Secret Date

by Victoria Pinder

  No one looked twice at her as she made her way to her desk, visible behind a glass wall and glass door. Everyone walking the hall could see her but usually nobody bothered. As she waited for her computer to boot up, she slipped on her ugly shoes and threw on her oversized sweater. Now she was ready to get to work.

  Across the hall, Galen’s office door opened and he headed toward her. Her heart thumped, but she jumped in her seat, hoping to seem busy. She turned her chair to face the computer and logged in.

  Galen’s hands clutched the side of her desk. “There you are, Ms. Parker. We have a problem. Please come into my office.”

  Her skin buzzed and her mind raced. This couldn’t be good. She kept her head down. Had Jennifer called Galen to tell him the truth? “I dropped Ms. Gonzales off at her home and came right to work, as requested.”

  Galen said nothing as he strode back to his office. She picked up a pencil and paper and followed him. She swallowed and tried to tell her shaking hands that this was about work and not the clinic. He then sat on the edge of his desk instead of behind while she took the seat near the door. He hopped up and closed the door, before returning to his desk. He didn’t quite look at her as he asked, “Are you married or engaged, Ms. Parker?”

  What? She fixed her glasses and sat straight. Had Galen discovered that she’d lied on her application about her age? He hadn’t noticed her all year and she did excellent work. Her evaluation said so. She hugged the paper to her chest and glanced up at him. “No, but as my boss you really don’t have the right to ask those questions.”

  He smacked one hand to the other which was his habit in all negotiations. “Believe me,” he nodded. “I know. I like work to be professional, but it seems the clinic made a huge mistake.”

  The clinic? This wasn’t about work? Had he seen her blonde hair under the wig? Her body buzzed with trepidation. “What mistake is that?”

  Galen covered his strong chin and his eyes were wide as he finally looked right at her. She stared at him and couldn’t look away, especially when his cheeks held a faint blush. At the last second, he dropped his gaze and lowered his voice. “You were inseminated with my brother’s semen.”

  The buzz in her veins turned to a jolt of electricity. Her mind scrambled as his words reverberated down her body. Her lips tightened. “No, I went for my yearly check-up.”

  He shook his head, his expression pained. “The nurses mixed up the files with all the confusion this morning. My brother is already talking to his lawyers and his wife.”

  A baby? The word caused her to jerk in her seat. She crumpled the pad of paper. “You’re joking. I’m not ready to be a mom.”

  Galen stared at her hard and seemed like he wanted to bite his lip. But then his gaze changed and she felt awareness grow. He jumped off his desk and knelt in front of her. Alarm rushed inside her. “There is almost no chance considering your age, but… is your hair blonde?”

  No, no, no. Her pulse almost skyrocketed to the moon in one shot. She glanced at the door and hopped up hoping to escape. “Oh goodness. Look, I’ll let you know when my period comes, but I should get back to work.”

  Galen gently grabbed her wrist until she turned and looked at him again. “Ms. Parker, you’re not forty-six, are you?”

  The lie was done. Her gamble over. She turned, then reached up and pulled her gray curly wig off showing her blonde ponytail. She took off her glasses and for the first time met his gaze without a disguise. “No, you’re right. I’m twenty-eight.”

  His face went white as he stared at her harder than he ever had. Her own skin buzzed, but she stayed still. Then he reached behind him and picked up a box of tissues, handing them to her. “Let me see you without the makeup.”

  Desire shouldn’t course through her veins at unveiling before him. This was nothing like her fantasy as she couldn’t stop her hands from trembling. She wiped off her lipstick that was purposefully smeared to hide her natural lip shape and wiped dark makeup from her eyes. She probably looked a disaster without her makeup remover, but once she was done and couldn’t see any more color on the white cloths she took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “This is the real me though I’d look better if I washed my face.”

  He didn’t say anything.

  If she stayed, she’d melt into the floor and dissipate. She pointed toward the office door. “So, I’m going back to my desk now.”

  Without another word, she fled his office. Pretty women never lasted in this job and now her days were numbered. What Galen had just said about this morning and a horrible mix-up didn’t matter half as much as staying employed. How in the world was she going to pay for her mother’s cancer bills if she lost her job? This mattered more than any hypothetical baby.

  Galen sat in his black leather seat behind his desk and rested his head against the back of the chair, closing his eyes. Natalie’s blue-green eyes behind the heavy black frames had always caught his attention, but how had he missed the obvious wig? Without the makeup and gray curls, she truly was stunning.

  No wonder he’d acted like a stallion near a mare for the past year. His body knew what his mind hadn’t.

  And she was having his brother’s baby when he’d literally had sex with the wrong woman last night at his other brother’s wedding.

  Seriously, he needed a cigarette. He delved into his pocket and stopped. He’d already had one this morning and he wanted to break the habit—it was time.

  His phone rang, and he opened his eyes, letting the pack go. He reached for the phone and saw it was his half-brother, Peter Morgan, again. He straightened in his seat and answered, “Hello.”

  “Hey.” Peter immediately launched into his question. “How did the conversation go with your employee? Did you get her to sign the waiver?”

  “I didn’t even ask her. I was too in shock.” Galen had been too busy trying to stifle his attraction to Ms. Parker. Peter didn’t want any Morgan scandal and was willing to pay top dollar to keep this quiet. He swallowed and explained, “Peter, Natalie is twenty-eight, not forty-six.”

  There was a pause and then Peter asked, “Didn’t she have gray hair?”

  “That’s a wig.” Galen closed his eyes and remembered the day Natalie had applied for the job—she’d worn a sweet floral perfume that she’d never worn to the office again. Now that he knew her secret, maybe she would.

  “You only have five employees,” Peter said. “How did you miss that?”

  His real estate business office in Miami didn’t require a lot of staff. The corporate office back in New Orleans hosted many more, but it was true. He’d seen Natalie every day and conversed with her over coffee, sat next to her in meetings and even shared a few office lunches at the same table. He shook his head and opened his eyes. “I didn’t want to see, clearly.”

  Peter then said, “I’ll have my lawyers draft a contract for her then. I want my baby if she’s having it.”

  No. Galen’s heart stopped. His lips pursed. He couldn’t let Natalie get run over for something she had nothing to do with. All of this was Jennifer’s fault for her lies this morning in the doctor’s office, but his family needed to back away from Natalie. She was innocent. “Natalie is one of the most efficient and honest women I’ve ever met. She’s nothing like Jennifer. I don’t know how she’ll take that.”

  “Honest? She lied about her age.”

  “There has to be a reason for that.”

  “Galen, I need your help,” Pete said in a tormented voice. “We’re family now and the House of Morgan works as one.”

  Technically they had different mothers though, yes, they were all Morgans. He stared at the door and wondered where Natalie had bolted to and what she was doing. He picked up a pencil and twirled it in his hands. “Father’s words that he certainly didn’t live by.”

  Peter sighed. “True. Help me out Galen, I’m already dealing with my upset wife.”

  At least he didn’t have one of those anymore. Alison Evermore had been a horrible wife who only ever
tore him down while she complained about everyone and everything. When she left him “to find herself,” Galen hadn’t even been upset. He’d been relieved, but he understood a little where Peter came from. He massaged his forehead. “I’ll talk to Natalie.”

  A few minutes later, he hung up the phone and squeezed the bridge of his nose. Family always came first, but Natalie hadn’t done anything to hurt any of them. He couldn’t let her get hurt either. Their father had kidnapped his sister and left his mother heartbroken to keep her under his control. No other woman should lose a child because of a Morgan. He stood and straightened his shirt.

  Jennifer’s perfume from last night wafted upward. He’d need a shower and a new shirt, fast. Last night he’d had way too much to drink which led to bad decisions.

  First, he checked outside the office and all his employees were at their desks working, including Natalie whose blonde head was visible over her computer monitor. He breathed out in relief. She hadn’t run away.

  Last night was over and he’d get to Natalie before the end of the work day—with a plan. Once he returned to his office, he called his secretary who would have new clothes delivered in half an hour. Galen showered in his private bathroom and cleaned himself up so that he no longer smelled like sex, alcohol, and cigarettes.

  After he changed and stared at himself in his office bathroom mirror, he tossed the rest of the pack in his basket and left the office.

  Natalie sat at her desk, typing away, blonde hair shining like silk. He sauntered toward her. The horrible gray wig had been tossed in a plastic bag and tucked beneath her drawer. Under all the layers she wore, he’d bet her body matched her face. He glanced up immediately and felt his face was slightly hot. He coughed. “Natalie.”

  She adjusted her glasses and stared up at him. A spark raced through him, but her expression read that she didn’t feel the same. “I’m working on the Dover building report, Mr. Morgan.”

  “Good.” He told himself to get over this attraction fast. Natalie was an employee, which made her off limits. However, it also made her his responsibility. He nodded his head as if he actually cared about work. “That acquisition would be the centerpiece of our building plans.”

  Her perfectly formed for kissing lips were thin as she sucked them in, not even granting him a smile. “I understand, sir. I’ll have the report by the end of the day.”

  Sir. For the next few weeks, he’d be at her side, so he leaned closer. “Before you go, I’d like to get dinner with you.”

  Her hands pressed against her heart. “What?”

  He looked around and realized she was the only woman in the office. The last thing he meant to do was single her out, but he kept his head down and spoke in a low voice—circumstances had changed their working relationship. “We need to talk more about this morning and it would be better if we’re not in the office.”

  “I don’t know.” She clutched her gold cross from under her layers of black.

  He placed his hand on his heart and swore like he was in a court with a bible under his palm. He’d been an altar boy, so he always followed rules with good girls. “I promise I’ll keep my hands off you the entire time.”

  She laughed, and her face lit up. She covered her lips until she stopped her giggles. Finally she said, “Oh. I didn’t think that. Okay, I’ll meet you at the elevator at five o’clock.”

  His stomach churned. Clearly this attraction was all one-sided on his part but he’d get that under control. A pretty woman like Natalie didn’t need him ogling her. He squared his shoulders. “Thanks, Natalie. And I’m looking forward to your report. You’re one of the best employees we have here.”

  She covered her heart again and took a deep breath. “Does that mean I’m not fired?”

  Fired? For going to a doctor? For having bad luck? He had no idea why she’d think that. “Why would you be fired?”

  This time she blushed, but she turned back to her desk. “No reason—we’ll talk about that tonight I guess.”

  Right. Tonight was not a date, but he’d try to understand how best he could help her. His altruistic thoughts helped lessen his zipping pulse. “See you soon then.”

  He rushed back to his office and tried to concentrate on work. His brother’s wedding last night had made him realize he was lonely, which might explain the immediate reaction to his employee. He’d ensure no one, not even his half-brother, took advantage of her.

  Today was a crazy day. He picked up his phone and located Damien’s number. Earlier that morning, his brother and partner had needed Galen’s help to find Damien’s kidnapped wife—and then he’d alerted Peter about Jennifer at the medical facility. Hopefully the newlyweds were reuniting. He decided not to bother Damien at all so he put his phone down.

  However, as if summoned from Galen’s own thoughts, Damien walked into the office, looking glum. He sank into the visitor’s seat. “Galen, what happened to Ms. Parker?”

  So he’d noticed too. Galen shook his head. “She took off her mask.”

  Damien leaned closer. “You mean she was always cute?”

  Galen hadn’t wanted to press for details about how they’d chased a human trafficker that had kidnapped his sister-in-law, but his brother being in the office didn’t bode well. He picked up his pencil and twirled it again. “I guess. How is married life?”

  Damien sat back in his chair and slumped. “Not good. Serenity is upset at me about this morning. It was hard coming into the office, but I saw your message about the Towers for our building.”

  Towers? Damien could have just answered that via email.

  “How was your day?” Damien asked. “I know you went with Peter to the clinic, but as you don’t smell like cigarettes it can’t have been that bad.”

  True. They knew each other well. Damien had been the one to offer lots of alcohol when his ex-wife had left him. Galen glanced at the door and wondered what Natalie was doing now. He cleared his throat. “I went with Peter to the clinic.”

  Damien straightened and stared at him with a gleam in his eye that meant he was curious. Galen now leaned back in his chair. Damien said, “I know. I said that already. So how did that go?”

  Right. Keep it simple stupid. His math teacher used to say that as a joke, but the advice now seemed incredibly wise. Galen tapped the pencil against the desk. “Natalie was accidentally inseminated and I’m to keep an eye on her for the next month.”

  Damien’s eyes rounded in shock. “How does that even happen?”

  “Hurricane Jennifer Gonzales.” Galen let out a breath and glanced up. The soap star turned Hollywood actress might have irrevocably ruined Natalie’s life, and possibly his brother’s marriage, in her quest to win back Peter.

  Damien shook his head. “You were always attracted to bad girls, bro, but this is messed up.”

  The wedding last night had made Galen realize he was alone, even if he had a big family. Drinking and spending the evening with Jennifer fueled too many fires. He crossed his arms. “Jennifer was a one-time thing. She means nothing and it’s clear the feeling is mutual. I don’t want to let Peter and Belle steamroll over Natalie when she didn’t do anything wrong.”

  Damien straightened his spine and asked, “How can you stop them from wanting to raise a child that could be Peter’s? When I found out Serenity was pregnant, I couldn’t let her or my unborn child go.”

  But Damien had impregnated his now wife. There was a huge difference between an intimate relationship and getting the semen implanted without her permission at a doctor’s office. Bottom line, Natalie hadn’t done anything to anyone. He stood up and noticed the clock was near five. “If she’s pregnant; she doesn’t need to be hassled until she knows for sure and even then, she’s still my employee.”

  Damien stood as well, but he blocked the door. “Why did she take off the wig? You’re never this possessive about anyone, including your ex-wife.”

  Perhaps they knew too much about each other’s quirks. Galen stayed near his desk and checked hi
s wallet. “I might not be a prize to any woman, I get that, but Natalie is innocent and had nothing to do with a scheme or a lie or a manipulation of any kind. She was at the doctor’s for a check-up.”

  Damien shrugged and reached for the door. “Well, it’s nice to see you care about someone, Galen. I thought your ex ripped your heart out and left you with your packs of cigarettes.”

  Galen patted Damien’s shoulder to follow him out. “Honestly? Me too, but there is a right and a wrong way to act.” His father came to mind as all wrong. “I will make sure Natalie is treated right.”

  Outside the office, the employees were packing up for the night. Damien stayed close. “If you say so. She’s also cute and getting up from her desk.”

  It was time to go and spend the evening, at least the early part, with Natalie. He stepped in front of Damien. “I have to go. We have dinner plans. Read the report on the Towers and email me your thoughts.”

  Damien laughed. “Have fun tonight.”

  “This isn’t about fun.” Galen glanced over his shoulder.

  Damien shook his head. “Don’t lie to yourself, bro. You’ve not talked to a good girl in years. Try to be charming.”

  Charming. This wasn’t a date. This was information gathering. He needed to get his head straight and be calm. Natalie was beautiful, but she was very clearly off limits.

  Galen placed his hand on Natalie’s lower back, but immediately pulled away from the spark. It was best to ignore any and all sensations he felt near her. Instead, he ran his hand through his hair and pressed the elevator button.

  They entered the elevator without saying a word. Natalie took off her huge sweater. Her baggy black dress made seeing her figure impossible, but his instincts said she was perfect.

  Not that he should imagine what she looked like naked.

  He kept his head toward the doors that opened a minute later and they walked out onto the first floor of the building. Galen held the front door for her as they exited. “Where should I meet you, Mr. Morgan?”