Secret Date

by Victoria Pinder

  She placed her hand on his cheek and then bounced in her seat to kiss him fast. Once she settled back she said, “Not directly, but is there anyone who wouldn’t want us dating? Maybe Jennifer?”

  Natalie trusted him, and that was good. He wrote the actress’s name down. “Jennifer is in love with Peter, not me. She’s benefitted from some shady situations before, but she’s never been linked to any crime.”

  For a moment Natalie didn’t say anything—she looked lost in thought but then she blinked. “Did she date Rafe a long time ago?”

  “Huh?” Had Natalie liked Rafe years ago? His pulse zipped with jealousy, but he kept quiet.

  Natalie lifted her head and stared at the ceiling for a moment and then scooted closer to him. “In college I remember Rafe coming to visit Caro and Caro complaining about his model/actress girlfriend Jennifer who never went to college.”

  He’d have to tell her that Rafe was happy and a father now. “Yeah, I think they did, but how is that relevant?”

  Natalie rested her head on his shoulder and then sat up. “Nothing, except you might be right and our worlds are really intertwined in ways I never thought about. Anyone else who might want you alone and single, Galen?”

  Him? He stared at Natalie. Most of the women in his past never cared about him beyond what little money they might get. The only one who ever got more was his ex-wife, and that was thanks to his dead father. Galen tugged his ear. “My only significant relationship was with my ex, Alison. I have no idea where she is.”

  Natalie surprised him. “Her online profile said she was in Tibet.”

  His eyes widened. Honestly, he’d not bothered to care what happened to her in years. “You looked her up?”

  Natalie nodded but kept her gaze on him. “I wanted to know what type of women you found attractive. She seemed super adventurous.”

  Had she been interested in him before now? He kissed Natalie’s forehead. “Alison was many things, but when we were married, adventure was not one of her charms and she was nowhere near as sweet as you.”

  Neither said anything else for a few minutes, but her lips went up and met his. His kiss fueled a flame inside her, but he simply kept his hand on her knee. Slowly Natalie broke the silence. “We’ll write her down to have Rafe check her out as I can’t think of anyone else.”

  He did, then pushed the paper closer to her so she could read it.

  She nodded. “That’s really it for now. Maybe we will think of more later. It’s a solid start.”

  He snapped a picture of their list with his phone to text to his brother-in-law. “Let me send this over to Rafe and then we can eat together on the patio.”

  He stood and offered her his hand. She ignored it and stood on her own. “Are you sure that it’s safe if we eat outside?”

  The bright sun and mild breeze made for perfect weather. He nodded and guided her to the patio in the back, where he had servants set up lunch. “Yes. Security is on high alert. If any movement is out of the ordinary, security will investigate.”

  She rolled her shoulders and followed him out on the patio. His staff had already set up the drinks and salad. He waited for her to sit and pushed her chair in. She put her napkin on her lap and waited for him. “Okay. So what is on the menu?”

  Last night she’d challenged him. Today was his turn. He poured her a small glass as he said, “Grilled chicken salad with a fromage plate to share, and Kir Royal as our Aperitif. Then we’ll move on to escargots bourguignon and truite aux amandes while we test out a chardonnay.”

  Her American stomach might or might not approve, but she patted it gamely. He’d picked a very French menu to see her reaction, ready to have the kitchen send up something else just in case, but she picked up her fork like she’d eat. “So snails and what is truite?”

  Galen held up his glass and waited for her to clink. Once she did, he answered, “Truite aux amandes is trout with lemon butter and almonds.”

  She tried some of her salad with gusto—smiling at him across the small table she said, “This sounds intriguing. Thank you for being here for me, Galen.”

  Blue eyes sparkled as shiny as the water behind her—she had to know she was truly beautiful. He would cherish Natalie forever. “There is no place I’d rather be.” She picked up her glass, sipped and swallowed. “Let’s hope this is all sorted out fast.”

  He glanced at her. Natalie was the prettiest woman he’d ever met. “Agreed, but for now let’s enjoy our lunch. Afterwards, we’ll find ways to entertain ourselves.”

  She scooted closer, put her glass down and squeezed his thigh. His body hardened instantly but he gulped a glass of water. “Huh, so today might work out as pleasant after all.”

  Her eyes sparkled as he leaned closer to her and smelled her sweet perfume. “It’s up to you as always.”

  She winked at him. “I like having this say.”

  After lunch he had her for the afternoon, he’d have to remember to turn off his phone. The last thing they needed were more distractions.

  Natalie met Galen’s warm gaze. He had saved her today. Why someone had targeted her at all still seemed foreign, but Galen’s exercise of writing down suspects earlier had calmed her thoughts. She smiled at him and pushed her plate away. “Lunch was delicious. I don’t think I could eat another bite. Let’s skip the cake.”

  “Agreed.” He dropped his napkin on his plate as he stood. “Come. I want to show you my house as you’re living here indefinitely.”

  A tour of his museum would definitely work off calories. The lemon butter trout had been delicious and rich in flavor. She scooted her chair and followed him. They left the patio and walked down the first floor hall, under his bedroom wing. Art hung on the walls. “Thanks. I guess I should get to know this place. Did you hire a decorator?”

  They walked past a painting with swirls of color and the faces were all distorted that caused her to stop. Had she seen this in a museum?

  “Sort of. It was decorated when I bought it and I never bothered to change anything.”

  Right. She let the art question go and continued down the hall with him, but she gently bumped into his shoulder. “So if we do become more serious, is there anything in this house you value and wouldn’t want to change?”

  His gaze became way more intense as he stared at her. “You can decorate the house any way you want.”

  Her skin warmed as he opened a door to reveal a sitting room with a lovely view of the bay, but she stayed at his side. “That doesn’t quite answer my question.”

  He closed the door and they continued to walk down the hall, past a marble statue that looked old. He paid no attention to his surroundings as he pointed, “There are a few works of art I moved upstairs that I bought at some auction for investment purposes. I’d like for them not to be ruined, but I’m not personally attached to anything.”

  This time he opened a door and there was definitely a crisp, clean smell. She followed him down a step into the chilled room where goosebumps raised on her arm. “Where are we going?”

  He flipped the light on and revealed at least a thousand bottles of wine, all on racks. “This is the wine room. Feel free to take anything you want.”

  She’d never seen so much wine outside a liquor store. He could have been a bootlegger in the 1920s or more likely the benign billionaire of the era who threw lavish parties that people still talked about today. “It’s huge, and well cared for.” Not a hint of dust. “What’s the next room?”

  He flipped off the lights and once they walked outside, the heat of the Miami day returned and melted her goosebumps instantly.

  He opened the next door to reveal a very corporate-looking office with a mahogany desk and leather chairs that were similar to his office at work. “We can share this office while you’re here.”

  The similarities to her job sent her mind racing, so she walked out before she felt guilty for not working today. “It’s big. Let’s keep going.”

  Galen followed behind her and opene
d the next room. As he walked in and flipped the light, it was like in a movie where suddenly the room was illuminated from blackness to light from the crystal chandelier. “And this is the library.”

  She crossed the threshold and her heart skipped a beat. Only in the movies had she seen anyone own a room like this. She went to one of the shelves and traced the books with a finger. “Why do you have all of these?”

  He stayed at her side as she explored the room that even had labels on the books for filing like a library. “Is it unusual that I like to read?”

  “Honestly, yes.” She pressed her lips together and put her head down before she offended him. Natalie pointed up at another loaded shelf. “You clearly spend your days working out or making real estate deals. There are thousands of books in here—when do you have time?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “I like to exercise my mind as a means of relaxing.”

  Insulting him was not her intent. “I’m surprised but happy.” She picked up a classic bound in red leather and hugged it to her chest. “I have always wanted to read the Count of Monte Cristo.”

  “Take it.” He glanced at her chest. “It’s a good book.”

  Awareness grew in her body. She slipped the book back on the shelf. “If I wasn’t here and this was a normal day, what would you do to fill the time?”

  They walked further into the library and she realized they’d arrived at the business book section. Galen stopped and stepped in front of her, his brown eyes intense. “Normally, I’d visit one of my brothers on the block, but right now I’d like to slowly slip that dress off you, inch by inch, and take you.”

  Her skin heated as he grazed his hands down her arms. During the day? Not in the bedroom? Okay, she could. She reached behind her and unzipped her dress. “On the couch or on the desk?”

  He kissed her forehead and she could feel his heartbeat, which only set her own heart off in a wild tempo. She dropped her hand to his hip and traced his hard length with her fingertips. “Doesn’t matter.”

  The green oriental carpet in this section had three walls of books around it, which made it semi-private. She slipped her shoulder down, baring her skin. “This carpet over here looks very soft. Silky, even.”

  He kicked off his shoes and pulled her closer, kissing her hard. She felt a tremble of desire stir as she held onto him for support. “You’re beautiful, Natalie.”

  Excitement bubbled within her. She’d never felt this desirable, ever, but Galen brought this out in her. She laughed throatily. “Glad you think so.”

  Something dinged in the library—a sound similar to the doorbell from yesterday. As he released her lips from one kiss and before he could kiss her again, she pushed on his chest and asked, “Is someone here?”

  “Ignore it.” He kissed her again.

  Her mouth tingled from his kiss, and her entire body felt on fire. She pushed on his muscular body again, and he pulled back as she tugged her dress up. “What if it’s news?”

  His body was hard though he paused. “But-”

  She kissed him as she put the other side of her dress up. “After, Galen. We have all afternoon.”

  He adjusted his shirt and pants, instantly looking put back together. “I left my phone in the living room, so we’ll have to check the old-fashioned way.”

  She reached behind her dress, but she couldn’t catch the zipper. Her own heart was still racing, so she turned around. “It’s how I roll anyhow. Zip up my dress?”

  He kissed her neck and she melted a little into his arms. “You promise after whoever is gone we can come back here?”

  “Yes. Let’s go.” He zipped up her dress, and she fixed her hair as best she could.

  They rushed through the hall and returned to the living area. The maid had already let his guests inside. Galen took her hand and led her forward as he addressed all of them. “Mom. Mitch. Tess. Axel. Peter. Belle. Isabelle. We weren’t expecting company…”

  Peter met Galen’s gaze. “Belle wanted to talk to Natalie about what happened with Jennifer.”

  Natalie studied the other woman she’d never met. Her dark eyes had circles under them, her skin wan. What would she do if their positions were reversed?

  Galen held her hand firmly. “Now is not a good time.”

  No. Natalie tapped Galen’s shoulder and he turned toward her. She’d never hurt anyone, not on purpose. “Galen, let’s get that dessert your chef made and order tea or coffee. It’s fine.”

  Galen whispered like they needed to talk privately. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded and tried to smile but it was an awkward situation. She then turned back and forced a smile at their guests. “If I was Belle, then I’d want to talk to me too. It sounds like her life was thrown off balance.”

  Galen let her hand go and again he asked her, “Are you sure?”

  “Should I be afraid?” Empathy for Belle had already taken hold. If she was married to Galen and wanted to have his child and something random happened at a clinic, all because another woman wanted her husband, she wasn’t sure what she’d do.

  Galen glanced at his family. “No. But you’ve already been through a lot today.”

  Fiona, Galen’s mother, said, “We heard about the plane and how Rafe is working on the case to find who is behind the fire. We’re so sorry.”

  Natalie took the seat next to Belle as she told Galen, “See. It’s fine. Order the dessert we skipped to have it set up for everyone to share.”

  “This is kind of you,” Belle said, in obvious agitation.

  Galen held his phone and spoke quietly with his brother Mitch. She assumed he’d ordered the cake.

  Natalie folded her hands in her lap and tried to find the right words to soothe the woman. “Belle, I want to assure you that I’m not trying to hurt you by refusing to sign a contract. I was dragged into this situation…”

  Belle took a deep breath. “If on the off chance you are pregnant-”

  “I’m not.” Natalie refused to explain the science of it all again.

  Belle patted her hand, met her husband’s gaze and asked, “If you are though, and it turns out that it’s Peter’s, will you allow him to raise it?”

  This wasn’t a good way to meet new people or impress Galen’s family. She met Fiona’s steady regard and hoped she was an ally, but Natalie couldn’t be sure. Galen was too far away to intercede, so she lifted her chin and decided to be definite. “If I was pregnant with my own child, then I would raise my baby.”

  Galen returned and said, “The cake is coming now. I support Natalie’s decisions entirely. She’s a good person who doesn’t deserve to be dragged into a fight. She’s not Jennifer.”

  Natalie glanced up at him. Galen on her side was all she needed. She took a calming breath.

  Belle, voice shaking, persisted, “Can we come to terms where Peter would be a part of the child’s life?”

  Isabelle Morgan, the other older woman and Peter’s mother asked, “Are you sure you’re okay with that Belle, dear?”

  “Yes.” Belle glanced over Natalie and toward Isabelle and then returned her full attention to Natalie for her answer.

  The last thing she needed was to argue with anyone in the House of Morgan, but she’d never leave her own child, ever. She felt a stir and wondered what she’d do if some woman tried to steal her own chance at having a family with Galen. She wasn’t sure, but either way, she wasn’t their enemy. She lowered her head. “I’m not signing contracts today or anything like that, but yes, we can work out what’s best for any potential child.”

  The maid brought out a coffee container and tea pot. She set them up on the table near the left stairs, like it was a buffet.

  Belle’s shoulders slumped in relief. “That’s all we ask.”

  The cake was placed on the table and another maid finished with the dishes and silverware. Natalie stood, brushed any wrinkles out of her dress and said, “Then we’re good. Let’s enjoy dessert.”

  Galen came beside her and kissed her
cheek. This was his family. There had to be a way to keep the peace, if she intended to have a relationship with Galen. But it was nice that he stood by her side. His hand was all she truly needed.

  Galen closed the door as his family left and Natalie stood beside him. The moment they were alone, she let her shoulders drop and sighed. Galen met her gaze and she said, “That was awkward.”

  “You handled it beautifully.” He kissed her cheek.

  The roughness of his five o’clock shadow only enhanced how amazing his kiss felt. Her heart was seriously on the line. They walked next to each other back into the living area as she said, “Only because you took my side. If you hadn’t-”

  Galen interrupted, “Natalie, I want to marry you. This means I am yours, always.”

  Wow. Right now, she felt so close to Galen. He was respectful, sweet, kind, wonderful. Her soul felt like she belonged with him already. She nodded and decided to take a chance. “Okay, tomorrow, let’s meet my parents. I don’t want to say yes without them at least meeting the man I’m falling in love with.”

  He stopped, took both of her hands and asked, “So if they approve, you’ll say yes?”

  Approve? That wasn’t her parents’ style. She’d learned about his family today, so it was time to show him hers too. She squeezed his hand as they walked into the bright light of the huge living room that overlooked Biscayne Bay. “If they didn’t approve we’d win them over with time, but my parents have always been my best friends and I trust them. They trust me.”

  He pointed toward an inviting couch as he said, “I’ll do my best.” Then his lips brushed against hers, and warmth washed up her spine in anticipation. “Now, where were we before we were interrupted?”

  Despite how her body reacted to his touch, she shook her head. “Not here.”

  He held still though she could feel how hard he was under his clothes. “Why not?”

  While she wasn’t a prude, they were on the first floor and all the windows were open. She heard her own heart beating faster but avoided his gaze. “Too many windows. Anyone could walk past.”