Instead, tears spilled from her eyes, and she threw herself at me. I instantly wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight. After a moment, I lifted a hand and smoothed the back of her hair, noting how fucking soft it was. “Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you.”
She buried her face in my chest while we stood there. Hell, I’d stand there all night if she needed me to. When she finally got herself calm, she stepped back. Using the back of her hand, she wiped it under her eyes, then across her nose, and I fought the urge to grin.
“I’m sorry I broke down. It’s just…that stupid podcast and those dumb teenagers!”
“Hey.” I reached for her hand, ignoring the fact that she probably had snot on it. “It’s okay. It would have scared the hell out of me too.”
She sniffled. “It would have?”
I nodded. “Yes! Especially if I’d been listening to that damn podcast. My mom’s cat jumped onto the kitchen counter once while I was listening to it, and I screamed like a little girl.”
Morgan blinked at me a few times before she started to laugh.
“Come on, let’s walk you to your room. You look exhausted.”
“If you told me that story any other time, I’d have some smartass thing to say. But I don’t have it in me tonight.” She sniffled again. “God, I must look like a mess.”
I shook my head. “Morgan, you look beautiful, just tired.” The words slipped out so freely, I couldn’t have stopped them if I tried. Morgan didn’t seem the least bit fazed by them, though.
I pulled her covers back, and she crawled into bed. She had soft blue sheets and a comforter with blue and yellow stripes.
“There you go.” I pulled the covers up and took a step back, ready to head to the guest room.
“Where are you going?” she asked, suddenly sounding panicked.
“Ahh…to the guest room?”
Morgan slid over, shaking her head. “Will you sleep in here with me?”
I stared down at her like she’d lost her damn mind. I rubbed at the back of my neck. “You want me to sleep in the bed with you?”
She nodded. “Please, Ryan? I really don’t want to be alone, and even knowing you’re in the other room won’t be enough. I’ll sleep better with you here.”
Holy shit. This is like a dream and a nightmare all in one.
Morgan looked up at me, those blue eyes of hers silently pleading. What reason could I give for saying no? Oh hey, sorry, Morgan, but if I lie next to you, I won’t be able to sleep because I’ll only be thinking about kissing you. Touching you.
It was like my mouth had lost communication with my brain. “Slide over more.”
Morgan sighed in relief and did exactly that. I sat on the edge of her bed and took off my shoes and socks, moving them off to the side. Thank God I’d put on sweats and wasn’t forced to wear my jeans to bed.
I lifted the covers and slid in, staying as close to the edge of the bed as possible.
The sound of Morgan’s breathing played havoc with my body. After a minute or two, I heard her sleepy voice.
“Thank you for not leaving me, Ryan.”
Closing my eyes, I fought the urge to tell her there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. Instead, I simply replied, “Get some sleep, Morgan.”
She sighed softly, and within five minutes, her breathing slowed and I could tell she was asleep. I rolled over to look at her in the moonlight—and felt like someone had hit me dead in the chest with a sledgehammer.
Morgan was also on her side, facing me with her hand tucked under her cheek as she slept. She looked like an angel, and as I studied her, I swore I forgot how to breathe. I lifted my hand, but stopped when it was inches from her face before drawing away. What was it about her that pulled me to her like a moth to a flame? Of course, she was beautiful, but her heart was even more so. I’d spent countless nights lying in bed and dreaming about what it would be like to have her in my arms. There had been so many times I’d wanted to ask her out, but with her in college and me being older, it never felt like the right thing to do. Of course, then there was Blayze. He’d seen it, though, my attraction to Morgan, and he’d given me his blessings. So what in the hell was I afraid of? Maybe it was knowing if I gave Morgan my heart, she would have the power to destroy it. But wouldn’t it be worth the risk? Yes…she would totally be worth the risk.
“Goodnight, Morgan,” I whispered. Then I watched her sleep until I could no longer keep my own eyes open.
Chapter Five
MORGAN
I slowly opened my eyes and instantly knew I wasn’t alone. Everything from last night came rushing back to me. Including how I’d asked Ryan to stay with me—and to sleep in my bed.
He was still sleeping next to me. And when I say ‘next to me’, I mean his arm was draped over my side, firmly around my stomach, and he was spooning me. And was that…? Was he…?
Oh. My. God.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I fought to keep my breathing even. It was kind of hard to do when the guy I’d been secretly crushing on for the past six years had his morning wood pressed into my ass. And goodness he felt…big.
It’s okay, Morgan. All men get it. It’s not you, it’s simply biological.
Frowning, I decided I wasn’t a fan of that line of thinking.
Ryan moved, and I held my breath. He must have realized where he was—and who he was with—because he immediately froze.
We could either make this awkward or act like it was no big deal. The last thing I wanted was for things to be weird between me and Ryan. It was the first time in ages that we weren’t exchanging barbs every other second.
Okay, no big deal it is.
Stretching, I said, “Oh man!”
Ryan instantly moved as if he’d been burned. I rolled over before he had time to get fully away from me. He was on his back now, with a look of what I could only describe as terror on his face.
Smiling sleepily, I said, “I slept so good knowing you were here. Thank you for staying.”
He blinked a few times. “Sure. It wasn’t a problem. Um, sorry, I must have rolled over in the middle of the night.”
I gave him a confused look. “That’s okay. I didn’t think you would sleep in one spot, stiff as a board.”
His cheeks turned red, and I almost started to laugh. I hadn’t meant to say it that way, but seeing him nearly jump out of his own skin was kind of fun.
Rolling onto my back, I stretched again, then tossed the covers off me and jumped out of bed. “You’re more than welcome to take a shower or anything you need to do. I’m going to make coffee.”
Ryan was getting out of bed, and I had to force myself not to look below his waist, instead staying focused on his face.
“Thanks, but I better get back to the ranch. I mean, if you’re okay with me leaving?”
I waved off his concern. “I’m totally fine now that it’s daylight. I never plan on listening to another podcast for as long as I live. Well, not a crime one, at least.”
Ryan chuckled, and I felt my breath catch. I loved his laugh.
“Coffee to go then?” I asked.
“That would be amazing.”
“Meet you in the kitchen.”
A few minutes later, Ryan walked into the kitchen…and a strange tingling sensation came over me. I could totally get used to having him here. Waking up every day with him in my bed, maybe enjoying a little morning sex…
“Everything okay? You look flushed.”
“Yep! Everything’s fine. It’s just a bit hot in here, I think,” I muttered as I handed him the tumbler filled with coffee.
He held it up and said, “Thanks. I’ll be sure to give this back.”
“I’m not worried about it. Thank you again for staying last night.”
His eyes met mine before they drifted down to my mouth, then jerked back up. I swore for a hot second he was thinking about kissing me. Instead, he cleared his throat and took a few steps back.
“Anytime, Morgan. If I’m being honest, it wasn’t a hardship sleeping next to you. Or waking up with you in my arms.”
Did he really say that?
“That was nice,” I said softly.
His eyes moved to the right—and he frowned. Following his gaze, I saw the flowers that I’d moved to the dining table yesterday. “I still have no idea who sent them.”
Ryan made a grunting sound before he looked back at me. “I better take off. You’re sure you’re okay?”
“Positive. I’m going to head down to the studio to do some work.”
“Let me know what you find out about the broken window in the shop.”
Shit. I’d already forgotten about that. My dad and brother had boarded it up for me last night. “I will, for sure.”
Walking behind him to my front door, I couldn’t help but notice how nice his ass looked in those sweats. When he suddenly stopped and turned, I shot my eyes up and plastered on a casual smile.
“Talk soon?” he asked.
My heart tripped over itself at those two simple words. “Yes.”
He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. “Have a good day, Morgan.”
“You too, Ryan.”
He opened the door, and I watched it slowly close behind him until the soft click of the door latching caused me to jump. I pressed my fingers to my cheek, where I swore my skin was still tingling. Turning, I leaned against the door and sighed as I felt a wide smile erupt on my face.
“I’ve got to tell Krista!” I said to no one before rushing back into my bedroom and grabbing my cell phone. After finding her name, I tapped my phone to call her.
Krista’s groggy voice came through the line. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”
Glancing over at the clock on my nightstand, I said, “It’s eight-thirty.”
“Yeah, and I’m still on vacation. It should be a sin to call me before eleven in the morning.”
I rolled my eyes. “Ryan kissed me.”
She gasped. “Shut the hell up!”
“Yes! Well, it was on the cheek, but I’m pretty sure he wanted to kiss me on the mouth. At least his eyes said he did…and the way he looked at my mouth.”
“When was this?”
“Five minutes ago!”
“Wait, where are you?”
It took everything I had not to giggle with excitement. I was still creeped out about last night, but waking up with Ryan’s dick pressed against my ass had put me in a pretty amazing mood.
“I’m in my apartment.”
She paused for a moment, then I heard her moving around. “Why was he at your apartment so early? I thought you said he was living on his parents’ ranch?”
“Oh, he is. But he spent the night here last night.”
I heard a loud noise, then Krista cussed. “Fuck! I stubbed my toe. Hold on a second. Ryan stayed at your place last night? Did you guys…? Oh my God, did you finally pop your cherry?”
“No! We didn’t have sex, although I’m thinking he would have been down for it from the feel of his hard-on against my ass when I woke up.”
“Okay, I need to sit down. Start at the goddamn beginning. My head is swimming!”
After I explained everything to Krista, starting with me listening to the stupid podcast and ending with him kissing me goodbye—including the fact that he seemed to be pissed about the mysterious flowers—she was silent for a good minute.
“Are you still there?” I asked.
“I’m processing.”
“I know, it’s a lot.”
“Who sent the flowers?”
I pulled my head back in surprise. “After all of that, you’re wondering who sent the flowers?”
“Yeah. You don’t find it strange that someone sent you flowers?”
Shrugging even though she couldn’t see me, I replied, “Maybe they forgot to sign the card.”
“Maybe, but it sounds kind of odd to me.”
