She wretches, causing me to burst into laughter.
“It burns!” she whines.
“Straight vodka will do that.”
She declines a second swig, making me chuckle.
I grab a shooter and down it before tossing her another. She catches the bottle and stares at it like it’s a bomb.
“It’s wine, church girl. Jesus made it himself. Cheers.”
She hesitates, but takes a sip.
“Not as bad,” she whispers. “Spoiled grape juice.”
I laugh again. “Look at you being a grown up. How does it feel?”
She sits on the edge of the bed. “Sinful.”
“Finish the bottle and give it ten minutes. You’ll feel better.”
She glares.
“Or don’t.” I hold up my hands, amused by her defiant expression.
She tips the bottle back, swallowing the rest.
“What’s it like being an atheist?”
The question jars me. A spiritual discussion is the last thing on my mind when I stare down at this gorgeous woman sitting on the bed.
Normally, my gaze would be fixed on her like a wolf about to attack its prey. After all, she invited me to a hotel room in the middle of the night.
A man can hope.
But this is Morgan. Just being alone with a man is cause for her damnation.
“Jack?” she whispers. A tear rolls down her cheek as she waits for my answer. “What’s it like not believing in God?”
I suppress a groan.
I guess I lie to myself when it comes to this woman. I try to ignore the fact she is what she presents to the world.
A sweet, curious girl.
And damn, do I long to satisfy that curiosity.
I lean against the wall, keeping my distance from the pure thing I’m not supposed to touch. Especially with her crying.
“It’s lonely,” I answer honestly. “I have to fight for everything to keep things going.”
Morgan looks up, and the sadness in her face lessens. “Then why don’t you believe so you don’t feel lonely? You could pray to God and belong to a church. A community.”
I shake my head. “Been there. Done that. Doesn’t work. My family was very religious.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hm. We went to church and prayed regularly. Ya know, Jack is short for Jonathan, my real name. Tommy for Thomas. Noel, because he was born on Christmas. We all have biblical names.”
