More than Temptation (18 page)

“They’re ready to take Bella.” Kennan touched him gently.

Morgan nodded and followed the gurney they had placed Bella on. Someone touched him and he looked up, meeting golden tear-filled eyes. “I failed her, Julianne.”

“Morgan. You saved her.” Julianne hugged him briefly. “Go with her. I’ll call the family and meet you at the hospital.”

Morgan did as she said. He got in the ambulance and they closed the door then were off in moments. He gripped Bella’s hand and stared at her lying so still on the gurney. He didn’t notice the EMT working on Bella—all his will was to make sure she was okay.

“She’ll be fine.”

The EMT’s assurance didn’t mean anything to him. Until he saw her eyes open, he wouldn’t believe it. They arrived at the hospital and when the doors opened, he spotted Spencer. He nodded at Morgan and they whisked Bella away. Morgan got out then his legs buckled.

“Catch him,” the same EMT who had been inside with him yelled. “You should have let us check you out.”

“I’m f—” Morgan’s vision dimmed then went black.

* * * *

Morgan heard the whispers as he woke.

“He has a concussion yet he rescued Bella and the man who almost killed them,” Julianne said.

“He was running on adrenaline,” Regina said in return. “Thank God he was. If he hadn’t, both of them would have been trapped in the car and be dead. They could have died.” Her voice broke.

“But they didn’t,” Driscoll said firmly. “They both survived and now they will be fine.”

“They just left the rehearsal then got hit.” Stuart gulped then cleared his throat. “I’ll be right back.”

“Me too,” Driscoll said.

He heard the sound of footsteps as they left.

“The accident they were in,” Regina said. “Being here would be hard for them after that.”

“For you, too,” Julianne said.

Morgan knew the story of how the three of them had almost died in a tragic accident. Surviving such a thing then living with it was hard on anyone. From his experience, he knew it brought up lots of memories.

“Morgan,” Julianne called softly.

He opened his eyes and smiled at her. “Hey. How long have I been out?”

“About an hour.”

Morgan sat up and the room wavered.

“You’re supposed to lay down.” Regina pushed at his shoulder.

He resisted. “I need to see Bella.”

“She’s fine. Been checked out and just bruised and will be in pain, but otherwise fine.” Julianne touched his shoulder gently. “You should rest.”

“Take me to her,” Morgan demanded.

“I—”

“Please.”

Julianne sighed then Regina blew out a breath.

“Fine. I’ll get Spencer.” Regina left the room.

“At least lay down until he comes in.” Julianne stroked his arm.

Morgan did, fighting against how he was feeling. Impatiently he waited for Spencer. Soon he heard the curtain open again and Spencer entered, frowning.

“Y—”

“I know, Spencer, that I have a concussion, but otherwise I am fine. Take me to Bella. Get a wheelchair,” Morgan said. “Or I’ll walk there myself.”

“Stubborn ass.” Spencer scowled then left. Soon he returned with a chair then helped Morgan into it. They, along with the women, went out into the hall.

Morgan was surprised at how many of the Lockes and their friends were there.

“We pulled a few strings to let them in, but they are leaving now,” Spencer said pointedly.

They walked by Morgan as Spencer pushed him. All of them touched his shoulder as they went by, murmuring their thanks. It took all Morgan had not to tell them they shouldn’t be thanking him. He kept his mouth shut, then soon they were before a closed door. Julianne opened the door then they went in. Spencer pushed him to the bed before he left, taking Regina and Julianne with him. Morgan set the brake on the chair then slowly he rose, fighting the dizziness and nausea he felt. He placed his hand over Bella’s hand on the bed. The steady rise and fall of her breaths made the ball in his chest loosen.

I failed you, Bella. But I’m going to be there for you until you are better. Then I need to distance myself.

You’re not thinking clearly,
his inner voice objected.

He quashed it and knew what he had to do. Morgan sat in the chair by her bed and watched over her. He didn’t move from that spot while people came and went. When Spencer came to check on him again, he ordered him to sit in the lounge chair in the room. He did but had it moved so he was in touching distance of Bella. She slept on and Morgan was anxious for her to wake, yet she didn’t. The door opened and Morgan glanced up. Kennan entered then came over to Morgan.

“What did you find out about the driver?” Morgan knew the reason he hadn’t been by before was because he had been at the scene.

“He was twenty. Drunk as well as high.” Kennan rubbed his hand over his face. “This wasn’t his first time driving while intoxicated. He was out on probation pending trial for the same thing.”

“He’s dead so there won’t be any trial.”

“Yeah. He was killed on impact.” Kennan studied him. “You knew he was dead when you pulled him out.”

“Yes. I figured he had someone who would want to bury him. Couldn’t leave him in the car to burn.” Morgan smoothed his fingers along the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know if I did the right thing by taking Bella out of the car.”

“You did. If you hadn’t, she could have died from the smoke. And by the time the fire crew as well as ambulances arrived, the car was on fire so she would have burned too.” Kennan touched his shoulder. “Don’t second guess yourself. Think of this as another rescue. Your judgement was sound.”

“But it wasn’t another rescue.” Morgan shrugged off his touch violently. “This was Bella. I could have killed her, or did so much damage.”

“It’s okay.”

“No it isn’t. What would you have done if it was Julianne?”

“The same thing you did,” Kennan replied firmly. “Followed my training and instincts. Rescued her then fell apart afterwards. It is the afterwards that is important. You did what you had to do in the moment it was needed then afterwards reacted like any man would when the woman he loves is hurt.” He lowered his voice, speaking fiercely, “You didn’t fail her.”

“What? Where did you hear that?” Morgan frowned.

“You said that at the scene,” Kennan said. “You shouldn’t believe that.”

Morgan didn’t recall saying it. He wasn’t about to say it aloud again to Kennan although he believed it. All Kennan would do would give him assurances that he had done everything right. Morgan just wanted Bella to be okay.

Then you will leave her. Distance yourself. That makes no sense,
his inner voice said again.

It’s for the best.
Morgan knew what he was thinking wasn’t rational but he didn’t care. Bella’s safety was the most important.

But if you hadn’t been there she would be dead.

If I hadn’t been there this wouldn’t have happened.

You have no way of knowing that.

Morgan didn’t care about the debate going on in his head. His mind was made up. Bella would be fine and he would do as he must.

“Morgan?”

“I’m fine, Kennan.” He forced a smile. “You know when someone is in an accident they say crazy things. That’s what happened. I’m good now.”

Liar.
Morgan ignored that nagging inner voice then continued to converse with Kennan. As soon as he was assured that Morgan was okay, Keenan left to join the family outside. Morgan resumed his vigil by Bella’s bedside.

“Please open your eyes, Bella,” Morgan said as he lifted her hand from the bed. He kissed her fingers then whispered, “I want to see your golden eyes.”

Bella’s eyes opened and she stared at him then slumped again. Morgan’s heart raced at the brief glimpse of her glassy gaze. There had been no recognition in her eyes—he didn’t even think she had been aware. But that one look made him breathe easier. Morgan rested back in the chair, waiting for her to wake.

* * * *

Bella woke, fear filling her. All she remembered was a car barrelling down on them then nothing.

“Morgan,” she called, panic making her shake.

“I’m here, Bella,” he said coming into view over her.

“I thought I lost you.” Bella blinked then stared at Morgan, noticing something in his expression that wasn’t right.

“I’m fine and you’re fine.” His look was tender as he stroked the side of her face.

Bella wrote off what she’d seen as her imagination and focused instead on his face. She lifted her hand and winced when pain ripped through her.

“Easy. You’re going to be bruised and in pain for a little while,” Morgan said.

“What happened?” Bella frowned. “I remember a car coming at us way too fast.”

“We were hit by a driver who was drunk and high.”

“What?” Bella winced as her sharp exclamation made her side throb. “Christ, I hurt.”

“They wanted you to wake before they gave you something for the pain.”

“What happened to the asshole who hit us? I hope they lose him in jail.”

“He died.” Morgan sighed. “At the accident, he didn’t survive. I pulled him out of the car so at least his family could say their goodbyes, but he didn’t make it.”

“Oh, his poor family.” Bella shook her head but stilled as it made her dizzy. “Fire, I remember fire.”

“The car was burning and I had to move you.”

“There is something in your tone, Morgan.” Bella frowned. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Moving you, I could have made it worse if you were hurt.” Morgan swallowed. “But I had to move you.”

“I’m fine, Morgan. You saved my life.” Bella smiled gently. “Thank you.”

“Don’t say that,” he said harshly then closed his eyes. He opened them, smiling, before he said, “You rest and I’ll be right back. Your family is here, I’ll go get them.”

Ignoring the pain, she reached out and grabbed him before he left. “What’s wrong, Morgan?”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Nothing. I’m fine. We are both fine.”

Morgan said it like a litany. Bella opened her mouth to ask again.

“Bella.” Her mom rushed in.

Morgan removed her hand from his arm then put it back on the bed. He stepped back and Bella frowned as she felt he was distancing himself. She brushed it off as her being fanciful.

“Thank God you are okay.” Her mom leant down and hugged her gently.

“Bella-bo,” her dad said in his gruff voice. He touched her shoulder, his eyes damp.

“I’m fine,” she assured her parents but looked over their heads at Morgan. “I’m fine,” she repeated, staring into his gaze.

* * * *

“I’m fine,” Bella said through gritted teeth.

A few days after the accident and she was getting fed up saying that to Morgan. No matter how many times she said it, he was still coddling her. Yes, she still ached but she wasn’t broken. Morgan wasn’t acting like himself and she couldn’t get to the bottom of why.

“How are you doing?” Bella asked, as she had for the umpteenth time.

“I wasn’t the one hurt.”

Bella mouthed what he had said and rolled her eyes. “For God’s sake, Morgan, you are not fine.” She enunciated each word. “You haven’t been since the accident. What is wrong with you?”

“Nothi—”

“If you tell me nothing one more time…” She didn’t finish the threat.

Morgan smiled and it was bittersweet. Bella’s mouth went dry and she waited to hear what he would say.

“Our being together won’t work, Bella.”

“Excuse me?” Bella frowned, confused. “Before the accident we were talking about forever, Morgan. You said you love me.”

“I do love you, that’s why I am walking away.”

“That makes no sense at all.” Bella clenched her fist. “Why would you leave me when you love me?”

“It’s for your own good.”

Bella stared at him, waiting for him to say more. When he didn’t, she wondered what had him back-tracking like this. She replayed everything that had happened right before the accident then after.

It dawned on her what his problem was and Bella took a step towards him. “Morgan, it wasn’t your fault. Talk to me about what happened. You need to let it—”

“Let it out.” Morgan took a step back.

Bella dropped her hand, hurt filling her that he wouldn’t let her touch him.

“There is nothing to let out.” Morgan sliced his hand in a violent motion. “It happened. You got hurt. People get hurt and you deal with it. I dealt with it.” He pointed between them. “What I’m saying now has nothing to do with the accident. Look, we were together and now it’s time to move on. I’ll come back for my things soon and bring yours.” He pivoted.

“You’re a mother fucking coward, Morgan,” Bella yelled.

Morgan stopped and stiffened. “Be—”

“No, you had your lying say, now I’ll have mine.” Bella stalked towards him and jerked him to face her. “You have not dealt with anything. You won’t talk to me. You keep brushing me off. Saying nothing is wrong when I know better.” She poked him in the chest. “You know better. You can stand there and try to lie to me, but I know the truth. Your walking away has everything to do with the accident. Instead of walking away, stay and talk to me.”

Morgan touched her finger on his chest and lifted it to his lips, kissing it. Bella swayed towards him, knees weak and hope filling her.

“I can’t stay.” Morgan’s tone held regret.

Bella jerked her hand away and glared at him. “Then what’s stopping you? Go.” She flung her hand out pointing to the door. “Get out.”

“Bella.” Morgan lowered his head then lifted it again. The pain in his eyes made her want to comfort him. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry doesn’t change things, Morgan,” Bella said softly. She balled her hand into a fist and stared past him.

Morgan went past her and she heard the door opening.

“I’m going to hunt your ass down and make you mine.

Shackle you to me till you know you are mine,”
Bella sang loudly then she glanced over her shoulder at Morgan, lifting her head defiantly.

“Your soul is intertwined with mine and I will not let you go,”
Morgan sang in return.