Free More than Temptation by Taige Crenshaw

they know what they are doing?”
    “They go through training and are vetted by the airlines they work for. Yeah, there are issues with the airlines, but still, I’d feel safer there.” Morgan continued to run. “And there is a whole metal plane between me and the world. So when I’m in the air I don’t have to see the open space except through a small window that shows me outside. The balloon doesn’t even have any walls.” Morgan pressed the controls and started his cool-off. “It is all space and has a basket you are in. A basket.”
    Bella bit her lip so as not to laugh at how he sounded so scandalized. She watched as he cooled down and he kept looking at her. Finally, he stepped off the treadmill and she grabbed his towel and took it to him.
    “Thanks.” He accepted it and wiped off his face, still eyeing her suspiciously. “It’s not like you to give up so easy.”
    “Nope. Just giving you time to debate in your head about all the reasons why we can’t go.” Bella glanced at her watch then smiled.
    “Smart ass.” Morgan tweaked her nose.
    She wrinkled it and smirked. “You know resisting is futile.”
    “Nope.” He pivoted and headed out of the room.
    “What do I need to do to convince you?” Bella followed him.
    “Loads and loads of sex.” He laughed. “Then again, even sex wouldn’t get me to go up in the death-trap that is a hot air balloon.”
    “See, now why’d you have to go and challenge me like that?” Bella said cheerfully.
    Morgan turned to face her then rubbed his hands over his eyes. “Christ, I know that look.”
    “What look?” She widened her eyes playfully.
    “The one that says you are determined to have your way and Poor Sap”—Morgan pointed to himself—“will be pulled along. And now the ‘trying to be innocent’ eyes. The ones that are fake as hell.” Morgan crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not giving in this time.”
    “Come on,” Bella cajoled. “You’ll like it. Expand your horizons and try new things.”
    “That’s new. A nice, calm tone to convince me.” Morgan glared at her. “Nice touch, but I’m not falling for it.”
    “Falling for what?”
    Morgan rolled his eyes. “I don’t ever stand a chance saying no to you. Why is that?”
    “Because I’m Bella.” She laughed and pushed at his arms.
    He unfolded them and she stepped into his embrace. She put her hand around the back of his neck.
    “My Bella.” He kissed her.
     
    * * * *
     
    Bella held back her chuckle as Morgan stood with the hot air balloon operator. When they had arrived for their ride, Morgan had been full of questions, so she’d left him to it. She glanced at her watch and noted that it had been almost twenty minutes.
    “Fancy seeing you here,” Driscoll said behind her.
    Bella turned and smiled when she saw him then noticed Driscoll’s brother Spencer and his wife Regina were with him. Driscoll hugged her before Spencer did the same, then she and Regina exchanged hugs too.
    “You know I like to be here for the first weekend of the balloon rides.” Bella pushed at Driscoll’s shoulder.
    “Me too. After an absence that was missed, I have these two for company.” Driscoll glanced at the two people with him.
    Recently, Spencer and Regina had reconciled after being separated. There had also been distance between Regina and Driscoll, which they had since come to terms with.
    Driscoll looked back at her. “Stuart is being a slowpoke.”
    “I heard that.” Stuart strolled up then hugged her.
    “Are you two going to behave this time on the ride?” Bella chuckled.
    “Of course,” Driscoll and Stuart replied in unison and gave her identical, innocent looks.
    Bella didn’t believe it for a minute. “Oh, boy. I’m glad I’m not going up with you.”
    Driscoll looked behind her. “What’s Morgan doing over there?”
    “He looks like he is interrogating the man.” Stuart also was watching over her shoulder.
    “He’s never been on a ride. He’s a little