She shook her head like she judged him as she said, “Well, have fun, though you’re expected to meet the rest of the family socially tonight at my…our brother’s house.”
Kiwi passed the conference room, her purple sweater a cape behind her. If he rushed, he’d catch her near the door, so he told his sister with a salute, “I’d love to. I’ve only heard bad things about your family, so it will be nice to see for myself how wrong that was.”
Victoria snorted as she walked to the conference door with him. “Sounds like our father spoke about us to you. He never mentioned you to us.”
Kiwi headed out the door. His skin zipped that he needed to hurry, though he told his sister with a wink, “Naturally. You and your brothers were the legitimate branch. Talk more soon.”
“Bye,” Victoria called after him.
Finally, he was free. He caught Kiwi in the black marble lobby and pressed his hand against her back as he kissed her cheek. “Kiwi, there you are, as radiant as I remembered.”
“Let’s go, Casanova.” She gave him a warm smile that offered a glimmer of hope.
If she was here, then he was in the right place. The night in Paris had been a memory he’d never shaken and to even be near her again was enough to satisfy his hunger. Kiwi Washington was unforgettable and now he had a second chance. He’d pull out all the stops to have her again.
Chapter 3
Ten minutes earlier…
Kiwi’s heart was beating fast. Her heels beat against the gray industrial carpet as she ran down the office hall with partitions to her right that hid cubicles. Various coworkers were there, but she headed straight to her corner office.
She couldn’t think or breathe.
Mr. Sexy was here? Now? He was Gio Morgan. Her company had ignored his trademark for his growing male-fashion empire in Italy. Had Victoria known that was her half-brother?
Everything in her life felt upside down and she might be sick, again.
Her degree in business and years of experience working as Serenity’s CFO at her spa before taking a creative leap to work at the House of Morgan meant Kiwi had a nose for commerce—whatever had happened smelled like trouble.
She hadn’t realized the company’s legal issues would be directly tied to her own pregnancy—how could she have known?
This was too much. She locked the door and pressed her back on it, forcing herself to breathe. She refused to get sick. Not here. Not now. The rumbling of her stomach passed but she waited another minute to make sure she was okay. Kiwi stood taller and slowly walked to her desk, wishing the windows overlooking Biscayne Bay opened.
Fresh air would be good. Kiwi took out her cell phone and quickly dialed her best friend. The phone rang and on the second ring, she heard the click. Without waiting for a hello, Kiwi quickly said, “Serenity, thank goodness you answered.”
“What’s going on?” Serenity asked. The sound of the water fountain on Serenity’s desk turned off.
Part of Kiwi wished she still worked at that spa instead of being embroiled in a Morgan battle, now that she knew what was happening.
Her fingers pressed against her temples as she put the phone on speaker and set it on her desk.
In Paris, she’d never experienced anything so passionate as the night with her handsome stranger. She’d walked around his apartment wearing only his white shirt—her toes tingled just from the memory of his kiss.
In retrospect, she realized that yes, the man’s shirt was from the House of Morgan and must have been his own design. How had she been so blind? She couldn’t even open her eyes as she said Mr. Sexy’s real name. “Gio Morgan.”
Serenity asked in her bubbly, sweet voice, “The one with the Italian trademark and menswear line?”
“Yes, that Gio.” Kiwi’s stomach flipped.
Clearly her baby recognized her father with all the flutters she now had in her tummy.
“Didn’t he date that actress, Piper Lacey?”
“I guess.” She thought back. “I haven’t seen her in a movie or on a magazine in a while.”
“So, what about him?” Serenity asked. “You never get upset about work stuff, Kiwi.”
Right. She needed clarity and fast. She held her breath for a second and then forced herself to belly-breathe. “Serenity, Gio is Mr. Sexy.”
“Wait.” Serenity let out a small laugh before she said, “The Mr. Sexy? As in, the father of your child, Mr. Sexy?”
“Sh…” She glanced around her empty office and turned the phone off speaker, then brought it to her ear as her heart beat faster. Hopefully no one was outside her door. She whispered, “He doesn’t know that.”
“Is he in the room?” Serenity asked.
She ignored the racing of her pulse and swallowed, forcing herself to sit back as she said, “No, he’s in the conference room with Victoria.”
Serenity’s voice sounded crystal clear when she asked, “Are you going to tell him you’re pregnant?”
Her lips pursed. If she told him, he might not care. Most men wouldn’t. It’s not like she and Gio knew each other. But she remembered when Serenity had been in a similar position, and her now husband had demanded they marry.
Flutters grew in her tummy, and it wasn’t just the baby. Kiwi sat straighter as she gazed at her door. He was out there, so close to her now. “I’m considering it.”
Serenity said, “As you told me, “go and get yours” so if you don’t tell him, I will.”
Drat. Why had Kiwi thought she was being a friend when Serenity was just shy? This wasn’t good. She tensed. “No, you won’t. Don’t lie, Serenity.”
Serenity laughed softly and Kiwi wasn’t sure she believed a word even as Serenity said, “I’d consider it payback. I’m positive I’m meeting this guy tonight where you can’t stop me from talking with him.”
Her best friend was way too sweet and unassuming to do anything bold. Kiwi was the opposite and somehow they clicked because they made up for each other’s weaknesses. She found her pocketbook in her desk drawer and checked it for her makeup. “We both know I lovingly pushed you. There is no relationship possibility with Mr. Sexy.”
Kiwi freshened her pink lipstick and made sure her mascara and eye shadow were still flawless. She loved bronze colors for her skin tone.
“There’s not?” Serenity asked. “You just told me he’s a Morgan, so my own husband’s half-brother.”
True, which meant if Gio wanted to stop her from raising the baby on her own, he could. She looked up at the ceiling, hoping for divine guidance on what she should do next. “The Morgans have more half-brothers than any other family. Seriously, this Mitch Morgan never heard of a condom.”
The sound of the new age symphony Serenity played as background music made Kiwi wish she was someplace with all those relaxing oils instead of in a high-rise building, wearing heels she’d designed before she was pregnant as Serenity said, “And who’s judging the dead man? You’re pregnant.”
This had happened because of the fake nails she’d worn for fashion week in Paris. Her short nails were much easier to work with, but right before she’d left for Paris, she’d wanted to seem sophisticated. One long nail had caused the accident. “Ours ripped in half and it was my fault.”
Serenity no longer had background noise. She must be back in her office as she said, “What? I don’t want to think about this. They don’t… whatever. Look, tell him he’s going to be a father. If you don’t want to, I can at the family party.”
In the distance, Kiwi saw the conference door open and close. Victoria’s body appeared in the hall and then went back in the conference room. This meant Kiwi was about to see Gio again. She fluffed her short, curly hair. “The meeting just ended. I have to go.”
She hung up the phone once Serenity said goodbye and slipped it into her purple satchel that also had her laptop in case she needed to work. Her hips swung as she crossed the office again, passing the conference room, and headed toward the lobby.
Her heels clicked on the b
lack marble in the lobby when suddenly she heard Gio behind her as he said, “Kiwi, there you are, as radiant as I remembered.”
“Let’s go, Casanova.” She waved for him to join her. Lunch wasn’t erotic, and it was a good time to have a realistic, rational conversation that had no feelings involved.
The plan should be easy, but the zip in her skin from his brief touch made her pause.
The last thing she needed was to relive the past. As they walked through the lobby, she asked, “How did the meeting go?”
“Not bad.” He held the glass door for her, signaling to his limo driver to come pick them up.
Without a word, he led her to his waiting limo and she didn’t object.
The humidity was enough to steal her energy if she stayed out in the damp heat. Once the door closed, he told the driver, “We want Italian, overlooking the Atlantic.”
“I’ll make a reservation,” the driver said.
Whatever service he used clearly took customer service to the next level. She shifted in her leather seat and Gio closed the screen between the driver and the backseat.
Now they were truly alone. She hugged her waist with one hand and hoped he didn’t see how her body had already changed. “Are our companies merging rather than battling it out?”
Gio shrugged without indicating his feelings. “My father said Morgans never publicly fight Morgans.”
Victoria had said the same thing when she’d been making offers with her lawyers.
Kiwi tapped her knee and ignored how her nerves were electrified by Gio’s presence. “That doesn’t answer the question.”
His eyebrow arched as the driver pulled into a hotel with a restaurant inside it. She could see people sitting outside under umbrellas in the back, near the ocean as he said, “It’s why Victoria thought it was okay to use my trademark.”
He really thought that? Kiwi had seen Victoria’s crestfallen face the day the lawsuit had started. She was usually good at reading people. “Victoria didn’t know.”
“Pfft.” Gio scooted out the door and offered his hand to her. She followed, without accepting his help as he said, “I’ve been having fashion shows for years.”
True. She’d stayed out of the Morgan versus Morgan lawsuit though she probably should have Googled the Italian CEO. Kiwi walked beside him with one arm crossed over her waist. “For men. I’ve never seen men’s designs go through our office, except once.”
“When was that?” He told the maitre’d his name.
They were immediately escorted to a private dining room with an unencumbered view of the blue waters of the Atlantic. Kiwi quickly noted the waves and white beaches outside were a direct contrast to the dark intimate table with dim candles. “Caro’s wedding—she dressed her brother, father and brothers-in-law. She spent more time on those suits than she wanted, and those designs have never been for sale,” Kiwi said.
He held her seat for her at the round table covered in white linen. Plush navy blue carpeting in this room that overlooked the bay made her feel like they were royalty. “Or they were stocking up on direct competition.”
She folded her napkin on her lap and waited for him to sit next to her. “You don’t trust your family.”
He folded his napkin the same way she had and glanced at the menu that was placed on their plates. “Why should I? We don’t know each other.”
She scanned the menu that had no prices. She’d never eat here without knowing how much things cost but this wasn’t her choice of restaurant, so she picked out the rosemary chicken. “But you signed the papers to merge.”
He tugged his right ear and then leaned closer to her with a grin on his face. “To see if we’re compatible—it’s two weeks. Now, if you’re part of the deal I get then I’m more likely to sign.”
Her entire body stilled. She belonged to no one. “I’m not a bargaining chip and I’ve no desire to be.”
He winked and left his hand on the table, close to hers. “Then I’ll have to win you another way.”
Now her heart beat again. Memories of that passionate night collided in her mind with what was happening now. “Win me?”
He lowered his voice, which was already hypnotic, but at the lower pitch somehow became even more compelling. “You’re the sexiest woman I’ve met in years—I only want the best of the best.”
A huge grin grew on her face and she didn’t bother to hide it. “That’s your ticket.”
“My ticket?” he asked as the waiter came in.
As in Paris, his words swept her off her feet. She quickly said, “Yes. Keep saying things like that and make me believe it.”
They ordered lunch though Gio insisted on splitting a bottle of wine and she amended it needed to be non-alcoholic, claiming she was still on the clock.
And while it was true that her boss was his sister and Victoria would exempt today if she even noticed—this was actually about Kiwi’s unborn baby. How to tell Gio?
Once the waiter left, Gio shifted toward her and he smelled like oak trees, reminding her of her favorite spot she’d hike to back in college to escape reality and dream of design. He’d offered her an escape as well. “So,” he said, “it’s possible to win your affections and loyalty. What if I offered a job where you join my team and design men’s shoes?”
“No thanks.” She laughed as the waiter brought the wine and salads. “Heels are prettier. Besides, your sister convinced me to design professionally instead of working as an accountant. She gave me a chance.”
The waiter served the wine while Gio said, “Sexy, talented and good with numbers. Is there something you’re not good at, Ms. Washington?”
Her cheeks felt hot, so she waited until they were alone and checked her hair in the huge mirrors that hung on the other side of the room. She gave him a shy smile. “Yeah, men. The flattery you throw at my feet should be just words, but with you, I want to believe them.”
He took her hand and kissed it, holding it near his face as he said, “Or, your soul knows already what your brain needs to understand.”
She didn’t dare move. Her body warmed just by being near him. “What does that mean?”
He pressed her palm to his slightly rough jaw. “I have to go to a family party tonight. I’d prefer to go with you on my arm.”
Serenity had been right. The Morgans planned a get-together. She put her glass of wine down and lowered her lashes. “You want me to go to Starr Island and join the House of Morgan family dinner?”
He waited for her to look at him again. Once she did he said, “We can do something alone after.”
Since her son or daughter was now a Morgan, they’d expect far more than she’d ever be able to give on her own. She slowly nodded. “On one condition.”
“What do you want?” He kissed her hand again.
If he continued to do that, she’d probably give herself to him. Normally she was such a cold fish with men, but Gio had some sort of magic touch that made her act all out of character. She needed grounding so she took her hand back and lifted her chin. “I’ll go with you on one condition.”
“What’s that?” He bit into his salad.
“You return the favor.” She quickly ate her green vegetables since they were good for the baby.
The waiter must have been hovering out of sight as he sprung in and picked up their plates the instant their forks were down. How would Gio take her news? Her heart stilled. The waiter left and she said, “I want you to come to my mother’s house with me tomorrow.”
“Your mother?” His eyes widened.
Those strong muscles of his didn’t move, though they’d once sent her into a heaven she’d never experienced before, and there had been nobody since. The waiter returned with their main courses. She sipped her non-alcoholic fruit wine and waited. Once the waiter disappeared, she said, “Yes. I’d like her to meet the father of my child for herself.”
“Wait. What?” Gio’s brown eyes stared at her without blinking.
She drank the bubbly fruit j
uice and wished it was alcoholic for a moment so it might make her numb enough to forget how she felt, but she put the glass down. “I’m three months pregnant. I came back from Paris carrying your child.”
He was quiet. Her heart beat faster, wondering what in the world he’d do or say. She could tell her friends and family that she’d not only found Mr. Sexy, she’d told him everything. Her baby’s father now had a name and wasn’t just an erotic memory. Her heart wished he’d say something, anything really. She wished they were in love and happy because her child deserved the best.
Chapter 4
All afternoon, Gio's mind was a fog. Kiwi, after dropping her bombshell, had acted like everything was still completely normal and spoke about the merger and her plans for next year’s designs. When he checked into his hotel, found his room and took a shower with his mind in a fog.
Even now, his mind reeled.
She was having his baby.
Kiwi was having his child, and this was the first he was hearing about it. It wasn’t her fault—he’d been the one to suggest that stupid game where they didn’t tell each other their names.
Gio had walked around the House of Morgan tense and apprehensive. And even here, he walked through routines without one thought in his mind.
Suddenly his back pocket vibrated and he took out his cell phone to peer at the caller ID. Piper Lacey. He quickly answered, “Hello?”
“Gio.” She repeated his name.
But again, like last night, she didn’t say anything else. He sat on the edge of his hotel bed and said, “Piper, tell me what’s going on?”
Instead of an answer, she hung up.
He pocketed his phone and shook off all thoughts of Piper.
He focused on Kiwi and when he’d see her again.
The thought of her smile kept zipping through his mind that he could work here in Miami, with Kiwi, every single day.
She acted like things were the same, but she’d soon have to accept what he already understood. Kiwi was his and he intended to keep her.
Secret Match Page 3