THE CRAZY GOOD SERIES - Rachel Robinson Page 0,166

While Morganna ultimately has the last say, Windsor’s opinion is surely factored somewhere into the equation. Any one of her girlfriends would be angry. I know exactly why I’m so pissed, but Morganna can’t know why. Hell, maybe she already knows. I think everyone does. The thought just incenses me further.

“Of course he doesn’t know. As it should be. It’s none of his business anyways. It’s time I start dating again, Steven. You have to agree with that,” she explains, her voice clear, true, almost as if she’s asking permission. She knows damn well she doesn’t need permission from anyone. She’s a force. She knows she’s a fucking force. Forces don’t need help finding a date. They can have whoever they fucking want. Whenever they fucking want.

She continues staring at me, waiting for me to talk her out of it. Maybe talk her into it? I am her friend. Is that what I’m supposed to do right now? My stomach starts roiling. Her husband died years ago and she’s refused to date anyone since. I’m not even sure she looks at the male species the same way. She’s programmed as a married woman with one flaw: she hasn’t been married to anyone for quite some time. What is best for her? Shit. I am. Morg must sense my indecision because she continues.

“Tell me that I haven’t waited long enough. Tell me that Stone wouldn’t want this. Tell me I should wrap myself up in my career and stay single forever, because I’ve already told myself all of these things plus a million more. If two people agree, then they must be correct. Am I right? ” Her gray eyes, ringed with black makeup, start to water. I know she won’t let tears slip past. They’d mess up her makeup and show the world how she’s really feeling. Closing her eyes, she reins in the emotion, a master at hiding. It’s her art form. But she can’t hide from me—she never could.

What would a real man do? I lie. “Go on the damn date. It will be good for you. Nothing you said is true and, by God, you know it. It’s high time you move on. I don’t say that lightly either. You’ve waited so long that I guess I’m surprised that it’s happening now…after all this time. I overreacted. I just worry about you.” Because of how beautiful you look right now. I want you all to myself.

Black waves fall around her shoulders in a new, subtler way. Morganna’s teased southern belle hair died when Stone did. Her lips are slicked with clear gloss that makes me think of a perfectly glazed donut—something I want to eat while it’s still hot. These lips have been off limits for so long that I haven’t appreciated them in full, until right now, when I think about some random dude having them. I can’t help but stare—she’s beautiful. I wouldn’t even call her conventionally beautiful because Morganna Sterns is a fierce beauty. I think maybe she’ll fuck you, then kill you for not performing well. She’s borderline scary. It’s the ultimate turn-on for someone like me.

Morg clears her throat. “Thank you, Steven. Unfortunately I need to hear things like this. Double unfortunate is that I don’t have anyone else to talk about this stuff. Most people don’t get me.” She unconsciously rubs the bare spot on her ring finger. When my gaze darts down she stops, adjusts her top, and slides her hands down her skin-tight skirt. Sex. All I can think of is sex. I close my eyes and draw in a noisy breath. I need to call Chloe tonight, my go-to for sexual longevity. Number one.

Morganna hides, and I mask with humor. It’s our M.O. “Don’t ask me for sex advice, though. I can’t go that far. Unless you’re into caning, cuffs, and orgies. Those are the only topics I’m comfortable discussing. Perhaps anal beads and back door play, but nothing more than that,” I explain, gesturing crudely with my hands. Her eyes slit, her lips purse. Damn, she won’t bite the bait. Not that I thought she would. She never does.

“Ha-Ha. I’ll be home early. Ten. Maybe even earlier. Do you have plans with a girlfriend tonight?” Morganna asks. If I didn’t know better, I’d think her tone was a bit jealous. She makes digs about my girlfriends, but she’s never really that interested. Not like she is today.

Folding my arms across my chest, I give her an easy