The Secret Twin

by Catherine Mann

  Shana moved down to take a seat next to Brea. She stacked a plate and handed it to Chuck, who’d come back in for the remaining dinner dishes. After sharing a sweet glance with her husband, Shana turned back to Brea. “Brea, you’re quiet this evening. In fact, you’ve been quiet all day. Is something wrong?”

  Brea nodded, looking at the remaining wine in her glass. As if all of the answers to her life could be read in the drip patterns. It worked for tea leaves, or so her adoptive parents said.

  “I just have a lot to think about. But it’s been a lovely working vacation. Thank you.”

  Shana nodded knowingly. “I’ll keep you posted daily on what I learn about Jeannie’s brother and sister. I’ve already got a line on the two of them, up near Fairbanks.”

  Brea shivered with anxiety. “That’s a little too close to home for my peace of mind.”

  “Stick close to the family.” Shana squeezed her hand, but her eyes were also dead serious. Clearly she wasn’t taking this lightly, and that meant the world to Brea after feeling so alone. “You’ll be well protected.”

  “Thank you. I’ll let you know what I discover, as well.” At least Brea hoped she could find the trust to make that leap. She’d been keeping things to herself for so long. “I have to confess, I’m worried about what will happen to the family if it turns out Jeannie knew something about that plane crash all those year ago.”

  “Would it help if I’m sure she didn’t?”

  Again, Brea’s jaw tightened. Certainty of that kind seemed impossible.

  “I wish it could.” Brea had no reason to suspect Jeannie. Certainly nothing had turned up on that useless flash drive. Something she still hadn’t confessed to Ward. “I’ve imposed on your Valentine’s Day long enough. We should go. Marshall’s flying us back tonight, since Naomi and Royce are missing the twins more than they expected.”

  “That’s sweet. They’re wonderful parents.” Shana’s face carried a longing that was impossible to miss. She blinked fast and plastered a smile on her face. “Luckily Marshall has slept the day through, so he’s rested and cleared to fly you back tonight. There’s a bed on the plane if you want to sleep.”

  “That’s wonderful that he can be so flexible,” Brea said. “I just realized we’ve kept Marshall from Tally on their first Valentine’s Day.”

  Marshall hadn’t joined them for any of the events, which was no surprise. He wasn’t particularly interested in the family business, and his significant other was back in Alaska. He spent most of his time on the family ranch, in the original Steele homestead.

  Shana said, “Marshall told me that Tally had a study session to attend for college. She’s begun pursuing a degree in social work. He assured me that they have a day picked out to celebrate and he has an incredible gift for her. But yes, I see your point.”

  “She seems to understand he isn’t the most romantic man on the planet. But he’s a man of character, of strength. Like our dad.”

  Ward’s familiar boot-falls called Brea’s attention, and she couldn’t help but think of how he too was a man of character and strength. Her breath hitched at the thought, bringing to mind the possibility that this was the kind of man a woman could fall for. Ending their affair was going to be more difficult than she’d imagined.

  He moved back into the dining, and she was hit at once by his magnetism. Ward was a towering, charismatic man who drew her attention by the sheer force of his eyes.

  She could see the strain still lingering on his face from worry about Paisley. She could only hope she was able to offer him some of the comfort he’d given her the night before. Except she knew it would be more than physical comfort. Every time they were together, every revelation they shared, chipped away at the protective walls she’d built around her heart.

  For a woman well versed in hiding, she was finding it impossible to dodge the fact that he was an impossible man to resist on so many levels.

  * * *

  The flight home had been uneventful. Ward was relieved to see Brea gaining confidence with air travel. There were so many places he would like to go with her. His job took him around the world, and having her at his side would be incredible. Images filled his mind of making love to her in Paris, in a room with a view of the Eiffel tower, and in Australia, on an outback excursion.

  The possibilities were endless.

  For now though, even thinking of being with her in his penthouse apartment stirred him to a near-painful need. Luckily, once the plane landed, she didn’t even question him driving them both to his place. Her overnight bag was already packed from their trip, so she had everything she needed.

  The private elevator rose with them inside. He’d been given use of the penthouse apartment in the Alaska Oil Barons, Inc., building while he house hunted. The penthouse had previously been inhabited by the Steeles and Mikkelsons, if someone had to work late or weather was particularly treacherous.

  The space offered a beautiful view of the mountains. He liked to start his day at the wooden kitchen table with a cup of coffee in a stoneware mug, just looking at the view. But coffee and mountain views were pretty far from his thoughts as the elevator door opened, revealing the space that was more than generous.

  Exposed beams made the penthouse feel a bit like a country cottage. Elegant lantern light fixtures hung suspended from the ceiling. Their reflected glow gleamed on the polished wood floors and dark leather furniture. A good place to be. But certainly not a forever home.

  Ward had been delaying his own home search, perhaps out of some foolish hope that he’d figure out a way for his stepdaughter to spend time with him. If that happened, he would need to pick a place to accommodate her. If she didn’t come? He would just buy a condo much like this. That turmoil over Paisley reminded him all the more of the risk of an emotional connection with Brea, a connection that was growing in spite of his intentions otherwise.

  He shoved the painful, futile thought aside and focused on the gorgeous woman beside him. He was in this for sex and yes, to comfort her through this transition back into the family.

  But no more than that.

  Still, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. No one would have guessed she’d spent the night sleeping on an airplane. Her cable-knit sweater hugged her curves, and something told him the sweater had been hand knitted. Perhaps from her days in the small community? Her sleek black hair was swept back in a high ponytail.

  Already his fingers itched to pull her hair free and run his fingers through the silken length.

  “Brea...” His voice was hoarse with longing.

  She flew into his arms, their kiss one of deep longing, the mating of tongues and need. Was she just seeking comfort?

  “Brea,” he said again. “Are you sure?”

  “There are a million reasons why we shouldn’t do this, but all I can think of is the reason we should. I want this, want you, so very much.”

  He agreed, the same need burning inside him. The feel of her body against his had him throbbing, aching to be inside her. And to hear she wanted him too stoked the fire hotter.

  All day, every day, she filled his thoughts. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. She was damn near driving him wild. He found himself imagining her naked when he should be focused on work.

  He halted the thought because work was the last thing he wanted to think about right now.

  Their legs tangled as they walked deeper into the penthouse. He yanked off his coat. Her coat followed, slipping off the sofa to the floor. His hands eagerly touched her side. Helped her out of her sweater. As they passed the control panel on the wall, he flicked the switch to start a blaze in the fireplace, the flames casting golden light.

  Three steps later, they were naked and kneeling on a bear rug in front of the hearth. The crackle echoed the need inside of him. He started to angle her down and she stopped him with both hands pressed to his chest. With a siren�
��s smile, she gently pushed him onto his back, the bear rug silky soft underneath him.

  And he was more than happy to oblige.

  Brea straddled his hips, over him in a beautiful display of creamy flesh. He cradled her breasts in his hands while she released her ponytail, her hair gliding free over the shoulders, along his hands. Raw need pumped through him.

  Thankfully he’d snagged a condom from his wallet and had it ready to use. She plucked the packet from his hand and sheathed him with slow...oh so slow...precision. He bit his bottom lip in restraint.

  Her hair swinging forward, she eased herself over him, taking him inside her. The sweet clamp of her warmth had him gripping her hips, slowing her to make this last for them.

  He wanted to lose himself in her, in the mind-numbing bliss he experienced when she was in his arms. The soft curves of her body filled his every thought, shutting out the rest of the world.

  Exactly what he wanted, what he needed—her.

  She rolled her hips, meeting his thrusts, her hands flat on his chest, caressing. His fingers glided down from her shoulders. The sweet curves of her breasts filled his hands. He relished the way her nipples pebbled at his touch. Giving her pleasure pleasured him. He wanted to taste every inch of her.

  One night, one week or even four wasn’t enough to be with her.

  The thought blindsided him, stealing his breath. She shouldn’t be this important to him this fast.

  “Tell me what you want,” he whispered in her ear.

  “You,” she whispered, her voice husky, “I just want you.”

  The raw need in her tone sent a rush of pleasure through him. He reached between her legs to touch and tease the sweet bundle of nerves.

  Kittenish moans rolled up her throat and became cries of release that sent him over the edge with her. Wave after wave of ecstasy washed over him. Brea bowed forward, her chest flush against his. His heart hammered in the aftermath, their sweat-slicked bodies sated.

  He lost track of how long they had lain together, the heat of the fireplace keeping them warm as their perspiration cooled. Soon he realized she’d drifted off to sleep. Smiling, he stroked her hair gently. Then he eased her from him and onto the rug. She gave a sleepy sigh of protest.

  Quietly, he pulled a throw pillow from the sofa, along with a cashmere blanket to spread over them. He pulled her closer to his side and she rested her head on his chest.

  He couldn’t deny the truth.

  She was becoming important to him emotionally, in a way that surpassed even attraction and that was dangerous for him in ways that had nothing to do with the company. He needed to keep this simple, about the attraction. It couldn’t be more. Although he couldn’t deny that he wanted them to keep exploring the chemistry.

  If he could just figure out how to do that without risking his already battered heart.

  * * *

  Morning sun gleamed through the windows as Brea stretched in bed. But not her bed. She’d slept over at Ward’s, sleeping in because they’d arrived home so late and then made love. She reached to find the space beside her empty and cool. The indentation on his pillow tugged at her heart. She leaned forward to breathe in the scent of him.

  It was becoming easy to fall into a routine with him, and she didn’t want to think about what that meant for when the time came for them to end their relationship.

  A shirtless, muscular Ward entered the room with a breakfast tray with two plates of breakfast burritos—made with corn tortillas, fried eggs with avocado slices, cheese and cilantro. Her mouth watered. He’d also brought coffee and juice.

  “Ward, you’re going to spoil me.” The words escaped in a sigh.

  He set the tray on the bed and slid in beside her. “I’m making up for all the travel we had to do on Valentine’s Day. I know we’re not a real couple, but I feel I owe you more.” She felt her smile turn cold at the reality of his words. He seemed to notice the waver of expression, adding, “Damn, and I’m not even sure if that came out right.”

  “You only spoke the truth. We’re not a real couple.”

  Although it certainly felt real enough to Brea right now as they sat together, naked on the bed, enjoying breakfast.

  “We’re sleeping together, and I want us to keep on sleeping together.” His now-familiar gravelly tone ceased to reassure her.

  Brea avoided meeting his eyes by reaching for coffee. “We have a couple of weeks before the board meeting and the vote.”

  “You could really just hit our deadline and then walk away even after we’ve shared a bed, calling it over, cold turkey?”

  Was that a request for more? And if so, was she even ready for that?

  Neither option felt viable. Or made sense. All the same, his request hit her hard. She still didn’t know who she was—whether she belonged with the Steeles or if her adoptive family had been right. Whatever that truth was, could she reconcile with her blood relatives?

  She wasn’t sure what to do.

  “That’s what we agreed to,” she said, sipping her coffee, not in the mood to savor anything delicious while talking of their uncertain future. She could barely deal with the present.

  “And if we decide to change the rules and take things one day at a time?” He looked so hot with the blanket draped over his waist, his broad chest on display.

  “Like a real relationship?” Her chest went tight with anxiety as she thought of how their “dating” had started and what she’d done in his office. “You don’t even know me, not the real me. I’m the person who’s hidden from her family because I was too scared to risk their rejection. I’m not honest—”

  “Brea, you went through—”

  “Stop. Let me finish.” She needed to tell him the truth, because even if she dared to think about something more with him, that couldn’t happen without honesty. Even if that revelation cost her any chance at even two more weeks. This was a big chance she was taking, but she didn’t have any other option. If people had been honest with her, her life wouldn’t be so complicated now. She’d come in search of truth.

  Which meant she needed to start dealing in truth, too. She had to hold herself to the same standards she was holding for others. Whatever the cost. “I’m an adult and I know right from wrong. The day you found me in your office, I was stealing files from your computer.”

  Breath catching in her throat, she waited for his response.

  “I already know.” His voice dropped an octave.

  Shock slashed through her. “You already know? For how long?”

  “I suspected when I found you,” he explained without even a hint of anger in his voice. “I had my IT guy run a test to check which files you accessed. They’re fairly benign. I’m not happy you did it, but it’s a nonissue, security wise.”

  Nothing significant. That lined up with her estimation of the files. She exhaled a hard sigh of relief. Then she realized what his words meant. “Yet you never said anything to me.”

  “Since there was nothing in that batch of data that could be harmful to the business by betraying trade secrets, I didn’t see the need to make an issue of it.”

  She’d pushed the envelope of honorability too far when she’d pretended to be another person to get a sense of the Steeles without the pressure of a reunion. She deserved for them to be angry with her, and yet they weren’t.

  She’d pushed the boundaries again by stealing files from Ward. Again she deserved anger, and again that wasn’t the reaction she received. Her eyes burned, and she blinked back tears. “But I’m a liar.”

  He bit into a piece of toast. “And I’m a CEO. We all have our flaws.”

  “You’re letting me off the hook too easily.” Guilt piled up inside her. She didn’t deserve to be let off the hook.

  “Maybe that’s because I feel like I know you better now and I’m starting to care for you.”

 
His words hung in the air between, drawing the oxygen from her lungs. She wasn’t ready for this kind of talk. Theirs was a fake relationship, a fling. If he pushed the point, what would happen?

  Was she scared? Hell, yes. An affair had been risky enough to her heart. But this? And what if he pushed the point? When she’d thought about the cost, she hadn’t really considered this could be an all-or-nothing moment.

  She stirred a spoon through her coffee to avoid looking into his eyes—or letting him see hers. “Are you sure you’re in the right frame of mind to be having this discussion now, given how upset you are about Paisley? Can’t we just...be in the moment? Or if you want to be upset, because you have every right to be, then let me comfort you. That’s what I would do if something more was really happening between us.”

  Giving felt more comfortable than taking.

  Looking up through her lashes, she blew on her coffee, half hoping he would run if pushed, because considering anything more scared her to her toes.

  “There’s nothing you can do to help with this,” he said tightly, a hint of anger lacing his words.

  “Why do you want to continue this relationship, even one day at a time, if we can’t discuss the things that are important in our lives?” She held up a hand. “Or rather, you want me to talk and share, but you’re not willing to do the same.”

  Anger bubbled in his bright blue eyes. They narrowed, and she felt a bitter victory in knowing she was pushing him away and he was taking the bait.

  Then his eyes narrowed even further. “Nuh-uh. What’s really going on here?”

  Panic welled inside her.

  “Ward, this is getting too real, too big for me to handle when there’s so much unsettled in my life. I can barely remember my own past clearly without people helping me.” And she’d been abandoned more times than any one woman should ever have to be... She couldn’t take the risk that he seemed to want her to take.

  But telling him that part was more vulnerability than she wanted to show. He was already pushing so much faster than she was ready to go.