One Christmas Night, page 10
She rested a knee on one side of his hips, then straddled him with her other. Delicate hands came to rest on his shoulders as she continued to keep her wide stare on him.
There was more than passion in those expressive eyes, there was determination. He could appreciate her drive and her desire. They were matched in so many ways, yet he couldn’t look at this as more than a smart decision to further the future goals of his ranch.
Ryan gripped her hips as she joined their bodies and every thought in his head vanished. There was only now with this woman. Her short nails bit into his skin as she began to move. Her quick actions were a sure sign she’d had too much pent-up passion as he’d held her off as long as he could. He should have known he wouldn’t be able to last the entire month without having her and he should have known Morgan would go after what she wanted.
Knowing she was this turned on, this aroused for him, only added to his pressing need for her. Ryan gripped her backside with one hand and thrust the other up into her hair, sending the knot tumbling down. Vibrant red strands fell around her shoulders as she dropped her head back and arched into his body.
Her hips jerked faster and watching her lose herself in the intensity of the moment was all he needed to let go. They’d been dancing around this moment for days and he couldn’t hold back any longer.
Ryan pulled her mouth to his and captured her lips. He needed to feel all of her, to touch her any way and every way he could. Morgan’s body calmed seconds before his and Ryan banded his arms around her waist. He nipped at her lips gently before easing back and staring up at her.
Those full, damp lips, her hair in a mass all around them, and those sexy heavy lids with her eyes locked onto his had Ryan already positive this was just the start of tonight’s festivities.
“Thanks for the tree and dinner,” she told him with a smile.
“You already told me that.”
He smoothed the hair back from her face, wanting to see more of her and wondering if he’d ever get enough.
“I wanted to thank you properly,” she amended.
Ryan ran his hands up and down that smooth skin on her back and down over her hips. She shivered beneath his touch, which only proved to him he held some power over her. She wasn’t immune to his advances or uncaring. She wanted this, maybe from a different standpoint than him, but didn’t they technically have the same goal in mind?
They both wanted stability for their child and they both had amazing chemistry. Why couldn’t she see this was so much more than temporary or some challenge to see who could win? They both could.
Soon she would come to realize that this might not be the same type of relationship as so many in Royal had found with everlasting love, but he and Morgan had a pretty damn good possibility to be a dynamic couple. Love didn’t have to factor in one bit.
When she trembled once again, Ryan gathered her close and came to his feet, with her still wrapped all around him.
“It’s a little chilly out here.” He kept his focus over her shoulder as he carefully carried her back into his room. “Maybe you can keep expressing your thanks in here where it’s warmer and more comfortable.”
Her lips grazed his neck. “I still have plenty of ways to show my appreciation.”
Ryan’s entire body heated up all over again at her sultry tone and promise. He hoped like hell this was just one of the many nights she would spend in his bed and wondered if they were just one step closer to putting that ring on her finger.
Thirteen
“I told Vic and Chelsea they could tell Aubrey and Nolan about the baby. And Layla could tell Josh.”
Morgan waited for Ryan to say something, but he just tightened his hold around her as she leaned into his side. They’d gathered blankets and come back out to the balcony to enjoy the beautiful night sky. Ryan had lit the heater and they lay entangled on the sofa. Clothes were still strewn about, but she was in absolutely no hurry to pick them up.
She’d come home with every intention of going to bed early, but relaxing with Ryan trumped any book or a nap.
The clear sky gave them a spectacular unobstructed view of the stars and full moon. The magical night enveloped her, giving her a glimpse of too many possibilities. But she couldn’t let her imagination get away from her. She couldn’t allow herself to feel too much or to give her heart an opportunity to break. She had to focus on their child and not be selfish with looking for anything more than a stable foundation.
“I didn’t know we were making an announcement yet.”
Morgan pulled in a deep breath. “I didn’t think it was fair to ask them to keep secrets from their partners.”
His fingertips caressed a pattern up and down her bare arm as she lay against him. She couldn’t see his face and she wondered what he was thinking.
“Vic was relieved and asked if he could tell Jayden. But I’d like us to tell Zanai and Jayden together, unless you don’t want to?”
“It’s fine,” he told her. “It’s funny, we wouldn’t even be here if Vic and Jayden hadn’t told me you were attracted to me.”
Morgan’s breath caught in her throat. A heavy dose of dread settled heavy in her belly.
She flattened her hand against his chest and eased herself up to turn and face him.
“What did you say?”
Ryan stared back, clearly unaware of the turmoil and anger that his words had set into motion.
“At the masquerade party,” he clarified. “Vic and Jayden told me that you were attracted to me. I honestly had no idea before that. I thought we just annoyed and tolerated each other because the town is so small, it’s impossible to avoid everyone.”
How could she be so damn foolish? Her own brother and his best friend had clearly been laughing at her behind her back. And now Vic knew she was pregnant and temporarily living with Ryan. Oh, he must really be loving that.
Morgan came to her feet and untangled herself from the blanket. She’d known her brother filled her in about the little trick on her, but she had no idea they’d done the same to Ryan.
“I cannot believe this,” she muttered as she grabbed the first article of clothing she could find.
“What’s wrong?” Ryan asked.
She jerked on her robe and knotted the belt. “What’s wrong? My brother and Jayden. That’s what’s wrong. You want to know what they told me?”
Ryan’s jaw clenched, and his lips thinned. “Probably not.”
“They told me that you had the hots for me.” Morgan crossed her arms over her chest and tried to calm down, but she was furious. “What the hell game were they playing?”
Ryan stretched his arm along the back of the sofa and with no readable expression. How could he remain so calm when faced with this ugly truth? Morgan was ready to drive over to Vic’s house and punch him in the face. How could she trust him? How could she trust any of this situation when all of it had been based on lies and deceit? And now an innocent baby and real feelings had been tossed into the mix.
“Maybe they were playing Cupid,” Ryan offered.
Morgan narrowed her gaze. “I’m not amused and why would two grown men even care? This is ridiculous. Damn it.”
Ryan shoved the blanket aside and came to his feet. When he reached for her, she wanted to back away, but none of this was his fault.
“I had no idea they did any of this,” he told her, gently squeezing her shoulders. “I’m sure getting worked up isn’t good for the baby or your sanity. I’ll be angry enough for the both of us and talk to Jayden. What the hell had those two been thinking?”
“I just don’t get it.” She shook her head, trying to make sense of it all. “Vic surely couldn’t care less who I end up with as long as I’m happy. I don’t understand why he and Jayden said anything at all.”
“Who knows? Maybe because they’re both in committed relationships and happy and want the same for us.”
It still sounded so odd for Vic to meddle like that. Though joking and pranks had always been his style. But hadn’t this gone a bit too far? Granted, they’d likely had no idea she and Ryan would tumble into bed that same night.
“I hate being made to seem like a fool,” she muttered.
Ryan framed her face and tipped her head up so she had nowhere to look but at him.
“You’re not a fool,” he corrected her. “And would you honestly take back what happened? We’re having a child and you’re living here now. I have zero regrets.”
Another ribbon of frustration curled through her. She didn’t want to give Ryan the wrong impression. She still had no intention of marriage.
“I don’t regret the baby,” she admitted. “And I’m only here temporarily. I can’t—”
Ryan captured her lips and threaded his hands through her hair as he pulled her body flush with his. All thoughts vanished from her mind and she couldn’t even remember the point she was trying to make.
When he touched her, he made all of her emotions rise higher than her thoughts. Making her feel more amazing than she ever had seemed to be one of Ryan Carter’s many talents.
“Not tonight,” he murmured against her lips as he rested his forehead against hers. “No more talking of the future tonight.”
At some point they would have to talk, but right now, she just wanted more of his touch. She slid the robe back off and let it slide silently to the floor.
Ryan lifted her and carried her back into his bedroom. She’d never had any intention of sleeping in here with him, but one night wouldn’t hurt. She wanted this man and she wanted him to continue to show her just how much he needed her. Because deep down...she needed him, too.
* * *
“Why did you have to call us in here so early?” Vic asked.
Morgan had asked Vic, Chelsea and Layla to her store before she opened. She needed to talk to them privately and this was the only place that would ensure they wouldn’t be overheard.
Morgan stared at her brother and sisters and tried to find the right words because the more she had thought about what Vic and Jayden did, the angrier she became. Her sisters likely didn’t know any of this had taken place, but since they knew the rest of the secret, it was only right to have them here now.
Vic didn’t look a bit relaxed as he stood beside the plush white high-back chair where Chelsea sat. He had his hands propped on his hips with an intense stare aimed directly at her.
“Is something wrong with the baby?” Layla asked.
Her sisters’ worried looks had Morgan shaking her head.
“No. The baby is fine and I appreciate you all keeping that secret for now.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Vic asked.
Morgan rested her hip against the table that had a beautiful display of fluffy throws and fuzzy socks. Her cozy collection had been selling even better than expected for the holidays, which made that risk a success. She only hoped her new maternity line would be as successful.
“Well, dear brother, the problem is you meddling in my affairs.” Morgan laced her fingers in front of her and never wavered her gaze. “How dare you. I trusted you to be there for me in everything in life, not push yourself into molding the outcome.”
Layla held up her hands. “Hold up. Care to fill me in?”
“Go ahead,” Morgan told Vic. “Let her know what you and Jayden did. I’m sure you found it hilarious at the time yet you look a little nervous now.”
Vic adjusted his Stetson and blew out a sigh. “Morgan, we never meant to be deceitful and we sure as hell weren’t laughing at you and Ryan.”
Chelsea came to her feet. “Would someone tell me what the hell is going on here?”
“Our brother decided that I needed assistance in my social life,” Morgan explained. “He and Jayden told me that Ryan was attracted to me, but they told Ryan I was attracted to him.”
Morgan redirected her attention back to her brother. “How long before the Masquerade Ball did you two work on that scheme?”
“There was no scheme,” Vic explained. “Jayden and I actually thought you and Ryan needed a nudge. You had danced around each other for months. All that bickering and griping at each other, it was clear you both were attracted.”
“I can get my own dates,” she countered. “Do you know how humiliating that was to discover?”
Vic took a step forward and reached for her hands. “I never, ever meant for you to be angry or upset and I sure as hell never thought you were a fool. I thought you liked Ryan and he liked you. It was that simple because neither of you were making a move.”
When she looked away, Vic cocked his head to continue to hold her in his sights. “Are you angry with how things turned out? I mean, you’re living with the man and having his baby.”
“No, I’m not sorry how things turned out,” she told Vic, then glanced to her sisters. “And it’s temporary. Ryan is insisting I marry him and he wanted to play house for a month to convince me.”
Chelsea and Layla both smiled and Morgan jerked her hands from her brother’s. She didn’t like those similar stares looking back at her. She didn’t want them to intrude in her personal business. She just wanted...
Hell. She didn’t even know anymore.
Perhaps that was the crux of the entire situation. What had started as a joke had turned her life upside down. Her feelings for Ryan grew stronger each day and she didn’t like it. She wanted to be in control of her wants and needs, but she hadn’t been in control of anything since that night.
Now Vic was smiling, which also grated on her last nerve.
“Stop looking at me like that when I’m trying to be upset,” she scolded.
“We just love you and want you to be as happy as we are,” Layla explained. “You deserve to find someone to spend your life with and you’re already starting a family. It just makes sense.”
Yeah, it made sense...if she wanted a relationship based on a meddling brother and a joke.
“I know you all mean well,” she told them. “But what Ryan and I have and are doing is so far removed from what you guys have with the love you’ve found.”
Chelsea offered a soft smile. “It doesn’t have to be.”
They didn’t understand, and that was fine. Morgan knew what was and wasn’t happening with her relationship with Ryan. She had everything crystal clear in her head. It was just those sweet gestures and their passionate night that had thrown her off. He was trying to sway her into marrying him, but why? When they had a good thing going like this, why muddle it with marriage?
She meant it when she said he might find someone later and actually want a marriage where love existed. She wouldn’t want to go through a divorce and overturn the life they’d created for their child. Morgan had been blessed with a solid upbringing and she would settle for nothing less with her own baby.
“That’s all I wanted to say,” Morgan told her siblings. “I only called Chelsea and Layla in here because they knew about the baby and I wanted them to know how all this happened.”
“No need to pull in the big guns,” Vic said, laughing as he looked at the three sisters. “I’m truly sorry, Morgan, if you think I was being deceptive, but my actions were all out of love.” Vic wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “I’d do anything for my little sister.”
Morgan laughed. “Well, lay low for a while because I’ve had about all I can handle of your interference.”
Vic laughed and pulled back. “I promise to control myself from here on out, but I’m not sorry I helped you two along. I’m going to be an uncle and spoil this baby.”
“I might have already placed a substantial order for baby clothes.” Chelsea cringed and shrugged. “I’m not even sorry about it.”
“I don’t even know if I’m having a boy or a girl.” Morgan chuckled.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Layla assured her. “She ordered plenty of both.”
Morgan groaned. She couldn’t even imagine the love and gifts that would be poured upon her child. Her family loved big and no doubt they would not hold back here.
“I’m surprised you haven’t planned the baby shower,” Morgan joked.
“We’ve booked the TCC already for April and said we were having a girls’ night out party so nobody was suspicious. Hope that works for you and Ryan.”
Morgan rubbed her head and Vic simply patted her shoulder.
“I’m done intervening, but maybe you were talking to the wrong siblings.”
Morgan didn’t care if her sisters wanted to throw a lavish baby shower. Her siblings wanted nothing but the best. She understood that even if she didn’t like Vic’s course of action.
Ryan wanted nothing but the best for her, too. She only wished her heart wasn’t getting involved.
Fourteen
Ryan didn’t know if this plan was going to backfire or win him more points, but he hadn’t gotten this far in life without taking risks.
His staff was all too thrilled he’d dismissed them for the day when there was still daylight. But Ryan wanted his land to be all about him and Morgan for the day. He wasn’t sure when his feelings shifted from wanting to fulfill a legacy to wanting to share all of this with Morgan. No matter when the slow fade happened, Ryan knew without a doubt this was where Morgan belonged. And for her to understand and see that as well, she needed to know about his life and what led him to this point.
There was nothing Ryan was more proud of than Yellow Rose Ranch. He didn’t think that made him shallow or egotistical at all. He’d worked damn hard from his inheritance and wise investments, coupled with smart business sense, and he wanted to show off what he had created.
“What are we doing in the stables?”
Ryan turned as Morgan stepped inside. Her polished look never failed to impress and amaze him. She was everything he wasn’t, and she didn’t seem to mind that he lived in the same style of clothes every single day. She, on the other hand, never wore the same thing twice.
