Secret Mistress

by Victoria Arabpour Pinder

Her mouth parted but then the food sizzled and she returned her attention to their lunch. She flipped the chicken and vegetables and snuck a peek at him through a lock of blonde hair. Her eyes were glistening as she asked, “Is that what you want, Matt?”

  Despite everything in the past, he still wanted her in the here and now. He kissed her soft cheek. “Yeah. I want you. We’ve been getting along pretty great so far.”

  She wiped her eyes like she’d shed a tear he hadn’t seen, then stifled a cry. “Lunch is almost ready.”

  His pulse quickened, but he didn’t let go of her and asked, hoping for clarification, “That’s all you have to say?”

  A tear rolled down her cheek that she brushed away. “I… I don’t want to cry. I’m happy.”

  So she wanted this too—for them to be together. She wanted him for more than just a day. Perfect. He turned her toward him and turned off the oven. “Ashley, you’re sweet. Don’t cry.”

  She laughed and let her forehead rest on his chin. “Let’s eat already.”

  Ashley trembled in his arms. He rubbed her side and back as his body grew warm and said, “We can…”

  Her eyes met his fast and she licked her lips as she nodded. “I never want this day to end.”

  Her sweet kiss prompted desire within him. He needed another taste, but not where the gardener or the maid might see them. He gently claimed what he wanted to ravish. He lifted his head and motioned toward the stairs. “Good. Neither do I. Let’s go back upstairs.”

  She took his hand and they climbed upward. On the third step, he stopped. This time the interruption wasn’t his, but hers and he patted her left hand, “Your phone is ringing.”

  She ignored it and tugged on his arm. “I don’t have anyone I need to talk to but you.”

  Since she’d waited for him, he could take a literal cold shower right now if she needed to answer the phone. “Are you sure?”

  “Whoever it is, I’ll talk to them later.” They finished climbing the stairs.

  Once he was sure they were free of any windows he took her mouth in his, suddenly, to possess her. Ashley was his now and he intended to prove that to her.

  Chapter 11

  Ashley wasn’t quite sure how she would manage to walk today without a hitch in her step.

  She hadn’t guessed Matt would be this physical. Her last boyfriend hadn’t lasted more than fifteen minutes if she was totally honest, not that it mattered.

  So what if she walked a little different? No one on set knew her and fetching coffee or finding something for Jennifer wasn’t that physically hard. The pleasure was worth any minor discomfort.

  She finished getting dressed and checked her makeup.

  Now that she was dating a celebrity, she probably didn’t need to be on a movie set without lipstick at least.

  She smoothed the white pants and blue top she wore and ensured there was no wrinkles. Things would change for her, for the better. Matt knocked on the bathroom door and said, “Let’s get going.”

  Ashley glanced around the white marble bathroom and hoped she’d left everything for easy clean-up. She walked out, linked arms with Matt and kissed him on the mouth. Her blood stirred and she said, “I wish we could stay home.”

  As they left the bedroom, Matt bumped into her lightly and said, “You can quit working for Jennifer and just be here, as my guest.”

  What if she actually liked staging sets though? It might be interesting. Moving things around to portray different emotions. Most people never studied their couches to ask “what does this say about me?” when they should. She adjusted his shirt collar in the back and said, “I’d be bored, and I promised her.”

  The ride on the back of the motorcycle was more comfortable as she held Matt without her previous death grip. She knew she could press against him without fear and touching him helped calm her too.

  They raced to a closer spot than she’d taken the first day and security waved them both through without double-checking her ID.

  Soon she’d run off to get coffee and be invisible again.

  They stepped through the studio doors and everyone she’d never met stared at her like she had answers to all their burning questions.

  So much for staying low-key. Her neck grew hot and Matt held her hand as he directed her forward.

  The crew parted like they were the red sea and she was Moses.

  Or maybe it was Matt.

  Yeah it was probably him. He was the star.

  Matt asked another man wearing blue jeans and work gloves that grip, “What’s going on?”

  The man stared at them both and said, “Jennifer’s not answering her phone.”

  Again all eyes were on her.

  This time she knew it was her.

  Drat.

  Her cousin. Her throat was tight but she asked, “She’s not?”

  Eva Bishop, who Ashley knew by face from the last movie, latched arms with the man who spoke and said, “We were supposed to figure out blocking today. She’s always on time.”

  Okay. That was true—Jennifer didn’t miss work.

  She took out her phone.

  Her cousin had called her a half a dozen times since last night, but left no voicemails.

  Her body was in knots but she called back now.

  No one answered. Ashley tugged her ear. “She says work is the only thing that heals her. She’s not answering for me either.”

  Eva said, “She was always a professional. We need to find her.”

  Again it was like everyone stared at her. Ashley had goosebumps but said, “I’ll go to her house.”

  “I’ll go with you.” Matt massaged her back.

  Ashley was in the center of a field where everyone saw everything she did and it made her uncomfortable. She hugged her waist. “You need to work.”

  He shrugged and wrapped his arm around her shoulders to guide her back toward the door. “We can’t do much without her.” Her thumping pulse slowed once they stepped outside.

  Away from everyone’s stares, she could almost breathe again when he said, “And besides, you didn’t want to go and see her baby. I understand.”

  It was like he’d twisted a knife into her heart just as she was about to calm down. Cosimo. She swallowed as they headed back to the parking lot and said, “True. I’m happy you’re with me to go see what is wrong.”

  They waved to the guard as they left and walked toward the motorcycle. “No worries. Does it make you feel better if I tell you Peter and Belle are delighted to be parents? You made two people very much in love extremely happy.”

  She stopped midstride and her shoulders were a little lighter as she nodded and said, “Actually… yeah. I hear a lot how I ruined Jennifer’s life. It’s nice to know the baby is in a loving family and where he belongs.”

  He handed her the helmet. “Why is Jennifer so extremely obsessed with my brother? I honestly don’t get it. Peter’s good-looking I guess, but he’s not the only one. And he’s kind of stuffy, like my father.”

  Now that was a loaded question. Dollar signs weren’t the only thing Jennifer missed about Peter, as she had her own means of making a fabulous living.

  Being queen was always Jennifer’s dream. She chewed her lip for a second and then stopped. No need to hurt herself over this, but she glanced down as she said, “I think she’s in love with the idea of the past and what might have been.”

  He hopped on his motorcycle expecting her to get behind him as he said, “From what I understand, they broke up before he even met Belle.”

  Ashley was never exactly good at explaining her cousin. Mostly because she didn’t understand Jennifer, which was probably why she’d been banned from talking about her as family for most of her life. She adjusted the helmet strap and chose her words carefully. “Jennifer is an amazing actress, but part of her… well part of her never quite grew up. She said she’s happy being a mother though so maybe that changed her too.”

  “Maybe.” Matt drove off.

  They headed ba
ck to his neighborhood.

  She hadn’t realized how close Jennifer must live to him out here, but it made sense. This was the nice part of town and Jennifer hated the smell of middle-class anything.

  As they neared a mansion with a Romeo and Juliet style balcony on the second floor, she knew she was at Jennifer’s without asking.

  They parked in the driveway. Matt took off his helmet and stole her breath away.

  The most handsome man she’d ever met was now… hers.

  She ignored the quickening in her pulse and took off her own helmet as she asked, “What do you know about Anthony?”

  Matt put the helmets under the seat and met her gaze. For a moment she thought he wouldn’t tell her but then he said, “My half-brother’s in love with her. I’m not supposed to talk to any of my family about Jennifer or anything related to the movie. I probably shouldn’t go in with you. The family lawyers and her agent have strict contracts.”

  Right. Jennifer would have legal contracts galore with the mess she’d created, just to protect herself and her baby.

  Ashley’s stomach twisted just thinking about the drama; however, she wasn’t her cousin. And she’d avoided every baby encounter since giving birth to an infant that wasn’t hers—last year seemed so surreal. “Your brothers aren’t here and you’ve come this far. I need you here, with me.”

  He took her hand and nodded. “Okay. I’ll go to be with you.”

  Good. At least they’d face this together. Hopefully nothing was wrong. Jennifer was a lot of different things but she wasn’t evil. Not always anyhow.

  Ashley rang the doorbell and expected her cousin to throw open the door, but instead an older, rounder woman in a black maid’s outfit from last century answered.

  The poor woman.

  Jennifer would have dressed her like the hired help on purpose to show her elite status off, so she offered to shake her hand and said, “Hi. I’m Ashley-”

  “Romero?” The woman clasped her hands together like she was the answer to her prayers, not accepting her greeting.

  Strange. No one thought that about her, well ever. Ashley nodded and gingerly took a step inside, beside Matt, as she said, “Si. Yes.”

  The woman pointed toward a white bassinet that was set up like a throne as she said, “Here. Cosimo is yours.”

  The maid handed her a note as Ashley said, “No. Wait. That doesn’t make any sense.”

  The maid walked away, making the sign of the cross like she’d been saved.

  Ashley read her cousin’s letters and covered her lips.

  She should have answered the phone.

  Drat. She couldn’t even swallow around the lump in her throat. She handed the paper to Matt. “Jennifer’s in the hospital today. Appendicitis. She wrote that I, her cousin, would take her son.” She remembered that Jennifer had mentioned she’d granted Ashley custody of Cosimo if anything were to happen.

  His eyes widened as he read the note and said, “Appendix? I’m calling Brandon, the producer.”

  The man in the center of the set earlier?

  Not that it mattered. She walked across the room to the bassinet and looked down at the little boy in his sailor suit had her cousin’s eyes. Her heart raced when she realized she shouldn’t be here. Babies were bad for her.

  The baby wailed like he disagreed with her ignoring his golden bottle beside him. Cosimo’s dark hair and sweep of his nose already made him adorable and one day king of the the world, so she gave in and picked the baby up. He immediately stopped screaming. “And what am I going to do with you? Cosimo, you’re cute.” She turned to Matt. “What hospital would Jennifer be at?”

  “Beverly Hills General,” he answered. “An appendix is usually day surgery, with another day’s recovery.”

  “Okay.” Her shoulder relaxed slightly—Jennifer would be all right, and mom and baby could be reunited soon. She could do this for a day or two. “How do you know that?”

  “It’s the nearest hospital, and I read for a role as a doctor once where I had to look up appendicitis.”

  “Interesting.” Matt must know all sorts of information because of his job.

  Matt went to the door and his face was white as he said, “Get the baby’s things. Let’s go.”

  Now he made no sense. Why would she leave? She rocked the baby in her arms. “I’m not sure where or what…”

  He headed into the living area. “Bring him back to the set for now.” He followed after the maid and asked just out of Ashley’s line of sight, “Do you have his car seat?”

  No. Jennifer wouldn’t want her son out of the house, the baby she clearly treated as royalty. She held the baby close to her neck and called out, “You cannot put a car seat on a motorcycle.”

  He nodded at her like he heard her but they weren’t staying. “Pack his things for an overnight at my house. I’ll be back with the Bentley.”

  But that wasn’t what her cousin would want—she’d want her baby here overnight. Jennifer trusted Ashley.

  Was Matt uncomfortable by the idea of being in Jennifer’s house, where the baby bottle was made of gold? She couldn’t blame him, especially since the Morgans had created contracts depicting how much contact Matt might have with Jennifer on the movie set.

  Perhaps a few hours out wasn’t that bad. She wanted Matt with her and she wasn’t sure about those contracts he signed. She walked over to Matt before he stormed out and asked, “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

  He kissed her forehead and nodded. “Unless you want to stay here by yourself, because I don’t think I can…”

  Doubt wasn’t good. Her relationship with Matt mattered, and she was only babysitting for another day or so. All of her fears that rushed in her head were silly. Jennifer would understand. “No. Not really. Okay. Jennifer trusts me and I’m really her only family. Let’s head back to your place.”

  “I’ll be back.” He reached for the door.

  Matt didn’t kiss her.

  Her lips had puckered but he hadn’t done it as he strode out.

  She bounced the baby. This ease wasn’t what she’d expected but holding him wasn’t that bad. He was cute and well cared for and so far… pretty chill for being Jennifer’s spawn. She explored the house. “So, Cosimo. I’m your aunt Ashley. Your mom’s sick it seems but I think it’s day surgery. She should be ready to have you back super soon.”

  Technically she was his cousin, but her own mother treated her and Jennifer like they were siblings, so the reference wasn’t far off. She found the kitchen and the maid. “Where are the diapers and the food?”

  “Both in the pantry, Miss Ashley.” The maid opened the door, bowing her head to the side.

  Jennifer shouldn’t treat people like that. She walked over and patted the woman’s arm. “Thank you. What’s your name?”

  “Medina.” The woman glanced at her and said, “You don’t seem like Jennifer’s relative.”

  Jennifer had acted as if Ashley hadn’t existed when she’d been running around Peter’s house as queen of the manor. It seemed Jennifer still hadn’t learned how to treat people with respect. Ashley needed to keep her eyes open and remember that. She smiled. “I hope not. I hope to stay normal. Let me leave you my number in case she flies back in and blames you for my decisions.”

  The woman took out her phone from the last decade and gave her a curt nod. “You’ll bring the boy back?”

  Ashley raised her right arm to make a vow. She wouldn’t betray her cousin’s faith in her and she wouldn’t let Medina suffer either. All her life she’d walked a tightrope around family. Today was no different as she said, “Fast. I don’t want to interfere with her life and her plans.”

  “Good luck,” Medina said.

  Ashley continued to rock Cosimo as she packed his things for an overnight.

  Jennifer’s baby would be safe. She’d ensure it. And holding him wasn’t so bad after all. She’d passed today’s trial by fire.

  Soon she’d be with Matt again and better for
it. She had no reason to doubt him so she wouldn’t. She loved him and now just needed to tell him and show him.

  All would be well. It had to be.

  Chapter 12

  Matt’s mind buzzed as he fixed his helmet on his head.

  His family mattered to him.

  Including his half-brothers. Every Morgan sibling had survived Mitch, their father. No one else understood the pain of that.

  As he drove off of Jennifer’s property, he picked up speed and dashed to his house, not that far away.

  Ashley needed to understand that his family mattered.

  Without the rest of the Morgans, he might not have any sense of belonging of what a family together or understand that love and happiness were possibilities.

  He’d let himself follow his heart and open up to dating Ashley because of their example.

  A plan to keep his family close was the right thing to do, and Matt needed to help.

  Without a word to his staff, he headed into his garage and took the Bentley. He started the car and picked up the phone.

  He drove the luxury vehicle back toward Jennifer’s house and called his half-brother, who answered on the second ring. “Anthony.”

  His brother quickly said in his Italian accent, “Matt, si. I thought your lawyers said we couldn’t talk until the movie was completely filmed.”

  Ashley would have to understand. He tugged his free ear as he drove. “About the movie or Jennifer, yeah, that’s right.”

  Anthony asked, “So why are you calling me?”

  At least Anthony wasn’t in Miami right now as he had some sort of business deal. He’d never make a cross-country trip in time, even with the Morgan jet. Appendix removal was day surgery.

  Matt suddenly wished he’d talked to Ashley first and his face heated but he continued, “Come over to dinner, at my house in two hours.”

  “Si. Certo. But why?”

  If he said he’d have his son, then Anthony might lawyer up.

  And Matt had also signed agreements. But his brother had never seen his son, ever. He was walking on eggshells here. “I can’t say but you’ll want to see for yourself.”