The Right One - Felice Stevens Page 0,35

apartment building we’re going to renovate and rent out. Like the one we live in.”

Morgan gaped at him. “Wait, you own the building? I thought you just worked there.”

“I own it and work there. No use paying for someone to do the work I can do myself.”

“Makes sense. I-I just never thought…well, it doesn’t matter.”

“Never thought I was the business type? I have ideas.” Leo crossed his arms. “And as for the landscaping, it’ll be a while until we can get to it.”

“Not a big deal. I guess when and if I’m asked, we can discuss it.”

Three sets of eyes—Peter the Traitor included—gazed at him expectantly. “I mean, yeah, sure, of course, if you want to when the time comes…”

What the hell else could he say?

“With such an enthusiastic response, how could I refuse?”

Peter burst into laughter. “He’s got your number, Leo, my brother. Morgan, you’re the man.” Peter clapped him on the back with such force, Morgan nearly sailed out of his sneakers.

“Oh, uh, thanks?” Morgan’s phone chirped, and he checked it and smiled. “Sorry. That was my mother. I always tell her to text me on her way home after a visit.” He squinted at the screen. “She said again to thank you, Leo, for babysitting her, and hopes you liked the cookies.”

Mouth open, Peter stared while Leo’s face burned. “Cookies?” Peter cackled. “She made you cookies?”

“Shut your mouth before a bug flies in. She made Morgan cookies, and he gave me some.” The best defense was a good offense. “They were good. Really good. I’m ready for a burger. Gonna go get something to eat.”

He strode over to the grill, where Georgie, Peter’s brother, was flipping burgers. “Leo, dude. Whassup?” They knocked fists, and then Leo grabbed a beer from the cooler.

“Nada. Same old, same old. Burgers ready?”

“In a few. So you brought a date?” Georgie gazed at him expectantly. What the hell was it with the Korakis brothers? They were like a living goddamn Grindr app, always asking about his sex life. He chugged from the bottle.

“No, he’s not a date.”

But he searched the yard to make sure Morgan was okay and found him standing by a tree, alone. Guilt washed over Leo for abandoning the guy when he’d brought him over, and he called out, “Morgan, c’mere. Get something to eat.”

At the sound of Leo’s voice, Morgan’s gaze snapped to his, and a smile of pure happiness hit him like a punch in the gut.

“Not a date, huh? Maybe you need to tell him that, ’cause he looks totally into you.”

Ignoring Georgie, Leo walked away and met Morgan halfway. “Hungry?”

“Yeah, I could eat.” Morgan licked his lips, and Leo’s dick stiffened.

He’d like to eat him up.

Shit.

Why did the simplest things with this guy turn him on?

He cleared his throat. “Well, Georgie’s got the burgers going, so come with me and I’ll hook you up.”

“Okay,” Morgan said softly. “Thanks. I liked talking to Marla, but I felt funny when she and Peter left to help the kids.”

“Funny how?”

“I don’t know anyone but you. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly the biggest social butterfly. I don’t go up to strangers and start talking to them.”

“You’d better not,” Leo snapped, thinking of how someone as nice as Morgan could get in trouble trusting the wrong person.

Morgan glared at him. “Don’t talk to me like I’m a kid. I’m thirty years old. I can take care of myself.”

Lazily, Leo raised a smile, and Morgan reddened. “I mean…stop looking at me like that. I know I’ve made a few mistakes, but they could’ve happened to anyone. Not you, of course, but…dammit. You know what I’m trying to say.” His eyes shot sparks, and Leo couldn’t deny how much he enjoyed Morgan Cantrell when he got feisty with that smart mouth of his.

Leo slung his arm around Morgan. “I’m just busting your ass. You’re a nice guy, and people take advantage of that.”

The fire lighting up Morgan snuffed out. “Yeah, I know. Been there, done that. Not going to happen again.”

A furious protective wave rolled through Leo, and he ground his teeth. “Yeah? Good thing I didn’t know you then. I don’t like when people take advantage of others, especially nice guys.”

Morgan’s shoulders drooped. “I’m so fucking sick and tired of people thinking I’m nice. Just one time I want to be that bastard.”

“I couldn’t even picture that. Besides, I bet you’ve called me plenty of names in your mind.”

Morgan slanted a look at him. They were almost the