“Of course. Thank you.”
Morgan stepped closer and handed Selina one of the glasses in his hand and she accepted it with a nod of thanks.
Silently, they walked into the gardens, neither of them willing to speak about what had happened earlier.
CHAPTER20
Selina didn’t realize just how little she knew about Morgan until he started speaking. While she had wanted a quiet walk alone in the garden, she was glad that she had accepted Morgan’s offer to accompany her.
At first, the silence had stretched between them. It was not a tense silence, however. Instead, Selina was grateful for it. She loved how the chirping of crickets mixed with the soft sound of the wind whipping through the flowers and short trees.
Morgan didn’t appear eager to speak as well. Selina knew that he was filled to bursting with questions, and appreciated his controlled silence. She had no idea what to say if he asked her what had happened.
She couldn’t very well say,oh, remember my father who I told you was dead? Well, I just thought I saw him in the crowd, and I panicked.
She’d have to lie to him if he did press her for her strange reaction.Lie again. Selina was starting to get tired of lying all the time. It seemed like she had to tell a lie at every turn, regardless of the situation. It was starting to overwhelm her.
“I know I may come off as hard and cold, but it’s hardly my fault, you see?”
It took Selina a few moments to realize that Morgan had spoken to her. She blinked twice, forcing out of her thoughts and trying to catch what Morgan had said.
They were not too far away from the house and she could still hear the music and voices coming from inside. Fortunately, Morgan continued speaking, and saved her from bumbling about for a reply.
“The reason I say it’s not my fault is that I didn’t have the easiest childhood growing up. Yes, I grew up in a wealthy home with lots of servants and more than I could ever need. All my needs were met and I lacked for nothing my whole life.
“However, I was raised very strictly by my father. My parents demanded excellence in everything, and no matter how well I did, they always made it clear to me that I could do better. Nothing I did was ever enough, and the lessons were endless.
“They prepared me for leadership and pushed me beyond even what I believed my abilities were. In one sense, I can thank them for everything, all they wanted was what was best for me. And trust me, I am grateful.
“Unfortunately, I grew up not knowing or understanding the concept of love. While my parents did their duty in raising me as well as they could have, they never showed any emotion, not even between themselves.
“I grew up with that same problem, and till date, I still struggle with expressing my emotions. To be honest, I didn’t even know it was a problem until I met you, Selina. And now, I know how serious a problem it is. Now, I know what it is to feel.”
Morgan stopped walking and turned to look at Selina. He reached out and took her gloved hand in his. Selina had no response to anything Morgan had said. She was struggling to process the words as they tumbled softly out of him.
True to what he said, she had never seen this side of him. She was guilty of considering him a cold-hearted man, and she felt a sliver of guilt for judging him wrongly.
Selina wondered where he was going with his speech. She looked into his eyes, curious. He did look very handsome in the moonlight. Morgan looked like he was searching her face for something. What it was he sought, though, Selina had no idea.
“Ultimately,” Morgan continued softly, squeezing Selina’s hand gently. “I guess what I am trying to say, Selina… what I have been trying to say all this while is that I have fallen for you. And this feeling… I’m sure that this feeling is love.”
Selina blinked in shock. That was the last thing she expected to hear from Morgan. Her jaw dropped but no words came out from her mouth.Morgan loves me?
Morgan forged ahead. “We are always arguing, always bantering. I realized that the feeling in my chest when you are close to me is love. The anger and jealousy I feel when I see you smiling with another man, I know in my gut that it is because I am in love with you, Selina.”
Morgan took a step towards Selina and she gasped. Morgan moved his hand to Selina’s arm, his grip tightening a little. Selina’s heart beat quickly with anticipation. She swallowed hard, and remembered the moment in the library.
Although she knew it was coming, Morgan’s kiss still caught Selina by surprise. It was so sudden, she froze. Unlike the library, this time, Morgan didn’t hesitate.
Selina melted into the kiss, unthinking. She didn’t realize how much she had wanted this from Morgan. His soft lips joined with hers with an intimacy that resonated in her soul.
Selina knew she should stop him. She knew she had to stop. She could not bring herself to do so, though. The kiss felt good and beautiful, and she admitted that she wanted it too. Maybe even more than Morgan did.
Selina had no clue how long the kiss lasted, but when Morgan pulled back, Selina felt like a century had passed by. Morgan held onto her arm, with a warm smile on his face, made more beautiful by the blue moonlight that washed down on them.
Selina could see the love etched into Morgan’s eyes. He meant what he had said and she couldn’t imagine how much it took for him to admit it to her, especially knowing what she did about how he grew up.
Guilt swallowed Selina like a cold sea and she stepped back, shaking. Her eyes filled with tears and her breathing was shaky.
