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Seductive Memory
AlTonya Washington
Once, they meant the world to each other. Can they regain what they lost? A chance encounter with Paula Starker is all entrepreneur Linus Brooks needs to try to win back the woman who was once his whole world. And where better to romance the sultry Philadelphia DA than a lush villa on a private tropical island?But before they can share a future, Linus will have to reveal his tragic secret…
Once, they meant the world to each other—
Can they regain what they lost?
A chance encounter with Paula Starker is all entrepreneur Linus Brooks needs to try to win back the woman who was once his whole world. And where better to romance the sultry Philadelphia DA than a lush villa on a private tropical island? But before they can share a future, Linus will have to reveal his tragic secret...
ALTONYA WASHINGTON has been a romance novelist for fifteen years. She’s been nominated for numerous awards and is the winner of two RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Awards for her novels Finding Love Again and His Texas Touch. She won the Romance Slam Jam EMMA Award for her novel Indulge Me Tonight. AlTonya lives in North Carolina and works as a reference librarian. This author wears many hats, but being a mom is her favorite job.
Also By AlTonya Washington (#u853af398-eb9e-599a-af79-55bdb4a74208)
As Good as the First Time
Every Chance I Get
Private Melody
Pleasure After Hours
Texas Love Song
His Texas Touch
Provocative Territory
Provocative Passion
Trust In Us
Indulge Me Tonight
Embrace My Heart
Treasure My Heart
Provocative Attraction
Silver Screen Romance
Seductive Memory
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Seductive Memory
AlTonya Washington
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08630-1
SEDUCTIVE MEMORY
© 2018 AlTonya Washington
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
“Ready.” She considered the word.
Ready indicated it was only a matter of time. Linus’s words indicated that the time would never arrive. That was good, wasn’t it? She didn’t want the full truth, did she? She thought she didn’t before...and now—
“Tough break.”
Paula whirled to find Linus standing just a few feet behind her. His molten chocolate stare appeared more vibrant against the tropical morning sun as he, too, stared at the Idella disappearing around a bend in the bay.
“Guess they thought you wouldn’t make it,” he said.
“Wonder what would’ve given them that idea.”
Linus barely shrugged in response. Paula rolled her eyes as she resumed her study of the quiet waters.
“If you’re bummed about it,” he said, moving closer, “I’m sure we could arrange something.”
The offer made Paula smile. “I’m sure we could.” She averted her face so he couldn’t see her lashes flutter when he moved close to cup her hips.
“I’m not going to bed with you, L.” She swallowed around the ball of need suddenly occupying her throat.
“That’s the great thing about a place like this.” He didn’t seem discouraged by her decision. “There are all sorts of places we could substitute for a bed.”
Dear Reader (#u853af398-eb9e-599a-af79-55bdb4a74208),
We’re approaching the end of a long and wonderful road. I’ve been so fortunate to have you follow me on my journey with the cast of the Provocative series. I’ve enjoyed telling this story and introducing you to a group of Philadelphia powerhouses who joined forces to meet some pretty intense situations—the greatest among them falling in love.
I’m pleased to present Linus Brooks and Paula Starker in Seductive Memory. Much drama has settled in the worlds of these estranged lovers. Still, unspoken words and past regrets remain. To find the way back to the love they lost, Paula and Linus will have to shed their fears of facing the past and take hold of the desire still igniting between them.
I’ve enjoyed creating this world. Thank you for welcoming my stories and the characters who bring them to life.
Peace and Blessings Always,
AlTonya
altonya@lovealtonya.com
To my loyal readers, thank you for cheering me on. Your support over the years has meant the world to me.
Contents
Cover (#u209abbe3-4e68-5a5a-9a56-91110a120374)
Back Cover Text (#u4b5fafbe-68e3-5d20-ba5b-7cea770aecff)
About the Author (#uedcbef27-efa2-5143-92e6-697b2995c390)
Booklist (#u20c6d1a9-b29a-5ffe-9330-5bb96ca463c3)
Title Page (#ufc135f0c-c1e6-5754-8818-a47e392f62d6)
Copyright (#ud3d06321-1706-5ca7-a5e9-718c4eda3a0c)
Introduction (#u30b4cac7-1333-5015-b8bb-e95d65dbd74b)
Dear Reader (#ud11f7cb1-6a82-5f98-8b22-9e2d083cb09b)
Dedication (#uc90dca52-73a5-5f58-96fb-2ac5ae9ad745)
Prologue (#u5d5a3e3c-2886-5dd8-bee4-561886524edf)
Chapter 1 (#ud0552d0e-bc3e-584d-943b-f90e8168d294)
Chapter 2 (#u86269a57-a1ed-5360-9b0d-db946612b29c)
Chapter 3 (#uafe38026-ebde-51fb-9233-835831986c8a)
Chapter 4 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue (#u853af398-eb9e-599a-af79-55bdb4a74208)
Costalegre, Mexico
The wedding plans had changed, and quite suddenly. The bride and groom had opted for an event with a lot less flash and dazzle than the bride’s mother would’ve liked. Still, no one could argue that the ceremony hadn’t been a perfect one.
Santigo Rodriguez and Sophia Hail had spoken their romantic and heartfelt vows amid tropical breezes scented by the variety of exotic flowers adorning the environment. The change in venue and time had been a gift of sorts from the bride’s sister and brother-in-law-to-be. Viva Hail and her fiancé, Rook Lourdess, had arranged a breathtaking escape that the bride and groom had eagerly accepted.
Flora of such splendid hues looked to have been skillfully shaded, as if from the colors of an artist’s palette. The flowers, brilliant as they were, simply enhanced the sky. To call it magnificent just didn’t seem to do it justice.
Paula Starker didn’t think there were any words that could describe the presence of something capable of instilling such an intense sensation of serenity. And she could use a little serenity just then. The vivid blue, dotted by blindingly white and puffy clouds, infused her bloodstream with calmness like a drug. Paula was eager to let it have its way.
Serenity—as much as she could get—would remain a necessity if she was expected to make it through the rest of the day. She hadn’t thought to ask Sophia how long a maid of honor was expected to hang around once the nuptials had concluded, especially when she had two. Viva had stood up with her sister as well.
Of course, such questions hadn’t occurred to her until she’d realized who else she’d be sharing the ceremonial stage with. She’d actually been enjoying—or at least relatively enjoying—herself. The ceremony, its locale and the weather were all beautiful. Here were the good things of life—love, beauty, relaxation—all rolled into one. Who could ask for more?
Well, for starters, not having the man she almost married watching her throughout the entire occasion might’ve been nice. It should’ve been easy to ignore him. Seriously though, what woman with working eyes could truly ignore Linus Brooks? Especially when he stood just over thirty feet away? One of the groom’s two best men, he epitomized tall, dark and stunning in linen trousers and a shirt as blindingly white as the clouds dotting the magnificent sky above.
He watched her with an unerring intensity that came across as just enough amusement and certainty. The look told Paula that he knew damn well the effect he was having on her. It didn’t take a psychic to know the direction of her thoughts when her eyes lingered on his shirt billowing against the strong breeze.
Linus Brooks was well over six feet of taut, licorice muscle. His lean frame flattered every stitch of clothing he wore. This shirt was no different in the way it beautifully contrasted with his skin tone, and accentuated a sleekly sculpted chest.
Oh, he knew what he was doing, alright. Paula focused on keeping her brooding to a minimum, which helped to keep her eyes off the man who’d once held her body and soul in the palm of his hand. The heated reminder almost knocked the wind out of her. Surprising, since it was a truth never all that far from memory. Regardless, it was a truth that evoked a reaction when in the presence of the one it involved.
Linus Brooks had been that one—the only man she had ever wanted. Standing within sight of him then, Paula feared he always would be.
* * *
Costalegre’s vibrant flowers and sky were rivaled strongly by its waters. Unending turquoise ran alongside the Pacific and had the ability to mesmerize onlookers with little effort. Paula was no exception. She had abandoned the lively beachfront reception not long after it had gotten underway. Though the sun was setting, it took nothing away from the brilliance of the day—in fact, it enhanced it. She’d already strolled along the shoreline, smiling as the water worked its way between her toes.
The maids of honor had been decked in linen, same as the best men. Sophia had selected baby doll dresses with capped sleeves and lace hems that were perfectly suited to the climate. The dress code forbade shoes, and Paula couldn’t have been happier. She moved into the water until the tranquil waves lapped the backs of her knees. Serenity had found its way deep into her bloodstream, such that she wasn’t too unsettled when his voice resonated above the quiet roar of the water.
“Some wedding,” Linus noted while he too enjoyed the unending turquoise before his eyes.
“Some wedding,” Paula managed, despite the violent stab of arousal his voice summoned.
