Mac got out and went around opening my door. “What are we doing here?” I asked.
“We’re having dinner on my yacht.”
“You’re full of surprises, Mr. Carter,” I said.
“You have no idea, baby. I plan on keeping you guessing for the rest of your life.”
Looking up into his big blue eyes, I could see the love that resonated from them. I knew Mac had completely given his heart to me and I had given mine to him. As we walked along the dock hand in hand I didn’t feel my feet touch the planks. I was walking on air.
Seeing his yacht, I remarked, “Mac, it’s so beautiful.”
“Thanks. My parents bought it a couple of years before they died and we had some amazing times on it. My favorite was cruising to Hawaii.”
“I’m looking forward to our trip to Hawaii,” I said, as Mac helped me onto his yacht.
“Me too, Nat.”
“Wow, this is huge.”
“It sleeps eight people, so it’s a fun party boat. We’ll have to have our friends out in the near future.”
I heard what he said, but that meant our friends knowing we were married. I thought I would feel adverse to the idea, but I was beginning to really like it. Mrs. Mac Carter had a lovely ring to it.
“Do you go out often?” I asked, as we approached a romantic table set for two, champagne chilling beside it.
Mac pulled my chair out for me. “I don’t take her out as much as I would like.”
A server came up from below and greeted us. “Good evening sir, miss. May I pour some champagne for you?”
“Yes, Miles. Thank you.”
“Do you have a full-time staff as well?”
“Miles is here full-time. The rest of the staff joins for excursions when needed.”
Mac lifted his champagne glass. “To a beautiful night with an even more beautiful woman.” We clinked our glasses and each took a sip. The bubbles tickled my nose. My heart began racing, especially after reading about the erotic images in which the heroine had been seduced, when I had been reading the night before. I wondered if Mac and I would be engaging in some shipboard romance of our own. I flushed at my thoughts.
I set my glass down as did Mac. Music began playing in the background, with the smooth voice of Harry Connick Jr. singing It Had to Be You. “We’ll be having dinner in about fifteen minutes. Would you like to dance in the meantime?”
“I’d love to.”
Mac stood and extended his hand to me. I took it eagerly. I wanted so much to be in his arms, feeling his heart beat against mine. His boyish good looks were so sexy to me.
Mac pulled me close and nuzzled his nose in my hair. “Natalie, you smell so delicious, I just want to eat you up.”
That was my undoing. I wanted to kiss him so badly. Who was I kidding? I wanted to do way more than kiss him. I looked up at him, and watched as his mouth plunged toward mine, enrapturing me, controlling me, devouring me. His tongue tangled with mine as our bodies swayed to the music. Every part of me was alight, and all I wanted was to find a cabin down below and be with him. My body was pressed hard against his as our kiss continued. I was beginning to feel faint, the passion between us overwhelming me. Our kiss continued until Miles brought up our salads, interrupting our moment. Part of me was relieved, because I didn’t know how long I could continue without more happening. I wondered if Mac would make love to me, again.
“Shall we?” he asked, motioning toward the table. I was still breathless from our kiss, so it took me a moment to even consider food. Mac, ever the gentleman, pulled out my chair for me. I looked down at the decadent food, then back up at the man before me. He took my breath away. It’s almost as if he was holding back on my behalf. I hoped that’s what it was. We began eating our salads.
“This is so delicious. I love the mix of pears with gorgonzola cheese and walnuts.”
“Me, too,” Mac said. “But I love kissing you more, though. You taste way better than this salad.” His piercing blue eyes seared me. I imagined leaping over the table and into his arms. I needed to get a hold of myself. All I could do was look back at him with the same intensity.
To break the spell he had on me, I began questioning him again, although it was hard to find my voice. “So, when was the last time you took your boat out?”
Mac thought for a moment. “It’s been about three months.”
“Did you take Cassie out? On the boat, I mean?” Why was I asking him this? So stupid.
“Oh, yes. We dated for almost two years.”
“What broke you up, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“My assistant, Alice.”
“Seriously? How did that go down?”
“One evening when Cassie was leaving my office, I overhead Alice say goodnight to her and wish her a pleasant evening. Cassie didn’t even acknowledge Alice. I was standing at the door, but Cassie didn’t know it. So, once she was completely gone, I called Alice into my office. She sat across from me and I asked her point blank what she thought of Cassie.”
“Wow, what did she say?”
“Alice attempted to be diplomatic. She didn’t want to say anything negative about Cassie. She probably assumed I would be asking Cassie to marry me.”
“How did you get the truth out of her?”
“By telling her the truth. That I needed her opinion on whether or not Cassie was the one for me. I told her I trusted her implicitly and wanted her thoughts about Cassie. Alice has known me for a long time. She is like family to me.”
“What did she say?”
“Alice is a very wise woman. She told me I would never be happy with a woman who treated other people so poorly. Cassie had no consideration for anyone but herself and I would eventually be miserable if I married her.”
“That took a lot of courage on Alice’s part.”
“It did. But Alice has never steered me wrong. I trust her with my life and being married to someone is a big part of life. Plus, I already felt Cassie and I wouldn’t have a relationship like my parents. She was spoiled and selfish. It just took a while to see it.”
I sighed. “Well, when you have feelings for someone it’s sometimes difficult to see the real them, if they are hiding things they don’t want you to know.”
“That’s a very good point.”
Our server brought out the lobster tail with melted butter, halting our conversation momentarily. I pulled off a piece of lobster with my fork, dipped it in butter and fed it to Mac. As the fork entered his mouth, he closed his eyes and moaned slightly.
“Delicious, baby,” he said, as his eyes opened and he gave me a mouthwatering look, his eyes blazing, locked on mine. He was so sexy and I was so attracted to him. But not just his looks, I was attracted to his personality, honesty, generosity, sense of humor. Did I just make a list for myself? Yes. He was all of those things and so much more. I smiled slightly when the thought came to me, that he was all mine.
“I have to admit, it doesn’t hurt my feelings any, that things didn’t work out with you and Cassie,” I said, looking at him coquettishly. “Her loss is my gain.”
Mac didn’t say a word. He stood up and held his hand out to me. As I took his hand, he kissed it sending shivers through my body. He pulled me close and whispered in my ear, “Baby, I’ve gained everything by having you in my life. You are more important to me than you can imagine. I’m so glad I get to prove to you what you mean to me.”
“Oh, Mac,” I breathed. His words had caused more stirring inside me. I felt both hot and chilled simultaneously.
“Let’s get you inside baby. You’re shaking.”
I wasn’t sure if I was just cold or if his words had caused me to quiver. We went down below to the living room. Mac asked for Miles to bring our food to us. While we waited, he sweetly kissed me on the sofa. I kept wondering if he was going to make a move, but he stayed a gentleman. I was not normally such an indecisive person. However, being with Mac both confused and delighted me. I was cautious by nature, so waiti
ng still felt right. But, with a sexy man like Mac kissing me, my resolve was weakening. Choosing to let nature take its course, I firmly believed we would both know when it was right. Then, it would be perfect timing, and I would have no doubts whatsoever. Our meal was brought to us and we continued eating. It was so hard to keep from launching myself at him, so I did what I did best. Hid. Hid behind the mask of social decorum. “So, it sounds like you’ve had this boat for a long time,” I said.
“Yes, my parents bought it when I was ten. We mostly did day or weekend excursions except for a vacation to Hawaii. I didn’t take it out on a long journey until the summer after I turned eighteen. After my parents died, I stayed with Neil’s family and finished high school. A few days after graduating, I took her out with a crew on board. Neil came with me and we cruised down to Cabo. We had a blast for the month we were gone.”
“Oh, that sounds so exciting. I haven’t had much experience traveling so far, but I’d love to see the world.”
“You will, Nat. I’ll gladly be your tour guide. We can go anywhere you want.”
“I leaned into to him and put my head on his shoulder. “How did all of this happen?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, on Friday we were just two people driving to Vegas together. Well, obviously more than that, but not much. How did we get from there to here, in each other’s arms?”
Mac pulled my chin up to look into my eyes. “I’m just one lucky man. You are truly an amazing gift I wasn’t expecting.”
Again I found myself searching his eyes for any malice, but I only saw sincerity, and love. We kissed for a while on the sofa…sweet, soft, beautiful kisses. I was glad Mac wasn’t in any rush. Feeling cherished by him only heightened my desire.
“Nat, it’s getting late and I know you have work in the morning. I’m sure you’re going to have another slammed day.”
“Yes, it’s going to be insanely busy until Christmas Eve at six o’clock when the store closes. But, in the six weeks before Christmas, I make about thirty percent of my income, so it’s all good.”
Mac had a frown on his chiseled face.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, thinking I had said something that offended him.
“Nothing. It’s just…you know you don’t have to work anymore. I mean, look around, I obviously have enough money. I’d like to look after you, Nat.”
He had just thrown me for a loop. “I know you have money, but it doesn’t mean it belongs to me or I can quit my job.” I could tell by the look on his face and his jaw slightly dropping that he knew he had upset me.
“Actually, yes it does. We aren’t staying a secret forever, right? You’ve told me that you want to stay married.”
“Mac, everything is happening so fast. I just need a little time. I’m not ready to discuss quitting my job or what the future might bring. I just want to enjoy getting to know you.”
Mac looked down toward the floor. He had been so open toward me and expressed how much he wanted me in his life, and I just shot him down. What was wrong with me?
“Mac…”
“You know what, Nat? I’m going to have Miles drive you home. I feel like staying here tonight,” he said, as he released me and began walking toward a door I presumed led to the kitchen.
I ran after him and grabbed his hand. “Mac, please. Please stop. I didn’t mean to push you away. I’m so attracted to you that it scares me to death. I…I just…I can’t take getting hurt. I hope you can understand.” My eyes were filled with tears from the possibility he could give up on me.
Caressing my face, Mac paused, as if considering what to say. “I’m a patient man, but I have to admit, waiting to go public about our marriage is difficult. I just needed you to throw me a bone. So, you’re so attracted to me, huh?” A grin spread across his handsome face, and I found myself pushing him in the shoulder feigning annoyance at his arrogance.
“Come. Let me take you home.”
We walked hand in hand back the way we came. Our drive to my house was quiet, but Mac held my hand the entire way. Him walking away from me proved something to both of us.
“Before we say goodnight, I wanted to invite you to the ball the Statton’s are throwing on Saturday night. They are doing a fundraiser for the San Diego Children’s Foundation. I would love for you to go with me.”
“That sounds amazing. Is it black tie?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m sure I could find something to wear from work.”
“I have an idea. How about I take you shopping tomorrow night? We’ll find the perfect gown.”
A man after my own shopping heart. “I love that idea.”
“Me, too. You can be my own personal Barbie doll,” he said, with a salacious grin.
I shook my head with a smile on my face. “I get off work at six.”
“I’ll pick you up at work, then. Do you want to shop at Nordstrom or somewhere else?”
“I’ll peruse the store and see if there is anything I want to try on. We can take it from there.”
Mac kissed me lightly on my lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you then.”
Chapter 18: Mac
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Cassie. She wasn’t just going to ride into the sunset quietly. My phone lit up and it was Neil.
“Hey bro, any word from the detective?”
“He texted me that he’d hit the jackpot. Cassie had a secret compartment in her bedroom wall. He took the pictures and some other things. He’s bringing them to me this morning.”
“Great,” I said, relieved.
“Come on by whenever you get a chance.”
“I’ll bring lunch later if you’re available.”
“Yes, I’m here all day.”
The morning was busy and lunch arrived before I knew it. Alice ordered take out that I picked up on the way. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Cassie’s face when she realized her leverage was gone.
Neil’s assistant was away from her desk, so I peered into his office. “Hey, ready for a break?”
“Yes,” Neil said, wearily. I have been busy today. Lawsuits.”
“I know what you mean. I’m frantically working on the merger with Merrick Electronics. Now that Harold is retired, I’m going to need your help.”
“Have your assistant send over the files so I can become familiar with everything. You do have a lawyer in London who is helping to broker the deal, right?”
“Yes. He’s really sharp. I just want to be prepared and know everything that is being stipulated in the contract.”
Neil moved to the table in his office as I placed the food on it. We began eating and he opened the box of items from Cassie’s apartment.
“No wonder Harold did what Cassie said. These pictures are so graphic,” I said, getting an eye full of his daughter.
“I thought it was strange only her face can be identified, not the man. Whoever she was with, didn’t want any pub if they did go public. Now the question is, do you think Cassie would have another set of pictures?”
“Hard to say. She had them on her computer and hard copy. I would imagine she would have been satisfied with that. What else did he find?” I asked.
“Falsified identification.”
“What?”
“She has a birth certificate, passport, and a drivers’ license under the name Kimberly Montrose. Have you heard that name before?”
I searched the crevices of my mind. “No, not that I can think of. God, I wonder why she would have that?”
“It’s hard to say. It could be someone she was planning on becoming or who she actually is, or maybe, neither.”
“This is so fucked up,” I said, staring at the passport.
“I’m doing a background check on Cassie and her alias, to see if anything comes up. Hopefully it will give us some clues.”
I slumped in the chair. “I’ll let the security team know the threat to Natalie is more serious than I thought. I don’
t think she’s crazy. It seems more like she’s had a plan the whole time.”
“That’s what I was thinking, too. I want you to start writing down what was happening in your life and in your business when you met Cassie. Maybe you’ll be able to pinpoint something to help unravel all of this.”
“Okay. But it was two years ago. It’s easier said than done.”
“How did you meet her, anyway?”
“Oddly, we met at the grocery store. She asked me a question about something and we struck up a conversation. Afterwards, we went for a drink.”
“A random encounter that could have been designed by her,” Neil said. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. On a happier note, how are things with Natalie?”
“We had dinner on my yacht last night.”
“Just dinner?” Neil asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, just dinner. I’m not a hundred percent convinced she is ready to be my wife, so I’m trying going slow, but it’s definitely a challenge. I want her so damn bad.”
Neil nodded. “I know the feeling. Kate had me from our first phone call.”
“I just have to be patient until Natalie is ready to go public. I did, however, invite her to your parents’ ball on Saturday.”
“Good. Maybe with Kate and Charlie seeing her as your date, she might break and tell them. I’m not loving keeping this secret. Kate is eager to see what will happen between you two.”
“As long as Cassie doesn’t screw it up, I think Natalie and I will stay married.”
We talked about the highlights from ESPN and finished eating. Neil had a client coming in and I needed to get back to the office.
***
I couldn’t get the smile off my face as I drove toward Nordstrom to pick up Natalie. She was waiting for me at the employee entrance. When I pulled up, she gave me her dazzling smile. Damn, I was a goner. She had such a sweet innocence about her, but at the same time, was alluring as hell. Shit. Waiting is hard.
“How was your day?” I asked her as she got into my car.
“It was long. We had some difficult customers today. One actually threw a gift box at me that was on display. We were so busy; we couldn’t give very good service. I’m pretty sure she went to personnel to complain about me.”
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