Secret Millionaire for the Surrogate

Maybe, but touching her had been a mistake. He didn’t want to stop. Maybe not ever.

Harper grabbed her purse and Drew reached into his pocket for the keys. He didn’t know how the evening would end, but as long as he was with Harper, it was bound to be perfect.

* * *

Harper chose to wait in the lounge while Drew cleaned up. Being in his hotel room might be a little too dangerous. She was up for an adventure, but not looking to be totally reckless. Drew was a particularly potent temptation she wasn’t sure she could resist.

She was halfway through a glass of sparkling water when Drew reappeared, and she caught her breath.

He hadn’t been more than fifteen minutes, but he’d showered and changed into dress pants and a blue shirt, open at the collar but pressed and expensive looking. That women turned their heads to watch him didn’t escape her attention, and she smiled up at him as he approached. He was so handsome. And his smile...it warmed her from the inside out, like it was just for her.

“What a transformation,” she said, turning to him. “And fast.”

“I told you that happens when I’m properly motivated.”

They were led to their table in the corner, looking out over the townsite and valley below. At one end of the view, the sun was still shining, but at the other, storm clouds rolled in, dark grey and ominous. As she watched, a flash of lightning forked down from a black cloud. “We’re in for some weather,” she observed, and the electricity of the storm mirrored the excitement inside her. Today had marked a turning point and it left her feeling off balance but also exhilarated.

“Would you like another sparkling water? A virgin cocktail?”

She turned from the view, scanned the drink menu and looked up at the waiter. “Could I get a Paloma Fizz, no tequila?”

“Of course. And you, sir?”

He ordered a whiskey, neat, and the waiter slipped away.

“Drew, this is lovely. Truly.”

“I’m glad. Much better than take-out pizza, don’t you think?”

She laughed lightly. “Pizza has its place,” she replied, fiddling with her napkin. “But you’re right. There’s something about being here...the hotel is one of my favorites. The steps and railings are practically works of art.” She looked down and softened her voice. “You’re spoiling me today.”

The waiter returned with their drinks and she took a sip of the rosemary-infused grapefruit soda. The sparkles sat on her tongue for a moment and she sighed, enjoying the setting and the company. Maybe she wasn’t hi

gh maintenance, but it was nice feeling special and pampered now and again. She looked over at Drew and the curl of attraction wound through her again.

“What?” he asked.

Her cheeks heated. “Nothing.” She focused on her menu but felt his gaze on her as she perused the selections. The light through the windows darkened from the storm clouds, and a young man clad in black came around with a lighter and lit the candles on the table. Thunder rumbled outside, a low growl that made Harper glad they weren’t outside any longer.

They ordered and the appetizers were served quickly and discreetly. She took one bite of the watercress and endive salad and sighed with happiness at the fruity sharpness of the fig dressing. Drew indulged in escargot, and then they dined on risotto primavera and lobster carbonara. Rain spattered on the windows but then the storm moved off, onward through the valley and toward the foothills.

She was starting to get full when she asked what she’d been wondering all day. “Did you really say Aspen made thirty million last year? Three-zero?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Up from twenty-six and change the year before. We’ve been seeing steady growth. We also do a profit share with our employees, so twice a year they get an extra deposit into their account. I keep them happy, they keep me in business.”

“I really didn’t have any idea. Neither Dan or Adele said anything.”

“Does it matter?” He took a sip of ice water and watched her steadily.

That question was easy to answer. “No. It doesn’t make you any more likable...or unlikable, either.” She gave a sideways grin. “I’m just...wow. You really are driven, aren’t you?”

He shrugged. “Like I said the other day. Work hard, play hard. Now I have a question for you.”

“Sure.”

“If you’d known I was a millionaire, would your answer at the wedding have been different?”

She started to laugh, and dabbed her lips with her napkin. She wasn’t insulted in the least. “Do I look like the type who would see dollar signs?”