A Clandestine Corporate Affair

by Michelle Celmer

  She still looked wary, so he pulled out the big guns. “I think we owe it to Max to at least give it a try, Ana. Don’t you?”

  Whatever fight she’d had left in her, whatever doubts she still harbored, dissolved in front of his eyes. “I guess if we’re doing it for Max…,” she said, sliding her arms up around his neck. “As long as you promise not to hurt me again.”

  “I promise,” he said. As he kissed her, lifted her off her feet and carried her to her bedroom, it was a promise he intended on keeping.

  Ten

  Ana woke the next morning to the shrill of her cell phone ringing on the bedside table. That was her father’s ring tone. She pried her eyes open to check the time on the digital clock—9:05 a.m.

  Oh hell. She was supposed to be at his house five minutes ago for breakfast. She had completely forgotten to set her alarm.

  She grabbed her phone and flipped it open. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Where are you?” he snapped. “Did you forget that we had plans this morning?”

  “I’m sorry. I forgot to set my alarm and I overslept.”

  “In other words, you were out clubbing last night, and you couldn’t be bothered to drag yourself out of bed at a decent hour so I could see my grandson.”

  He made it sound as if she’d slept half the day away. It was 9:00 freaking a.m. To this day he refused to even entertain the possibility that she wasn’t the irresponsible party girl she’d been before she had Max. And how did he know that she’d gone out last night? She’d tried to keep a low profile, and she hadn’t seen anyone who looked like the media following her. Or was he just assuming that because it was the weekend, she would be out?

  Defending herself was a waste of time. He wouldn’t believe her anyway. “If I get up now and get ready, we can be there in an hour.”

  “Don’t bother. It’s clear where your priorities lie. And here I was beginning to believe that you’d finally grown up. Thank God your mother isn’t here to see this.”

  She didn’t bother to point out that if her mother were still alive, her life would have been completely different. Both their lives.

  Instead, she was going to apologize again, and do a little groveling—for Max’s sake—but he hung up on her before she got the chance.

  Talk about needing to grow up. She mumbled a derogatory term she wished she had the guts to say to his face, then dropped the phone back on the bedside table.

  “I take it your dad is pissed off.”

  Ana nearly jumped out of her skin at the rumble of Nathan’s voice beside her. She had just assumed she was alone.

  She rolled to face him. He lay on his back, eyes still closed, bare-chested and beautiful. Excitement, and joy, and hope bubbled up from somewhere deep inside of her. In all the time they had been seeing each other, he had never once spent the night. Even if they stayed up making love until 4:00 a.m., he always went home. So this could only mean one thing. He actually meant what he’d said last night. He wanted to make this work.

  Until that very instant she hadn’t been one hundred percent sure. It wouldn’t be the first time a man lied to her to get what he wanted. Even though, as far as she knew, Nathan had never lied to her about anything. And though he hadn’t told her he loved her, or said anything even remotely resembling a marriage proposal, maybe it was just a matter of time now.

  “He was pissed enough to hang up on me,” she told him. “And he accuses me of needing to grow up. If I did something like that to him, he would freeze me out for months. Maybe even years.”

  “So let him.”

  “The only reason I try to keep things civilized is for Max. And maybe I feel a little sorry for my dad. It’s pathetic, really, the way he shuts people out. He’s been that way ever since my mom died.”

  Nathan opened his eyes and looked over at her. “That’s no excuse.”

  No, but he was still her father. Although now, with Nathan planning to claim Max as his son, they didn’t need her father to be the man in Max’s life. Maybe it would be best if she cut all ties, at least for a while. Maybe it would be the wake-up call he needed to see that it was no longer acceptable to treat her this way. “You’re right. It isn’t. Maybe it’s time he learns that.”

  But not yet. Not until after the holidays. It just seemed cruel to deny him his grandson’s first Christmas.

  Nathan lifted his arm to make room for her, and she curled up against his side, laid her head on his warm chest, feeling the thump-thump of his heart against her cheek. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “Since you’re not going to your father’s, why don’t you and Max and I go out for breakfast.”

  “Do you really think that’s a good idea? What if someone sees us together?”

  “There’s a diner I go to by the university. Odds are pretty slim we’ll run into someone we know there.”

  “Okay. That sounds like fun.”

  “When does Max usually wake up?”

  “He should be up anytime now.”

  Under the covers she felt the warmth of his hand settle on her hip, then slip down to stroke her right cheek. “Do you think we might have time for a quick shower?”

  She slid her hand under the covers and down his stomach. He groaned as she wrapped it around his erection and squeezed. “I think it can’t hurt to try.”

  Though he should have put a few hours in at the office yesterday, Nathan ended up spending the entire day and the whole evening with Ana and Max. First they went to breakfast—where no one seemed to recognize them or care who they might be—then they did some last-minute shopping for Max. Because the temperature was mild, they took Max to the park for a while, pushing him on the baby swings and walking him in the stroller down the nature trails. They picked up Thai food on the way back to her place and had dinner, and though he could tell Ana wanted him to spend the night again, he had to be into work early the next morning.

  He left after Max went to bed, and when he walked into his apartment, it felt even less like home than usual. If things with Ana and Max worked out the way he was hoping—and he was hoping they would—they would have to think about getting a place together. Preferably a house with a huge yard for Max to play in, in a family-friendly neighborhood with parks. In the current market, he was sure they could get a great deal. But he didn’t want to get ahead of himself. He couldn’t make a move until he had the CEO position in place.

  He spent the rest of his evening online, on the F.A.O. Schwartz website, buying more gifts than Max would probably ever have time to play with, and paying exorbitant shipping prices to guarantee his purchases would be delivered by Christmas Eve. He had already committed himself to dinner with his mother and Jordan Christmas night, but he planned to be at Ana’s Christmas Eve after the office party, and Christmas morning when Max opened his presents. It was hard to believe that it was only six days away. And he had a slight problem. He had no idea what to get Ana. She wasn’t really into fine jewelry, and besides, that just seemed so…impersonal. What did a man get a woman who had the means to buy herself anything she could ever need or desire?

  He wanted to get her something he knew she would really appreciate, something she would never think to get herself. He was in his office Monday morning combing the internet for ideas, waiting for inspiration to strike, when his mother called.

  “I’ve been invited to take a holiday cruise with a friend, so I won’t be available to spend Christmas with you and your brother,” she told him, without having the decency to sound even the least bit regretful. He was sure wherever she was going would be warm and exotic, and her “friend” was probably significantly older and very rich.

  “Well, have a good time,” he said, wondering if she heard the relief in his voice.

  She didn’t suggest they try to reschedule, or even bother to apologize. She just wished him a happy holiday then hung up. His mom, the ice queen. But if nothing else, her call gave him one hell of a gift idea.

  He did a quick internet search, finding exa
ctly what he wanted on the first hit. It was perfect!

  He considered contacting a travel agent for the finer details, but with Ana’s name on one of the tickets, he decided it was best he did this himself over the internet. He made the arrangements, printed off his confirmation email and cleared the history on his browser five minutes before he was due to meet several members of his team downstairs in the lobby coffee shop.

  The meeting lasted through lunch, and just as they were gathering their things to head back upstairs his secretary called. “Your brother is here wondering when you’ll be back to your office,” she said. “Should he wait or come back later?”

  “I’m on my way up now,” he said, punching the button for the elevator.

  “I’ll tell him to wait.”

  He rode up to the top floor, feeling pretty damned proud of himself for choosing what he considered the ideal gift for Ana. Something she would never expect in a million years. He was out of the elevator and halfway down the hall to his office when he realized that he’d left the confirmation email on his desk. It didn’t have passenger names on it, just the itinerary, but that alone would be suspicious. Maybe he would get lucky and Jordan wouldn’t look at anything on his desk, though he knew the possibility was slim.

  He nodded at his secretary as he passed and stepped into his office to find Jordan standing by the window, looking out. He turned when he heard Nathan walk in.

  “What’s up?” Nathan asked, walking to his desk. The email was right where he’d left it, on the blotter next to his laptop. He dropped the folder he was carrying on top of it and sat down.

  “I suppose she called you,” Jordan said.

  “I guess there is a Santa, and he gave me exactly what I wanted this year.”

  “Did she tell you who her new ‘friend’ is?”

  “Nope, and I didn’t ask.”

  “He’s a baron. She met him on her last trip to Europe. He’s twenty years older than her. Old money.”

  “There’s a shocker.”

  “I don’t suppose you’ve talked to Dad.”

  He shot his brother a look. Hell no he hadn’t, and for the life of him, he had no idea why Jordan still did.

  “He’s getting married again.”

  “How many times does that make?”

  “Five. She’s a twenty-eight-year-old flight attendant. He met her when he was on a business trip to New York. She’s relocating here from Seattle to move in with him.”

  “I give it six months.”

  “I know you don’t want to believe this, but he’s mellowed a lot since we were kids. He asks about you every time we talk. I know he’d like to hear from you.”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  “Jesus, Nathan, sometimes I think you’re even more stubborn than he is.” He started to walk out, then stopped and turned back. “By the way, I just have to ask, what’s a single guy doing buying a trip for three on a Disney cruise?”

  Inwardly Nathan cursed, but on the outside he didn’t even flinch. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I didn’t book the trip for me. I did it for a friend. He was worried his wife would find out and he wanted it to be a surprise for Christmas.”

  He couldn’t tell if Jordan believed him or not, and maybe it wasn’t the best excuse, but it was the best he could do on such short notice.

  After several seconds Jordan shrugged and said, “I’d better get back to work.”

  Phew. Tragedy avoided. He hoped.

  A few minutes after Jordan left Ana called him on his cell.

  “Do you think you can make it over before Max goes to bed tonight?”

  “I’ll definitely try.” Although, having spent most of the morning on the internet, he hadn’t gotten nearly as much accomplished as he’d hoped. Which was why, while most of his team were off Christmas Day through New Year’s, he would be putting in a few hours in the office.

  “Let me know when you think you can get here. I can keep Max up a little late if I have to.”

  “I will. And by the way, I got your Christmas present today.”

  He could hear the smile in her voice. “What a coincidence, because I got yours too.”

  “What are the odds we got each other the same thing?”

  She laughed. “Slim to none, and if you did get me what I got you, I’m afraid I would have to seriously rethink our relationship.”

  “In that case, you don’t have to worry. And I should also mention that I picked out a few things for Max, too. They should be delivered on Christmas Eve.”

  “I almost forgot to ask, what time do you think you’ll be finished at your mother’s Christmas Day? I was thinking we could meet back at my place afterward.”

  “I’m not seeing my mother on Christmas.”

  “Why not? I thought you and your brother were having dinner with her.”

  “Change of plans. She decided to go on a cruise with a ‘friend’ instead.”

  “Seriously?”

  “She met him in Europe last month. He’s a baron.”

  “Are you telling me that she ditched her sons for some guy she barely knows? That’s terrible!”

  “That’s my mother.”

  “So, what are your plans?”

  “I haven’t actually made any yet. Jordan didn’t ask what I was doing, so I’m assuming he’s got something else planned. I’ll probably just hang around my apartment until you get back from your dad’s place. When do you typically leave?”

  “As early as humanly possible. It’s usually just the two of us and it’s very…awkward. Although, this being Max’s first Christmas, he’ll probably expect us to stay longer. I’m still not even sure when we’re having dinner. I tried calling him twice today. Once on his cell, then again at his office. His secretary said he was in a meeting, but that usually just means he doesn’t want to talk to me. He’s probably still pissed about yesterday morning. I think he’s convinced that I was out all night partying. There was a blurb in the society pages Sunday morning about me being out clubbing, and someone snapped a photo of me coming out of the bar. The paparazzi is getting really sneaky. I didn’t even see them this time.”

  “And being the devoted father that he is, he of course believes the press over his own daughter,” Nathan said.

  “The ramifications of my rebellious phase. The gift that just keeps on giving.”

  “He seriously doesn’t see that you’re not that woman anymore? That you’re mature and responsible, and an incredible mother.”

  “If he’s noticed, he’s never acknowledged it.”

  “How is he going to feel when he finds out about us?”

  “Truthfully, I don’t care anymore. I’m getting tired of the game. If it weren’t for Max, I would probably spend Christmas Day at home with you. Preferably next to the fire in my flannel pajamas.”

  “We’ll plan that for next year,” Nathan said, realizing that he was anticipating that there would be a next year for them. And a next, and a next.

  “I guess this year we’ll just have to settle for Christmas dinner apart. I left my dad a message, but I haven’t heard back yet. I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”

  Adam stuck his head in Nathan’s office. “Sorry to interrupt. Have you got a second?”

  For the boss, always. He gestured Adam inside, noting that he shut the door behind him. “Miss Maxwell, can I call you back?”

  He knew Ana would understand that was code for Someone who can’t know who I’m really talking to just walked in. “Sure. I’ll talk to you later,” she said.

  He shut his cell phone and asked Adam, “What’s up?”

  “I just wondered if you’d had a chance to talk to your brother.”

  “About?”

  Adam looked a little taken aback. “The suspicious financial discoveries.”

  Could he make himself look like more of an idiot?

  “Sorry, but no, I haven’t.” Lately he’d been too wrapped up in his own life to give it much consideration. “Like I sai
d the other day, Jordan and I just don’t talk. I was supposed to have dinner with him Christmas Day, and I thought I might be able to get something out of him then, but the plans fell through. But even that was a long shot. If I start prying into his personal finances, he’s going to get suspicious.”

  “I understand. I wanted to ask anyway, just in case. It looks as though we’ll have to go through with replacing his secretary with an agency operative. He’ll be told that she was sent by our temp company.”

  “I really think that’s going to be the best way to get the information we need. Although for the record I still believe he’s innocent.”

  “I hope that’s the case.” Adam turned to leave, then stopped with his hand on the doorknob and turned back to Nathan. “Is everything okay with you?”

  “Of course. Why do you ask?”

  “Lately you’ve seemed a bit…distracted. That, and you’ve been taking more time off than usual.”

  “Do you have an issue with my performance?”

  “No, not at all. And in case you’re worried, it isn’t something that will have a negative impact when it comes to your bid for the CEO position. I consider you a friend, and I was concerned.”

  Though Adam didn’t come right out and say it, Nathan could tell that he wanted some sort of explanation. Considering the circumstances, and put in his position, Nathan would feel the same way. “The truth is, I’ve been seeing someone,” he told Adam. “It’s still pretty casual at this point, but it has definite possibilities.”

  “I’d like to meet her. Will you be bringing her to Emilio’s wedding?”

  “Unfortunately I don’t think she’s available.” Available or not, there was no way he could bring her. Which wasn’t fair to either of them, but it was the way it had to be.

  “First I got married, now Emilio is tying the knot.” Adam grinned. “Maybe you’ll be next.”

  “Yeah, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

  “Settling down, having a family, it’s not such a bad thing, Nathan,” he said, as he walked out.