"unrequited love does not die; it's only beaten down to a secret place where it hides, curled and wounded."

Morgan Ann Bennett

I returned to the party some minutes after Chris did. I refreshed up and changed my dress because he claimed that one and no one rose deserved to see me in it.

My head spun, I was trying to figure out if we really just did that or not.
It was so hot, I felt ways I've never felt before. Chris didn't care that that was mostly all new to me, he knew what he wanted and got it, and that's sexy. He's sexy.

I just hoped he could be normal after instead of pissed at me, or himself, for letting it happen.

"There you are!" Malcolm shouted, linking our arms as I joined everyone on the deck.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you," they began to sing the classic jingle.

I smiled standing there, feeling guilty.

It's not that I regret doing it or even care about Malcolm, it was just so dirty to do right under hose nose.

I swallowed and waited until they were done to blow out the '25' candles.

I swiped my finger across the icing over my name in cursive. Buttercream, my favorite.

"Thanks, everyone," I bubbled, watching them disperse.

A mound of gifts were inside where we ate before and I reminded myself to get to them later. I wondered if Chris got me anything, probably not.

Mary approached me with Carter holding her waist.

Is it weird that my first thought seeing them was, "I wonder if he fucks like his son?" Surely not right, everyone has different experiences, but I wondered if Carter and Mary were freaks?

I could hardly look them in the eyes after what I had done, I almost felt like I violated their son and Vice versa.

"Happy birthday, beautiful," Mary said to me.

Carter made sure he looked nowhere but my eyes as I had a thin mini dress on.

"Happy birthday, sweetie," he talked. They both hugged me and I felt the love from such genuine people. It was nice that his parents liked me, I liked them.

"Well we have to go, enjoy, love," Mary wished, kissing my cheek.

Carter hugged me again and said, "Keep an eye on the big guy."
Big indeed.

"Will do," I blushed, waving goodbye.

I looked to Chris who was again entertaining the brunette from earlier. Did he not learn? I was serious, I'm jealous. How's he just going to flirt with someone right in my face especially after what we just did? It's rude, and I don't like it.

I wanted to stop over there, steal him away, or straight up insult her, but I'm not mean. Besides, I'm sure Malcolm would be needing Chris any second. . .

"Happy birthday, baby girl," Teddy said, swinging me.

Teddy was the best, I loved him, so did Chris. It actually made me feel better that he knew about our little secret. I could trust Teddy and that meant a lot. I guess he just knew Malcolm was a piece of shit asshole, too.

Although, Malcolm and I had a good day, I hoped he'd keep it up.

"Darling," I knew who was calling me behind my back.

"Malcolm," I returned, putting on a smile.

"Dance with me?" He smirked drunkenly.

Before I could object or put my drink down, Malcolm swung me across the floor.

"You can't dance, Malcolm," I reminded him.

He laughed loud. "Well it's my party, I have to. Did you enjoy yourself today?"

"I did, thank you," I said, swaying to the slow song.

I didn't notice everyone was watching us but when I did, I got shy.

I didn't want to be doing this in front of Chris, but I hoped he understood.

I avoided looking his way at all costs unless I knew he wasn't looking.

He started to sniff and I wondered why.

"You smell... you smell like... like I can't put my finger on it," he commented.

Holy shit, Chris's cologne! God dammit, a blessing and now a curse! I tried hard to scrub myself and I even changed, but the scent lingered like it did on him.

"It's the perfume I bought earlier, Tom Ford," I made up on the spot.

"I don't like it, too manly-smelling for me," he noted, twirling me.

The song ended and everyone clapped. Well, except Callie,  Chris , and the brunette girl.

Malcolm took a bow and let me go to get another drink, not that he needed one.

I sighed and stomped over to Callie to see what she was mad about.

When she didn't say anything, I traced her line of sight to Chris.

"Seriously, Callie?" I snapped. "Get over yourself, he doesn't want you. You're old and you have a kid. Look around, there's other men here for you who aren't half bad but you want to chase him, for what?"

She looked at me, appalled.

"I thought you'd be happy for me?" Her lip quivered.

"Happy for what? He's a decade younger than you, and barely shows any interest."

"You don't know that!"

"Callie, look at him. He's over there with a girl, you're over here."

She started to cry and ran off.

Teddy appeared and shook his head.

"You didn't have to make her cry," he said low.

I stomped my foot in the Dior slides and whined. "It's my birthday, I wasn't going to let her make me cry."

"I feel you, girl," he said, putting out his dark fist.

"Feel me?" I sighed, pounding it.

The cruise turned and I was excited the night was winding down.

AJ was talking to the brunette meanwhile I couldn't find Chris.

"Hey, AJ," I grinned.

He grabbed me. "Hey, birthday girl. Happy birthday."

"Thank you, thank you," I smiled, curtsying.

"Hello," the girl spoke.

"Hey," I said dry.

"Happy birthday," she intoned.

"Thanks!"

"Yeah," she trailed off.

She wasn't particularly cute, at least I knew she wasn't Chris's type. Well, the other girls weren't necessarily lookers, but that's okay, he was only horny. That's over now.

Chris returned, having to squeeze past me to return to his seat.

"Excuse me," he said deep in my ear, holding my waist.

I shivered and wanted to go at it again. He's just so hot without even trying.

So hot, in fact, that it made me mad when other girls agreed.

This brown-haired-girl was smiling all big in his face and he didn't even have the decency to get her to stop!

"Wanna play a game?" Adriel asked the three of us.

"Yes," the girl exclaimed.

"No," Chris and I answered in sync.

Well.

"Have fun," I sighed, walking away.

~

"Good night, everybody," the captain waved us off.

We all went to our cars and I wondered who was driving me home as I arrived in an Uber.

Malcolm blacked out. Thank God.

We were the last ones in the lot, Teddy, Sage, Chris, Malcolm, and myself.

"I got her," Teddy referred to taking me home.

I nodded, then Sage.

"I'll drive him home," Sage offered, throwing Malcolm in the backseat of the Escalade.

Teddy wished me a good night one more time and got in his own car. Well, it was Malcolm's, but he couldn't drive it himself, so.

"A-hem," I cleared my throat at Sage.

"Good night, princess, happy birthday," he said with a small smile that quickly faded.

"Good night," I rang, waving as he drove off.

Once he was gone, Chris approached me.

He put his hand at the small of my back and put his other one up at Teddy.

"I got her," his voice rasped.

Teddy nodded once and pulled off, leaving us two.

"What makes you think I want to ride with you?" I asked him, poking his chest.

He gave me his hoodie so I could cover my chest from the cold wind of the night.

"Finally," I spat after being cold all evening.

Chris bobbed his head towards the truck, signaling me to get in.

We were about ten minutes down the road before I said anything.

"What's wrong with you?" He asked, turning the music down.

I pouted, didn't even mean to, it just happened because I was upset.

"Nothing," I exhaled.

"Morgan," he rasped my name. God, it sounded so sexy.

"This is about the girl?"

I only nodded to confirm.

His lower half raised up as he adjusted and switched steering hands. He wet his lips and sighed.

"I was just talking to her," he claimed.

"Right," I rolled my eyes.

"For real," he said, putting his hand on my thigh. "Why would I flirt with a girl at your birthday party right in front of you?"

"You did, Chris," I whined.

"Alright, I did," he chuckled. "What do you want me to do?"

"Don't!"

He came to a stop sign and fully looked at me.

"Drive. Please," I insisted.

Neither of us said anything else until we got to town. He stopped me at Red Sage b&b because I wanted to kiss Quinn even though she was probably asleep.

I got out and shook my head.

Chris walked around to me and tried looking in my eyes.

"Stop, dude, get away from me," I huffed, trying to walk around him.

"You're mad at me?" He asked, trapping my back against the truck.

"Yes!" I whined, stomping my foot.

"Come on, Morgan, you don't get to be jealous. Not yet, anyway. Were you not dancing with Malcolm, on his lap all night?"

I didn't answer.

Chris grabbed my face to bring it back to his.

"Yes or no?" He asked.

"Yes!" I whined again, folding my arms.

"Okay, so calm down. You have to know what this is, Princess."

I hated him talking to me like that, it's not fair. It's not.

"Well don't touch me again, I can't do this," I puled, looking away.

"Stop," he said, trying to hug me. I felt buried under his big body.

"Get off," I sobbed, fighting to break away.

I'm just drunk.

"Stop," he drawled out again, almost mocking me.

He consumed all of me in his arms and locked our fingers.

"I hate you," I mumbled, hiding my laughter.

He kissed the top of my head. "You can hate me."

I broke us apart and told him I'd only be a second.

Callie was in the suite passed out. I tiptoed across the floor and found Quinn in the bed, tossing and turning.
She was so excited to see me but I had to warn her to be quiet.

I kissed her head and wished her a good night.

"Morgy, stay," she sobbed, reaching for me.

Oh, my heart. I couldn't say no to that.

So, I went back outside for a moment to say bye to Chris.

He was texting someone but quickly put his phone away seeing me.

I walked between his legs as he waited in the drivers seat with the door open.

"I'm gonna stay," I told him quietly.

"With Quinn?" He asked.

I nodded, removing his hoodie to give back.

"Thanks," I said.

"I didn't do anything," he chuckled, pulling me in.

"Well, you did a lot, actually, so thanks," I blushed.

Chris's eyes fell on my lips but I didn't kiss him, just his cheek.

"Night," I said, walking back to the master suite.

~~~

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Quinn started crying hearing the pounding on the door. 

I looked around and Callie was asleep.

7:12am

What the hell.

"Cal, wake up!" I yelled and she jumped up.

I got up to see who was outside. It was Teddy.

Out of breath, he said, "Malcom is pissed... we gotta get you home."

***

So we made our way back to Malcolm's with a quickness.

I ran in and was met at the door with Chris.

He didn't say anything, just looked at me with a rolled joint in his hand, and proceeded to the study.

"A-hem," I cleared my thrust to announce myself after standing behind his desk for a minute.

"Morgan, darling," he exhaled deeply while removing his glasses. "Where were you?"

"Um, I was at Callie's," I answered, hands behind my back for no reason other than I was anxious.

My own eyes kept deceiving me, trying to steal looks at Chris.

"Why weren't you here when I woke up?"

"Uh," I stammered.

"I'm sorry?" He raised his voice.

I gulped. "Quinn, she wanted me to spend the night, I couldn't say no."

He began to laugh and Sage did, too.

Malcolm walked around the desk and found me in the center of the area rug.

"You hear that, fellas? She just couldn't say no," Malcolm cackled, squaring my shoulders.

He quickly turned off his laugh and stared me deep in the eyes.

"I expect you in that room every morning when I go to check on you, alright? Otherwise, darling, how will I know if you're safe?"

"You're concerned about my safety, but I was with my niece-"

"Never mind that; it won't happen again. Will it? You understand I'm just looking out for you, right, darling?"

I tried hard not to let my face show how I really felt.

"Yeah," I croaked.

"You're excused, thanks," he bossed with a flick of the wrist.

I turned and went upstairs where I wasted no time jumping into my shower.

It wasn't until well after the bathroom was full of steam that I got out, slapping a towel around my body.

Because it was so hot in there, I went back into my bedroom to air dry and find an outfit for the day.

I let my hair out of the high bun and shook it, proud I could maintain the blowout from the day prior.

"Someone's in trouble," I heard Chris's husky voice.

He walked in and shut and locked the door behind him.

I almost gasped, excited he was there.

"What are you doing, crazy?" I whisper-yelled, pulling him onto the bed.

He smiled, letting me push him onto my mattress.

My eyes darted between both of his. I didn't know what to say, my brain was still scrambled from not only the drinks but what we did on the yacht.

Chris wet his lips and I jumped onto his lap.

He chuckled, pushing the hair behind my ear.

"Are you here to tease me some more?" I asked, pinning his arms down.

"I'm the tease?"

"Ya," I bubbled, biting my lip.

His eyes dropped to my mouth and I very easily began rocking on him. I swear my hips have a mind of their own.

Chris got his arms back and one hand grabbed hold of my neck, surprising me but I liked it.

He kissed me deeply and then my neck.

I was rolled over onto my back and let him drop his weight between my legs.

His fingers dipped between my legs and I moaned, but quickly grew annoyed.

"Can you just fuck me now?" I almost begged.

Because last night, I didn't get to feel his inches inside of me, only against my slit, teasing me.

That's when there was a knock on the door.

I quickly got myself together while Chris hid before I opened the doors.

It was Malcolm.

He stepped in and stared over me.

"You're gorgeous, I always tell you that," he started.

I blushed, but not because of him.

"I'm going-"

I cut him off to finish his sentence, "To Denver. You'll be back later. I know, I know. Be safe."

"I expect you'll be here when I get back?" His eyebrow raised.

I blinked, looking away.

"Yeah," I sighed.

"Don't pout, it drives me wild," he said, lifting my chin. "I don't know how much longer I'll be able to hold out, darling. You're killing me. Oh, but I know it'll be worth it."

He sniffed a loc of my hair before going.

When the door clicked shut I finally could breathe.

What the hell is wrong with that man, I asked myself in my head.

Anyway, Chris sat in the chair in the corner of the room and clenched his jaw.

I sat on his lap and raked my fingers through his beautiful long hair.

Seeing the look on his face, I asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, tapping my ass so I could get up.

But when I didn't, he growled and physically removed me.

I grabbed his wrist. "Don't storm out. Tell me, what's so wrong all of a sudden, Chris?"

He finally brought his eyes back to my face.

"You can't make him wait much longer," Chris spoke. "Sooner or later, he'll— he'll get what he wants."

I put my hand to his hard chest and looked up at Chris.

"Not if I don't let him."

"Like you'll stay in here forever and not give it up. I know Malcolm, and you should too by now. How he's made it this long is a miracle. Pfft. Morgan, men like him just want one thing."

He looked serious, snatching his hands from mine.

"Then I'll leave him," I proclaimed. It was an idea I've voiced before.

"How, Morgan, we talked about this? You can't. Let's just... stop."

I grabbed his wrist again and he looked annoyed this time.

I made a face.

"Listen, we're not done that Romeo and Juliet shit. This situation is weird, for you, and for me. I'm going to figure it out but I told you, I won't let him touch me. I don't want him," I cooed, stepping into his chest and arms.

Chris looked down at me. "I don't know," he said, shaking his head.

"I have a feeling if this wasn't your uncle you wouldn't care so much," I voiced, stepping back to fold my arms.

He swallowed. "You're right, I probably wouldn't."

"But?" I asked, knowing there was one coming.

"But he is and I know how shit like this ends. I'm supposed to be loyal, not trying to fuck his girl behind his back."

"You've never done this before?" I questioned.

"What, no?" He spat.

"With any of his girls?"

"No, Morgan," he cleared up.

"I'm gonna go," Chris said, walking towards the door.

I didn't want to chase him, but I wanted him to stay.

"Chris," I called out.

The door slammed.

"CHRIS!"