Zack was lying naked on the massive bed with the ornate headboard carved from Moroccan wood, watching Bailey getting ready to leave. He hoped she’d get through the day okay since they hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before. As certain memories cascaded in his mind, his cock woke up from resting and made a nice tent in the sheet covering him to his waist.
For more than twenty years, he’d imagined what it would be like if they ever saw each other again. What would they look like with the passage of time? Would the magic still be there? Would they still want each other with the same desperation? Would they still generate enough electricity to light up the sky?
Last night had certainly answered those questions. In spades. It also underscored the reality of the emotions that still existed between them, even if Bailey didn’t want to acknowledge it. Oh, yeah. It was definitely there. Before their stay at Casa Blanca was over, he’d get her to admit it. Then he’d ask her why she’d shut him out twenty-four years ago and, hopefully, plan a future with her. It was never too late, right?
“So what’s on your agenda today?” he asked, keeping his voice as neutral but friendly as possible. “What’s on the retreat schedule?”
“This morning we’re doing some open-end brainstorming,” she told him. “The senior partners are talking about making some changes in the way we operate and the role everyone plays. Then, this afternoon, we’ll do some role-playing.” She grinned. “That ought to be fun. Maybe I can get some of the juniors to take the collective stick out of their asses.”
“They don’t sound like a lot of fun people to me,” he commented.
“They can be, when they aren’t being impressed with themselves.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You sure you like working at that place, Bailey?”
“I do. In spite of having a tendency to believe in their own publicity, they’re a good group of people. There’s hardly ever any jealous infighting, and the senior partners are great about giving credit and sharing the mega clients.”
“What did you say the name of that firm is? I’m sure you told me, but—”
“But the last thing you were paying attention to was the place where I work, right?” Her lips curved in a familiar smile, and he wanted to bite them and suck them into his mouth.
“Busted.”
“It’s Blake, Rothbart and Padilla.” She picked up her messenger bag and slid her purse, her tablet, and her laptop into it. “And now I really do have to get going.” She looked around. “Feel free to take a swim in the pool if you want. Junonia serves great breakfasts, or you can order room service. If you—”
He was out of bed then, ignoring his nudity, and pulling her into him.
“I’m a big boy, Bailey. I can take care of myself.”
At the hurt look that came over her face, he could have bitten off his tongue.
“Forgive me, I—”
“No, forgive me. I misplaced my manners for a moment.” He touched her chin with the tip of one finger and tilted her face up. “I just meant that you have more important things to worry about than me. I’m good. I need to get to my room and shower and shave and change my clothes.”
“I didn’t mean—” She shook her head. “I didn’t mean to presume. Of course you can take care of yourself. And I need to get going.”
“Not so fast.” He closed his fingers around her shoulders to hold her in place. “Let’s start over here. I hope you enjoy your meetings today. I know you’ll do a bang-up job. Can we meet for drinks when you’re done, and do you have dinner plans again?”
“There’s another group dinner.” She wrinkled her forehead. “I can’t get out of it, Zack. We’ll be reviewing all the things from today. I won’t be finished for the day until about the same time as last night. Maybe a half hour earlier at best.”
“Relax, Bailey. Don’t stress about it. That’s fine.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Anyway, how can you stress when you’re in the room with a naked man?”
She looked up at him, nibbling her bottom lip, the sight of it making him even harder. Then she gave him a tentative smile. “You’re right. Maybe you should put on some clothes.”
“Soon enough. So. No dinner. Right?”
She shook her head. “Like I said, it’s a working dinner. We’ll go over everything from the two sessions today.”
“Doesn’t sound like much of a fun weekend.”
“We’ll have plenty of time for fun. They’ve got tomorrow afternoon free, and then, at night, we have the closing dinner where we get to let it all hang out. Very informal.”
He touched his mouth to hers. “Maybe you can sneak me in for the informal part.”
“Um, maybe.” Her gorgeous hazel eyes were filled with questions. And something else he was hesitant to identify. “Spouses and significant others are invited. I, um, guess it would be okay for you to—” She stopped and stared at him. “What are we doing here, Zack? What’s our category?”
“I know what I’d like it to be,” he told her. “But we can talk about that later. For the moment, can we just say we’re very old friends enjoying an unexpected weekend together? Will that fly with your bosses?”
“Old friends?” She dipped her head once in acknowledgement. “I guess in a way we are. That works. And, now, I really do have to get moving.”
She tried to step away from him again, and he swallowed a grin at the way she tried to keep her eyes averted from his cock.
“So you’ll text me tonight again when you’re through?”
Another nibble on her lip, but she nodded. “Yes. Okay. About the same time.”
As she literally ran for the door, he called out, “Better fix your lipstick before you get in polite company.”
There was no one in sight on the path lined with thick, lush foliage, so he indulged himself a moment, watching her. She still had that little half-walk/half-run she used when she was in a hurry, the one that made the muscles in her cute little ass flex so temptingly.
Is it okay to tell a woman past forty that her ass is cute?
Zack sighed as he closed the door. He had no idea what rules were in play here. He wasn’t even sure where here was. The one thing he was sure of? That he was still as hopelessly in love with Bailey George as he had been the last time he’d seen her all those years ago. Desperately probably described it the best. Time had not changed one thing about that, except perhaps to underscore how empty his life was without her in it. If nothing else, he was going to make her see that what they had was still there. And he was going to find out why she’d cut him out of her life twenty-four years ago.
He was glad no one saw him as he left the villa and headed toward the main building. He didn’t care so much for himself, but he didn’t want Bailey to have to answer any questions she wasn’t ready for.
An hour later, having showered, shaved, changed clothes, and checked in with Atlanta—all was good; no news was good news—he was sitting in Junonia, drinking coffee as he waited for his breakfast and checking his tablet for messages.
“I had to get a look at the man who got Bailey George to kiss him on the beach last night.”
Zack nearly dropped his tablet, rescuing it just in time. A very hot blonde had dropped into the chair across from him. She was smiling, but her eyes said she meant all business.
“Uh, excuse me. Do we know each other?”
She shook her head. “No, and I’m being presumptuous because Bailey is a friend, and her friends look out for her.” She held out her hand. “Lacey Walker. My husband and I own the resort.”
Zack shook her hand, still stunned that the owner of this incredible place was concerned about Bailey’s love life. Was there something he was missing?
“Zack Elliott.” He couldn’t help adding, “Paying guest.”
She laughed and sat back in her chair. “Message received. I’m not normally a busybody like this, especially with our guests. But in all the years I’ve known Bailey, she’s dated a total of three men, none of whom lasted very long. And she certainly never kissed any of them on the beach.”
“You won’t throw my breakfast at me if I say I’m glad, will you?”
“Not at all. At least, as long as you aren’t here to make her unhappy.”
Zack frowned. “Is there something I’m missing? Because Bailey and I haven’t seen each other in more than twenty years. It was just an accident of fate that we both ended up at Casa Blanca this weekend. And, believe me, the very last thing in the world I want is to cause her any pain or distress.”
“Good. Glad to hear it, Zack Elliott. So what brings you to the Casa Blanca Resort and Spa?”
Mindful of the secrecy of his reason for the trip, he gave her a stock answer.
“I flew a client who had some business in the area into Page Field from Atlanta. I had already taken myself off the schedule for the weekend, so I decided to check out this place that everyone told me about.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “You’re a pilot?”
He nodded. “I am.”
“And I’m guessing since you, what did you say? Took yourself off the schedule? That you’re the boss?”
“Right again.”
“We get a lot of guests who prefer to fly in on a private plane rather than go commercial. Especially with our Barefoot Brides wedding service. I hope you don’t mind if I do a little checking, Mr. Elliott. I might want to discuss some business with you.”
“Just like that?”
She shrugged. “I’m sure Bailey will vouch for you. Anyway, I have to run. If you’re interested, let them know at the front desk that you want to talk to me and we’ll set up a meeting.” She rose from the chair.
“Thanks, I will.”
She started to walk away then stopped and looked back at him. “You look so familiar, but I’m sure we haven’t met before.” She shook her head. “Must be my imagination. Well, I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
Zack watched her walk away, bemused by the whole little conversation. What on earth was going on in Bailey‘s life that her friend would be concerned about a man who kissed her on the beach? And how could he find out without sounding like he was interrogating her? He gave himself a mental kick for not keeping track of her all these years. With the Internet, you could find anyone anywhere. So why hadn’t he checked on Bailey?
Because your poor little ego was bruised.
No, because my heart was broken and I was too destroyed to see her happy with someone else.
At that moment, the waitress brought his breakfast and, while he ate, he did a search on his tablet for Bailey George. It amazed him how many people of that name were out there, not to mention the George Baileys, who he eliminated at once. And that didn’t even touch all the links about the character in It’s a Wonderful Life. He’d finished his breakfast and enough caffeine to keep him awake for three days before he finally turned off the tablet.
Nothing.
Not a damn thing.
Oh, he’d found the usual—birth record, undergrad and law school information, and some impressive articles about her situation at Blake, Rothbart and Padilla. Her particular area of expertise seemed to be acquisitions and mergers and corporate compliance. He wasn’t surprised she was damn good at it. Even as a young undergrad, Bailey had a sharp mind and a keen ability to understand things.
He found mentions of her attendance at public events and fundraisers, some of which she chaired, and a few pictures, but not too many. He was struck by the scarcity of photographs and by the absence of any mention tying her to someone as a couple. He wondered if she was hiding something but dismissed the thought as soon as it popped up.
That little sixth sense that had stood him in good stead when flying in bad weather, or when a plane had not been serviced properly, was doing a dance on his spine right now, but he couldn’t imagine why. With a deliberate effort, he shrugged it off and signaled to the waitress for the check.
“Oh, it’s taken care of,” she told him.
Zack raised his eyebrows. “By who?”
“Mrs. Walker said you were her guest this morning. I hope you enjoyed your breakfast.”
Zack was stunned. Lacey had comped him?
“Yes, it was terrific.”
And when he went to leave a tip, she told him that had also been taken care of.
Was the woman trying to make up for her earlier suspicions of him? He’d have to be sure and thank her. Her sort-of offer was also rattling around in his brain, so he decided to go exploring in the area. Maybe he’d look at another relocation, since he’d come to the conclusion Atlanta wasn’t what he wanted. And, while he was at it, he could talk to the people at Page Field and sound them out about the charter business. If he planned to meet with Lacey Walker, he wanted all the information he could get. He was pretty sure Casa Blanca Resort and Spa itself wouldn’t generate enough business.
I could cut back to just myself and take it a little easier.
And where the hell had that thought come from?
He found the area very interesting, and colorful, everything from the Super Min run by Charity Grambling—who he figured after two minutes was someone whose good side he wanted to stay on—to the funky ships and restaurants on Mimosa Key to the gorgeous homes in Naples and Fort Myers. It occurred to him this was a place he could live in very easily and never lack for business.
But only if he had a reason to do it other than just another relocation.
As he drove around the area, every detail of the night before kept playing in his mind, like a video loop, over and over. After the first few tentative, uncertain moments, for Zack, at least, it was as if the past had disappeared. Their bodies fit together with the same perfection. Sensitive spots reacted the same way they always had. Bailey’s taste was still so delicious, sweet and spicy at the same time.
And Jesus! When he’d had his cock buried deep inside her, her tight walls clamped around him like a vise, his balls about to burst. When they climaxed together, well, as it always had, it really blew his mind. He had a hard time believing she could have faked any of it. Some women? Yeah. No question about it. But not Bailey. That wasn’t her at all, and he didn’t think it ever would be.
No, it had all been very real, which led him back to his original question: what the hell had gone wrong twenty-four years ago? He’d relived those last few days over and over in his mind, and he still hadn’t come up with an answer. She hadn’t married someone else, so that wasn’t it. Well, before this weekend was over, he’d have his answers, for damn sure.
*****
Bailey was standing in the meeting room, checking her laptop to make sure she’d copied everything from the whiteboard into the file she’d set up. She’d managed to shut out everything from her brain except the meetings and exercises today, which hadn’t been all that easy. Throughout the day, when she wasn’t focused on a particular activity, thoughts of last night kept whirling through her mind. Zack holding her and kissing her. Zack making love to her. Zack telling her he still loved her.
But, smack in the middle, was the realization she was as much in love with Zack Elliott today as she’d been twenty-four years ago. And that opened up all kinds of problems and challenges.
She was beginning to realize she’d made the biggest mistake of her life, but what the hell did she know at barely twenty years old? She’d thought she was being noble and unselfish. Instead, she’d cheated Zack of a son, Michael of a father, and the three of them of being a family together.
Maybe she could have worked out the Alaska thing. She had researched the area and discovered that hospitals were scarce. Some cities had no hospital and pregnant women were flown to Anchorage or Juneau a month before delivery. And prenatal care could be sketchy, depending on where the charter service was and where they lived. But she could have had the baby, and then the two of them could have joined Zack. She’d thought she was so damn smart. Instead, she’d been immature, selfish, and stupid.
How on earth was she going to get herself out of this mess?
“Kudos to you, Bailey.”
She turned, startled. She’d been so engrossed in her thoughts she hadn’t heard Warren Blake come back into the room.
“Oh!” She turned to face him. “Thanks so much.”
They were alone. Everyone else had already left, some for a quick swim, others for a drink before dinner.
“Little enough praise for what you did. Getting people to buy into new ways of thinking. You did a great job and actually got them excited about innovative ways of structuring our teams.”
“Thank you again. I’m glad it went so well.”
“Can I buy you a drink? We’ve got a couple of hours before we eat, and there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
She glanced at her watch. If she only had one drink, she’d still have time to shower and change. Idly, she wondered how Zack had spent his day. Did he know anyone in the area, or was he just hanging out? It stunned her to realize she had no idea if he played golf or liked to fish or did any of the activities available.
Maybe he’d spent the day looking around the area. And why was she uptight about it, anyway? It wasn’t as if he was a guest she had to entertain. Except, in some limited sense, he was. She just—
“Bailey?”
Warren’s voice startled her again.
“I am so sorry, Warren. I guess I just keep going over today’s sessions in my mind, checking to make sure I have all the notes.”
“Well, you can stop, now. That’s enough work for one day. We’re going to get that drink. I insist.”
“Sounds good to me.” Bailey stuffed everything in her messenger bag and pulled the strap over her shoulder. “You’re on.”
The patio bar was crowded, not unexpected for a late Friday afternoon. Weekend arrivals were getting their first taste of Mimosa Bay, joining those guests already there. But Warren had apparently taken care of the situation, leading her to a tiny two-top in a corner tucked in next to thick, lush foliage. A small reserved sign sat in the center of it. The setting gave at least the appearance of some privacy.
He thanked the waitress who came to take their order, and she winked at him.
Oh hell. She thinks we’re having a romantic drink.
Bailey stifled a giggle at the thought.
“Are you sure you aren’t planning to fire me?” Bailey joked after they’d placed their order. “You know, soften me up with alcohol and drop the bomb in a relaxed environment?”
“Hell, no. I’d actually like to clone you.” Then he studied her, a serious expression on his face. “It’s been a true pleasure watching you develop into an incredibly talented and respected corporate attorney, Bailey. You’ve brought in—and kept—some high-ticket clients, all of whom sing your praises. The paralegals and associates who work with you rave about you when the senior partners do the annual interviews.”
“Wow. Can you see me blushing?”
She thanked the waitress who served her drink, then lifted her glass and took a sip from it. She knew she did well at BRP, and that she generated a significant amount of revenue. It was obvious in her increases in salary and bonuses, as well as some other perks that came along with her position.
“You’re a rock star for us, Bailey, and we think it’s time for your next move. I wanted to tell you about it in a relaxed atmosphere, not in the office. And what better place than here, where you are doing such an outstanding job with the retreat?”
“Next move?” She frowned. What could that possibly be?
“We’d like to extend the offer to become a senior partner at Blake, Rothbart and Padilla. Does that appeal to you?”
Bailey could only stare at the man, shocked speechless. Junior partners at the firm were non-equity partners but received substantial salaries and bonuses. Only the seniors held equity in the firm, and they were a very small group—the three named partners plus four others. Of course, by design, BRP kept the firm small, below a hundred employees including support staff.
“Bailey?” Warren leaned across the table, his mouth curved in a half-smile. “Did you hear me?”
She unstuck her jaw. “Uh, yes, I did. And wow!”
“That kind of expresses how we feel about you.” He sat back in his chair. “We’ve discussed it at great length, as we always do when considering an upward move for a junior. I’m sure you’re aware we haven’t added a senior partner in eight years.” He grinned. “We’re very picky.”
“I know. Jared Albright was the last one.”
“That’s because, along with everything else, the seniors set policy for the firm, so it’s critical to have someone who understands both the firm and the law inside out. That’s you, Bailey.”
She took a healthy swallow of her drink, hoping it would steady her nerves. Making senior was something every junior partner aspired to, but as the old saying went, many are called but few are chosen.
“I, uh…thank you, Warren. I am flattered and honored. This is beyond anything I ever expected.”
“You’ve earned it.” He paused. “I’m assuming your answer is yes.”
As if anyone would turn this down.
“Of course it’s yes. Wow!” She took another swallow of her drink.
“You understand, no more salary. Right? The seniors are all equity partners. When we’re back at the office, we’ll go over the buy-in details and how the percentages work.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’d say over the past years I’ve accumulated a dime or two.”
“More than dimes. You’ve brought in and maintained a ton of business for the firm. Now it’s time to reap the rewards.” He took a swallow of his drink and set the glass back on the table. “We’ll be making the announcement at the dinner tomorrow night. We wanted to let the juniors know first, before we announced to the rest of the staff and the world at large. A media release will go out Monday, so be prepared for a swarm of reporters.”
“I think that may be an exaggeration,” she told hm.
“Don’t kid yourself. When a beautiful, brainy, and extremely competent attorney gets a promotion like this, it’s big news, especially in communities like Fort Myers and Naples. Listen. Is there someone special you’d like to have at the dinner tomorrow night? Your son, maybe?”
She shook her head, thinking how glad she was Michael wasn’t around right now. “He’s off on an errand for Clay Walker. I’ll call him and let him know.” She bit her lower lip, wondering if she was about to make a mistake. “I do have an old friend who is here relaxing for a couple of days. I’d like to invite him to the dinner, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, invite him. You should have someone there to share this with.”
“Thanks. I’ll let him know. And, Blake? You have no idea how honored I am.”
“We’re the ones who are honored, Bailey.” He glanced at his watch. “I think we’ve got just about enough time to shower and change for dinner. Thank the lord we’re keeping everything informal.”
He signaled for the check, signed it, and pushed away from the table.
“See you at dinner.”
She nodded. “And I won’t say anything until tomorrow night.”
“You can tell your friend if you like. As long as he keeps it to himself for twenty-four hours.”
“I’ll make sure of it. See you later.”
As she hurried down the path to her villa to change for dinner, she wondered where Zack was. Where he’d spent the day, and if he’d be waiting for her when she was finished tonight so she could share her news with him.
And exactly how excited he’d be for her.
There was so much on the line here, not the least of which was, how could she walk away from Zack again? And, what would happen when she told him about Michael? Warren was right. Monday, the reporters would be on her phone, and there was no way she could keep Michael a secret after that. Better to tell Zack ahead of time. Maybe after the announcement tomorrow night. She’d have tonight with him without the outside world interfering then dinner tomorrow night. She wanted to put off bringing Michael into the discussion until the weekend was over, if luck was with her.
It would probably help if she could get rid of the knots in her stomach.