“Why?” Axel asked.
Galen didn’t want to talk about this. He said, “Because…” but then he pressed his lips together.
Axel winked at him. “Can’t answer?”
No. That wasn’t true. Galen widened his stance and lifted his chin. “She’s a part of me and that’s all Ineedto know. I keep what’s mine.”
Axel sat on Galen’s desk and shook his head. “Well, that sounds like what a bad guy in a movie might say about kidnapping his victim.”
Galen lowered his head. He’d never force anyone, but most especially Natalie. “I’m not going to hurt her. She can tell me to get lost and I wouldn’t pressure her.”
Axel took the pen from Galen’s desk but then jumped up again. “If you want to convince her that you’re the one for her then you’re going to have to sweep her off her feet.”
Now that was a good direction. Galen remembered she’d never been anywhere, though he had no idea if she even had a passport. He could show her travel, and the perks of being his wife. He nodded. “Any ideas?”
Axel then walked toward the door. “Figure out what she wants and desires more than anything else and then do it. Don’t hold back if you want her. You are a Morgan, after all.”
True. Travel was just one part. He needed to ensure she had everything. His mind raced, but he held out his hand to shake. “I was supposed to talk sense into you today. I promised Mom.”
Axel laughed and leaned forward to hug him. “Glad we were reversed for once and good luck with your Natalie. Free tip though, I doubt having her type a report at her desk is very exciting for her.”
“Talk to you later, Axel.” Galen walked him to the elevator.
Once his brother was gone, he walked right toward Natalie who looked up at him, taking off her glasses. She smiled, “Was that your brother Axel?”
Her curved mouth radiated warmth and the tension in his shoulders dissipated. He then leaned on her desk. “Natalie, I’d like to take you out of town for a few days to assist me on something. Do you have a passport?”
Her brow furrowed as she said, “Yes, I have one.”
The sooner he could show her the world the better. He stood. “Good. When can you be ready?”
She pursed her lips for a moment and then said, “Tomorrow. I’ll tell my parents and then pack a bag before our date tonight—which, don’t forget, is casual.”
He didn’t want her stressed, at all. “Since I’ll be keeping you close the next few days if you need to go home now to get ready, please go.”
“I did just finish that report you wanted on the new possible construction sites.” She bit her lower lip, glanced at her computer but then said, “Okay, thanks. See you at eight at my place.”
He walked out of her office. This was a solid plan. Natalie could live out her dreams with him because they had to be together. Soon he’d convince her to marry him and finally settle the unease in his shoulders that came from fear of being without her. Natalie was going to be his, for life.
Natalie took a deep breath and hoped her parents wouldn’t ask why she was here early for the second day in a row. She pasted a smile on her face and bounced into the room, where she knocked on the side of the door to get their attention, then continued to walk in. She kissed her mother’s cheek. “How was your treatment today, Mom?”
Mom adjusted the bed while her father read his newspaper. Her mother quickly answered, “Good. I’m tired actually, but glad we started a new plan. I just want to go home with your father, healthy.”
Her dad flipped the pages of his paper in his “no words necessary” agreement.
Natalie had no idea where Galen needed her to go. He’d never asked her on a trip before and she hadn’t asked. She swallowed and took the seat next to her father. “I’m going out of town for a few days for work.”
“Work?” Her mother narrowed her gaze. “Or to be with your new boyfriend?”
Immediately Natalie imagined sightseeing in Grand Central Park, New York City, holding Galen’s hand. Her face heated and she lowered her head, hoping her parents didn’t see any blush. “Perhaps both. Is that a problem?”
Her mom reached out and Natalie scooted closer to her and held her hand. “Are you sure you want to do this, Natalie?”
Right. They were worried. She swallowed and glanced at both of them. It was time to tell the truth. “Mom, Dad, Galen asked me to marry him this morning.”
Her father put the newspaper down.
Her mother massaged her shoulder. “That’s serious honey. What did you say?”
