Taming the Carefree Billionaire - Marie Higgins Page 0,19

car ride home whether Morgan said anything about the questions or not.

Not more than five minutes later, the conference room door opened wide and in walked Thomas Powers. Morgan sucked in a quick breath, but kept her camera to her eye, not wanting him to see her face. Inwardly, she groaned. Why did he have to come?

Joslyn’s attention swung toward Thomas, and the poor woman lost her words. All she could do was stare opened mouthed at the gorgeous man. He was dressed in a white shirt and a purple tie. His dark hair was styled perfectly. She wondered if he always looked this way. The few times she’d seen him, he didn’t have a hair out of place or a wrinkle in his Armani suit. It surprised Morgan that his blue eyes were hidden behind some silver-rimmed Ray-Ban glasses.

Thomas,” Darion said standing up. “We’re so very happy you made it.”

Thomas’ gaze moved over both Joslyn and Morgan. A fake smile stretched across his face. “I’m sorry I’m late. If I knew what was waiting for me here, I would have been here sooner.” He stretched forth his hand and took Joslyn’s. “I’m Thomas Powers.”

“Jos... Joslyn Hardy. I’m the Trib-orter from the Rep-bute.”

It took all of Morgan’s strength not to laugh at her coworker’s mess-up. Even Darion hid a grin. Thomas, however, only narrowed his gaze on Joslyn.

“Um, I mean,” Joslyn quickly said as her face beamed red. “I’m a reporter for the Tribute.”

Thomas nodded and placed a kiss on the top of Joslyn’s hand, which of course, made the woman’s face brighter.

“I’ve read some of your articles,” Thomas said. “You have a wonderful way with words.”

Morgan rolled her eyes. Was he serious? Either that or he was lying his butt off.

When his attention moved to her, fear jolted through her. He would recognize her for sure. Or hopefully, he’d had one too many drinks the night at the casino and wouldn’t remember her. But would he remember breaking her camera?

It took him a moment, but then recognition filled his gaze. Morgan panicked. She mustn’t let him say anything about that night, especially in front of Joslyn.

SEVEN

Thomas’ mind turned blank for a moment as he stared at the same woman who’d been on his mind since first seeing her at the casino. Morgan... the photographer, and biker babe. And, the same one who’d sold pictures to the tabloids. Yet, she worked for one that hadn’t printed his losing picture in their paper. How interesting...

Her eyes widened, and her face briefly lost color. She was thinking about their meeting at the casino, too. But then suddenly, her cheeks became rosy and she quickly walked toward him, giving him a pleasant smile.

Very confusing.

She stuck out her right hand. “Hello, Mr. Powers. I’m Morgan Foster.”

He slowly slid his palm against her cold hand and shook.

“And although we’ve never met,” she continued, but her voice changed slightly, as did her stare – as if she was trying to secretly communicate with him, “I feel like I already know you and your winery. I absolutely love vineyards, and yours is the best around.”

Still holding her hand, he studied her most confusing expression. But he wasn’t stupid. He could read her mind. She didn’t want him to say anything about their meeting at the casino.

He smiled, genuinely this time, and nodded. “What a kind thing to say. Thank you, Miss Foster. And let me add, it’s nice to meet you too.” He pointed to her camera. “I assume you are the brilliance behind all the pictures I see from the Tribute.”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she pulled her hand away. “Yes, I’m the paper’s main photographer.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet both of you.” He glanced briefly at Joslyn before looking back at Morgan. The relieved look on her face let him know it might be easier to make friends with her... before he threatened her for slamming his losing picture all over the newspapers.

“Thomas,” Darion said, standing, “since you are here, I hope you don’t mind taking over. I have a meeting coming up rather quickly.” Darion turned to Joslyn. “Please forgive me for cutting this short, but Thomas would love to answer the questions and give a tour.”

Thomas didn’t argue with his father. In fact, he looked forward to giving these women a tour and getting to know them better, especially Morgan Foster. Seeing her up this close, he realized her eyes were much prettier than he’d first realized. They were hazel, and he couldn’t