My Surprise Secret Baby (Romance Box Set)

by Lexi Wilson

  Once we were all ready, the food set on plates and the coffee poured, we dug in.

  The breakfast was…strange. Not in a bad way – more like an unexpected way. Sure, I’d had family meals before with Natalie. But in recent years we’d been drifting apart more and more, the two of us typically shoving down breakfast separately, not taking the time to actually eat together and check in on one another’s lives.

  But this was different. We ate and talked, Nan asking me about my work and my life, me asking Nan and Jamie about theirs, Amber watching with a warm smile on her face.

  During that breakfast it felt like there was more than simple eating going on. It felt like my and Amber’s lives were joining together, even in just a small way.

  When we were done, I insisted on helping them clean up. Afterward, I decided to let the family have their own time together.

  “You sure you don’t want to stay a little longer?” asked Amber.

  “Yeah!” said Jamie, her face lighting up at the idea. “Stay the whole day!”

  Seeing Amber and Jamie together, both of them offering me their home for the afternoon, Nan watching from the kitchen with a smile on her face, I felt a sentiment I’d thought I’d lost.

  It was like I’d already been living there, like I was already welcome.

  “I’d like to, princess,” I said, kneeling down and putting my hands on my knees. “But I’ve got a really busy day ahead of me today.”

  Jamie appeared confused.

  “On a Sunday? Nan says that no one should work on Sunday.”

  I chuckled. “She’s right about that. But when you run a whole company like I do, you don’t really get days off.”

  Jamie flattened her mouth in a line, as if getting it, but not liking it.

  I stood up.

  “I’ll see you at work, then,” she said to me.

  “Yeah,” I said with a smile. “See you at work.”

  God, I wanted to kiss her. But I knew things were still uncertain between us, neither of us sure what we were. And I didn’t want to confuse Jamie.

  So, we hugged.

  “Thanks for everything,” she said.

  “Same to you.”

  With that I was off. The family waved “bye” to me as I drove away.

  And all I could think about was how much I wanted her.

  Chapter 17

  AMBER

  “Wow, Mommy,” said Jamie as she watched me put the finishing touches on my makeup. “You look really pretty today. What’s different?”

  I turned from the mirror to face her, a confused expression on my face. “What do you mean, kiddo?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, you always look pretty. Especially when you were getting ready for your nighttime job before. But now you look really pretty.”

  I regarded myself in the mirror, trying to figure out what she was referring to. But the longer I looked, the more I began to realize what it was.

  For my job at Diamonds I typically wore simple makeup before heading out the door. All the glamorous, over-the-top stuff got put on in the dressing room. But that morning, while getting ready for my job at Horvath, I’d been at it for a long while, making sure my outfit was tasteful and professional yet a little sexy, and that my makeup was a touch more…glamorous than I normally went for.

  “Is it because of Mr. McQuaid?” she asked with a coy smile. “I bet you’re trying to look pretty for him, right?”

  “No,” I quickly said. “I just want to look nice for work. When you’re my age, you’ll see how important it is that you dress professionally for your job.”

  She scrunched her face. “No way – I’m never going to work.”

  “Then you’d better marry rich.”

  “Nope. If you want to get married, you have to do that with a boy. Boys are stupid.”

  I laughed. “Then you’re going to have to work.”

  “No way,” she said again. “I’m going to be a princess. Then I’ll never have to work – I can just hang out and wear pretty clothes all day.”

  “Well, I’ve got news for you, kiddo – we’re not exactly royalty, so if you want to be a princess you’re going to have to find a nice prince.”

  “Nope,” she said. “All you have to do is marry Mr. McQuaid.”

  “What?” I asked as I stepped away from the mirror, going over to my bed where my purse and jacket were waiting for me. “Where’d you hear that?”

  “Nan told me.”

  “Oh, is that right?”

  She nodded, following me out of my bedroom to the living room. Nan was on the couch, reading the paper.

  “And what did Nan say about Mr. McQuaid, exactly?”

  Nan smirked, not taking her eyes from the paper but clearly listening in on the conversation.

  “She showed me his house on the internet, and she said it was a real palace. That’s what princes live in, right?”

  “Something like that. But it’s not a real palace.”

  Now Jamie was really confused. “What do you mean?”

  “Mom’s got to get to work. Why don’t you ask Nan to explain it to you while she takes you to school?”

  I gave Nan a light-hearted, pointed look, Nan smirking right back at me.

  “OK,” said Jamie. “But I still think it’s a good idea.”

  “I get bet you do. Now come here and give your mom a kiss, princess.”

  She did, and with a hug for Nan I was out the door.

  The day was pure California, bright and sunny and just warm enough. Not needing my jacket, I tossed it over my shoulder and smiled, happy to be off for another day at a real job, one that both provided for my family and didn’t involve dancing in front of my underwear for strange men.

  I spent the drive to Horvath thinking about the previous day, about how natural and effortless Nick had been with my family, how both Jamie and Nan had already taken a heck of a liking to him.

  And hell, so had I. There was something going on between us, something I couldn’t ignore. It was exciting and I couldn’t stop thinking about it, couldn’t stop wondering if it was something more than just attraction.

  But I had to play it cool. After all, he was my boss. Not that I thought he’d ever take advantage of that relationship, but more that with him being the one who signed my paycheck, I literally couldn’t afford to screw things up.

  The smart thing to do would’ve been to put it all on hold, to tell him that with me being his secretary and him my boss, there couldn’t be any of that business happening.

  I knew that was pointless, however. I couldn’t resist him, and he couldn’t resist me. Whatever was going to happen was going to happen.

  I parked in the garage below the building and took the elevator up to the lobby. The place was bustling as ever, and I gave a glance to the portrait of Nick hung up on the wall, smiling as though it were actually his own eyes on me and not simply painted versions of them.

  I turned my gaze away from the portrait and passed through the security checkpoint, swiping my ID card over the scanner and smiling to myself as it turned green, knowing that little light meant belonged there.

  One elevator ride later and I was on the executive floor, the place a hive of activity, the high-powered men and women working there already well into their day. It wasn’t quite as crazy as it would be later, as it was still early, still before the entire crew had shown up. The lights to Nick’s office were off, which meant he either hadn’t shown up, or he was somewhere else in the office.

  I sat down at my desk and settled in, turning on my computer and pouring my coffee from my thermos into my mug. A few clicks later and I was in Nick’s email, scanning the subject lines so I could put together his schedule for the first part of the day.

  But I didn’t get far before a figure stepped up to the desk, looming over me. I looked up to see a handsome man in a suit, his hair blonde and short, his face square, a cocky grin on his face and a mug of coffee in his hand. His sliver watch gleamed in the mornin
g light.

  “Hey,” he said. “Amber, right?”

  “Yes,” I said, not sure what to make of it. “Mr. Horvath isn’t in yet. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “You know, there just might be.” He extended his free hand. “I’m Jake White – senior executive.”

  It was strange to hear that title. Jake looked barely over my age, not at all the kind of guy I’d imagine to be “senior” anything.

  “Hi, Jake White, senior executive,” I said, taking his hand and shaking it. “And what is it I can assist you with?”

  That cock grin still on his face, he smoothly pivoted his body and sat down on the edge of my desk.

  “Well,” he said. “Talk around the executive lounge is that Mr. Horvath hired a very, very cute little secretary.”

  Oh, great – it was going to be that kind of conversation.

  “Didn’t anyone tell you it’s impolite to talk about people behind their backs?” I asked, turning my attention back to my computer. “Anyway, if you don’t mind I have a lot of work to do.”

  “I’m sure you do, so I’ll keep this snappy. You’re gorgeous, Amber. So gorgeous, in fact, that I’d be remiss if I didn’t invite you out to dinner the first chance I got.”

  “Uh huh.”

  He was handsome and all, but I wasn’t interested. Maybe it was his cocky attitude, the fact that at Diamonds I’d dealt with more than my fair share of men like him, but nothing about him appealed to me.

  Or maybe it was the fact that there was another man who’d I’d been much, much more interested in.

  “And when I say ‘dinner,’ I’m not talking about taking you downtown. I’m thinking we take a private plane to wherever you want to go. You want, and we can be dining in Paris under the Eiffel Tower. Sound like something you’d be into?”

  “Nah,” I said. “But thanks for the offer.”

  He grinned and leaned in. “Is it because you don’t want to mix business and pleasure? Trust me – I’ll make sure we don’t get caught. It can be our little secret.” With that, he took hold of my collar with his forefinger and thumb and gave it a little tug.

  That was the other thing about guys like him – they didn’t know when to back off, to take “no” for an answer. I placed my hand on his, preparing to take his hand away.

  But before I could, I spotted Nick. He stopped where he stood, narrowing his eyes at the scene as if trying to figure out if he was seeing what he thought he was.

  Then he narrowed his eyes and stepped over, walking briskly.

  “Mr…Mr. Horvath,” said Jake, quickly taking his hand from my collar. “Good morning.” Whatever confidence and charm he had melted away under Nick’s glare.

  It took less than two seconds for it to be clear as day just who was in charge.

  “Jake, get your ass off that desk. And Amber, come in to my office.”

  There was nothing friendly about his tone – it was sharp and professional and just a little harsh.

  “Yes, Mr. Horvath,” said Jake. He didn’t even look at me after Nick had scolded him.

  He hopped off my desk on command, his gaze going to the floor as if he were scared at what might happened if he were to take another look at me. Seconds later he was gone.

  “Amber – my office.”

  Without waiting for me to respond, he opened the door and stepped inside. Anxiety taking hold, I stepped in after him and quickly shut the door.

  He was seated on the edge of his desk. But unlike when Jake had done it, he radiated power and control. He locked eyes with me, making me feel small and weak.

  And it hit me – as far as he could tell, Jake and I were flirting with each other.

  “What happened out there,” I said. “It wasn’t-“

  He raised his palm, silencing me without a word.

  “I don’t want to hear it.”

  It was so strange to see him like that. He’d been friendly and charming and all the rest with me before, but at that moment he was pure CEO, unquestionably the man in charge.

  “That was unprofessional behavior, Amber.” His eyes still locked onto mine, he got up from his desk and slowly stepped over to me. “Do you really think that’s the sort of conduct I expect from my staff, to be flirting with my subordinates?”

  “It…It wasn’t me. He came over and-“

  “I said, I don’t want to hear it.” He stepped closer to me, stopping right before me, close enough that I could feel the heat from his body.

  “Now,” he said. “Actions have consequences. And for that kind of unprofessional behavior, there are most definitely going to be consequences.” Before I could say a word, he reached around me and grabbed my ass, squeezing it hard through my skirt. “There’s one man here who gets to come onto you like that. And it’s the man who has your ass in his hand right now. Got it?”

  I gasped at his touch, his hand firm on my ass.

  But despite how nervous I was, I couldn’t help but be…totally turned-on.

  “Now,” he said. “I want you to think about this the next time some little shithead tries to flirt with you. Get your ass back out there and get to work. Understand?”

  “I…I understand.”

  “Good. Smart girl. Now go.” He released my ass, and I stepped away from him.

  “Oh, and one more thing. I’ve got a business trip to London tomorrow. You’re coming with me. Get things sorted out with Jamie and your mother.”

  “O…OK.”

  With that, I hurried out of the office and back to my desk, my heart racing.

  And as soon as I was back in my seat, I realized what the punishment was.

  He didn’t give me what I really wanted.

  Chapter 18

  NICK

  It was the next day, and Amber and I were seated on the private plane, en route to London.

  I’d been distant with her since the incident with Jake – and that hadn’t been unintentional. We’d gotten close –perhaps a bit too close- and I wanted her to know just who was in charge.

  It had worked. Amber had buckled down and focused on the job, doing killer work with my schedule. She was dutiful and obedient.

  But that didn’t mean I didn’t want her like crazy. When I’d grabbed her ass in the office like that it’d taken all the restraint I had not to put my hands on her hips, bend her over my desk, hike up that skirt, and give her what she and I both wanted.

  A chime sounded through the spacious cabin of the private plane.

  “Mr. McQuaid,” spoke the pilot. “We’re about an hour out from London. Descent will begin in just a few minutes.”

  “Thank you,” I spoke aloud to the intercom.

  I’d been spending the seven-hour flight busy with my laptop, getting my affairs in order for the two-day trip ahead. Part of me wished I could stay with Amber for longer, maybe the two of us taking a week-long trip to really explore London.

  Not to mention explore each other.

  But we both had work, and not to mention that she had her family to worry about.

  I decided to break the tension between us, the message sent.

  “How’s Jamie?” I asked. “And your mother?”

  She looked up from her laptop, as if surprised that I was talking to her about personal matters rather than the strictly business-related topics I’d been keeping our exchanges centered around the last day.

  “Um, Jamie and my mom?” she asked. “They’re fine. Why do you ask?”

  I offered her a slight smile. “Because I’m curious.”

  An expression of relief took hold of her, as if she’d been worried the tension between us might never end.

  “Jamie’s a little disappointed she couldn’t come with me. She’s crazy about London.”

  “Is that right?” I asked.

  “It is. Ever since Nan told her we’re descended from people who came to American from England she can’t get enough of the place. And I think the fact that they still have princes and princesses doesn’t hurt matte
rs.”

  I filed this information away.

  “And how about Natalie?” she asked. “That’s your sister’s name, right?”

  She was good with details – I had to give her that.

  “She’s well,” I said. “Your advice…it helped.”

  She smiled. “That’s good to hear. I know what it’s like to be her age. I mean, it wasn’t too long ago, really. And you don’t want anyone telling you what to do. In fact, the more you try to tell them what to do, the more they resist.”

  “Kids,” I said with a smirk, as if we weren’t only a few years off from being that old.

  She glanced away, chewing her lip as if she had something on her mind that she wasn’t sure how to say.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “It’s…it’s nothing.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Well, what happened with Jake the other day.”

  I raised my palm, not needing to hear another word.

  “You don’t need to explain yourself.”

  “Huh?” she was obviously confused.

  “I’ve worked with Jake for years – I know how he is. Any pretty girl that starts at the office he’s all over. And he’s not subtle about it.”

  She smiled.

  “So, you’ve seen him do that before?”

  “Dozens of times. And he always seems to try his nonsense with women who don’t take any shit. The moment I saw him putting the moves on you I knew I needed to step in. Not because I thought you couldn’t handle yourself, but because I knew he was about two seconds away from getting a slap to the face.”

  She laughed, the gorgeous sound filling the cabin.

  “You’re right. You really saved his ass.”

  I felt the plane begin to descend.

  “Alright,” I said. “Meeting’s tonight. I know we’re both going to be jet-lagged and tired, but no rest for the weary.”

  “What’s the meeting about?” she asked. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

  “I don’t mind at all – you’re going to be there, after all.” I closed my laptop and sat up. “We’re meeting with Carlyle Constructions, one of the biggest construction firms in Europe. We want to partner with them, and if I talk them into it, we’ll be able to work with them on projects in London, Berlin, Paris – all the major cities in Western Europe. Lots of money, and it’ll mark Horvath’s expansion in the Europe. It’s only the first step, but in time we might finally be able to call Horvath an international business.”