Page 21 of Secret Crush

She rubbed her arms and met his gaze. Her eyes held a glimmer of a question that she kept unspoken. Should he lean her backwards in the elevator and kiss her hard? Right now, no. He intended forever, and forever doesn't start with seduction. A potential wife was different than a random hookup. He stood straighter. She was steady and he needed strength.

"You really don't trust him, do you?"

What had he said? Something about his brother. His mind caught up to the conversation, though his mouth still ached to kiss her. "I don't know. He might be fine, but in the House of Morgan signs of affection can be used as a weapon. You're too sweet."

Without another thought he captured her lips in a kiss. The overwhelming sense that he belonged with her shot through him like a lightning bolt. Her hands wrapped around his neck as he held her waist. He pulled back for a breath of air as the elevator stopped and the doors opened.

For a moment, neither of them moved or said anything. The elevator dinged a second time and his hand went out to stop the doors from closing. She swallowed and then said, "Okay. Good night."

She moved like an angel. She walked off the elevator, but then he held the door and asked her sexy backside, "Coffee afterwards?"

The words had just flown out of his mouth. She turned around and offered him a smile. "Where?"

He reached for his phone, and hoped his hands didn't show sweat. He swallowed back his nerves. "I'll text you, if you give me your number."

A laugh formed on her face, though neither made a sound. "Smooth, John."

She took his phone and typed her number. Then she handed it back to him. Strawberries scented the air. The taste of Alice was even sweeter. She took a step back from the elevator. "Good night."

"I'll see you at the funeral."

He lost all sense of what to say near her. Alice was incredible. If he could bottle her and keep her in his life, he'd be happier than he'd been in years.

He walked into his room and stared at Alice's number one more time. Smiling, he knew he'd find her again, but he refused to spend the evening like a lost puppy dog as he gazed at her name. He closed out the phone application and checked his email. The second one caught his attention.

John Morgan,

You are the reason my family is dead. Now that I know your name, nothing can stop me from taking away everything you ever loved, starting with the brunette.

Someone had seen him and Alice together. His entire body froze, but training took over. John's feet pressed into the floor as he listened to his heartbeat slow. First he forwarded the message to his ex-boss at the FBI and then clenched his hands. He might have quit, but this was likely job-related.

The pain in his chest felt like a heart attack. All that mattered now was ensuring that Alice was safe.

The FBI was the best plan. With the Morgan fortune, he could hire whatever security he needed. Rejoining his father's world meant he had to face his choices, but in no way would anyone hurt Alice. He swallowed and coldness entered his body. He'd never go out with Alice Collins, ever again, if that kept her safe.

The threat mentioned her specifically. He'd have to protect her. No one would ever hurt her. He grabbed his bag and headed to the door. Tonight he slept in the hall.

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