More than Temptation (8 page)

Bella moved against him while he climaxed, striving towards her own release. Morgan shook and she loved the effect she had on him. He clenched his fingers on her ass. She pushed into his touch before moving forward to where he penetrated her. She arched, moaning as she came. Morgan continued to move, slowing to prolong her orgasm. Soon he stopped. He kissed her gently before stepping back, then took off the condom and disposed of it.

He went back between her legs and she wrapped them around him. Morgan lifted her and she tightened her legs on him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“You feel so good.” He carried her to the tub and set her down beside it. He went to get in. She stopped him and got in first.

“Come here.” She held out her hand.

Morgan got in and sat between her legs. She pulled him back until his head rested against her shoulder. She scooped water and let it flow down his chest. Picking up a wash sponge, she added bath gel and wiped it along his chest.

“I could get used to this.” Morgan made a rumble of contentment in his chest.

Bella continued to wash him. Being with Morgan was so very easy. She too could get used to it.
Don’t do that, Bella. Just enjoy your time with him. You’re both having fun. Don’t read anything else into it but that.

Although she had thought it, she knew it would be easier said than done.

Chapter Five

After getting a cup of tea, Bella set it on the surface then sat at the table that overlooked the backyard. She relaxed on the chair and flicked open the paper, but didn’t read right away. Instead, she thought of the last few weeks. She and Morgan had become closer and spent all their free time with each other. The weather had been so unseasonably warm, they’d had many outdoor outings. She’d got so used to speaking with him throughout the work day on a daily basis. They were in and out of each other’s houses all the time. Most nights, they slept in the same bed. At the moment, she was waiting for him to finish his workout before they had breakfast. The last few weeks had been fun, and she looked forward to the times they spent together.

Bella focused on the newspaper and read as she sipped her tea. Soon she flipped the page and stopped. The ad made her bounce in excitement. Hurrying out of the kitchen and into the hall, she rushed towards the workout room. In the doorway, she paused, staring at his sleek muscles as he ran on the treadmill. The smooth motions as he ran let her know that his leg wasn’t
bothering him
. She was glad for that. Although he never complained, she could tell when he’d had a hard day and had worked the leg so much that it pained him. She didn’t mention it, not feeling it was her place. Bella continued into the room and came to stand in front of the treadmill.

“Hey,” Morgan said, looking at her curiously.

She didn’t usually disturb him when he was working out. Bella leaned against the weight bench and waved the paper she held.

“The hot air balloon rides are opening next weekend at Couric Park.”

“Okay.” He looked bemused.

“They usually open the fourth Saturday in May but are opening early because of the good weather. So they’re two weeks early.”

“Okay,” Morgan repeated then smiled. “Not sure why you’re telling me this.”

“Because we are going for a hot air balloon ride.”

He stared at her then shook his head. “Nope, I’m not. If you want to go, you go.”

“What? Why?” Bella walked over to the treadmill. “It’ll be fun.”

“My idea of fun isn’t going up in the air with someone who, I don’t even know if they know what they are doing blowing air into a balloon.”

“Of course they know what they are doing.” Bella pursed her lips. “I’ve been on the rides before. They’re very safe. You fly in an aeroplane with someone you’ve never met. How do you know if they know what they are doing?”

“They go through training and are vetted by the airlines they work for. Yeah, there are issues with the airlines, but still, I’d feel safer there.” Morgan continued to run. “And there is a whole metal plane between me and the world. So when I’m in the air I don’t have to see the open space except through a small window that shows me outside. The balloon doesn’t even have any walls.” Morgan pressed the controls and started his cool-off. “It is all space and has a basket you are in. A basket.”

Bella bit her lip so as not to laugh at how he sounded so scandalized. She watched as he cooled down and he kept looking at her. Finally, he stepped off the treadmill and she grabbed his towel and took it to him.

“Thanks.” He accepted it and wiped off his face, still eyeing her suspiciously. “It’s not like you to give up so easy.”

“Nope. Just giving you time to debate in your head about all the reasons why we can’t go.” Bella glanced at her watch then smiled.

“Smart ass.” Morgan tweaked her nose.

She wrinkled it and smirked. “You know resisting is futile.”

“Nope.” He pivoted and headed out of the room.

“What do I need to do to convince you?” Bella followed him.

“Loads and loads of sex.” He laughed. “Then again, even sex wouldn’t get me to go up in the death-trap that is a hot air balloon.”

“See, now why’d you have to go and challenge me like that?” Bella said cheerfully.

Morgan turned to face her then rubbed his hands over his eyes. “Christ, I know that look.”

“What look?” She widened her eyes playfully.

“The one that says you are determined to have your way and Poor Sap”—Morgan pointed to himself—“will be pulled along. And now the ‘trying to be innocent’ eyes. The ones that are fake as hell.” Morgan crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not giving in this time.”

“Come on,” Bella cajoled. “You’ll like it. Expand your horizons and try new things.”

“That’s new. A nice, calm tone to convince me.” Morgan glared at her. “Nice touch, but I’m not falling for it.”

“Falling for what?”

Morgan rolled his eyes. “I don’t ever stand a chance saying no to you. Why is that?”

“Because I’m Bella.” She laughed and pushed at his arms.

He unfolded them and she stepped into his embrace. She put her hand around the back of his neck.

“My Bella.” He kissed her.

* * * *

Bella held back her chuckle as Morgan stood with the hot air balloon operator. When they had arrived for their ride, Morgan had been full of questions, so she’d left him to it. She glanced at her watch and noted that it had been almost twenty minutes.

“Fancy seeing you here,” Driscoll said behind her.

Bella turned and smiled when she saw him then noticed Driscoll’s brother Spencer and his wife Regina were with him. Driscoll hugged her before Spencer did the same, then she and Regina exchanged hugs too.

“You know I like to be here for the first weekend of the balloon rides.” Bella pushed at Driscoll’s shoulder.

“Me too. After an absence that was missed, I have these two for company.” Driscoll glanced at the two people with him.

Recently, Spencer and Regina had reconciled after being separated. There had also been distance between Regina and Driscoll, which they had since come to terms with.

Driscoll looked back at her. “Stuart is being a slowpoke.”

“I heard that.” Stuart strolled up then hugged her.

“Are you two going to behave this time on the ride?” Bella chuckled.

“Of course,” Driscoll and Stuart replied in unison and gave her identical, innocent looks.

Bella didn’t believe it for a minute. “Oh, boy. I’m glad I’m not going up with you.”

Driscoll looked behind her. “What’s Morgan doing over there?”

“He looks like he is interrogating the man.” Stuart also was watching over her shoulder.

“He’s never been on a ride. He’s a little nervous so he’s asking questions.”

“Oh no, he shouldn’t be nervous.” Driscoll grinned. “We can help him not to be.” He strolled towards Morgan.

“Definitely.” Stuart smiled and touched her shoulder. “Leave it to us, Bella, we’ll make him love it.” He followed after Driscoll.

“Why don’t I believe you two?” she called after them.

“You know us too well,” they said again in unison.

Spencer and Regina laughed, then Spencer spoke, “They will either have him wanting to go up or running for the hills.”

“Knowing them, it will be both.” Regina leaned against her husband. “What’s going on between you and Morgan?”

“And that is my cue to join the guys.” Spencer kissed Regina on the cheek then left.

“He knows me so well. He is leaving before I get to the raunchy stuff.” Regina laughed and slid her arm into the crook of Bella elbow. “So tell me.”

“There is nothing to tell.” Bella shrugged. “We’re having some fun.”

“Hmmm… Fun.” Regina clicked her tongue. “Since we’ve been here, he’s glanced over to you at least twenty times, and his look isn’t ‘just fun’.”

“What?” Bella looked at Morgan and met his gaze. Morgan winked and went back to talking with the men.

Bella felt warm all over.

“See, that’s the look, and you have it too.”

“There is no ‘look’.” She focused on Regina. “You’re imagining it.”

“A goofy ‘I’m so glad to be with him and can’t wait to get home where we can have wild, swing-from-the-chandelier sex’ look.”

“Reggie.” Bella stared at her then laughed loudly. “I bet that is what you’re thinking about Spencer. You’re putting that onto me and Morgan.”

“Hmmm… What I’m thinking about Spencer isn’t something I can say in company.” Regina leaned close to her and whispered, “I missed the balloon rides. Not just for the fun of it but for the aftermath. When Spencer’s adrenaline is going, he gets very aggressive and all dominating. Rawr.” She fanned herself.

Bella looked at Spencer in speculation then at Morgan. “I wonder what the balloon ride will do to Morgan.”

“Let’s go find out. The sooner we start, the sooner we can see how our men will react.” Regina walked towards the men and Bella went with her.

Bella frowned when she paid attention to Driscoll and Stuart. The men were gesturing and from Morgan’s face, he looked ready to bolt. When she and Regina were close enough, she heard the tail end of what Driscoll and Stuart were talking about.

“Then I fell out of the balloon and I freaked the hell out.” Driscoll made a diving motion with his hands. “‘Wheee’ and ‘Ah, fuck, I’m going to die’. Thank God for the harness and bungee cords.”

“Yeah that harness was good to have.” Stuart slapped Driscoll on the shoulder. “Then this joker decided we should shoot the video with us falling out then doing some moves in the air. Of course, they went along with it. Then edited out the harness and bungee cord so it looked awesome. But, man, being in the air like that, hanging out of a balloon, was freaky. Right, Bella? The video was fabulous but crazy to shoot.”

Bella knew what they were speaking of. “Yes, it was. Won a lot of awards for the videographer as well as the song we did.” She moved away from Regina and to Morgan, placing her hand into the crook of his elbow. “But we’re not going to do anything like that.”

“You don’t have to hold me to make sure I don’t run.” Morgan glared at Stuart and Driscoll. “I’m not listening to these jokers. They have to be exaggerating what you all did for your music video.”

“They aren’t.” Spencer held up his cell. “Come check it out.”

They crowded close and Bella poked Spencer with her elbow. “You’re helping them. I should have known.”

“Shhh…” Driscoll said cheerfully.

Bella sighed and watched Morgan as he looked at the video with the others. With the music and words, she knew what part of the video they were on. Morgan blanched then paled before he gulped. When the song crested, he put his hand on hers and gripped it. Bella patted his. The song ebbed and Morgan breathed out. He turned his head and stared at her.

“You all did that on a balloon.”

“Well, technically, we started in a balloon then fell out and danced in the air using bungee cords and harnesses.” Bella rubbed at her side. “I had bruises for weeks, but it was worth it. So much fun. We should go bungee jumping sometime.”

“Hell no.” Morgan’s eyes were glazed. “But I will go on the balloon ride, since I promised I would go.”

“That’s the spirit, Morgan.” Driscoll slapped him on the back. “Do you want to go up with us?”

“Okay.” Morgan put up his finger. “But no jumping out of the balloon.”

They all laughed. They turned to the balloon operator and he gave them the safety spiel and other things before they got in. Soon the whoosh of the hot air sounded and they started to rise. Bella pressed against Morgan while Spencer and Regina snuggled. Driscoll and Stuart were standing with the operator, watching as he worked the controls. They were in the air, floating along, and Bella enjoyed looking at the scenery.

“This is fun,” Morgan said quietly.

“I have good ideas.” Bella hugged him. “Keep following me and you’ll see expanding your horizons and trying new things enriches you.”

“Humph. From your tone, I can tell you have something else planned for us.” Morgan squeezed her gently. “And I’m not going to like it, but you think you’re going to convince me to go along with your plan.”

“I don’t think. I know.” Bella put her hand on his chest, gazing into his eyes. “Since you nixed bungee jumping, how about skydiving?”

“What?” Morgan scowled. “No. Absolutely not.”

“I hear a maybe.”

“You really need to get your hearing checked.” Morgan retorted.

Bella laughed.

* * * *

Later when the ride was completed and after lunch with the others, they headed back to his place. Morgan turned on the radio and pushed in a CD. They were silent for most of the drive.

“I’m convinced after seeing what you all did in the video that you all are a little crazy.” Morgan made a right then merged with the traffic.

“Maybe.” Bella chuckled. Morgan had been saying something similar throughout the time they had been with the others. “There were some interesting times. Creating something like we did in that video just happened because of a mistake—Driscoll fell out of the balloon. Then it sparked the idea in his head to do the video that way. Of course we all said hell no. But when Driscoll has his mind set on something, he has a way of convincing you to go along. It turned out awesome. Ever since then it’s been a tradition of mine to go for a balloon ride at least once a year. I actually do more, since I love them. Driscoll and the others do it too. It’s sort of a nod to acknowledge we were part of something so inspiring.”