Page 45 of Temporary Wife Temptation

The real headache in the fiasco was that there was someone inside Hansol leaking confidential information regarding the Vivotex deal. Every leak had given Yami Corporation an edge in the bid for the partnership. But corporate espionage was a dangerous game to play, and a small-timer like Yami wouldn’t have the guts to start a war with Hansol. It meant there was someone else behind it all, and the unknown puppet master knew how to play the game well. Garrett had to catch the spy to find out who the real threat was.

Fifteen

Soon Natalie was going to look like the bride of Frankenstein. Her curls were beginning to stand from the static Garrett was generating.

“Garrett.” He glanced at her, but continued to pace around his office. “I know you’re nervous, but please stop pacing.”

“I am not nervous.”

“Of course not. You’re just trying to create alternative energy with your feet.” He scowled, but she just grinned from her perch on his desk. “Oh, look. It worked. I see smoke coming from your shoes.”

He strode menacingly toward her, arms outstretched to catch her. Laughing at him, she let herself be caught and pressed up against him.

With a forlorn sigh, Garrett buried his head in her neck. “Okay. Fine. I’m feeling some nervous excitement. But mostly excitement. Hardly any nervousness.”

“Of course you are. Well, there’s no need for any nervousness because Vivotex is here to sign that contract. It’s going to happen.”

“Damn right, it’s going to happen.”

Garrett straightened up. Natalie wanted to pull him back to her and hang on for dear life. The grains of sand were falling in the hourglass. She cherished every moment she got to spend with him, but her heart bled knowing every second that passed meant she was that much closer to losing him.

But she couldn’t think about that now. Natalie glanced at the wall clock and hurried toward his chair to retrieve his suit jacket. “Settle down, cowboy. You only have five minutes until the meeting.”

She held the jacket open for him and he put it on. After running her hands over the nonexistent wrinkles on the suit, she straightened his tie and smoothed back his hair. With everything in place, she stared at her beautiful husband, taking in every inch of him, memorizing him.

All hints of his nervousness were gone, and he stood before her strong and confident. He was ready and she had to be, too.

“Are you satisfied with what you see, ma’am?” Garrett’s lips tilted into an arrogant grin. Without fail, Natalie’s heart sped up and desire sparked to life.

“There’s no time for flirting, Mr. Song.”

She made an effort to be stern, but she probably sounded breathless and flustered. With a low, husky laugh, Garrett pulled her into his arms and held her tight.

“You’re right. That’ll have to wait until tonight.”

She walked with him to the door but stopped uncertainly.

“Garrett.”

I love you. I love you. I love you.

The words burned her throat, but she held her silence, knowing he wouldn’t want to hear them. So she forced a cheeky grin and gave him two thumbs up.

“Go get ’em, tiger.”

The Song family home rang with laughter and celebration, but the endless pop of champagne corks sounded hollow to Natalie’s ears. She was so proud of Garrett, but emotion still choked her as she scanned the scene of the party celebrating the Hansol-Vivotex partnership. Garrett’s eyes sought hers often, so she did her best to smile for him. But amid the strains of piano music and laughter, she was feeling overwhelmed.

“Ah-ga.” Natalie spun at the sound of Grace Song’s voice.

“Grandmother. I’m so happy you decided to join the celebration.” During their weekly visits, Natalie had begged her to attend. “You must be so proud.”

“I expected nothing less from my grandson.” The older woman’s voice sounded wistful. “His mother should be standing by James’s side tonight. I wish she could’ve seen the man Garrett has become, and the family he’s built for himself.”

Natalie’s chest tightened and hot tears stung her eyes. In her own reserved manner, Grandmother was telling Natalie that Garrett had chosen a good wife...that she accepted her. Thank you, Grandmother. And I’m sorry for lying to you about our marriage.

“Well, Grandmother. You should be doubly proud on his mom’s behalf then.”

A gentle smile lit Grace Song’s face and she placed a warm hand on Natalie’s cheek. “I am, and you should be, too.”

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