decaf. âIt canât be merely for the generous salary and the employee benefits.â
She set down her coffee with a considering expression. âIt pays better than the video store whereI was working and I thought it would be a terrific addition to my résumé,â she reminded him after a moment.
Morgan ignored the whisper of disappointment. What had he expected her to say? And what would she do if he leaned forward and kissed that satiny mouth? If she didnât pull away, would it be because she liked him or because he was the boss and she had no choice?
âAny job leads?â he asked.
She shook her head with a rueful expression. âAll the school districts seem to be facing budget constraints, but something will come up.â Sitting back, she pushed at her hair with both hands. The motion emphasized the shape of her breasts in the gray Husky T-shirt.
He wanted to ask if sheâd gone to the University of Washington, but figured it would make her aware of the direction of his gaze. Instead he dragged it back to her face.
He noticed a smile playing at the corners of her full mouth. Was she flirting? He would have to be more careful to hide his own attraction. After everything she had been through, she must feel vulnerable. He would never take advantage.
âI think itâs really wonderful what youâre doing here,â she said. âItâs nice to see someone taking the time to make a difference.â
The part of him struggling to overcome his desireto pull Emma into his arms ached for her to see him as a dynamic and desirable male rather than a kindly scout leader. âItâs a group effort,â he reminded her. âThe Logans have been especially supportive.â
âWell, itâs great.â Emma glanced at her watch and shot to her feet. âIâd better let you finish up,â she said, her cheeks pink. âI didnât mean to keep you so long.â
âI appreciate the decaf,â he said, holding up his empty cup as he, too, stood up. âWas there something else you wanted to discuss?â
The play of the lantern light against her face cast a soft glow on her exquisite bone structure while the shadows turned her eyes to mysterious pools. He felt a jolt of regret that he must not act on his attraction, but he quickly brushed it aside. As long as they were here at the camp, his hands were tied. But afterward he might see whether she returned his interest.
âIâll see you in the morning,â Emma replied, her warm smile restored as she reached out for his mug. âIâll wash these out.â
âThanks again,â he replied as she turned away.
He listened as her footsteps grew fainter. Without her presence in the office, the light seemed to have dimmed and the air felt chillier.
Morgan scrubbed a hand over his face. He was getting fanciful, but tomorrow he would need his wits for the hike. The older boys were always a challenge, one that would surely take his mind off Emma.
Â
As Emma supervised some of the younger boys who were seated at an outdoor table doing leather crafts, she kept thinking about Morgan. For the last few days she had made every excuse to seek him out. Franny and Sarah had begun to tease her, and sheâd noticed Jeff elbow him last night as the campfire broke up and she approached Morgan with a question.
The other staff members were protective of their leader, but none of them suspected the real motive behind Emmaâs pursuit. The better she got to know Morgan, the more difficult it became to stick to her plan. Not only was he physically attractive, but he seemed to be a genuinely terrific guy. Too nice for what she had in mind, she thought with a sigh. Giving up wasnât an option, so what choice did she have but to proceed?
âEmma, am I doing this right?â asked a little boy named Carl, distracting her.
She looked down at the wallet he was making as a gift for his
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