Page 41 of Heal You (The Study You #3)

Still utterly confused by Jan’s request earlier today, Morgan stopped outside a house in an area she wasn’t familiar with and gathered her thoughts.

Jan had sent her the address not long after she’d left the bar this afternoon, but she hadn’t revealed any other information in the meantime.

Morgan hoped Jan was back here to stay, but if she was…

what were the terms? Would Phil still be around? Fuck, Morgan hoped not.

She slowly pushed the garden gate open and relaxed her shoulders.

Jan would never invite her over if Phil could potentially walk through the door.

Even if he meant nothing to Jan anymore, she still wouldn’t do it.

Nobody other than Gillian and Finn knew about Jan and Morgan, and look how that had ended.

To think that anyone else would be outwardly supportive of them would be ridiculous.

Morgan cleared her throat and knocked on the door.

She’d picked up a bottle of Jan’s favourite wine on the way over here, and now she was praying that they would crack it open to celebrate rather than to commiserate.

Finn’s opinion continued to plague Morgan’s mind, but she was trying not to let it get to her.

Jan didn’t need someone who sat around while they were in their own head.

No, she needed someone confident and sure around her.

Someone who could guide Jan through this new stage of her life.

If she genuinely saw something with Morgan.

When the door opened, Jan’s gorgeous smile shone back at Morgan. “Glad you found the place. Come in.”

Morgan stepped over the threshold, inhaling deeply as the subtle scent of Jan’s home enveloped her.

She immediately noted a warm mix of old wood and lavender.

The house was unmistakably Edwardian, with its high ceilings and intricate crown moulding.

The stained glass panels that framed the doorway were something to be admired, almost matching the worn runner that stretched down the hallway, the floral pattern faded but still elegant.

Just like Jan. Morgan thought with a smile.

Framed photographs lined the walls, giving Morgan a glimpse of Jan at various stages of her life.

Laughing at parties, holding a glass of wine, standing beside what Morgan assumed were family members.

Then she spotted photos with Gillian and Finn on their wedding day in Vegas.

Phil was still present in the image, but Morgan suspected Jan would de-Phil the place when she was ready to.

Morgan smiled as she cast her gaze to the heavy wooden staircase, the banister carved as it wound up to the next level.

All in all, this place matched exactly who Morgan imagined Jan to be outside of the bar and her own flat.

Strikingly elegant, a little chaotic, and unapologetically herself.

“I found it just fine,” Morgan said as she turned in the hallway.

“But I still don’t know what I’m doing here. ”

“I told you earlier. Dinner.” Jan closed the door and pulled the bolt across the back of it. “But I know. You’re waiting for an explanation.” Jan stepped closer to Morgan and laid a hand on her chest as she leaned in and kissed her. “It’s so good to see you here.”

Morgan smiled against Jan’s lips, holding her by the waist. “It’s good to be here. You seem…different.”

“When your home is handed back to you, it’s hard to be anything other than thrilled.” Jan winked, took Morgan by the hand, and guided her through into the living room. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Oh, um…do you have a beer?” Morgan lifted the bottle of red wine in her hand and offered it to Jan. She would ask about the whole ‘home being handed back’ once they were sitting down and Morgan had taken it all in. “I picked this up for you on the way. I know it’s the one you prefer.”

“Thank you.” That earned Morgan another kiss. One she didn’t want to stop. As Jan deepened it, it seemed she was reluctant to end it, too. “You taste good. Real good.”

As Jan stepped away, Morgan took her hand and held her back. “Hey, what’s going on, babe?”

“Make yourself at home, and I’ll be right back with drinks. Then I’ll explain everything.” Jan dropped a kiss on the tip of Morgan’s nose and walked away.

Gorgeous place . Morgan eyed the sleek glass coffee table, its steel legs gleaming where the light from the chandelier above it caught.

The Edwardian charm coupled with the modern design enveloped Morgan like a warm hug.

The dark wood panelling, polished to perfection, stretched halfway up the walls until it met muted soft grey paint.

She turned her attention to the impressive marble fireplace, imagining just how warm and cosy this place must feel in the winter.

And then she eyed the plush grey couch adorned with geometric scatter cushions and matching throws.

The blend of historic and contemporary worked very well.

Glancing towards the floor-to-ceiling windows, dressed in sheer white curtains with velvet drapes beneath, Morgan appreciated the natural light they let in.

She exhaled, wondering what the hell a woman like Jan could ever see in her if this was the kind of life she had.

Morgan couldn’t say she’d ever come across someone who could pull off a Persian rug so well in such a modern living room.

“Okay, I know you’re confused, but you could have at least taken your shoes off and sat down.” Jan handed Morgan a beer and grinned. “I’m home now. This is my place. A place you’ve earned more than the right to make yourself comfortable in.”

Morgan’s heart swelled as Jan gazed back at her. “He’s agreed to walk and leave it to you?”

“Basically, yes.” Jan sat down on what looked like a luxurious couch that would hold you hostage the moment your arse cheeks met it. “He’s already found a place to move his little family into.”

Morgan sensed a sarcasm in Jan’s tone, but she couldn’t blame her. It was one thing to find out your husband had been playing away, but to know he had a child on the way, too? No. Morgan couldn’t fathom how that must feel.

“You know,” Jan said as she reached out a hand and pulled Morgan down beside her. “I’ve been wondering what he would have done if I hadn’t found out about the affair. Would either of them ever come clean? Would Anais have pretended it was Gareth’s?”

“Yeah, that’s a fucked up situation to potentially be in.” Morgan blew out a breath. “Doesn’t bear thinking about really.”

“Thankfully, I’m not in that situation, and it’s not something I have to think about.

” Jan curled her legs to the side of her and rested against Morgan when Morgan lifted an arm and hung it loosely around Jan’s shoulders.

“Because I have you.” Jan tilted her head and kissed Morgan, sighing contentedly when she drew back.

“And I really love having you over here.”

“Thank you for inviting me over. This place must have a lot of mixed feelings attached to it for you.” Morgan rested her beer bottle between her thighs and brought her hand to Jan’s cheek. “God, you’re so gorgeous that it hurts my heart.”

“Do you have to be at the bar in the morning?” Jan asked as she rested her head on Morgan’s shoulder. “Early…or at all?”

“I’m working the evening shift. Ben is opening up tomorrow.”

Jan slid a hand beneath Morgan’s hoodie and grazed her nails against her stomach. “May I introduce you to my bed tonight since I’ve spent so long acquainting myself with yours?”

A thrill rushed up Morgan’s spine at the mere thought of it.

She’d hated that Jan was ever at the hotel, even though she spent most of her time at Morgan’s flat or the bar.

Knowing that wouldn’t be something she had to worry about anymore only relaxed Morgan beyond belief.

“I’d love to acquaint myself with your bed. ”

Considering they’d had Gillian and Finn to contend with over the last couple of days, Morgan felt remarkably good about this with Jan.

And Jan… Well, she seemed to be on cloud nine.

Could this last, or would Morgan come to find the same old thing she usually did?

A broken heart and a tear-stained face. That’s not important right now .

Morgan pushed those worries from her mind and kicked off her shoes.

She would move them out of the way the next time Jan unwrapped herself from around Morgan.

“I don’t want you to run, but since I came back here this afternoon, this is all I’ve wanted. Being held on my couch by you . It’s something I’ve thought about on several occasions now, but this evening is just…going to be perfect.”

Morgan sunk further down into the couch and sighed. “I’m so grateful to be here with you.”

* * *

Why did you ever leave this place?!

Jan hummed along to the radio playing on the windowsill in the kitchen, preparing coffee before she woke Morgan and began her day.

She didn’t have anywhere to be, Morgan didn’t either, but she did want to discuss the idea of Jan visiting Finn and setting the record straight.

Morgan wouldn’t go for it—she and Finn went back many years now—but Jan just didn’t have it in her to leave it alone.

How could she? If she didn’t address this, then Gillian and Finn may just sit back and wait for Jan and Morgan to break things off.

Jan didn’t see that happening, so now her main worry was that she would lose touch with Gillian.

That wasn’t something she was willing to risk.

She lifted her phone from beside the radio and considered whether she should send Gillian a text.

Jan didn’t really want to warn them that she would be visiting.

Not if either of them still had issues they needed to deal with regarding Jan and Morgan.

So, she lowered it again and focused on the coffee cup under the spout filling with delicious, smooth caffeine.

As she lifted her cup and turned, resting against the counter, Jan looked up to find Morgan standing between the kitchen and the living room. She wore a T-shirt and boxer shorts, those long legs on display for Jan’s eyes only. She cleared the instant arousal from her throat. “Good morning.”

“It is a good morning. It always is when I have the pleasure of seeing your face before anyone else’s.” Morgan’s tone of voice, coupled with the look in her eyes, told Jan that things were about to get real heated, real fast. “Is it always so quiet around here?”

“Mm. It’s one of the reasons I was dreading finding somewhere else to live.

” Jan knew that now was the perfect opportunity to mention paying a visit to Gillian and Finn.

Then they could continue giving one another their undivided attention until Morgan had to leave later. “What time do you have to head off?”

Morgan lifted a shoulder. “Probably around three. My shift begins at five.”

“Okay. I’m…going to visit Gillian and Finn once you leave. I’d like to clear the air with Finn and explain to her that the things she said to you are not acceptable.”

“Babe, you don’t need to do that. It’s honestly not worth it.” Morgan crossed the kitchen. “Don’t fall out with them over me.”

“It is worth it. You are worth it.” Jan didn’t care what people thought of her. That was something she would have to get used to once everyone knew she was not only divorcing Phil but now dating a woman. “It’s something I have to do, okay?”

“Okay.”

Jan smiled behind her cup. Her hands always itched to reach out and touch Morgan, and this morning appeared to be no different. “Coffee?”

Morgan rounded the kitchen island and took Jan’s cup from her. Her lips explored Jan’s neck before she had time to realise what was happening, and then the belt on her silk robe was slowly being tugged on. “I’ve got all the energy I need right here, only for you.”

“Mm.” Jan tilted her head back and enjoyed Morgan’s delicious lips on her skin. Fewer things in life could ever compare. Phil, included. When Morgan teasingly opened Jan’s robe, goosebumps prickled her skin. “Oh, God. What the hell are you doing to me?”

Morgan tweaked a nipple and smirked against Jan’s ear. “Everything you could ever dream of.” She grazed the back of her hand between Jan’s thighs, gasping quietly when she found her wetness. “And when you wake up wet and ready for me, it only makes me want to give you the fucking world.”

Jan clenched her jaw when Morgan dragged two fingers between her lips. Any further conversation regarding Gillian and Finn could take a backseat. Forever, if needs be. Right now, Morgan was all she felt and all she wanted for the rest of this day. “Morgan, please…”

Morgan halted her movements and drew back, staring directly into Jan’s eyes. She touched her forehead to Jan’s, that gaze unwavering as she eased inside her with two fingers. “You’re so fucking perfect, babe.” Morgan took Jan’s bottom lip between her teeth, then released it slowly. “Feel good?”

“S-so good.” Jan pressed her back harder to the counter, aching to sink down on Morgan’s fingers.

She was close. Her walls had tightened around Morgan’s fingers the moment they were inside her, but she wanted to feel everything Morgan was for a moment longer.

Jan’s knees shook when Morgan slowly massaged her walls.

Fuck, she was sure she’d died and gone to heaven the moment she first kissed this woman. “Y-yes.”

Morgan traced the tip of her tongue along Jan’s bottom lip, smiling when Jan’s knees started to tremble. “You gonna come for me, gorgeous?”

“Oh, shit.” Jan gritted her teeth when Morgan pressed the heel of her hand against her clit. The pressure built deep within her, rising faster with every move Morgan made. “C-close.”

Morgan drew back and locked her eyes on Jan. “I want to watch you come.”

Jan gripped the counter as she came hard and fast, barely managing to keep her eyes open.

When Morgan smiled back at her, Jan felt nothing more than love holding firm in her chest. Which was potentially an issue given the sheer state of her life.

But then Morgan guided her away from the kitchen counter and through to the hallway, that sexy smile not fading.

No matter what, Morgan was here, and she was present. It was all Jan needed right now.

“Were you busy before I came down here?”

Jan blinked, unable to form a thought, never mind a sentence. “N-no.”

“Back up the stairs then. I need to clean you up.”