"No, but it is something very important to me, something I've been thinking about for quite some time but kept putting off because there wasn't anyone I'd met that I felt comfortable about approaching to discuss a partnership."

Lena leaned forward. "Not even Cameron Cody? I understand the two of you are good friends and have done business together on several projects."

Morgan cleared his throat, cracked a smile and chuckled. "Trust me, Cameron wouldn't work for this. I need a woman."

He watched her eyes reflect a myriad of questions before she repeated the last part of what he'd said. "A woman?"

"Yes. In order to pull things off successfully, I need a very astute businesswoman, someone with an open mind, who could think outside the box, and who will appreciate a golden opportunity. And I believe that you are just that person."

The charming smile on Morgan's lips almost had Lena agreeing to anything, without knowing exactly what this "business venture" was about. His eyes were hooked on hers, and somehow she felt his keen sense of intelligence as well as his single-minded determination. He had piqued her curiosity and she definitely needed him to elaborate. "Just what type of business proposition are you talking about, Morgan?"

Morgan leaned forward a little, making sure he had her absolute attention. He also wanted to be right there, to gauge her reaction to his words. "I want you to marry me and have my baby."

Dead silence.

Morgan studied her expression as she sat perfectly still. He saw her blink, then witnessed the fine arching of her brow; and mere seconds later he became an ardent observer of how her lips trembled slightly at the corner. His gaze then moved back to her eyes and saw how they slowly narrowed to sharp slits. Her expression left no doubt in his mind what he'd just told her wasn't anything like what she'd expected.

"Excuse me. I must have heard you wrong," she finally said, not taking her eyes off his.

"No, you heard me right, Lena."

She stared, as if what he'd said didn't make sense and she was imagining things. Then she spoke as she straightened up in her chair. "In that case, I need you to explain why you think I'd be interested in involving myself in something so preposterous."

He smiled. "Is it really preposterous? Think about it for a second. It's no different than a couple agreeing to a prenupt. Marriages of convenience, or more simply put, the one I'm interested in, a marriage of purpose, are not unheard of these days. People are marrying for a lot of reasons. Not everyone who marries is doing so for love."

Lena heard what he was saying and a part of her was a little disappointed. She had been the product of a couple who loved each other dearly, and when she had met his parents at Kylie's wedding, she had thought the same thing about them. And if she'd ever married, it was to have been for love. But then, she had given up the idea of ever marrying, so her feelings or lack of feelings were really a moot point.

However, she couldn't understand why Morgan of all people would settle for a loveless marriage when his two older brothers had married for love. Chance and Sebastian were so head over heels in love with their wives that it wasn't funny. Was there a reason Morgan intended to fight the same fate?

"All of that may be true, Morgan, but why are you willing to settle for less than love? You're good-looking, a successful businessman and you have a good personality. I think any woman would find you marriage material."

He chuckled. "Thanks, but the question is, would I find them wife material? I have a lot going on in my life. The last thing I need is drama, or getting into a situation I'd be trying to get out of a few weeks after the wedding. And not to put your gender down because there are some in mine that are just as bad, possibly even worse, but there are some women who're conniving, vicious, manipulative and looking to marriage as a way to secure their financial future. I don't have a problem with the latter, but I want that individual to be one of my choosing and not the other way around."

"And you actually see me as that person?"

"Yes. You bring a lot to the table. You're mature in your thinking, you don't have time for games or drama, but more importantly, I think you will make any child a wonderful mother."

She tried not letting his words be the confidence booster that they were. "What makes you think that?"

He shrugged. "I just do. Maybe it's a hidden insight I have, but just from talking to you I know you want a child, and I believe you will do right by one."

Yes, she did want a child, and staring thirty-two in the face wasn't a joke. But still, there was a lot to consider.

"And," he said, interrupting her thoughts. "I think you would make me a good wife."

Now, that got her attention. "Really, Morgan, like I said, there are plenty of women who will-"

"I don't want any of them."

"And you want me to believe that you want me?"

"Yes."

Lena's heart began pounding. She shook her head. This was crazy. What Morgan was proposing was ludicrous.

He leaned forward with his forearms resting on her desk. "Before you turn me down flat, let me tell you what I'll be offering you. First there's financial security, which I know is something that's important to you. Then there's companionship. I like you and you can consider me as a live-in buddy and pal, which is a relationship some married couples don't even have. I have no reason not to think we wouldn't get along. Then there's the baby, which is something I want and so do you. Last but not least is your mother."

Lena's spine stiffened. "What about my mother?"

"I have no problem with her becoming a part of our household. In fact, I more than welcome it. I think Odessa is special and want her to be my child's grandmother as much as I want you as my child's mother."

Lena bit her lip. Of all the selling points he'd presented to her, this was the one that touched her the most and she couldn't help the warm flood of emotions that suddenly flowed through her. No other male in her past had even as much as wanted her mother as part of their lives, let alone wanted to include her in their family fold.

"Lena?"

She met his gaze. "Yes?"

"I know what I'm asking might sound a bit unorthodox, but it's the way I want to do things. I would want us to marry as soon as possible and start working on the baby right away."

Lena's heart lurched, as heat swirled around in her stomach. "Start on the baby right away?"

"Yes, after the wedding of course. And another thing, only the two of us can know our marriage is not the traditional one, which means I want us to share a bed."

The startled look on her face let him know that she hadn't thought about that part of the arrangement. He decided to press on. "Just so you'll know, I'm thinking about going with that last home you showed me because it will be perfect for our family-which includes your mother. It will give her the privacy she needs while at the same time a.s.suring her that she is wanted. It's important to me that she feels that she is a part of our lives and not an outsider."

Lena sighed. Morgan was. .h.i.tting her at all angles and using every single argument she would come up with to his advantage. He was right. Financial security was something she craved, and more than anything she did want a child of her own. And her mother being part of her marriage rather than an outcast was more important than anything. But still...

"What if things don't work out?" she asked softly.

Morgan smiled. Now was not the time to tell her that things would would work out. Once he got her in his bed, made love to her the way he'd dreamt of doing for over a year and lavished her with all the attention and respect she deserved, then she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. work out. Once he got her in his bed, made love to her the way he'd dreamt of doing for over a year and lavished her with all the attention and respect she deserved, then she wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Instead he said, "We can draw up an agreement that we will stay together and make things work for at least twelve months. After that time if you or I feel that marrying was a mistake, we will end the marriage with joint custody of our child."

He watched as Lena inhaled deeply before she said, "I need to think about this."

"Of course. Do you think you can have an answer by the time I return on Sunday? That's five days away."

Lena's chest tightened. She had a lot of thinking to do, and five days wasn't a lot of time. But still, she would have an answer for him. "Yes, I should have a decision for you by then."

"Good." He stood. "I'm on my way to grab something to eat at the Racetrack Cafe. Would you care to join me?"

Lena shook her head. The last thing she needed was something to eat. What she needed was time alone to think. "No, but thanks for asking."

"You're welcome." He crossed the room to get his jacket, and she came from around her desk. She decided to ask him the question she'd been pondering since he had arrived. "How did you get in here?"

"Your secretary," he said, slipping into his jacket. "I was walking in when she was leaving."

"Oh."

He smiled. "Was she supposed to hang around and announce me or something?"

"No, I was just surprised when you arrived," she said, walking him to her office door.

He raised a dark brow quizzically. "Had you forgotten about our appointment?"

Hardly. "No, I hadn't forgotten." "No, I hadn't forgotten."

Now she stood in front of him at the door, and as usual he appeared overwhelming and his eyes were on her, as if he was studying her for some reason. The intensity of his gaze made her flush. "You're going to St. Louis, right?" she nervously asked.

He nodded. "Yes. You still have that business card I gave you with my cell phone number and e-mail address in case something comes up or if you need to ask me anything about my proposal?"

"Yes, and you still have mine, right?"

"Yes, I still have it."

"Well, don't hesitate to contact me if you want to withdraw your offer of the marriage thing."

He chuckled. "I won't be withdrawing it."

Lena toyed with the b.u.t.ton on her jacket thinking he sounded pretty sure of that. "I hope you have a safe flight, Morgan."

"Thanks, and I promise to have an answer for you regarding the sale of my house when I return."

"Okay. Although I've been showing the Edwardses other places, I think they like your house the best."

The smile that tilted his lips widened. "That's good to know. I'll keep that in mind when I make my decision, and I hope you keep it in mind when you make yours."

Lena sighed, trying to ignore the intense stare in Morgan's eyes. She held out her hand. "Goodbye, Morgan. I'll see you in a few days."

He didn't take her outstretched hand. Instead he continued to stare at her, hold her gaze, rattling her already shaken composure. "I want to do things different this time, Lena," he said, his voice low, seductive.

Mesmerized, she dropped her hand to her side. Her palm suddenly felt warm and sweaty. And when he took a step closer to her, an aching need, that throbbing desire that had awakened her last night, was there, clawing at her, and she took a step forward as well.

"I think we can do better than that," he said in a warm, husky tone, which was barely above a whisper, pulling her total concentration back in.

Before she could release her next breath, he lowered his mouth to hers with a quick, clean sweep of his tongue across her lips. He captivated her then and there, snapping her composure and destroying the last hold she had on her control.

She placed her hand on his chest when his mouth closed hungrily, greedily over hers, almost eating her alive and unleashing a degree of pa.s.sion she didn't know she had. Her naughty twin had pa.s.sion, yes, but her, no. But this was not her twin who felt the smoldering eruption deep inside her as Morgan's tongue sent her senses reeling from the mastery of his lips.

Nor was it her twin whose moans escaped her lips beneath Morgan's demanding mouth while he grasped her around the waist in a tight hold of possession, bringing her closer to him and making her aware of how masculine and strong his body was.

A part of her was totally stunned at the depth of her need, her pa.s.sion, her desire, but then another part wasn't. The recesses of her mind taunted that this was Morgan, the man who had invaded her dreams for the past year. Morgan, who practically made her catch her breath every time she saw him. Morgan, the man who wanted to give her the baby she'd always wanted; and Morgan, the man her body was instinctively, unashamedly arching against.

She uttered a low moan of protest when he finally raised his head, and when he pressed her face against his chest she realized the impact the kiss had had on him as well. She heard his heart racing, felt the irregular beats beneath her head and heard the sound of his ragged breathing being forced from his throat. She buried her face deeper into his chest, feeling warm and contented. Moments later she sighed when she felt him rest his chin on the crown on her head.

They stood that way for a while, neither ready to separate, too mesmerized and filled with raw emotions to say anything. Then he reached down and lifted her chin with the tip of his finger, meeting her gaze, and then lowered his mouth to hers again. This kiss was gentler but was filled with a high degree of pa.s.sion nonetheless.

When he finally released her mouth again, he let out a shaky breath and murmured softly, "I'd better go and please think about my proposal."

Placing one quick kiss to her lips, he turned and then he was gone.

Chapter 8.

"Morgan asked you what!" Kylie asked, staring at Lena disbelievingly.

Lena waited until the waitress had placed her order of French fries on the table and walked away before directing her attention back to Kylie. "I know it sounds crazy but he asked me to marry him and have his baby."

Kylie continued to stare at her, saying nothing, and then she shook her head, smiling as she plucked a fry off Lena's plate. "So you're it."

Lena lifted a confused brow. "I'm what?"

"Morgan's perfect woman."

Lena frowned. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Kylie scooted in her chair closer to the table so her voice wouldn't carry. At least she scooted as close as her huge stomach would allow. "Everyone in the Steele family knows about Morgan's obsession with finding the perfect woman. Evidently, you've made quite an impression on him."

"Or he's realized there's no such thing as a perfect woman, like there's no perfect man. But that doesn't explain why he wants that person to be me."

Kylie rolled her eyes. "Aw, come on, Lena. Morgan has shown interest in you since that night the two of you met at that charity ball. He asked you out several times but you turned him down."

Lena munched on her fry thinking that yes, he had asked her out, but she really hadn't taken him seriously at first. But when he'd asked a few more times she thought it would be a smart move to break things down to him as to why she wouldn't go out with him. Now he was asking her not only to marry him but also to have his baby.

"So, are you going to do it?"

Kylie's question interrupted her thoughts. She knew of all people, she had to be totally honest with her best friend. "Would I sound like an awful person if I said I was really thinking about the idea? Gosh, Kylie, he's the first man to take Mom into consideration. He actually said he would be proud to have her for his child's grandmother."

"Wow, that's deep, isn't it?"

"Yes, for me it is." Another thing that was deep was the kiss they'd shared. Even now if she were to touch her lips with her fingertips, she was convinced she would still be able to feel the warmth of Morgan's lips there. "But there are other things to consider," she finally said, sighing.

"Like what?"

"Although our union will be a marriage of purpose, as he put it, he still wants us to project a semblance of realness. In other words, he has no qualms about us sharing a bed."

"But you do?"

"Yes. No. h.e.l.l, I don't know." The last couple of guys she'd dated-way back when-took that time to cross her mind. They hadn't done anything to light a fire within her, at least not to the degree Morgan had with just a mere kiss. "Trust me, it wouldn't bother me one bit to sleep with Morgan," she finally said. "But what if we start something that neither of us can finish?"

"Meaning?"

"What if things don't work out and he decides I'm not the woman he wants to live with or the right woman for the mother of his child?"