Secret Date

by Victoria Pinder

  His lip curled into a dimple. She’d never seen that before and was instantly mesmerized. “After my marriage ended, I wanted nothing to do with any girl that wanted to change me.”

  Change. Right. She sipped her wine and told him the one thing that always irked her about him. “Well, if I had to change anything about you, I’d make you lose the cigarettes. They’re bad for you.”

  He motioned his hand back and forth “I had one this morning, but I’m trying to quit. I picked up the habit in Paris as a boy.”

  “Good.” She tried to remember why they were here in this romantic corner. Work, right? Her mind warned that he hadn’t quite told her whatever he’d been thinking, had he, but she didn’t want to dwell on it. Instead she let the warmth stay in her veins as she asked, “Paris must have been so different. Do you like living in Miami these days?”

  He brushed his fingers against hers and slowly took her hand to hold. “I like having my family close by.”

  The warm buzz of desire became a strong vibration inside her heart. The House of Morgan sounded more like aristocracy than a family, but she kept that to herself. She’d not ask. “Other than family?”

  He lifted their hands and he studied where their palms connected. “I miss small things from different places, but the palm trees are nice.”

  Whatever coursed through her right now felt alien. She had never been this turned on from a simple touch. She tried to sound normal despite how much she trembled inside. “I’ve never left Florida, unless you count the world showcase up in Orlando.”

  His brow wrinkled as he came closer. “Not the same thing. Do you want to travel?”

  Travel. With him. Yes, but she lowered her lashes and stared at him, wishing for far more than she’d even dreamed. “Later. Right now, my mom needs me and I don’t know how my dad will function if something actually happens to her.”

  His lips brushed her hand and a jolt rushed through her, causing even more wishes. “That’s hard.”

  Oh goodness, she wanted him. She always had, but he was so close right now. She licked her lips. “It is.” She cleared her throat, preferring the fantasy. “Tonight, we’re on a date, so you never know what might happen.”

  His eyes widened a little. “This is a date to you?”

  Everything about Galen Morgan was sexy and forbidden and desired. His simple sandalwood soap made her weak. “Was it not supposed to be?”

  Galen kissed the back of her hand. “I’m not sure what this was, other than I needed to talk to the prettiest girl in the office.”

  Whatever the rationale was didn’t matter. Nothing else mattered except them. She pressed herself closer. “Well there’s not a lot of competition.”

  “I’d like to kiss you.” Galen leaned down and stared at her.

  “Are you asking permission?” Yes. Now. Her eyes fluttered, and she parted her lips.

  He came closer and their lips were millimeters apart. “You are free to tell me to get lost. It won’t affect anything.”

  Unlikely, but she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I want you to kiss me Galen. I’d like it very much.”

  Finally, he claimed her lips as his own and the fire inside her flamed. Galen was everything she ever wanted and so much more. He tasted better than any dessert and the best part of the night was that he was finally all hers, even if only for this second.

  Galen took his coffee and beignets and headed to his patio. Biscayne Bay was beautiful in the morning and he liked the view from his mansion. A huge ache in his body craved the morning cigarette, but Natalie’s words of concern last night encouraged him. Plus he’d promised his mother and family that he’d try to give them up for good.

  The taste of Natalie’s sweet lips last night from their “date” as she’d called it was stronger than the craving.

  He shouldn’t have kissed her. An employee was off limits, but he’d had a hard time remembering that last night, staring into her pretty blue eyes.

  Peter, on his yacht, waved and jumped to the dock.

  He wiped powdered sugar from his lips, and wished he’d finished his beignets before company. His chef made decent French dishes so he had something of home.

  Peter’s sandals crunched the shelled path from the beach as he joined Galen. “You’re up early.” Peter rested his sunglasses on top of his head.

  They shook hands and Galen’s maid set a separate place for his brother without being summoned and left. He motioned for Peter to take the other chair while he retook his own seat. “Just drinking my coffee. What’s going on?”

  Peter sipped his coffee and made a sound like he approved. He set the cup back on the table and got to the point. “Last night my security team reported you were out with Natalie Parker and that she was drinking wine.”

  That Galen had bought her was implied. He hoped that Natalie was right and there was never any baby between his brother and Natalie, but he kept his game face on as he nodded. “Yes.”

  Peter picked up his mug, his manner direct. “If she’s pregnant, then wine is bad for her.”

  The next month loomed before Galen with his brother peeping over Natalie’s shoulder, taking notes about what she did that might be good or bad for any potential baby. Galen shrugged. “There is little chance that the procedure will take. She called her doctor to make sure.”

  His brother took a deep breath, clearly relieved. “Hopefully this all blows over then.”

  “Agreed.” Galen hoped his own emotions were kept in better check—not that he could blame Peter. This wasn’t his fault either.

  Peter sipped more of his coffee, finished and put it down. “But if she is pregnant, then she needs to take better care of herself and my child. I’ll pay her generously.”

  “Money isn’t always the answer to a problem.” Galen’s instinct was to protect Natalie and he wasn’t about to ignore it. “Peter, you don’t know anything about her. Natalie’s a good person.”

  Peter shrugged. “That’s good to hear, but I can’t imagine letting any part of me not be in my world. If I have to, then I need your help to ensure any potential child remains in the House of Morgan, under our protection.”

  Those words were something their father would have said. Galen could almost hear the old man, not his brother, and he wanted to strangle a ghost. Natalie’s sparkling eyes and innocence made Galen say, “Peter, I can’t let you hurt that girl.”

  Peter selected a beignet left for him and brushed off some of the powdered sugar. “No one is going to get hurt if she plays along.”

  As his brother chewed, Galen chose his words with care. “This isn’t a game. Natalie already has her own problems and doesn’t need this complication.”

  Peter finished his bite, wiped his hands, and sat back. “Then she’ll be happy to relieve herself of any complication.”

  A rumble in his belly grew and it wasn’t hunger pains. Galen sat straight. “I don’t think that’s how it works.”

  Peter crossed his arms. “Galen, I’m not the bad guy in this scenario. We’re talking about a child.”

  Right. Peter wasn’t a bad person, but it wasn’t Natalie’s fault that Peter’s ex had tried to sabotage Peter and Belle’s fertility solution. Natalie had been in the office for a routine check-up, not to play backup. Galen had to wait until his thundering heart calmed. “You’re my brother, Peter. We’re good, but you’re going to have to back down and leave Natalie alone.”

  Peter stood, brushed his hands on his napkin and dropped it over his empty plate. “Look, this morning she’s rollerblading at Biscayne National Park. If there is any chance she’s pregnant, I don’t want her hurting herself or taking needless chances.”

  “Peter, I’ll check on her.” Galen stood to shake his brother’s hand.

  They both nodded their goodbye as Peter said, “Thanks.”

  It seemed he was done with his breakfast and off to find rollerblades. Adrenaline pumped through his body at the idea of seeing Natalie before going into work.

 
Five minutes later he was in his SUV and headed toward a nearby park. The roads were clear, but then Miami was not a morning city.

  The parking lot was empty, and he tied his blades on his feet, hoping he remembered how they operated. Once he tested himself in the lot, he took off to find Natalie.

  The cement path through the palm trees and around Biscayne Bay was narrow but almost empty of people.

  He turned the corner and saw Natalie’s figure. She wore tight black pants and a black t-shirt with pads on her elbows and knees. His body tensed at the sight as she skated over to him and looked him up and down. “You’ve never been here before.”

  His gaze sharpened as he stared into her eyes. “How would you know?”

  A laugh came out of her throat as she skated ahead of him. “I’ve come here almost every morning since I was eighteen—I’d have noticed you.”

  Her backside was tight and his fingers ached to grab her by the slender hips, though he kept his hands at his sides and sped to keep up with her. “I’m changing my habits then.”

  They skated side by side as they turned the next corner of the path. “How did you know I was here?”

  Natalie was smart, and he couldn’t lie to her. “My brother has spies watching you.”

  Her lips pursed, and her eyes dulled slightly. “Why? I told you last night my period was a few days ago. I’m probably not pregnant and don’t want to think about any of that. This is my one time of day where I don’t think at all.” She gestured to their surroundings.

  Now he noticed the beach and the rare, unencumbered view of the Atlantic Ocean without any of the lights from Miami interfering with the sight. He slowed down and studied the reds, oranges, and pinks of morning from behind the water. “This is beautiful.”

  She stopped beside him and pressed her hand next to his. She then pointed to a spot about twenty feet away. “I think so. Hurry. The sunrise is prettiest at the next bend, by the beach.”

  Natalie kept his hand while they skated the short distance for another look at the ocean. Palm trees lined the beach on either side and the white sand seemed to glow when the sun came up a little higher. He turned and saw how intently she focused on the view. Blonde hair in a high ponytail, pink mouth, slender nose, high cheekbones. Natalie was beautiful, and he wanted to run his hands all over her and claim her as his own. “I can see why you come here.”

  She whispered like their words might spoil the moment. “It’s magical when no one else is around and it feels like I’m the only one seeing such wonder and beauty.”

  “You are beautiful Natalie.” He tugged her closer to him.

  This time she stared up at him in pleasure and he felt bigger than the sunrise they’d just witnessed, full of bright light. She lowered her gaze but rested her forehead on his chest. “I… I liked our kisses last night Galen.”

  No other words were necessary. He lifted her chin and pressed his lips on hers. Her slight moan as she curled her arms around his neck fueled him.

  He hadn’t wanted a woman like Natalie in years, if ever. Somehow, he needed to keep her just like this, in his arms with her chest pressed against his.

  She ended the kiss and winked at him as she skated back a few inches. “I guess I have to go and get ready for work. Will I see you there?”

  Well, he did own the place. He kept that answer to himself and memorized her smile. “I’ll be in my office. Natalie, it’s okay if you want to go see your parents before you come in to work. I know last night I kept you from visiting them.”

  She slowed down and lowered her head. “I’d appreciate that, but first I need my car, remember? How about I get to leave early?”

  “Fair enough.” He smiled, happy he could help her. She was about to turn to leave again, when he asked, “Can I take you out tonight, after you finish with your parents?”

  “Sure, but only if you promise not to bring up any difficulties. A date should be about having fun.”

  He’d never been so hard-pressed near a woman, not even his ex in their early years. His cheeks were slightly warm, like he was an unsure teen instead of a man, when he admitted, “I’ve never been on a date with someone like you, possibly ever.”

  Another small laugh escaped her throat. “Good, because I like being original. See you later, Galen.”

  Good. Tonight he’d impress her—show her that he was worth her time. “See you soon.”

  She waved and skated ahead. He turned around and headed toward his car. Now he had a reason to shower and get to work. Natalie being there changed everything.

  Natalie hummed her entire way home from the beach. She hadn’t expected Galen or that morning kiss. Galen’s kiss had been sweeter than the passionate one last night and left her tingling. And how in the world did she suddenly have a flirty side?

  She never flirted out loud or said half the things that had come out of her mouth this morning or last night, but whatever had happened to her, she liked it.

  Natalie removed her skates at her front door and took the elevator up to the nineteenth floor and her apartment.

  She stopped short when she saw a tall man with long blond hair standing in the hall—she placed one foot back inside the elevator—who was that? He turned his green eyes at her and smiled. “Natalie.”

  She hesitantly walked forward with her skates around her shoulder. “Rocco Dubois? What are you doing here?”

  She got close enough that he picked her rollerblades up. “You’re still skating?”

  She tugged them back and pulled out the key to her apartment from her pocket. “And? I haven’t seen you in ten years and you’re waiting outside my apartment?”

  He pointed toward her door. “Can I come in for a minute?”

  In college, Rocco had cheated on her and then quit school. She never saw him again until now. She gazed at him and wondered what in the world he was doing here, but finally shrugged. “I guess, but don’t get any ideas. You’re not staying and I have to be at work in half an hour. My boss is expecting me.”

  “I won’t keep you.” He followed her inside once she opened the door.

  Her apartment was clean and tidy with her beige couch and tiny glass dining room table that overlooked the window, where she ate breakfast on weekends. She put her skates in the hall closet. “So, what do you want?”

  He leaned against her door and stared at her with those emerald eyes of his that had once hypnotized her. “I came to see if you’re willing to forgive me for what happened.”

  Forgive? She hadn’t remembered, to be honest. Her gaze narrowed and she wished she hadn’t let him inside her space. “Are you in a steps program or something?”

  He shrugged, but then held out his hand to hold hers, like they were friends. “Kind of. And I cheated on you with your best friend.”

  True, but then Maria had shown her true colors that day. Natalie crossed her arms. None of this mattered anymore. “Former best friend. I’ve not talked to either of you in a decade.”

  “I’m sorry,” Rocco said with his head down.

  She walked him to the door, not caring what step he was on. “Okay, good to hear. Thank you. I’ve long forgotten so it’s not a big deal.”

  He nodded and brushed her arm. “Okay, well, I’ll let you go.”

  Good. She felt nothing like how she felt with Galen and it was time to get to work. She opened the door and waved as she said, “Bye.”

  He winked at her and headed toward the elevator. Then she closed and locked her door.

  It was time to dress and see Galen again.

  Today for the first time she didn’t need to wear the baggy outer layer. She went into her closet and selected a skirt and shirt in her size though she opted for the sweater as well. The office air conditioner could chill her bones off.

  She quickly showered, changed and didn’t bother with the bad makeup. She glanced at the clock and then called herself a car.

  A few minutes later she was at the office and strutted down the hall with a wave to the other employe
es who all fixed on her with big bug eyes. She ignored them and fired up her computer, slipped off her high heels and put on her more sensible flats and wrapped her sweater around her shoulders.

  The computer turned on and she hit print to the Dover building report as Galen walked out of his office, buttoning his shirt. She quickly averted her gaze so she wasn’t caught gawking at him. He joined her at her desk. She glanced up, but his huge muscles in that navy blue suit of his that blocked her view of the window. “Ga… Mr. Morgan, I’ll have the report on your desk in two minutes.”

  He smiled at her, showing off that dimple she’d never noticed before last night. “Thanks, Ms. Parker.” He then glanced up and down her body. “You look different today.”

  Her clothes fit her she wanted to say. She touched a finger to the gold cross hidden beneath her neckline. “You now know I’m not forty-six so I guess I don’t have to wear three layers of clothes—I’ve settled for just two.”

  He folded his arms and widened his stance. “Why two?”

  Perhaps he never felt it, but she tossed her hair behind her head like she was in high school again. “The air conditioning gets to me in the afternoon.” This was work. She shouldn’t flirt. Keeping it professional, she picked up the report and stapled it. “Is there anything else?”

  “No, not at all.” He stepped back as the elevator door opened. She turned and saw a delivery man with flowers walking in the office. “Flowers for Natalie Parker?”

  Galen said, “You’re getting a delivery.”

  No one would send her flowers. This made no sense. She stood, signed for the delivery and placed the red roses on her desk. She glanced at them and then back at Galen. “Strange.”

  He picked up the card, read the outside label and handed it to her. “Rocco Dubois?”

  Her heart raced. Had there been more to his apology? She never should have let that man into her apartment. She took the card and quickly read ‘Nice to see you again.’ She wrinkled her nose as she put the card on her desk. “Rocco seriously? Why?”