Jacquelin Thomas - Five Star Romance

“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.