King Me (King Me Duet Book 1) Page 8
“Only because you say so.”
“Trust me, it’s better this way. Besides, I’m sure you’ve already been hit on at work.” Fire lit up my cheeks which made it a good thing he couldn’t see me. “See, totally fuckable,” he added at my silence. “Are you going to tell me who he is?”
“This is a little weird. I’ve never discussed boys with another guy.”
“Same. I’ve never had a girl friend or rather a girl that was just a friend.”
“Are you going to tell me if you hooked up with that maid?”
“I asked first,” he replied.
“Fine. There is this doctor. He hasn’t asked me out or anything. But you know that look?” Would he know that look? I was so out of my element.
“Yeah. I’ve given that look a few times, but I usually get it first.”
“Of course, you do. Conceited much?” I laughed.
“Honesty doesn’t equate to conceit.”
“Fine. Your turn.” I wasn’t exactly sure I wanted to hear his answer. As much as I liked talking to him, I also very much had an it’s not going to end well crush on him.
“No. I didn’t hook up with the maid.”
“Anyone else?”
“I believe you answered one question and I did the same.”
“Seriously?” I teased.
“I told you I was an asshole.” He chuckled and I giggled again. This time like some manic teenager who caught sight of her celebrity crush. “I like your laugh.”
I didn’t have the courage to tell him I like you because he’d shut me down too many times already. No point in making things weird for him. He just wasn’t that into me. It was also nice to have a friend in New York, like he said. I loved Jody, but she was in Washington, D.C.
“Tell me about your place,” I said, not wanting things to get awkward.
“It’s a two-bedroom, bang in Manhattan.”
“Sounds fancy and a lot closer to the hospital from where I am in Lower East Side.”
“I’m not sure where that is so I’ll take your word for it. This apartment belongs to my brother’s wife. It’s definitely girly. But it’s cool. The fridge was stocked when I arrived.”
“They’re treating you well.”
“My sisters-in-law are good people. More so Kalen’s wife, Bailey. She has this comforting way about her. Lizzy is cool too, but she’s like a ball buster at heart.”
I liked how he just rattled their names off like we spoke about them every day. “Do you think that maybe your dad is the only asshole in the family?” I asked.
“Jury’s still out on Connor and Kalen. I would say Connor is probably easier to get along with than Kalen. But we’ll see.”
“I’m happy for you.” And I was. I’d given him shit, but it appeared his family was open to his presence in their life.
Liam changed the subject on me. “Am I keeping you up? I know it’s late.”
It was late, but I liked the sound of his voice. With it so close to my ear, I was transported back to being wrapped in his arms.
“I guess I should probably go,” I said before I admitted my true feelings.
“Maybe on your next day off, we could hang out.”
“Yeah. That sounds nice.”
“Night, Natalie.”
“Goodnight, Liam. By the way, I’m off tomorrow.”
Hanging up was the hardest thing to do, especially before he could respond to that last bit I’d said. I was becoming far too attached to this man. It was time to let that go. The next day, I would have that opportunity.
Thirteen
Liam
She’d caught me off guard on how she’d ended our call last night. I waited all day for her to reach out and she didn’t.
Funny thing how you can quickly become attached to one person. I’d never believed in the possibility because it had never happened to me until now.
It was late and I laid in bed forcing myself to sleep. It wasn’t happening. I picked up my phone and texted her.
ME: What are you doing?
Natalie: Thinking about what to do?
ME: Want to do something?
Natalie: Want to take me sightseeing?
ME: It’s late.
Natalie: It’s early depending on your perspective. Besides with the city practically shutdown, we will likely be alone.
ME: I’ll pick you up.
Natalie: It’s a plan.
She texted me the address. When I pulled up to the little brownstone she shared with someone, the door opened and there she was. Every time I saw her, I was struck by her beauty.
“Hey there,” she said, sliding into the truck, pretty as a picture.
“Hey, you. Where’s our first stop?” I asked, because I couldn’t go there in my head. We were friends. That was it.
“Would you mind taking me to see the Statue of Liberty?” she asked. I loved her smile and flashed her one right back.
“You navigate,” I said, sliding into familiar roles.
“Deal.”
In less than five, we were on our way. The directions took us to Liberty State Park as she filled me in on her job, which she sounded like she loved.
“I think I’m permanently assigned to the maternity ward. It’s fine most days. Hard some.”
I remembered that night when she dissolved into tears over the death of a new mother. I hadn’t asked her about the baby’s fate because I didn’t want to remind her of that awful event.
“What about you? How do you spend your days?”
“You won’t believe it. I got a job.”
I caught a glimpse of her shocked expression. “You got a job here in New York.”
There was a hint that she hoped that was what I meant. “Yeah. My brothers hired me to fly my father around when he needs to go somewhere.”
“Wow? Do they have a corporate jet or something?”
“Both, I believe. But I’m flying him locally in the helicopter.” The NDA I signed wouldn’t allow me to tell her more. Thankfully, she didn’t press for more details.
When the directions led us to a mostly empty lot, I asked, “Are they closed?”
Natalie sported a mischievous grin. “I don’t know,” and hopped out the car at a sprint.
A sign read the park was open for another hour. The chase was on and she was surprisingly fast. She won with her head start as we gasped with laughter at the railing overlooking the water.
“There she is.” I nodded at Ellis Island across the water, which was closed. We couldn’t get there without a ferry. From where we stood, Lady Liberty was giving us her back. “It isn’t the best view, but there you have it.”
“Wow. I wish we could see it up close.”
“Closed, like everything else. But it’s a great view of the city.” I pointed out. We were given the icon view of New York’s skyline.
She faced me. “What are the odds? My first time as an adult in New York and world has gone to crap.”
To kiss her or not to kiss her as her eyes lingered on me. The moment was gone before I got my answer when she pulled out her phone.
“Selfie? Let’s commemorate this moment,” she said.
We huddled close together, wide grins on our faces, with Lady Liberty behind us. “Say cheese,” she implored.
“Pepper Jack,” I teased as her flash went off. When she shook her head, I shrugged. “You said say cheese. I guess I should have said American.”
“You’re not funny,” she said, before taking a few more pictures that didn’t include us. Then she took off again. “Come on,” she called over her shoulder.
“Where are you going?” I asked, nearly at a full speed to keep up with her.
“It’s where you’re taking me,” she said when we reached my truck.
Out of breath, I managed to ask, “Where to next?”
“Empire State Building.”
“It’s closed,” I said, leaning on the door.
“Yes, but we can go see it from the ground.”
Our adventure would have likely been hampered by traffic even at this time of night if not for the virus that kept most indoors. As we neared, I pointed to the sky. “There she is.”
“She could be a he,” she said.
“Okay, there he is.”
“It’s sounds better as a she.”
“Are you just going to argue with me?” I asked, jokingly.
“Yes.”
I let out a belly laugh as we pulled closer. She stuck out her head and rotated so she was looking up.
“Be careful,” I shouted over her hoots and hollers.
She had her camera out too and had snapped a few pics before I was left to ask, “Where to next?” loud enough for her to hear.
She pulled herself back inside and said, “Rockefeller Center, please?” When I gave her the thumbs up, she brought up directions.
“I wish I could’ve seen the Christmas Tree,” she said as we drove by slowly.
“Next time,” I promised.
She grinned. “Where to now?”
“Times Square.” She was thoughtful for a second while searching up direction. “Sorry, I didn’t really think this through. There was probably a better order of things. We could be driving in circles.”
“I don’t have anywhere else to be. You?”
“No.”
I liked seeing her happy.
“Let’s walk,” she said as we got close. “Let’s find a place to park.”
It wasn’t that hard. We found a side street to parallel park on. There weren’t any signs prohibiting it that we could see. Other cars were there. The worst that could happen was I could get towed. It would be worth it.
We set off and I couldn’t say who reached for who, but we walked hand in hand. With her free one, she pointed to the top of the building where the ball drops every year. “Is that the ball?”
It was dark, I couldn’t really tell. “I don’t know.”
“Let’s pretend it is. What would you do if it was New Year’s Eve?” she asked.
Kiss you was the first thought that came to mind. “Enjoy the party,” was what I said. “What about you?”
“I don’t know. I think I’d be that girl who would want a proposal or something else epic to happen.”
“Epic, huh?”
She bobbed her head. “Walk me to Central Park. I’ve never been there.” She didn’t give me an option, dragging me along behind her.
Several blocks later, we walked in. It was late, but it appeared open.
“I imagined taking a carriage ride, but I guess not this time,” she said.
I found myself wishing I could have been with her on a carriage ride. The night was alive all the same. Holding her hand felt right.
We walked until she gave up. “I don’t know if I can make it back,” she said, laughing.
“So we should race,” I joked.
Her jaw dropped, but then she took off. This time, I caught her and swept her off her feet. Her amusement was infectious. I felt lighter than I had in months. But then, I found myself mesmerized by her mouth again and set her down.
She let the moment pass without comment, but it was different. We didn’t hold hands the rest of the way back to my truck, which was still where we’d left it. She navigated us back to her place. As I idled in front of her door, she smiled. “Thanks for this. I didn’t know how much I needed it.”
“Me too,” I said, hating that it was over.
I thought she might say more. Instead, she smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes and said, “Night.”
“Goodnight.” I watched her disappear inside the house.
We were friends. That’s all we would ever be. I’d been firm about that to her. Now I had to convince myself.
Fourteen
Liam
Internally, I’d debated on whether or not to accept the modified job offer. I spoke to Grant briefly and he thought I should go for it. I had to admit, I liked the idea of security work, plus flying helicopters. Secretly, I enjoyed that more than flying planes, and hadn’t told my uncle who loved planes as much as his son.
The next day I was called in to fly my father to the hospital for another appointment. Rumor had it he was dying, but reports had been sketchy about his diagnosis.
This time I was let into the King compound by someone on the house staff. I was asked to wait in the hallway across from double doors that were open to a two-story library. Before I could cross and look in, Connor appeared.
“On time. A good quality,” he said.
“You should know that about me. I’m sure you guys did a thorough background check.”
“We did, which is why you’re here. But I want to remind you that even if you hate my father, you will show him respect.”
I held his gaze and arched an eyebrow. “Your father?”
“We have no proof you are his son. And you aren’t the first person claiming they were fathered by him. All have been disproven.”
“Are you saying you don’t believe me?” I asked.
His jaw tightened. “To be honest, you’re the first person that I thought maybe. But have you considered the alternative?”
“What’s that?” So far, our conversation had been cordial. Our voices kept at a level that wouldn’t be heard down the hall. If he said something about my mother I didn’t like, all that would change.
“When I met Grant, I’ll admit I wondered if we could be brothers. Now I find out he’s a cousin. When I met you, my first thought was that you were his brother.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you suggesting my mother is a liar?”
“No. I’m suggesting merely that there’s an alternative.”
I got in his face. “My mother isn’t a liar. If that was an option, she would have told me.”
He didn’t back down. “Did you ask?”
Anger boiled my blood. The gall of this asshole.
“I’ll be honest with you,” he began.
“Why? Because I’ve signed a non-disclosure agreement?”
“Because I like you.” I waited; my fury not subsided. He exhaled. “There is a real question if my father is my biological parent. In fact, the day you showed up, I thought it was the delivery of my own DNA results.”
That caught me cold, and I waited for the rest of what he had to say.
“I didn’t hide the question. When I spoke to my father about it, he could have denied me and cut me out of his life.”
“And?” Though the answer was obvious.
“He said without hesitation that I was his. The man can be a royal pain in the ass. But he’s not a liar. Not about this. He says without a doubt you aren’t his. And he had the opportunity to say the same about me.” I opened my mouth to say something ugly, but he continued. “I believe your mother believes that Royce is your father. But maybe she’s wrong.”
“Royce,” I spat and pointed a finger at his face, “took care of you for years. His ego wouldn’t allow him to appear duped by your mother. Of course, he claimed you.”
“I am his son,” he said. “The results were conclusive. He was right even though there was damning evidence otherwise. I don’t want you to be caught blindsided.”
I dropped my hand. “You don’t have to worry. As much as you don’t like the idea, I’m your brother. I hope you’ll accept that when the test proves it.”
“Brother or no brother, I do believe we are related. If I didn’t think strongly on that point, you wouldn’t be here.”
“I don’t need your charity. I can find a place to stay. I have enough savings to take care of myself.”
“We know exactly what you have. You said yourself, we did a thorough background check. We all agree you have the right skills in the right moment. The offer and its compensation reflect that.”
That was true. They hadn’t lowballed me. In fact, they’re paying me top dollar. “What is your point?”
“Only that R
oyce is the client. Treat him any less and this is over. Neither of you has to like it, but this is the best for everyone. Grant is an awesome pilot. He came through for me a few months back in a big way. If his father, my uncle, taught both of you, I can trust you with all members of my family, including my father. Or can’t I?”
I ground my teeth. “You can. I’ll keep it as professional as he does. However, if he says shit about my mother, all bets are off.”
He nodded. “I’ll give you that. But you get him there and back safely regardless.”
“Fine.”
“The helicopter is on the roof. We’ll take the elevator,” he said.
Rich people. An elevator in a private residence and a helicopter just waiting on the roof.
After he closed us in the two-person contraption, I said, “Didn’t want to parade me through the house?”
“I know you have a chip on your shoulder but keep your sour sauce to yourself. Riding the elevator was the most expedient way. You’re wearing a coat, jogging up several flight would warm you up only to step out in cold air.”
“Thanks for your consideration,” I said, the words bitter on my tongue.
I didn’t want to like this guy after he suggested my mother didn’t know who she slept with. At the same time, he’d been incredibly honest with me. Though what he’d said was compelling, I held firm. “Who will be going with us?” I meant Royce and me. Connor said before a third person would always go.
“His nurse. Kalen’s at the office and I’m holding the fort here. She’ll bring him out once you confirm all is well with the helicopter.”
I’d been given the make of the helicopter I would fly in advance. It was a standard one used by most private citizens who could afford such a thing. My uncle had a similar one in his fleet. It was a clear day, and I didn’t anticipate any problems after I reviewed the flight plan. I didn’t know the area, but I could follow navigation and landmarks, like notable skyscrapers.
The doors opened to a terrace. After we exited, I turned and there was one of the most beautiful birds I’d seen. The matte black helo appeared brand new. Each step closer brought excitement I hadn’t felt since leaving the Air Force.