“I like her. I mean, I don’t really know her yet. But you know when you meet someone for the first time, and you can tell if you want to pursue something more?”
I nodded. Boy, did I know, and I didn’t like where his head was going. If he’d been an asshole it would be easier to deceive him. He wasn’t. So far, he was a decent guy who was trying to save his family’s legacy. I couldn’t blame him for that. He’d been lucky enough to win the jackpot when it came to women.
“I can't talk about this with my brothers. They wouldn't understand. But you can give me an unbiased view. I don't think she's like her father. Do you?” he asked.
It would be easy to tell him the truth, but where would that leave me? “Not my place to say, sir.”
“My brothers think I’m just blinded by her beauty.” He laughed and pushed a hand through his hair. “She just doesn’t seem like a conniving, manipulating bitch. I don’t see it. Maybe that makes me a fool.”
“It doesn't,” I admitted. I wasn't selfish enough to disparage her character for my own gain. “I agree with you.”
“Good. We leave in twenty.”
After securing the house, I got in my flight suit, grabbed my helmet, and headed to the helo. I was inside the helicopter before David led Natalie outside. I got out and helped secure their seatbelts and headsets. Touching her when she didn’t know it was me stabbed me in the heart. With the visor down and mic in place, little of my face was seen. One thing I did do was leave their comms on for selfish reasons.
Once we were underway, David asked Natalie, “Did you decide to bring any other clothes?”
I could hear her slight embarrassment by the question. Damn him. “I did bring the silver dress. I thought I'd wear it tonight to dinner. It being our first official date, I thought dressing up would be nice.”
“I can't wait to see you in it.”
I shut off the comms. If I wanted to get them there alive, I couldn't listen to their flirting. I didn't know the area and I needed to focus my attention on flying the plane safely.
When we got close, I turned on David’s comm and ask him if he recognized the roof deck of his penthouse. I wasn't ready for Natalie to hear my voice yet. I wanted to look her in the eye when she realized I was there.
Once I landed the helicopter safely, it was my turn to follow them. Watching Natalie in her jeans stirred my cock to life.
We took a flight of stairs down to a hallway with only a single door. He had the whole damn floor. Of course he did. He was lucky enough to be born into wealth. I had too, only by the wrong mother, leaving me a penniless bastard. Not exactly penniless. I had amassed a nice savings after working in the Air Force and giving Mom a chunk of my earnings. I’d also invested said money, leaving me a nice nest egg.
David opened the door into a vast room with a wall of windows that showcased Chicago’s skyline.
“Wow,” Natalie said, walking toward the view. She’d reacted the same way when she’d entered my hotel room that first time. I made a note that she enjoyed views. When she was mine, I’d make sure to show her all that I could.
David drifted in her direction, placing a hand on her lower back as he talked about the different iconic buildings silhouetted in the growing darkness. For long moments, I didn’t think they realized I was there as I ached to reach out and touch her.
“Why don’t you get dressed and I’ll have dinner brought in? Do you have any specific request?” he asked.
For whatever reason, she turned as did he. I stood there, helmet still on, like a statue.
“Oh, I forgot.” He walked toward me. “I hired personal security—”
“From my father?” she asked.
“As a part of my agreement with him to ensure your safety from any potential threats.”
She laughed. “To control me. And I think you were smart to have someone to protect you from him.”
David didn’t answer. “At any rate, this is new for me. But you should know him as he will be around, and he’ll fly us wherever we want to go.” He whispered, “You can take off your helmet.”
This was the moment of truth. I ducked my head as I lifted it off in a way that my face was still covered. I didn’t want to miss a moment of her reaction.
“What are you doing?” David whispered.
While his attention was on me, I shifted the helmet away and watched Natalie’s expression.
Eleven
Natalie
The world spun on its axis. How could this be real? Liam was dead, wasn’t he?