Page 21 of Skulk of Foxes
‘You’re not my boss,’ I huffed.
Morgan chuckled. ‘No, I’m definitely not. You’re absolutely your own woman. Don’t apologise for who you are. And don’t forget that we learn from failure, not from success. You can build an amazing life on the basis of your mistakes as long as you don’t deny those mistakes exist. Mistakes lead to discovery.’
I considered his words. ‘There are two things I’d like to point out, if I may.’
He inclined his head. ‘Go on.’
‘First of all,’ I said, ‘I’d like to be clear that I’m not apologising for who I am. I’m the Madhatter. It doesn’t get any better than that. Second of all, have you considered a career in inspirational meme design?’
Morgan took a step towards me and reached for my hands. ‘Maybe one day,’ he breathed. ‘Now there’s something you have to tell me.’
I tensed. ‘Okay.’
‘Doyoulikeme?’
My answer was as unequivocal as his. ‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
I peered at him. Wow. He actually looked… ‘Nervous,’ I burst out. ‘You look nervous.’
‘Just answer the damned question, Maddy,’ he growled.
I ran my tongue over my lips. ‘I can’t speak for what things were like before I got amnesia,’ I said quietly, ‘but you have never lied to me. You’ve never sugar-coated the truth but you’ve always listened to me, too. You don’t look for excuses or spend your time buried in the past, and every single atom of your soul is heroic.’
‘No, it’s not,’ he said. He sighed. ‘Back in the bar, you told the others that they’d sat back and wrung their hands at Rubus but not done anything to stop him. He’s my brother and, up until the last couple of weeks, I didn’t do a damned thing to try and stop him either. I’m as guilty of abjuring responsibility as everyone else. We might not have known about the sphere until recently but I’ve always been fully aware of how dangerous Rubus can be.’
‘Perhaps that’s my fault,’ I told him. ‘You washed your hands of him when I left you for him. But there’s been no point in the last few weeks where you’ve stinted at bringing him down. He’s still your family, Morgan, but you’re not letting that stop you.’
‘He’s left me with no choice.’
I nodded, conceding the point. ‘Going back to the original question, you can be a bit too serious. I mean, you’re sex on legs and you make my stomach squirm but you do tend to live life on the very straight and very narrow. However,’ I added quickly before he could interrupt, ‘you do have a sense of humour that matches mine, when you feel brave enough to show it. And you see through me in a way that I can’t even see through myself. You’re caring and sensitive.’ I shrugged. ‘And I fancy the pants off you. When I’m with you, it’s not always easy to think straight. When I’m not with you, all I can think about is you. Maybe your schoolmarmish approach is what inspires all my lusty feelings.’
I cast a long look up and down his muscular body. ‘Have you ever thought of leather? You’d look pretty damned gorgeous in some tight-fitting, thigh-hugging leather…’
A strange noise rumbled in Morgan’s chest. He grabbed my hands and pulled, leading me off the main street and down a smaller side one. Then he spun me round until my back was pressed against a wall. He braced his palms on either side of me and leaned in, his body against mine. His eyes glittered.
‘Schoolmarmish?’ he enquired.
‘It’s not a criticism,’ I said, feeling my chest constrict and my stomach flip. ‘Merely an observation.’
‘Go on.’
It was becoming difficult to breathe normally. ‘You’re the type of person who likes to follow the rules. In fact, you like to set the rules and then follow them. I can see you striding around a blackboard with chalk in hand, patiently explaining algebraic formula and then barking at anyone who dozes off.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re suggesting that my lectures are dull?’ He dipped his head and lowered his voice. ‘Are you suggesting that I’m dull?’
‘No. Just that—’
Morgan didn’t give me a chance to finish. His mouth met mine, hard and insistent. I parted my lips, my hands reaching round his back. His teeth nipped at my bottom lip, tugging almost painfully. Then one of his hands stretched underneath my T-shirt, snaking upwards until his fingers found my breast. He squeezed the nipple then brushed it with the base of his thumb.
‘Tell me that again, Maddy,’ he said into my ear. ‘Tell me I’m being schoolmarmish now.’
I answered the only way I could, dropping my hands to his waist and fumbling for the button. I managed to undo it then I pushed my fingers down. Morgan’s sharp intake of breath when I stroked his hot, hard length was all the reward I needed. I curved my hand round his cock. He growled again and reached for my wrist, yanking it out. He pinned both my hands against the wall.
‘No,’ he said. ‘There are rules. You will follow them.’ He pushed his body against mine once more. ‘I’m in charge. You will do what I say.’
‘And what are your rules? We’re outside, Morgan. Anyone could wander by. Are your rules that we should act prim and proper?’ I smirked. ‘Because that’s what I expect from you.’
