Taming the Carefree Billionaire - Marie Higgins Page 0,22

had opened a can of worms. The reporter’s scowl was quite obvious as she aimed it at Morgan. And the photographer looked as if she’d been caught doing something wrong.

He’d love to know the real story behind this very intriguing woman.

EIGHT

Morgan’s heartbeat stilled as Joslyn glared her way. Why had Thomas even asked that? Why would any photographer want to ask questions? That was the reporter’s job. Or, was this one of the ways Thomas was going to get back at her for selling those photos to the tabloid papers?

Swallowing hard, Morgan hesitated in answering Thomas, although her mind had been filling with questions if she was the journalist. She smiled apologetically at Joslyn and licked her suddenly dry lips before looking back at Thomas. “Well, I really can’t think of anything to ask.”

“I don’t believe that.” He moved closer to her until he bumped his arm against hers. “I’ve done many interviews, and it’s not uncommon to have the photographer ask me a question or two.”

Morgan really didn’t want to cause contention between her and Joslyn. Yet, on the other hand, her question was just dying to come out.

She gave Joslyn a nonchalant shrug before meeting Thomas’ remarkably blue eyes. “Lately, some vineyards in California have been burned to the ground. Too many to ignore, in fact. What measures are you taking to ensure this doesn’t happen to your vineyard?”

Thomas’ flirty expression changed and became serious. “Didn’t the police say they were accidents of nature?”

“Yes, but I don’t think –”

“Morgan,” Joslyn cut her off in a harsh tone. “I think your photographs are making you want to believe it was something else.” She composed herself and smiled nicely at Thomas. “Things happen all the time to farmland areas. I believe somewhere in California there is always a fire burning.”

Thomas stared dumbfounded at Joslyn, and then he gave a small shake of his head before looking back at Moran. Within seconds, his pleasant expression returned.

“I assure you, Morgan, that my father and I have taken that into consideration. We are taking all precautions to make sure our vineyard doesn’t get set on fire.”

Morgan nodded. “Like men keeping watch the fields night and day, just like your great grandfather did?”

He chuckled. “Close, but not quite that drastic. Besides, times have changed. Instead of security guards on every corner of the acreage, we have something called cameras, which I’m sure you’ve heard of.”

Morgan wasn’t sure if this was his way of flirting or not, but to her, it sounded more like sarcasm. “Actually, I think I have heard of those before. But let me give you some advice. Take very good care of them because they are very expensive to fix, especially if one of them happened to... let’s say, fall to the ground and break.”

Inwardly, she berated herself. Why had she allowed her irritation for this man to control her tongue?

He blinked, but his expression didn’t change. “Thank you, Morgan. I’ll definitely take your advice.”

Morgan couldn’t tear her gaze away from him. She wished he wasn’t so darn gorgeous. But she quickly reminded herself that he was a pain in her backside, and she’d rather not have to talk to him if she could help it. Men like Thomas Powers had so much money they didn’t care about poor people like Morgan Foster.

Joslyn cleared her voice loudly, breaking the staring contest Morgan and Thomas were having. He turned to Joslyn and flashed her a charming grin, one that made Morgan physically ill.

“Yes, Joslyn?” Thomas asked.

“Tell me about when you harvest.”

He nodded. “Harvest time is in mid-September. We still have a few months to go before we have to worry about that. Everything is processed the same way I just showed you.” He pointed toward the building.

Morgan stepped toward the rows of vines and snapped a few more pictures. She couldn’t get over how much she loved this. In fact, she was sure the land would be an awesome sight around sunset.

She listened to Joslyn ask a few more questions, and when he answered, the deep timbre of his voice nearly sent shivers through her. Good grief! She couldn’t let that happen ever again.

When silence filled the air, she decided to ask another question. After all, she didn’t want the interview to end just yet. When she turned, she bumped into his chest. His hands quickly moved to her shoulders to steady her.

Her heartbeat quickened from the nearness, and she glanced up into his eyes. Dreamy eyes... Stop it, Morgan! But as