Slowly, she shook her head. “Not really. I’ve been completely bored.”
He lifted a hand to her face as his fingers drew along her cheek, ear, and then down her neck. “Liar.”
She expelled a heavy breath. “You caught me. I guess I don’t lie very well.”
“No, you don’t.”
She smiled fully. “But honestly, Thomas, I’m having a wonderful time with you tonight. It’s been an evening full of firsts for me.”
“Really?” He cocked his head.
“The limo, jet, and restaurant – all firsts.” Sighing, she relaxed against him. “And I’m very happy that they were with you.”
He cupped the side of her face, and she cuddled against his palm. All evening, she’d been having strange and warm feelings bubbling inside her, which was another first for her. Although when she’d first met Thomas, she wanted to hate him, but that emotion was nowhere near to what she experienced now. In fact, the way her heart beat so fast and her body melted against him, she wondered if he had softened her heart toward him after all. She just prayed that she was seeing the real Thomas Powers tonight, and not the careless billionaire who was always in some kind of a scandal, according to social media.
“Morgan,” his gaze dropped to her mouth, “it thrills me to be able to share this with you.”
Her heartbeat skipped faster. “Why, Thomas? Why do you feel this way toward me?”
“Because you’re so different. I’ve been dating the same type of woman for years, and I’m becoming rather bored. But then you showed up in my life, and I started rethinking my social life. I became attracted to you because you challenged me to do better – to live a better life. I wanted to prove to you and myself that I could actually do it.”
She couldn’t tear her gaze from his handsome face. His words, and the gentle stroke of his thumb on her cheek, were hypnotizing her. Never had she made an impact in anyone’s life, and it made her heart swell knowing that he thought that way about her.
“I have to admit, that you’ve made an impact on me, too.”
“Oh, really?” He tilted his head. “I’m sure that was difficult for you to admit.”
She chuckled. “You don’t know the half of it.”
“Why do you think I’ve made an impact on your life?”
“It’s crazy, I know, but for the first time in my life, I feel like I can accomplish anything. For instance, I’m more determined to get that reporter job and prove that I can make a great reporter. Before, I’d just wanted it, but now after meeting you, I feel it’s something I can actually accomplish.”
“Of course, you can. My darling Morgan, you can do anything you put your mind to.” He paused and grinned, shaking his head. “I remember when my old man used to tell me those very words.”
“So? Did you ever follow those words?”
He shrugged. “A few times, but now it’s your turn to prove my dad right.”
“I’d love to do that.”
“What about your parents?” he asked.
She narrowed her gaze on him. How had the subject moved to her family? “What do you mean?”
“You know my dad, but you don’t talk about your parents.” He moved his hand to her neck, caressing her skin. “Don’t you think it’s time?”
It wasn’t that she had anything to hide from Thomas, but she didn’t want his help. She didn’t want to have to rely on a man to help her out of scrapes. She and her siblings would eventually get the money to buy the family home and then all their worries would be gone.
“My parents don’t live very far from me. I see them regularly.” She really didn’t know how much to say.
“Then maybe next time you visit them, you should bring me.” He winked.
She laughed out loud. “Oh, you really think it’s time to meet my parents? This is only our first date, Thomas.”
“True, but I don’t want it to be our last.” His arms tightened around her as he leaned closer.
The kiss was inevitable, and this time she eagerly anticipated it. So, when his mouth moved toward her, she leaned up to meet him halfway. The moment their lips met, the car stopped, and the limo driver climbed out.
Unfortunately, the kiss was over before it had even started.
THOMAS GROANED. THEY were at the next surprise he had for Morgan. If only he had ten minutes more, he knew the kiss would turn very heated. It lightened his heart knowing that she