Take Me (Take a Chance #4)(21)
Author: Diane Alberts

“Mmm hmm. Lesson number one…”

He stopped at the red light and leaned closer, his lids drifting shut. She closed the rest of the distance between them, and he kissed her, his tongue playing with hers in seconds. As she clung to him and returned the kiss, she couldn’t help thinking that if she needed help with anything, it would be learning how to keep him at arm’s length.

Teach me how to keep my heart safe, before I lose it.

Chapter Ten

Mike slammed his hand down on the shrieking alarm, smiled, and stretched as far as he could in the confines of the blankets. Life was good. It was Wednesday morning, and he had his lovely wife by his side. Funny how the word no longer made him want to retch. In fact, wife was starting to sound like something he might enjoy—at least with Morgan anyway. Last night after they had sex, they’d just lain there, whispering secrets back and forth. Sharing the past and their dreams.

A month ago, that would have been his description of pure hell. A month ago, he would have willingly castrated himself before agreeing to spoon after sex. But with Morgan, it felt different. With Morgan, there was no drama and fighting and tears. It was easy and straightforward. She wanted to dance, and he wanted her. No hearts involved or broken dreams.

They could just be together.

Wanting to feel her smooth skin under his fingers, he rolled over and reached for her, but came back empty. He sat up, unable to believe it. Sure, she had told him she wouldn’t stick around. Had reminded him ten million times. But he’d thought she would at least wait out the week with him. His heart pounded so loudly he couldn’t even hear his phone ringing at first. Once he finally registered that it rang, he picked it up and held it to his ear. “Hello?”

“How long do you plan on staying in my hotel for free?” Brianna asked.

Mike rubbed his eyes. “Uh, a couple more days?”

Brianna choked on something. Probably her coffee. “Why? Did you forget to pay your rent and lose your place? Do you need help?”

“When have I ever forgotten to pay my rent?” Mike asked sarcastically. “What kind of question is that?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

Mike dropped his forehead and sighed. He didn’t know what to say. How to explain this without coming across as a complete idiot. “It’s a long story that, well, I…” he broke off with a muffled curse. Oh, wait. Too late. He already sounded like one. “It’s a long story.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a note on the pillow. Picking it up, he scanned the elegant penmanship. She’d gone to work out and would be back soon. So she hadn’t run from him. Hadn’t called it quits yet.

“Try me,” Brianna said. He heard the staple pound on her desk in the background. “I’m here early. Answer me or I’m coming up there with my manager’s key.”

He flinched. “Fine. I’m with a woman.”

“Morgan?”

“Uh.” He winced. “Yeah.”

Papers went in the shredder. “And you need the honeymoon suite because…?”

“We got married.” He held his breath, waiting for the explosion he knew would come. “The other night.”

Something heavy clattered on the floor. “You did what?”

“Got married.”

“Tell me everything!” Her chair squeaked. At least she hadn’t fainted. “Now.”

He told her the whole story, leaving only bits and pieces out. By the time he finished, she was dead silent.

“So, uh, that’s why I need the honeymoon suite for a couple of days. It’s not available to the public yet, right?”

“It’s not about that.” Brianna sighed. He could picture her sitting there, at her desk, a look of sisterly concern on her face. “And you might want to stay married?”

“I don’t know yet.” He hesitated. “We’re taking a few days to decide.”

“That had to have been her idea, because the Mike I know wouldn’t be wasting a second in annulling the marriage.” The stapler struck again, louder this time. “The Mike I know wouldn’t be thinking about this at all.”

He flinched. She was right, of course. But he wasn’t that Mike right now. He didn’t know if that was a bad thing or a good thing. The keycard beeped cheerily in the door, announcing the arrival of his bride. “We’ll talk later. I have to go.”

“Mike, I’m worried—”

He hung up with only a small amount of guilt choking him and lay back down in the bed, trying to make it look as if he’d just woken up. Morgan came into the bedroom quietly, her cheeks flushed and a thin sheen of sweat covering her skin. The tiny black shorts she wore didn’t leave much to the imagination, nor did the skintight light blue tank top.

“Hey, you’re awake.” She picked up a towel and swiped it down her face. “I wasn’t sure what time you usually got up.”

“On a work day?” He yawned. “Five thirty. I’m up, but haven’t made it out of bed yet since I took off work. Didn’t want to abandon my pretty little bride on our honeymoon.”

“Are you off all week long?”

“No, I couldn’t. I have to administer a big test tomorrow.” He patted the spot on the bed next to him. “Come here.”

She laughed but didn’t approach. “I still can’t believe you’re actually a teacher. It’s so studious—totally obliterates your lady-killer image. I can’t imagine you being serious enough about anything, let alone teaching children. Do you even like them?”

“Of course I do.” His pride took a little bit of a blow. Did she really think he was nothing but sex and empty promises? Had he given her a reason to think that, besides their first night together? He’d been the one chasing her, the one seriously contemplating keeping this marriage. “I love my job and I love kids.”

His voice might have come out harder than he’d planned. She peeked at him over the towel, her brow furrowed. “Okay. I’m sorry if I hit a sensitive spot there.”

He cursed himself inwardly. He needed to keep his cool. “I coach basketball there, too. With Garrett.”

“Ah. The bachelor.”

“Yeah. We’re kind of close.”

She laughed and chucked the towel on the chair. “I kinda figured that out myself.”

He observed her almost offhandedly. She seemed to think she knew everything about him, while he knew next to nothing about her. “My turn to ask a question. What do you do besides bartend occasionally and dance?”