The Missing Heir Page 6

  “She was the princess of the family. She was their biological baby. While I was ten and didn’t belong to either of them.”

  “I’m so sorry, Amber.”

  She gave herself a mental shake as she removed Zachary from the bath ring. “It was a very long time ago. I don’t know why I’m even going into it.”

  “Because I asked.”

  Crouched over the tub, she leaned Zachary along her arm to rinse his hair. He squirmed but didn’t cry.

  “I never knew my father,” Cole said from beside her.

  “Divorce?” she asked.

  “Yes. Before I was born.”

  “Did you have a relationship with him?”

  “None.”

  “Why not?”

  “My mother wanted nothing to do with him, and neither did I.”

  “Do you still feel the same way?”

  “I do. But it wouldn’t matter.”

  Amber guessed at what Cole meant. “He passed away?”

  “He did.”

  She stood Zachary up, checking to make sure he was squeaky-clean. “Any regrets?

  “Not a one. He never knew about me. My mom was absolutely fantastic. It was just the two of us, but she was hardworking, loving, supportive.”

  “That’s nice to hear.” Amber lifted Zachary from the tub, wrapping him in a fluffy mauve towel.

  He cooed happily, but then spotted Cole. He wriggled in her lap, reaching out and whimpering.

  “This is definitely insulting,” she said.

  “You’re great with him.”

  “I’m not sure about that.” She was honest. “But I’m what he’s got, and I do love him.”

  Cole rose from the edge of the tub, reaching out to take Zachary in one arm and then helping her to her feet. It took him a minute to speak.

  “Sometimes,” he said softly, “families just happen.”

  His hand was warm and dry beneath hers, broad, strong and slightly callused. He didn’t immediately let her go, and a strange feeling surged up her arm, pushing into her chest.

  Time seemed to stop. She stood still and drank in his appearance. He was such a gorgeous, sexy man. His smoke-gray eyes were warm with emotion. She noticed once again that his shoulders were broad, arms strong, chest deep. He seemed to radiate a power that was more than just physical.

  She fought another urge to throw herself into his arms.

  “Amber,” he breathed.

  He lifted his hand to brush her damp hair from her cheek.

  His touch was featherlight, but she felt herself sway toward him.

  He leaned in, slowly, surely.

  Then he touched his lips to hers.

  He tasted like fine wine, his lips warm and firm. The scented steam rose between them while his fingers slipped back, delving into her hair.

  The kiss deepened, and her desire skyrocketed.

  “Gak,” called Zachary, his hand smacking her ear.

  She jerked back in shock.

  “Gak,” Zachary repeated, pressing his feet against her as if he needed space.

  “All right, partner,” said Cole. “You have my attention.” But his gaze stayed fixed on Amber.

  Embarrassment flooded her. “I don’t know what happened there.”

  “I do,” said Cole. He held her gaze for a long beat. “And I’ve never taken a single psychology course.”

  Then he backed away to the bathroom door, leaving her awash in arousal and confusion.

  Four

  Cole sat across from Luca at a small table in the festively decorated lobby lounge in the East Park Hotel. A blue-and-silver Christmas tree towered thirty feet above them. Lit reindeer bracketed the entrance. Strings of garland and clusters of icicles cascaded from the high ceilings, while the windows were frosted with scenes of ice and snow.

  Carols played softly in the background as guests enjoyed the breakfast buffet.

  “There’s not a doubt in my mind that Amber is the right guardian for Zachary,” said Cole.

  He couldn’t help but worry about Amber’s description of her stepsister, and how Roth’s legal team might use Coco’s background and reputation. Amber was definitely going to have a fight on her hands in court.

  “This is what I’m talking about,” said Luca, seeming not to have heard Cole’s comment as he swiveled his laptop around to face Cole. “That’s Samuel at the age of thirty-three, a year older than you are now.”

  Cole focused on the picture of his biological father. The eyes were similar, but Samuel’s hair was lighter, his chin narrower and his nose had a bit of an upturn.

  “It’s only there if you’re looking for it,” he said. “And nobody’s looking for it.”

  “You’ve been outed by a nine-month-old baby.”

  “Yeah, well, I think we can count on him to keep quiet.”

  “He’ll learn to talk someday.”

  “Not before I leave town.”

  “And listen to this.” Luca turned the laptop and punched another key. “It’s Samuel giving a speech twenty years ago.”

  “...once the plan is fully implemented, the new routes will take us to Britain, France and Germany...”

  “Okay, that’s a bit uncanny,” Cole had to admit. He’d heard his own voice recorded on numerous occasions, and Samuel’s was very, very close.

  “The kid knows you’re family.”

  “At least that explains why he’s latched on to me.”

  Luca took a sip of his coffee. “But you’re still just going to walk away?”

  “No.”

  Luca drew back in clear astonishment. “You’re not?”

  “First, I’m going to make sure Amber wins custody. Then I’m going to walk away. Involving myself in the Henderson family was never part of the plan.”

  Cole was heading back to his life in Alaska just as soon as things were under control here. Showing up in Atlanta was about him doing his duty. It wasn’t some family reunion, and he wasn’t about to upend his and Zachary’s lives by acknowledging their biological connection.

  Kissing Amber last night might have momentarily thrown him off track. He still couldn’t believe he’d done it—in a purple bathroom of all places, with Zachary in his arms. How ridiculous was that?

  His plan was to keep complications to a minimum. Not that a single kiss had added some huge complication. In fact, he’d already put it into perspective.

  Sure, Amber was pretty. She was sweet and kind and compassionate. And she’d had a rough time of it growing up. Her stories had engaged his sympathies.

  But lots of people had a less-than-stellar upbringing. She was fine now, and she loved Zachary. And Cole was right to leave the two of them to get on with it.

  “You’re sure that’s what you want?” asked Luca.

  “I’m positive it’s what I want.” Cole pulled his thoughts back to his earlier point. “Roth will try to prove that Coco was unfit to name either a guardian for Zachary or the person to control Coast Eagle.”

  “On the bright side,” said Luca, “I don’t think many wills are overturned because they’re foolish.”

  “I hope not.” Just then, Cole wished he knew more about the law.

  “So what do you think of Destiny?” he asked Luca. “I mean, other than she’s hot. Can you see past the fact that she’s hot? Because you should declare a conflict of interest if you can’t be objective.” Cole wanted to be sure Amber was getting the best possible legal advice.

  Luca was all but laughing as he cut into his waffle. “I don’t need to declare a conflict of interest. I know she’s smart.”

  “Are you sure? How do you know?”

  “I asked her a few questions last night.”

  “And?”

  “And she had a ton of technical information at her fingertips. But she wouldn’t tell me anything about Amber specifically.”

  “You didn’t make her suspicious, did you?”

  “No. I pretended I was curious about what I’d read on social media. There’s a lot out t
here on social media.” Luca set down his cutlery and pressed a few more keys on the laptop. “For example, this, here. There are new rumors that Roth Calvin will be named interim president of Coast Eagle.”

  Cole reached out to turn the laptop to face him again. “I thought Amber was in charge?” Letting Roth step up as interim president couldn’t be a good move for her.

  “It’s a board decision,” said Luca.

  “Which tells us Roth has the ear of the board.” Cole didn’t like the thought of that.

  “It does seem like he’s got the power at least temporarily.”

  Cole dropped his napkin onto the table and stood. “I need to get a handle on the guy.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Coast Eagle’s corporate headquarters. I want to look Roth Calvin in the eyes.”

  “Right now? Without an appointment?”

  “I’ll talk my way in. I’m a fellow airline owner.”

  “You want some help?”

  Cole considered the offer. But then he shook his head. “He’s less likely to have his guard up if it’s just one guy.”

  “Whatever you want.”

  Cole shrugged into his jacket. “See what else you can find out about the law.”

  “Can I talk to Destiny again?”

  “As long as you’re oblique.”

  Luca’s eyes lit up. “Covert operations. Roger that. This is kind of fun.”

  Cole couldn’t help but grin in return. “Seduce her if you have to.”

  “I’m all in for you, buddy.”

  Cole skirted the Christmas tree, made his way past the reindeer and exited to the sidewalk. It was easy to hail a cab, and it was a short ride to Coast Eagle.

  He took a few fast steps across the lobby, purposefully blending in with a group of employees to pass unnoticed by the security counter. Then he entered the elevator, pretending he knew exactly what he was doing. Taking the chance that Roth’s office would be on the top floor, he pressed the button.

  The rest of the group exited on twelve. Cole continued up to a big, brightly lit reception area. It had gleaming hardwood floors, a bank of windows overlooking the city and a pair of immaculate saltwater fish tanks bracketing a long reception counter staffed by one woman.

  “Good morning.” She was immaculately dressed and thirtysomething, and she smiled as she greeted him.

  Cole strode forward and held out his hand. “Good morning. I’m Cole Parker, owner of Aviation 58. We’re a midsize commercial airline out of Alaska. I was told Roth Calvin was the man to speak with at Coast Eagle.”

  “Do you have an appointment, sir?”

  “I’m afraid I just got into town.”

  The woman’s smile faded a little. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Calvin doesn’t have any openings today.”

  Footfalls and male voices rose up behind them. The woman’s surreptitious, worried glance to the group told Cole one of them was likely Roth Calvin.

  He quickly turned, talking the man in the middle of the group to be the guy in charge. It had to be Roth.

  Again, Cole strode forward, offering his hand. “Roth Calvin. I’m Cole Parker.”

  Roth’s expression was guarded, and his critical glance flicked to the receptionist. Cole figured it was only a matter of moments before security arrived on the scene.

  “I was speaking with Amber Welsley the other day. She suggested you were the person to discuss Coast Eagle’s Pacific routes? I’m Cole Parker, Aviation 58 out of Alaska.”

  “Amber told you to see me?” Roth asked.

  “She did,” Cole lied. “She speaks very highly of you.”

  Roth’s eyes narrowed, and Cole feared he might have gone too far. He was trying to arouse Roth’s curiosity, and maybe put him off guard with the mention of Amber.

  Roth looked at Cole. Then he looked to the receptionist. “Sandra, push the Millsberg meeting by fifteen minutes.”

  “Yes, sir,” the receptionist answered.

  “Right this way, Mr. Parker.” Roth gestured to a doorway off the reception area.

  “Please, call me Cole.” Cole entered an airy meeting room that housed a round table for four with leather and chrome chairs, coffee service on a marble side counter and a sofa grouping near the picture windows.

  Roth gestured to one of the chairs at the round table, then took the one opposite. “How can I help you, Cole?”

  “I understand you’re about to be named interim president,” Cole opened.

  A smug smile formed on Roth’s face. “You’ve been listening to rumors.”

  “I find, more often than not, rumors tend to be based on some truth. I’ll be honest, Roth, Aviation 58 is looking to expand along the West Coast. With the shakeup at Coast Eagle, I wondered if you might be interested in discussing some of your less-profitable routes in the West.”

  “All of our routes are profitable.”

  Cole had checked out Coast Eagle’s public information on the ride over, and now he made some assumptions and guesses. “Seattle to Vancouver is barely break-even. You’ve been losing market share in Portland. And your passenger load is low on anything northbound out of LA. Entering into a lease or codeshare deal with Aviation 58 could boost your cash flow and profits considerably.”

  “You’ve done your homework, I see.”

  “I have,” said Cole. “And it tells me Amber Welsley is a short-term play. You’re the guy with the ear of the board.”

  Roth didn’t answer, but he did nod.

  “I haven’t seen the actual will, of course. But I can guess where that’s going. A trophy wife is all well and good, but nobody’s under any illusions. Samuel would never have allowed a situation where Coco’s decisions could run Coast Eagle into the ground.”

  Roth chuckled, and his expression relaxed. “You strike me as an intelligent man, Cole Parker.”

  “I’m also a patient man. I get that your attention has to be on the home front for a few months.”

  Roth gave a shrug. “These things can be expedited.”

  “That’s good to hear.”

  “A word here, a conversation there. It’s all about who you know, and who knows you.”

  “I understand,” said Cole. “The sooner you get custody of the kid, the better.” He paused. “I mean, the better for Coast Eagle, of course.”

  “Once the big question is settled, we will be looking for an early cash influx,” said Roth, coming to his feet.

  Cole rose with him. “That’s good to hear, I’ll—”

  Suddenly, the meeting room door flung open, and Amber burst in. She glared at Cole, cheeks flushed, nostrils flared. “You went behind my back?”

  “Amber.” Roth’s voice was stern and patronizing.

  “You suggested I follow-up,” Cole said to Amber, purposefully mischaracterizing their conversation.

  “This is a private meeting, Amber.” Roth’s tone grated on Cole’s nerves.

  Amber ignored Roth and spoke to Cole. “I suggested you follow up with Joyce Roland.”

  “Amber,” Roth all but shouted. “Can you please excuse us?”

  Cole had to steel himself from demanding that Roth shut up.

  The receptionist appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Calvin? They’re waiting. The Millsberg meeting?”

  Roth looked to Cole. “I do apologize.”

  “No problem. Thank you for seeing me. I’ll be in touch.”

  Roth looked to Amber, obviously waiting for her to leave.

  She folded her arms across her chest, standing her ground. Cole wanted to applaud.

  Roth gave in and left the room, followed by the receptionist.

  “How dare you,” Amber whispered.

  Cole wished he could tell her he was on her side. “It was an initial courtesy call. Nothing sinister. I told you up front that I was interested in the Pacific routes.”

  “And what were you doing last night? Pumping me for information? Are you actually using Zachary’s trust to gain an inside advantage?”

  “You
called me last night,” he reminded her.

  “And you were only too happy to show up.”

  “To help with Zachary.”

  “That’s how you played it, all right.” There was something in her eyes, a veiled hurt that made him think of their kiss.

  He took a step forward. “Amber, I’m sorry.”

  “For lying to me?”

  “I didn’t lie to you. Last night was all about Zachary.” He paused. “I mean, it was mostly all about Zachary.”

  She gave her hair a little toss. “You don’t need to explain.”

  But he did need to explain. He wanted to explain. “I like you, Amber.”

  “Well, I don’t like you.”

  He moved closer anyway. “Yes, you do.”

  “Go away.”

  He shook his head. “I understand that it’s complicated.”

  “It’s not complicated.”

  “It’s Zachary. It’s business. It’s you, and it’s me.” Even as he spoke the words, he asked himself what on earth he thought he was doing. He needed to leave this alone, not ramp it up.

  “There is no you and me.” But her expression instantly shifted, telling him otherwise. Her lips parted, her blue-eyed gaze going bedroom soft.

  Cole glanced at the open door, debating pushing it closed and pulling her into his arms again. But that would be a stupid move. The receptionist, Sandra, would certainly report the closed door to Roth. It would complicate things even further for Amber.

  But she was so enchanting, and his memory of kissing her was so incredibly strong, he couldn’t stop himself. He reached past her and gave the door a shove. Her eyes went wide as it clicked shut.

  Without giving her a chance to protest, Cole pulled her into his arms, bringing his thirsty lips down to hers and kissing her soundly. She gasped, but she didn’t pull away. After a moment, her lips softened. She kissed him back, and her arms wound around his neck.

  He pressed their bodies close together, feeling the sweet heat of her thighs and the softness of her breasts. He teased her lips with his tongue, and she responded, parrying with him, a small moan burbling in the back of her throat.

  His hand went to her cheek, cradling the soft skin, holding her in place while he plundered her mouth. He forgot where they were, forgot everything except the sweet taste and scent of Amber. His other hand moved to her waist, sliding beneath her linen blazer, along her silk blouse, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric.