He placed his hand on her lower back. "Trust me, Tess. I don't do anything second rate."
The doorman held the door open for them. A moment later, the limo pulled up and they slid inside. As they drove off, she turned toward Mitch. Those blue eyes of his sparkled intensely. She let her heart trust everything was fine. "Okay. Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
She tilted her head. "But I live in Miami. I might have the scoop—"
He kissed her cheek. "Tess, do you want to be in control tonight?"
"No." Her lips curved upward. Perhaps he was right and she asked questions to try to control the situation. Control gave her security. She rolled her shoulders to release the tension.
He scooted closer, placing his hand on top of hers. "What’s wrong?"
Heat rose through her, her heart trying to beat out of her chest. She closed her eyes and let the feeling of being safe and protected with Mitch calm her. She opened her eyes again.
"The truth?" She could share part of it, anyway.
"Yeah."
"I saw my ex-fiancé earlier." Mitch's eyes widened. He hadn’t expected that to come out of her mouth. She took a deep breath. "I didn’t go looking for him. He came to my apartment."
He patted her hand. "You were engaged?"
Tess was a failure. He had no idea, and might even be the only one who didn’t. Mitch needed to hear who she truly was before they went deeper.
She flipped her hair behind her ear, but couldn’t meet his gaze. "Yeah. I was living the dream in New York. Then I messed up on a major account, over a hundred million dollars, for Bartley's. I lost my job. Needing a mental boost, I went to the dress shop to try on my wedding dress. Kevin called while I was there and said he was unhappy with me and was leaving. The worst day ever became all-consuming.”
She glanced at Mitch, who hadn't said anything. Now he knew the truth. Her stomach tumbled as she waited. Finally, Mitch simply said, "So Peter hired you?"
Might as well finish telling him the whole thing. If he were alive, her father would have protected her from anything. She said a silent prayer that he was watching over her now. "Yeah. My mother set up my second chance at Morgan Enterprises. For six months, I worked in a part-time job. Mr. Morgan hired me full-time a month ago.”
"I'm sorry, Tess." Mitch said, “I’d have hired you.”
The past wasn’t supposed to matter, but Mitch shouldn’t look at her like he cared. She was a disaster. She leaned on his shoulder and relaxed. "Life is what happens next."
When the limo turned into the museum parking lot, she turned toward Mitch. "We’re at Vizcaya?"
The driver opened her door. She slipped out and fixed her dress as she waited. Mitch joined her and they walked down a small garden path. "I rented the grounds for a private dinner."
Once they cleared the trees, the huge, sprawling Gilded Age mansion, which was built because James Deering, a Northerner, needed to escape a medical condition that required him to live in constant heat, came into view. The millionaire had hired an artist to recreate an Italian villa. In the evening, it almost sparkled under the moonlight.
She stayed close to Mitch as they neared the gate, a staff member waving him inside. They walked to the door, where another staff member ushered them in. No one milled about as they made their way through the home.
"I've never been here alone. There are usually tons of people buzzing around the house, taking the tour."
"I wanted to impress you,” he said. He led her through the English Room, the French Room, then the Italian room as they made their way toward the terrace that overlooked Biscayne Bay. They could watch the sunset over the water. A white linen tablecloth on a small table waited as music wafted through the air.
Her ears buzzed. He’d wanted to impress her? "Mission accomplished. Is that a harp?"
"Yes. I hired a band."
This was a place brides often wanted to have their dream weddings, and here she was, simply having a romantic dinner. Mitch guided her to the table and held her chair out.
"Mitch Morgan, why would you do this?" Tess asked, awe in her voice as she sat.
"I want you."
Her heartbeat sped up. No one had gone out of their way for her like this before. Her eyes widened as her cheeks heated. "Why? You can have anyone. Plus, I work for the half-brother you hate."
"I don't hate Peter."
Her eyebrow arched as a waiter poured them champagne. "You don't love him, either."
He held his glass to toast. She followed suit. "Tess, I need to prove that I'm worthy of my name. Cheers."
He clinked her glass. She sipped her champagne that had a smooth, slightly dry, sweet taste. She put the glass down and folded her hands on the table. "From what I understand, your father might not have been the best guy out there, but you don't have to be like him. You can be your own person."
He shook his head and sipped from his flute. "You’ve never despised your family."
"Despised? No, I haven’t, but I'd like to know what happened to yours.” She unfolded her hands and picked up her drink.
His cheeks flushed, almost like he held his tongue. For a moment, he stayed silent, then took a deep breath. "I wanted my mother to leave my father. He didn't respect her. But after Catherine, my little sister, died, Mom seemed to need him even more. Part of me always wondered if my father did something that ultimately killed Catherine, but I refused to believe any man would be that cruel."
Her ears resonated with a huge boom. Her skin felt electrified. With what she knew about his father, that was entirely possible.
She leaned forward. "Mitch, he stole Victoria's unborn baby from her and took all his wife's children away. Why wouldn't he have done it to your family, too?"
"After our father died, Axel spent a year searching for any clue that might help him forgive himself, but he never found one and I know it’s killing him. He feels guilty when it’s not his fault."
Axel was a child actor turned musician. Tess was good at following the numbers and probably a trail, and her brain felt active. She remembered Isabelle Morgan was found alive and well through a Morgan financial transaction for Morgan Enterprises. Something about this story made her want to help and she could find out what she could. She knew Caro’s brother, a former police officer now married to a Morgan, would investigate. All she needed was Mitch’s permission.
"Have you ever spoken to the police or FBI?”
"Not as an adult, no. Her shoes were found by the Seine, and it seemed so likely she drowned. The case is cold for them."
If she could help Mitch find out what happened to his sister, she would have done something good for him. Perhaps it would make up for stealing his company, at least a little.
"I know a detective who I think can help. I'll set up a meeting for tomorrow."
He was silent, placing his hand on hers. "You asked me why I wanted you.”
"I did."
Her entire body was hypnotized, wondering if he'd come closer. She stilled and prayed he did.
"Because you’re an angel, Tess."
Angels meant a positive influence, which she wasn’t. She would try. Her face heated. "Really?"
"Yeah." He scooted his chair closer to her and leaned in. She closed her eyes as his lips brushed against hers.
The world faded away in that instant. All she wanted was Mitch.
11
Once they finished eating, they watched the sunset while sipping their champagne. Mitch’s heart hammered in his chest. Holding Tess in his arms, as they stood by the railing of the balcony, helped him visualize what she'd look like naked. With her breasts pressed against him, his muscles were tight, but he held himself back. He let her go and pulled away. He stared into the mesmerizing brown eyes of hers and swallowed.
"Tess..."
She wrapped her arms around his neck. His entire body was rigid, and she had no idea how primal he felt when she leaned closer and whispered into his ear. "Mitch, let's go back to your hotel
."
If she didn't let go, he'd strip her right there. His hands traced her neckline as he kissed the base of her neck. "I want you, Tess. I’ve never desired anyone so intensely in my life."
A throaty laugh escaped her lips. "Good, because I'm saying “yes” to everything tonight.”
His fingers tightened on the outline of her strap near her shoulder as he pressed forward to kiss her. However, he snapped the chain around her neck, breaking it. He held it in his hand, his cheeks heating.
"Sorry. I will buy you another."
She shrugged. "I don't care about the necklace." She stuffed it into her bra, and his fingers ached to dig it out. She licked her lips. "Just kiss me."
With rapt attention to the pulse at her throat, her raspberry scent wafted up to his nose and made his mouth water for a taste. He held still as servants on the veranda walked near the edges. "If I do that, Tess, I won't stop. It's better if we wait until we're back at the hotel."
"My body aches for you, Mitch."
At least it was mutual. The light breeze cooled his body and he pushed away from the rail. The warmth of her touch stayed with him, but the distance helped him gain control. "Good. Then nothing will stop us later." He held out his hand and she took it. “I prefer privacy.” He lifted her palm, then stopped himself from kissing it. If he touched her, he'd act like a teenager, not a man. "Everything will be perfect."
Her glasses were fogged, probably from the heat that she must feel too. There was no way she could see anything. He took them off her and wiped them with his shirt. Once he was done, he placed them back on her nose.
"I've never had perfect anything. I don't even know what that word means."
His lips still tasted like hers. He had to have another taste, but without interruption. "Tonight will have no comparison."
He led her to the waiting limo. The strap of her silver dress slipped down her shoulder and she slowly brought it back up. When she brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear, his gaze stayed on her neck. Soon, he'd not stop himself from feeling her soft skin.
A few minutes later, they were at the hotel. He held out his hand to help her out of the limo. "We're here."
She threw her arms around his neck.
Without warning, her lips crashed into his. His arms wrapped around her so he could hold her close. Inside his gut, fireworks exploded. No other woman had ever made him feel so empowered from a simple kiss.
As she pulled away, he clasped her fingers and led her into the hotel. "Let's hurry.”
Tess adjusted her dress, but stayed in step with him as they wound their way around people in the lobby and headed toward the elevator. The second he pressed the button, and they went inside, she moved closer, and her soft lips were a beacon. He leaned forward to steal a small kiss when a voice called out from the lobby to them.
"Tess, is that you?"
Her face went white as she clutched Mitch’s shoulder and looked at the lobby where a guy appeared a second later. "I didn't know you were staying here."
Mitch straightened as he sized up the other man. "Who’s this?"
"My ex-fiancé."
"So you're Kevin. I'm Mitch Morgan." He kept his arm around her waist, but offered his hand to shake. "Thanks for letting Tess go.”
"Tess..." His gaze narrowed on Mitch. Mitch waited for the handshake, and once Kevin complied, Mitch smirked. He had a weak grip. "We'll talk tomorrow."
Mitch kissed her cheek. "She might need a rain check. I plan on keeping her close."
Kevin's brown eyes widened, but he walked away. The elevator dinged as the doors opened. Mitch guided her inside. The moment the doors closed, she hugged him.
"You remembered his name? You were amazing."
He brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. "You just told me about him, Tess, and I meant what I said."
She closed her eyes and raised to her tiptoes. "Before we discuss tomorrow, let's finish tonight.”
The elevator stopped on their floor. His heart raced. He took her hand, kissed it, and led her out. He swiped his key card and opened the door, hoping for no surprise visitors. He listened—quiet—and guided her into the room. His arms wrapped around her waist as he flipped on the lights. "Finally, we're alone."
Tess’s eyes widened as she pointed behind him. Mitch prayed it wasn’t his mother. Explaining Fiona, alive and well, would put a damper on a spectacular night. When he turned, it was Axel sitting on the couch. "Hey.” He did a body scan—no blood, no broken bones—then asked in a tight voice, “Why are you in my room?"
"Never mind. It can wait." Axel hid his face with his hand when he walked past and headed to the door. He reached for the handle. "I’ll fill you in tomorrow on the burial."
The one where his mother would surprise Isabelle Morgan. Yeah, he didn’t need a reminder. Without another word, Axel left.
As the door slammed behind him, Tess asked, “Do you need to talk to him? I can give you a minute.” At that same second, her phone rang. She rummaged through her pocketbook, and sucked in her bottom lip. “It’s my mother and I asked her to research something for me.”
“Go ahead. It’s okay,” Mitch answered. He should tell her Fiona Dupree was alive, but the words refused to form in his throat.
She answered and nodded at him, smirking at the interruption. “Mom, did you find out anything?”
He walked away and picked up the hotel phone, ordering champagne.
"Yes, sorry. Hi, Mom. How was your day?"
Perhaps she’d come to the funeral, too, he thought. Then they could all see where his side of the family got their flair for dramatics.
He heard Tess say, "No, I'm on a date. Can I call you tomorrow?"
A knock sounded. If that was the champagne, the wait staff was fast. His heart raced with worry that it could be his mother. He opened the door, slowly, as Tess said, "Bye, Mom."
At least she hadn't given her mother details. The waiter marched past and placed the champagne on the table, then poured the glasses.
After the waiter left, Mitch said to her, "Your mother is open-minded, then? Mine would probably be asking about the wedding.” He winced. Fiona was now all about weddings though she’d never married. “She was certain I’d end up alone."
“Why would she think that?” Her gaze narrowed.
“She said that I work too hard without thinking about a personal life—no fun. She hoped I’d find a woman who’d make me ‘live’, like her.”
“Live?” Her phone vibrated. She glanced at the screen, but stuck her phone in her pocketbook without answering. "But—”
"Mom made no sense sometimes." The last thing he needed to talk about right now was his mother. "Who texted you?"
"My sister.” She shrugged. “I thought she was still in the Keys, but she’s coming home early. It can wait."
"That’s tomorrow." He took a flute of champagne and handed it to her. Once he had his, he offered, "Tonight, it's just us."
"Finally." She clinked his glass.
He took a sip, put the flute down, then his lips claimed hers. She lowered her hand, holding her champagne, snaking her other arm around his waist. Her kiss was like the sun that broke through a rainy day and made him feel warm and alive.
Suddenly, his pants felt wet. He ended the kiss and glanced at his legs, where she had spilled her glass of champagne. Her face was beet-red, but he laughed.
She reached for tissues. "Oh, no. I’m so sorry."
"Don't worry about it." He clasped her hand in his. “It’s my fault for surprising you.”
“I was clumsy.”
Her muscles tensed as he touched her waist. This time, she put her glass on the table. She took a deep breath and traced his suit jacket where it met his shirt. "Mitch?"
"Yeah?"
"Don’t stop. I want you." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't let me go." He traced her back. "I want you more than any other."
When his lips met hers, nothing else existed. He was in heaven and no one could sto
p him from claiming what she offered.
12
Wild parrots chirped and cawed outside the window of the Biltmore hotel. Tess’s body was warm and ached in places that had been out of use for a while, so she stayed nestled against Mitch. She gazed at him in the early light. The slight curl to his thick blond hair and his relaxed face made him even more handsome. She stretched. Last night had been amazing.
Today, however, she had to get to work and possibly ruin his life.
The coldness of her thought reverberated down her spine. Now that she couldn't sleep, she slowly unwrapped herself from the covers so as not to not wake him. She swung her feet over the side of the bed. His warm hand brushed against her naked backside.
"Good morning. Stay with me."
She wished she could see into his sexy blue eyes more clearly, but everything was fuzzy. She sighed and reached to the nightstand, put her glasses on, then turned around. "Mitch, I have to get home and get to work."
"I was hoping we could have breakfast."
More time with him was all she wanted, too. His deep baritone voice made her want to spend the rest of the day in bed. But she also knew she couldn’t. Neither of them had that opportunity. She fixed her glasses on her nose, warmed by his smile.
She stood and slipped on her panties. As she clasped her bra, she said, "I have to go if I am going to make the burial today."
His eyes widened. "You're coming this afternoon? You really don’t have to."
“I want to.” She froze, suddenly unsure. "Unless you don't want me to.”
"I want you to, Tess, but the burial might not be me at my best..."
Ahh. He was worried he’d be emotional. "Don’t worry about anything. I'll be there for you."
He stood and the sheet that had covered him fell to the floor. As he walked around the bed, she stared at his squeezable backside. For a second, she lost any thought. When he threw her dress toward her, she caught it, heat rising in her cheeks.
"Let me at least order you a coffee." He wrapped his arms around her. “No one should go to work on an empty stomach.”
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