Page 62 of A Whole New Trick

She’s so fucking beautiful.

“You tricked me.” I plop my head back on the ground. “I’ve been hustled.”

“This wasyouridea,” she reminds me with another laugh. “And I warned you I played in college.”

“That’s exactly what a hustler would say.” I crack a smile when I hear her snort.

“I thought you’d be better at volleyball,” she says. “Valerie told me you were decent at that resort.”

“Valerie and her friend weren’t professionals,” I defend myself.

I’d partnered with Valerie’s friend, Megan, while Carter and Valerie teamed up after he and I approached the women to join their friendly game.

I had a feeling Valerie and Carter were going to hit it off. It was the first time I’d seen Carter interested in a woman since the drama with his ex started. Megan felt the same way about Valerie, so the two of us made a plan to make sure they’d see each other for dinner that same evening—a mission we accomplished.

“Come on, you whimp.” Morgan holds out her hand. “Let’s get something to eat. I worked up an appetite with all that winning.”

I take her hand and push up as she pulls to help me stand. She starts to brush sand off my back. When her hand grazes my ass, I turn and capture her head between my hands. I kiss her. Anyone on the restaurant’s patio can see us, but I don’t care. I’ve wanted to kiss Morgan for months. Now that I can, I plan to do so at every opportunity.

Morgan doesn’t seem to mind. She returns my kiss with equal enthusiasm. Blood pulses to my cock. I have to break the kiss or risk popping a boner in soft athletic shorts that will leave little to the imagination.

I take her hand and lace our fingers, leading her to the patio. “Let’s feed my girl before she gets hangry.”

It’s nearly eleven in the morning, close enough to lunch that we should be able to order something from the savory menu. If not, I bet this place has excellent breakfast tacos.

We sit at the tall table the hostess led us to when we arrived. A minute later, a server appears with two glasses of water, chips, and salsa. He says he will give us time to look over the menu, then disappears inside. Only one other couple is on the patio, and they already have their food.

I scan the menu when I feel eyes on me. I look up and see Morgan chewing her bottom lip.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes. No.” She frowns. “I don’t know.”

I lower the menu and do my best to hide my worry. “Talk to me, Caldwell. What’s up?”

Please don’t tell me you’re regretting what happened last night.

I won’t be able to go back to the way things were. Not anymore.

“I don’t want to be that girl…” She trails off. I wait for her to continue, but she resumes chewing her lip, looking uncertain.

“Morgan,” I lower my voice. “Don’t overthink it. Just say what you need to say.”

Her eyes flicker between mine, and then she nods slowly.

“Okay.” She exhales. “I was just wondering… what is this?”

My forehead creases. “What do you mean?”

She flushes. “I mean, is this a casual hookup? I’m totally okay if it is,” she adds quickly. “I just want to know. Communication is really important in situations like this. Especially because we work together. I don’t want things to be weird or complicated.”

I stare at her, trying my best to keep a neutral expression. I’m afraid I’ll scare her away if she knows the depths of what I’m feeling after our night together.

Morgan misreads my attempt and winces. “You know what? Never mind. Let’s just enjoy lunch.”

She lifts her menu to hide her face, but not before I see the tightness around her eyes.

I grab the top of her menu and lower it to the table. Morgan’s eyes bounce between mine and the flat menu. I’ve never seen her look so unsure of herself. I’d think it was adorable if it weren’t for the fact that she’s uncertain ofme.

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