Page 28 of Secret Admirer
Rebecca asked, “You’re okay that we’re dating?”
Aurelia speared him with a wicked gleam, before reassuring Rebecca, “Are you joking? You’re a treasure, Rebecca, and I hope my brother treats you right, though from the outfit, I’d say you’re in better shape.”
Rebecca had brought his sister back to his life. He owed her. She'd returned his family to him. Nothing else could ever compare to that.
Chapter 9
Bart escorted Rebecca through the Biltmore up the elevator to his presidential suite.
This had to be the biggest room in the hotel. She should have expected nothing less, she thought, as they entered a suite fit for royalty, two floors, and much larger than a typical hotel room.
It even had a crystal chandelier.
She sauntered toward the balcony that overlooked the estate.
Instead of showing her around, Bart picked up his laptop from the coffee table.
“What’s going on?”
He shoved the laptop in the sleeve and put it in his briefcase. “I have some meetings downstairs.” He placed his hand on her lower back and guided her to the dining area that could easily host a twenty-person dinner party. All he had on the glossy wooden table was another laptop. He opened it, logged in, and directed her to a real estate website. Bart pointed to the emojis of a heart, a thumb up, and a thumb down. “Once your classes start you’ll be busy, but if you can give your opinion on these houses?”
He demonstrated the scroll, but her breath caught in her throat. These were his options? She licked her lips. “Mansions, you mean. House is too tame a word. These are like palaces on Starr Island. There are other places in Miami…”
Her voice trailed off because his eyes had widened. He pressed his hand on his stomach and nodded like he knew he’d been caught. With a slight tinge of red in his cheeks, he kissed her forehead and explained, “My father kept my family away from his precious home my entire life. I want to live there, almost like I’m thumbing my nose at him.”
After witnessing the reunion between her best friend--his missing sister--she understood. This was about proving himself in some way. “Okay.”
He patted her back like he’d hug her but then he claimed her lips in a kiss.
Her arms wrapped around him and held him tight.
She had to show him that she loved him for who he was and not this other stuff. Oh, his kiss was tempting.
If she proved herself, then she could have the man behind the wealth. And his lips made her hunger for knowing the real him.
Once the kiss ended, he stepped back and picked up his briefcase. “Then I have Caro coming over with designs for you.”
“Designs?” She followed him back toward the living room and foyer.
He kissed her cheek. “My family is photographed, wherever we go. I told you before that you need proper armor for that nonsense. A few items tailor-made, just for you. And please order extra of whatever you get for lunch, as I’ll be hungry. Meetings always wear me out.”
“I’ll have food waiting for you then.” Tonight though, they were supposed to go to his brother’s house. Why the pictures? Perhaps it was just when they visited the famous Morgans. “You’re not a rock star, or a movie star, so why?”
He shrugged and stepped toward the door. “Most of us aren’t, but that doesn’t stop the paparazzi from their interest in the Morgan family.”
“So you want my opinion?” She played gently with his tie. If he didn’t have to go anywhere today she’d feel calmer.
Rebecca couldn’t tell him that. She wasn’t needy--she was confident, and he liked that about her.
He kissed her hands. “Yes, you’re my girlfriend. Your opinion on these homes would be helpful.”
She could try to live in his world--it might be nice. “When will you be back?”
“As soon as the meetings are over.” He wrapped his arms around her.
Her heart hammered but he didn't kiss her. She batted her eyes and asked, “What kind of meetings?”
He squeezed her waist pressed his forehead against hers. “I’m looking to invest in eco-friendly tech. Your engineering degree will be useful.”
