Bulletproof (14 page)

I pressed my lips together and gave a stiff nod. I was so sick of hearing about the Abigail thing. I hated the way he made his manager out to be some superhero savior. So she’d done a good job. That’s great! Let’s move on now!

“Hey.” He gently squeezed the back of my neck. “I’m not letting her, or Travis, dictate who I spend my time with. Yes, we have to keep this under wraps. I’m not saying I love it, but we’re making it work, right?” He kissed my shoulder. “Right?”

I sniffed out a snicker. “Yeah.” I nodded.

“The most important thing is that we’re together. That’s all that matters.”

“But she...she was pretty clear that I’m not the girl for you.” I swallowed, daring to look at him. I knew how much she meant to Sean.

“I’ll talk to her, okay? I’m sure she didn’t mean to come across the way she did.”

“Sean—”

He stopped me with an index finger on my lips. “Hey, it’ll be okay. I’ll make it clear that you’re my girl. She’s just trying to look out for me. That’s all. She’s never let me down before.”

“But—”

“And she’s not stopping me from inviting my girl to Christmas dinner.”

“Christmas dinner?” I perked up.

“Yeah, Mama wants to meet you.”

“You told her about me?”

“Kip kind of let slip and now she’s doggin’ me about it.”

I threw him a droll look, which he laughed off easily.

“Come on, baby, you know the truth is I really want her to meet my girl.”

I tipped my head, unable to help my cynical tone. “Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent.”

My eyes narrowed. He matched my expression before pulling a funny face. It was an effort not to break into a smile. I fought my traitorous lips.

“When is it? I’ll have to fit it around my family thing.”

“Bring your family with you.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” He nodded. “The more the merrier. It’ll just add to the chaos.” He winked.

My lips lifted with a little grin that quickly faded. “Are you sure Rhonda won’t mind?”

“I trust my family. They won’t breathe a word to anyone. Rhonda has nothing to worry about.”

I wanted to say more. I wanted to give him a word-for-word recount of my conversation with his bitchy manager, but the soft look in his eyes shut me up.

This was the one afternoon we had together this week, and I didn’t want to screw it up with fighting. I just wanted to wrap myself in his arms and pretend the outside world didn’t exist.

Things were what they were. I had to accept them and take what I could get. I was a pro at doing that.

Sean ran the back of his finger gently down my face. “You know it breaks my heart when you look so sad. Come on, baby, where’s my smile?”

I gave in and his pearly-white teeth appeared, making my smile grow.

His big lips came for me, sucking on my bottom lip before trailing over my chin and down my neck. I wriggled my hand under his shirt, closing my eyes and relishing that “getting lost” feeling I lived for.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SEAN

I waited for the shower to click on before reaching for my phone. Tucking the sheet around my waist, I sat up in bed and pressed Rhonda’s name on my contact list.

“Hey, Sean, what’s up?”

I glanced at the bathroom door and swallowed. “Did you pop by Morgan’s place today?”

“I certainly did.” She sounded bright and chipper. “I wanted to drop off a little present for her.”

I grinned. “That was nice of you.”

“I thought you’d appreciate it.”

Pulling in a breath, I hesitated over my wording, but Morgan had been so upset when I first arrived, I needed to get this straight. “Hey, did you say anything to her?”

“We had a little chat.”

“About what?”

“You know, your career. We talked about how important it was that you guys are really careful over this winter break. We don’t want any paparazzi seeing you together.”

“You didn’t tell her that she wasn’t the girl for me, did you?”

“What? No! Of course not. I’d never say that to her.”

I scratched my collarbone. “She kind of got the impression you did.”

“Look, I’m not going to say I wasn’t firm with my warning. I’m still annoyed with her that she tried to get you to stand up to Travis. She knows what’s at stake.”

“I’ve already told you, she was just mad. She didn’t actually mean it.”

“Yes, but still, you shouldn’t have to feel that pressure.”

“I love her, Rhonda. She’s my girl, and she’s allowed to be herself around me.”

Rhonda paused. I could picture her licking her lips and pushing her glasses up her nose. “Of course she’s your girl, and you are an amazing boyfriend. I know how much you care about each other. You just have to be careful. I’m trying to protect your relationship.”

“By telling her we shouldn’t be together?”

“I didn’t say that! Sean, I think she misinterpreted what I was trying to tell her. You know I would never go behind your back like that.”

“Yeah.” I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. “Yeah, I know. But listen, can you do me a favor? Next time you want a serious talk with her, include me in it.”

“Of course, I’m sorry I didn’t this time. I honestly didn’t think she’d take my warning in such a negative light. I was just trying to be helpful.”

“I know, I know; you’re just trying to look out for me.”

“That I am, Mr. Jaxon.”

I grinned. “Well, you have a good Christmas.”

“You too. Say hi to your family for me.”

I touched the screen, glad I’d called, and popped the phone back onto the nightstand. I’d been feeling uneasy since I’d arrived, wondering what Rhonda could have said to get Morgan so riled up. I knew she could be quite forceful sometimes, and what’s the bet my girl rose to meet her warnings head-on. I grinned at Morgan’s feistiness. It was damn sexy.

The bathroom door opened, and Morgan appeared in nothing but a towel. Her wet hair was brushed straight, but I could see the wide curls forming as it dried. Water dripped off the ends and landed on the curve of her breasts, disappearing beneath her towel. My gaze skimmed down her curvy form.

She caught my appreciative smile, her cheeks rising with color.

“So, what do you want to do for dinner?” She moved to her underwear drawer and pulled out a pair of black panties.

I tipped my head, my body responding in an instant. Throwing off the sheet, I stood so she could see the effect she had on me.

Her gaze traveled over me, a sexy smirk forming on her lips as I moved toward her.

“I was thinkin’ we should eat in tonight.” I hooked my finger into her towel and yanked it free before gently pulling her against me. Our bodies slapped together, and I relished her smooth skin against mine. I bent down to nibble her earlobe as my hands danced over her curves. “In fact, I was thinking we should probably stay right here until Christmas.” With a grin, I lightly pushed her onto the bed.

She fell with a giggle, propping her chin onto her hand and nipping her lower lip. Her brown eyes smoldered with longing as I hovered over her, my tongue trailing up from her navel and curving over her silky breast.

Her sigh was sweet and euphoric, her head tipping back as she whispered, “Sounds good to me.”

*****

“Okay.” Morgan nodded. “So we’ll just meet you there then. Do you know where it is?” She nodded again.

I stood at the door watching her jiggle into her black pumps and smooth down her fitted dress. She looked damn fine. Too damn fine to be taking to a Jackson Christmas dinner, that was for sure. She ran her hand down the back of her hair, which she’d straightened. The bracelet I’d given her when she woke up this morning slid down her forearm. I grinned, recapturing her reaction to it.

I stretched my neck, adjusting the collar of the shirt she’d bought me. She said it’d been near impossible to find me a gift, but in the end she’d done pretty well. A shirt, my favorite bottle of wine, and a jar of chocolate sauce...which she said we could use tonight. My insides stirred just thinking about it. I adjusted my pants and reached for my keys.

Morgan heard the keys jingle and gave me a nod.

“Okay, Dad, I’ll see you guys there.” Her fast clips toward me stopped. “She what? When! I don’t believe it... No, Dad, it’s not okay.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “Yeah, yeah, I know... Okay.” She frowned. “You too. ’Bye.”

She hung up the phone with a short curse.

“Everything all right?”

“Jody bailed,” she snapped, touching her screen and lifting the phone to her ear. She took three paces across the room before spinning and walking back toward me. “Yeah, hi, it’s me. Can you please call me and tell me what the hell is going on? You don’t just bail on your family last minute. Dad’s really disappointed, not that he’d ever let you see that. How could you be so selfish, Jody? You better have a good explanation for this. And if you don’t call me back before the end of the day, so help me I am driving down there to yell at you in person.”

I pressed my lips together, hampering my chuckle as she hung up the phone.

She spun to face me. “What!”

My shoulders shook in spite of my efforts. “You sound like my mama.”

Her narrow-eyed glare shut me up. “Don’t even.” She pointed at me, but I could see the gleam in her eye. She was fighting a smile.

I gave her a wink and pulled the door open. “We’ll talk about it in the car. I’ll see you in a minute.”

Five minutes later, she slammed into my Camaro and buckled her seatbelt. Her moves were fast and efficient accompanied with huffs and sighs. I pulled away from the curb of the empty street just a block from Morgan’s place. I hadn’t parked in that spot before, but it was a good one. I’d have to use it again sometime.

With caution, I slowly reached for my girl, running my hand over her thigh. “You want to talk about it?”

“I just don’t get why she’s pulling away. She’s always let me in before. It hurts. I really hate it.”

“I know.” I gave her a glum smile. “Do you want to drive to Arizona?”

“No! I want to spend my time with you. I finally have you without work getting in the way. The last thing I want to do is a road trip out of state to check up on my petulant little sister.”

I grinned, glad she didn’t want to leave me, but my smile didn’t last. Her face was tense, her shoulders tight. I wanted to make it better, take away her stress. At least we were heading into the Jackson tornado. She wouldn’t have a spare second to dwell on her sister with that force swirling around her.

“Listen, are you sure you’re up for this?”

She glanced at me. “Of course. I can’t wait to meet your family.”

“You know it’s gonna be loud and chaotic and...”

“I know.” She touched my arm with a sweet smile.

“My parents don’t have a whole lot of money. Their place is kind of small and it gets stuffy and...”

“Sean.” Her voice was soft. “I know I’m going to love it. Don’t worry.”

“Yeah.” I grinned, squeezing her leg.

About an hour later, we pulled up to my family home. I watched Morgan as she took it in. I couldn’t help that familiar touch of embarrassment when I looked at the tiny box house.

A high-pitched scream came from the front door. Morgan flinched when she saw two little girls racing down the stairs, being chased by three boys roaring like lions. Their screams continued as they shot around the side of the house.

I winced. She laughed.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I reached for the door handle. “Christmas Day here is like surviving an atomic bomb.”

We got out of the car, pulling out the dessert Morgan had prepared the night before, along with a few bottles of wine and a hoard of gifts. It would have taken me several trips if Kip and Morris hadn’t rushed out of the house to help me. Morgan smiled as Kip kissed her cheek. He wiggled his eyebrows at me after she’d walked past.

I threw him a dry glare and passed him a box of gifts. He just laughed at me, whistling as he turned back for the house.

“Uncle Sean! Uncle Sean’s here!” The announcement from Helena’s twin girls sent a ripple effect through the house, and as soon as I stepped in the front door, Morgan and I were engulfed. Her father and grandmother arriving a few minutes after us didn’t help. We must have been trapped in the tiny front entrance for nearly twenty minutes, saying hellos and giving introductions. Finally we made it to the Christmas tree in the corner of the crowded living room and placed our presents down. Morgan was quickly whipped away from me and it took me nearly forty minutes to search through the house and find her again.

She was in the kitchen, one of Mama’s frilly aprons wrapped around her waist. It was just the two of them, which seemed like some miracle. Usually the kitchen was bustling, but by the serious tone of the conversation, I was guessing Mama had kicked everybody else out.

“I think she’s lying.” Morgan shook her head sadly as she placed her phone back into her purse. “And I really don’t know what to do.”

“Now, child, don’t you worry. She just breakin’ free, is all.”

I leaned against the doorframe, smiling, as my mother rubbed her wrinkled hand down Morgan’s back.

“But Jody didn’t even sound sick. I don’t think she has the flu. If she did, she’d be begging me to come down and take care of her.”

“Hey, she called you back, didn’t she? That has to count for somethin’.”

Morgan frowned, reaching for the carrots Mama was holding out to her. She took the peeler in the other hand and sat down on the high kitchen stool, getting to work. “Yeah, I guess so. I just hate that her friends have become more important than family. We only have each other.”

“Her friends will never replace you. She just stretchin’ out those wings of hers. Believe me, I’ve had five babies, and they all done it to me. Going through some dumb, wild phase. It’s like a rite of passage or somethin’. The worst was Sean and that stupid Abigail girl. Lord, help me! I lost too much sleep over that one. You see this grey right here?” She tipped her head. “That’s Sean’s doin’.”

I rolled my eyes while Morgan snickered. She caught me standing there, her eyes softening with a smile.

“Are you okay?” I mouthed.

She nodded.

“Hopefully the ride won’t last too long and then she be back. You don’t have to worry, now.” Mama patted my girlfriend’s shoulder and walked to the refrigerator.

“Jody going wild scares me.” Morgan cringed.

“You have to trust her. She’s a big girl; she’s just testin’ the limits. You said she’s got some new boyfriend. What’s the bet she just wanted to spend a little
quality time
with him, but didn’t want to hurt your feelings?”

“I don’t like that I haven’t met him.”

Her eyes bulged as she turned to face my girlfriend, her hand planted on her hip. “Girl, I only just meetin’ you and you been with my boy for near four months now. This just payback, is what it is.” She flicked her hand in the air, her nose rising with that indignant sniff of hers.

Morgan chuckled. “I’m sorry. We just have to keep things quiet.”