Secret Match
Page 1
Secret Match
Victoria Pinder
Copyright
Secret Crush
Copyright©2018
Cover created by: Rebecca Hamilton
Stock Photo: Hot Damn Stock
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemble to actual events, business establishments, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.
Your support of author’s rights is appreciated.
Published in the United States of America.
Copyright © 2018 Victoria Pinder Love in a Book
All rights reserved.
This book is dedicated to my nephew Liam. You’re growing way too fast. It’s nice to talk to you when you’re not playing a game on your tablet, just saying.
Contents
The House of Morgan Family Tree
Join Victoria Pinder
Series Information
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Start Reading the House of Morgan Now
Also by Victoria Pinder
About the Author
The House of Morgan Family Tree
Mitch Morgan married Isabelle Marshall
Their children: Peter, Victoria, John, Luke, Elizabeth, Matthew
Mitch Morgan had an affair with Fiona Dupree
Their children: Mitch, Damien, Galen, Axel, Catherine (also called Jess)
Mitch Morgan had an affair with Maria in Italy and they had five children, Bartolomeo, Giorgio, Anthony, Aurelia and Lorenzo.
Peter married Belle Jordan in Secret Bet.
No children.
Victoria married Colt Collins in Secret Baby
Their children: Clara.
John married Alice Collins in Secret Crush
They have one child, unnamed.
Luke is engaged to Caro Soliz in Secret Wish
No children. Luke and Caro get married in Secret Romeo
Elizabeth married Rafe Soliz in Secret Dad
Their children: Brandon.
Matthew is currently not married.
Mitch Morgan married Tess Taylor in Secret Heir
No children.
Damien married Serenity Hanscom in Secret Tryst Expecting Twins.
Galen marries Natalie Parker in Secret Date
Axel is in love with Emily Wilson in Secret Bridesmaid.
Catherine Morgan aka Jess Taylor is currently single.
Bartolomeo will find his true love in Secret Admirer (April 2019.)
Giorgio marries Kiwi Washington in Secret Match.
Anthony is in love with Jennifer Gonzales but my find true love later.
Aurelia is currently missing and presumed dead.
Lorenzo is currently not married.
Soliz Family served the Morgans for 30 years.
Pilar and Samuel re-connected after 25 years apart in Secret Romeo. Pilar and Samuel had two children, Rafe and Caro. Samuel had a third child Valentina during his years of amnesia.
Valentina is currently single.
Victoria Pinder wants to hear from you! If you’re on social media, please friend her.
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Series Information
Please check out the entire House of Morgan Series and get caught up.
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
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 1-3
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 4-6
Chapter 1
Paris Fashion Week…
Somehow, everyone loved her shoes.
Everyone.
The press had actually cheered for her bright yellow platforms with daffodil-painted heels as the models strutted the catwalk.
Kiwi Washington used her phone to track the location from her hotel room near Notre Dame and the Seine, to the after-party where her boss, Victoria Morgan, and her coworker, Caro Morgan, were holding court.
Paris was nothing like Detroit, or Miami Springs, where she’d lived for the past few months. The shining white pavement showed care in every step whereas Miami had the created-and-loved fifty years ago feel. The spark in her veins after the show tonight meant nothing could go wrong.
For once, everything was perfect.
Without a care in the world, it was her night to just smile and party in paradise. Her phone directed her to the building across the street.
Kiwi straightened her knee- length purple dress from the House of Morgan that she’d matched with her black and purple daisy shoes. As she passed a mirror in the lobby, Kiwi fluffed her curly hair that reminded her of Halle Barry when the actress had played Catwoman way back in the day.
Done, Kiwi headed inside and checked the text with the apartment number. How did anyone survive without a cell phone? The question flitted through her mind as her feet bounced in excitement.
Naturally, it was the penthouse suite. Kiwi walked into the elevator and pressed the button. The House of Morgan never partied like peasants in a regular apartment.
She exited into a hall and knocked on the door. Caro, who had recently married Luke Morgan, answered and kissed her on both cheeks. “You were amazing, Kiwi.”
Kiwi hugged the talented dark-haired designer whose clothes were also the talk of Paris, and then scanned the room.
The acceptance of the French was absolute. White and black mixed and smiled with each other as though color wasn’t even noticed. This was so different than Detroit or even her new home in Miami where your zip code still segregated everyone. Here all that mattered was that the champagne flowed.
Caro didn’t seem to even notice the differences, but then Caro had more money than most of the free world—her circle was different than Kiwi’s day-to-day life.
The Morgans could probably live on a different planet, but that was okay. She had a job that made her happy—designing shoes. “Thank you,” she said and slipped into the party
“Go. Mingle.” Blonde, blue-eyed, Victoria Morgan was on the phone in the corner of the room and signaled for Caro to join her. Caro winked at Kiwi. “Victoria is dealing with some trademark issu
e with the House of Morgan. Look, I’ll find you soon.”
Kiwi instantly caught the gaze of an olive-skinned man who could double as an ancient god or at the least a movie star. He probably wasn’t into dark skinned girls—then again, his perusal warmed her skin. Instead of leaving she said, “I should help you and Victoria.”
Caro had no idea of Kiwi’s intense interest in the man across the room as she said, “No. You should enjoy yourself. Your shoes were amazing on the runway today. Everyone loved them.”
“Thanks.” Kiwi hugged her coworker one more time. If only she truly was confident and sassy, but despite the stereotypes that she should be strong, Kiwi was in her heart a bit of a nerdy girl who also loved fashion.
Kiwi resisted the urge to tug her purple dress a little higher over her plunging cleavage and strode toward the bar where she picked up a glass of white wine from a tray.
A masculine hand settled next to hers on the bar counter as the man took a glass for himself. “Hi, gorgeous.”
The energy of Paris buzzed through her veins combined with the success of her show—she laughed and decided to erect a shield of confidence. She smiled flirtatiously up at the man who had to be well over six feet with broad shoulders stretching the white silk of his shirt. His accent wasn’t French. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet a man with good taste.”
Seriously, that hadn’t even sounded like her.
But it was.
She sipped her wine as the man’s strong arm slid sensually against her bare arm, leaving goosebumps in his wake. “And a woman who so easily smiles? You must be American.”
Her eyes had to be sparkling. She drank and pretended to be sophisticated as she laughed softly. “My smile gave me away?”
“Yes.” He guided her to a quieter corner of the dazzling main room. Outside the balcony door, the Champs de Elysee shone in the distance. He didn’t seem to notice the brilliance of the city as he leaned close to her and she smelled his woodsy cologne. “It’s entirely too bright,” he cautioned, “and everyone can see your happiness.”
As happy as she was, her smile was nothing like Paris, the city of lights. She held her wine glass next to her cheek, deciding her best tactic was to ignore the jibe at her country. “Well, I’ve had a good day.” Stellar was closer to the truth. “My shoes-”
“Don’t tell me more.” He interrupted her and took a sip of his wine. Her spine straightened defensively when he said, “I don’t want to be able to guess who you are.”
She’d clearly misread the situation. Perhaps he’d been bored and saw her as a challenge? She’d get over it. Kiwi lifted her shoulders, ready to leave. “Then you don’t want to know me?”
He quickly placed his hand on her wrist and a spark raced through her. He clarified his intent as he said, “I don’t want you to tell me your name—you are easily the prettiest woman in the room. Let us discover things about each other slowly.”
Her previous serious relationship had been with Martin. She’d almost thrown away her career to stay home and marry that man, but he’d ended up cheating on her and destroying her trust. Kiwi had learned her lesson and now said with more calm than she expected, “No names then. Can I ask where you are from? You are so smooth with flirting—what is your accent?”
“Italia,” he said with a cocky grin.
A huge smile grew on her face. Italian men had the reputation as relentless flirts. The tension left her instantly as she shook her head and sipped her wine. “I should have guessed.”
His brown eyes had a glimmer that made her knees weak, but she stood tall and gave nothing away as he said, “So, what are your plans while in Paris?”
Work. She’d love to actually see Paris as a tourist. This was her first time in any European country and she’d love to wander and get a warm beignet in the early morning without having to rush around in preparation for the next show, but that wasn’t going to be this trip.
Next time she’d come here on vacation. The view outside the window moved Paris up on her list. “I’m going to a different fashion show tomorrow—it is fashion week.”
“Boring.” He playfully elbowed her.
That might be, but she was being paid well enough that she’d work all night and save her pennies for her own vacation later. Kiwi sipped her wine and pretended she was calm and sophisticated as she said, “It’s why the company flew me out here.”
He had a devil-may-care attitude and his full lips made her ache for more than just playful banter. “Let’s take the day off from fashion and tour Paris together.”
If only. Her heart whispered that she skip her responsibilities and actually visit places she’d only ever seen photos of—even just one ride up the Eiffel Tower at night should be on her agenda, but she shook her head and sipped her champagne. “You’re joking.”
He placed his hand on her lower back and leaned closer. “I never joke about wanting to spend time with a beautiful woman.”
Shoot me now. He was handsome. Seriously. She let out sigh and lowered her glass. “I can’t. I’m here to work.”
He took the glass from her and left both his and hers on an empty side table as he guided her out on the balcony. The whiff of fresh air from the gentle breeze reinvigorated her as he said, “That’s so American of you.”
The Avenue des Champs Elysee came into view as she neared the railing and she understood why it was known as the world’s most beautiful avenue. The street lights made it almost magical with luminous sparkles, which probably sounded silly to someone as sophisticated as the man by her side. She tilted her head and smiled at the handsome stranger she was going to call Sexy; he was sexy as sin, even on a Sunday when she should be Church all day. Well, she’d think of him as Sexy until she figured out more about him. “We’ve already established my nationality.”
He leaned close enough that she could feel his hard muscles and hot skin. “We haven’t established how we kiss yet.”
Her face heated but she playfully pushed him back as she shook her head. “We’re not going to do that right now.”
His infectious laugh and that wink of his somehow made her want nothing more than to kiss him. Instead, she studied the white streets and lights that sparkled under the moonlight.
“Embarrassed with me already?” he asked.
If only she was that kind of girl, or that her decisions never had consequences. Kiwi Washington wasn’t about to let a man ruin her dreams, not now, now when she was so close to being the It girl she’d wanted to be since she was big enough to dream.
She turned her back to the avenue and studied the party-goers inside through the glass—the fashion industry had a high percentage of men interested in other men which made her Mr. Sexy even more appealing. He was sexier than the models inside, so perhaps he worked for one of the other houses. “No. You’re the hottest man I’ve seen here. But I don’t have time for romance.”
He offered his arm. “We can skip the romance if you like then and I’ll take you back to my room, alone. Two consenting adults.”
Part of her wanted to be that girl who didn’t care, who would just take him back to her hotel room and rip off all his clothes. His body seemed sculpted to perfection and she’d love a peek. However, she put her hand on her hip. “Now that sounds dangerous, but I can’t.” She dropped her hand to her side and held still as she gazed up at him. “I am willing to go on an evening stroll.”
If he chose to leave now and go find someone else for an easy hookup, she’d have to live with that. She fluffed her curly hair and waited. He surprised her when he tucked her hand on his arm, her fingers at his elbow, and led her back inside and through the party. “It would be my honor. I’ll give you a tour.”
“Sounds perfect,” she murmured and stayed beside him. No man had ever protected her, but on his arm, she felt as if nothing might harm her, ever again.
She so wanted to believe in the fairy tale of love, but she didn’t dare. He was a stranger.
Caro and Victoria were talking about bu
siness, styled heads together, though Caro waved goodbye as she watched Kiwi leave.
For a second Kiwi wished her best friend Serenity was nearby, then again, Serenity might stop her from leaving with this handsome stranger. He held the door for her as more party-goers headed into the penthouse with its dim lights and soft music perfectly pitched for the loud conversations.
They made it to the elevator, alone, where it seemed especially quiet after the party noise. The moment the doors closed, she looked up at the Italian god that somehow stood next to her and asked, “What were you doing at the party?”
His brown eyes flashed with emotion but he quickly reverted to the dazzling man who made her heart quicken. “I was invited by a fashion magazine owner who wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
She elbowed his abdomen playfully but could tell instantly he was a wall of muscles. “You tell women no?”
His hand went to her lower back as they walked out of the building and onto the dazzling white boulevard across from the Champs de Elysee. “Not the beautiful ones.”
“Flirting really is in your nature,” she joked and waved for them to cross the street.