Secret Caress

by Victoria Pinder

  She gulped the rest of her wine and handed him the empty glass. He put it beside his. When he turned back to her, he said, “You saved me today.”

  No. He didn’t do more than offer the funds. “You did all the work. I just provided the cover you needed.”

  “Todd, kiss me,” Andrea said, moving closer and closing her eyes.

  “Absolutely,” he said, claiming her kiss as his own.

  Andrea tasted sweeter than any food or drink he’d ever had. He’d never have enough of her.

  Chapter 3

  Andrea woke up startled, and her breath caught in her throat. However, she blinked and her dreams dissipated. And she realized that was all they were. Camila was fine, and she slept in the softest bed she’d ever known.

  Last night, she’d kissed Todd. Somehow that moment was the second brightest spot of her day, after getting her daughter back.

  She hadn’t thought that possible. Until his lips met hers, she hadn’t thought she’d ever attract him. Not really. Her last boyfriend hadn’t been half as dependable, never mind hot.

  She cleaned herself up in an all-white bathroom, which gleamed from cleanliness. She almost hadn’t wanted to touch the soft, warm towel that had been left for her.

  As she returned to her bedroom, a soft turquoise blouse and white pants with gold buttons hung on her door.

  She read the label and size and held her breath. She’d never worn Chanel. She’d sold it to the rich women, but never owned her own.

  Her black work clothes from last night had scratched her skin, and she didn’t own much of anything in her small apartment.

  However, the name on the clothes made her pause. If she accepted this, at what point did it become too much?

  She ignored the doubt in her mind and dressed.

  As she checked herself in the mirror, she saw some clunky bracelets and a necklace that matched her outfit. She’d gone this far and, for one morning, she could pretend she fit into his world.

  Next to the vanity, she saw Marc Jacobs flats in her size. Her heart fluttered as she slipped them on, now looking like one of the ladies of leisure she used to serve.

  Finished, she went next door to check on her daughter, who was wearing a pretty white and yellow dress, and there were clearly a dozen more outfits still in boxes on a dresser.

  Whoever the shopping fairy was, they spent more time on Camila, and for that, Andrea was thankful. Her daughter needed clothes, shoes, and everything else to blend into American culture.

  She knelt down to her daughter, who was playing with stuffed animals and had legs in the air as she lay on the floor. She flipped over and said, “Momma, this room is pretty awesome.”

  She already sounded pretty American. Andrea laughed but then made herself sound more serious. “We’re not going to be here long.”

  Her daughter hugged the blue monster. “Do you think I could keep Cookie Monster?”

  Andrea bit her lip. She really needed everything, and even one new toy was a start. She took a deep breath. “You’ll have to ask Todd.”

  Without blinking, her daughter looked right over her shoulder and asked, “Mr. Todd, can I keep this?”

  Andrea wished she had a mirror as she jumped to her feet. Her heart fluttered as she met his gaze, and her lips immediately tingled as if he’d kiss her again.

  Todd gave her daughter a huge smile and then nodded. “Sure. It’s yours, and so is anything else you want that I left in here for you.”

  No. She needed to let him know they weren’t for sale. Andrea’s stomach fluttered. “That’s too much.”

  Todd shrugged. “Camila will get more use of these things. Would you like to join me for breakfast? Both of you.”

  “Momma, I want to stay here,” Camila said, still clutching the stuffed animal.

  Being alone here wasn’t too bad. Andrea knew there was staff everywhere, and her daughter would scream if something was wrong. Despite how her heart raced because of yesterday, she nodded. “Camila, I’m going to talk to Todd. When you’re hungry, come downstairs.”

  Her daughter flung her hands to the ground and stared at the ceiling like she was in heaven. “I’m never leaving this room.”

  If only that happiness lasted. Andrea’s fears were nonsense, and she knew enough to push them to the side. “Have fun.”

  Todd pointed to the door. “If you need your mom, pick up the phone and dial two for the living room.”

  Camila, as if she were already a teenager and living in her own room all this time, said, “Perfect.”

  Andrea walked beside Todd and, instantly, goose bumps grew on her arms and the zips in her belly began because she ached for more of his kisses. She pushed her hair behind her ear, and as they walked into the hall, she asked, “Your phones are connected in the house?”

  He leaned closer and, once again, he smelled like a nice green forest. “It’s easier to find people on the estate that way.”

  “I wouldn’t know,” she said, brushing against him and letting the sparks she felt flame a little higher. “I’ve never lived in more than a two-bedroom apartment.”

  Gently pressing his hand to her lower back, he asked, “Would you like a tour?”

  A kiss would be better. But she ignored the heat that grew inside her and nodded. “Okay, but first, thanks for the clothes.”

  He glanced at her up and down, and she twirled as she modeled. Then she laughed. “They look like they fit okay.”

  Her eyes widened as they walked into one of the bedrooms. She’d call this the green room, if she named rooms, because the sheets and curtains were all deep green. “You’re joking. This is Chanel.”

  His eyes had a sparkle to them that made her ache. “And green is your color.”

  Okay, no guy was perfect. Perhaps he was color blind since the forest green in this room wasn’t anything like what she wore. “Turquoise, actually, but I agree. I like greens and turquoise.”

  They left the room and headed down the white marble stairs, which had a warm, deep red runner with gold emblems designed into it.

  “Colors weren’t my thing.” At the bottom of the stairs, he opened a door he’d gone through last night.

  She stepped in and immediately recognized an office. The red wood desk and leather chair with wheels in the middle of the room made it obvious, and she looked out the window and saw the small water fountain flowing.

  “My father stressed I learned numbers and how to track my bankers to ensure they were doing their jobs and not ripping me off,” he said.

  Math was important, but she’d never really needed it in her life other than working the register.

  They both left his office and headed into the living room, and beyond that, she saw the patio had a buffet of food set up. She tapped his muscular arm with her elbow, and he nodded at her and said, “The staff set out a spread, I see.”

  Dining al fresco wasn’t something she’d done in years. Her stomach rumbled as they walked toward the patio.

  “I signed up to be staff at your brother’s yesterday. It feels funny that I’m sitting here with you,” she said.

  They walked outside, and he held a chair for her. She poured their coffees from the carafe while he sat. He fixed one spoon of sugar in his coffee and splashed in some creamer. “What did you do before yesterday?”

  Her mind wandered to almost a year ago when her parents were still alive. The year it took to make it the US border and then move them to Miami all felt temporary. She fixed her own coffee and said, “I worked in a store, and painted when I had the opportunity.”

  Without a blink, Todd took a sip of his coffee and then put it down. “I’ll set up an artist studio upstairs, then, near the second-floor veranda in the north wing.”

  She almost choked on her coffee. She swallowed it and shook her head. “You don’t have to. We shouldn’t be here that long.”

  Todd sipped his coffee as blue birds sang near the swaying palm trees, which lined the yard all the way to the Intracoastal to where the vi
ew of the water showcased the Miami sky rising. “You are welcome to stay with me for as long as you want. I have plenty of room, and you and Camila make the place actually feel inviting.”

  That sounded like they were a family. She couldn’t risk her daughter’s stability she needed to set up on some romantic fantasy. Andrea adjusted her napkin on her lap. “We’ll only stay until we hear the kidnappers were arrested.”

  Todd passed her a warm croissant that felt straight out of the oven. “Do you have a hot date waiting for you at home?”

  The pastry felt warm and flaky in her fingers, and she wanted to devour the food. Hunger gnawed at her, so she looked down and politely cut her pastry to eat it with a fork and avoided his gaze. “Nothing like that.” Her cheeks heated. “You’re the only man I’ve kissed in over two years.”

  “Then don’t run off,” he said, his voice deep and low.

  Her pulse zipped in excitement, and she swallowed air and ignored the food on her plate. “Or you can come and take me out on a proper date?” She took a bite of her food and ate faster than she imagined. The croissant melted in her mouth.

  “And who would watch Camila?”

  “Now that is a good question.” She glanced up and nodded.

  He leaned closer, and a thrill raced through her. “I have staff here. Let’s pretend this morning is a date.”

  Wow. She honestly hadn’t thought she’d ever meet anyone like Todd. Her heart beat faster, and she was almost floating on some cloud in the sky. “You really want to see me again, Todd?”

  He nodded, and his hand brushed against her bare arm, sending a spark where he touched. “Andrea, I want you, and if that means hiring a team of nannies so you get some alone time with me, then it’s not a problem.”

  Wow. Her skin heated as her heart melted. If only he was her daughter’s father and she’d known Todd forever. Part of her felt like she had, but that was silly. “Camila doesn’t need a team, but someone reliable to watch her as backup might be nice.” She giggled as she thought about this being their first date. “And if we were out on a date this morning, what might happen next?”

  He gently squeezed her hand. “I’d definitely be trying to kiss you again.”

  She leaned into him and licked her lips. “And I’d be up for that, but also wondering if you’d call again once you had me.”

  He winked at her. “I’d marry you to prove myself. Just say the word, and I’ll get a justice of the peace.”

  Silly, but a wicked tremble within her grew as she laughed, but then she pushed against his chest playfully. “Don’t make me laugh this early, Todd. I’m trying to enjoy this fresh bread.”

  He leaned back and sipped his coffee. His distance felt like she’d lost him.

  “It was baked by my Italian chef,” he said. “I prefer Italian food to many other cuisines, but the croissants are great.”

  “Well, this was delicious.” She pointed to her empty plate, but he picked up the silver serving utensil and added another croissant to her plate without asking.

  Once he finished, he put everything down and said, “I only want the best, and that clearly includes you.”

  If she were alone, she’d fall into the fairy tale and never want to wake up. However, Camila was upstairs. She sipped her coffee and ate her second croissant while she tried to be reasonable. When she finished, she said, “Todd, you’re probably destined to marry someone from a good family, with money and connections.”

  His lips pursed, and he put his empty coffee cup down. She refilled it automatically.

  “That would be what my father would’ve wanted, but I’d rather have you,” he said.

  This time, she added the sugar, but the creamer was on his side so she handed him the coffee. “Until the pressure is put on.”

  “Doubtful,” Todd said and leaned closer as if he were sharing a secret. “My father died five years ago in a skiing accident, and my brother inherited the company. I only received stocks and money.”

  So he was free to be with her? Andrea hadn’t believed it until now. Her entire body felt light as a puff of air as she sat back. “All my parents left me were their debts.”

  Again, he came closer, and her lips tingled as if he’d kiss her.

  Nerves woke up everywhere inside her. “Luckily, those don’t get inherited.”

  “True,” she said and then his lips met hers.

  The rest of the world faded away, and all that she saw or felt in her soul was him.

  If only this could last a lifetime.

  As the kiss ended, his hands still caressed her face. “So, you’re free to date me?”

  “I’d like nothing better,” she said and realized the truth. Perhaps it was too late to stop desiring Todd in her life, or perhaps that was because she didn’t want to. If this life were possible, she wanted nothing more than to be with him.

  Chapter 4

  Andrea, Todd, and Camila all played a board game in the living area as Camila and Todd laughed at some Ninja Turtles jokes.

  Her daughter was in heaven here. Her smile said it all, and Andrea took a deep breath, hoping her daughter stayed this happy.

  The past year being constantly on the move had taken a lot of energy and time.

  Todd made the journey worthwhile, and it felt like all the drama was over. If that were true, then they’d made their way to paradise, and she’d found her way into the warm arms of the handsomest man she’d ever met.

  The doorbell rang. Todd finished his turn and stood to go get it.

  Andrea hugged her daughter and laughed as Camila strategized how to beat Todd, like that was an important milestone.

  Footsteps echoed from the foyer, and Andrea looked up as Todd said, “Andrea, you have company.”

  “I do? Who?” Andrea asked, and a second later, Pilar Soliz walked in with the young Peter Morgan at her side. Andrea stood and tugged at her turquoise blouse to ensure it was straight. But then her cheeks felt hot because Pilar wore the all-black uniform of a maid. “Oh, Pilar and the young master.”

  Todd said, “I’ll leave you both alone for a minute.”

  Pilar patted the young master on his shoulder. “I came to check on you and your daughter, Camila.”

  Andrea relaxed. Pilar was the closest thing to a female friend she had here, so she nodded. “She’s safe.”

  The young boy then asked politely, “Can I go talk to her?”

  Pilar nodded. “Of course, Peter.”

  She spoke to the rich boy like she was his mother when she was only the head housekeeper. Andrea wondered why, but simply said, “He’s a sweet boy.”

  Pilar’s lips pursed as she stared after the young boy who joined his uncle and Camila, saying, “His father is on a mission to transform him into a newer version of himself.”

  Andrea hadn’t worked for more than a few hours across the street, but the entire staff sounded petrified to go anywhere near Mitch Morgan, Todd’s brother.

  She hugged her stomach. “That would be a waste.”

  Pilar shrugged. “Agreed. So how are you?”

  Her daughter was alive. She was ecstatic, but she stayed still. “I’m good.”

  Pilar gave her a genuine smile. “I’m glad Mr. Todd is taking care of you and Camila.”

  She absolutely was a kind woman, and Andrea hoped they might be true friends. She sucked in her breath and stared across the foyer back at Todd, who squatted on the floor with his nephew and Camila, getting them both to laugh. He’d be a great father figure.

  “He’s wonderful,” she said and motioned for her to walk into the living room.

  Pilar followed. “He’s kind to his nephews, niece, and my own children. My husband used to say that Mr. Todd was the nicer Morgan, and he wished we worked for him instead.”

  The lines were all blurred here on where she was supposed to be and what world she fit into really. At home, the people who lived on private estates had their own armies to keep them away from the rest of the people. Andrea hadn’t been in any comp
ound, but now that she stayed with Todd, she wondered how long this dream would last.

  She lowered her head. “I feel like a fraud being his guest.”

  Pilar made a motion toward one of the staff who jumped to do whatever she silently said. Andrea didn’t question anything.

  “Why? It’s clear he’s interested in you,” Pilar said.

  “How can you tell?” Andrea asked.

  Pilar directed her gaze and waited for Andrea to focus in on Todd, whose broad shoulders were strong and wide. He made Andrea feel like a girl again when he kissed her.

  “It’s how he looks at you,” Pilar whispered.

  So it was obvious. Andrea’s face heated. “He’s kissed me a few times, and if I wasn’t a mother—”

  “Are you married, Andrea?” Pilar interrupted.

  Andrea shook her head. “No.”

  Pilar crossed her arms while she stood, like a guardian over the children. “Do you miss someone you loved desperately, like Camila’s father?”

  “Absolutely not,” Andrea said, looking at Todd. Now if he was Camila’s father, she’d never forget him. His kiss sent her straight into orbit.

  * * *

  “Are you interested in Mr. Todd romantically?” Pilar asked, keeping her voice low.

  Absolutely. Andrea choked on her own words as she said, “Yes, but—”

  “Let me finish,” Pilar said, and Todd’s staff brought out coffee, lemonades, and small cakes, setting them up within easy reach of the living area. Clearly Pilar commanded this household, too, though she didn’t breathe a word to Andrea. “Don’t let your fears prevent you from being with a great guy. We all wish our lives were different in some way. But what if he’s your chance at happiness?”

  Andrea’s spine felt a gush of cold wind. “I don’t want to commit until the kidnappers are caught.”

  The young boy started to say goodbye to his uncle.