Page 69 of Rooster

I'll give him the time and space he needs, but I know this small conversation won't be the end of it.

I'm not concerned that he's going to do something crazy, but at the same time, I'm starting to feel a little more protective over Morgan than I had before. I don't think he's the type of man to push his luck and make her uncomfortable.

The walk back upstairs is slow, but instead of going to the conference room and finding some work to do, I head to my room.

The strobe light is still flashing, and the chair Morgan sat on is still in the center of the room. Although I know we needed to pump the brakes, I still feel a little disappointed to find my room void of her.

I stand in the middle of the room, hands on the back of the chair, wondering if I should go knock on her door and pick up where we left off. I know it's best to get a little separation and to let things cool down, but having that knowledge doesn't make me crave her any less.

I feel as if the woman is in my blood somehow, each pump of my heart making me think of her. It's obsessive and a little too strong, making me want to pull back some because I still can't forget that Henry put her in my path for a reason. It'll always be in the back of my head that she's some kind of pawn in a sick joke he's making me live through.

Instead of staying in the room and questioning what I should or shouldn't do, I head back downstairs, grab an energy drink from the fridge, and go to the conference room.

It isn't long before the guys from New Mexico come in, glad that their wives changed their minds before they went to the show.It gives me the exact distraction that I need to keep me from finding Morgan and doing something we both might regret.

Everyone is sitting around the conference room chatting and having a good time. When Kincaid asks where Twisted is since he's the only one absent from the room, I keep my mouth shut.

Chapter 25

Morgan

"It's just a breakfast date," I mutter, trying to get better control of a rogue strand of hair that just will not cooperate this morning. "Can't even call it a date since we're living in the same damn house."

After trying to get it to lie down the way I like for what seems like the millionth time, I press frustrated hands to the bathroom counter and stare at myself in the mirror. My cheeks have been flushed, and my heart has been racing since I got the early morning text from Robert asking me to meet him in the kitchen for breakfast.

I can't recall the last time I got this excited to meet up with a guy. I'm usually a jump in bed with someone and not worry what the next day looks like kind of girl. I can say that I'm grateful he's taking it slow and sort of forcing us to get to know each other before we take that step.

It hasn't left me any less sexually frustrated, especially after yesterday in his bedroom, but the change of pace is actually nicer than I thought it was when he pumped the brakes several days ago. I still fought against slinking into his bedroom after the sun went down and the house got quiet.

I've always hated Monday mornings, but today, it seems like that feeling is ten times worse. I don't want to leave the house or face people outside of this place, but I know I can't call in or just not show up either. My goal has always been my trip to Europe, but now, even the idea of it has lost its luster. I don't know if it's because my life is taking a different path or if I'm subconsciously afraid to travel alone after what happened to Kaylee at my house.

I glance down at my watch for the millionth time, wondering how only a few minutes have passed since I looked at it earlier. The time spent waiting to meet him this morning has just been crawling by, a stark contrast to how fast our time goes when we're together.

I pull in a deep breath and push myself off the counter. I'm a punctual person, so I guess there's no harm in going down a little early.

I grab my cell phone and purse, knowing I won't be back upstairs before heading for work, and I leave the bedroom.

My feet urge me to move faster, and I physically have to fight my body not to run down the stairs and directly into the kitchen. I feel like a schoolgirl with a crush, hurrying to class just so I can watch him from across the room.

Despite being early, Robert is in the kitchen, standing at the stove.

Sensing me, he gives me a quick look over his shoulder, a slow smile spreading across his face when his eyes dip before trailing up the length of my body. My outfit is very demure. My dress hits me at my knees, and despite the vee at my throat, it doesn't drop low enough to hint at cleavage. However, it doesn't seem to keep his imagination from working.

"Good morning," he says, his voice gravelly as if it's the first words he's used since waking up.

"Hey," I say, suddenly nervous, although I wouldn't hesitate to wrap my legs around his waist if he gave me the option.

"Did you sleep well?"

I nod, chewing the inside of my cheek to keep from telling him I wouldn't have minded losing sleep had he come to my room. The glint in his eyes as his smile spreads tells me he understands without the words falling from my lips.

I watch, enthralled by the smooth movements of his body, as he walks toward me. I don't know where my shyness comes from, but I become a little nervous as he steps up in front of me.

As if he bore witness to my struggle with that one strand of hair this morning, he brushes it back behind my ear, his eyes locked on my mouth.

I pull in a breath, feeling the urge to speak to ease the anxiety I'm feeling, but before I can, he lowers his mouth to mine. His lips are warm and soft and everything I've wanted since our kiss in his bedroom yesterday afternoon.

My lips part, giving him access to my mouth, and he doesn't squander the opportunity to swipe his tongue along mine. I melt into this man, giving him more of my weight as his left arm wraps around my back, his right hand cupping my jaw.

---