Page 27 of Heal You (The Study You #3)

Relaxing back on her lounger, Jan shoved her bottle of sun lotion underneath it and angled her face towards the sun.

She was surprised her body hadn’t gone into shock at the slightest hint of sun and relaxation, but so far, so good.

Now that she’d recharged last night, Jan planned to go full steam ahead into the rest of the holiday.

She glanced to her left and smiled as Morgan hummed along to whatever was playing in her earbuds.

Jan had opted for a romance novel rather than music today, and if she had the chance to nap once she turned onto her stomach, she was going to enjoy that snooze and not feel guilty about it.

Didn’t she deserve a decent holiday after being rushed off her feet for so long? Damn right she did.

Jan continued watching Morgan, noting just how relaxed she seemed out here.

It was hard not to be when you woke up to the sound of the ocean, but Jan hadn’t anticipated the difference in Morgan compared to back at home.

Then again, did anyone truly feel happy and at peace when they knew they had to get up for work each morning?

Some did, most didn’t. She reached out a hand and took Morgan’s where it sat on the very edge of her own lounger.

Morgan lifted a brow behind her sunglasses as she turned her face towards Jan, that delicious smile lighting up her face as they looked back at one another.

“Enjoying yourself, babe?”

Jan’s stomach somersaulted every time Morgan called her that. She would get used to it, but for the time being, she would enjoy the way it made her feel. Like a teenager all over again. “Absolutely.”

“Good. I’ve just ordered us a couple of white coffees and some nibbles.”

Jan frowned. When had Morgan got up from her lounger? “Um…you did? Did I drop off to sleep without realising it?”

“They have an app linked to our room. We can order whatever we like, whenever we like…from the comfort of our loungers.”

Wow. Holidays abroad had really come a long way since Jan had last flown out of England. They barely had cars on the road the last time she’d gone away, never mind apps connected to room and pool service. “I’m impressed.”

Morgan winked in Jan’s direction. “You’re hanging with the cool kids now.”

“Mm. It would seem I am.” Jan made a mental note to let Gillian know the name of the hotel where they were staying. This kind of place would be right up her street. And Finn, well, she was happy to follow Gillian around like a lost puppy, so she would jump at the opportunity.

Morgan turned on her side and removed her earbuds. “I don’t think I ever want to come here alone again. Who knew being away with someone you care about could make it so much better?”

“I hope you’re still saying that by the end of the week.

” Jan knew how to have fun, and she knew how to laugh, but the lack of holidays over the years did play on her mind.

Phil was quite happy wandering off abroad to ‘network’ or whatever other excuse he could think up, but Jan was never invited.

Why? Did her soon-to-be ex-husband not want Jan on his arm?

Does it really matter anymore? Jan pushed her marriage out of her mind as she said, “And if not, keep it to yourself, and I’ll be none the wiser. ”

“I have a feeling by the end of this holiday, I won’t want to go home.” Morgan gazed back at Jan, those soft brown eyes staring deep into her soul as she lifted her sunglasses. “And I’ll want you to stay with me.”

“Don’t even threaten it. I’m the one who has nothing to get back for. Not really.” Jan’s gaze swept up Morgan’s bikini-clad body. The curve of her hip as the sun bronzed her skin. God, Jan couldn’t believe she was even lying here right now. “What plans do we have for this evening?”

“I thought maybe we could head further along the coast. In a cab, of course. I know what your relationship is like with your heels.” Morgan toyed with her lip ring as she smiled. “I’m close to having an intimate relationship with them myself.”

“Come again…”

“You in those fucking heels,” Morgan said as she closed her eyes and took her bottom lip between her teeth. “Any chance I’m going to find you dancing against me wearing a pair of them later?”

Fucking hell . Did this woman make it her life’s mission to make Jan feel good about herself? It was certainly working. “I’m sure I can manage that.”

“Yeah? You promise?” While Jan loved Morgan’s enthusiasm, she hadn’t expected her eyes to light up the way they just had. “Babe? Seriously?”

“Yep.” Jan smirked and focused on the sea and sand ahead of her. “Now, you should get back to your music before I drag you inside the apartment and have my way with you.”

“You do realise that’s not a threat, right?”

Jan’s skin prickled when Morgan drew her fingertips up the inside of her wrist. “Morgan…”

“Talk to me, gorgeous.”

“I can’t. Every time you do something as simple as that, it leaves me breathless.” Jan wasn’t worried about being honest with Morgan. If anything, she encouraged Jan to be exactly that. “I’m not used to this kind of attention.”

“That only hurts my heart…and makes me want to give you even more attention.”

“That won’t be necessary. You give me plenty of everything already.” Jan smiled. “I’ll keep an eye out for the coffees arriving. You enjoy your music.”

“I enjoy watching you more than I enjoy any music. Just…so you know.” Morgan lowered her sunglasses over her eyes, her face still turned towards Jan.

She knew Morgan was doing exactly what she’d said—she was watching Jan.

So, Jan decided to give her something to look at by removing her bikini top and lying on her back once again.

Morgan moaned quietly as she said, “Fuck. Me.”

“Maybe later.”

* * *

Even though Morgan had sworn herself off any work while she was away, she had found herself stepping away from the table a few minutes ago to take a call from Ben back in England.

Jan had insisted that she didn’t mind being left alone, but it wasn’t something Morgan would make a habit of.

This was their holiday, and it was their chance to unwind.

Ben knew that, he had repeatedly apologised during the call, but Morgan had taken care of what she needed to take care of, and now she could dedicate every last second to Jan again.

She returned to the table and sat down. “I’m sorry about that. Ben doesn’t usually call me when I’m away.”

“It’s fine. No harm done.” Jan slid her hand into Morgan’s. Tonight, Jan had chosen the seat next to Morgan rather than the seat facing. They could enjoy the sunset together from this position. “Is everything okay back at home?”

“Yeah. The brewery hasn’t turned up with the kegs I ordered before we left England. Ben just wanted to know if he should chase it up on my behalf.”

“He’s a nice guy. I like him.”

Morgan liked him, too. So much so that she was planning to promote him. “You think he’d make a good manager if I asked him?”

“Oh, absolutely.” Jan nodded as she stroked her fingertips against the back of Morgan’s hand. Whenever she did it, butterflies wreaked havoc in Morgan’s stomach. “Is it something you’re thinking about?”

“If I want this to work, then it’s something I have to do.”

Jan frowned. “I’m sorry?”

“You and I. If it’s going to work, I have to change the way I live my life right now.”

Morgan knew that Jan wouldn’t hold it against her when it came to how much she worked, but the inability to make plans and take trips away just wasn’t something she wanted to bypass any longer. Morgan was serious about a relationship here, and that meant she wanted to be around for Jan more often.

“I appreciate what you’re saying, but I’m sure we can work around schedules and stuff. I’m only available as much as I am right now because I walked away from the business.”

Morgan smiled. “I know. But I’d still like to see you more often. Evenings and weekends whenever you’re available and you can make some time for me. You’re not going to be unemployed forever, I don’t imagine.”

“I…think I’m going to go back to my job.” As Morgan side-eyed Jan, Jan was chewing her lip. “Phil and I have worked hard to make it what it is. It seems a shame to let it all go and find something else that I likely won’t be happy with.”

“I think that if you can come to some kind of agreement with him, then there’s no reason why it can’t work as well as it has so far.

It’s important that you do something you love, and if that’s staying on at the business, then you do that, babe.

” Morgan leaned in and kissed Jan’s cheek.

“But I’m still going to ask Ben how he feels about the promotion. ”

“It would be nice to spend more time together,” Jan said, resting her head on Morgan’s shoulder.

They’d finished dinner some thirty minutes ago now, so sitting back and watching the world go by on the beachfront with a cocktail was the perfect end to this day.

“When I’m with you, I feel as though I’m where I’m meant to be. ”

Morgan’s pulse quickened at that. While she knew Jan enjoyed spending time with her, she hadn’t expected her to feel that particular way. “You really mean that?”

“I do mean it.”

If the shoe had been on the other foot and Morgan had said that to someone other than Jan, they likely would have run a mile in the opposite direction.

But Morgan wasn’t afraid of love or commitment.

She wasn’t afraid to be herself with this woman.

Right now, Morgan was just incredibly happy to have Jan sitting beside her. “That means a lot to me.”

“It’s important that I’m honest about how I feel. With myself more than anything.” Jan lifted her head and faced Morgan. “I don’t know what I’ll be dealing with when we go home, so I have to remind myself of these moments when the shit inevitably hits the fan.”

Morgan reached out a hand and stroked the back of it against Jan’s cheek. “I know things aren’t going to be easy for you if you’re planning to reveal our relationship, but you do have my support, okay?”

“I appreciate that.”

Morgan wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but she would say it anyway.

“And if we get back to England and you decide that having me in your life is going to cause too much confusion for people or make you lose friends and family, then I understand if you won’t want to see me anymore.

” Morgan hoped they could remain friends should that happen, but she couldn’t offer that right now.

Having Jan and then losing her… It wasn’t something Morgan was sure she was strong enough for when it came to a friendship down the line.

“I’d miss you, of course I would, but you know.

” Morgan lifted a shoulder. “I just want you to be happy with whatever works for you.”

“I think you and I will be just fine.”

Jan was far more optimistic than Morgan was, but she’d been here before, and she’d seen how people could turn on those they loved when they didn’t conform to what society saw as ‘right’.

She didn’t want to burst Jan’s bubble, and she wouldn’t, but Morgan could have her own worries about it all…

while keeping them to herself. “I know.”

“So, what are the plans for the rest of the night?”

Morgan inhaled a deep breath. “Honestly? I don’t care what we do or don’t do. I’m just happy and loving every moment of this holiday.”

“I spied a cute little ice cream shop on the way down here. The mint choc chip looked delicious, and I think it would be the perfect dessert.”

“You want mint choc chip ice cream, you get mint choc chip ice cream.” Morgan drew Jan in and planted a kiss on her lips. As she pulled back, holding Jan’s chin, Morgan grinned. “I still can’t believe you’re here with me.”

“I can’t believe it either.” Jan dipped her head. “But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Morgan sighed contentedly as she relaxed back in her seat.

Five more minutes, and she would call for the bill.

Right now, she just wanted to memorise this moment so she could add it to all the others.

Then, if things did turn sour back at home, she would have something beautiful to look back on when she sat alone in her flat.