Page 18 of A Whole New Trick

Before I can come up with a response to thwart Eli’s growing interest in Morgan’s impending arrival, the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it!”

“Cameron Eli,” I whirl around and hiss, channeling my mother’s way of using our full names to convey the depth of her disapproval.

He’s unaffected.

Eli bounds to the front door like a mischievous puppy. I swear, I can’t believe he’s in his twenties. He acts like a kid.

I run a nervous hand over my hair and roll my shoulders back, bracing myself to withstand the gusts of disapproval Morgan is sure to blow my way.

The door opens with a. click. “Hi! I’m Eli.”

“Um. Hi? Do I have the wrong house? I’m here to see Dane Larson.” Morgan’s sultry voice, low and warm, travels down the hallway, making my pulse quicken. It’s the same reaction I haveevery time I speak with her. I’d hoped it would lessen with each interaction, but if anything, it’s only getting stronger.

“No, you’re in the right place. I’m Cameron Larson, Dane’s brother. But my friends call me Eli.”

“Oh.” Morgan sounds surprised, but she quickly gathers her composure and replies, “Nice to meet you. I’m Morgan.”

“Nice to meet you, Morgan. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Oh?”

Eli, you bastard.

I turn the corner and draw up short. Morgan wears a stunning emerald cocktail dress that cinches at her waist, flaring out over her long legs, cutting off just above the knee. Her brown hair is twisted up into an elegant updo at the base of her neck. Curled tendrils frame her face, and her stunning features are highlighted by blush on her cheeks and a neutral sweep of eyeshadow on her eyelids. Her brown eyes are framed by dark, thick lashes.

Damn.I swallow the lump in my throat.She’s fucking gorgeous.

“Dane.” The polite smile she wore when speaking to my brother falls when she sees me. “Sorry, I’m late. I got stuck in traffic.” She adjusts the notepad, phone, and keys in her hands.

“No worries.” I inhale a quick breath. “You look… nice.”

She looks down at herself. “Oh. Yeah. I’m going to a wedding after this.”

“By yourself?” I thought I’d kept the question in my head, but her raised brow revealed I didn’t.

Smooth, Dane.

“Now, who is the nosy one, Dane?” Eli tsks.

I latch onto the out he gives me. “You’re right. My bad. Would you like to come in, Morgan?”

She blinks. “Yes. Thank you.” She crosses the threshold and kicks off her nude heels when she sees the row of tennis shoes lined up by the door.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her she doesn’t need to worry about that, but I keep my mouth shut and turn on my heel. “The kitchen is this way.”

“So, Morgan, are you from the Dallas area?” Eli stays by Morgan’s side and makes small talk as they follow after me.

“Sort of. I grew up in Rose Hill. It’s a few miles out of the greater metro area.”

“Nice.”

“Do you live here, or are you just visiting?”

I lean against the counter by the fridge and cross my arms, content to eavesdrop on their conversation and give myself time to brace for my next interaction with Morgan.

She rattles me like no woman ever has.

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