The last few times Adelaide had seen her brother and sister-in-law, Garrett couldn’t stop touching Natalie—tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, entwining his fingers through hers, pulling her close to his side with an arm wrapped around her shoulders. Since their mom died, he’d held himself cold and aloof, becoming unreachable. Untouchable.
With Natalie by his side, her brother had finally shed his iron armor, and exuded warmth from his pores. And he became a puddle of goo when Sophie was around. The little girl had recovered from the fall scare faster than the grown-ups and was back to her energetic, rascally self.
Adelaide’s heart burst with joy to see him so happy, but a small, lonely part of her shivered with fear. Garrett was her constant. His love unconditional. No matter how much she screwed up, he would have her back. Have I lost him? Adelaide cringed with shame. She wasn’t the spoiled princess people made her out to be. She should stop acting like one.
She hadn’t lost a brother—she’d gained a sister. A wide smile spread across her face—Natalie was the best big sister imaginable.
Humming under her breath, she stepped out of the elevator at Hansol headquarters and strode past the reception desk.
“Hi, Cindy,” she said, waving goodbye at the same time.
“Hello, Ms. Song,” said the receptionist with a grin. “Bye, Ms. Song.”
Natalie was a sushi fiend. It was a surprise visit but she’d never turn down sushi no matter how busy she was.
“Adelaide.” When she entered Natalie’s office, her sister-in-law jumped up from her chair and rushed over for a hug. “What a wonderful surprise.”
“Are you talking about me or the nigiri plate I brought you?” She lifted the bag holding three paper boxes from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Little Tokyo.
Natalie’s eyes glazed over. “I love you.”
Adelaide laughed shyly, pleased by her warm reception. “I got some for Garrett, too.”
“Oh, no. He’s in a meeting for the next few hours.”
“That’s fine. He’s always in a meeting.” She sat at a small, round table by the window and waved over Natalie. “Eat up. We have to finish his portion, too.”
“Not a problem.” Natalie sighed happily, her chopsticks poised over the box.
Full and happy, they sipped green tea in comfortable silence until Adelaide saw her sister-in-law frown. “What is it?”
“Garrett has been looking tense and haggard lately,” Natalie said, her hands wrapping around her mug. “Do you know if he’s worried about something? Is anything wrong at work?”
“You don’t know?” Adelaide stared at her, shocked by her question. Her brother hadn’t told his own wife about the whole mess. Keeping his baby sister in the dark was one thing, but his wife? That idiot. Why did he insist on bearing all the responsibilities alone?
“What don’t I know?” Natalie sat up in her chair. “Garrett hasn’t said anything to me.”
“He’s my brother but he’s so stubborn sometimes.” Adelaide threw up her hands. “He didn’t tell me anything, either. I doubt he even told our dad. He thinks he’s ‘protecting’ us.”
“Adelaide, just tell me.”
“I did some digging around. Everyone thinks I’m a spoiled little princess with an unimpressive IQ, so it’s easy for me to go under the radar and gather intel.” Everyone underestimated her, including her own family. Michael was the only one... She shut down the thought, annoyed she’d let him slip in again. He had nothing to do with this. Nothing to do with her. “It’s Vivotex. They’re considering a partnership with Yami Corporation, a small-time fashion manufacturing company. They don’t have the brand recognition or the manufacturing capacity for any kind of partnership with Vivotex. Yami must have a powerful backer to catch Vivotex’s attention, but we don’t know who that is. My gut tells me this mystery powerhouse is using Yami as a pawn for its own plans.”
“What if Garrett can’t close the deal?” Natalie paled, her brow knitting with concern. “Will your grandmother really block his CEO appointment?”
“I hope not.” When she was a kid, Adelaide used to fight her grandmother like a hellcat over everything—big and small. But somewhere along the way, they reached an unspoken truce. They were too much alike—strong willed, opinionated...and breakable. Anything that doesn’t bend inevitably breaks. “I can’t tell what she’s thinking sometimes, but she has never let me down.”
“Do you think it’ll help if I beg her?” Her sister-in-law grinned but she wasn’t entirely joking.
Tenderness flooded Adelaide’s heart at how dearly Natalie loved her brother. It was no wonder Garrett followed her around like a puppy with hearts in his eyes. They were so perfect together. Adelaide could only hope she too would someday find that kind of love. Before she could turn wistful, she smiled brightly to reassure her big sis.
“My big brother is meant to be the next CEO.” She squeezed Natalie’s hand. “Try not to worry.”
Natalie worried until Garrett came home that night.
“Hello, Mrs. Song.” He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “What are you up to?”
“Making dinner.”
She gave the cherry tomatoes one last rinse and reached out to turn off the faucet. Garrett had been nuzzling the sensitive spot behind her ear, but went still at her answer.
“Dinner?” He sounded more than a little alarmed. “Are you sure? Remember last week...”
Her face flamed. She remembered all too well. Filled with a sudden urge to test her domestic talents, Natalie had tried making lasagna and nearly set the kitchen on fire. Oddly enough, the lasagna had come out unscathed from the fire—as in completely raw.
His apprehension was warranted, but that didn’t mean she’d let him get away with it. Natalie elbowed Garrett in his side. He grunted under his breath and she turned around to face him. He was gingerly rubbing his stomach, but his eyes were sparkling with laughter.
Her elbow had met rock-hard obliques. She doubted he’d even felt the jab. Still, contrite for her violence, she kissed the side of his neck then buried her face against him. He smelled so yummy, musk warmed against male skin.
“I’m only tossing a bag of salad.” She straightened to finish the job. “I ordered pizza for the main course, so you can stop worrying.”
Garrett pulled her back into his arms and kissed her. She hadn’t seen him all day and she’d missed him. She parted her lips and pressed herself to him, making him groan and slide his hands up the back of her shirt. Familiar heat spread through her and she had a second before losing all rational thought.
“Um, Garrett?”
He grunted and lifted her up onto the counter.
“Garrett.” Natalie laughed and squirmed in his arms. They needed to talk about the Yami Corporation situation. It was ridiculous for him to carry all that weight by himself. “We need to talk. I want...”
He didn’t seem to hear her and continued trailing kisses down the side of her neck. By the time he reached her collarbone, she couldn’t remember what she’d wanted to talk about. She wrapped her legs around him and whispered the only words she could form. “I want you.”
“Good.” His voice rang with arrogant satisfaction. He cupped her breast with a possessive hand and something fierce burned in his eyes before he kissed her with heat and desperation. When he filled her, she cried out, marveling at how whole she felt, and never wanted to let go.
After the storm passed, Garrett lifted her down from the counter. He was bare chested and she wore nothing under her oversize T-shirt. She plucked her panties off the floor, not bothering with her jeans. When her husband reached down for his shirt, she kicked it away with her foot. “You’re fine. It’s casual Friday at the Song penthouse.”
“Is that so?” A wolfish grin spread across his handsome face as he folded his arms across his naked chest.
Her eyes glazed over as she ogled his bulging biceps. Gah. Natalie hurried to the opposite side of the kitchen counter so she wouldn’t jump him. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her she’d been putting together dinner. Yes, a woman cannot live by sex alone. She needed pizza.
Garrett chuckled under his breath as though he knew her inner struggle of pizza versus sex. “Have a seat. I’ll finish the salad.”
She sat on the counter stool and made herself comfortable. Natalie decided there was nothing better than watching her shirtless husband cook for her. They chatted comfortably, warm laughter punctuating their conversation.
This was happiness. Unshed tears pricked her eyes and her lips curved into a tremulous smile. So this is what it feels like to be whole. Love swelled to the brim and lapped perilously at the edge of her heart. Unable to hold back any longer, she opened the dam and let it spill over.
“I love you.”
“Could you pass the salad?” Natalie asked in a small voice.
“Sure.” Garrett passed her the salad bowl, careful not to let their fingers touch.
“Thank you.”
The conversation at the dinner table was scintillating. It might’ve had something to do with him all but ignoring her declaration of love. Her words had brought something fierce and hungry to life inside him, but he’d smothered it ruthlessly. What else can I do? He could never give her what she wanted. What she deserved. He shut his eyes and mind against the torrent of emotions threatening to breach the walls of his heart.
“Garrett.” His eyes flew open at Natalie’s whisper. “You don’t need to worry. I haven’t forgotten our agreement. I’m not asking anything of you.”
“Hush.” Garrett shut out what her words implied. She deserved more but he was going to hold on to her—letting her go would wreck him. He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing each knuckle before placing a lingering kiss on her palm. Her lashes fluttered and her lips parted in response. Without warning, he scooped his wife off her chair and headed upstairs, taking two steps at a time.
“What are you—”
“Hush.” Blood pounded in his ears. His panic fueled his desperation. Mine. He laid her down on the bed, then ripped his pants off with rough impatience. She watched him with sad, wide eyes, and his heart slammed against his ribs. “Your turn.”
He reached around her and pulled off her T-shirt with shaking hands. When he reached her hips, he linked his fingers into her lacy underwear and tugged it down. Then she was naked before him, and she was perfection.
Garrett lowered himself, covering her body with his. Molten heat flared at the contact. He claimed her mouth, sucking and nipping, drinking in her intoxicating taste like a man starved. She writhed under him, and everywhere her body touched his, a fire started. As he explored her, she made those small sounds of passion that never failed to drive him mad. He slid one hand down her silken curves. A guttural groan tore from his chest when he found the hot, moist warmth of her center.
“Look at me.” When her eyes focused on him, he gave himself to her the only way he knew how. “Do you see what you do to me?”
“Yes.” She whimpered and grasped his buttocks as he pulled his fingers from her.
“I can’t get enough of you.” Unable to hold back any longer, he surged into her. “I’ve never wanted anyone like this before. Only you.”
“Please, Garrett.”
“You’re mine.” Wanting to prolong her release, he slowed his rhythm even more. “Tell me you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.”
Her words slashed the last of his control. He raised himself on his arms and drove into her again and again until she screamed his name, her internal muscles clenching around him. His hips bucked once, twice, then he shouted his own release and collapsed over her.
After a long while, Garrett lay with his forearm over his eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of Natalie’s breathing. He’d made love to her with a desperation that should have alarmed him, but he had no space for any thought other than her words. I love you.
They made love every night, giving and receiving pleasure he had never experienced before. It wasn’t love but it was real and tangible. Was it enough for her?
In the last few months, having Natalie by his side had grown into an unwavering need. Subconsciously, he’d been pushing aside the fact that their marriage would end soon. Thinking about it made his stomach twist and churn. His soul rebelled, screaming, “She’s mine.” Did he want to hold on to Natalie?
He had no answers. At least, none he could face head-on.
Garrett watched Natalie get dressed for work. She twisted around in front of the mirror examining the fourth outfit she’d shimmied into this morning. Not that he was complaining. Watching her dress—and undress—was hotter than a striptease.
“Are you sure?” she asked him for the tenth time that morning. “Adelaide talked me into buying it but I just don’t know.”
“Yes.” Garrett twirled his wife in a pirouette. “And my answer will still be yes when you’ve asked me for the twentieth time.”
Natalie finally settled on a black wrap dress rather than one of her severe business suits. It highlighted her curves instead of hiding them, but the tight fit had her fidgeting like it was crawling with somersaulting circus fleas.
“You look beautiful.” Garrett kissed the tip of her nose. “And professional. You’ll be great today.” Presentations never ceased to frazzle her even though she was fantastic at them.
When she drew in a breath, he pressed a finger to her mouth to stop the objections he knew were coming. But the feel of her parted lips and her intoxicating scent threatened to derail him from the point he was trying to make.
“Our wedding pictures were featured in Focus magazine. Everyone has already seen your lovely figure. I assure you the employees won’t treat you differently because you decided to let your hair down a little.”
“You really think so?” Natalie raised hopeful eyes to his.
“Yes, I know so.” Garrett paused for a beat. “They’ll treat you differently because you’re married to me.”
“You’re terrible.” She punched him in the arm as surprised laughter burst from her.
He loved the sound of her laughter. Garrett pulled Natalie into his arms. “Stop being so nervous. Your presentation will be great, and short, and you’ll be back to your daily routine, whipping people into submission.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I don’t whip anyone into anything. I just make sure that company policies are carried out with uniformity and consistency.”
“Of course, Mrs. Song. You better move your butt, or you’re going to be late,” Garrett said, checking the clock.
“Oh, shoot. Okay.” Natalie hopped around putting her heels on, then rushed to the door. Garrett picked Sophie up and trailed her hurried steps. “Bye. See you tonight!” Natalie called over her shoulder.
He cleared his throat loudly and held Sophie out in front of him. Natalie had almost left without giving her a kiss.
“Oops. Sorry, sweetie.”
She turned to go after brushing her lips on the crown of the baby’s head. But Garrett wasn’t going to let her get away that easily. He shot out his free arm and crushed her to him. Shifting Sophie to one side, he kissed Natalie deeply, sipping in her soft moan. He stepped back before he tore off her carefully selected outfit, and she stood looking slightly dazed.
He reached out and patted his wife’s perfect bottom. “Go!”
Natalie blinked then scowled at him again before rushing out the door.
“Didn’t Mama look pretty today?”
“Yup!” That was Sophie’s it word these days. It actually sounded more like “yah-pu” and involved some spit spewing on the “pu.”
“Mama will do great today, right?”
“Yup!”
He’d volunteered to take Sophie back to the Davises’ since he didn’t have any meetings lined up till ten o’clock. This was the first reprieve he’d had in weeks.
Yami Corporation’s interference in the Vivotex deal was an unexpected nuisance, but Clark and Sebastian were the loyal allies Garrett hoped they’d be. They’d successfully convinced the majority at Vivotex that Yami’s overtures were merely distracting them from closing a profitable partnership, and that Yami couldn’t offer what Hansol promised.
Garrett had worked night and day to finalize the details of the contract. It was grueling work but the deal was within reach, and he thrived on the knowledge. Once the deal closed, the CEO position and everything he’d worked for—including his independence from his grandmother—would finally be his.
The real headache in the fiasco was that there was someone inside Hansol leaking confidential information regarding the Vivotex deal. Every leak had given Yami Corporation an edge in the bid for the partnership. But corporate espionage was a dangerous game to play, and a small-timer like Yami wouldn’t have the guts to start a war with Hansol. It meant there was someone else behind it all, and the unknown puppet master knew how to play the game well. Garrett had to catch the spy to find out who the real threat was.