More than Temptation (17 page)

Bella tapped her hand over her heart as it raced while she watched Morgan come towards her. Only police or fire personnel drove or parked along this street so it was usually not busy. Each time she saw Morgan, Bella couldn’t believe he was hers. His jacket was open to show off his T-shirt and black jeans. Morgan reached the sidewalk then came to her. She stood as he stopped by her and she placed her hand on his chest. He kissed her briefly and Bella immediately wanted to be somewhere private with him.

“Lunch together is a nice surprise,” Morgan said.

“Yeah, we decided to take an early break for lunch today.” Bella tugged him to the bench. “I bought us sandwiches, drinks and chips.”

Morgan sat and she handed him the bag. He opened it and took out the food.

“How’s practice going?” Morgan opened the foil then handed her a sandwich.

“Good. It’s been interesting working together again.” Bella accepted the sandwich and other items. “The band said they forgot how much of a perfectionist I am.” She laughed.

For the last week, after they had had agreement from the rest of the band members for both hers and Driscoll’s band that were still alive, she had been busy. They had been working to get ready for the benefit. They wanted it to be perfect and seamless. Since neither of their bands had performed in a venue for a while, they were making sure to practise to get back into the mindset of performing.

“From what I’ve seen, you all will be great.” Morgan took a bite of his sandwich.

“We’re just getting started. Just practising the music. Wait until we get to the real work of staging and set-up and such.”

Morgan lowered his sandwich. “Real work? I thought what I saw was the real work.”

“Nope.” Bella chuckled. “This is only the start. We started working on the dance moves today. My poor feet are aching. By tonight, I’ll be hobbling.”

“I’ll give you a rub down later. Focus on your feet,” Morgan promised as he put his hand at the back of her neck and stroked.

Bella lowered her head and moaned. “I’ll hold you to that. Now eat before I need to go back.”

“How’d you get here?” Morgan asked, since usually he dropped her off in the morning when he went to work then when he could, he went by after and waited until she was done for the day before they headed home.

“Stuart dropped me off.” Bella rolled her shoulders. “He’ll pick me up in about half an hour.”

“Okay. I’ll be by to get you later.” Morgan frowned. “Unless an emergency comes up. I’ll text you either way to let you know.”

“I know.” Bella patted his leg. “I’m looking forward to that massage later.”

“Me too.” Morgan snagged a chip then ate it. “Did you all figure out what costumes you are going to wear?”

“We started to.” Bella glanced at him slyly. “I did tell them I wanted to wear the red leather we took pictures in.”

“Christ, Bella.” Morgan lowered his hand holding the sandwich. “I can’t go back to work with a hard-on.”

“I’ll say you will be.” Bella glanced at his lap and the bulge under his jeans then met his gaze. “That will also be on the agenda later, after the massage.”

“Talk about something mundane.” Morgan chuckled. “Kennan and I were talking about you and Julianne.”

“Really? What were you talking about?” Bella sipped her iced tea.

“Adventure, mischief and Locke women.” Morgan smiled.

“Hmmm… I’m sure you mentioned how we make your life so much better.” Bella pushed her shoulder against his.

“We sure did.” Morgan put his arm around her shoulder and slid closer.

“Good answer, you’re a smart man.” Bella kissed him then leaned against him.

“We also mentioned how the mundane is so interesting with the women in our lives.”

“Humph. I should be offended that you used mundane in a sentence with me in it.” Bella smacked him gently on the stomach. “I’m in no way mundane.”

“The mundane thing. That isn’t referring to you.” Morgan squeezed her softly. “You are in no way that word. Spitfire, crazy and wild are words that would better describe you.”

“Those are words that I like.” Bella stared at him. “To describe you, I would say tempting, fun and tempting.”

“You said tempting twice.”

“Because you are doubly tempting.”

“Okay then.” He kissed her nose then stared into her eyes. “I love you, Bella.”

As it always did whenever he said it, her heart fluttered and joy filled her. “Love you, Morgan.”

“And I am still not going skydiving.”

“But I haven’t asked you in a week.” Bella pouted.

“You were thinking it. I’ve seen that calculating look in your eye over the last few days.”

“Damn, you’re good.” Bella chuckled. “I did think it but was planning a good way to convince you to go along.”

“See, I know your ways,” Morgan teased. “You’re not going to convince me this time.”

“We’ll see.” Bella winked. “I have some tools in my convincing arsenal I haven’t used yet.”

“Oh, boy. Now I’m afraid.”

“As you should be, buddy.” Bella chuckled. “Be very, very afraid.”

“Crazy woman.”

“Your crazy woman.”

“My Bella.”

“My Morgan.” She moved closer to him. “So how has your day been? Are you still buried in paperwork?”

“It’s been a good day so far. No calls for suspicious fires.” Morgan snuggled against her. “As for paperwork, that is never-ending.”

Bella listened as he told her about his day. She also shared what she had been up to. A horn honking made her glance up. Stuart, in his blue Toyota Highlander, was idling at the kerb on the main street.

“Time to go.” Bella rose and Morgan joined her.

“That went by fast.” He threw the plastic bag with the trash of their finished meal into the garbage can.

“Yeah. So unless something comes up and I get a text, I will be waiting for you.”

“Okay. Don’t let this perfectionist work you too hard.” Morgan put his hand around her waist and walked her towards Stuart’s vehicle.

“I’ll tell her to back off.” Bella lowered her voice. “Bella, back off from working Bella so hard.” Then she spoke normally, “That doesn’t seem to have the same kick, my telling myself to back off. I’ll have to work on it.”

“Nutty woman.” Morgan laughed.

“It’s a gift.” Bella patted his ass.

They got to Stuart’s car and Morgan opened the door for her and helped her in. Morgan bent his head and looked at Stuart.

“Hiya, Stuart. What trouble have you been getting into?”

“Morgan.” Stuart smiled. “Like I’d tell you. Gotta keep some secrets.”

“I’ll bug you to tell me later. Take care of her,” Morgan said to Stuart then touched Bella’s face. “See you later.” He kissed her gently then stepped back, closing the door.

Stuart pulled out. Bella glanced back to where Morgan was standing at the kerb with his hands in his pockets. She really didn’t want to leave him but knew they both had to work.
Later, I’ll see him later
.
I hope the day goes by fast.

“You both have it bad, Bella.” Stuart hummed two lines of her biggest hits under his breath then sang, “I’m so gone, gone on you. I’m blind to anything else.”

“Hold me close and rock me baby,” Bella sang then winked. “Groove with me.”

They sang back and forth, teasing as they drove back to Couric Park. As they drove, Bella’s thoughts kept turning to Morgan and his promise of that massage later, as well as other things. At the amphitheatre, Bella entered and saw the others were waiting for them already. She got into place then started working on the dance steps. Throughout the rest of the day, Bella kept looking at the clock, eager for the day to be completed. When Morgan arrived and took his usual seat in the front room, Bella was even more impatient to leave. Finally, about an hour after Morgan’s arrival, they called it quits. Bella quickly grabbed her things, said bye to the others then headed to Morgan. He greeted her with a kiss, as he usually did.

“Ready to get home and for that massage.” Morgan ran his hand up and down her back.

“Oh yeah.” Bella moved under his arm then slid her hand into his back pocket as they walked to the door.

They chatted about the rest of their day then got into Morgan’s vehicle. When he got them on their way, they continued to talk.

Hot shower together, massage then sweaty sex. That’s the plan for tonight.
Bella was counting the moments until they got home.

Chapter Nine

“I wonder if we have any paper bags at home.” Bella clicked her tongue.

“Wicked, wicked woman.” Morgan squeezed her upper thigh briefly before putting both hands back on the wheel. “I bought some the other day.”

“What? I don’t remember seeing them,” Bella said.

“They are there.”

“At my place or yours.”

“Both.” Morgan smiled. “Made sure to have some both places, just in case.

“And you call me wicked.” Bella chuckled. A flash of light made her look to her left. Bella’s eyes widened and she yelled, “Morgan!”

A car barrelled into them and Bella jerked in the seat, moaning as the belt cut off her circulation. Her head snapped back and she reached out for him. When his hand slid into hers she knew all would be well. Then a sensation of rising overcame her and she realised they were flipping in the car. The loud sound of metal scraping against metal came to her and she was yanked sideways. Her head hit the dashboard before wrenching back. The seatbelt was choking her and she wanted to get it off. Bella lifted her hand and touched her forehead. She lowered it, staring dumbfounded at blood coating her fingers. She looked to Morgan and it took her a moment to make sense of what she was seeing. They were upside down. She opened her mouth, but then her vision went black.

Morgan’s heart stopped for a moment as Bella’s golden eyes went glassy then she closed them and her body went slack. He knew she’d passed out.

“Bella,” he said hoarsely.

Morgan held her hand tight and every instinct in him screamed to get her out. But the blood on her head and the way she had jerked back and forth in the car told him he shouldn’t. All his training combated with the man wanting to get his woman to safety. Morgan released her hand, knowing he had to at least get himself out then assess the situation. He moved his limbs to check them and was relieved he didn’t have any pain. He slowly released his seatbelt then moved until he could put his legs against the driver’s side glass. He kicked it out then went through the window. Outside, he staggered to his feet and looked at the scene. His vehicle was roof down and he smelt gas. Morgan went around the car then paused as he spotted the other vehicle. Flames were licking along the car and from where he stood he could see that the driver was motionless. Morgan made a spilt second decision and headed for the car. He took off his light jacket and wrapped it around his arm.

Morgan lay on the road and called, “Can you hear me?”

The driver didn’t move. He kicked out the glass then used his cloth-covered hand to get the shards out of the way. Morgan reached in and felt for a pulse on the driver. It wasn’t there, but he couldn’t leave the man. Morgan coughed as the smoke stared to blow his way. He also smelt the alcohol coming off the man. With efficient motions, Morgan got the man out and pulled him far away from the burning car. He checked again and when there was no pulse, he figured that the man was gone. Returning to the vehicles, Morgan watched in horror as the flames started heading along the gas spread between their cars to his SUV where Bella was. He hadn’t even noticed the potential problem.

Morgan ran towards Bella’s side and lay flat on his belly, looking in. “Bella.”

She didn’t reply. Morgan turned and kicked the window, urgency filling him. It gave and he used his cloth-covered hand to remove the glass left. When he was finished, he leaned in the window and stared at Bella. The blood on her forehead was a worry and he wasn’t sure if he should move her. But the fire made it impossible to leave her there.

Please, God, don’t let me moving her hurt her.
He reached up, holding her with one arm then unbuckling her belt and grabbing her, pulling her out. Bella moaned then whimpered. Morgan’s heart clenched at the sound. He got to his feet, lifting her with him. Changing his hold on her, he lifted her fully into his arms and ran to where he had placed the other driver. When he was there, he gently lowered Bella to the ground then placed his folded up jacket under her head.

He stroked her blood-soaked hair from her face. In his mind, thoughts of many other rescues flashed through his head. All the people he’d rescued and those he hadn’t been able to. Morgan pushed them away and reached for his cell. He called for help then put his cell away and focused on Bella.

“I failed you, Bella,” Morgan whispered praying that she would live.

The sound of sirens soon came and Morgan closed his eyes, grateful that help was on its way. The lights of emergency vehicles flooded around them and Morgan knew he should get up and tell them what was happening, but he couldn’t leave Bella.

“Morgan,” Kennan called, sliding to a stop by him and dropping to his knees.

Morgan didn’t look away from Bella or remove his hand. He was afraid that if he did, she would die.

“Morgan,” Kennan’s urgent tone finally penetrated and Morgan looked at him.

“I failed her, Kennan. Failed Bella.” Morgan gulped. “I moved her, but I could have hurt her worse because I did.”

“You had to. The vehicles are on fire.” Kennan gestured.

Morgan looked and his eyes widened as he noticed both cars were fully enflamed.

“Let them get to Bella,” Keenan urged. “So they can get her help.”

“I have to go with her,” Morgan said.

“Of course,” the EMT said as they came in to work. “We need to check you, too.”

“I’m fine.” Morgan rose, swallowing the nausea that overcame him. He stood back as they worked on Bella. “I don’t need to be checked,” he growled at the EMT who tried to tell him to sit. He held up his hands and went to help his partner with Bella. When the other set of EMTs arrived and went to the other man, he said, “He’s dead. He was drunk.” Morgan closed his eyes then clenched his fists. “He was drunk.”