California Secrets

by Jules Bennett

  “I don’t know how I’ll feel once years pass,” she went on. “The thought of not seeing her is something I still can’t fathom.”

  Ethan glanced over her shoulder. “It’s not that I don’t want to see him. I love my brother. But something shifted when our mom died. We dealt with the loss so differently. Then we were so set on trying to care for ourselves after our stepdad left us with nothing.”

  He turned back to the window, his shoulders rigid, his hands shoved in his pockets. Harper’s eyes darted around the space, and she spotted the half-empty tumbler on the bar in the corner.

  “Dane and I went into the army,” he went on, his tone calm, yet broken. “We kept in contact, but it was so random and the interactions were spaced farther and farther apart. Then we banded together and decided to go after the bastard who stole from us.”

  Intrigued, Harper took one step, then another. Before she realized, she stood right behind him.

  “Did you catch him?” she asked. “I hope you left him penniless and suffering. Stealing from kids after the loss of their mother is a new level of asshole.”

  With a mock laugh, Ethan turned to face her. “Oh, he’s in his own league. But no. We haven’t caught up with him yet. Soon. Very soon.”

  Harper knew Ethan would stop at nothing to seek revenge, and she honestly couldn’t say she blamed him. He’d had years to let this anger fester and build.

  “So is that what brings you here?” she asked, reaching up to smooth the frown lines between his brows.

  Ethan gripped her wrist and pulled her arm behind her back, making her arch against him. “I’m done talking about him. There’s only one person I want to focus on right now.”

  Harper’s body responded—the tingling from head to toe had her closing her eyes and waiting on those lips to cover hers. Despite having told him no more sex, Harper wasn’t sure she was strong enough to turn him away.

  She was here, wasn’t she?

  But a moment later, Ethan released her, and she stumbled to keep herself upright. Harper opened her eyes and glanced around to see Ethan striding toward the kitchen. He removed dome lids from the plates on the long island. She hadn’t even noticed the dishes there before.

  “Sit down,” he demanded. “You need to eat.”

  Harper remained in place, crossing her arms over her chest. “I ate dinner.”

  “Well, you’re eating for two now.”

  She didn’t even try to prevent the eye roll. “I always thought that saying was so silly. A tiny fetus doesn’t need a large meal.”

  Ethan stared at her a moment before shrugging. “I don’t know a damn thing about pregnancies, but I read that pregnant women might need frequent meals, and I thought you should eat.”

  Harper stared at the spread and realized he’d ordered all this food...for her. Well, for the baby, but the fact he truly cared and wasn’t completely about ripping her clothes off was a little sweet.

  But only a little. She couldn’t blow his gestures out of proportion. That would mean she wanted him to be kind and do cutesy things.

  Ugh. Her hormones were all over the place.

  “I don’t know what to do here,” he admitted. “But if you could come eat some fruit or something. Hell, whatever.”

  Well, wasn’t that adorable? Someone was insecure and fumbling over his words. Yet seconds ago he’d been more than in control when he’d had her arched against him and silently begging him for more.

  The man likely wasn’t used to being anything but in total control. Considering their current situation of being thrust into parenthood, she’d say that control would be a long time coming for both of them.

  “Did you eat?” she asked, making her way to the wooden bar stool.

  He nodded and pulled out a bottle of water from the fridge and set it in front of her.

  “So you intend for all of this to be for me?” Harper laughed and selected a plump raspberry. “Have you ever seen me eat this much?”

  She popped the piece of fruit into her mouth and welcomed the delicious burst of flavor. Maybe she was a little hungry, but she’d never admit as much.

  “I wanted to make sure you had a good variety,” he defended.

  “There’s enough variety here for the entire third floor.”

  Ethan’s lips curved into another toe-curling grin. “I’ll take that as a thanks for my gesture.”

  Harper grabbed a handful of blueberries. “And is that why you did this? So I’d be indebted to you and reward you as you see fit?”

  “Talking dirty to me will get you everywhere.”

  “Do you think of anything besides sex?”

  Ethan’s intense stare stretched across the island, making her wish she could take those words back.

  “My mind is typically on work,” he finally answered. “But when I’m around you, those thoughts become a little muddled.”

  “Should I be flattered?”

  Ethan circled the island and took a blueberry from her hand and held it up to her lips. “Flattered isn’t what I want you to feel.”

  Her gaze dropped to that mouth that had caused her so much pleasure. When she shifted her focus back to his eyes, there was that passion, that desire she’d come to recognize from him.

  “So we are back to sex,” she murmured, taking the berry from between his fingertips. She might have bitten him lightly, but just so he knew who was in charge here.

  “Even though you’re carrying my child...” He stopped, shook his head and blew out a sigh. “Especially because you’re carrying my child, I want you more than ever. Maybe we should cool it, maybe we should end this fling, but I keep asking myself why. We’re adults who more than enjoy each other’s company, and we both have outside issues that are put aside when we’re together.”

  She’d been telling herself those same things. Granted, she’d also told herself she needed to keep her clothes on around Ethan from here on out, but suddenly everything he said made sense. Why shouldn’t she seek this happiness, even if for only a few moments longer? There was no rule that just because he wasn’t putting a ring on her finger, they couldn’t continue their passionate nights until it was time for one of them to leave.

  Right?

  He took another blueberry and slid it back and forth across her lips. When she opened, he pulled the fruit away and covered her lips with his.

  Harper fisted her hands in her lap to prevent herself from reaching for him. A woman had to maintain some sort of self-control. But the way he made love to her mouth only had her wondering if that was a promise of more to come. The man made a kiss a full-body assault, because there wasn’t a spot on her that wasn’t ready for more of his touch.

  Ethan eased back; that smirk on his face and gleam in his eye had her gritting her teeth. He wanted her to beg, but she had more pride than that. This was still a fling, and she could walk away at any moment.

  Without a word, he popped the berry into his mouth as he trailed his fingers up her bare arms. Oh, damn. She should’ve walked away before now. But she’d known what would happen when she came here. She was a glutton—there was no denying the fact she still wanted him. It wasn’t smart, but she was human and had wants and needs she wouldn’t deny herself.

  Maybe one more time. She’d let this happen once more and then they’d start discussing the future and their child.

  “You’re thinking too hard,” he murmured against her ear. “You’re mentally arguing with yourself about being here.”

  “I couldn’t stay away.”

  The truth slid from her lips before she could stop herself. It was almost like the man had cast some magical spell over her. She knew it was happening, and she simply didn’t care.

  “You made me wait,” he scolded. “You did that on purpose.”

  “Maybe,” she admitted.

  His lips grazed the side of he
r neck, and Harper dropped her head to the side to allow him all the access he needed.

  “I never thought a headstrong woman would appeal to me.”

  Huh? Did that mean he was attracted to her for more than a heated fling? No, that’s not what he meant. It couldn’t be.

  For a split second, Harper thought about calling him on his statement, but those clever lips eased down to the scoop in her tank and the next thing she knew his hands were working the knot on her skirt.

  Yes. This was what she ached for, what she needed. Just once more, right?

  Ethan’s hands seem to be all over her, and she couldn’t escape the moan as he yanked the knot on her skirt and the material fell to either side of her hips. Ethan wasted no time in pulling her panties down her legs as his mouth worked over her breasts through the thin material of her tank top.

  Harper reached for the hem and slid the shirt over her head and off to the side as she kicked away the panties around her ankles. Ethan’s eyes devoured her the second he reached around and expertly flicked her bra open. In no time, that unwanted garment had been tossed carelessly away, as well.

  Strong hands encircled her waist and lifted her onto the cold island. Harper let out a squeal of surprise but heated all over again when Ethan came to stand between her parted legs.

  “You want me to stop?” he asked, his eyes holding hers.

  “No,” she whispered.

  A flare of hunger flashed through his eyes before he dropped to his knees and gripped her inner thighs. Harper bit the inside of her cheek to keep from begging or crying out before he’d even done anything other than drive her mad from want.

  She threaded her fingers through his hair as he dropped light kisses from her knee to the point where she ached most. Then he moved to the other leg, and Harper gripped harder.

  With a chuckle, Ethan finally settled right where she wanted him. He held onto her hips and jerked her closer to the edge of the counter as he made love to her.

  Bursts of euphoria spiraled through her. He’d never done this—nobody had ever done this. She’d never let anyone get that intimate with her. Insecurities and all that.

  But Ethan wasn’t just anybody.

  There was no way to describe all of the delicious tingles coursing through her from his hands, his mouth. She didn’t want this moment to end, didn’t want to lose this perfect moment of euphoria.

  After several minutes of the most exquisite pleasure, her entire body tightened as the experience became too much. Her fingers tightened in his hair, and there was no holding back the cries of pleasure.

  Ethan nipped at her inner thigh when her trembling ceased.

  “Harper?”

  His husky tone broke through her haze, and she realized her eyes were squeezed shut. Coming back down from her high, Harper focused her attention on the man who now stood before her wearing a smile.

  “You good?” he asked.

  Good? That was such a mild, calm word for the storm that had just wrecked her in the most perfect, amazing way.

  “I’ll take speechlessness as a positive sign.” He leaned forward and nipped at her earlobe. “Now, finish eating, since I distracted you.”

  Wait...what? Eat? He could think about food at a time like this?

  Ethan turned and rounded the counter. Harper glanced over her shoulder, more than aware that one of them was totally naked while the other was fully dressed and picking out a cube of cheese.

  “Are you serious?” she asked, easing down off the counter and rounding up her clothes.

  He popped a piece of gouda into his mouth and stared across the space. “About food? Yeah. You barely ate.”

  Harper slid into her panties, then her skirt. Clutching her bra and tank, she pulled in a shaky breath.

  “Are you playing a game?”

  Ethan’s brows narrowed. “Game?”

  Harper didn’t know if she was more confused or irritated. “Are we not going to finish what we started?”

  “By my recollection, you finished—enthusiastically.”

  Yeah. Definitely irritated. She pulled on her bra and tank, needing the extra armor.

  “You didn’t.”

  Ethan shrugged. “I’ll live. Are you complaining?”

  No, that would make her a bitch.

  “I’ve never met a man like you,” she muttered.

  Ethan let out a bark of laughter. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  She continued to stare as he grabbed a small plate and started adding a variety of fruits and cheese, plus a small finger sandwich. Then he set it in front of the stool she’d been on before he blew her mind.

  “Take a seat,” he told her. “You can eat and tell me more about your renovation ideas.”

  She wasn’t sure what his angle was by playing her and keeping her guessing, but she wasn’t about to let her guard down. She was going to figure out Ethan Michaels one way or another...something she should’ve done before he permanently landed in her life.

  Six

  The next morning Ethan was still questioning who the hell he’d become. Since when did he have a willing woman—a sexy-as-hell willing woman—naked and ready for him, and not take full advantage of the situation?

  With the time difference between California and France, Ethan had finally gotten out of bed at 4:00 a.m. after a restless night. He’d made yet another call to his Realtor to see where they stood on the final bid they’d put in on the waterfront bistro.

  And yet it wasn’t his latest quest that had his mind occupied or his sleep lacking. He knew he’d get the property, but he didn’t know what the hell he was going to do with Harper.

  She’d been naked, panting, sitting atop the island in his kitchen. He’d given her an orgasm and what did he do next? Not take her to the bedroom or even take her right there on the floor.

  No, he’d made her a charcuterie board and they’d chatted until midnight about water walls, open courtyards with lush plants, infinity pools and special couples’ rooms for secret fetishes.

  She’d thought of every aspect of this adults-only resort, and maybe that’s what had him so distracted. He’d come here for the sole purpose of gaining back what should have been his. Hearing Harper talk about the future makeovers had him itching to get Mirage in his name sooner than ever.

  So now he was sexually frustrated, confused at his own actions and not so patiently waiting to hear about his bid.

  Ethan padded to his kitchen to make coffee, but his eyes landed on the island. As if he needed the reminder of how damn sexy she’d been, utterly bare, completely at his mercy and more than willing to give him more.

  But something shifted after hearing her speak of her late sister and seeing the way Harper was so determined to complete her job despite having been dealt the bombshell of a pregnancy. The level of admiration he had for her now was something he hadn’t expected, and he needed to sort it out before he made a fool of himself and she mistook his generosity for something more.

  There could be no more. He was too busy, too devoted to his businesses. Not only had he had a mentor who had entrusted him with the nightclubs, but Ethan had branched out on his own. He’d made something of himself when everything had been stripped away. There was no way in hell he’d let anything or anyone sever the strings he’d so delicately forged to keep his life stable.

  Not to mention the fact he and his twin were attempting to rebuild their relationship that had been upset when their mother passed. They’d each dealt with the loss in their own ways...opposite ways. Those ultimately pulled them in different directions.

  So, no. Ethan didn’t have the room in his life to add in more. While he would never, ever turn away his child and he fully intended on being a hands-on dad, he wasn’t about to entertain the idea of a relationship with Harper.

  Thankfully, she had her own agendas and felt
the same about long-term commitments. They’d have to come to some common ground for co-parenting. He wouldn’t give up any of his career, and he would never ask her to, either. They could work together to make everything work in the best interest of the three of them.

  Ignoring the island as much as he could, Ethan brewed a cup of coffee and headed out onto his private balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The view never grew old. Ever. Perhaps that’s why he had been so willing to take over the nightclubs that were on the coasts. He needed that view, that freedom that came with staring out at the expanse of water and dreaming of bigger, better things. There was always another conquest to obtain, always another goal to reach.

  He waited until he was halfway through his cup of coffee before he gave in and texted Harper. Last night they’d discussed breakfast but hadn’t made any definite plans. He also knew she was a morning person, and the sun was up, so he figured so was she.

  My place. Breakfast.

  Ethan set his phone on the side table next to his patio chair and sipped his coffee. A second later the vibration caught his attention. He gave the screen a glance and smiled.

  Already ordered room service. Should be there any minute.

  And a second later, the chime on his intercom alerted him to a guest wanting to come up to his penthouse.

  He’d never thought a take-charge woman would be attractive, mostly because he thrived on calling any and all shots. But something about Harper and her assertiveness turned him the hell on.

  Within five minutes, his concierge had delivered quite the spread and had set it all up on the balcony. Ethan started to tip, but the young man said it had already been taken care of by Miss Williams.

  He wasn’t sure he’d ever had a woman a step ahead of him. Ethan wasn’t quite sure what to make of that, but one thing was certain. He liked it.

  Damn that woman for making him want her more than he ever should.

  The elevator chimed once again, indicating a visitor. She had the pass code, so he didn’t have to ring her up anymore.

  The door slid open, and Harper stepped out. Her hair had been piled up on her head, stray curls tumbling down around her neck. She sported some red bathing suit cover-up with that damn red bikini beneath.