Galen hadn’t wanted to press for details about how they’d chased a human trafficker that had kidnapped his sister-in-law, but his brother being in the office didn’t bode well. He picked up his pencil and twirled it again. “I guess. How is married life?”
Damien sat back in his chair and slumped. “Not good. Serenity is upset at me about this morning. It was hard coming into the office, but I saw your message about the Towers for our building.”
Towers? Damien could have just answered that via email.
“How was your day?” Damien asked. “I know you went with Peter to the clinic, but as you don’t smell like cigarettes it can’t have been that bad.”
True. They knew each other well. Damien had been the one to offer lots of alcohol when his ex-wife had left him. Galen glanced at the door and wondered what Natalie was doing now. He cleared his throat. “I went with Peter to the clinic.”
Damien straightened and stared at him with a gleam in his eye that meant he was curious. Galen now leaned back in his chair. Damien said, “I know. I said that already. So how did that go?”
Right.Keep it simple stupid. His math teacher used to say that as a joke, but the advice now seemed incredibly wise. Galen tapped the pencil against the desk. “Natalie was accidentally inseminated and I’m to keep an eye on her for the next month.”
Damien’s eyes rounded in shock. “How does that even happen?”
“Hurricane Jennifer Gonzales.” Galen let out a breath and glanced up. The soap star turned Hollywood actress might have irrevocably ruined Natalie’s life, and possibly his brother’s marriage, in her quest to win back Peter.
Damien shook his head. “You were always attracted to bad girls, bro, but this is messed up.”
The wedding last night had made Galen realize he was alone, even if he had a big family. Drinking and spending the evening with Jennifer fueled too many fires. He crossed his arms. “Jennifer was a one-time thing. She means nothing and it’s clear the feeling is mutual. I don’t want to let Peter and Belle steamroll over Natalie when she didn’t do anything wrong.”
Damien straightened his spine and asked, “How can you stop them from wanting to raise a child that could be Peter’s? When I found out Serenity was pregnant, I couldn’t let her or my unborn child go.”
But Damien had impregnated his now wife. There was a huge difference between an intimate relationship and getting the semen implanted without her permission at a doctor’s office. Bottom line, Natalie hadn’t done anything to anyone. He stood up and noticed the clock was near five. “Ifshe’s pregnant; she doesn’t need to be hassled until she knows for sure and even then, she’s still my employee.”
Damien stood as well, but he blocked the door. “Why did she take off the wig? You’re never this possessive about anyone, including your ex-wife.”
Perhaps they knew too much about each other’s quirks. Galen stayed near his desk and checked his wallet. “I might not be a prize to any woman, I get that, but Natalie is innocent and had nothing to do with a scheme or a lie or a manipulation of any kind. She was at the doctor’s for a check-up.”
Damien shrugged and reached for the door. “Well, it’s nice to see you care about someone, Galen. I thought your ex ripped your heart out and left you with your packs of cigarettes.”
Galen patted Damien’s shoulder to follow him out. “Honestly? Me too, but there is a right and a wrong way to act.” His father came to mind as all wrong. “I will make sure Natalie is treated right.”
Outside the office, the employees were packing up for the night. Damien stayed close. “If you say so. She’s also cute and getting up from her desk.”
It was time to go and spend the evening, at least the early part, with Natalie. He stepped in front of Damien. “I have to go. We have dinner plans. Read the report on the Towers and email me your thoughts.”
Damien laughed. “Have fun tonight.”
“This isn’t about fun.” Galen glanced over his shoulder.
Damien shook his head. “Don’t lie to yourself, bro. You’ve not talked to a good girl in years. Try to be charming.”
Charming. This wasn’t a date. This was information gathering. He needed to get his head straight and be calm. Natalie was beautiful, but she was very clearly off limits.
Galen placed his hand on Natalie’s lower back, but immediately pulled away from the spark. It was best to ignore any and all sensations he felt near her. Instead, he ran his hand through his hair and pressed the elevator button.
They entered the elevator without saying a word. Natalie took off her huge sweater. Her baggy black dress made seeing her figure impossible, but his instincts said she was perfect.
Not that he should imagine what she looked like naked.
He kept his head toward the doors that opened a minute later and they walked out onto the first floor of the building. Galen held the front door for her as they exited. “Where should I meet you, Mr. Morgan?”
The valet was already bringing his car and he motioned for Natalie to join him. “Please call me Galen tonight. We can take my car. I’ll drop you off once we finish.”
She gritted her teeth but nodded. “Sounds fair, Galen.”
He held her door for her and she hopped inside. He tipped the valet and took the driver’s seat of his black Infiniti QX80 and winked at Natalie. “See, that’s a good start.”
