Can what happens in Vegas…

Beverly Hills’ most irresistible bachelor, hotel heir Blaze Alexander, has always upheld his reputation—until the night he marries a beautiful stranger in Vegas. But then his passionate bride vanishes, leaving Blaze with only tantalizing memories. Fast-forward two years… Blaze has finally found his runaway bride again. And this time he doesn’t intend to let her get away.

...lead to a lifetime of love?

Desperate to forget the morning she woke up beside a gorgeous mystery man, Livi Carlyle flees without a word. Now her husband—a man she barely knows—is back in her life, seducing her with a passion that leaves her breathless. When a frenzied media storm threatens to turn their secret marriage into tabloid headlines, will Livi and Blaze transform their one-night fling into a forever love?

“It’s not as if you really have anything to hide.”

Blaze looked at her.

Livi burst into laughter. “Did I really just say that?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, you did.”

Their gazes locked and both of them could see the attraction mirrored in the other’s eyes.

The smoldering flame Livi saw in his eyes startled her. She was by no means blind to his attraction.

Blaze pulled her into his arms. “Livi, there is something that I’ve wanted to do all evening.” The prolonged anticipation of kissing her had become unbearable. His mouth covered hers hungrily.

Raising his mouth from hers, Blaze gazed lovingly into her eyes.

Livi drew his face to hers in a renewed embrace. Her body ached for his touch.

He kissed her again, lingering, savoring every moment.

“What are we doing?” Blaze whispered.

Livi’s emotions whirled. Blood pounded in her brain, leaped from her heart and made her knees tremble. “This is something we both want,” she said huskily. “We can have this one night.”

JACQUELIN THOMAS

is a bestselling author of more than forty-five titles. Writing is still her passion, and she is currently at work on the next installment of the Alexander family series.

Five Star

Romance

Jacquelin Thomas

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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To my ever-wonderful husband,

who also happens to be my best friend.

I adore you and I’m so blessed to have been your wife

for twenty-two years. My life with you continues to be first-class and a five star romance!

Dear Reader,

Have you ever done something that you immediately regretted? I have, and for a brief moment I wished to have the ability to rewind the clock. In Five Star Romance, Blaze Alexander feels exactly the same way after a weekend in Las Vegas. However, he soon discovers that what happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas. Blaze and Livi Carlyle are made for each other, although it takes some time for them to realize that what they share is truly a five star romance.

When two people are meant to be together, not even time can keep them apart. I hope that you will experience the thrill of their unconventional reunion and cheer for them as they forge their way to happily ever after.

Thanks so much for your support!

Best,

Jacquelin

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 1

Blaze Alexander clenched his jaw in annoyance. He hated moments like these. Resentfully, he stood alongside his family as they posed for pictures at the site of the future Robert DePaul Center. Despite his personal feelings, Blaze pasted on a smile. He despised being accommodating to the press. As various cameras flashed, he silently counted down to when this would end. The family had been talking with reporters for nearly an hour.

Blaze released a soft sigh as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He tried to disguise his irritation in front of the representatives from the various media outlets. The corner of his mouth twisted with exasperation.

“I’m glad that’s over,” he whispered to Ari as the members of the media packed up and prepared to leave. Ari was his oldest brother and the general manager of the Alexander-DePaul Hotel Group. “I don’t like posing for pictures and I can’t stand having my personal life played out for public entertainment. I don’t know why Dad insists on having the whole family present for these events.”

Ari laughed. “It doesn’t matter. If he wants us there—we do as he asks. Dad never missed any of our football or basketball games. He was there for all our school programs.”

Blaze reluctantly nodded in agreement. “He and Mom both put all of us before anything having to do with business.”

“That’s why we can’t let them down,” Ari stated.

“You’re right. Our parents have always been there for us, especially for me,” Blaze conceded. “I was the one who gave them the most grief.” He winced at the memory of his teenage years.

“Well, at least we don’t have to worry about you showing up on some reality TV show.”

Blaze shook his head. “Never in a million years. Kellen might be another story, however. He loves attention.”

“What are you two boys whispering about over here?” Sage asked as she joined them.

“Nothing important,” Blaze answered, meeting his sister’s gaze with a smile. Sage and Ari were near-perfect children growing up. His other siblings, Drayden, Zaire and Kellen had been mischievous in their youth, but never did any real harm. Despite his boyhood antics and troublemaking, Blaze was very close to his family.

“So what are we celebrating tonight?” Ari inquired. “This is why you and Ryan are hosting a dinner, right? We have something to celebrate?”

“We just wanted to have a nice dinner with the family,” Sage responded. “That’s all.”

She glanced over her shoulder, then back at Ari. “I’ll see you all tonight. Ryan and I need to get going. We have a lot to do before this evening.”

When Sage strolled away, Ari glanced at Blaze and asked, “Do you believe her?”

“She’s probably pregnant,” Blaze stated matter-of-factly. “She and Ryan have been married for a couple of months now, so I wouldn’t be surprised. I think they were planning to start a family right away. Look at her. She’s practically floating on air.”

Ari nodded in agreement.

Blaze checked his watch before walking to where his parents stood. “Hey, I have to get to a meeting, but I’ll see you later tonight.”

He wrapped his arms around his mother. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Barbara responded. “Thank you for coming. I know how much you hate all the attention, but it’s for a good cause.”

He smiled. “You know I’d do anything for you.”

“I’ll see you later on tonight, dear.”

Blaze turned to his dad. “I need to get going, but I’ll see you in the office.”

“I’m not sure I’m coming in today.” Malcolm awarded him a warm smile. “Your mother gently reminded me that we were supposed to spend the day together. She’s planned a picnic on the beach.”

Blaze noted the way his father’s eyes lit up at the mention of his mother. His parents were still very much in love.

They were joined by Barbara.

Malcolm immediately took her hand in his. “I need to talk to one more person before we leave, honey. I’m all yours after that.”

Blaze smiled at the look of love Barbara flashed at his father.

She kissed Malcolm on the cheek, and then announced, “I’m going to walk down to the car with Blaze.”

Blaze said goodbye to his five siblings before escorting his mother down the grassy knoll toward the waiting cars.

There were still a few reporters hanging around. Probably hoping to overhear a juicy tidbit to splash all over the tabloids, Blaze thought angrily.

He had nothing against reporters except that they did not always seem to know where to draw the line when it came to reporting the news. Blaze valued his privacy, which was why he opted against living in one of the DePaul penthouse residences located in the Alexander-DePaul Hotel & Spa Resort.

At thirty-three years old, Blaze preferred not to live in what he considered the family compound. He loved his family dearly, but he did not want to have to listen to his mother’s frequent suggestions that he should find a wife and settle down. He did not like disappointing her, but his mother just would not accept that Blaze had no interest in getting married. In fact, there was only one woman he could remember who held his attention. Her name was Livi and they had met a couple of years ago in Las Vegas.

The feelings she’d evoked in him during the time they’d spent together in Vegas returned from time to time. His heart ached as he hungered for Livi’s presence in his life. He felt a certain warmth as the prolonged anticipation of seeing her again was almost unbearable. Blaze wanted to find Livi, but he just did not have enough concrete information about her—including her last name—to locate her.

* * *

Two years ago, Blaze had gone to Las Vegas with some of his fraternity brothers and, as fate would have it, he and Livi were staying in the same hotel. From the moment they saw each other, their mutual attraction was electric. The more he’d learned about her, the more the attraction deepened and eventually became something more.

During the brief time they’d spent together, she had mentioned that she lived in Los Angeles, but that was about it. He’d decided that her actions meant that she most likely did not want to be found.

He made a mental note to interview private detectives in the coming weeks. Blaze desperately wanted to find Livi. They had spent three fun-filled days together. Blaze hoped that their time together had meant something to her, as well.

Blaze wasn’t sure when it happened, but Livi had left an imprint on his heart. It was as if she had unlocked his heart and soul, leaving his emotions as raw and erratic as a summer storm. His entire being seemed to be filled with wanting. Blaze desperately needed to see her again. If only to discover that Livi felt what they’d shared in Vegas was memorable, if fleeting.

During this time Blaze’s father was notified that he was the sole heir of the late Robert DePaul’s multimillion-dollar estate. When Blaze returned home from Vegas, he found out about the inheritance.

Blaze was thrilled for his parents, although he noted the mixed emotions evident on his father’s face, and Malcolm’s heartache at finding out that his parents had lied to him about something as important as his roots. Malcolm had grown up believing that Theodore Alexander was his father, but his mother had taken the truth to her grave.

After his wild teenage years, Blaze had vowed to be a man his father could be proud of. It was Blaze who’d stolen the car and took his friends joyriding late at night, although he did not have a driver’s license. It was Blaze who’d tried to use a fake ID to buy booze. It was Blaze who’d got caught in one of the hotel rooms seducing his high school girlfriend. It was Blaze who’d chosen the wrong type of friends and ended up in jail over a home invasion and burglary—a crime he did not commit, but was arrested for along with the teens who had the stolen items in their possession.

He was what his mother called a wild child. His siblings called him the black sheep of the family, but when he glimpsed the angst on his father’s face, that forever changed Blaze for the better. It was a look of hurt and disappointment.

When Malcolm found out about Robert DePaul, Blaze witnessed another strong emotion in his father—regret. Regret that he would never get to know his biological father. Seeing Malcolm in that state forced Blaze to acknowledge just how lucky he was to have parents who loved him unconditionally, despite his teenage antics, and who would always put their family first.

Chapter 2

Livi Carlyle stared at the picture located near the center of the front page of the newspaper she was reading while she waited for her friend Sybil to arrive. Sybil worked close by and they met for lunch at least once a week.

She read the article before her eyes strayed back to the picture of the Alexander family and one person in particular.

Blaze Alexander.

Livi stared at him with longing as she fantasized about being crushed in his embrace.

“Helloooo...”

The sound of Sybil’s voice drew Livi out of her daydreaming. Her face flushed as she murmured, “When did you get here?”

“Just now,” Sybil responded. “I could tell that you were a million miles away from the look on your face. What were you thinking about?”

Livi quickly put away her newspaper. “Nothing.”

“What have you been up to?” Sybil asked.

“Just steady working,” Livi responded with a smile. “We’re getting ready for the Fourth of July sale, and preparing for the fall season.”

“Girl, I am loving that dress,” Sybil murmured. “And those shoes.”

“Thank you.” Livi had on a floral-printed, V-neck dress in fuchsia, navy and green. The pewter metallic belt accentuated her tiny waist and matching sandals adorned her feet. “I found this dress when I was in New York buying for the fall season. I fell in love with it.”

“I need to go on one of these buying trips of yours.”

Livi chuckled.

Sybil pointed toward the newspaper sticking out of Livi’s tote. “I’ve been reading about the new homeless shelter. I have to say that I really admire Malcolm Alexander. Building that facility is a wonderful thing to do.” She took a sip of her ice water.

Livi nodded in agreement. “They’re a family with strong character. In my opinion, Robert DePaul knew exactly what he was doing when he left everything to Mr. Alexander.”

Sybil smiled. “So, have you and that handsome son of his run into each other yet?”

She shook her head. “I haven’t seen him. He works out of the corporate offices on Wilshire Boulevard. From what I’ve heard, Blaze hardly comes to the hotel, and when he does, I never know about it. I hear he travels a lot.”

“You have his company email address,” Sybil stated. “Why don’t you send him a note? I’m sure he still remembers Vegas.” She gave Livi a knowing look. “You two were inseparable.”

Picking up her menu, Livi muttered, “That was a long time ago.”

“It wasn’t that long,” Sybil countered. “To be honest, I don’t know why you haven’t said anything already. He’s part of the reason you moved back to Los Angeles, so what are you waiting for?”

Livi stared at her menu as if she hadn’t heard Sybil’s question.

“Call the man. You keep this up and, the next thing you know, Blaze will be getting married to someone else. It will be too late then.”

Sybil’s words struck a chord with Livi. “I’m not calling him. What would I say?” Livi asked. “Hey, I’m the girl you partied with in Vegas. I know we haven’t seen each other in two years, but I was wondering if we can get together.”

Sybil chuckled. “Hey, it might work.”

“I don’t think so,” Livi murmured. “I’ll just wait until we run into each other.”

“You two make such a cute couple. Who knows, maybe this is fate, and you two will end up married and living happily ever after.”

Livi did not respond. Instead, she turned her attention back to the menu in her hand.

Livi felt a thread of guilt snake down her spine. She was keeping a secret from Sybil. Sybil and Amy were Livi’s closest friends and the three of them shared much of their private lives. But Livi feared their judgment, so she kept mum.

After lunch, she headed back to the boutique situated on the first floor of the Alexander-DePaul Hotel & Spa Resort. Livi had completely revamped Parisian Maison into one of the premiere boutiques in the hotel industry by adding a few couture collections. The boutique used to carry mostly souvenir items designed to appeal to hotel guests who were pressed for time. Livi changed all that by adding high-end clothing and fashion accessories.

Livi had a quick meeting with her staff before retreating into her office. She sat down at her desk and opened her email.

Her heart raced at the prospect of seeing Blaze again. Maybe Sybil was right. She could write Blaze an email, but Livi could not summon up enough courage to actually send it. Initially, she was terribly angry and hurt when she thought of Blaze, but over time her anger had dissipated. She wondered how he would feel about hearing from her after all this time. Would he be angry?

* * *

Blaze was the last to arrive at the hotel for Sage and Ryan’s family dinner. He had hoped to work out in his personal gym before heading to his sister’s place, but got home later than he planned. Kellen and Zaire were leaving tomorrow, heading back to school in Atlanta. Blaze was not going to miss spending this evening with them.

“It’s about time you got here,” Sage said as she embraced him. “We’ve been holding dinner for you.”

“I’m sorry,” he responded. “You all could’ve started without me.”

“You’re here now,” she stated, leading him into the dining room. “I’m surprised that you’re the last one to arrive. You are always so prompt.

“Blaze is here,” Sage announced. “Everyone, take your seats at the table.”

He sat down next to Kellen, the youngest of the Alexander siblings. “What time are you and Zaire leaving tomorrow?”

“Around eight, I think.”

“I’ll be in Atlanta the first week of next month,” Blaze said. “We’ll all get together and do something while I’m there.” Whenever he had to travel to Georgia, Blaze made sure he spent time with his younger siblings, who were in grad school.

Kellen nodded. “Cool.”

Blaze glanced around the room. “Where’s the little man?” he asked, referring to Joshua, Ari and Natasha’s son.

“He’s with my sister,” Natasha responded. “She’s in town for a couple of days, so they’re doing dinner and a movie.”

“I can’t help but notice how Sage is glowing,” Zaire said. “If marriage does that to you—I can’t wait. You look really happy, sis.”

Sage and Ryan responded in unison, “Thank you.”

They looked at each other and laughed.

Blaze eyed Sage. “I don’t know. I think she looks the same.”

“This coming from the man who said he would never get married,” Ari noted.

Blaze wiped his mouth with his napkin before saying, “Not everyone is cut out for marriage.”

Ryan took a sip of water, and then said, “I wrote an article a couple of years ago on the benefits of marriage. Did you know that being married can help you beat cancer?”

“Really?” Malcolm asked.

“I did some research and found that men who have never been married had a higher mortality rate than married men,” Ryan told them. “I also found that men in excellent health were about eighty-nine percent more likely to die if they were single compared to married men.”

Blaze laughed.

“I read that married men live an average of ten years longer than single men,” Zaire contributed.

Blaze looked at Ryan. “So you’re trying to tell me that I’ll die sooner than you, Dad and Ari because I don’t have a wife.”

“Blaze, if I were you, I’d be looking for my better half,” Zaire said with a chuckle.

Sage cleared her throat loudly when everyone was almost done eating. “I know that everyone is wondering why Ryan and I wanted to have this dinner,” she began. “Well, we do have some news we’d like to share.” Reaching over, Sage took Ryan’s hand in hers. “We’re pregnant.”

Everyone around the table uttered well wishes and congratulations.

“Looks like my little niece or nephew will have a playmate,” Ari blurted out. “Natasha and I are also having a baby.”

“What?” Zaire uttered in surprise. “Two babies.”

Blaze was thrilled at the idea of becoming an uncle again. He adored Joshua.

“This is wonderful,” a beaming Barbara murmured. “Two precious babies.” She reached over and gave Malcolm’s hand a gentle squeeze. “We’re going to have two more grandchildren to spoil. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Malcolm kissed her hand. “It sure is, honey.”

While his parents were congratulating the expectant parents, Kellen leaned over and said in a low voice, “We’re having a meeting tonight after the parents leave to discuss a surprise party to celebrate Dad’s birthday.”

“Okay,” Blaze responded. He reached for his glass of iced tea and took a long sip.

He stole a peek at Sage. She really was glowing with happiness, prompting a smile from Blaze. Sage and Ari had both found their soul mates since moving to Los Angeles, and he was thrilled for them.

Blaze was convinced that he was destined to be a bachelor for life. He could never see himself as a family man. He was nothing like Ari or his father. Blaze enjoyed his job and it required a lot of travel. The life he had created for himself did not allow him the luxury of family.

His parents were great role models, but Blaze knew that he was not cut from the same cloth. He was devoted to his work and that left little time for anything else.

Barbara stifled a yawn as Sage and Zaire cleared away the dessert dishes.

“I guess I need to get your mother home,” Malcolm announced. “She’s getting sleepy.”

She nodded. “Yes, I think we should head back home. It’s been a long day for us both, but it’s your daddy who needs his rest. He thought he could hang with some of the teens on the beach today. He played volleyball.”

“I think that volleyball played me,” Malcolm confessed.

They all laughed.

Barbara embraced each one of her children and then their spouses. Malcolm saluted them and grinned, and then helped Barbara gather her things. Ryan and Sage escorted them to the door. The remaining siblings gathered in the family room that was washed in a gold-and-olive-green motif. The modern furnishings were lavish, but not extravagant. Blaze and Kellen settled down on the Brazilian Cherry hardwood floor. Ari and Natasha took to the sofa along with Zaire. Drayden sat down in the overstuffed club chair.

Their parents gone, Ryan and Sage joined them and sat down on the love seat.

“I talked to Mom and she wants to have the party on their yacht,” Zaire announced.

“Sounds good to me,” Drayden said.

Blaze nodded in agreement. “If that’s what Mom wants to do, then it’s decided.”

With everyone in agreement about the venue, they moved on to the event itself. They would let their mother choose the menu.

After the meeting, Blaze took the elevator down to the ground floor with Drayden.

“I hope you have a date,” Drayden joked. “You seem to be in a big hurry to get out of here.”

Blaze chuckled. “No, I’m just tired.”

“Man, when was the last time you had a date? I haven’t seen you with anyone in a while.”

“I’ve had a few dates,” Blaze responded. However, those dates progressed into nothing because he kept searching for the feeling and level of excitement he shared with Livi. “Right now my focus is on my work. There’s a lot going on with the hotels, but you wouldn’t know that since you chose to start your own firm.”

“Don’t start,” Drayden said. “Mom and Dad are fine with my decision.”

“I’m just giving you a hard time,” Blaze said with a chuckle. “I actually respect your decision to do your own thing.”

When the elevator doors opened, Blaze glimpsed a woman who reminded him of Livi, but she strolled past too quickly for him to be certain.

He cut his conversation short with Drayden and rushed out, looking for her.

“What’s up?” his brother asked. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

Blaze’s eyes scanned his surroundings, but the woman was nowhere to be found.

“Bro, are you okay?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

Blaze made another quick sweep of their surroundings with his gaze. “I thought I saw someone I knew.” When the words left his mouth, he felt a tingling sensation, the same sensation he always felt when he thought of Livi.

* * *

It was after 11:00 p.m. and Blaze preferred not to eat heavy when it was late. He made a salad and heated up a piece of grilled salmon left over from the dinner earlier with his family.

He could not stop thinking about Livi. The image of the woman near the elevator floated to the forefront of his mind.

Blaze released a long sigh. “Where are you, Livi?” he whispered.

He finished up his meal and then headed to his bedroom.

Blaze showered and changed into a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. He settled down in his living room to watch television, although his mind was troubled. He did not know why, but he felt anxious. Maybe it was all the media attention on his family because of the new center they were building—Blaze had no idea, but he did not like the way he was feeling.

He focused instead on his father’s upcoming birthday party. Blaze was looking forward to the celebration. Malcolm certainly deserved this event, and it would serve as a token of appreciation for how much he was loved and respected.

Blaze tried to think of who he could ask to accompany him to the party. An image of Livi formed in his mind once more. Groaning in frustration, he tossed a pillow across the room.

Chapter 3

Livi laid her newspaper down on her breakfast table. The Alexander family continued to make daily headlines with the new center they were building to assist the L.A. homeless population.

Right after college, Livi had worked as Robert DePaul’s assistant until he grew ill and stepped away from the business. Livi left the company shortly after his death, but returned a month ago, to take over as manager and buyer of the Parisian Maison Boutique located in the DePaul Hotel in Beverly Hills.

With Robert DePaul’s son now at the reins, many of the employees decided to stay with the company. Livi had worked closely with Robert and trusted him. He was strategic in all of his decisions, so when he chose to leave everything to a son no one knew existed—Livi was not at all surprised by his actions.

As it turns out, the Alexanders were wonderful employers and astute businesspeople. Livi was thrilled that Harold DePaul was no longer at the helm. Although she liked him as a person, he was too blinded by power to take notice of anything else.

Livi often wondered what would happen when she and Blaze finally came face-to-face with each other. Would he even remember her?

Livi was not interested in his wealth. The night she met Blaze was a special one for her. Back then, Livi felt that she had met her soul mate. Everything had happened so fast.

One day, she and Blaze would have to have a conversation concerning that night because neither of them could pursue a future as long as they were bound to one another. She remembered how they were together. Being in the same city with Blaze had stirred up many emotions.

* * *

Livi pretended that she was not listening to the conversation between two of her employees as they worked to set up the display for an upcoming sale. She found that the handsome Alexander men were a constant subject of many of the female employees. She endured endless conversations from her staff and other hotel employees about Ari, Drayden and especially Blaze. Livi had heard that Drayden owned an accounting firm near Wilshire Boulevard. Like Blaze, he was rarely seen at the hotel.

Livi chuckled softly every time one of the women voiced hope that she would catch Blaze’s eye. She could not be sure, but Livi did not believe that Blaze would be interested in any of them. However, she did not know that much about him. When they had met in Vegas, she had no idea that he was in any way connected to Robert DePaul. In all the years she worked with Robert, he had never shared that part of his life with her. She was stunned when she discovered that Blaze was Robert DePaul’s grandson. It was indeed a small world.

Livi noticed that Blaze avoided the media as much as possible. His father and eldest brother appeared in the news frequently, but they were the face of the Alexander-DePaul Hotel Group and now the soon-to-be Robert DePaul Center.

Livi was also private and could relate to how Blaze must be feeling. Her heart ached for him, knowing how he felt about this kind of attention.

Both Sage’s and Ari’s marriages were featured in grocery store tabloids, and in several of the major magazines geared to the African-American market. Livi cringed at the thought of her personal life being the subject of the world’s conversations and criticisms. It was another reason why she had not approached Blaze—she feared the media exposing their special connection to public scrutiny.

She and Blaze would have to be careful.

However, Livi was not sure she could wait much longer. She had to find the right time to reenter Blaze’s life.

But what if there was no right time?

The question gnawed at her.

Livi knew that she could not keep delaying the inevitable. It only made matters worse.

* * *

Ari was working from home because he was flying out later that evening on the company jet to visit the Alexander-DePaul Hotel & Spa Resorts in Arizona. Blaze returned to the hotel the next day to meet with him.

He left his car with the valet and strolled into the spacious lobby of the hotel in Beverly Hills where Ari and Sage both maintained residences. Blaze was awestruck by the beauty of the hotel, with its Spanish Revival architecture and Mediterranean styling.

The tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Blaze knew the employees were watching him. He walked briskly across the floor toward the elevators.

Whistling softly, he went up to Ari’s penthouse.

The décor of his brother’s home featured dark wood crown molding and soft muted color schemes of sage, plum and ivory. The five-bedroom residence offered floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the interior with natural light.

Natasha opened the door just as he was about to knock. She stepped aside to let him enter, then said, “Don’t work too hard.”

He embraced her. “I should be telling you that.”

She smiled. “Ari’s in his office. I’ve ordered lunch for the two of you. It’ll be delivered at noon.”

“Thanks!”

Blaze walked to his brother’s office.

Ari was at his desk typing something into the computer.

“I don’t know who’s glowing more—you or Natasha,” he said with a chuckle as he took a seat. “Marriage must certainly agree with you.”

Ari glanced at him and smiled. “Natasha is everything I want in a wife. Joshua is the perfect son and now we’re having another baby. I’m over the moon.”

“I’m thrilled for you, bro.”

“What about you, Blaze? Los Angeles is filled with beautiful women—I’m surprised one of them hasn’t caught your eye. You used to be quite the ladies’ man.”

“All my energies have been focused on work,” Blaze responded. His guilt weighed upon him, choking him. He did not know how much longer his family was going to buy this explanation.

“Does Joshua know about the baby yet?” he asked.

Ari settled back in his chair. “We told him last night.”

“How did he take the news?”

“I wish you could’ve seen him, Blaze. He walked over to Natasha and started rubbing her belly as he introduced himself to the baby. He’s a proud big brother.”

Two hours later, Blaze left the penthouse and took the elevator down to the lobby. His steps slowed as he neared the Parisian Maison Boutique.

Blaze stared at the woman inside talking to a couple of women carrying an armload of shopping bags. The shock of discovery hit him full force.

Her hair is much shorter now, but that woman is most definitely Livi.

Blaze hesitated, torn by conflicting emotions. What he felt for Livi cast aside any doubt as he burst through the double doors of the boutique, walking with purpose.

Livi halted, shocked, but seemed to recover quickly. “M-Mr. Alexander,” she murmured. “What can I do for you?”

“Is there somewhere we can talk?” he asked, aware that everyone in the shop was watching them intently.

She gestured toward the back of the store. “Yes. My office is in the back.”

Blaze gently took her arm and escorted her to the office so they could talk in private.

Once they were in the office, he closed the door behind him. “I can’t believe that you’ve been here under my nose all this time.” He came close, looking down at her intensely. “I was just about to hire a private detective to try to find you.”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “I’ve only been back in Los Angeles for about a month now. I was living in San Francisco.” Livi hesitated, blinking with bafflement. “Blaze, you’ve been looking for me?”

“I wanted to see you again.” He eyed the nameplate on her desk. “So, Carlyle is your last name.”

“Oh,” she murmured. “I thought you knew that.”

Blaze gave a short laugh. “I might have, but for some reason I didn’t remember.”

Livi smiled. “You were quite the party animal.”

“So were you. But I’m sure you must have figured out that you worked for my father.” Blaze paused, then added, “Livi, why didn’t you let me know that you were here?”

She was completely honest in her response. “Blaze, I’ve only been back in Los Angeles a month. As soon as I got back, I wanted to contact you, but I didn’t know what to say. I considered it many times. My friend Sybil kept telling me to call you or send an email.”

“I still can’t believe that you’ve been with the company all this time.” Blaze hoped his tone concealed the mixed emotions he felt.

“Why have you been looking for me?” Livi asked.

“We had a great time in Vegas and then you disappeared. I feel like we have some unfinished business.”

Livi met his gaze. “What kind of unfinished business?”

He shrugged. “That’s why I’ve wanted to find you. Few women have left an impression on me the way you have, Livi. We have a connection.”

She smiled. “Yes, we do share a connection.”

“So you feel it, too?” he asked.

Livi nodded. “Blaze...”

“I only have one regret,” he quickly interjected before Livi could finish what she was about to say. “I really wish I could remember our last night together.”

* * *

Livi kept her expression blank as she replayed Blaze’s words in her mind.

“What do you remember about that night, Blaze?” she asked, alarmed.

“We partied and I remember our friends teasing us about spending so much time together.”

Livi smiled and nodded. “They kept saying that they thought we were going to run off and elope.”

Blaze laughed. “Now that would have been something.”

Her eyes wandered restlessly around her office. Livi could not look him in the eye.

“Livi,” Blaze prompted. “What’s wrong? You’ve gotten quiet on me.”

“Do you remember being in the hospital?”

He met her gaze. “Some of it. They said that I fell off a stage. The doctors told me that I suffered a traumatic brain injury. They said that I suffered from retrograde amnesia. I don’t remember anything that happened before I fell.”

“But you remember me?” Livi asked. “How is that possible?”

“According to the doctors, people with retrograde amnesia do not lose all their memories. From everything that I’ve read about it, usually it’s the events that happened right before the injury that are lost.” A smile tugged at Blaze’s lips. “I could have fallen from the second floor of this hotel and I don’t think I could ever forget you, Livi.”

She looked up at him, meeting his warm gaze. “Every time I thought about seeing you face-to-face, I could never get past this moment. It always stopped here.”

“I’m still somewhat shocked at seeing you,” Blaze said. “In the back of my mind, I always felt that I would see you again, but I had no idea that it would be like this.”

“I’m sorry for not coming forward sooner.”

Blaze met her gaze. “That would have been nice. You owed me that much.”

Hearing a noise, Livi gestured toward the door. She did not want her employees listening in on their conversation. “Blaze, can we finish this discussion at another place and time? I really have to get back out there. Martha may need some help. An employee called in sick and another one is on vacation.”

“Can you meet me for lunch tomorrow?” Blaze asked.

“I’m actually hosting a baby shower for one of my employees. She’s going on maternity leave in a couple of weeks.”

“What about dinner?”

“I have to check my schedule, but right now I need to help Martha close up.” Livi quickly wrote down her home and cell numbers. “Give me a call tomorrow and I’ll let you know about dinner.”

She handed the paper to Blaze.

“I’ll talk to you soon,” he said, then strode quickly out of the office without a glance backward.

“It was nice seeing you, too,” she whispered softly. She shrugged off her disappointment, and then headed out to the sales floor.

“Are you okay?” Martha asked.

Livi nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.”

Disconcerted, she crossed her arms and pointedly looked away.

“What was that all about? I’ve never seen Blaze Alexander in here before.”

“I guess he decided to check out everything,” Livi responded. “Martha, let’s focus our attention on getting the shop in order. I don’t want to stay late tonight.”

She felt like kicking herself for not contacting Blaze. Although he had tried not to show it, Livi could tell that he was angry that she had chosen to keep her whereabouts a secret from him.

Livi had chosen to keep her heartbreak a secret from him, as well. However, that wasn’t the only secret she was keeping.

Chapter 4

Blaze silently noted that Livi was more beautiful than he remembered. She looked much younger than her twenty-seven years. When they’d met in Vegas, her hair had been shoulder-length, but Livi now wore it short, the dark brown color complementing the warm glow of her sienna complexion.

His mouth tightened as he forced himself to remember the way she had treated him while they were in Vegas. Blaze left the hospital looking for her, only to discover that she had checked out of the hotel. He had heard from one of his frat brothers that Livi had come to the hospital, but she left without seeing him.

Livi’s reaction to seeing him just now puzzled Blaze. She looked guilty, as if she were hiding something from him.

But what did she have to hide?

There was no point in speculation, he decided.

“Livi and I are going to sit down and have a discussion,” Blaze whispered to himself. “I have to know why she ran off like that.”

Strange and disquieting thoughts raced through his mind, but his heart rate increased every time he pictured Livi’s smile. His first impulse had been to wrap his arms around her, but he wisely held back. He couldn’t deny how much he longed to feel her in his arms or her soft lips against his. Seeing her and not being able to touch her proved to be unbearable. Blaze did not want to ignite any rumors among the hotel staff. He knew how quickly things spread along the employee grapevine. He refused to subject Livi or himself to the unwanted attentions of their coworkers.

Whatever happened in Vegas was just between Livi and him. Blaze wanted it to stay that way.

* * *

Later that evening, Livi found Sybil waiting for her when she arrived home. She was surprised by her friend’s visit. She thought Sybil would be spending the evening with her fiancé.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

Sybil had a key to Livi’s condo, but she rarely used it. When she did, it was only to water Livi’s plants whenever she was away on a buying trip.

“Todd and I had a fight,” her friend told her. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go, so I came here. I hope you don’t mind.” She swiped at her tear-streaked face.

“Of course I don’t mind, Sybil.” Livi tossed her purse on the leather ottoman, and then sank down beside her friend. “What happened this time?”

Sybil seemed to have the worst taste in men, as far as Livi was concerned. She loved her friend like a sister, but Sybil had constant drama in the relationship department.

“I think he’s seeing someone else.” Sybil released a long sigh. “Go ahead and say it...you told me so.”

“All I’m going to say is that Todd is not worth all this heartache,” Livi said. “You deserve so much better.”

Sybil nodded. “I really don’t want to talk about that jerk. Let’s just focus on you. How are things?”

“I saw Blaze earlier,” Livi announced. “He came to the boutique.”

“Really?”

Livi nodded.

“What happened?”

“Nothing much,” Livi answered. “We talked for a few minutes and then he left. I had to get back to work, but mostly, the boutique wasn’t the right place to have that kind of discussion.”

“I take it that you two will be seeing each other again then,” Sybil queried.

“Blaze mentioned getting together for dinner. He was very nice to me, but that was about it, so I don’t know if there is anything to talk about.”

“I don’t believe that. You two were very intense in Vegas.”

“As the saying goes, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What Blaze and I shared stayed in Vegas.”

“How do you feel about it?”

Livi shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“I guess he turned out to be a jerk, too.” Sybil rose to her feet. “I’m in need of a glass of wine. How about you?”

Livi looked up at her friend and smiled. “I have some in the fridge.”

She returned with the wine bottle and a glass, which she gave to Sybil. “I wouldn’t call Blaze a jerk, but he isn’t the same man I met in Las Vegas.”

“You’re not having any?” Sybil asked, pointing to the wine.

Livi shook her head no.

They lounged on the sofa and watched a movie.

Livi stretched and yawned. “I think I’m going to call it a night. I have a long day tomorrow.”

Sybil agreed as she checked her phone. “Todd’s called me seven times already.”

“Are you going to call him back?”

“Not tonight. I’m going to take a hot bubble bath and go to bed. I need to clear my head and I can’t do that if I talk to him right now.”

Livi hugged her friend. “Stay here as long as you like. I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll get dressed and have breakfast at the café on the corner before heading off to work.”

“Sounds good,” Sybil responded.

Livi showered, and then slipped into a pair of boy shorts and a camisole. She settled in bed and opened up her laptop.

She typed retrograde amnesia into the search engine. Livi wanted to know more about Blaze’s memory loss.

The information she found confirmed what Blaze had told her. People with this condition were unable to recall events that occurred before the onset of the trauma. Her eyes filled with tears and overflowed when she read that medical research had found no way to restore the memories that had been lost.

Her heart grew sad at the thought that he would never remember their last day together.

* * *

The next evening, Livi moved around her bedroom in a panic.

She wanted to look nice for her dinner with Blaze, but she could not figure out what to wear. She glanced over at the pile of clothes on her bed.

Livi was acting as nervous as a schoolgirl going on her first date. She wanted to wear something that would rekindle what they’d experienced in Vegas.

“Sybil, I need you,” she called out.

“What about that black dress with the draped ruffle down the front?” Sybil suggested as she strolled into the room. “You know, the one you bought when we were in San Diego. I’m sure it still has the tags on it.”

“I thought about wearing that one, but...I don’t know.”

“Okay, so what time is your date?”

Livi glanced over at the clock. “In a couple of hours.”

She knew style and fashion, but drew a blank at the thought of seeing Blaze tonight. Livi wanted to “wow” him.

Sybil gestured toward the closet. “C’mon, let me see what we can come up with.”

Livi pulled out the black dress with the draped ruffle.

“No, it’s not sexy enough,” Sybil said with a shake of her head.

Livi tossed it on the bed, and then walked back to her closet.

This time she came out with a sleeveless, drop-waist, draped, red dress. A strip of gold beading adorned the shoulders. “What about this?” Livi asked, holding up the jersey knit dress.

“That’s the one. It hugs your body in all the right places,” Sybil stated. “Wear your black platform pumps. The ones with the gold studs.”

Livi smiled and nodded. “I have the matching purse for those shoes, too.”

“Are you planning on wearing any makeup?”

Livi frowned. “Do I need to?”

“Just a little,” she suggested. “And wear your hair slicked back.”

Sybil sat in the living room watching television while Livi showered and prepared for her date.

When Livi entered the room twenty minutes later, her friend gave her a thumbs-up.

“You look great.”

“Thanks so much for your help, Sybil.”

She surveyed her reflection in the wall mirror.

Livi was pleased with what she saw, and hoped that it served as a subtle reminder to Blaze of what they once shared.

They had elected to meet at the Chart House restaurant in Marina del Rey. Livi knew Blaze chose not to eat at one of the hotel restaurants because he did not want any of the hotel employees to see them having dinner together.

Livi left early for the restaurant so she could be the first to arrive. It would give her a few moments to compose herself before seeing Blaze.

The Chart House was one of her favorite places to eat. Livi loved the stunning waterfront location that offered scenic views of the marina and picturesque Southern California skies.

To her dismay, Blaze was already at the restaurant and was seated in one of the booths by the window. Livi took a deep breath as she walked over to join him.

He stood up and waited until she sat down before returning to his seat.

Livi bit back a smile. Blaze couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her.

She sat in the chair, her fingers tensed in her lap.

“Thank you for meeting me here,” he said, recovering.

“It sounded more like an order than an invitation,” she muttered uneasily.

He seemed taken aback by her response. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

Livi gave a slight shrug.

The waiter approached their table.

Blaze and Livi both ordered a glass of chardonnay.

Their gazes met and held, making Livi nervous. She thought she detected a flicker in his intense eyes, causing her pulse to skitter alarmingly.

“You’re staring,” she murmured and stirred uneasily in her chair.

“I’m sorry,” he responded. “Livi, I can’t believe we’re in the same room after all this time. I really thought that I would never see you again.”

She picked up her menu with trembling hands. “I wanted to contact you, Blaze. I just didn’t know what to say, especially after I left the way I did.”

“I’d really like to know why you ran away like that,” Blaze stated. “That’s what I could never understand. I heard that you came to the hospital but I don’t remember seeing you. What I do remember is that we clicked immediately and I thought we could talk about anything and everything. Was I mistaken?”

Awkwardly, she cleared her throat. “No, Blaze, I admit that what I did was very immature—it just seemed like a good idea at the time.” Her hands, hidden from sight, twisted nervously in her lap.

The waiter came to take their dinner order.

She tried to think of a plausible explanation. “Blaze, my flight was leaving in a couple of hours. I just panicked.”

“So you have no regrets about our time together?”

Livi shook her head. “I don’t.” She took a long sip of her ice water, and then said, “However, you can’t really say the same, since you don’t remember anything about our last day together.”

Their food arrived.

Blaze regarded her quizzically for a moment, and then pointed toward her plate. “You’re not eating.”

Livi settled back in her seat. “I’m not as hungry as I thought. I’m going to take it home and eat it later.” In his presence, Livi could not imagine doing something as simple as chewing. She was so nervous that she couldn’t even manage normal activities.

Blaze took another bite of his steak. “This is really delicious. I’m glad you chose this place. Now that I know about it, I’ll come back here often.”

Livi finished off her glass of water. “I’m glad you like it.”

Blaze was at ease and comfortable in her company. She wished she could be the same in his, but her secret was gnawing at her.

She studied his face for a moment, and then asked, “What do you like to do when you’re not working, Blaze?”

“I enjoy a good game of basketball,” he responded. “Dancing is one of my favorite pastimes, collecting vintage car models and reading. I’m a huge mystery fan.”

“We have all those things in common,” Livi said. “Except for the model cars. I don’t collect anything other than shoes. I love shoes.”

Blaze chuckled. “I’m not surprised by that at all.”

Livi grinned. “Hey, I know about your little Nike shoe habit.”

He held up his hands in defense. “I’m just saying...”

Shaking her head, Livi laughed.

“Now that I know where you are, I’d definitely like to get to know you better,” Blaze announced. Sitting here, talking and laughing like this, reminded him of Vegas.

Blaze eyed her for a moment before adding, “I feel as if there’s something you want to say to me.”

“We haven’t seen each other in two years, Blaze,” Livi said. “I guess I’m still in that I can’t believe that we’re here together stage.”

Blaze smiled. “It really is good to see you again.”

After a moment, she said, “You can’t imagine how shocked I was to find that you were connected to Robert DePaul. I never thought I’d see you again. Especially since you lived in Aspen, Georgia. Although I have to admit, I considered coming to look for you.”

“What made you change your mind?”

She shrugged. “I guess I wasn’t sure how you would respond.”

Blaze adjusted his tie. “My life changed in so many ways during that trip.”

If you only knew, she wanted to add. Instead, she opened her purse and fidgeted with something.

“Blaze, do you remember my name?”

He nodded. “It’s Elizabeth. I just didn’t remember your last name, if you even told me, mystery woman.”

They both laughed.

“What is the last thing you remember about our time together?” Livi asked.

Blaze searched his memory. “I think we were talking about going to a concert or something.”

“We made plans to see Jazz Murphy perform. He’s one of your frat brothers.”

Blaze nodded. “Then it gets hazy after that.”

His gaze traveled over her face seductively. “I really wish I could remember that last day. I feel as if I’m missing something important. All I know is what happened at the concert. My frat brothers told me that Jazz invited us up to the stage.”

Livi nodded. “You all did a step routine and the next thing I know you were falling off the stage.” She shuddered at the memory.

“You were there?”

“Yes,” she responded. “We were there together. On that last day, we met for breakfast. Afterward, we went to the Stratosphere Tower.”

“So we actually went there,” Blaze murmured. “We had discussed going to the observation deck the day we met.”

Puzzled, Livi nodded. “I’m not afraid of heights, but that deck was so high that we had an eye-level view of the helicopters.” She gazed at Blaze. “You don’t remember, do you?”

He shook his head. “I wish I could.”

“You told me about your parents and how they met,” Livi said. “They met at the county fair. Your father saw your mother and kept following her around until she confronted him. She told him that he might as well invite her to ride with him on the Ferris wheel. He did, although he was afraid of getting on the ride.”

Blaze nodded and smiled. “That was the first and last time he ever got on any ride. He was so sick afterward. My mother said it was my dad’s determination to move past his fear of heights to win her affection that attracted her initially. They married a few months later and are still going strong thirty-eight years later.”

The air around them seemed electrified, which only added to Blaze’s discomfort. Her memory of what happened gave Livi power.

“How long have you worked at the hotel?” he asked after a moment. “If I remember correctly, you told me you were an executive assistant at the time.”

“I was,” Livi responded. “I was actually your grandfather’s assistant.”

“So you knew Robert DePaul pretty well then.”

It was more of a statement than a question.

Livi nodded. “I knew him as well as anyone could outside of his family. Robert was a good man...a very savvy and intelligent businessman. Your father reminds me of him a great deal.”

“I would have liked to have met him,” Blaze confessed. “I understand why he waited, but I think that it bothers my dad—the way all this came about. Robert was a complete stranger to us all.”

“I’m sure Harold hasn’t made it any easier for your family.”

“Hopefully he’s too busy with the expansion of the Blythewood Hotels to try to sabotage us.”

“Your father can handle Harold.”

Blaze nodded in agreement. “I understand why Harold’s upset, but to go after my family the way he has—it’s not acceptable.”

“I’m pretty sure you’ve seen the last of Harold,” Livi said. “You’ve beaten him at every turn, from what I’ve heard. I don’t think he’ll bother coming after you again.”

“As much as I’d like to believe that, I’m not so sure,” Blaze said. “I’m sure the man is trying to find something on my family. We’re not worried, though. We don’t have anything to hide.”

Chapter 5

Livi felt an electrifying jolt of shock run through her as she silently contemplated what could happen. What if someone decided to look into Blaze’s past—or hers, for that matter?

“You okay?” Blaze asked, apparently noting her sudden discomfort.

A new and unexpected warmth surged through her, emanating from the way Blaze was looking at her, his eyes caressing her softly.

She struggled to keep from blurting out her news. Now was definitely not the right time or place.

“I was thinking about all the stuff you told me about your childhood and adolescence,” Livi stated. “You and I have so much in common. I was rebellious in my teen years, as well. I don’t know if you remember my telling you that.... Anyway, when I see you now, it’s hard for me to believe you were ever the kid you described.”

Blaze chuckled. “Oh, I was definitely that person. But you...” He shook his head. “What did you do that was so rebellious?”

“I used to sneak out of my parents’ house and take the car.”

He shook his head in disbelief.

“I did,” Livi said. “I was a handful. I’m sure our parents are thrilled that we’re finally past our teenage years—I know my parents couldn’t be happier.”

Laughing, Blaze nodded in agreement. “Do you think that’s why we were so drawn to each other? Because we’re both rebels?”

“That’s probably part of it,” Livi responded. “I was also attracted to your mind. We had some great conversations on politics, education and life in general.”

“I do remember some of those conversations,” Blaze stated with a grin. “A couple of them got really heated.”

Livi smiled. “You and I have a difference of opinion when it comes to education in low-income areas.”

“We won’t rehash that conversation,” he said. “I would rather spend the evening talking about the good times we had in Vegas.”

“We definitely had those,” she murmured in a low voice. Livi implored him with her eyes to try to remember.

* * *

Blaze was still drawn to Livi.

He enjoyed listening to her as she discussed her plans for the future during dinner. He admired her determination and optimism.

In the back of his mind, Blaze briefly considered that Livi’s renewed interest in him could be financial, but he forced that thought out of his mind. He had never thought of Livi as a gold digger, but then Blaze never thought she was the type of woman to run away from any situation.

While he still found her irresistible, he vowed not to be led by his heart. Things had changed for him since that time in Vegas.

Livi had gotten under his skin in a huge way, but she’d left when Blaze had needed her most.

Blaze shook his head as if to ward off the thought. He did not even want to admit it to himself. Pain of any kind was a sign of weakness as far as he was concerned.

“Blaze...” Livi prompted. “What are you thinking about?”

“Why didn’t you come see me when you came to the hospital? Why did you just leave like that?”

She met his gaze. “I didn’t want to intrude. When you fell off that stage, I tried to get to you, but security wouldn’t let me. By the time I made it to the front, the paramedics were rushing you to the hospital.”

“You didn’t ride with me?” he asked.

Livi shook her head no. “I could hardly get any information on your condition from your friends. They were very protective of you.”

“I didn’t know, Livi. All they told me was that you had stopped by the hospital and then left.”

“I felt as if I wasn’t wanted there.”

“I was in and out of consciousness that night.”

“I realize that, but back then, I didn’t know,” Livi said. “I made a wrong assumption. I see that now.”

“I guess I can understand why you would be so hesitant to contact me then.” Blaze checked his watch. “It’s getting late and I have a long day tomorrow.”

Livi stood up. “Thanks for dinner.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Blaze escorted Livi to her car outside the restaurant.

He surprised them both by giving her a chaste kiss on the lips.

A quiver surged through Livi’s veins. She waited for her quickened pulse to return to normal.

She was both surprised and pleased by Blaze’s kiss.

“I...I don’t really know why I just did that. It just seemed natural.”

She smiled. “I didn’t mind. I’m just surprised because you seemed angry with me earlier.”

“There is a part of me that’s angry,” Blaze admitted. “I didn’t like the way you just up and left me, but I’ll be okay.”

“Thank you for dinner,” she murmured. “I enjoyed sitting down with you and talking.”

“It’s going to take some time,” Blaze responded.

“If I had a chance to do it all over again, I would handle everything differently.”

He gave her a brief hug. “At least now, we have a chance to renew our friendship.”

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