More than Temptation (12 page)

Morgan didn’t say anything as she cleared the table. The firefighters and the others who were playing at the various tables came closer to watch.

“I should have known you were grabbing all the attention, Bella.” Julianne pushed through the crowd and hugged her cousin.

“Just showing these kind folks how to play pool.” Bella smirked. “Do you want to give me some competition?”

“Oh, boy, I know that look on Julianne’s face,” Kennan said as he sat on one of the other stools at the table.

“I know the one on Bella’s,” Morgan replied. “There is going to be fun watching them match skills.”

“Hundred says Jules wins,” Kennan said.

“I’ll put a hundred on Bella,” Morgan said.

Soon the rest of those around them started to get in on the wager.

“Can you believe these fine, upstanding officers of the law are betting on us?” Bella glanced around the room.

“Yes, I can, and their favouring me shows they are smart.”

“Tsk, tsk, Jules, you will regret those words.” Bella gestured regally. “I’ll let you have the handicap of breaking because that will be the only time you will get a shot.”

“Hah. You wish. I’ll take stripes.” Julianne racked the balls then got a cue and readied her shot.

She hit the balls and they flowed across the table. When they started whooshing in the pockets, Morgan thought Bella would surely lose. Julianne finally missed then Bella strode over to Morgan where he had taken a seat at a table with a high-backed stool. She lifted up on her toes slightly then kissed him gently. The people in the room hooted.

“For luck.” Bella winked.

“I don’t think you need it, my Bella.” Morgan stroked his finger down her nose.

She walked to the table then leaned over and took her shot. As soon as she did, Morgan knew she would win. In a smooth shot, she started clearing the table. One by one, the solid balls went in then Bella did a twirl and lined up for her last shot. Bella lifted her head and met his gaze. When the cue hit the ball, Morgan stared into her eyes and in that moment, he realised he did after all know how to answer Storm’s question. He was indeed serious about the lovely woman who had worked her way into his thoughts and who he couldn’t wait to be near. The room erupted in cheers and groans as Bella’s ball sank into the pocket.

She straightened and winked again at him before she turned to Julianne. They slapped hands then hugged. The women laughed and when the crowd surrounded them, Morgan lost sight of Bella.

“She is a hell of a woman,” Kennan said.

“I know.”

“You’re a lucky bastard to have her.” Kennan pushed at his shoulder. “You better appreciate her.”

“Not you too. I’ve already got the threat from her brothers to treat her right or they will find ways to make my life hell.” Morgan chuckled. “I’d never met Rowan until today and he is one—”

“Intense and scary man.” Kennan shuddered slightly. “I know. When I met him the first time, I had to resist my instinct to pull my gun.”

“Yeah, that’s what I felt too.” Morgan stared at the crowd. “I wonder if his family realizes the vibes of danger he puts off.”

“I think they do. Julianne made a comment to me that her cousin Rowan and her sister Simone are the ones that people are more cautious around and some give a wide berth to. I haven’t met her sister yet, since she is deployed, but she is coming home to be stationed here in Singleton with her team.” Kennan shrugged. “I’m going to see if what she says is true about her. I’m figuring it is, since it is about Rowan.”

“Every time I turn around it seems that there are more Lockes.”

“Yeah. I told Julianne the same thing. With cousins by marriage, friends who are family and so on, there are many of them.” Kennan slapped him on the shoulder. “Welcome to the family.”

Morgan’s heart clenched then steadied. He didn’t know what to say and thankfully before he had to reply, Bella and Julianne came out of the crowd. The women sat on each of the two remaining stools. Bella leaned against him.

“What are you going to do with your winnings?”

“Once we split it between those who bet on you, I’m going to treat the woman who made me get the windfall of cash.” Morgan turned and accepted his share of the winnings from the one who had taken the cash for the bets. “What shall we do with this?”

“Dune buggy race.”

“What?” Morgan said.

“We can have a dune buggy race with some of the family and friends on the beach then have a picnic and bonfire later. Each of the family have a dune buggy.” Bella looked at Julianne. “How about end of July? That gives us about nine or so weeks to plan it.”

“Sounds good.” Julianne bit her lip. “We can ask people to all ante up some funds for food and prizes and so on.”

“Sounds like a start of a plan. We’ll meet up with some folks to plan it.” Bella turned to Morgan and wiggled her fingers. “Gimme.”

He handed her the money. Bella took off two bills then gave the rest back to Morgan before handing Julianne the two she had taken.

“Here is Morgan’s and my share.” Bella returned to leaning against him.

Morgan’s head was spinning at how she was making plans already for July. It was a while away, but it felt good that she was already thinking for them so far in advance. He opened his mouth to tell her so but a plate slid onto the table before them. Morgan met Richard’s gaze and he smirked. Morgan stifled a laugh, knowing Bella was in for a treat.

“Your wings, madam.” Richard crossed his arms over his chest.

“The awesome ones.” Bella rubbed her hands together and pulled the plate Richard had set on the table before her. “Jules, Rich here thinks he can make me sing for my supper with his wings. I did tell him I’ve had wings all over and they have to be fabulous to get me to do that.”

“Be—”

“Try the wings,” Richard urged, glaring at Julianne.

Julianne leaned her face against Kennan and chuckled.

“Why am I suddenly feeling like there is something I’m not being told?”

“No reason.” Richard pushed the plate towards her. “Eat.”

Bella did as he said and picked up a wing. She bit into it and the sound she made caused Morgan to jerk and be grateful that his T-shirt covered his erection. She continued to make obscene noises as she finished off the wing.

“Oh, God, that is so good.” Bella pointed a sauce-covered finger. “I should call you on cheating because this is one of the sauces that are Harmon’s,” she said, referring to a friend of theirs who was known for his barbecue sauce, rubs and other sauces. “But I’m going to concede. I am curious, how did you get Harmon to share his sauce with you for this place?”

“Family.” Richard smiled. “Harmon is my cousin.”

“I’ll be damned. You’re Cousin Ricky.” Bella laughed. “Harmon talks about you all the time, but I hadn’t seen any picture of you before so didn’t know it was you. The bright blue eyes are so much like Harmon’s.”

“Yeah. Harmon calls me that nickname.” Richard smiled ruefully. “Goes back to our days in diapers when I called him Harmy. So I’m Ricky and he’s Harmy. But no one else can call us that.” He glared around.

They all agreed not to call him that. Bella slid off the stool, picked up the plate of wings and handed them to Richard.

“Keep those hot for me.” Bella patted her belly. “I don’t sing on a full stomach. And make me six more sets to go. Put them in three bags with two in each.” Bella glanced at Morgan and said, “I’m getting the extras for Driscoll and Stuart. Do you want any?”

“So you’re not going to share your wings with me?” he teased.

“Nope. Add two more and put in a bag with my two.” Bella strode off.

“Where is she going?” Richard asked.

“To sing for her supper. Come on, honey, let’s get a good seat.” Julianne hopped off the stool, grabbed Kennan’s hand and pulled him along with her as she followed her cousin.

Morgan went behind them and Richard hurried with him.

“But I didn’t get to tell anyone,” he said to Julianne.

“I wouldn’t worry about that, Bella will take care of that.”

As soon as she had said it, a note ripped through the air that made Morgan’s head tingle with its purity and beauty.

“Come on.” Julianne rushed.

Morgan kept up, already seeing people heading for the room that had the stage and dance floor. They made it in and sat at a table close to the stage.

Bella held the note then trickled down before rising with the sound again. Morgan glanced around and saw the room filling. Richard was sitting at the table with them, an awed expression on his face. Morgan had never seen him look that way.

“Stop gaping at me,” Richard growled, not taking his sight off Bella.

“Take me home and hold me close.”

Bella’s sultry words made Morgan forgo teasing Richard to stare at her. She was watching him and that familiar look of hunger was on her face. He shifted in his seat as his cock hardened more. He didn’t even think it was possible. Bella’s knowing grin made him want to kiss her senseless. She continued to sing, prowling the stage and dancing. Her sensual movements made him ache to take her home. Bella moved and entertained the crowd as she sang for her supper. Her one song morphed into two then three. Morgan was awed that she sang a cappella.

“Time is but a memory that you embrace.”
Bella sang the last line then put the mic back before stepping off the stage. Although the room was hyped by her singing, they were respectful as people stopped her on her way to their table. Richard rose as she finally arrived and held out his hands. Bella put hers in his and smiled at him.

“Sang for my supper. Where are my wings?”

“Let me get you some new wings.”

“I’ll come with you.” Bella glanced at Morgan and he inclined his head.

When they’d left, Morgan let the conversation flow around him. Bella was talented, gracious and sexy. She was the complete package and he was indeed a lucky man to have her in his life. Morgan rose and wandered back to the game room to play some pool while he waited for Bella. A game was going on so he stood talking with some of the others while he waited his turn. As time passed and Bella didn’t return, he wondered where she was. His cell vibrated in his pocket and he pulled it out. He read the text.

Meet me outside. —Bella.

“I’m heading out,” Morgan said to Julianne and Kennan.

They nodded and he left. Morgan paused by the bar and waved to Richard before he went to the door and outside. He glanced around for Bella but didn’t see her. He headed to his SUV and saw her leaning against the vehicle.

Three bags sat on the hood and Morgan said, when he was close enough, “See you got your wings.”

“Yes. And we have to make a quick stop to drop them off at Driscoll’s and Stuart’s then head home.” Bella held up her cell. “I texted them we were dropping off the wings.”

“Okay.” Morgan replied.
Soon I will have her. Patience, you can do that.

He opened the door then retrieved the bags and put them in the back seat while Bella got in the front. Morgan went around and got in then moments later he had them on their way. Bella chatted as he drove. Morgan listened, not really participating as she did. The time from the bar to Driscoll’s and Stuart’s neighbourhood dragged until finally he pulled up to the kerb and turned into Driscoll’s driveway, then drove the few minutes to the house and parked at the base of the steps.

“Wait here, let me just run it up.” Bella reached behind the seat and grabbed one bag then got out. She went quickly up the steps and in moments, she was coming back.

Driscoll came to the top of the steps and waved. Morgan tapped his horn. Bella was soon back inside the car and he headed out. Morgan drove across the street and up to Stuart’s house and she again got out and went to the house. Stuart also came and waved then handed Bella a plastic bag as he accepted the wings. Bella hugged him then turned and descended the steps. Bella opened the door and got in then put on her seatbelt.

“Any more stops?” Morgan asked and prayed not.

“We almost had to have one, since someone forgot to get what we said we needed.”

“Huh?”

“This.” Bella opened the plastic bag and pulled out what was inside.

Morgan stared at the paper bag before looking at her. “You asked Stuart for that?”

“I asked Driscoll and Stuart and thankfully Stuart had them.” Bella wagged the bags at him. “So are we going to finally get to the naked horizontal or what?”

“Yes.” Morgan drove out onto the street then asked, “I know we talked about the bag but what are you actually going to do with it? Or put in it?”

“Wait and see,” Bella said mysteriously.

Morgan moaned. He couldn’t wait to get home.

* * * *

Bella folded the paper bag then paused, staring at it with a smug smile on her lips. She recalled a week ago when she and Morgan had had fun with the syrups and the paper bag. They had gone through a few bags trying various things with them. Bella rubbed her finger along the bag, already plotting what had become her favourite way to drive Morgan out of his mind when she used the paper bag. She’d taken scissors to cut lines along the bag then twisted the other edge before using the bag to tease him. She then added syrups to lick off him. Morgan had been babbling and begging for more. Morgan’s words that he wouldn’t look at a paper bag the same again had made her laugh. But now, standing here, she knew what he meant. She put away the bag then pivoted and stared off into space. Since that day and night, she’d not seen much of Morgan. He’d been working hard on a case that had recently come in. After glancing at the time, Bella went to the living room and turned on the TV. She sat as the news started. The case Morgan was working on was headline news and on all the news channels, as well as in the print media. Morgan hadn’t been the one who had told her he was on the case. She’d seen him standing in the background during the first news conference given by the mayor. He and Kennan had both been there.

Even if she hadn’t known the men, she would have been following what was going on. The apartment fire that had claimed the lives of over twenty people and had left thirty more injured was big news. Then in the same week, another building had burnt and even more casualties had happened. The news said that the fires were linked, that they had an arsonist who didn’t care about the loss of human life. Bella curled her legs under her as she stared at the screen and the pictures of the victims whose funerals had been and were being held throughout the week.