The Trouble With Temptation (Second Service Book 3)(20)

“I know, I’ve been busy,” she said, but Ty caught how her smile slipped just a bit at the admission.

“So I’ve heard. But it looks like you’re doing great.”

“Not too bad, Corey. I’m getting by,” she said.

“I don’t know. If the rumors are true then you’re doing a hell of a lot better than that.”

“You should know better than anyone that you can’t believe everything you hear.”

Ty gave up on waiting. He shifted his weight and cleared his throat. Morgan glanced back at him. A second later, her eyes widened with understanding.

“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry. Corey, this is Ty. He’s my plus one for tonight.”

“Nice to meet you, man.” Corey extended his hand. Ty took it. “Is this your first time?”

“It is.”

“Ahh…a virgin.” Corey looked at Morgan and arched his brows.

“You know how I like ‘em,” Morgan said with a wink. She took Ty’s hand again and led him through the large roll-up door.

Ty paused and took in the scene. The inside of the warehouse was one huge cavernous space. In the center of the concrete floor was a tall chain link and chicken wire cage several feet across with shiny metal bleachers pressed up against each side. The hum of conversation echoed off the aluminum walls. People milled around the cage and building, some of them poking inside crates and boxes.

“Have you brought me to a cage match?” Ty asked.

Morgan’s giggle was her answer. “Come on. Let’s get a drink.”

Ty reluctantly followed as a feeling of unease started to grow inside him. He knew what the underground fight circuit looked like, and parts of this certainly matched it. But other parts didn’t. Morgan for one. She didn’t seem the type for bloodlust.

Her friends were another. Illegal fights usually had a lot more security. Big scary types. Not one jovial guy posted at the door. In fact, everyone inside this place seemed to be laughing and having a good time. The feeling was more social event than gritty death match.

That and usually underground fight clubs didn’t have a concession stand.

Morgan stepped up to the window and ordered two beers and a boat of nachos. Ty took the frost-covered bottle Morgan held out to him.

“Classy place,” he said.

“Only the best for my baby.” She waved the large paper container filled with tortilla chips, gold liquid cheese and jalape?o rounds under his nose.

He took one of the chips and popped it into his mouth.

“I thought I was your plus one.”

Morgan’s head fell back a little as she laughed. It was a light sound, full of joy, without a hint of mockery, but loud enough to turn a few heads their way.

“And here I thought you’d be offended by the whole virgin thing.”

He closed the gap between them in a single step. “Trust me. No one has ever mistaken me for a virgin.”

She rolled her eyes, but Ty spotted a hint of pink blossoming in her cheeks. Heat that had nothing to do with exasperation.

He didn’t get to see it for long. A second later, she turned away and started toward the nearest bleachers. She went up a couple of rows before sitting near the aisle. Ty sat next to her. The material of her dress crinkled as her leg brushed against his.

“So is this legal?”

“The nachos?” She looked down at the cheese volcano in her hands. “I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t be.”

He shot her a glare. “No. Whatever is going on here.” He motioned with his beer bottle around the warehouse.

She shrugged her shoulders. “Why? Are you nervous?”

“I think I can handle it.” He threw her words back to her.

“You’re very confident.” She smiled widely, before taking another cheese-drenched bite.

“It’s only cocky if you can’t back it up.”

“So, tell me,” she said, giving him a look of open curiosity. “What’s happened in your life to make you into this self-assured superman?”

“Just life in general.”

“Let me guess. You learned self-confidence from the same place you learned to pick locks?”

Ty smiled. “Could have been.”

“And where was that?”

He took a chip and winked at her. “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

She laughed. “It sounds like a hell of a story.”

“It is.”

“Maybe you’ll tell me some time.”

“Maybe.”

Ty was saved from having to say more when a group needed to get by them on the bleachers. Morgan pressed her legs against his to give them room. He wrapped his arm around her back to steady her as they scooted by, but he didn’t remove it once they had passed.

Morgan didn’t pull away. She leaned into his side.

How long had it been since he had been out on a date like this? With someone he felt totally comfortable with? Someone who teased him? Someone who made him laugh?

The truth was he liked Morgan. He liked her a lot. If it wasn’t for this operation he would have answered her questions. He would have opened up. He would have told her about his time in the Navy. His childhood. His struggles.

There was something about her that made him want to tell her about his life. He never saw any judgment in her eyes. Just understanding and protection…and joy. Lots of joy.