Infamous by Irene Preston Page B

said. “You damn well cannot. While you’re living in my home our relationship will be exclusive. If you can’t manage that, say so now.”
    Well, that answered that question, she thought in the silence. There were several unflattering words for a woman who married a man for his money and kept lovers on the side. Was she seriously considering putting herself back in this relationship? Did she have any hope of changing his opinion of her?
    She thought of the last four years, the success of her career, the fame. At the end of the day, she came home alone and none of it mattered. She couldn’t let this go without one last grab for the golden ring.
    “Monogamy, what a quaint concept,” she said. “I’m up for trying it if you are.” She let her eyes travel up and down his body, “I’m sure I can keep you from getting bored, but maybe you want to brush up on your … technique?”
    For a minute, she thought she had gone too far. Then he gave a bark of laughter. One hand snaked out to capture her wrist and he jerked her against him. The other hand cupped her jaw tenderly as he looked down at her.
    “I don’t recall you complaining about my technique.” He grinned down at her. “But I’m definitely willing to do some extra research if required.” His thumb glided over her cheek. “I’m making quite an investment in you, and I’m always willing to do a little extra work to get a good return.”
    The hand curved behind her head and drew her to him for his kiss — his very thorough, very expert kiss that annihilated her equilibrium.
    She tried to pull him closer, but he raised his head and stepped back.
    “I would love to continue this fascinating conversation, but I really do have to get back to the office.”
    She stood in the middle of the living room while he went into the kitchen to retrieve his jacket. What had just happened? When he came back, he was the cool businessman again. She always found him a little intimidating in his full business suit and tie. Modern-day armor, she thought. It made her want to rip the jacket off and rumple his hair or maybe leave a huge love bite on his neck and lipstick on his collar — anything to make him seem more human, less perfect.
    He pulled her to him for a final quick, hard kiss before he left.
    “I’ll call you later to discuss getting you moved,” he said. And then he was out the door. She could hear him whistling in the hallway as he left.
    • • •
    Morgan didn’t even try to stop grinning as he pulled out of the parking lot. The image of Jessica’s lips closing around a nigiri roll was still playing through his head. Sushi had been a tactical error. He had spent most of lunch imagining her lips closing around other things than food. The situation hadn’t improved when they moved into the living room. Her thin T-shirt didn’t quite meet the waistband those clingy pants she had been wearing. He caught tantalizing bits of bare flesh every time she moved. She was barefoot. Somehow, even that turned him on. How did she manage to look glamorous barefoot and in sweats? He had felt dull and overdressed. And horny. Let’s not forget horny.
    In the end, it had gone better than he had expected. She had agreed to move back in with him and she had agreed there would be no other lovers. His mood soured a little when he remembered her taunt about keeping other men, but he was determined to look at the positive today.
    He didn’t know what relationship she had with Knight right now, but he would deal with that later. The bedroom was the one place he knew they were compatible. There was no way she was faking her response when she shivered and moaned in his arms. He would use that and her devotion to Kinsey as a foundation to build on.
    It was a meager start towards a permanent partnership, but he was in the business of turning around hopeless situations. He was not the nerdy kid from the hardware store anymore. The Wall Street Journal had called him “the man you want