MVP (11 page)

Jocelyn extended her hand again. “It was a pleasure meeting you. I knew when Seth finally settled down he’d find a woman of great character.”

Morgan swallowed. “Thank you.”

She and Nina watched as Jocelyn Fontane floated away.

Morgan palmed her face but then remembered she shouldn’t smudge her makeup. “Oh god, I was rambling like an idiot.” Morgan felt eyes on her. She looked over to a crowd of women who were giving her the once over.

Nina looked too. “They’re jealous. Getting close to Jocelyn Fontane is not easy. She hates phony people.”

Morgan felt her heart slowing from high gear back to normal. “She’s a nice lady. I think she actually cared about what I had to say.” She shot a glance back at the crowd of women who were still glaring at her. “Unlike them, I imagine.”

* * *

Morgan and Seth left the party not much later. As soon as the driver closed the limousine door, Morgan straddled Seth and planted a passionate kiss on him.

Morgan sighed. “I think instead of the foot massage, I’m going to need a full body massage.”

“Is that right?”

“That’s right.” She purred as Seth pulled her closer until she sat over the big bulge in his pants.

Morgan began to grind against him as she slid his suit jacket off his broad shoulders. The smooth motion of the limousine coupled with Seth’s deliberate movements was sending sensual shock waves to her system. The sensations came in crashing waves as Seth manipulated her clit, rubbing her in small clockwise circles, suddenly stopping then resuming counter clock wise. It was hard for her body to keep up with his teasing rhythm. Her body would build up only to have to wind down and adjust to the new direction he was taking her in. Damn, he knew how to play her body like a harp, strumming and picking at the right spots to hit the right chord. She tugged on his belt, then unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, liberating his massive erection from his designer boxer briefs.

She groaned. “Your hand should be a registered as a lethal weapon.”

“So should your—”

Morgan slapped his arm before he could finish.

She could feel her whole body blush, a warm tingly feeling that began in her toes, traveled up her legs and settled at the center of her body. Her skin felt like a live wire, each nerve ending open and gearing up for the climax that would eventually come when he finished having his tortuous way with her. When he lovingly nipped at her skin while making a sensuous trail of moisture down her breasts, she shuttered and started to whimper. In her heated frenzy, she still managed to remove his tie and unbutton his shirt. She wanted to see his tanned skin, to see those chiseled pecks and granite abs. It was hard to admit looking at his body made her feel like a school girl who’d never seen a man before. He had a raw, smoldering sexual appeal that was never lost on her. Whenever they gave in to the libidinous aspect of their connection, that was when she was glad there was more to them than an intellectual relationship. She appreciated a smart man, and thank god he was, but she was fortunate enough to get the extras too.

Seth pulled her onto his lap, slid his hand under the hemline of her dress, and made his way underneath her lace panties. He slid two fingers inside her, while his thumb ran slowly across her clit.

Seth reached over and hit the intercom button with his free hand. “Charlie, why don’t you take us on a tour of the city? We’re in no rush.”

Charlie laughed. “No problem, Mr. Blake.”

When Morgan liberated him from his trousers, Seth gripped her hips and lifted her up and slowly lowered her onto his penis. His body convulsed from the skin to skin contact. She was always so tight and fit him like a glove. Each time he made natural contact with his wife, the world faded away. The first time had been in Texas, the night she had gotten drunk off Bodine’s bathtub whiskey. Morgan had stripped off everything except those cowboy boots and rode him au natural.

His body rocked in rhythm with Morgan’s riding motions, the muscles in his legs and thighs becoming taut. Making love to her was more intensive than his football training. How such a petite woman was able to elicit such arduous performances from him was amazing. He’d never worked so hard or so tenderly to please a woman in his life. There was always something new to learn about her. When she rocked forward Seth caught her breasts in his hands, taking his time licking and sucking on each nipple. Her body began to tighten around him and Morgan reached up for the closest thing to her, his hair. Seth didn’t mind the death grip or the sheen of the sweat forming on her skin. Hell, droplets were forming on his as well.

“Seth,” she moaned.

“I love you, Morgan.”

The explosion between them ignited, and she collapsed on top of him.

“I love you, too.”

* * *

Morgan shifted the stack of books in her hand and wandered down the aisle to find the right section. She started shelving the books when a familiar voice spoke behind her.

“I stopped by a few times but Michelle said you weren’t here.”

Morgan turned around to see Jason standing at the other end of the aisle. “What do you want Jason?”

“I thought we needed to talk. Just the two of us with no audience.”

“Why do I get that consideration now? You should have done that months ago. Instead of selling your story to the highest bidder.” Morgan rolled her eyes and wondered why she was standing there listening to him.

Jason shook his head. “That wasn’t me. I can now admit that Charisma and I were a mistake. I didn’t want to tell you about us at the barbeque like that, Charisma insisted, saying you spent your whole life acting like you were better than her. I guess she was looking for payback.”

“We have been at odds for a long time but if you were listening to me when I complained about her; you would have stayed away from her. Instead you decided to help her humiliate me. I think you should ask yourself why you were willing to do that. I’ve never done anything so horrible to you to warrant the treatment I received from you.”

Jason averted his gaze. “I’ve been thinking about that. You are always so…aloof. It’s off putting sometimes. There was a part of me that was angry with you and wanted to see you hurt. To see that other people around you were capable of making you feel something.”

“Even if those feelings were anger and shame?” Morgan clenched her fists.

Jason hung his head. “I didn’t say it was a well thought out plan. I saw your picture in the paper. You were at some party. You looked beautiful.”

Morgan shifted the books in her arms. “Thanks, I guess. Why did you come here?”

“I’m leaving town. I found a job in Michigan. Being the punch line with my friends and my family is getting old. I need some space.”

“I don’t know if Michigan is ready for you and Charisma.” She laughed.

Jason shook his head. “I’m not taking her with me. I may be a little self-centered but Charisma thinks the sun revolves around her. I was furious when she sold that story to the tabloids. That was the last straw. I don’t know what she was trying to accomplish but I figured the two of us had done enough damage to you already.”

“That sounds like a good move for you.”

“Yeah.” He looked at the door. “Morgan, I just wished I could bring out in you what Seth Blake did. His being famous is a sting but it isn’t the reason I hate the dude. I would have hated anyone who could pull you out of the shell you were in and make him love you.”

“Seth didn’t
make
me do anything. You just know when it’s the right person to let into your heart.”

“Like I said, he was able to do what I wasn’t.” Jason shrugged.

She waved at him. “Good luck in Michigan.”

“Good luck to you too. I wish you and Blake nothing but happiness.” Jason hesitated but then walked out of the bookstore.

Morgan stood there for a moment trying to collect her thoughts. Jason hadn’t sold her out to the tabloids.

Michelle walked through the front door. “Was that Jason?”

“Yeah.”

“What did he want?”

“Maybe forgiveness. He’s moving to Michigan without Charisma.”

“The state of Michigan dodged a bullet.”

Morgan bent down to pick up some bookmarks that had fallen on the floor and a wave of nausea hit her. She groaned in response to her churning stomach.

“Morgan, you all right?”

Morgan excused herself and bee lined it for the bathroom. A half hour later she emerged from the bathroom with a cold compress on her head. Michelle was waiting for her in the office.

“This would be the third time you’ve hurled in a week,” Michelle mused as she ate her salad.

“Is not.”

“Yes, it is.”

Morgan thought about it and realized Michelle was right. She had probably been working too hard, juggling so many projects. She made a mental note to slow down, and failing that, to buy some antacids.

* * *

Morgan had just reached her wits end after yet another failed meeting. The latest person cited budget cuts and there was no money to start another program. At least she didn’t ask about Seth. The woman did refer to her as Morgan Blake, but Morgan didn’t remember telling the woman her new last name. It was on to the next phase of her plan, if only she knew what it was.

She walked into the stylish boutique to pick up the dress she planned to wear to the banquet. It had taken an afternoon of shopping with Michelle and Nina and threats of wearing a burlap sack if she tried on one more dress until she had found the right one. It was a pink strapless gown with an elegant corset and a long, flowing skirt. Morgan also got a matching shawl in case she lost the nerve to show all her assets that night. When she tried on the gown, she had to go up a size because her normal size six felt snug. She had been feeling a little bloated lately, but she attributed that to all the salty food she’d been craving, probably thanks to Seth’s crazy diet.

The sales clerk recognized her immediately and hustled into the back to get her things while another thrust a glass of champagne into her hand and had her sit in an oversized leather chair.

“Morgan?” someone said from the direction of the fitting room.

Morgan got up and peeked around the corner. It was Jocelyn Fontane.

“Jocelyn, hello.”

Jocelyn came out in a stunning gown. “What do you think?”

“You look fabulous. As usual.” Morgan smiled at her.

“Thank you.”

“What’s the occasion?” Morgan asked.

“Dinner with the governor.” Jocelyn played with the skirt.

“It looks fantastic on you.”

The sales clerk brought out Morgan’s gown and took it out of the dress bag so she could look it over.

“Morgan, that’s beautiful. That color will look stunning on you. Where is Seth taking you?”

She sighed. “To a banquet in Texas.”

“Well, you will definitely turn heads in that dress.” Jocelyn smiled. “How’s the fundraising going for your literacy campaign?”

Morgan sighed again. “Not as quickly as I’d like. But I’m still trudging along.” Morgan motioned to the sales clerk she was satisfied with the alterations.

“Did you ever consider starting your own charity?”

Morgan stammered, searching for an answer.

Jocelyn smiled. “When you have the answer to that question, why don’t you give me a call?” Jocelyn reached for her purse on the table and pulled out her business card.

Morgan stared blankly at the card in her hand. Jocelyn’s sales clerk appeared and told her she had a few more gowns for her to try on. She told Morgan to have a fabulous time at the banquet and disappeared back into the fitting room.

Morgan’s own salesclerk walked over. “Mrs. Blake, you’re all ready to go. I found some nice barrettes to go with the gown.”

“Thank you.” She walked out, her mind still far away, thinking about what Jocelyn had said.

Chapter Seven

They arrived at the ranch a few days before the banquet so they could spend some time with Seth’s family. As soon as they arrived Morgan climbed over Seth, out of the truck, and headed immediately to the stables to see Reed’s Fire. She brushed his mane and fed him carrots, even though Bodine said he’d just eaten. She was having a lovely chat with the horse when out of the corner of her eye she saw Seth. She turned around to find the entire Blake family smiling at her. Morgan hugged Teri-Lyn and apologized to everyone as Seth introduced her to his father, John Jacob, and his brothers, JJ, Tyler, and Channing. Every last one of them was big, handsome, and downright charming.

Bodine asked Morgan if she wanted Reed’s Fire saddled so she could ride him, and she happily said yes. Seth was getting ready to ride Iris when his father asked if he could join him. Morgan rode ahead while the two men trailed behind and talked.

“Good to have you home son. We don’t see you nearly as much as your mother would like.” John patted his son on the back.

“It’s good to be back.”

“Ready for the new season?”

Seth smiled but remained silent.

John Jacob let out a hearty laugh. “You got it bad boy. You’re usually bouncing off the walls when it’s this close to the season starting.”

Seth looked on at Morgan, who’d learned how to get the horse to stop for her. She was sitting with her eyes closed, soaking in the sun’s rays. “There are worse things that could happen to a man.”

“Indeed, there is.” John Jacob nodded his head in agreement. “There were some things I wanted to tell you before you got married. I had the same talk with JJ before he got hitched.”

“I guess I robbed you of having that talk with me.” Seth grimaced.

“It’s never too late. We have plenty of time.” John Jacob smiled.

* * *

Morgan looked around the dinner table, hoping the Blakes wouldn’t notice her exit. Tonight’s dinner, Tyler’s Fire in the Hole chili was more like a raging inferno in her stomach.

“Excuse me,” she said as politely as she could. Then she dashed to the bathroom.