California Secrets

Will he still love her every touch...

when he finds out who she really is?

For years, Ethan Michaels has plotted to reclaim the resort his mother founded. His plan never included a lover...or a pregnancy. But his desire-fueled fling with smart, stunning Harper Williams results in just that. Now he’s getting used to the idea of a baby...until he finds out Harper’s father is the very man who stole everything from him years ago.

USA TODAY bestselling author JULES BENNETT has published over sixty books and never tires of writing happy endings. Writing strong heroines and alpha heroes is Jules’s favourite way to spend her workdays. Jules hosts weekly contests on her Facebook fan page and loves chatting with readers on Twitter, Facebook and via email through her website. Stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at julesbennett.com.

Also by Jules Bennett

Twin Secrets

Claimed by the Rancher

Taming the Texan

A Texan for Christmas

Married in Name Only Montana

Seduction

Best Man Under the Mistletoe

The Heir’s Unexpected Baby

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

California Secrets

Jules Bennett

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09264-7

CALIFORNIA SECRETS

© 2019 Jules Bennett

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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To my sister, Angel.

You’re always willing to drop your

workload to help me with mine.

Love you more than cake!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

About the Publisher

One

The red bikini never failed to arouse him...and the damn thing was just hanging there on the heated towel bar in his en suite.

When Harper Williams donned that collection of triangles and strings, he always enjoyed peeling the flimsy material from her curvy body. As much as he always wanted to tear it off, he enjoyed this sexy suit way too much to destroy it.

Ethan Michaels slid on a gray T-shirt and stepped back into the bedroom of his penthouse at Mirage. The adults-only resort was beyond luxurious and grand. In addition to all the amenities that made this five-star resort so sought out, the breathtaking property sat in the middle of Sunset Cove, a private island off the southern coast of California, making this resort a most magnificent destination.

While waiting out his time until he orchestrated an epic surprise reunion with his bastard of a stepfather, Ethan had started a fling with the owner of that tempting red bikini. He’d always been a sucker for red...and the lush body beneath didn’t hurt, either.

The one-night stand had turned into nearly a month of passion and R-rated sleepovers. Even with the time that had passed, he and Harper had kept things casual, simple—just the way he preferred his temporary arrangements, and she seemed more than okay with how their fling was going.

Ethan had no clue what brought Harper as a single guest to Mirage—and he had no intention of asking. She’d been alone like him, and they’d just gravitated toward each other, as most people who came to the adults-only resort were couples.

He and Harper had fallen into a perfect routine of meeting in his room for dinner in the evening. He’d always make sure the chef prepared something special just for them and the waitstaff always accommodated every need—Ethan would remember each loyal employee when he took the resort back into his name.

There was never a set time for Harper showing up in the evening, but Ethan always made sure something was ready for her. During the day, though, they did their own thing and went their own ways. Occasionally he’d see her on the beach and take her a drink, but they never so much as touched outside his penthouse.

Watching her parade around on the beach seemed to be the ultimate foreplay.

But he couldn’t get too distracted—he still had a job to do, a vendetta to secure. His time here wasn’t all about play. Harper was just an enjoyable by-product. He didn’t care one bit that she seemed to be using him to pass her time, as well. He did wonder what she was biding her time for, but again, he didn’t want to pry, because anything personal was out of the question.

All it would take would be one quick message to his assistant to have any answer he wanted about Harper, but that would imply that he wanted to know her beyond the bedroom. Some may call him cold, and they might be right, but Ethan had his reasons for the distance, and they were nobody else’s concern.

Besides, he never started a fling if the woman wasn’t on board for something casual and fun or if he thought for a second she was husband shopping. He’d never lead a woman on or pretend he could offer anything more than his body and a small portion of his time.

So, while some may think he was a coldhearted bastard, the only person who was hurt at the end of the day was himself. It was that pain that kept him focused on why he sought revenge, why vindication was so important. Using women was never his plan, but using his own body was.

Ethan grabbed his cell from the nightstand and checked his emails as he stepped onto the balcony. That fresh salt water and the ocean breeze never got old. He was meant for the beach, while his twin brother, Dane, was meant for the mountains. They were so alike, yet so different.

Nothing too pressing on the email front, so Ethan sent a text to his investigator to make sure the timeline for Robert Anderson’s arrival was still correct. His dear ol’ stepfather had been due at Mirage three weeks ago, but for some reason or another—likely illegal—the man was running very late. People like Robert flittered around from one spot to the next without a real plan or too much of a schedule.

But Ethan was patient. He’d waited nearly twenty years to get retribution...a few more days wouldn’t matter.

He pocketed his phone and glanced down to the beach. White canopies draped over the two-person cabanas. Staff roamed around with trays of drinks. The calming water rolled up against the shoreline, only to roll back out again. Yeah, he could easily stay right here and wait on Robert because passing his time at a posh luxury resort while enjoying passionate nights with Harper was sure as hell better than anything else he could be doing for work or otherwise. He used his days to maintain and work on growing his night clubs across the country, and he couldn’t think of a better temporary office to work from.

Mirage—the beautiful resort his mother had created, which had been wrenched away from her sons after her death—was always meant to be his. This place felt like home, and soon, so very soon, he’d be in charge just like his mother had always intended.

With the twentieth anniversary of her death approaching, Ethan knew it was well past time to make Lara Anderson’s dream a reality. Sticking Robert Anderson in some hellhole where he belonged would just be icing on the proverbial cake.

As Ethan turned back toward the living area, his cell vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out to see Harper’s name light up the screen.

Strange. They never texted or called. They kept this arrangement strictly superficial.

Where are you?

He hesitated but ultimately replied that he was in his penthouse. She’d only been gone from his bed a few hours. Since she’d left, he’d gotten in a full workout and managed to touch base with each of his managers for his nightclubs across the country. He was in the middle of branching out globally and hoped a deal in France would close soon.

Time zones were often a bitch to work around, but he had a dedicated staff and couldn’t run his company without such trusted members. Ethan demanded loyalty and, in turn, compensated his crew nicely.

He already had a master plan of who he’d bring on to Mirage to help with a smooth transition, though he fully intended on keeping the bulk of the resort’s staff, so long as they proved themselves worthy. He expected nothing but the best, especially where his mother’s legacy was concerned.

Ethan glanced back to his phone again, but Harper hadn’t replied. He had no clue what she wanted, but he needed to touch base with his brother. They might have drifted apart when their mother died, they might have dealt with her death in their own ways and closed out the world and each other, but Dane was all Ethan had left. No matter their past grief, Ethan always knew he could count on his twin.

They’d forged together to make a solid plan in reclaiming their mother’s pair of properties. Dane had acquired his resort in the mountains of Montana—now it was Ethan’s turn.

Mirage in Montana had been seized by Robert, but with a bad gambling move, he’d lost the place. Dane had gone in with a plan of charming the new owner’s daughter. He’d succeeded in acquiring the property, but somehow, he’d managed to fall in love and was planning a wedding.

Ethan would just take the property. Hold the wife.

He’d just pulled up Dane’s texts when the penthouse elevator whooshed open. Ethan shifted his focus from the phone to Harper.

As much as he appreciated her in, and out, of that red bikini, he had to admit those lush curves were killer in her strapless emerald green sundress. All that dark skin on display...damn, he couldn’t wait until tonight. Maybe she’d still have that dress on, because that thing sure as hell would provide easy access.

Her jet-black curls spiraled down her back with random strands draped over her shoulders. There was nothing about this woman he didn’t find sexy and appealing. Had she come here because she couldn’t wait for tonight?

No. That wasn’t desire staring back at him. There was a look in her rich brown eyes that had him stilling, his heart clenching...not in a good way. She crossed the spacious suite, her wide gaze never wavering from his. The only sign that she was nervous or upset was the way she toyed with the delicate gold bracelet she always wore.

“What happened?” he asked, knowing she wouldn’t be here with that panicked look in her eyes nor would she have texted him unless something was wrong.

“We have to talk.”

Ethan let those words sink in before he let out a bark of laughter. “That sounds like the precursor to a breakup.”

Which didn’t make sense, considering they weren’t an actual couple. There was nothing to break up.

Her worried look didn’t even crack. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Then what has you looking like your world has come to an end?”

Harper took in a deep breath, and for the first time since they’d met a month ago, she didn’t seem like the confident, poised woman he’d come to know.

“I’m pregnant.”

* * *

Saying those two words out loud didn’t make this situation seem any more real or any less terrifying. Since taking the test this morning, she’d been in a fog, wondering how to tell Ethan, worried how he’d react, scared for her own future and how she’d provide a child with a stable home. But Harper had never backed down from a problem or a confrontation. She’d overcome so much heartache and tragedy, she couldn’t look at this like a mistake or a setback.

Harper firmly believed everything happened for a reason...even if she didn’t understand and the timing was less than ideal.

Her entire life since Ethan approached her on the beach had been a series of firsts—the red bikini, the one-night stand, the continuation of that one night into an ongoing fling with a virtual stranger, the shower sex, the balcony sex in the middle of the night and now the two blue lines.

She’d had one serious relationship, but that had ended just before her sister died. Harper wasn’t looking for any other commitment that would inevitably bring on more pain. But the fear of this situation settled heavy between them.

“Say something,” she demanded after the yawning silence only added to her ever growing worry.

Ethan’s bright eyes locked onto her. “You’re serious.”

Harper let out a mock laugh. “Do you think this is something I’d joke about?”

After another moment of awkward, tension-filled silence, Ethan muttered a curse and shook his head.

“No, but I don’t know what to think.” He raked a hand through his messy hair before shifting his attention back to her. “I won’t ask how you know it’s mine. I may not know much about you, but I know you haven’t shared anyone else’s bed.”

“You’re the first man I’ve been with in nearly a year.”

Harper smoothed a hand over her queasy belly. She was more nervous about this conversation than she was nauseated from the pregnancy. But she hadn’t been with a man in so long, which would explain part of the reason why she’d found Ethan so charming and irresistible. The other reason was because she was still trying to find her footing with her late sister’s company, and Harper had used sex with Ethan as a much-needed means of escape.

She also kept hearing her sister’s nagging in the back of her mind. Her fun-loving, life-of-the-party sister who always had encouraged Harper to step out of her comfort zone. Coming to this resort alone, wearing that bikini in a size fourteen, faking a confidence she didn’t feel...all of these things were firsts for her.

“I didn’t want to keep this from you,” she went on, then paced to the double doors leading to the balcony. “I just found out this morning. I realize we barely know each other, but I’m not the type of person to lie or mislead anyone.”

Life was too short, her goals too big to play games with anyone. She’d seen him, wondered what a fling would be like since she’d never had one, then decided to take charge of her life and seize the moment. She’d been trying to do more living in the moment since Carmen passed.

She’d brought the red bikini with her because her sister had always accused her of being too boring, too vanilla, and Harper had wanted to put herself out there with a bold confidence.

Now look where that landed her.

“You seem calm.”

Harper glanced over her shoulder and collected her thoughts. “Calm? I’m scared to death, I’m stunned, I’m worried how I’ll juggle it all. Getting hysterical won’t change a thing or help me sort out these feelings. So, maybe I am calm, but it’s not because I’m comfortable, it’s because I’m shocked.”

Those piercing eyes usually held so much desire and passion, but now...

Harper turned her attention back to the breathtaking view of the turquoise water and white sand. She didn’t want to witness his worry, his doubts... She had her own to deal with. This was the last thing she wanted to confront him about, but he deserved to know. This temporary fling had now resulted in a lifetime connection to Ethan Michaels. As if she didn’t have enough going on in her life already.

Coming to Mirage had been the first step she’d taken in moving her and her sister’s design business into the next phase. Harper had every intention of making Two Sisters Design the go-to for every business, every home owner, everyone who wanted a change in their office or house or hotel.

Carmen had always had a grand vision of their business. Harper had been reluctant at first when Carmen asked for her help, worried she wouldn’t measure up to her sister’s amazing talents, despite Carmen’s high praise on small projects.

But after her sister was killed in a robbery six months ago, Harper knew she had to step up and take over. It’s what her sister would’ve wanted. Carmen would’ve had faith in Harper. Harper just needed to have faith in herself...which was how she landed at Mirage.

She’d decided to start here because her father owned the adults-only resort. He wanted to do an overhaul and, though she’d first met the man when she was twenty, she was trying to have a relationship with him. Trying...and somewhat succeeding.

Robert Anderson was a man who traveled and worked all over the world. Seemed business was more important to him than family, but what did she expect? He hadn’t even known she’d existed for two decades, so she shouldn’t have expected him to jump into the role of doting daddy. Yet she had expected just that.

Her sister was all she’d truly had in life, and now that she was gone, Harper craved any semblance of family. Her free-spirited mother gallivanting around the globe didn’t count.

Harper wasn’t sure what all her father did for a living, but she knew he was in real estate. And he’d been willing to give her a chance with one of his most prestigious properties. Having Mirage in her portfolio would seriously help boost her business.

And she would carry out her duties to prove to her father, to herself and to her sister that she was capable...despite starting a family much sooner than she’d ever planned.

“What’s going through your mind?”

Ethan’s sincere question filled the room, and she turned to face him. She couldn’t help but laugh as she fiddled with the gold bracelet at her wrist.

“I have no idea,” she told him. “I have so many thoughts, but I do want you to know that I don’t expect anything from you. I won’t make you do anything you’re not ready for. I’m a big girl—I can handle anything thrown at me.”

Wow. Her little speech sounded strong, though she felt anything but. Yet, despite her anxiety, she couldn’t let the fear win, because that’s not what Carmen would’ve wanted. One tragic event after another had made her steely when it came to pain and reactions, but she wasn’t about to let Ethan into her past, into her mind and all the reasons why she wasn’t flipping out right now.

“Listen,” she began, shoving her wayward curls over her shoulders. “This is a lot to think about. We’ll just take some time to process and then talk later. I know we haven’t gotten too personal with our information, but I will be here for at least another month, probably longer. And even then, I’ll be coming and going quite a bit.”

She’d never told him her reason for being here. Their physical relationship left no room for small talk or the get-to-know-you phase. Everything would change now. They’d have to dig into each other’s lives, because now they were bonded forever.

When Ethan continued to stare at her across the room, Harper figured she should go and leave him alone with his thoughts. She wasn’t sure what to say right now. Her purpose for coming to his room had been to tell him the truth, but she hadn’t thought much beyond that.

Harper pulled in a shaky breath and started across the penthouse. The moment she stepped by him, Ethan’s arm snaked out and caught her around the waist, his hand curling around her arm. Sliding his thumb over the inside of her elbow, he stopped her with that one simple, arousing gesture.

Her body responded, just as it always did to his tantalizing touch and heavy-lidded stare. Ethan Michaels was a potent man, and now she had to figure out how to shift from looking at him as a fling to seeing him as the father of her child...which wasn’t going to be easy, considering she didn’t know basic things like his middle name or even where he was from.

“You’re not leaving,” he told her. “We may not figure out all the answers now, but I know one thing for certain.”

Why did his tone sound like a promising threat?

Ethan’s eyes held her as breath caught in her throat. “You’re not doing this alone. I will be part of this baby’s life...and yours.”

Two

Ethan might not know how to handle this situation, but he sure as hell knew he wasn’t about to walk away from responsibility. This was a child...his child. His family life may be uncertain and in shreds, but deep down, at the end of the day, family mattered more to him than anything in this world.

Wasn’t that why he was here to begin with? Every action he’d taken over the past twenty years had led him to this moment, all for the sake of his late mother and her wishes.