Page 24 of Boarded Hearts

“Okay. I can’t lie and say seeing you with the brunette in that bar didn’t hurt me. Because it did, more than I wanted it to, and more than it should have.” I can barely breathe my lungs are so tight, but I’m determined to get this all out there.“Because you and I,” I motion between us, “we aren’t anything. We have no claim over one another.” I pause, trying to gather myself. “I’m annoyed at my response. I shouldn’t have felt that way.”

Jon’s mouth tips up slightly at the corner and some relief enters his eyes. His hand lifts to the side of my head as his huge palm caresses my face, his rough, calloused thumb gently stroking my cheek and the motion sends waves of electricity through me. “Would it make you feel any better to know that I’ve been going out of my mind since Saturday night?” His thumb is still tracing my cheekbone. “Would it make you feel better to know that the girl touched me, sat on my lap, and kissed me, all without my permission?” He leans even closer, our noses almost touching. “Would it make you feel better to know that right after that video ended, I unraveled her clinging legs from my waist and lost my shit, explaining that I had a girlfriend?”

Girlfriend?

“And would it make you feel better to know that since I first laid eyes on you in that hallway, I haven’t purposely touched or thought about another woman since?”

There’s silence for a few beats, and when he pulls back slightly, his hand is still caressing my cheek as his eyes search mine before falling to my mouth. His tongue darts out, wetting his bottom lip. But he doesn’t move to kiss me, although I can tell he wants to. I want him to, even though I can think of a thousand reasons why kissing Jon Morgan is a bad idea.

“Does it make you feel better, Angel?” he asks me once again.

My breath catches in my throat, but I push out the words. “You think I’m just going to fall at your feet like every other woman before me?”

He shakes his head gently, a tender smile tracing his lips. “No, Angel. That’s my job.”

Jon’s lips crash to mine.

They’re soft, full, and addictive, just as I expected. It’s our first kiss, but he takes my mouth as if it’s the last time he’ll feel me. Desperate and searching. Hungry and wanting. And when his tongue brushes over my lower lip, seeking permission to go further, my core ignites, bursting into flames, and I could melt into this floor right here.

Our tongues glide together, hot, wet, and in perfect synchronization as our kiss transcends from desperate to a type I can’t describe, a kiss I’ve never felt before. Jon’s other hand comes up to my waist, pulling me forward, pinning me to his body, and that’s when I feel it. His length. He’s hard, and despite several layers between us, I know he’s big. And he wants me. Jon freaking Morgan wants me. I don’t know how long we kiss for because time and everything else ceases to exist.

A brisk knock breaks us apart as my hand flies to my swollen lips. I already miss his touch.

Before I can say anything, Jon answers the door, keeping it half open. “Can I help you?” I hear him say, a hint of exasperation to his tone.

“Sorry. Jon Morgan?” Shit, shit, shit, it’s Mark. I can tell his voice without needing to see him.

“Yes, that’s me,” Jon replies. There’s a beat of silence before Mark speaks again.

“I’m looking for Felicity. One of her colleagues said they saw you disappear into this room together.” Mark is no fan of ice hockey, or any sports for that matter, but in this city, everyone knows Jon Morgan, and I can tell there’s a level of trepidation to his tone.

Jon straightens. “Yep. I turned up first thing this morning and spoke to your receptionist, Mandy, is it?”

“Margo,” Mark corrects.

“Margo. I was making an inquiry, looking for some legal advice actually. Margo said Felicity would be the right person to speak to. So here we are.”

I have to hand it to him; he sure thinks quickly on his feet.

Sensing it’s my cue, I move around into Mark’s line of vision. “Hi, can I help you? We were just finishing up.” I know my lips are obviously red and swollen, and I inwardly cringe at what I must look like—like I’m post make-out, I would imagine.

“Actually, I have a couple more questions for Ms. Thompson before I leave,” Jon chimes in with utter conviction.

Mark’s attention darts between us before taking a couple of steps back and straightening his tie. “No problem, Mr. Morgan. Thank you for your inquiry.” He then turns to me but doesn’t look angry, more bewildered. “I just needed the files for my ten-o clock, Felicity, are they ready?”

I nod, very pleased and relieved for knuckling down on Friday and getting everything ready in advance. “Yes, they’re waiting on your desk.”

“Excellent. Well, nice to meet you, Mr. Morgan,” he finishes before turning and striding away, revealing a sea of inquisitive faces as they all dart back to their screens in unison.

Jon shuts the door hastily before turning and striding over to me, hands flying to either side of my face, ready to kiss me again. I take a step back, shaking my head.

“We can’t do this here. This is my work, and we almost got caught; I need this job! Why did you come to my office?” My tone is once again harsher than I intended, especially after the tender moment we just shared.

He closes the space between us again. “I know, and I’m sorry. But I knew if I turned up at your place you might not answer the door to me, and you wouldn’t hear me out. I had no way of contacting you since you blocked me. I needed to see you.” He raises his hands to my waist but at the last minute changes his mind, redirecting them to his pockets.

He’s probably right. I’d have done all I could to wipe him from my life. “I didn’t block you. I deactivated my social media accounts.” I can feel my face flushing at the confession. “I needed away from reporters and Saturday night, and yes, I needed away from you.”

Jon’s head tips up, his eyes reaching the ceiling as he nods in understanding. “We need to talk, Felicity, not here, but soon.” He pulls out his phone and scrolls through a couple of screens, taking another step toward me. “Come to my place tonight. I’ll send a car for you, and I’ll make you dinner. I want to talk with you. We’ve got so much to straighten out.”

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