Page 78 of Shelter for Morgan

He lifted a hand and brushed some of her hair from her face. “I just want you to be happy. I’m worried that you’re coming home on the verge of tears.”

“I know I’m probably over-wrought and I know I’m overreacting, but I think it’s because this is all new to me. My mentors in the teaching program said that I was too interested in being friends with the students, but I wasn’t. I just wanted to find out about them and see if there were things I could help with. Some of my mentors were trying to get me to change my focus from teaching to something more administrative, but I couldn’t give up on my dream to teach.”

He gently skimmed his knuckles across her cheek. “You shouldn’t give up your dreams or your teaching job. You’re smart and generous with your spirit. You give your students a real connection to the subject. You’re excited about the subject, but even more importantly, you’re interested in them. I know that Benji saw that. Or perhaps he felt it.”

Morgan looked up at him, her eyes shining with what he could see was hope. “How do you know?”

“When he collapsed, he wanted you close. You shielded him. Got him help. He knows deep down that you’re trying to help him. That goes a long way when someone is suffering.”

“I was hoping that his mother would let me talk to him.”

“That’s the issue,” he began, “or maybe it’s one of the causes. His mother won’t let you anywhere near him.”

She looked at him, holding back tears. “I know I can help.”

Rhett touched her lips with his own, a gentle kiss. One he hoped that would lift her spirits and show her that he was there with her. Caring for her.

“Benji went to extreme lengths to keep everyone around him from finding out that he was suffering beyond being hurt. You have the best of intentions, but Benji’s mother has her own intentions. And in the eyes of the law, she is the one who holds precedence over your concern.”

He pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her as if he was trying to shield her from all of the hurt in the world.

No, not ‘as if.’

He really did want to shield her from the pain she was feeling and the sorrow.

“We’ll find a way to help him, Morgana.”

A soft smile touched her laps. “You keep calling me that.”

Rhett gently rubbed his hand up and down her arm, humming in a soothing manner.

Morgan leaned into his touch.

“I call you that because I think the name fits you. A little mysterious. A sensual woman who comes alive and lets me into her soul. You give me joy, Morgana.”

“You give me love, Palmer.” She wrapped her arms around his body and he felt his heart beating against her own. “More than I could ever ask for.”

“You don’t have to ask me for love, Morgana. I’m giving it to you. I’ll give you everything I am.”

She stepped back from him, the towel that she’d wrapped around herself falling away.

He couldn’t help but watch her with hunger in his eyes. “What are you doing, Morgana?”

“I’m trying to seduce you. Isn’t that obvious?” She held out her hand for his. “I want to thank you for being so supportive.”

He put his hand in hers and she turned her hand to weave their fingers together.

When she tugged on his hand and led him into his bedroom, he didn’t just choose to follow her. He went with her willingly.

She tugged on the waistband of his grey sweatpants, and he felt the ties come apart. “I have an idea.”

He could hardly breathe let alone speak.

“Lift your foot.”

Of course he did.

She pulled his sweatpants free of his foot.

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