Taming the Carefree Billionaire - Marie Higgins Page 0,34
he was talking about, he bent and brushed his lips across hers. She sucked in a quick breath, but before she could react, he pulled away and left.
She placed a shaking hand on her chest as her heart hammered out of control. If one little kiss could make her lose her breath, what would happen if he kissed her passionately? She wasn’t sure she wanted to find out.
TWELVE
Morgan’s whole body buzzed with awareness as she walked out of the large room and onto the crowded patio. A cool breeze from the west blew across her heated face. She was glad the lights weren’t bright out here, mainly because she didn’t know if other people could see her face, because she was sure it was bright red.
In the middle of the patio was a large potted leafy plant with a wrap-around wooden bench. Since nobody was occupying it, she moved to it and sat, facing toward the tennis courts out back. Stretching her neck, she rubbed the tightness, wishing she could relax a little. But knowing that Thomas was going to try and kiss her again, how could she relax now? For the rest of the evening, she’d be anticipating the kiss.
Groaning, she buried her face in her hands. What was she going to do now? And what if Joslyn saw it? What if Joslyn had already seen Morgan and Thomas dancing? She was sure her coworker wouldn’t let her live it down this time.
Men’s voices grew closer, and the wrap-around bench shifted. She didn’t have to look to see that someone else was on the other side.
One of the men cursed. “He’s not drunk enough.”
“I know. This is the first party I’ve attended where he’s not already plastered.”
Garth Sorenson?
Slowly, Morgan lowered her hands to her lap, but didn’t turn her face to see those sitting on the other side. She recognized Garth’s voice, though, only because of the sickening chills running through her and twisting her stomach. They were talking about Thomas.
“I can have Denise flirt with him if you want, she’s good at getting people to open up,” the other man said.
“Denise will have to be very seductive to get Powers’ attention away from that photographer. If Denise can keep him occupied here, we can sneak into his house and search for the recipe. His household staff is usually gone for the night by now, if I remember correctly.”
Morgan held her breath. What was going on? Garth and his friends were really out to steal Thomas’ secrets? She didn’t dare move or draw any attention to herself.
“Of course, Denise is seductive enough. Have you seen her dress tonight?” The man let out a low whistle. “She’s got a rack that needs attention.”
Morgan rolled her eyes. Men!
“Good,” Garth said. “Then tell her to find him now. We’ll be able to get onto the estate easily. I’ve done it before. I know he keeps notes in a blue covered planner. I’ve seen him with it at conventions we’ve both attended. We need that planner. The new wine ingredients are in there, I’ll bet good money on it.”
“Wouldn’t it just be easier to set fire to the area where the specialty grapes are located? That would prove he was irresponsible, and he would end up making their company fail,” another man’s voice chimed in the conversation.
Morgan sat up straighter. Her heartbeat took on a totally different rhythm. Were these men the arsonists going around burning vineyards as she’d suspected?
“No, we can’t do that. Believe me, I’ve already thought of it.” Garth grumbled. “Powers’ vineyard is heavily guarded.”
Another man swore.
“Go tell Denise to keep Tommy busy. We can’t waste any more time tonight.”
Morgan listened as their footsteps moved away from the bench. Only then did she allow herself to release the breath she’d been holding. She couldn’t let these men succeed.
Energy rushed through her body as she left the potted plant and made her way back into the club’s main room. More people must have arrived, because she was squishing through the crowd, making her way toward the entrance where she knew Thomas would be.
Her mind buzzed with the information. As soon as she caught Garth and his men – after taking several pictures, of course – she’d write up her own article on how they were trying to steal wine-making secrets, and setting vineyards on fire. Perhaps then her boss would rethink his decision about making her a reporter.
She must have searched ten minutes for Thomas, but she couldn’t find him anywhere.