The Heiress's Secret Romance

by Martha Kennerson

  “I’m coming, Gilbert.” Kathleen picked up her glass, taking a drink from it as she went to greet her persistent friend. “I’m fine,” she said, opening the door.

  “That you are.” Morgan’s eyes roamed Kathleen’s body. “Who’s Gilbert?”

  Kathleen’s heart raced. She just knew Morgan could hear the rapid flow of her blood in her veins. Kathleen was so happy to see him she couldn’t speak. The shock of his presence made her forget that she was wearing his clothes.

  The corners of Morgan’s mouth rose. “May I come in?” Kathleen nodded, and she took two steps backward.

  * * *

  Morgan had spent the last few hours brooding at his brother’s apartment after canceling his plans for the evening and tomorrow; he knew he’d be terrible company. All Morgan could think about was Kathleen and how badly things had turned so quickly. He realized she might not be feeling the same way he was about her and he had to respect her request.

  Intellectually, he knew that was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, his heart and body had another idea, which was what led him to her home. Morgan wasn’t letting Kathleen go, even if he had to keep their relationship a secret. Kathleen was his. But first...

  Chapter 19

  Morgan crossed the threshold, closing and locking the door behind them. He leaned back against the door, placing his hands in his pockets so he wouldn’t reach for her. Not yet, anyway. Morgan needed answers. He crossed his feet at the ankles. “Who’s Gilbert, Kathleen?”

  “We work together,” she replied, speaking softly.

  “So you’re expecting a coworker...dressed like that, in my nightshirt. My favorite nightshirt, at that.” Morgan was fighting to keep his emotions in check. He didn’t want to jump to the wrong conclusions. Only he prayed that they would, in fact, be wrong. Morgan couldn’t imagine his Kathleen doing such a thing, even if she was angry at him.

  Kathleen’s face reddened, and her free hand flew to her throat. She glanced down at herself. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have...”

  “It’s fine. You look beautiful and sexy as hell. I just hope it’s not for someone else.”

  “I’d never do such a thing.” Kathleen lowered her head, dropped her shoulders and said, “Morgan, you’re the only man I want.”

  Morgan released a deep sigh that prompted Kathleen to raise her head and capture his gaze. He thought his heart would burst through his chest any second. Morgan pushed off the wall and closed in on Kathleen like an animal after his prey. He removed the glass from her hand, placed it on the nearby table and picked her up. Kathleen threw her arms around his neck, and her legs wrapped around his waist. They kissed as if their lives depended on the connection. Morgan walked them to Kathleen’s bedroom where he tried to place her on the bed, but Kathleen refused to release him.

  “No,” she whispered between kisses.

  Morgan cupped her face with both hands. “Baby, just give me two minutes, and we’ll make love all night,” he promised.

  Kathleen dropped her arms and legs and watched as Morgan quickly undressed and rolled on a condom. She unbuttoned his nightshirt and opened it, putting her body on full display. Morgan stood, staring down into her gorgeous face. His eyes dropped to her breasts and erect nipples. He leaned forward and slid both hands slowly up her thighs. Kathleen shivered, and Morgan smiled, knowing he caused that response. Morgan hovered over Kathleen with his erection playing at her entry.

  “Please,” Kathleen begged with her eyes closed, raising her hips to meet his shaft.

  Morgan stared into Kathleen’s face, his heart pounding in his ears, as he tried to keep his caveman instincts under control. He had to get the words he’d been dying to say out. “Kathleen, look at me,” he demanded. When she complied, he saw more than desire, which was all the encouragement he needed. “I’m in love with you.”

  Kathleen blinked twice before the first of many tears fell. “I...I love...you too,” she stuttered.

  Morgan lost control and his inner caveman took over. He made love to every inch of Kathleen’s body. It was like all the years of love he’d stored away for the perfect woman, a woman he never expected to meet—his perfect woman—were released into Kathleen. Morgan had every intention of leaving his mark on Kathleen, body and soul, just as she’d left on his.

  Morgan and Kathleen spent the rest of the night and all day Sunday making love and plans for a future they both wanted. They shared a few household chores: laundry, making food and cleaning the kitchen. They even made time to catch a few of their favorite political shows. Morgan noticed that Kathleen didn’t seem too concerned about the nasty weather outside and he hoped that had everything to do with his presence. Morgan even tried to convince Kathleen to move in with him and come work for his family as a full-time trainer. However, he was willing to make the daily three-hour commute by car or hour and half by helicopter if she didn’t want to leave OSHA or Houston. Morgan really didn’t care what she did as long as they were together. He knew things had developed quickly, but Kathleen didn’t seem to mind and even agreed to think about his every request, which was all he needed.

  Monday morning arrived before Morgan knew it. Kathleen had explained that she needed to go into her Houston office for a few hours but would be at the plant as soon as possible. Waking up with Kathleen in his arms, making love, getting dressed together and having her send him off with a big kiss and a travel mug full of coffee, knowing he’d see her again soon, was a scene he was happy with and ready to replay again and again.

  Morgan walked into the office to find Adrian pacing, holding a manila envelope. “Good morning.” Morgan took a sip from his mug.

  “You’re late,” Adrian snapped.

  “Last time I checked, I was the boss. What’s got you so riled up this morning?”

  “This.” Adrian handed him the envelope.

  “What’s that?” he questioned before taking the envelope in his hands.

  “That’s something you need to see for yourself.”

  Morgan pushed out a breath. “Fine. I’m in too good of a mood, and nothing in this envelope is going to ruin it.” He placed his mug on the desk.

  “Sorry, man...”

  Morgan frowned as he saw the distress on his friend’s face. He opened the envelope and scanned the contents. His jaw clenched. “Where did you get this?” His tone was hard and he was trying to keep his anger under control.

  “It was under my door when I got in this morning along with a note.”

  Morgan’s frown deepened. “Where’s the note?”

  Adrian pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to Morgan. Your boy is being played. “Thanks, I’ll take care of it.”

  “You sure?”

  “I’ll talk to you later.”

  Adrian left the room, closing the door behind them.

  Morgan took a seat behind the desk. He gripped the arms of his chair as he felt his rage building. He picked up the desk phone, threw it across the room and watched it hit the wall, shattering into pieces. It was exactly the way his heart felt: shattered. “Damn you, Kathleen.”

  * * *

  Kathleen approached her office door and found Simpson with his back to her, talking to someone she couldn’t see. “Good morning,” she greeted him as she entered the room wearing her blue power suit. She had to have a hard conversation with her boss today, and she needed the added confidence this particular outfit provided.

  “Good morning,” he replied, turning his body and allowing his guest to be seen.

  Kathleen froze as she met the intense glare of the woman sitting at her desk. The scowl on her face told Kathleen everything she needed to know. Victoria knew the truth. “Your timing is perfect. I was just telling Mrs. Kingsley the good news.”

  Kathleen shifted her focus to Simpson, but she could feel Victoria’s eyes boring into her. If looks could kill, she would have been inci
nerated the moment she stepped into the office. “Good news?”

  “Yes. I was just explaining that the investigation into her company has closed and that our top investigator had cleared Kingsley Oil and Gas of any wrongdoing personally,” Simpson explained proudly.

  “An investigation I knew nothing about until I received a call from one of my many helpful friends, telling me about a complaint that had been filed against my company weeks ago. I came by to discuss the situation with Mr. Simpson when he informed me that the case had already been closed. While I appreciate your findings—” she tilted her head slightly to the right “—I don’t appreciate your methods.”

  “I apologize, Mrs. Kingsley, but we felt that was the best way to keep the press out of it until we knew for sure there was nothing to the complaint. Kathleen was following our directives,” Simpson stated, excessively blinking. It was a nervous habit he had whenever he was around powerful people he feared, and he had every right to fear Victoria Kingsley. They both did. Kathleen could see Simpson literally and figuratively sweating as he tried to appease Victoria but Kathleen knew Victoria’s anger was directed more at her than the agency itself.

  “Do you think I can have a moment alone with your top investigator?” Victoria pointed to Kathleen.

  “Of course.” Simpson happily left the two women alone.

  “I love your artwork. Máximo Laura’s tapestries are exquisite. I have a few of his works myself. In fact, I believe I sent someone to purchase yours for me but was told someone beat me to it. I guess now I know who that person was. Having just found out about all this, obviously, I haven’t had time to look into your background. I have to ask myself how a woman working for a government agency affords such expensive artwork.” Victoria gave Kathleen the evil eye. “What are you selling, positive investigative reports? Or maybe you’re threatening companies with false investigations. What’s your game, Miss Winston?” Victoria demanded, sitting forward in the chair.

  Kathleen couldn’t blame Victoria for being suspicious of her. After all, she had lied to both her and Morgan. “I’m not playing any games, Victoria.” Victoria shot Kathleen a look that sent a chill down her spine. “Mrs. Kingsley, please let me explain.”

  Victoria intertwined her hands, rested them on the desk and gave Kathleen her undivided attention as if she was expecting to be dazzled by some tall tale. “Please...”

  Kathleen took a seat in one of the guest chairs. She took a deep breath and released it slowly. “First off, I’m Kathleen Winston from New Orleans, Louisiana, and I’m one of four heirs to the Winston construction empire.” Kathleen figured that was the fastest way to clear up any concern she had about her financial ability to purchase her artwork.

  Victoria’s brows stood at attention. “You’re Jonathan Winston’s daughter?”

  “Yes, ma’am, one of them. Do you know my father?”

  “Yes. We have a few friends in common. However, it’s your sister Kennedy Winston that I’m most familiar with.”

  Kathleen nodded. That wasn’t a surprise. Her family did a lot of business in Texas, and Kennedy was a formidable businesswoman. Of course Victoria knew her. “Kennedy is brilliant.”

  “She must be, to hold her own in such a male-dominated field like construction,” Victoria said with what sounded like admiration in her voice.

  “Much like you, Mrs. Kingsley.”

  Victoria’s eyes softened a bit. “Why aren’t you working in your family’s business and why did you think you had to lie to my son and me?”

  Kathleen’s heart sank as she fought back her tears. She dropped her head and said a silent prayer for strength and Victoria’s understanding. Kathleen knew she had to get through this without breaking down, but she wasn’t sure she could. Now all she could do was wait for her prayer to be answered. Kathleen sighed, pushed back her shoulders and began to explain how this whole mess started.

  After laying out the origin of the complaint, finding that it wasn’t based on facts and Kathleen’s reasons why they felt they had to deceive them, Victoria raised her right hand. “So in spite of your superior’s initial objection to investigating my company you convinced them they needed to move forward.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I did.” Kathleen knew it was the right thing then and she stood by her decision even now, although she was second-guessing her methods.

  “Why?”

  Instead of offering the argument she’d used to convince her bosses to move forward, Kathleen decided to share a truth she only recently realized, thanks to Victoria’s son. Kathleen cupped her hands and set them in her lap. She began to explain how what had happened to her mother affected her. Her mother’s death triggered a need to seek justice for her loss. The company responsible for her mother’s death had long since been closed, thanks to her father.

  Kathleen directed her anger at other organizations accused of doing the same or similar acts. She admitted that she had been single-mindedly focused when it came to her investigative role and it served her well professionally. “I had been right about every single company we went after until now. The moment I realized that fact, I closed the case. I’m sorry I lied to you, but I was doing my job, regardless of my driving factors.”

  Victoria sat expressionless. “Just doing your job?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Kathleen pressed her lips together and raised her chin almost defiantly. She had laid out her case, and now she waited for the judgment.

  Victoria reached for her ringing phone, read the caller’s name and sent the call to voice mail. “Was part of your job getting my son to fall in love with you?”

  Kathleen gasped, and her lips parted slightly.

  Victoria rose from her chair, came around the desk and stood in front of Kathleen. She leaned back against the desk; her hands gripped its edge and she stared into Kathleen’s eyes. “Was it your job to take a man who didn’t trust his women romantically and make him not only trust you but love you? Was it your job to break my son? Because if he can’t find a way to forgive you it will break him. Where exactly is that in your job description?”

  Kathleen felt as if the air had suddenly been sucked out of the room. The idea of doing that to Morgan was breaking her heart, and she was having trouble moving what little oxygen she had through her lungs. Kathleen’s tears began to flow faster than she could wipe them away. Victoria heaved a sigh and stood. She pulled Kathleen out of her chair and into her arms. Kathleen surrendered to her tears, and Victoria held her until she was all cried out.

  Kathleen stepped out of Victoria’s arms and said, “I’m so sorry. I would never intentionally hurt Morgan.”

  Victoria kissed Kathleen on the cheek. “You love my son, right?”

  “Yes, very much.”

  “Then you know what you have to do. Morgan’s going to be angry, and he’ll try to push you away. Don’t let him,” Victoria advised, picking up her purse and phone.

  “I couldn’t if I wanted to.”

  “I get why you did what you did and I’m praying things will work out for both of you. But know this—if you ever hurt my son again, you’ll have me to deal with me. Understand?”

  “I do, but that won’t be necessary,” Kathleen promised.

  “That’s my girl,” she said before exiting the office.

  Kathleen brought herself under control, found her purse and touched up her makeup. “I’m not going to lose you, Morgan. But first things first,” she vowed, reaching for her office phone. She called her boss. “Simpson, we need to talk.”

  Chapter 20

  Morgan had managed to pull himself together because he had more pressing things to attend to than his shattering love life. The plant just received a warning that a hurricane in the gulf had shifted and was now headed in their direction. Morgan and his team had fewer than ten hours to get the plant ready and evacuate all but essential personnel. He was standing behind his desk looki
ng over the final plans when Kathleen walked into his office and closed the door behind her. His body and heart instantly responded to the sight of her until his mind stamped them down.

  “We need to talk. It’s important,” Kathleen said, holding her purse at her side.

  Morgan dropped his pen on the desk and crossed his arms at his chest. “I don’t think so.” He reached into his drawer and pulled out the documents he’d received and tossed them on the desk in front of her. “Someone beat you to it. I know everything.” Morgan was fighting hard to keep his anger under control. She had made a fool out of him. She had been investigating him while he was falling in love with her.

  Kathleen placed her purse on the desk, picked up the pictures and press clippings and started flipping through them. “I—”

  “I especially like the article about OSHA agent Kathleen Winston receiving a special award for her bravery and hard work taking on a plastics company. I personally like the picture of you and your sister leaving some charity event a few weeks ago with your father, construction mogul and billionaire Jonathan Winston. This must have been a rough duty for you, compared to your charity events.”

  “It was an event in honor of my mother,” Kathleen whispered.

  “Like I said, there’s nothing left to talk about.” He returned his attention to his plans. “You should go. The hurricane is heading in our direction. You need to get back to Houston while you can. Whatever you’re investigating will just have to wait.”

  “My investigation is already closed. Please, baby, let me explain,” Kathleen begged.

  There was a knock on the door before it opened. “Excuse me, boss.” Adrian entered the office holding a clipboard. “Oh...hi, Kathleen.”