More than Temptation (11 page)

“What do you mean?” He focused on Storm for now.

“The last few times at our monthly Sunday dinner when you mentioned Bella, I knew something was there. That you were becoming invested in being with her. My brother disagreed, saying that I was putting things that weren’t there.” Storm tapped his finger on the counter. “But there was something in your voice.”

“In my voice?”

“That signalled you were serious.” Storm crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “It’s serious, isn’t it?”

Morgan didn’t know how to answer that question so instead he changed the subject. “Wait? Money? You bet on me?”

“Yep. And my brother owes me money.” Storm laughed. “Boy, am I going to have a good time rubbing this in.”

“He was a sucker to bet with you. You have this uncanny ability of winning.”

“I know.” Storm snickered. “You would think he would learn, but he’s stubborn.”

“Just like someone I know.” Morgan glanced at Bella.

She hugged the woman again then turned and headed back his way.

“Here.”

Morgan saw Storm was holding out a cloth. “What is that for?”

“To wipe off the drool on your face.” Storm set the towel on the glass counter. “Enjoy the candy, and I expect a rundown about it so I can decide if I want to add it to my stock.” He walked away.

“I’m not drooling,” Morgan called after him.

Storm lifted his head and said, “Keep telling yourself that.”

Morgan opened his mouth to retort, but his cell dinged and vibrated, signalling an incoming text. He took out his phone and checked the message.

“Do you have to go in?” Bella said as she arrived by his side.

As usual in her voice, he just heard curiosity and no recriminations for having to change their plans. Again, he thought of how it was so easy to be with her. He didn’t have to worry that she would get all bent out of shape about such things like his career.

“Nope.” Morgan read the text again. “Just some of my friends from work inviting me out for drinks and some pool at a bar we all frequent close to the job. Lemme just tell them I can’t make it and then we can go on with our plans.”

“Don’t do that.” Bella placed her hand over his. “We can go. Unless you think they would mind if I tagged along?”

“What?” Morgan stared at her, frowning.

“Oh, maybe you would mind me meeting your friends.” Bella shrugged. “Text them back and we can go home. Let me get some of my favourite candy and yours from Storm.” She turned away.

Morgan grabbed her arm then pulled her to face him. “Wait. Don’t rush off like that.” He slid his arms around her. “I do want you to meet my friends, but I had plans.” He lowered his voice. “Naked plans.”

“I remember.” Bella kissed him on the chin.

“Do you really want to go to a bar to hang out with my friends?” Morgan asked.

“Sure.” Bella rubbed her finger along the dimple in his cheek. “Maybe they have some stories you don’t want anyone to know about that they can share.”

“That’s not making me inclined to agree for us to go.” Morgan kissed the tip of her nose. “But I’ll make the sacrifice of them sharing my embarrassing stories and we’ll go. Let me text them and let them know. Later we will fulfil our naked plans.”

“I can’t wait.” Bella pulled away. “Let me get our candy.”

“Make sure you get the syrups we talked about.”

“Of course.” Bella headed off to the section of the store that had the syrups.

Morgan sent off the text then went after her.

* * * *

Morgan passed where he worked in the firehouse and the police precinct across the street, as he drove down Delko Street.

“Why is the place called RM Bar?” Bella drummed her fingers on the seat between them.

“After the owner, Richard Maxfield. He’s an ex-firefighter and cop. When he left the force about six years ago, he opened the bar.”

“He was both a firefighter and a cop?”

“Yes.” Morgan made the turn into the parking lot then found a space before speaking again. “He worked at Delko Street Firehouse as a firefighter first then changed to the Singleton Police Department and became a cop right across the street from his old firehouse. He was climbing the ranks fast and was expected to be the youngest Commissioner of Police, but he just left. No one knows why and he never said.” Morgan shrugged. “He’s a close friend.”

“Now that makes me curious.” Bella looked at the bar through the windshield. “This is a big place for a bar.”

“Richard picked it because of the size and the location to both his old house and precinct. He said he knew his buddies from the fire department and the force would keep him in business. That others from other stations and houses he’s known through his career would come in for some good drinks, food and enjoying times with each other. He was well liked and respected by both, which is a hard balance. And he was right—law enforcement and fire personnel come from all over Singleton and beyond to his place. They know they can have fun with their fellow brothers in arms. On the shitty days as well as just the regular ones. He also figured he would also get the hospital personnel too, due to location. He gets others coming in, but the majority are in one of those professions.”

“Why haven’t I ever heard of this place?” Bella frowned. “From the direction we came, I’ve been in this area a lot but never even noticed this place. Isn’t Singleton Hospital about twenty minutes from here?”

“Yep. Location and camaraderie between police, firefighter and hospital makes this the place to hang out.” Morgan got out before opening Bella’s door for her.

She held on to his arm as she exited the vehicle. Morgan closed the door then led her across the lot. He glanced around and noticed a few off-duty cops and some firefighters he knew from other houses also headed for the door of the bar. Morgan lifted a hand in acknowledgement to their greetings. At the door, they went in and Morgan moved to the side and paused to let Bella take it in. There were tables scattered throughout and booths along the wall. Waiters and waitresses navigated the room serving people and taking orders. In the back was the game room and off to the right of that was a dance floor, which had a raised stage for performances, but during regular times there was a jukebox people put money in so they could dance. A bar was set along the entire wall of the right side of the room. The stools at the counter were filled with people drinking, eating and talking. Beyond the bar was a double door, which Morgan knew led to the kitchens. Low music played in the room so that people could actually talk to each other without shouting.

“This is much different than I expected. The rich colours and theme make the place feel so comfortable and welcoming.” Bella slid her hand around his waist.

“I like coming here.” Morgan had no clue what she was referring to. “No idea about theme and such.”

“Do they make wings?” Bella bounced on her feet. “I love wings.”

“Really?” Morgan hadn’t known that. “The wings here are fabulous.”

“Yeah, love wings. I’ve had them all over the world. Dris, our bands and I all love them. We compare which places are the best. We used to offer suggestions to each other for places to try when we travelled to various countries.” Bella smacked her lips. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the wings here compare.”

Morgan was used to her causally mentioning her career, but it still seemed surreal to him that she was actually considered famous.

“Did I mention that I finally looked you up?”

“You did?” Bella scowled. “What did you look at?”

“Your biography on one of those music networks, videos, fan boards and all sorts of things.” Morgan squeezed her. “Do you know your fans are still wishing you would come out of retirement? The performance you did with Driscoll at the event was on YouTube and the speculation is rampant you all are planning to come out of retirement together. And the most interesting thing I found was…” He deliberately let it hang.

“Not happening for either I or Driscoll.” Bella shook her head adamantly. “Driscoll still writes music for others, but he won’t come out of retirement. He might even sing on someone’s album as a secondary vocal, but he won’t go back to performing professionally again. As for myself, I do sometimes write for others and lend my vocals to albums here or there, but I’m not going back.”

“I know that, but it was interesting seeing the speculation.”

“Hmm… There is something else you left off.” Bella made a ‘come on’ motion with her hand. “Let me have what outrageous thing they are saying.”

“How do you know it is outrageous?”

“I’m accustomed to it.” Bella shook her head. “I’ve had people make assumptions I was on drugs, a drunk, a diva who fires people for getting me the wrong drink and my being pregnant just to name a few. So believe me, nothing you say will shock me.”

“They said that you both would come out of retirement and finally admit after all these years that you and Driscoll are a couple. That you all do the wild thing on a regular basis.” Morgan grinned.

“That same old thing. No matter how much we deny it, people believe Dris and I have this illicit secret affair going on.” Bella rolled her eyes. “I have no idea why they believe that.”

“Are you kidding?”

Bella looked at him, confused.

Morgan chuckled. “I guess you are serious. When you all perform, you have some serious chemistry. It’s like you’re inviting the listener to be a voyeur in your bedroom.”

“Please, that’s just performing. That doesn’t mean every time a performer sings a love song with someone else they are fucking. Or an actor or actress when they do a love scene that they are screwing their co-star. Yes, it happens, but not every time.” Bella blew out an exasperated breath. “I’m glad you at least didn’t believe it.”

“Of course I didn’t. I’ve been around you and Driscoll to know you all are more brother and sister than anything else.” Morgan kissed her briefly. “Besides, I know who you are doing the wild thing with on a regular basis.”

“And he is a sexy man who fulfils all my wild tendencies.” Bella patted him on the chest. “Now get me some wings.”

Morgan chuckled and led her towards the bar. As they arrived, someone left and they squeezed into the space. Morgan greeted the men and women he knew and waited for someone to notice them. A man glanced towards them then lifted his hand.

“Richard will be here in a moment,” he told Bella.

“That’s Richard?” Bella’s surprise was plain in her tone.

“Yeah. Why?”

“He looks younger than I thought he would. He’s your age,” Bella replied.

“Yes he is.” Morgan wondered why she would think different.

“From his being a firefighter then cop and possibly becoming Commissioner, I’d expected someone older,” Bella said.

“Youngest Commissioner,” Morgan said.

Richard came towards them and paused. “Hey, Morgan. Haven’t seen you in here for a while.”

“Been busy, Rich. Sorry, I’ve been meaning to call. This is B—”

“I know, Bella Locke.” Richard held out a hand. “I’ve been to your concerts when you performed here in Singleton, as well as in Madison Square Garden. They were phenomenal. It’s a shame you retired. But I hear you still sing at your place—Bella’s. I haven’t been lucky enough to get in on the nights you do.”

“Thanks. Any time you come by, just let the guard know I said let you in. I’ll leave your name at the door.” Bella shook his hand.

“Great.” Richard grinned, leaning closer. “Maybe sometime I could convince you to perform on my stage by the dance floor over there.”

“It’d take something very convincing.” Bella chuckled. “I hear you make some mean wings. I have to warn you I’ve had wings all over the world and to tempt my taste buds you have to be good.”

“That’s a challenge then.” Richard smiled a wicked grin. “How about we set a little wager? If the wings I get you stack up against any you have had before, you sing for your supper. Tonight. Deal?” He put out his hand.

Morgan bit his lip, not warning Bella what she was in for.

“Deal.” She shook his hand. “Bring it on.”

“Okay. I’ll bring them to you.” Richard looked at him. “The guys are in the back.”

Morgan nodded and led Bella towards the game room. As they walked, he paused to say hi to people he knew and Bella also greeted a few of them. When they finally arrived at the back room, he went to one of the pool tables in the large area. He introduced Bella to his friends from the firehouse.

“Mike.” He hugged Michelle. “What are you doing here?”

“Seems like someone told the guys I was back.” She poked Morgan in the side. “Richard called me today and said I better come show my face before he comes and hunts me down.” Michelle laughed. “He had no idea I worked at Bella’s. We somehow missed each other when he came by the club. Anyway, here I am to show my face. I was roped into playing with the guys. They said you were coming.”

“Come on, Mike,” a female firefighter called. “Stop your yapping, it’s your shot.”

“I’m being summoned.” Michelle hugged Bella. “Don’t let these crazy people suck you in. Run while you can.”

“Too late, she is ours,” the people around the pool table all said at once.

Morgan and Bella laughed. He leaned against the wall and held her in front of him as they watched the game. When it was their turn, Morgan observed as Bella leaned over, making her jeans hug her ass as she bent to take her shot. He held back a groan, debating how long they had to be social before they could leave. Bella hit the ball with her cue. Morgan shifted his attention to the table and his mouth fell open as the balls sank into the holes of the table. Bella strolled over to him and put her finger under his chin, pushing up to close his mouth.

“There are a lot of bars we went to in our downtime,” Bella whispered as she walked by.

“Damn, Morgan, you brought a ringer with you,” Kennan said.

“I’m surprised you didn’t know I could play. Julianne can too.” Bella patted Kennan. “Where is she, anyway?”

“She’s on her way. A meeting ran late.” Kennan frowned. “Julianne pays pool? Usually when we come here she plays darts.”

“She prefers that game. But she’s a mean pool player too. Haven’t you realised by now our family is very sports and game orientated, so we play lots of things? And with us being so competitive, we work to excel at it.” Bella bent again and took another shot.