Page 26 of Balance

I find a bottle of Merlot and pour until it’s almost filled to the rim and I lean back against the counter as I sip it. Not my favorite, but it gets the job done.

“I thought I heard someone out here,” Morgan murmurs from behind me. I jump and sigh with relief when I don’t drop or spill the glorious liquid. “Sorry… I should start wearing bells or something.”

I glance at him over my shoulder and chuckle. “You should. Sorry if I woke you.”

He shakes his head and pulls down a glass and pours the rest of the wine in it. “I was awake. Couldn’t sleep. How are you doing?”

I sigh and turn so that I can actually look at him as we talk. “I’m… okay. I’ll be even better when I can see Betty and get to say goodbye.”

He nods slowly and moves his gaze over my face. “I wish I could go with you, you shouldn’t have to do this all on your own.”

I shrug and look away. “I’ll be fine. Worst comes to worse, my friend Mackenzie can probably fly in if anything bad happens or I get arrested or some shit for just showing up to the nursing home.”

He glares at me and rolls his eyes. “You won’t be arrested. You call me if anything happens.”

“Where are your games this weekend?” I murmur, changing the subject.

“Not in California. We’ll be in Tennessee then Arizona.”

I hum and finish off my glass before rinsing it out and setting it in the sink. I have to keep myself busy before I stare any longer at Morgan.

He’s shirtless, only wearing a pair of low-slung pajama bottoms. His feet are bare and he just looks so damn delicious.

Maybe that glass of wine wasn’t a good idea. I can feel my body flushing. I turn off the tap and start to leave. “I’ll let you relax. See you in the morning.” I step away before I feel his hand land on my shoulder, spinning me around. He backs me up against the island and moves his face down close to mine.

His warm breath smells like wine, his eyes are darkening with the hunger that I am definitely feeling. “I want to kiss you,” he murmurs and presses his pelvis up against me. I shudder when I feel how hard he is.

Oh, fuck. Why is he doing this?

Had he already been drinking tonight?

He chuckles and moves his nose along my neck, pressing a kiss to my cheek before slowly moving closer to my lips. I turn my head and touch my tongue to his warm, soft lips. He opens up for me and I moan when he wraps his tongue around mine, I arch up against him and wrap my arms around his shoulders. Needing him closer.

He pulls back and kisses my forehead before sighing and shaking his head. “I want you.” I lick my lips and open my mouth to reply before he presses his finger up against my lips. “I want to be completely divorced and rid of Brittany before I start anything with you, Lillian… you deserve that. And we should sit down and talk about what this means for us, and for the girls, after my shit is dealt with.”

I close my eyes and glance away. I understand where he’s coming from but I still feel rejected.

Fuck, what was in that wine?

Sure, we’ve shared a few looks. He pressed me up against the sink a few weeks ago. We talk sometimes.

He… he really wants someone likeme?Or does he just want sex?

“Hey… I swear I like you. I want you, Lillian. I just want shit done right this time.”

I nod and scurry out of the room and softly close my door once I make it down the hall. I make sure my phone is plugged in and curl around my soft pillows, pulling my blanket over my head. Maybe a few days away from Morgan will help me think more clearly.

I don’t know what to do or think.

I don’t think it would be smart to start anything with him. We need to think about the girls and his issues with Brittany. Maybe once he’s divorced he will forget all about me and find more puck bunnies to fuck while he’s traveling and playing games.

I don’t think I can trust again anyway.

Chapter 9

Lillian

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