Around the World in 80 Men Series: Books 11-20 (27 page)

“Come
on!” Kala's muffled voice behind the door followed another
loud knock that made Morgan and Kole giggle as their bodies had to
separate.

Morgan
was in the bathroom with the door shut by the time Kole stood up, but
he got dressed in record time. “Alright!” He pulled the
door open to let two anxious people burst by him, and enter the room.

A
quick assessment of the couple answered their question of why they
couldn't answer the door right away, and Kala gave his brother a
swift congratulatory punch to the arm. “Way to go!”
Kole just shook his head, not wanting to embarrass Morgan when she
came back out, but did manage a wink in his brother's direction.

Chapter
Three

The
next next few days went by in a blur for Morgan. Angela had stolen
her from Kole that first day and took her across town to catch up on
things and to show her friend the apartment she had picked out the
day after Morgan left Hawaii. Morgan had thought it was very sweet
that Kala, also just as rich as Kole, chose to stay with Angela in
her little apartment most of the time. Sure, he could have bought her
just about any condo on the island, but she would never have accepted
it, so he accepted staying with her there.

The
things that Morgan told her during their catching up routine had
included everything except what had happened in Portugal. Angela's
side of the story had to do a little with getting a promotion at the
hotel, and a lot to do with Kala. The girl was crazy about him and
she couldn't thank Morgan enough for bringing them together.

During
their day of gossip and catch up, Morgan had let it slip that she'd
been in Hawaii for a few days before telling Kole, but quickly
covered her tracks by saying that she had slept for nearly two days
from jet lag. Angela believed her, but she couldn't understand why
Morgan kept that a secret.

The
day after that, the four of them had gotten back together and spent a
lazy day on the beach. It had been a surreal experience for Morgan,
enjoying her Christmas, and she could comfortably walk outside in a
bikini. Of course, it wasn't
as
warm as the others, but they
weren't from Ohio, nor had they just visited Scotland in the dead of
winter.

When
the weekend came around, the four of them decided to go to the
parents' home, mostly because Morgan couldn't go any longer without
seeing 'Ele.

When
they got to the house, the short woman was already outside and the
four of them all laughed when they saw the look of surprise on 'Ele's
face. She was at the side of the vehicle before Morgan had even
stepped out.

“Oh,
Morgan! You're here!” 'Ele wrapped her arms around the young
girl and pulled her in for a tight hug.

“Of
course! I wouldn't miss it for the world!” A strong gust of
wind pushed Morgan's hair over her face and she pushed it back with
her hand, then pushed it back with both hands as another gust hit
her.

“I
think we might get that rain after all. Boys, yes, Bane, that's you
too,” 'Ele pointed to Kole, Kala and her husband, “please
get these things inside. Ladies, follow me!” She gestured for
the girls and began walking inside the house and the men followed in
behind them, carrying platters of food. The grill was covered, so
they could still continue cooking, but the rest of the things would
blow away if they didn't bring it in.

In
a few minutes, everything was brought in, but Kole had to run outside
just as the sky opened up to secure the umbrella over the table. “You
look like a stray mutt!” Angela threw a towel at Kole as he
walked back in the door and he went over to her and flicked his head
around, splashing her with water.

“Not
in the kitchen!” 'Ele scolded.

Morgan
already felt as if she never left, the family was just as perfect as
she remembered. She envied Angela for the fact she got to see them
every day and she could tell that the girl had gotten very close to
not only Kala, but the whole family. Even Kole played around with her
as if she were one of his sisters. Morgan reminded herself again that
someday, she would have it all too.

They
finished up the side dishes inside and the men catered to the grill,
then they all sat down at the long dining room table. The whole
family wasn't there like before. Only 'Ele, Bane and the four of
them, but Morgan liked it like that.

“So
how long are you staying this time, Morgan?” 'Ele asked as she
spooned a serving of potato salad onto Morgan's plate.

Morgan
took a quick glance at Kole before answering.
Well, I've already
been here for a few days.
She felt bad for waiting so long to see
the family. “I have to leave Wednesday,” Morgan shoved a
bite into her mouth to avoid explaining more. Julianne had already
sent her the itinerary for her trip. It would be different going on a
Wednesday, rather than a typical Friday, but Morgan was happy either
way because she'd get to spend her birthday where she wanted.

“Aw,
well, shoot. That doesn't give us much time with you, dear.”
Her words stung Morgan again for waiting so long.
Not that I had a
choice for the first few days. I couldn't go out like that.
Morgan
nodded slowly and took another bite.

“I
don't care if it was only three minutes that I got to see her, I'm
glad she's here,” Kole answered for her and grabbed her free
hand.

“You
really are just the sweetest,” she whispered to him, but still,
everyone heard and a soft
aww
come from 'Ele's side of the
table.

The
six of them enjoyed their dinner together, making jokes about how
Kole wasn't always a sweetheart and the stories that went along with
it. Once dinner was finished and cleaned up, with a promise of Morgan
returning the next day, they all parted their ways before the rain
kicked back in. Kala went to Angela's apartment and Kole went to
Morgan's hotel room.

That
night, Morgan watched him run her a bubble bath and the two of them
enjoyed it together, just as they had during Morgan's first visit.
Only it was better than the previous time because she wasn't teaching
him any lessons. It was only two people enjoying each other, and that
they did.

*****

Sunday
had been spent at Bane and 'Ele's home as promised, and when
Christmas Eve came around, Morgan asked that she get to spend the
first part of the day with Kole, then they'd go to his parent's house
for dinner in the evening. Since she had gotten there, she had really
only spent the evenings with him, and there hadn't been much talking
involved. When they woke up in the morning, Morgan suggested they
take a walk on the beach, and with muffins in hand, they took their
walk.

“Here,
hold this!” Morgan tossed him her camera and pulled her jacket
off of her body, then slid her shorts down her legs. Underneath her
clothing was a bright pink bikini.

“No,
you can't possibly be serious! That water is freezing!” Kole
shoved her camera into his pocket and ran after her, but stopped at
the surf. “Look, I surf in the winter and all that, but I have
a wet suit on! You'll freeze!”

“Don't
be such a baby!” She was already waist deep, yelling back to
him. The water felt amazing, but when she came out, that was a
different story.

“Told
you,” Kole took off his jacket and wrapped it around her, then
pushed the wet hair from her eyes.

“Well...th....the...wa....water
felt good. But...it...it's....tooooo wi...windy!” Her teeth
chattered violently. She managed to give a stuttered apology as well
while they made their way back to the hotel.

“Fuck
it. That just means I get to warm you up now,” he reassured her
with a smile that told her what was coming when they got to the room.

She
wrapped her arm around his waist and cuddled into his chest as they
finished their walk, then in the elevator, they shared a kiss that
gave Kole a head start on the warming process.

Once
they were in the room, Morgan grabbed her robe from the back of the
chair, and ran toward the bathroom. “Be right back!” she
yelled before shutting the door. Before taking his jacket off, Morgan
pulled her camera out of his pocket and set it on the sink, but that
wasn't the only thing in his pocket. “Holy shit!” She
pulled out the other item and nearly fainted, screamed in surprise
and cried all at the same time.

Instead,
she remained silent, sat on top of the sink and stared at the
beautiful white gold diamond ring inside of a little black box.
That's the surprise. He's going to propose. Oh shit. Shit, shit,
shit! No!

Morgan
stood frozen. She had the man waiting for her, expecting an
afternoon romp, while planning to propose to her in front of his
family in a few short hours.
I can't do this! I can't go...what
can I say? Shit!
Morgan looked at the shower and quickly turned
on the water. “I'm going to get a quick shower!” She
yelled in the direction of the door as she put the ring back into his
jacket. Then she peeled her wet clothes from her body, and stepped
into the hot stream. Inside her steamy cubicle, she washed the salt
water from her hair and tried to come up with the perfect excuse to
bail on the sweetest family that she had ever known. “It's
alright, I'll...I'll make it up to them. I'll... I don't know!”
She had allowed her fear of hurting the family, especially Kole, to
completely take over, and by the time she stepped out of the shower,
she nearly felt sick with guilt.

The
door opened up just as she tied off the belt to her fluffy white
robe. “I heard the water shut off, I thought I'd come in and
see...” His words ceased when he looked at her swollen eyes
and red cheeks. “Morgan! Are you sick?” His hand went
to her forehead, then he smoothed her wet hair back from her face.
“You're warm. I can't believe I let you get in the water!”
She wanted to argue, to tell him that she wasn't sick and that
taking a swim in the cool ocean couldn't get anyone...
sick?

“I
don't....feel so great.” She closed her eyes tightly as Kole
pulled her against him, then quickly wiped a guilty tear when he
picked her up and carried her to bed. He had her wrapped in blankets
within seconds, and sat on the side of the bed asking her what she
needed. “Nothing. I'll just rest..for awhile.” Awhile
to Morgan meant that she wanted to stay where she was until morning,
until the threat of the Christmas Eve surprise had passed.

Kole
felt horrible, he thought it was all his fault that she didn't feel
well, and there was nothing he could do to make it right. “I'll
let you rest then, but I'll bring you something back for dinner.”
He let out a deep sigh and held her cheek in his hand for several
moments. “I'm sorry, I should have...” Morgan put her
hand over his and stopped him, her guilt coursed through her body so
quickly that she had to keep her mouth closed while her mind found
the right words.

“Kole,
it's not your fault. I'm sure I'll be fine after some rest.”
She patted his hand and looked away, willing the tears to stay put
until he left. He nodded and stood, then filled a glass of water for
her and put it on the nightstand. “Here's your phone, are you
sure I can't get anything? Medicine? Juice?” He rattled off
several things while Morgan declined his offer. “Alright, I'll
go make an appearance at the house, then I'll be back. Hopefully,
you'll want to eat then because I know mom has made enough food for
the entire island.” The sound of his quiet laugh finally
forced an overflow of tears from her eyes, but he was already walking
out the door and never saw her escaping guilt.

“I
suck! I totally suck, and I....fucking suck!” Morgan sat up
in her fake sick bed and cursed the fact that she was even crying.
She had no right to tears, no right to receive kindness from Kole,
and no right to even be considered a welcome part of his family. “I
should never have come here. I'm screwing up everything!” She
got out of bed and paced for several minutes, her thoughts in
overdrive at how badly her time in Hawaii could turn out.

When
she caught a glimpse of herself in the dresser mirror, she quit
pacing and stared down the girl that couldn't stop making mistakes
with those that she cared about. “Way to go, Morgan! Way to
hurt him! Oh, and you wouldn't be happy unless you hurt his entire
family, would you? Nooooo!” The only consolation she had was
that she wouldn't hurt him more by saying 'no' to his proposal in
front of his family. But even that didn't lighten the weight of
guilt that she had to carry.