Secret Admirer

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Bart Morgan finished his shower and left the bathroom, completely naked as he walked around the two-floor hotel suite that overlooked a tropical paradise.

Last night’s s*x had helped him relax after the long flight to Miami.

His suite was spacious enough to not feel crowded. Parrots sang outside his window, and palm trees swayed with a gentle breeze. This hot and humid locale that his father’s family all called home seemed beautiful but so different from his small villa in Rome where he spent most of his days.

He strode across the bright room as last night’s beauty fixed her diamond earrings in her ears, clearly ready to go in her blue skirt suit that captured attention, even his. He winked at her as he headed toward his closet.

She glanced at his backside that he hadn’t bothered to cover with a towel, but her arms were crossed instead of open or interested and her hair was flawlessly curled like she’d spent hours on it. Sharp red covered her lips. “This was fun, but I’m running late. Hurry.”

Right. He’d sworn he wouldn’t keep her and that he’d get her to wherever she wanted. He pulled his tailored House of Morgan pants on, courtesy of his brother's label. “We’ll get you there on time, Nadia. Hold on.”

She patted his arm, stared at him as if this was all business and no longer passionate, then pointed to the door. “Look, Bart, I told you this was important to my career.”

Bart was a man of his word. He grabbed a white button-down shirt from the closet. “We’re on our way.”

She shook her head and held up her phone, showing him a car service app. “No, I’m on my way. We’re done.”

His heart beat a little faster. He always kept his word--he prided himself on it. He buttoned his shirt and followed her to the door. “What?”

She didn’t even look behind her as she called over her shoulder, “Lose my number. No one makes me late.”

“Nadia!” He'd have driven her as he’d promised. She’d been sleeping when he'd gone into the shower and he hadn’t been more than ten minutes.

The hotel door slammed, and he stopped.

Bart Morgan certainly didn’t chase after women--they were easy to find even when he wasn't looking. He’d met Nadia in Italy and they'd hit it off, so when he found out that she was also going to Miami, he'd offered her a flight on his private plane so that she didn't have to fly commercial.

It seemed their one-week fling was over. With a shrug, Bart ordered himself a pot of coffee, and checked his work emails. He had a few hours before he had to be at an afternoon function for his family.

The sun was higher in the sky when he looked up from managing his accounts. He stretched, perused some of his newest investments and then headed to the lobby--he'd order breakfast and the family limo. It would be good to see Gio in action and get to know the American side of the family he’d never met as a boy. From what he recalled of Gio’s wedding, the American siblings had struck him as interesting and dramatic.

As he strode across the lobby of the Biltmore hotel, Giorgio, perfectly fashionable, and Lorenzo, with his strong jawline, walked toward him, like they were on a joint mission. They wore matching expressions of shock and Gio said, “You’re here early--and alone.”

Lorenzo winked like he was joking while he quickly added, “We thought we’d have to pull you away from some random woman you’d just met.”

“I’m alone, now,” Bart answered without really remembering Nadia, other than that her telling him to lose her number had been unusual.

His brothers knew him well. He motioned for them to join him at the brunch buffet. The guests at the Biltmore were all well-dressed and the breakfast mimicked a fancy British tea. They were shown to a table outside, as they preferred. “Miami women are strange.”

“How?” Lorenzo asked.

Their now-married brother Gio seemed like he’d argue the point, his shoulders tense, but he kept quiet.

Nadia's leaving in a pout this morning didn’t matter. He’d find another woman soon enough, in between his business meetings. He always did. He ordered a full breakfast and more coffee from the waiter, as did his brothers. Once the waiter left, Bart said, “The lady I met in Italy, and flew here on our plane? We had a wonderful time and then she just up and left. It's been a while since a woman has stormed out on me.”

The waiter brought their coffees. Gio asked, “Did you do something?”

Now that Gio was married, it seemed his brother wanted to defend all women. He shrugged. “I was getting dressed to bring her to her work party, as I promised, but I was too slow for her.”

Lorenzo laughed. "I can just see the door slamming in your face."

That wasn't quite the way it had happened, but Bart kept his mouth shut. To explain would just open himself up to more teasing.

The waiter delivered their breakfasts and left after ensuring the brothers had everything they needed. Gio said, “Speaking of work parties, I’m happy both of you can come to the American debut later. It’s the first time everyone has been together, and I'm afraid we've given a bad impression regarding the Italian part of the family.”

Bart understood that this was important to Gio--he'd thought they were all getting along. He’d flown to Miami to show his support and now his skin prickled, as if he needed to protect Gio, like he’d done when their father had called Gio useless. “How?”

Gio sat back and said, “Anthony…”

Bart also leaned back, meeting Lorenzo’s gaze. They’d all sworn to their mother that somehow they’d keep Anthony from turning into their father. But they couldn’t let Anthony ruin Gio’s opportunities, either. Lorenzo said, “None of us are Anthony. We’re here to be on your team, Gio. We all swore to Mother, before she died, that we'd remain a family. And we will.”

“Good.” Gio nodded. "Thank you."

Bart refused to let anyone hurt his family. The Italian branch was very tight--nobody else needed to know about their past.

“Working with the American women and combining our styles with my menswear has been interesting, but tonight’s debut with Victoria can make or break our venture,” Gio said.

Which was why he'd come all this way. While he’d met the rest of the Miami and French family on his father’s side, he’d never been interested in getting to know them. Until his brother joined ranks with Victoria, combining their House of Morgan labels. Gio's wife designed shoes for them. So, he’d shake hands and be polite.

He changed the topic to keep things light. “I’ll be there to help you, but these American women are confusing. One minute it’s "let’s go" and the next is "go away." I’ll happily stick to my offices in Rome and the local Italian girls." He'd considered opening an investment office to pursue clean energy in Miami due to the ease of international banking but it wasn't necessary.

Lorenzo added salt and pepper to his eggs. “Miami is starting to grow on me, with its sunshine and technology. From what I’ve seen of the local women, they are beautiful.”

Bart laughed. “Beauty is always welcome in my life, but for now, let’s hope the clean fuel inventors are more stable than the last American woman.”

Gio sipped his coffee. “Well, at least we’re building bridges with Father’s family now.”

Lorenzo picked up his cup as well though he gave a sarcastic laugh as he said, “You mean we’re finding other post-traumatic survivors and forming our own self-help group.”

Bart almost choked on his coffee. Lorenzo hadn’t joked in years--maybe Miami was good for him.

Gio said, “Bart.”

That sounded like a scold. He gathered himself and countered, “Are you saying you loved our father’s opinions and decrees? They only stopped after Aurelia died.”

"No." Gio folded his hands on the table and reached for his coffee, “Do you think the Americans might be right and she’s alive? Father apparently had a habit of taking the daughters away from their mothers.”

“That would be nice to have Aurelia back,” Lorenzo said, blinking quickly. "Our family was never the same with her gone."

Bart finished his dark roast. If Aurelia were to come back from the dead, he'd gladly move to Miami, or wherever she was--but he didn’t put stock in gossip or dreams. He preferred evidence and science. “Miami has a large selection of yachts for sale so I’m going to check them out tomorrow. If I find the right inventors, I will get them set up and then as a reward, I plan on sailing around the world where no one can reach me."

Gio shook his head. “I still think you’ll be bored in a week. You haven’t been without female companionship for longer than a day.”

“I’ll find a local beauty at each port.”

Lorenzo shrugged and said, “Just as I’m sure you’ll find one to bring to the fashion show tonight.”

His brothers didn't enjoy sailing as he did but he gained peace on the water. Lorenzo also didn’t seem to mind staying at Gio’s house with Kiwi, though Bart didn’t need that much family around, which was why he was here at the hotel. If he found one yacht that would work with his specialty fuel so he could test it, he’d work on board as they transported it back to Italy.

Gio left after breakfast to finish setting up, and hours later, Bart and Lorenzo arrived at the fashion show.

As Bart stepped out of the limo, and onto a red carpet, people snapped pictures--he knew not to blink and followed Lorenzo down the runner. The showing was in some warehouse that had been transformed into a designer venue. Glitz and glamour showed in the winking diamond lighting and silk fabric walls.

On previous occasions when he’d gone to Gio’s Milan fashion shows, wearing one of his many House of Morgan designs, there were decidedly less cameras--but this was America. From his glimpses into the crowd, Miami had beautiful women galore.

Maybe tonight he’d find a different beauty.

Lorenzo had gone to the right, but Bart decided to hang out at the bar and get a drink before finding his family. A familiar dark-haired beauty, with a willowy silhouette, stood from her barstool to stare at him.

His skin pulsed. She’d said to lose her number and he would respect that request, no problem. There were plenty of other fish in the sea, as the saying went. He kept his palms up as he walked over to the bar. “Nadia. I’m just getting a drink.”

She nodded like this was a professional meeting, despite their previous week of hot s*x. “I was nervous about getting everything at my job in order so I could be here, earlier. I’m sorry for being rude.”

The bartender took his drink order. Bart said, “Apology accepted. You’re not nervous now?” What had changed? What job was she talking about?

“No, not at all. I made it here, as intended.” She paused as the bartender gave him his drink. Once the bartender moved on, she placed her hand on his and said, “I just don’t want you thinking there was some future for us. I’ll be returning to New York soon, and your headquarters are in Rome.”

He'd assumed she was from Miami but New York made more sense. The city had a reputation for being fast-paced, and he could see Nadia thriving there. She sipped her wine. He lifted his own glass and said, “Nadia, don’t worry. You didn’t break my heart.”

She shook her head. “Do you have a heart that was there for me to break?”

“No. My heart is fully shielded.” He raised his palm, swearing it to be the truth.

Nadia stared across the room. He followed her line of sight and saw Gio, Gio's wife, Kiwi, his half-sister Victoria, and his new sister-in-law, Caro, as they watched him with Nadia.

Nadia stepped back and said, “Good, so is mine. And what happened has nothing to do with what my report on your brother and sister’s designs.”

Report? His head buzzed. She was here for business. She must be important to the others, but until now, he hadn’t put that together. He turned toward Nadia--for the last time--and kissed her hand to say goodbye. “I respect that.”

She turned left, to speak with someone she knew, and he sauntered over to his family. He wished he’d already bought himself a yacht so that he could go there once this was over. The swells of the ocean always lulled him to sleep.

Blonde like their father but much sweeter in personality and sound Victoria's voice was pitched high as she immediately asked, “Were you talking to Nadia Walker?”

The name meant nothing to him other than his former companion of the past week. Now his mind raced, wondering who she was. “Yes. Just for a few moments.”

Kiwi, his brother’s wife, then said, “What she says will make or break our launch.”

Nadia could kill their launch? He didn't understand their tension. Gio patted Kiwi's back. Bart said, “I’m sure she’ll love your company’s designs.”

Gio looked to the ceiling and then asked, “Did you have s*x with her, Bart?”

His face was hot, and he was reminded of the time their mother had caught him kissing Francesca when he was fourteen. “We’re consenting adults. How does she relate to your business?”

White lines formed around Gio's mouth as he said, “So, my brother, on the eve of our launch, risked everything and slept with the fashion editor that currently decides the market…”

Nadia was fashionable. It made sense. But he’d never guessed that the dark-haired woman he’d met in Rome had been important to his family. He sipped his drink and searched the warehouse for Nadia, who had taken a seat in the center row while others buzzed around her.

When he’d met her, she’d been alone, and sitting at a bar.

“Relax, Gio," Kiwi said. "Someday Bart will find the one woman who makes him happy. In the meantime, he’s free to browse and decide whatever he wants. As for Nadia, I’m sure we’ll dazzle her with our designs.”

“Just try not to hurt my business,” Gio said. “And remember Father’s one rule that made sense. Family doesn’t publicly hurt family.”

Yes. They’d agreed to that rule long ago and that should have included not sleeping with anyone that might hurt a Morgan business. If he’d known Nadia’s relationship to the House of Morgan, then nothing would have happened. Maybe next time he spent more than a night with a woman, he’d find out what she did for a living. Bart patted his brother’s back. “I didn't know who she was--Gio, Kiwi, I’m happy for you both and excited to see what new suit design I’m buying for this next year. Any word on Anthony or Jennifer?”

“Not a peep,” Kiwi said. “It’s best not to bring it up to the others. Even Vicki here is upset, when she should be calm.”

“I’m sorry.” Bart glanced down at his half-sister's tummy.

Vicki clutched her rounded stomach in her glittering diamond maternity gown. “She has been one of my friends since childhood. I don’t know what happened to her.”

Kiwi and Caro, on either side of Victoria, each clasped a hand in support. Gio pointed Bart toward chairs near the stage close to where they stood and said, “Take a seat, next to Luke." Luke was their half-brother, and Caro’s husband.

Bart hoped he hadn't ruined the show and scuffed off to his seat. He'd met Luke, who was a doctor, at Gio’s wedding. Luke crossed his long legs. “So, you were talking to Nadia? Caro hopes she likes the designs.”

Bart was the only Morgan it seemed who had no idea who Nadia was. He sipped his drink, glanced at the beautiful woman, but felt nothing for her. She’d been fun--that's all. “I just met Nadia last week and had no idea she was a fashion editor until a few minutes ago. We never discussed our professions or interests.”

And he’d find another woman, either here or when he returned to Rome. No woman was worth his family. More of his half-brothers, men he’d only met once, filled the rows. Luke asked, “She’s not someone you’re interested in pursuing?”

Their father had never been faithful to one woman, which was how there were so many Morgans already. He shrugged. “There are plenty of women in the world. Why choose just one?”

Luke winced. Perhaps Bart had just sounded a little bit like their father.

Bart never wanted to go down that road. And he never wanted to have some woman crying over losing him or cursing his name once she left him like their mother had done over their father.

Luke rubbed his jaw. “Because the right one can make you happier than countless women, who don’t see beyond your name or bank account.”

Caro, Luke's wife, seemed devoted and happy. Bart remembered being told at Gio’s wedding that Caro and Luke had gone to college together and knew each other before Luke found out he was a Morgan. He held up his glass in a toast. “I’m glad you found that one. I don’t think such a woman exists for me.”

Luke saluted him with his wine though before he drank, he asked, “Would you recognize her if she ever showed up?”

“I would hope so.” Bart's gut tightened. Perhaps he was becoming too much like his father. He wouldn't remember Nadia’s name in a week, and if the women he’d known all walked the stage tonight as the models, he'd be lucky to remember half.

Maybe it was time to change.