Everywhere and Every Way - Jennifer Probst Page 0,90
was supposed to be cut-and-dried. Dammit, that was the reason she avoided relationships on the job—the stakes were way too high.
“You’re getting spooked again,” he said drily, taking a sip of beer. “This has nothing to do with you, Morgan. This is about me.”
A mess of emotions roiled and rose. “How can you say that? I had no idea this house was a make-or-break deal. Oh, my God, and I put pressure on Jet McCarthy to decline your bid! I played a game to win, not realizing what was going on. I’m
sorry.”
Sparks shot from his eyes. His jaw clenched, and he lowered his voice to a commanding tone that still gave her shivers. “Stop it. Don’t you put this crap on yourself. You protected your clients to get the best deal, and that’s your job.”
Guilt tinged her tone. “I know, but I was ruthless about getting what I wanted.”
His lips twitched. “Tell me the truth. Even if you’d known about the will and I declined your project, would you have played your hand differently?”
She thought about it hard. And as much as she hated to admit it, Morgan realized she would’ve done the same exact thing. “No,” she said miserably. “I still would’ve bribed Jet and forced you to build my house.”
He grinned. “Good. That’s the right answer. There’s no blame here, Morgan. I told you for a different reason.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to tell the truth to someone who gives a shit.” He gave her raw honesty without flinching or sugarcoating it. “Because you mean something to me, and I don’t want to hide stuff from you. That’s all. I don’t want pity or rage or for you to solve the problem. I just wanted you to listen.”
In that moment, something shifted within her. A need to give him everything and anything he wanted surged inside, crashing through her like a tsunami until she closed her eyes, fighting to keep control. He was a proud man. A good man. A strong man. Sharing the details of the will allowed her entry into his secrets and his motivation behind the tension with his brothers. They chose to stay for Cal, but the resentment still beat in their blood. She didn’t know how it would end with them. Would they stay? Move on without a glance back? Make peace with each other?
Only one fact revealed itself like a flawless oyster pulled from the sea.
Her link with Cal was so much more than sex. They were building their own relationship with each swing of the hammer. Already the thought of leaving him tore her apart, but when it was time, there would be no choice.
Right?
Morgan hesitated. She ached to tell him her own truth. But if she told him she couldn’t have children, would Cal break it off immediately? Would he care? Was he falling for her as fast and hard, or was this just a satisfying fling? The questions swirled in her brain and gave her a headache. She hadn’t thought this far, but things were changing, and she’d have to make a decision soon.
Not tonight. She needed more time. Time with nothing holding them back. No guilt or responsibility. She just wanted Cal to want her for herself.
“I understand,” she finally said.
The tension between them eased. He nodded and gave a half smile. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” She cleared her throat. “For trusting me. I don’t know what your brothers will choose to do at the end of this project. They love you, Cal. I see it when you’re together, but it’s like you’re all trying to find each other again.” She paused, wanting to show him how much he meant to her. The lines had already been crossed. The best she could do at this point was help them both succeed. “I promise you this: I will do everything in my power to make sure we both win and get what we need. At all costs.”
His eyes darkened. Heat blasted from his gaze, wrapping her in sizzling warmth. “You already did, baby. You already did.”
Words failed her, so Morgan looked into his eyes. Smiled.
And prayed he was right.
chapter sixteen
* * *
It’s gorgeous,” she breathed, stepping back to admire the richness of the cabinetry and marble. “This kitchen is a stunner.”
Dalton unfurled himself from his position on the floor and wiped his brow. Thank God the central air was cranking. The late-summer weather had been brutally humid, and working with power tools wasn’t the best way to cool off. “Thanks. I’ve