Читать книгу Places In My Heart - Sheryl Lister - Страница 14

Chapter 5

Morgan added the finishing touches to her makeup Saturday evening and surveyed her look. The navy off-the-shoulder floor-length gown dipped modestly in the front and had a front slit to the knee. Nothing too revealing. She didn’t want to give Omar or anyone else the impression that their relationship was anything but business. The fluttering increased in her stomach. Ever since Omar had asked her to attend a benefit dinner with him—their first public appearance together—her nerves had been on edge. Though this was supposed to be business, somehow it felt like a real date. What would people think? And what would her family say? Outside Malcolm, she hadn’t gotten up the courage to tell the rest of them. Siobhan was due back to work next week, so she’d talk to her.

Her mind went back to the benefit. Omar had mentioned it being held for a mental health center, but he hadn’t been specific about the details. Morgan’s curiosity was piqued, and she wished she knew more. The intercom sounded and her heart started racing.

“Yes?”

“Omar,” came the warm baritone.

She buzzed him in and drew in a deep, calming breath before opening the door. Her breath caught at the sight of him looking as if he’d just left a photo shoot for GQ magazine.

“So...can I come in?” Omar asked with a knowing grin.

Morgan wanted to kick herself. No way would he take her seriously about keeping things strictly professional if she stared at him like a starstruck groupie every time she saw him. “Of course.” She stepped back, waved him in and walked over to the end table where she’d left her purse.

“You look stunning.” His gaze made a slow tour down her body and an even slower one back up. Their eyes met. “Stunning.”

What have I gotten myself into? Morgan didn’t see how she would be able to resist him for the next few weeks. She didn’t know if she’d make it through tonight. “Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself.” Instead of all black, he had opted for a white jacket. His tuxedo caressed his tall, lean frame, and she had visions of undoing—

Abruptly halting her erotic fantasy, she chastised herself again. She had never lost her mind over a man before and had no intentions of starting now. “I’m ready.” Morgan slung the thin strap of her silver evening bag over her shoulder and started for the door. Omar caught her hand. The contact sent an electric current up her arm.

“Morgan, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you taking a chance on me.” He bent and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

She ignored the potency of his cologne and the sensations flowing through her that his kiss invoked and said, “You’re welcome. I could say the same for you.” They shared a smile. The intensity of his stare made her pulse skip, and she turned away. “We don’t want to be late.” Morgan locked the door behind them and hurried down the walk. He led her to a newer-model silver BMW and held the door open. She slid in and leaned back against the butter-soft leather.

Omar stepped in on the driver’s side and got them underway. “I’ve never seen your hair straight like this. I didn’t know it was that long. I like it.”

“Thank you.” She unconsciously brought a hand up and smoothed down the sleek, straight strands. Most times she left it curly. “It started as a bet between Malcolm and me two years ago to see who could grow their hair the longest—mine straight and his with locs.” Malcolm’s locs had reached his shoulder blades before he trimmed them to just below his neck. Morgan had continued to let hers grow, and her hair now reached the middle of her back.

“I guess you won, huh?”

“Yes. But, I’ve been thinking about cutting it.”

“Don’t do that,” he said quickly. Omar’s eyes left the road briefly and found hers. “It’s beautiful.”

Although they shouldn’t have, his words pleased her. He smiled over at her, and she felt the heat rising between them. To distract herself she asked, “So tell me about the center. How long has it been open?”

“They just broke ground, and it’s projected to open next March.”

“Do you know the people who will run it, or are you just going to support it?”

“Both.”

She waited for him to elaborate, but he said nothing else. Silence slipped between them. A moment later, soft music filled the car’s interior.

“Is there too much air on you? I tend to run hot and I’m usually the only one in the car, so I forget to turn it down.”

Morgan was running a little hot herself, and it had nothing to do with the ninety-degree July weather. “It’s fine.”

“How are you feeling about tonight?”

Her brows knit together. “What do you mean?”

“Dealing with the questions and comments.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m sure there will be at least one person who has something negative to say, but as a lawyer, I deal with it all the time. I have two strikes against me—I’m a woman and I’m only twenty-seven.”

“Well, I’d better not hear one disrespectful comment.”

She chuckled. “Before you go all caveman, remember, I’m your agent. It’s my job to protect you, not the other way around. Save that for your girlfriends.”

“I don’t have any girlfriends. I haven’t dated anyone seriously in almost four years.”