Secret Mistress
Page 15
His wide shoulders took up half the space of the scene when he folded his hands on the counter next to her and said, “My brother uses gold in his shows.”
One day she’d like to go to an Indigo Five concerts. She shrugged. “Blue looks better with the special effects.”
“That’s show biz.” He pressed his hand on her lower back to urge her away from the props.
She took her work gloves off as she left the scene and placed them in the staff cabinet. “Where are we going?”
“Home.” He took her hand.
A small thrill still raced through her whenever he said that word while looking at her.
She was with Matt. He was perfect, even with the longer hair he’d been growing, and best of all, he was hers.
She squeezed his palm and winked. “Oh. I thought you were planning Hawaii or something from the way you rushed me.”
He waited with the door open for her to leave the set. “We have company tonight.”
“Oh? Who’s coming?” She waited for him behind the studio.
He held her tight while they headed to the parking lot. “Some of my family.”
“Who?” Her skin grew in awareness of him.
The contract had been altered so she could be near a Morgan now, but Peter and Belle had argued with each other about the contract so she’d avoided them.
They passed the security guard and walked to the motorcycle as he said, “Peter, Belle, Luke, Caro, Elizabeth and Rafe.”
Wow. She’d given Belle and Peter their son and left them alone, as ordered. She’d worked with Caro for years, and Elizabeth a year. And she’d grown up knowing Rafe, first as Caro’s brother, then as Jennifer’s high school boyfriend, and later as her boss and Elizabeth’s husband. The best part of that job was their son Brandon, who had the same name as Matt’s current producer. They neared the motorcycle. “And their children? I bought a truck for Brandon, Elizabeth’s son”
“Yes.” Matt handed her the helmet.
She strapped it around her head. “Then we need to stop at the mall. I want to get Brandon a toy motorcycle for his car collection.”
“He does like cars.” Matt helped her get on the back.
Matt drove them to an upscale arts and crafts toy store on North Beverly Drive. She took off her helmet as he handed the keys to the valet.
“You have no idea how hard it was to clean sometimes with that boy playing with his cars.”
Matt took her hand. “Before we go inside, I wanted to say that you are allowed to invite your mother over too, if you want?”
Was he worried about his family and hers not mixing? Her face heated. She’d studied the Morgan family for years and was completely comfortable with Caro and Rafe as they’d practically been neighbors growing up. “Sure. I mean maybe if we’re planning a wedding or something in the future, but there is no need to subject you to that.”
He kissed her forehead. “Meeting your mother won’t be a hardship.”
She didn’t want to see her mother, but how to say that in a way he’d understand? Ashley reached for the door to go inside. Matt stayed right behind her so she tried to explain., “My mother… I don’t talk to her much. If it’s life-changing where people might expect to see her with us, then I’ll call.”
“I know she works for Jennifer.”
“I honestly don’t know what either her or my aunt do these days.”
She searched the aisles and couldn’t see a motorcycle, but a red fire truck was right up Brandon’s alley. She grabbed it and they headed to the register as Matt asked, “Did something happen when you were a girl?”
She handed over her credit card and shrugged as she signed. Too much had happened. “Other than I was expected to take care of myself while she fawned over her niece?”
They waved goodbye to the cashier and Matt held the door for her. “That’s not specific.”
As they waited for the valet, she said, “She helped pay for Jennifer’s auditions to the extent that she couldn’t drive me to school, so I had to take the bus.”
The valet handed him his keys and Matt directed her toward the back of the motorcycle. “I always wanted to take a school bus. It seemed so… normal.”
Ha. At least then she’d have been on time. She fixed her helmet, put the small bag under the seat and said, “I wasn’t on the school bus. It was the regular bus for me.”
He motioned for her to get on. “Well, you never have to take the bus again.”
“True. The movie’s almost done filming and then I start working on my own instead of an apprentice which will be fun. And buses aren’t really anything to miss.” She hugged him as he took off.
They were quiet on the ride home and she enjoyed the warm night air as it brushed against her skin.
Matt parked his motorcycle in the full driveway, she saw that people were already inside as the lights were on.
Time for his family. She straightened her t-shirt and hoped the pins and needle sensation dissipated. As they headed up the steps, arm-in-arm, she decided to fight her nerves and be more confident in nicer clothes. She’d run up the stairs and change quickly into a dress.
Matt opened the door, but before she could bee-line for the staircase, Matt tugged her hand to stay with him.
She stopped short to explain what she wanted, but then Matt bent down to one knee.
He presented a diamond ring like a prince in one of those cartoons she’d loved as a girl and for a moment she was lost in a dream. She clasped her hands before her while he said, “I wanted to ask in front of my family but decided against it because you’re the only one that’s ever seen the real me.”
“And you saw me and make me feel confident that others see me now.”
“We have thirty days between shooting—I hope you’ll marry me.”
Adrenaline shot through her as she pressed her hand to her heart and said, “Wait. What?”
He took a deep breath, still on one knee, and said, “The usual answer is yes, though a no is possible, though the opposite of what I want.”
“Yes!” She tugged on his arm to get him to stand. “I… Yes. I’ll marry you. Is that why you invited people tonight?”
His face went red but he hugged her tight and his arms around her felt right. She was home with him. “Yeah. I want to introduce you as more than my girlfriend.”
A few weeks ago, he’d said they were rushing. She kissed his cheek. “We don’t have to rush into anything.”
He laughed and claimed her lips, sending steam coursing through her.
“Why wait?” he said. “Happily-ever-after can start now.”
He slipped the platinum ring with a princess cut diamond on her finger. “Sounds perfect.”
Her heart still thumped as she picked up the toy they’d bought and left the foyer.
Before she could hurry upstairs, they ran right into Matt’s sister, Elizabeth, her former employer, and her family. Matt hugged his sister and Ashley, at his side, said, “Elizabeth. Rafe. Brandon. It’s lovely to see you again.”
Elizabeth picked up her hand with the bag and said, “What’s this?”
“A firetruck for Brandon,” Ashley said, waiting for parental approval before she gave it to their son.
Rafe nodded at her and she handed the bag to the three-year-old Brandon whose eyes beamed bright while he stared at the red truck.
Elizabeth lifted Ashley’s hand and said, “I meant this ring.”
Matt wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Ashley’s pulse quickened but she asked, “You like it?”
Elizabeth pushed Matt back and hugged her as she said, “Are you joking? You’re going to be my new sister.” Then she called out into the next room, “Everyone. Matt and Ashley are engaged.”
Matt puffed out his chest proudly. “Thanks, Elizabeth.”
She chewed on her lip but stopped that old habit. “I want to get dressed. Be right down to meet everyone.”
Without waiting for another interruption, she dashed up the stairs
.
In the bedroom she put on a teal dress that fit her perfectly and sandals.
She looked more festive, with her hair up to show her diamond earrings glittering from her ears. She hurried back down, where her old friend waited for her by the stairs. “Caro, it’s good to see you again.”
Caro handed her a glass of wine. “Remember all those times we went to the bar after scrubbing the toilets? Did you ever think…”
Ashley accepted the wine and clinked her old coworker’s glass. “Not in a million years.”
Caro sipped, as did Ashley. They walked into the living room that was now full of Morgans, who all accepted her. Caro said, “Me either. Finding Luke again changed my life.”
The doctor waved for Caro to join him as Ashley said, “It’s clear he loves you.”
Caro held one finger in the air, signaling to her husband she needed a second and said to Ashley, “And you’re happy, working on the sets?”
“Absolutely.”
She met Matt’s gaze as he spoke to his older brother Peter, and Belle, who held a baby in her arms.
Ashley felt nothing but happiness for them as she told Caro, “I’m learning a lot from the set director, like how props ensure a certain mood for maximum effect. I hadn’t guessed something as simple as a tea versus coffee pot could show tranquility versus efficiency. It’s the small things that make the job fun.”
“And you get to see Matt.” Caro gently tapped her side.
Matt was gorgeous, the nicest-looking man she’d ever met. The rush of adrenaline still raced through her as she glanced at him. “Yes, we can come and go together, but I never want to be a star. That’s all him.”
Caro sipped her wine. “And you’re okay with that?”
Acting? It was part of his life, part of how he saw himself and she’d never interfere with that. However, she understood the implied question. “If he was kissing my cousin on set for the cameras, that doesn’t bother me as I know it’s fake, his life is his as long as he comes home to me.”
Caro squeezed her arm and then went to join her husband who spoke to Elizabeth and Rafe.
Ashley headed toward Matt, who took her in his open arms. She made googly eyes at the baby, happy he had his family, and then as she glanced at Matt, happiness filled her own heart.
She was here and home with him. Nothing else could be better.
Chapter 20
A few weeks later…
* * *
MATT WALKED out to the veranda where Ashley sat with her old-fashioned book as the Hawaiian sun warmed the patio—she was hot despite the shade of the trees.
He was shirtless, showing off those muscles she adored, and wore blue lounge pants.
Breakfast was still warm under silver cloches on the table before her, but she’d been waiting.
For him.
Matt was the sexiest man alive and an online article she’d read earlier agreed with her so she must be right.
And luckily she had him all to herself, forever. He kissed her cheek. She patted his backside and said, “I like you better with your hair cut now that filming is over.”
He took the seat opposite her and served himself a cup of coffee from the carafe. He settled into the comfortable white padded lounger. “I look more like myself.” Her eyelids fluttered closed as she hoped he’d kiss her but then he pulled back. “Your phone is ringing.”
Her eyes narrowed as she glanced at the caller ID. Her heart grew colder as she said, “Mom.”
Matt poured her a coffee and tugged his seat closer to her. She took his hand and answered, “Hello?”
Her mother said, “I read about your engagement, Ashley.”
Most of the time a woman’s heart warmed on hearing their mother’s voice, but her mother sounded like a stranger. She ignored the goosebumps she had and asked, “How? I haven’t called anyone.”
“It’s my job to know things.” The smugness in her tone meant she was still the same person who only checked in with Ashley when something she did might affect her life.
Ashley’s muscles tensed. “Is my house bugged?”
“No. But I know that Matt asked you on Rodeo Drive last month and you’ve been wearing an engagement ring since.”
No. He’d asked at the house so her mother was digging or creating her own version of the news from their public dinner on Rodeo Drive, not that it mattered. And her mother spun blogs and magazines in favor of her cousin so she paid attention to Hollywood everything. Ashley met Matt’s blue eyes that made her feel warm and alive as she said, “You really do have spies for Jennifer.”
Her mother giggled. “And you too now. You and Matt have a price for the paparazzi.”
No. No. No. Just no. This was bad. The coldness in her heart was now in every cell of her body as she said, “Well, your life is yours and mine is mine. Just try not to pick my cousin over me in public.”
“I… I never meant to hurt you Ashley,” her mother said in a softer tone.
As a teenager who needed a ride to school but whose mother was too busy getting her nails done, she’d forgiven over and over, but Ashley the adult said, “We all make our own choices. I’ll call you when I set a wedding date.”
Her mother said, “I’d like to meet your man.”
And she’d like her past and her future to stay far apart. However that was probably too much to ask. She nodded at Matt and said, “We’ll be back in Miami next week.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
And maybe Ashley would bring Matt with her to meet her mother. Right now all that mattered was that they were together.
Even if her mother acted up, Ashley had Matt and love and a home.
How no one had taken her to the doctor’s as a girl no longer mattered.
Now she had love.
Matt asked, “Did you make a date with your mom?”
She sucked in her lip but then stopped before she chewed—she’d overcome that habit for good. “I left it open so we don’t have to go.”
Matt handed her the cup he’d poured for her and said, “Ashley…”
She got off her chair and sat on his lap. She ran her hand through his short hair. “Let’s just enjoy the beach.”
He held her waist and said, “I won’t push you.”
She scooted closer so they were chest to chest. “Well, I’m hoping you do. I like being handled.”
He grew hard underneath her and motioned for them to get up. “So we’re going back to our room?”
She laughed and stood. He followed as she said, “I had no idea you were such a prude.”
He took her hand and their fingers laced together. “We don’t need to be talked about.”
Part of her had always loved how very private Matt actually was despite living in the public eye. He closed the door behind them and turned off the lights as they headed toward the bedroom. Warmth replaced the lingering chill from mother. Now she was here, with Matt, and she said, “When you start that franchise, I’ll be searching the windows for stalkers.”
He pulled the blinds of their bungalow suite so not even a ship out at sea holding a telescope could peer inside. She kicked her shoes off as he said, “I’m filming the banker movie first.”
“Really?” She stopped.
He tossed the blue pants on the ground along with his underwear as he motioned toward the bed. “It’s only a forty-five day filming window and no real action scenes. I can fit it in.”
“Sounds great.” She stripped and joined him.
He pulled her closer and her lips puckered for his kiss. “And you’re working the sets again.”
Her eyes opened that must have closed waiting for him and she asked, “What?”
She ran her hands up and down his muscular body. With Matt, she had everything. Desire coursed through her as he said, “If you don’t want to, it’s fine. I’ll tell Andy to cancel that part of the deal.”
She scooted up to kiss him and said, “No. I’d like to actually.”
He let o
ut a sigh and accepted her kiss.
Everything was perfect.
No one mattered.
Matt finished the kiss and said, “I love you.”
“And I love you.” She said back fast. She’d never expected this when she flew into LA, but now she had everything she ever wanted. The words dripped with the truth.
With Matt, she had everything.
Also by Victoria Arabpour Pinder
Returning for Valentine’s (FREE if you go to my website)
The House of Morgan
Secret Crush
Secret Baby
Secret Bet
Secret Wish
Secret Dad
Secret Heir
Secret Tryst
Secret Date
Secret Romeo
Secret Caress
Secret Match
Secret Bridesmaid
Secret Admirer
Secret Mistress
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 1-3
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 4-6
Princes of Avce
Forbidden Crown
Forbidden Prince
Forbidden Royal
Forbidden Duke
Forbidden Earl
Forbidden Monsieur
Forbidden Marquis
Forbidden Count
Forbidden King
Forbidden Bastard
Forbidden Noble
Princes of Avce 1-3
Princes of Avce 4-6
The Hawke Fortune
Tempting Gabe
Tempting James
Tempting Conner
Tempting Harry
Tempting Navid
Brothers in Revenge Prequel
Irresistibly Lost
Irresistibly Found
Brothers in Revenge
Irresistibly Charming
Irresistibly Tough
Irresistibly Played
Irresistibly Rugged
Irresistibly Strong
Irresistibly Dashing