Seductive Memory

by Altonya Washington

  “Bormann?” Tig queried. “But she gave us everything, Line. Info on the woman’s work, her passions after retirement...”

  “But what about the simplest information?” Linus countered, and there was a hint of amusement in his voice then. “You guys wanna guess what her middle name is?”

  Eli and Tig settled back in their chairs. Realization was already alight on their handsome faces. Tig was first to make a move. Leaning forward, he reached for one of the photographs and extended it to Linus.

  “Guess this won’t really surprise you.” Tig sighed.

  “A lot of the property her father-in-law owned went to her late husband,” Eli explained as Linus moved in closer to take the photo.

  “Being the oldest,” Eli continued, “Henry Bormann inherited what wasn’t already earmarked for charity.”

  “That’s the family castle in Yorkshire, England,” Tig explained. “They own two others—one in Scotland and the other in New Zealand. That’s a family photo taken when they all visited for Christmas two years before her husband passed. The guy wearing the bandana is her nephew, Hayden Bormann. Recognize who he’s got in a headlock?”

  Linus could feel his mouth tightening. “I’ll be damned,” he murmured.

  * * *

  Paula woke and was on the verge of purring; she felt just that blissful. She hesitated on giving in to the urge, unsure of how alone she was. The splatter of water against the tent tempted her to return to sleep, but she resisted.

  Besides, Linus was gone so there’d be no tempting from that end. He had left her a parting message though. That was enough to keep the relaxing vibes flowing. He had needed to see his partners and hadn’t wanted to wake her. The crew would be on hand to carry her back to the villa when she was ready. Her bag was on the chair near the bed, but she was in no hurry to dive into it. She was more interested in reminiscing over the previous evening.

  She couldn’t have planned it more perfectly. The “I love yous” they had exchanged had been the cherries on top, and they were more than enough.

  The statement replayed in her head with a finality that left no doubts in her mind. Not only was Linus Brooks the man she loved, he was the man she would no longer allow the past to keep her away from.

  The sound of the popping bottle cap turned Paula’s focus to her bag. She scooted up and over to snag the tote from the chair. She was pretty much awake anyway, and guessed she may as well use the time to get a little work done. Sure, it was work, but in such exquisite surroundings, who could complain?

  Paula dug the phone from the deep recesses of the bag and read the notification of a new email. Miranda Bormann. Paula made a mental note to call the woman later. If she didn’t get around to calling then, chances were very high that they wouldn’t talk for another couple of days.

  Rook and Viva’s wedding was scheduled for the following day. It was sure to be a lively period between that night and the next. Paula was sure she wouldn’t be in any mood to discuss business of any sort for at least another twenty-four hours beyond that.

  Activating her email with one hand, she used the other to squish pillows behind her back. The handy paper clip icon alongside the notification told her there was a file attached. Paula gave Miranda Bormann’s message a cursory scan and smiled at her promise that this was the LAST ONE and that she was going to leave her alone to enjoy the rest of her trip.

  Paula saw that the file she opened consisted of five images. She was about to hit forward to send it on to Linus, Eli and Tig when she gave the fourth photo another look.

  And realized that enjoying the rest of her trip now would be impossible.

  * * *

  She was on the beach when he found her, seated in the sand along the stretch that ran past her suite. Linus thought back to the solitary figure she’d made the night before when she had talked of being used to thought of as less—as a nonentity. He wondered then if she was thinking the same in that moment or worse—that she had been played for a fool.

  He could tell when she’d sensed his presence, and he ceased his advance toward her.

  “You know,” was all he said.

  “Know what?” Paula continued to hug her knees, curling her toes into the gleaming sand. It was cool, given the earlier rain and overcast skies that had remained throughout the day. The wind was brisk, and she welcomed its stirring strength as it hit her face and ruffled her hair.

  “Do I know that this is the place Miranda Bormann’s nephew is trying to sell out from under her? Yeah. Yeah, I know.”

  Her voice was level and carried no hint of a temper. The fact unsettled Linus all the more. He had snuck away from the office enough times to watch her in court. He’d observed her on many occasions using that cool tone before she dropped the anvil that eviscerated some guilty soul and paved the way for conviction.

  “Would you believe I only found out this morning?” Linus adopted the easy tone that never failed to benefit him when it came to business.

  Paula’s light eyes remained on the active waves. “Does it matter?”

  Linus closed what distance remained between them and dropped to the sand next to her. “You’re damn right it matters when you’re sitting here trying to decide if you can trust me again. I just found out this morning, Paula.”

  “Linus—”

  “I asked Estella to run a deep background check on Miranda Bormann.” He returned the stony look she gave him with a level expression. “I wanted to know more about Miranda Bormann before she became Mrs. Henry Randolph Bormann. When she was Miranda Hartman. Miranda Claudette Hartman. Claudette’s Key? Her husband named the place—this place—after her. It was too much of a coincidence for it not to be true.

  “It was why I left you this morning. Este called to give me the report. I only asked her to look for one thing—whether Miranda Bormann had a connection to this place.” Linus cast a weary look around their oasis and shook his head. “This was the one place—the one thing we hadn’t thought to question. I came back here to talk it over with Eli and Tig, and they showed me this.” He took a printed photo image from a pocket of his canvas shorts.

  “That’s the Bormann family at their castle in England,” he said when Paula took the page. “Hayden Bormann is wearing the bandana. He’s got his cousin, Calvin Maxton, in a headlock.”

  “Maxton.” Paula repeated the name.

  “Our connection for the job we’ve been sitting in the middle of for over a week. He’s the one I met with, Paula. I’m not sure why Hayden Bormann was at Joss the day Miranda Bormann’s detective tailed him there, but it is what it is.”

  Paula’s smile was a study in resignation. “Just like that.”

  Linus nodded, as though he’d been waiting for her to challenge the explanation. “Say what you need to, P.”

  “I thought I just did.”

  “I must’ve missed it.”

  “Alright.” Paula studied the sand around her feet. “Missing things? You? The man who has half the folks in Philly quaking in their high-powered boots over the mere mention of having to meet with you? Something they’d do anyway, since they can barely resist salivating over the idea of having Joss lead one of their projects.”

  “It happens.” Linus’s expression was unreadable. “Or are you saying I can’t make mistakes? I think you know better... I missed this, Paula. It couldn’t have been plainer than the nose on my face, and I missed it. That’s no lie. I didn’t lie to you about any of it.”

  “Oh, L, I know that.” She didn’t hesitate over the admission. She didn’t want to.

  Still, Linus didn’t give the impression that he was reassured. “And yet there you sit, debating over whether that makes you a fool.”

  Paula shook her head, and Linus wondered if she’d sensed the defiant edge to the gesture. Was she trying to convince herself, or only looking the part?

  “I’ll, um, I
’m gonna get out of here, Paula.”

  “Linus, wait—”

  “It’s alright, babe.”

  “I thought we were past all this, L. Like maybe after last night we turned a corner—like we were getting another chance.” She scooted to her knees in the sand. “I know it could mean compromise—” She hesitated, spotting him bristle.

  “I know you have trouble with that, L, but isn’t that what the best relationships are about? Compromise?”

  Linus leaned in to brush several windblown curls from her face. “They’re also about communication,” he said. “I haven’t done much of that though, have I?”

  She squeezed his hand, kissed the back of it. “I got up this morning ready to see what today and the next would bring and then...” She sighed, lifted her hands toward the gray skies. “Then all this...it’s quite a turnaround, wouldn’t you say?”

  Linus studied the active waves as he nodded. “I guess you’re right.”

  “Maybe we both just need time to wrap our heads around it.”

  Linus continued to toy with Paula’s hair. “That’s what I’m trying to give you now.” It was what he was trying to give them both. Time to wrap his head around the fact that this trip might end with them in a worse spot than they’d been at the outset. He couldn’t tolerate the idea of walking away from her, and yet...that might be all there was left to do. He struck the possibility from his mind and forced a smile. “Stay put.” He bumped her chin with his fist. “Enjoy the quiet while you can. This place is gonna be a madhouse by this time tomorrow.” He put a hasty kiss to her forehead and then let another—that one a little more leisurely—slide down her temple.

  The peck to her cheek was repeated against her mouth before his tongue teased her lips apart to taste her with gentle strokes. Paula moaned, ready for more. When she tugged at his shirt though, he took her hands, squeezing them, and set her away from his clothes.

  He put a kiss to her ear then. “I love you,” he said, and was gone.

  Chapter 13

  Linus’s prediction—that the island would be a madhouse by the following afternoon—was terribly accurate. The madhouse feel was evident early the following morning, though there was no overabundance of furnishings, and no floral arrangements were needed. As the nuptials were to take place in such an idyllic setting, natural beauty did the majority of the work.

  Sophia, as the great orchestrator of her big sister’s perfect day, had arranged for a sunrise event. Planners had arrived at sunrise the morning prior to begin setting the stage. And they weren’t the only ones working at such an early hour.

  The Idella’s crew had been en route hours earlier. The Idella was headed to Nassau to collect the first of the eighty-some odd guests set to attend. While the groom’s guest list was a relatively modest one, the bride’s was a little more extensive. Those connected to the Hail family had insisted on being there, given they’d felt cheated out of joining in on Sophia’s nuptials.

  Additionally, there were those connected to Viva’s Hollywood career who insisted on attending as well. Sophia gave herself several pats on the back for keeping the guest list to such a manageable number.

  Paula made her way up to the dining room shortly after the yacht departed to collect the first of the guests. A midnight breakfast was presented buffet style, which pleased her greatly. She wasn’t in the mood for small talk. Besides, there would be more than enough time for that later.

  She filled a plate with eggs, medallion biscuits, sausage, fruit and cheese. Coffee in hand, she ventured out to study the beach instead of heading back to her suite straightaway. Another wedding, she mused, sipping the rich Colombian brew and silently reveling as it flooded her bloodstream. Had anything truly changed since the last one she’d attended? Had anything improved? Things had changed, she acknowledged, while setting her plate to the small stone table perched by the walls that overlooked the shore.

  It appeared the girl she’d been and the woman she’d become had joined forces. The woman had been conspicuously silent since the onset of the trip. Paula hadn’t complained. She didn’t regret anything that had happened between her and Linus, regardless of the Miranda Bormann revelations. Still, she’d expected more tension to rise afterward. Perhaps there was nothing else left to stand between them...but what of the rest of his story? It still haunted him, and she ached to share that load with him.

  The aroma of breakfast called to her then, and she set away her questions in hopes that a full stomach might help her make more sense of her thoughts.

  It sounded like a pretty good plan. Too bad she wasn’t buying it.

  * * *

  The Hail sisters were at last on equal footing as far as the planning of spectacular weddings. The sunrise event was a sight rivaled only by that made by Rook and Viva.

  Beautiful and in love, the two spoke vows entwined with devotion and desire. Once the couple was pronounced man and wife, Rook took Viva in his arms and told their guests that they had only a short while to mingle. The newlyweds planned to set out on their honeymoon by midmorning.

  The island had become a loud and lively destination. Laughter and conversation consumed almost every square inch of the villa. Paula enjoyed herself more than she’d expected. She hadn’t seen Linus during the wedding or the reception, but didn’t make a real effort to seek him out until everyone gathered at the dock to wave off Rook and Viva. The Idella was set to carry them back to Nassau, where they’d board a private jet to the Maldives.

  Paula had returned to the villa before the boat cleared the bay. She checked Linus’s suite, but there was no trace of him there. It was a while before she saw anyone she’d arrived with and had all but given up the search when she noticed Tig working his way through the crowd. She went to meet him.

  “Tigo!” With a wave, Paula jostled her way closer to the man. “Where’s Linus?”

  Apology immediately filled Tig’s dark eyes. “Sorry, hon. He, uh, he left last night when the Idella started making its first trips to Nassau for the guests.”

  “Why?” Paula shook her head in confusion.

  “What came out about Miranda Bormann hit him pretty hard.” Tig squeezed Paula’s forearm in a calming gesture. “Not only because of what’s going on with the two of you—”

  “Oh, Tig, there’s nothing—”

  Tig interrupted with a sly smile. “You think women are the only ones who talk about relationships and regrets? Linus brought you here to fix whatever happened between you, to apologize for it and to tell you why it happened.”

  “Do you know why it happened?” Paula asked, her tone uneasy and hesitant.

  “I know what you’re asking, Paula, and no, no I don’t. I don’t think anybody’s ever known because I don’t think he’s ever really shared it with anybody.”

  “Yeah.” Paula’s uncertainty meshed with sadness.

  Tig squeezed her forearm again. “He loves you.”

  “I know, Tig. I knew it when everything was falling apart.” She gave an attempt at providing a refreshing sigh. “So where’d he go?”

  “Back to Philly. He wanted to get things ready for the meeting with Calvin Maxton.”

  “Meeting?”

  “The plan is to let Maxton know our trip here was a success and that we want to share our brainstorming ideas with everyone on his end who’d have to sign off on it.”

  Discovery filled Paula’s eyes. “You’re hoping he’ll bring Hayden Bormann.”

  Tig inclined his head, which was confirmation enough for Paula. “We’ll make sure Maxton knows that if we meet any newcomers after this meeting, we’ll take it as a sign of dishonesty, and the deal will be null and Linus will be extremely pissed.” He smirked. “There aren’t many who don’t know what happens when Linus is pissed.”

  Paula nodded, able to imagine that all too well.

  “It’s been years since we’ve se
en him lose his temper—really lose it.” Tig’s voice carried a mildly haunted quality. “I’d hate for him to break the streak he fought so hard to get and hold on to, but this...” He raked a hand through his hair and muttered a curse. “He’s taking this all very personally—the fact that he missed Maxton being foul.” Tig took two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and offered one to Paula.

  “The blame for missing anything probably rests on my shoulders,” she said.

  “Paula—”

  “He was distracted—that’s because of me.” She sipped her drink. “I was distracted by him. If I wasn’t, I might’ve thought to ask Professor B to send photos of all her husband’s family properties first. It makes sense that her nephew would choose a personal holding to lay the foundation for a shady business deal.”

  “Paula.” Tig took her glass and set it, along with his, atop the ledge they stood closest to. He took her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. “You don’t need to do this. Right now you need to finish this thing with Hayden Bormann so you two can get on with your lives together. Think on that and nothing else. Alright?” He watched her a moment longer and then squeezed her arms again before moving on.

  Paula let her eyes drift toward the bay. The beauty of Claudette’s Key remained unchanged, but Paula felt herself longing for snowcapped skyscrapers and chilly winds. She was ready to go home.

  Chapter 14

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  Four Days Later

  Paula admitted she may’ve been thinking a smidge rashly when she’d longed for the chilly winds and snowcapped ’scrapers of home. She’d returned from sun and fragrant flora to find her town a virtual ice cube. The ’scrapers weren’t quite snowcapped, yet the consistent frost of the overnight hours had left them with a thin dusting of white. It held not only to the rooftops, but railings and curbs as well.

  Messy as it may’ve been to some, for Paula it infused her with an understated courage. It was something she believed she’d need during the meeting she was on her way to. She hadn’t seen or spoken to Linus since their afternoon together on the beach. He’d made no effort to reach out to her, even after she’d called to RSVP to his invite for the Maxton meeting. She’d spoken only with his assistant, who’d said her presence was encouraged.