Page 10 of Secret Date
Finally, he claimed her lips as his own and the fire inside her flamed. Galen was everything she ever wanted and so much more. He tasted better than any dessert and the best part of the night was that he was finally all hers, even if only for this second.
Galen took his coffee and beignets and headed to his patio. Biscayne Bay was beautiful in the morning and he liked the view from his mansion. A huge ache in his body craved the morning cigarette, but Natalie’s words of concern last night encouraged him. Plus he’d promised his mother and family that he’d try to give them up for good.
The taste of Natalie’s sweet lips last night from their “date” as she’d called it was stronger than the craving.
He shouldn’t have kissed her. An employee was off limits, but he’d had a hard time remembering that last night, staring into her pretty blue eyes.
Peter, on his yacht, waved and jumped to the dock.
He wiped powdered sugar from his lips, and wished he’d finished his beignets before company. His chef made decent French dishes so he had something of home.
Peter’s sandals crunched the shelled path from the beach as he joined Galen. “You’re up early.” Peter rested his sunglasses on top of his head.
They shook hands and Galen’s maid set a separate place for his brother without being summoned and left. He motioned for Peter to take the other chair while he retook his own seat. “Just drinking my coffee. What’s going on?”
Peter sipped his coffee and made a sound like he approved. He set the cup back on the table and got to the point. “Last night my security team reported you were out with Natalie Parker and that she was drinking wine.”
That Galen had bought her was implied. He hoped that Natalie was right and there was never any baby between his brother and Natalie, but he kept his game face on as he nodded. “Yes.”
Peter picked up his mug, his manner direct. “If she’s pregnant, then wine is bad for her.”
The next month loomed before Galen with his brother peeping over Natalie’s shoulder, taking notes about what she did that might be good or bad for any potential baby. Galen shrugged. “There is little chance that the procedure will take. She called her doctor to make sure.”
His brother took a deep breath, clearly relieved. “Hopefully this all blows over then.”
“Agreed.” Galen hoped his own emotions were kept in better check—not that he could blame Peter. This wasn’t his fault either.
Peter sipped more of his coffee, finished and put it down. “Butifshe is pregnant, then she needs to take better care of herself and my child. I’ll pay her generously.”
“Money isn’t always the answer to a problem.” Galen’s instinct was to protect Natalie and he wasn’t about to ignore it. “Peter, you don’t know anything about her. Natalie’s a good person.”
Peter shrugged. “That’s good to hear, but I can’t imagine letting any part of me not be in my world. If I have to, then I need your help to ensure any potential child remains in the House of Morgan, under our protection.”
Those words were something their father would have said. Galen could almost hear the old man, not his brother, and he wanted to strangle a ghost. Natalie’s sparkling eyes and innocence made Galen say, “Peter, I can’t let you hurt that girl.”
Peter selected a beignet left for him and brushed off some of the powdered sugar. “No one is going to get hurt if she plays along.”
As his brother chewed, Galen chose his words with care. “This isn’t a game. Natalie already has her own problems and doesn’t need this complication.”
Peter finished his bite, wiped his hands, and sat back. “Then she’ll be happy to relieve herself of any complication.”
A rumble in his belly grew and it wasn’t hunger pains. Galen sat straight. “I don’t think that’s how it works.”
Peter crossed his arms. “Galen, I’m not the bad guy in this scenario. We’re talking about a child.”
Right. Peter wasn’t a bad person, but it wasn’t Natalie’s fault that Peter’s ex had tried to sabotage Peter and Belle’s fertility solution. Natalie had been in the office for a routine check-up, not to play backup. Galen had to wait until his thundering heart calmed. “You’re my brother, Peter. We’re good, but you’re going to have to back down and leave Natalie alone.”
Peter stood, brushed his hands on his napkin and dropped it over his empty plate. “Look, this morning she’srollerbladingat Biscayne National Park. If there is any chance she’s pregnant, I don’t want her hurting herself or taking needless chances.”
“Peter, I’ll check on her.” Galen stood to shake his brother’s hand.
They both nodded their goodbye as Peter said, “Thanks.”
It seemed he was done with his breakfast and off to find rollerblades. Adrenaline pumped through his body at the idea of seeing Natalie before going into work.
Five minutes later he was in his SUV and headed toward a nearby park. The roads were clear, but then Miami was not a morning city.
The parking lot was empty, and he tied his blades on his feet, hoping he remembered how they operated. Once he tested himself in the lot, he took off to find Natalie.
