Page 48 of The Reluctant Roommate

“It’s Linda’s decision, Morgan. You can’t force her to do anything, even if from where we stand, it seems like the wrong choice.”

“I know. It’s just…” Her hands rose and sketched vague patterns in the air behind Heidi’s shoulders. “I want…”

“Maybe Linda is considering your future too. That hypothetical sixty grand. Maybe she doesn’t want to take it from you. Yeah, you have your good job, but you most likely have debts and obligations yourself.”

“I do, yes, but… It’sLinda.” She blinked fiercely against the tears gathering behind her eyes, and the pressure built in her chest again.

“Breathe, Morgan. Slow, deep. I’ve got you.”

For a moment, Morgan let herself relax into Heidi’s embrace. Heidi’s arms encircled her shoulders, Heidi’s breasts pressed against her own, their hips were snug together. Her breathing slowed, and she closed her eyes, her head on Heidi’s shoulder, her nose against her neck, smelling the crisp, clean scent of body wash and shampoo.

Warmth spread outward in her chest. The quiet pleasure of being held spread its wings and caught light. The glowof security built into something more, something brighter and more dangerous. Morgan’s breath hitched, and she tightened her arms around Heidi’s waist. Her hips canted forward—slowly, subtly.

Heidi murmured soft words into Morgan’s hair, but they wove together so that all she heard was the cadence of Heidi’s voice, the reassurance, thecaring.

Morgan’s hips pressed against Heidi’s, then eased back, but then, drawn by a force she couldn’t control, they tilted forward again. She turned her head and nudged her way through Heidi’s hair to press her lips against her neck. A pulse raced under her mouth, a rapid tattoo that seemed too fast for the moment, too fast for mere comfort.

“Morgan?” Heidi’s voice—higher, sharper—cut through her haze. “Please be sure you—”

She dragged her lips away from Heidi’s neck and kissed her way up to her jaw. Tiny kisses, mere pecks, up to the corner of her mouth.

Heidi wasn’t smiling. There was no tilt to her lips. “Remember what we said, Morgan. Think of—”

She kissed Heidi. Her lips slid to cover Heidi’s, and she pressed. Her heart thundered, her breasts tingled, and a golden heat curled down her belly to between her legs as she waited for Heidi to respond. If she was going to.

A pulse, another. Then, with a sigh, Heidi opened her lips, and their mouths collided with force, with a need that seemed mutual.

Morgan shuffled them around so they were away from the stove, Heidi’s back against the counter, Morgan’s leg between Heidi’s thighs. She pressed up, and Heidi gasped into her mouth. Her fingers trembled as she slid her hands up Heidi’s neck, into her short hair, around the base of her skull, anchoring them together. The kiss intensified, growing molten.

Then Heidi’s hand pushed against her shoulder, and Heidi turned her head away from Morgan’s mouth.

Her lips tingled with the loss. She released Heidi and took a tiny step backward. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Heidi caught her hand. “I loved it, and I’d love more. But we agreed it wasn’t a good idea. Especially now. I feel I’m taking advantage of you, when you’re not in a good place.”

“You’re not. Please don’t think that.” She took that step forward again, but Heidi shook her head.

“No.” She sidestepped, slid away and picked up her beer. Her hand shook. “Let’s get through the next few days, Morgan. Clear heads and hearts.”

“And then?”

“I don’t know. We have things to talk about.”

“We do.” Could she tell Heidi about her lack of work? Or would that be just another layer of emotional pressure on both of them? But one thing was clear: Heidi was right. No matter how much they wanted each other, now was not the time.

Chapter 24

Like Superglue

Heidi crept downstairs at eight the next morning. Her head was muzzy from too little sleep and maybe too much beer, but it was Thanksgiving morning, an important day for Morgan. One with the potential to be melancholy.

Morgan’s confession the night before had made things fall into place. Linda’s diagnosis and Morgan’s commitment to cover costs would be a reason for the seemingly financially comfortable Morgan to take a roommate. Although that supposed that Linda’s diagnosis was not new. There was still something missing in the puzzle that was Morgan.

But right now, Heidi intended them to have a day to remember, a day to start new traditions—even if this was the only year they would celebrate together. She flattened her palm against the counter. Morgan—prickly, buttoned-up Morgan—was fast becoming a major part of Heidi’s life. Which was unexpected…but good. The times when Morgan’s subtle sense of humor made an appearance. Or when she frowned and stared at those spreadsheets she was always working on—seemingly intent but always stopping for coffee if Heidi offered.

When they kissed.

When Heidi had held her in her arms and comforted her.