Laugh Like You've Never Cried (Summer Lake 5) (7 page)

“What's his name then?”

Why didn't anyone believe her about men? “His name is Michael, Michael Morgan.” Her little burst of indignation was fading now. “And I doubt I will see him again, but I had a very nice time.”

“I'm sorry, Megan. But, you know, if you move here we could find you a man.”

“No thanks.” She wanted get off the phone now. The thought of not seeing Michael again and of maybe having to move to Nashville were making her sad. “I have to go. We're at the beach. I'll call you soon, okay? Or you call me, if you need me.”'

“Okay, but think about it, sis.”

“I will. Bye.”

Megan ended the call. There was no one around, so she let Ollie off his leash and watched him run down the beach and straight into the water. Great! Now she wouldn't be able to settle down with her book until she'd given him a bath. She trailed after him, wondering what was up with Kenzie. She'd told her she would think about it, but all she would really be thinking about was how much she didn't want to leave this place. The house wasn't much, but it was furnished, and she could afford the rent. And they had been cool about Ollie. For the first time in her life she was living alone, and she was doing just fine. She kept having thoughts about maybe buying some furniture, slowly switching out what was there. The little front yard would be lovely if she planted some flowers. Maybe she should put some bulbs in soon, for the spring. She decided to stop by the little nursery on the edge of town and ask. It was all new to her, but she'd like to learn—if she would still be here by the spring. She hoped for Kenzie's sake, and her own, that she wasn't going to have to move to Nashville.

She caught up with Ollie, who was happily chasing birds along the water's edge. Even he loved the little life they were building here. She might not have a man, but she didn't need one, she had Ollie. She smiled. She also had the memory of her lovely night out with Michael, and that one kiss. That was enough. It was more than she'd ever expected.

She heard a piercing whistle and watched Ollie race back up the beach, barking and wagging as he went. What on Earth? She turned in time to see him throw himself at....Michael! What was he doing here? She started up the beach to them. At least he and Ollie were wrestling for fun. She'd been terrified for a moment that Ollie might go after someone.

Michael was grinning when she reached them. He was quite breathtaking. His brown hair was brushed back, the dimple on his cheek was too sexy for words, and the stubble that covered his face  made him look kind of rough and ready. She knew she was smiling stupidly; what she didn't know was whether she'd be able to make any words come out. She waited for him to go first.

“G'day, Meggie. I brought you breakfast.”

She stared at him. “Why?” Oh dear. She'd made a word come out, but it hadn't sounded very friendly.

His smile faded a little. “I came down here earlier, thinking I might catch you again. Then I went to meet the guys for breakfast.” He came towards her and she froze. He put an arm around her shoulders and turned her around. He pointed out across the water. “Can you see the Boathouse?”

She squinted through her glasses and could indeed see the restaurant, and all the people sitting out on the deck. She looked up into smiling green eyes.

He surprised her by dropping a quick peck on her lips. “I spotted you and Ollie. So I grabbed you a sandwich and came right over. Are you hungry?”

She nodded. She was.

“Come on then.” He kept his arm around her shoulders and walked her up to his truck. He reached into the cab and pulled out two coffee cups. He handed them to her and grabbed a large paper bag, then went around to the back and let the tailgate down.

Megan just watched him. She had no idea what to say.

He took the coffees from her, set them down with the bag, and sat up on the tail gate. He patted the space next to him with a grin.

She laughed. This was too wonderful—and too ridiculous! No way on Earth would she be able to climb up there. That was one big truck.

He looked at her, puzzled when she didn't join him. Then it dawned on him. He jumped down and stood in front of her. “May I?”

She nodded and closed her eyes as he took hold of her waist to lift her up. But he didn't lift her. He pulled her against him. She opened her eyes and looked up at him in time to see his lips before they landed on hers. Her hands clung to his strong arms, and she kissed him back. It was only a peck, no tongue invasion, or teeth clashing, but good grief! Promises, promises was the only way to describe it! He lifted his head, but still didn't let her go. He was holding her close against him, and that conversation their bodies had started last night was a lot more intense this morning. Heat was rushing through her, and it seemed to start and end at the place where the part of him that had the most to say was pressing into her. She reached her arms up around his neck, deliberately pushing her breasts against his chest. Every part of her was pressed against him as she smiled up at him, and it felt sooo good.

He held her even closer and looked down into her eyes. “I need to lift you up there now, before I have to have
you
for breakfast, little one.” He pulled her hips against his, making a little gasp escape from her lips, before he swung her up onto the tailgate and got up himself to sit beside her.

***

S
o much for taking it slow! It was all Michael could do to stop himself from laying her down in the bed of the truck right now. She was hiding herself in the same outfit of sweatshirt and jeans again and he was getting desperate now to get her out of them. He wanted to get to know the tantalizing figure underneath.

He handed her a coffee and smiled. “There's cream and sugar in the bag if you want them.”

She shook her head. “No thanks,” She wasn't saying much, but her smile reassured him that she was happy to see him.

“So what kind of sandwich do you want? They're only the to-go ones from the bakery. I got bacon, egg and cheese; sausage, egg and cheese; steak, egg and cheese; and just egg and cheese.”

Her laugh sounded so good. “You got
four
different sandwiches, and
you
already had breakfast?”

He shrugged and hung his head, then smiled out at her from under lowered lashes. “I met the guys for breakfast, but I didn't eat yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because two minutes after the food came out, I spotted you. I ran to the bakery to get the sandwiches and drove over here like a bat out of hell!”

Her cheeks were pink, but her smile was huge. “Really?”

“Yes, really!”

“Why?”

She was as bad as Ethan, with having to know the why of everything. This one was an easy answer though.

“Because I couldn't wait to see you again, that's why!”

She peeked up at him. He loved the way she did that, as though she thought he wouldn't notice and she could figure him out while he wasn't looking. She didn't seem to understand that he couldn't take his eyes off her.

He shrugged and smiled. “So what kind of sandwich do you want? They're still hot.”

“I'll take the sausage.”

He laughed out loud, even as the pressure in his pants grew more uncomfortable. That naughty, guilty little smile was working its crazy on him. He shook his head at her. “You shouldn't say it if you don't mean it.”

Her mouth formed a perfect little ‘oh’, making him squirm on the tailgate and squeeze his knees together. He realized she was uncomfortable and put a hand on her shoulder. “Sorry, darl', but you've got to know what you’re doing to me? You've driving me nuts!”

“How? What am I doing?”

He laughed. “You are so incredibly sexy, and you genuinely don't know it. You're hiding your hot little self somewhere under all those clothes—and you keep talking about wanting my sausage!”

“I am not sexy! I don't even like sex.”

“That's because you've never had sex....”

“Don't be ridiculous! Of course I have. I'm twenty-eight years old!”

He couldn't help grinning as he held his hand up. “You didn't let me finish. What I was saying, darl', is that you've never had sex with me.” Her eyes flew up to meet his and her cheeks turned bright pink as he winked and added, “Yet.”

He stroked his hand from her shoulder up her neck, till it cupped the back of her head. Her eyes were wide. Her lips were parted. He had no choice. He drew her closer and was relieved when her hand came up to his cheek. He covered her mouth with his own and kissed her the way he needed to. She was hesitant at first, but he felt her relax as he curled his arm around her and pulled her against him. Her other hand came up to cup his face as he tasted her, exploring her mouth. She was shaking, but willing. She let him in, met his tongue with her own. She sure as hell didn't kiss like a woman who didn't like sex!

When he finally lifted his head she was breathless. She still held his face between her hands. He held her closer to him, not wanting to let go. There was doubt in her eyes, but there was desire too, unquestionable desire. He had to let go of her, while he still could.

“What are you doing later, little one?”

“I'm not going to have sex with you, if that's what you're thinking!”

He threw his head back and laughed as he hugged her to him again. She was adorable! “I'm not asking you to.”

Now she just looked confused. The poor little darlin' had no clue at all.

“Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't say no, in fact I'd love it if you wanted to. But we can get to that when, and
only if
, you want to. I was going to ask if you want to come out for a ride with me. I'm going to be working on my old car with Ben this afternoon and I thought it'd be fun to take you for a spin when we're done.”

“You and Ben?”

“No, Meggie. Just you and me.”

She smiled. “Yes, please.”

“Good. I'll come get you at four. I'll have to get back early for Ethan coming home.”

M
ichael dropped the hood on the old Cadillac and grinned at Ben. “Thanks, mate. She's running great. You want a beer?”

“I'd love one, but what time do you need to get going?”

“I said I'd pick Meggie up at four, so we've got ages yet. Come on back up to the house.”

After they had both cleaned up, Michael passed Ben a beer from the fridge and took a bottle of apple juice for himself. They settled out on the back deck overlooking the lake. The water sparkled in the afternoon sun.

Ben raised his bottle. “It really doesn't seem that long since we used to sit out here doing homework, or having burgers and milkshakes after football practice.”

Michael smiled. “You're right, mate. In some ways it feels like it was last week. In others it seems like a different lifetime.” He touched his bottle against Ben's. “I never thought I'd live here again, but I'm glad I am. It just feels right, you know?”

Ben laughed. “I do know. Seems there are quite a few people who feel the same way these days. Speaking of which, did I see Gabe the other day? I thought I must be imagining things.”

“Nope, not your imagination. Big brother is back too. He's just visiting though. I wish I could convince
him
to stay here and chill out, give up all the high-powered stress, but I'm not sure he'll ever be able to relax that much.”

“He always was kind of type A, wasn't he? I was surprised when you bought this place from your folks. I thought he would have at least wanted to own a share.”

Michael shook his head with a rueful grin. “Type A? The Angel Gabriel is more of a triple A—high energy, high powered. He organizes life into submission, and God help anyone who gets in his way. I'm lucky that the idea of my buying the old place met with his approval. He liked the idea of my having ties here, and I have to admit he was right, as always. He kept telling me I needed the option of coming back some day.” He stared out at the lake, lost in thought.

“Are you okay?”

He looked back at Ben. “Yeah. There's still that little piece of me that hates admitting he was right. He knew I'd end up back here, while I thought I could go out and be a success in the world.”

“Jesus, Michael! You have, you did, you are. You made your way in a different country, you're a great doctor, you've got a great son.”

He shook his head. “I tried. I knew I could never compete with Gabe. That's why I went to Oz, and it was why I stayed there in the beginning. Growing up it was always so obvious he was the smart one, the driven one. I was just the funny one, bouncing along behind. I wanted to be a success in my own right. I could never be that while I was in his shadow.”

Ben was looking at him quizzically. “I never, ever, thought of you as being in Gabe's shadow. You were both such bright lights.”

“Nah, he was the main act, I was the clown. Still that way now. He's got his law firm in New York, going from strength to strength, bringing justice to the world, leaping tall buildings, all that good shit. Me? I'm back in Hicksville, California, settling down as a small-time, small-town doc.”

Ben shook his head. “I had no idea you felt that way, bud. It's not how I see you. I've always bragged about my buddy, the doctor. Whenever you're coming back I tell people about my friend Michael, how they'll love him when they meet him, he's so smart and funny—and successful.”

Michael shook his head. “Aww, just listen to you, Mr. Supportive Friend. How come you're not married with a bunch of kids? Surely women love you? You're kind, caring, you always know the right thing to say to make people feel better. You're everything women look for and rarely find. Why hasn't some lucky lady snagged you already? Are you ever going to tell me the story?”

Ben shook his head. “Not going there. This conversation isn't about me, it's about you. My story can wait for another day. I cannot believe that you don't feel successful. You're a great doctor and a great dad. ”

Michael shrugged. “I guess when you grow up with a brother like Gabe, it's hard to feel that you're great at anything, because he was always the greatest. I did okay when I first went to Oz, but being with Kay did a number on me too. I know I'm a good dad, but I
had
to be. I had to learn real fast. She was never interested in Ethan, or in me for that matter. She married me because she was pregnant. She stayed with me because she liked the idea of the money. It's hard to feel successful when your wife is sleeping around and partying. It's even more difficult when she leaves you and your five year old boy so she can party harder and not have to explain herself to either of you.”