Galen stood still. “Who is he?”
No one important, but that wasn’t nice to say. She pressed her lips together and put the card back as she gazed into Galen’s dark chocolate brown eyes. “My college ex. I don’t understand.”
He nodded like their conversation was all business and had nothing to do with him. “I’ll let you get back to work.”
She grabbed his strong arm before he could leave. Then without thinking, she held him tight. “Galen, wait.”
“What?”
Right. She couldn’t just kiss him here. She felt a tremble rush through her but she looked down and saw his massive chest—he could literally paint an S on there and pretend to be the perfect superhero. “I’m looking forward to our date tonight. I have no idea what the flowers are about, but they don’t matter. You and I are new and special…” She had no idea how to finish her sentence.
Galen reached over and gently massaged her shoulder. “Natalie, relax. I’ll pick you up at your apartment at eight, is that okay?”
Good. Her heart stopped racing so frantically. The flowers meant nothing to her. Galen was the man she liked kissing now. She nodded. “Sounds perfect.”
He leaned closer so only she heard him. Her nose detected a woodsy scent as he said, “I’m looking forward to our date too.”
“Bye.” She watched him walk down the hall.
Nothing else stirred at work until the clock hit one. It was time to go. She packed her bag, took the flowers, turned off her computer but saw no sign of Galen in the office. At last she turned off her light and headed out to her car.
The drive to the hospital was uneventful though the traffic was much lighter than her usual five o’clock nightmare. She found a spot, signed in at the front desk and walked to the cancer ward. Two minutes later she saw her smiling but bald mother and her gray-haired father sitting beside her. Natalie walked in with the flowers, minus the note, and put them near her mom’s bed. “Mom, Dad. Hey.”
Her mother immediately outstretched her arms for a hug. “How is everything sweetie?”
Mom seemed stronger than she’d been two days ago. Natalie took a deep breath and hugged her back. “I’m okay.” She then took the seat beside her father while she continued, “Working hard, still exercising, and I figured out a way to pay for your procedures without anyone taking out a loan.”
Her father put his newspaper down with immediate interest. “How?”
How could she describe Galen, or his generous offer? She pressed her lips together and chose the easiest answer. “It’s part of my work benefits.”
Her mother raised the incline on her bed, so she sat up straighter. “That’s exciting and good to know.” Relief in her voice, her mom changed the subject. “So, how is your personal life, sweetie? Any good men you might bring home?”
All her parents ever wanted was her own happiness. Even now when her mother was fighting for her life, she still cared. Natalie tugged her ear and hoped her face wasn’t red. “I don’t know. Maybe. I have a date tonight.”
Her mother laughed. “That sounds promising. Who is he?”
Natalie lowered her lids, sparing a side glance toward her father when she said, “My boss actually, Galen Morgan.”
His grimace said it all.
“Oh sweetie,” her mom said with disappointment, “the House of Morgan is infamous. I don’t want you getting hurt. Couldn’t you go out with someone a little more… normal?”
Neither of them knew anything about Galen, or that she’d worn a wig this past year to work in order to have such a great job. She gazed at them both directly, folded her hands in her lap, and kept her voice steady. “Mom, Dad, I love you both. You taught me to have a good head on my shoulders and not to judge people based on the outward appearances. Just because Galen is rich, you can’t assume he’s bad news for me.”
Her father reached over and patted her hand, exchanging a look with her mom before he turned toward her again. “As long as he’s treating my daughter right.”
Perfect. She bounced out of her seat and hugged her father. “Of course, Daddy. And if anything important happens, I’ll bring him to meet you both.”
Mom reached out and brushed her hair behind her ear. “We’ll wait and see. Just don’t get your heart hurt.”
She took her mother’s hand. Her parents loved one another. One day she wanted to be happy like they were, but for now she had to start with this date. “I should go. Talk to you both later.”
With a wave, she strolled to the door.
Tonight she’d raid her closet. Somewhere she had a green dress that fit like a dream, making her feel feminine, and she was determined to find it.
She heard her mother whisper, “I’m worried about our Natalie.”
Her father’s gruff voice then said, “She’s smart, just like her mom, and she knows if she needs me, I’m always in her corner. Right now, we need you focused on getting well.”
Her parents were always the same. Why she felt compelled to tell them about Galen at all must mean she hoped for more with him. She hit the elevator button. There was no way she’d ever tell him that.
She beat traffic the rest of the way home and walked into the lobby of her building, stopping at the front desk. She told them about Rocco and how he wasn’t welcome. Security had her wait in the lobby while he went up and within moments, Rocco descended with the security guard. She hugged her waist, but walked over to the side so they could talk before security escorted him out. She kept her head down. “Rocco, why did you send me flowers at work today?”
He reached for her, but she stepped back. “So you got them?”
Natalie glared at him. It was time to be serious and she crossed her arms. “Look, I don’t know what you think, but I have a date today. I don’t need or want flowers from you, and I don’t want to see you again.”
Rocco stepped closer. “Natalie, I owe you far more than I’ve given.”
None of this made sense. Exes don’t just show up. She ignored the cold goosebumps growing on her arm and kept her head high. “Whatever you’re going through, I’m not interested, Rocco.”
“Natalie.” Galen’s voice from behind her boomed.
She turned around and motioned for him. The moment he came close, she took his hand. “Galen, I’m glad you’re here. I’m almost ready. We just have to go upstairs for a few minutes.”
Galen stayed next to her. “Who’s this?”
She wrapped her arm fully around Galen’s and looked into his eyes. Galen was twice the size of Rocco and all muscle, but she felt comfortable near him. “Rocco, my ex from ten years ago. He’s leaving now.”
Rocco then stepped back finally. “Natalie, I’ll catch you later.”
She shook her head. “Please don’t. Goodbye.”
They waited in silence for Rocco to leave the building and then she walked with Galen to the elevator. The doors closed, giving them privacy. “Was he bothering you?”
Being with Galen sent a thrill down her spine. She relaxed and led him off the elevator toward her apartment. “No, yes. I had security ensure he wasn’t near my apartment, but he’s confusing me. Who shows up out of the blue like that? I was clear that he isn’t welcome here. Anyway, I’m up for our date and ready to go. I just need to change.”
He winked as she unlocked her door. “Good, because I have plans to impress you.”
“And I’m totally game, Galen.” She let him inside without a worry and closed the door.
Tonight was the start of something great. She refused to let anything or anyone from the long ago past mess with her now. Galen was exactly who she wanted.
Galen was very aware that the security guards watched him and Natalie leave her apartment building. He was glad that they had helped with her ex. Outside, she waited until he joined her and he led her toward his SUV. He held the door for her and she climbed in, her bare calf visible below the hem of her emerald green dress. “Normally I bail when I see other men buzzing around a woman.”
He closed the door and came around on the driver’s side, getting behind the wheel. “How did you know that?”
She turned her pretty head toward him and cocked her shoulder slightly. “You said you don’t date good girls.”
And the truth was plain. Despite her teasing smile, Natalie was, at heart, one of the good ones. No other woman would have worn a disguise for almost a year to hide her natural beauty so that she could help care for her parents. He started the engine and drove out of her parking lot. “Why do you wear your gold cross every day?”
Natalie adjusted her chain and the gold cross seemed to grow bigger over her dress collar. She let it go. “Because it reminds me that I can be kind and forgiving. Believe it or not I used to have a bad temper.”
His eyes widened, “Hard to believe.”
She laughed and nodded. “It’s taken a lot of time but I’m getting better. No more cussing when I’m stuck in traffic.
The way she said cussing made him pause. He pressed his lips together and then said, “That’s a tough one for anybody, even with God’s help.”
She shrugged and asked, “Do you not believe in religion at all?”
The last thing he needed was a preacher. His gaze narrowed. “Why do you ask that?”
She shrugged and looked out the window. “I don’t know. When you let us go early on Good Friday, you said you were hitting the bar with your brother. So you just seem the type to reject religion.”
His family was one of the rare ones that went pretty regular growing up in Paris, but as an adult, he’d not bothered. “I’m Catholic, technically, but I don’t go to church or anything. I was confirmed at the Vatican with the pope and my mother has the pictures, I’m sure. I figure I’ll find out later what happens when I leave this world.”
“I’d love to see the pictures sometime.” she said while she didn’t look at him, but then she turned toward him. “So where are we off to?”
Her blue eyes dazzled. He swerved his SUV, but it had happened so quickly he hoped she hadn’t noticed. This time he kept his gaze on the road. “Last night we had French cuisine, so I figured we’d start with Italian at Il Gabbiano. From there I wanted to show you the Dover building you’ve been working so hard on.”
They pulled into a parking lot, where he headed right for the valet. Natalie tilted her head in confusion. “It’s under construction.”
The valet put a ticket on the dashboard. Galen walked around and opened Natalie’s door for her. The second their hands touched, a jolt rushed through him. “There is something special about it.”
She kept his hand while he led her inside. “Okay, sounds interesting. I’ve never visited the worksite.”
The waitress brought them to a table near the ocean and handed them their menus. They waited until she left, and he perused the wine list. Natalie settled in her seat. He asked, “Do you want wine?”
“Yes please. You ordered well the last time so you clearly have good taste.”
His lips thinned—his brother wouldn’t approve, but then Natalie wasn’t his to command. He settled on another white and ordered a Verdicchio.
Natalie adjusted her napkin and the waitress returned with the bottle, pouring them both a glass. She left and Natalie asked, “So Galen, did you really ask me out the first time because I fooled you with my wig?”
He almost choked on the wine as he imagined himself taking that wig off her head and stripping her of her layers of clothes. He laughed. “Possibly. No one usually gets to me, but you were the exception.”
She smiled at him and he was mesmerized—nobody could be so genuine. She scooted closer and placed her hand on his, igniting a spark inside him. “And today? Why the second date?”
The waitress returned, and he ordered the grilled chicken and she chose a chicken and broccoli dish. Once the waitress left, he leaned closer and smelled her floral perfume that he’d remembered from her interview. “Are you fishing for me to say I’m interested in you?”
Now that wasn’t his smoothest question ever. He was usually much better at flirting.
She sipped her wine and stared at him. “Yes.” She shifted and narrowed her gaze. His heartbeat sped up. “Honestly, I just don’t understand how you aren’t married again. You’re a good, stand-up guy and rich.” He didn’t move but she tapped her finger on the table like she saw through him. “Maybe it’s that you don’t trust people.”
Alison had been enough of a hassle for him to never want another wedding, right? His memory grew fuzzy regarding the reasons he avoided commitment. “I have a healthy fear of relationships.”
She sipped her wine. “I see. So you and I are not a date then.”
No. Natalie was different. His heart raced. He’d keep her close for now. “Or you’re the first date in a long time that I’m taking a chance on.”
She covered her heart and blushed. “Then I’m flattered.”
Goosebumps rose on his arm. The waitress brought them their food and departed, but he couldn’t eat a bite. “I’m nervous.”
She brushed his wrist and his skin had a jolt that rushed through him. “You’re nervous? Why?”
They were in public and he wanted to be alone. He said softly, “Because all I’ve wanted to do for the past twenty-four hours is take off all your layers and make you mine. I’ve not felt this intensely about any woman before.”
Her lips parted, and she swallowed her wine while she lowered her lashes. “I’m interested—how could I not be? But partly afraid of what happens after…”
His entire body tightened. Having Natalie was all he needed. He kept his touch against her light despite his caveman urge to grab her and make her his, right now. “What are you afraid of?”
She adjusted her necklace and then tucked it under her collar. “My job. It was hard to get a good position that I was qualified for. Miami isn’t exactly New York, where jobs are much more plentiful. I don’t want to work at a hotel for minimum wage.” Natalie pushed her plate aside. “Shall we go? I’m not that hungry.”
“Agreed.” He left enough cash to pay for the bill without seeing it. He then held her waist as they walked out the door and he could feel her skin pressed against his, even through her clothes. He handed the valet his ticket and led Natalie to a corner, away from people. “We can sign a contract if you want that you’re guaranteed your job for five years or the compensation, no matter what happens.”
The lights of his SUV came toward them. She ran her hands down his chest and gazed at him. “You just throw money into all situations.”
He stepped back and opened the passenger door for her. “It usually works.”
She climbed in. He tipped the valet and took the driver’s seat. Once he closed the door, she turned toward him. “I’d rather you just swear that you’ll respect me in the morning.”
He traced her thigh, and then drove off so no one could see them. “It’s possible I’ll want more than you can give.”
She didn’t pull away. She scooted closer and kissed his cheek. “Let’s take this one step at a time. Shall we go…”
His skin burned for her. She sat back, leaving his body wanting far more. He patted her thigh. “After the Dover building. I want you to see it.”
She gazed at him, clearly confused, but she’d worked on this project for six months and it had become one of his favorite views in Miami. Galen hoped she appreciated the beauty. He drove them the short distance to the future high-rise for billionaires and parked in the dirt, by the elevator. She let herself out without waiting for him and gazed up the side of the half-built building.
He led her toward the elevator and pressed the button. “It’s awfully high and the walls aren’t finished.”
He held out his hand and waited for her to take it. She did, and he guided her forward. “Come.”
He closed the elevator doo
r with a tug and locked it. She held onto the banister and squeezed her eyes. “Is this safe?”
Once he hit the button, he traced her face with his hands until her eyes opened, and she gazed up at him. “It’s safer than one inside a building. Just hold on to me when we open the door.”
“No problem.” She nodded, and he leaned down, wanting to taste her. His hands wrapped around her waist and when his lips met hers, he realized that she tasted sweeter than strawberries.
Every cell in his body was hard and needing her, now. Behind him the elevator dinged and he had to let her go.
She fixed her dress and briefly pressed her chest against his, then she let go and swept past him until the blast of wind slowed her down. The second they stepped off the elevator, she hugged her waist and stared at him with the heavy wind blowing her hair all around, like she was caught in a cyclone. He took her hand to steady her as she said, “You didn’t tell me about the hurricane force winds up here.”
“It’s not that bad. Look over here.” He walked her a short distance toward Biscayne Bay. Unlike the natural view from the National Park this high-rise showed the colorful skyline of Miami as it reflected against the dark waters.
She held his waist but said with awe, “The bay sparkles.”
Galen nodded, glad she saw the value, and hugged her closer. “We’ll get top dollar for this view.”
“I can see why.” She stood on her tiptoes, kissing his cheek.
Tonight, he’d have her. If she was half as good as her kiss, he’d keep her in his bed until neither of them could move. She then said, “Let’s go back to your place, Galen.”
His heart put up a block. He held her close—did she not want him at her apartment? “Why mine?”
She pressed the elevator button but then quickly wrapped her arm back around him. “Do you have an ex that’s suddenly showing up at your door?”
Ah. He relaxed and kissed her forehead. He should have guessed. The elevator opened, and he led her inside, locking the door behind them. “Absolutely not. Let’s go.”
The elevator began its descent. He traced the line of her back beneath her green dress. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “And Galen?”
Secret Date Page 5