Page 42 of Pretend

Slowly exhaling, Morgan grabbed her clipboard with a trembling hand, needing the comforting weight to remind her that they had a job to do. “I’ll go see what we can salvage,” she mumbled weakly as she struggled to focus.

Nodding, Eric’s eyes remained locked on her lips as he stood up. “I’ll get started with the roof,” he said absently as he took a step closer, only to noticeably swallow as he forced himself to look away, clear his throat with a murmured, “Work,” and a firm nod and headed for the door while she stood there, slowly exhaling as she told herself that there was no rush.

They-

“I almost forgot to tell you something,” Eric said, pausing by the back door.

“What’s that?” Morgan asked absently as she reached for a pen and-

“Robert made all the furniture in the house,” Eric announced with a wink and a satisfied sigh as he walked outside, effectively destroying her plans for the rest of the day.

CHAPTER23

She really was adorable, Eric thought as he stood in the doorway, watching as Morgan grumbled to herself, pouted, and then finally, glared accusingly at the bureau that his great-grandfather built when the hidden compartment didn’t suddenly reveal itself.

“Do you want help?” Eric asked as he shifted his attention to the reason that he came up here.

That fucking window.

“No,” Morgan mumbled sadly, making his lips twitch as he took in the cheap vinyl window that someone thought would be a good idea to replace the original patio doors that led to the balcony with.

He’d been hoping to put this off until later, but he needed to get a better look at that balcony. With that in mind, he made his way across the bedroom, only to feel his lips twitch when Morgan mumbled, “Stupid bureau,” as she joined him by the window.

“Were you able to find any of the compartments?” Eric asked as he examined the window, noting that whoever installed it hadn’t bothered to seal it right before moving onto the large gap between the frame and the windowsill. He-

Couldn’t help but wonder why Morgan was releasing a long-suffering sigh.

“I can’t believe that you’re already breaking a rule.”

“And what rule would this be?” Eric asked as he went to open the window, only to realize that it was sealed shut. It definitely had to go, he decided as he focused on the small woman sending him pitying looks.

“The one that helps you adore me,” Morgan said, nodding solemnly as she pushed her glasses back up her nose before gesturing for him to get on with it.

“Does it involve a kiss?” Eric murmured as he reached for her.

“That really went without saying,” Morgan said as he pulled her into his arms and nearly groaned. She felt so fucking good in his arms.

“Did you find the secret room?” he asked with a teasing smile as he kissed her forehead.

“Why are you toying with my emotions?” Morgan asked as she reached up to run her fingertips over his jaw like it was the most natural thing in the world to do.

Christ, he felt like a starved man for her touch and couldn’t seem to get enough. Every gentle caress of her fingertips threatened to drop him to his knees. For so many years, she’d kept her distance, and now…

“When?” Eric asked as he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers, loving the soft sigh of pleasure that she released when he did it.

“When, what?” Morgan asked as she reached up and cupped the back of his neck so that she could pull him back down for another kiss, making it really fucking difficult to remember that they were supposed to be taking this slow.

He wanted to make this perfect for her and if he gave into the urge to pick her up and carry her to the bed only a few feet away…

He had a plan, Eric had to remind himself when he felt Morgan’s lips part for him. He’d fucked up a lot of things in his life, but he wasn’t about to fuck this up, too. She meant the world to him and he wasn’t about to risk pushing her for too much too soon and he sure as hell didn’t want her to think that this was just about sex for him.

He wanted her.

All of her

“When did you realize that you adored me?” Eric asked, wondering how he’d missed the signs that she saw him as anything more than just a friend.

“I’m afraid that’s privileged information,” Morgan whispered against his lips, reminding him why he loved her so much.

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