Page 19 of Heal You
“Whywouldn’tI?You’re gorgeous.”Morgan regarded Jan with a soft smile.“And your laugh?It’s one of those laughs that gets inside you and makes everything feel…lighter.”She paused, careful of her words.“It’salwaysa pleasure when you’re in my bar.”
“You’ve never said anything…”
“I knew you were married.”Morgan shrugged.“Flirting would have been disrespectful.”
Jan’s hand rested on Morgan’s chest, her palm warm.“It’s been so long since anyone flirted with me.I probably wouldn’t have noticed.”
“Oh, you’d have noticed.”Morgan’s smile turned into a smirk, her lips dangerously close to Jan’s.“Trust me.I’d have made sure.”
Jan’s breath hitched, her gaze flickering downwards to Morgan’s lips once again.
“Hey,” Morgan whispered as she leaned towards Jan’s ear.“If you’d walked into my bar single and evenhintedat being interested in women, we wouldn’t be standing here like this.”
Jan’s brow rose.“No?”
“No.”Morgan tipped her head toward her bedroom door.“We’d be in there.”She let those words hang between them, the air thick with the possibility that something may just happen here.“But more than anything, I need you to know that no matter what, you’re so fucking beautiful, Jan.Don’t let him take that from you.If he can do what he did, you deserve better.”
Jan’s arm tightened around Morgan’s waist, her fingers digging in as though she feared Morgan might slip away.Her breath was hot and ragged against Morgan’s neck, each exhale sending a shiver down her spine.
“Oh, God,” Jan whispered, her voice rough with need.
Morgan barely had time to answer before Jan’s lips found hers—soft at first, almost like a question.But then Jan pressed harder, her mouth far more urgent and demanding.The tension between them snapped like a rope that had been pulled too tight.Jan’s tongue swept inside Morgan’s mouth, warm and slick, and Morgan’s resolve crumbled.
Morgan threaded her fingers through Jan’s hair, tugged her closer, and dragged her nails along the delicate, smooth skin at the nape of her neck.Jan let out a low, breathy moan that vibrated against Morgan’s lips.God, that sound absolutely ruined her.
Morgan felt Jan’s body moulding to hers, those soft curves pressed against her, a thigh slipping between her legs just enough to make her head spin.Jan’s fingers snaked beneath Morgan’s shirt, tracing a path of what could only be described as fire up her back, and it left her skin tingling.
“F-fuck, you’re driving me crazy,” Morgan murmured against Jan’s lips, her voice hoarse with desire.
“Good,” Jan moaned, her teeth grazing Morgan’s bottom lip before she kissed her again.Only this time, it was deeper.Hungrier.Each press of their bodies felt like a spark igniting something dangerous, something wild that neither of them wanted to extinguish.It didn’t matter how much Morgan wanted to have these moments with Jan over and over again; she knew it couldn’t be.Jan was dealing with too much,andshe was straight.
Morgan broke away just enough to catch her breath.“Are you drunk?”
“N-no,” Jan stammered.“Just a glass and a half of wine.”
“You sure?It’s just… I’m trying to figure out how the fuck that happened.”
“I’m sure.”Jan’s smile spread wider.“I kissed you because I wanted to.Because I was tired of feeling miserable.”
Morgan narrowed her eyes, searching her face for doubt, but she found nothing of the kind.“Jan, you…you’re straight.”
“Ihavebeen with a woman before,” Jan admitted, her eyes painfully dark.“A long time ago, but I never forgot how it felt.”
* * *
As Jan allowedthat admission to sink in, she found herself staring back at Morgan.A slight space had been created between them, but Jan didn’t feel terrible.She didn’t hold any regret.No, she felt as though a spark had just ignited.One that had her palms clammy and her entire body aching with anticipation.She didn’t quite know what had possessed her to kiss Morgan in that moment, but she had wanted it to happen.
If she’d realised anything since last week, it was that Morgan paid more attention to her and was far more honest with her than Phil had probably ever been.That was sad on reflection, but Jan couldn’t change Phil or his personality.And for the most part, she hadn’t wanted to.She had met and fallen in love with Phil, knowing and understanding who he was.She had spent twenty-seven years with himstillaware of who he was, but maybe this was her perfect opportunity for change.
Is now really the right time for change?
Jan had always been of the opinion that there was no time like the present, but she’d had a huge shock just a week ago today.She knew her marriage wasn’t something she could simply move on from.As she stood there, the taste of Morgan still on her lips, she hoped Morgan didn’t think she was nothing more than a rebound.Jan was nearing fifty.She didn’t do rebounds.Morgan made her feel good about herself, and she couldn’t change that.
“I…can’t believe you’ve just kissed me.”Morgan tugged her bottom lip between her teeth.“Or did I kiss you?I-I don’t know.”
Jan grinned.“I kissed you.Don’t worry.”
“And, um…” Morgan puffed out her cheeks as she frowned and looked down at her bare feet.“You wanted to do that, right?”
