Unforgettable (Arabesque)

by Byrd, Adrianne

  “Hello, Mr. Taylor,” Lee Castleman said, as he entered the office. He smiled as his sharp blue eyes sparkled. “Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner, but my whole team is working on one heck of a case.”

  Solomon stood with a frown.

  “You don’t have to leave,” Marcel said. “Castleman is just delivering something for me.”

  “Yeah, I was kind of surprised that you wanted me to do research on Ms. Guy, but here you go.” Castleman handed over a folder.

  “Thanks.”

  “Don’t mention it. I’ll just put it on your tab.” He turned and left the room as quickly as he’d entered.

  Solomon looked at his friend as he sat down. “What was all that about?”

  “The mysterious Mayte.”

  He frowned. “But I thought Castleman said… You don’t mean…?” Solomon floundered. “You have to be kidding me.” He stood from the chair again.

  “Nope.”

  “Diana Guy? Where in the hell did she get a body like that?”

  “She’s had it all along. Trust me. Whenever she wears a skirt, I’ve noticed she has these strong calves you could probably bounce a quarter off of. I bet she’s a runner.”

  Solomon laughed and shook his head. “When it comes to women, nothing gets past you, does it?”

  “A few things. Like I don’t understand the point of her coming to the party like that and for us to…well, I guess I don’t understand why she left the way she did. No note, no phone call or anything. We had this amazing night and then she just disappears.”

  “You’re waiting for the morning-after call?”

  Marcel blinked. “No, it’s just—”

  “I can’t believe my ears. A woman actually has Casanova Brown waiting by the phone. You’re whipped.”

  “I’m not whipped.”

  Solomon cracked an imaginary whip and then collapsed in a fit of laughter back into the chair.

  Marcel rolled his eyes. “Can we get back to my problem? Diana isn’t coming back. I just know it.”

  “Then go talk to her. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me to do?”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  “Ah, sounds like something I’ve said.”

  “No offense, but I’m nothing like you.”

  “But you got what you wished for, right? You wanted what I had. You know who you want. Now what?”

  Marcel shrugged as his gaze once again fell to the letter.

  After a long silence, Solomon spoke up. “A wise woman once said: a life full of regrets is no life at all.”

  “Who said that?”

  “Mayte’s grandmother…or rather Diana’s.”

  “Louisa Styles.” A wide smile stretched across Marcel’s lips. “You know, she’s right.”

  For the next five weeks, Diana decided that the best way to keep her mind off her troubles was to keep busy. She spent time with her grandmother at the park, took in a few movies and charged a couple of expensive meals to Mr. Visa.

  Today she dedicated herself to clean every inch of the house. She washed and waxed the car, and then set out to cook a three-course meal for dinner.

  “Has she been like this all day?” Tim asked Louisa while he helped set the table.

  “I’m afraid so. I think she’s worse off than before we talked her into going to that blasted ball.”

  “I really wish you two wouldn’t talk like I wasn’t here,” Diana said, placing the salad bowl on the table.

  “Sorry,” Tim said. “But she’s right, you know. I’m sorry we talked you into going.”

  Caleb frowned as he set out the glasses. “Tim, I thought you said she had a good time.”

  “I did.” Diana shrugged.

  “But you’re going to quit your job.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, so don’t beat yourself up. I’ll go in to work tomorrow and turn in my thirty-day notice.” She didn’t have a clue as to how she was going to work beside Marcel even for that short amount of time.

  “Have you been able to find something else?” Caleb asked. “You know the market is kind of rough now.”

  “Yeah, I know.” She sighed. She had been looking and calling around. She was beginning to think that she was being blackballed or something. The few positions she found couldn’t match her current salary and she couldn’t afford to take a pay cut. “I’m still looking.”

  There was no point in considering relocating. Louisa was born in Georgia and she vowed to die there, as well.

  The phone rang.

  “I wonder who that is,” Diana said.

  Louisa shrugged as she placed the basket of bread on the table.

  After the second ring, Louisa turned toward it. “I’ll get it.”

  Diana went back into the kitchen for the lasagna. Her mind was already on doing dishes after dinner when she returned to the dining room. When she did, she quickly noticed that everyone looked as though they’d witnessed a murder. “What is it?”

  “It’s for you,” Louisa whispered. “It’s Marcel.”

  Her heart dropped. She wasn’t ready to deal with him just yet. She had a whole night to prepare to see him again, much less talk to him. “Tell him I’m not here,” she whispered.

  “I already told him you were,” Louisa said with her hand over the mouthpiece.

  Diana cursed under her breath, but still didn’t want to take the call.

  “It’s probably just business,” Louisa said. “No big deal.”

  Diana nodded, warming to her grandmother’s logic.

  Tim took the dish from her hands as Louisa held the phone out to her.

  “Hello.”

  “Hello, Diana,” Marcel’s rich voice filtered through the line. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

  She closed her eyes and tried to control those damn butterflies fluttering in her stomach. “We were just sitting down to dinner.”

  “Then I apologize and I’ll make it brief. I had to move your office temporarily. I had a little accident a few weeks back and broke my ankle.”

  Diana gasped and then looked around. All eyes were on her. “Are you okay?”

  “Fine, fine. It’s funny really. I’ll have to tell you about it some time. Anyway, we’ll work out of my house for a little while.”

  She stiffened. “What was that?”

  “I know it’s an inconvenience, but it’s the best I can do. I had your desk and belongings moved into the office downstairs. So we’re all set.”

  Diana was speechless. She was going to have to work alone with him in his house?

  “And don’t worry about Brandy. I’ll make sure that she stays out of your way.”

  She still couldn’t think of anything to say.

  “So, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?” Marcel asked.

  “Uh, yes. Tomorrow,” she managed to say as her mind raced.

  “It’ll be good seeing you again, Di. Good night.”

  “Night.” She hung up and then looked at her audience. “I’m in trouble.”

  Eight o’clock the next morning, Diana parked and stared up at Marcel’s home. “You can do this,” she encouraged herself. “It’s just thirty days and then you’re out of here.” She grabbed her purse and satchel and got out of the car.

  When she reached the door, she wasn’t sure whether she was supposed to knock or just enter. After a quick internal debate, she rang the bell and then entered.

  “Hello?” She glanced around. The rich aroma of coffee drifted out to her and she eased farther inside and closed the door.

  To her surprise Brandy raced around the corner and started barking.

  Diana immediately dropped everything, but before she could haul butt out of there, a thump upstairs drew her attention. At the loud roar of expletives, she concluded that Marcel needed help.

  “Stop barking,” she commanded. To her surprise Brandy stopped. “Good girl,” she said as an afterthought and then rushed over to the stairs with Brandy trailing behind her. “No
. Stay.”

  Brandy sat.

  “Well, what do you know?” she said, amazed.

  A few more thumps upstairs caught her attention and she resumed her investigation, but with so many rooms she wasn’t sure where she was headed.

  “Marcel…Mr. Taylor?” Hell, she didn’t know what to call him anymore.

  “In here,” he called out.

  She crept down the hallway, unsure which room his voice drifted from. “Where?”

  “My bedroom.” There were more bumps and then another stream of curses.

  How was she supposed to know which room was his bedroom? she wondered wildly. She opened a few wrong doors before she reached the last room in the house. And when she opened it, her breath caught in her throat.

  Despite the early morning, there were candles lit in all corners of the room exuding the sweet scent of vanilla.

  Pink, yellow and red rose petals covered every inch of the bedroom floor and a few were sprinkled onto the largest circular bed she’d ever seen. What caught her attention wasn’t the rose petals, or the black silk sheets, but the lone high-heeled sandal propped in the center. It was her sandal.

  Chapter 26

  Marcel emerged from the adjoining bathroom in just his pajama pants and balancing on a pair of crutches. “Looks like you caught me,” he said with a weak smile. “I was trying to get things finished before you arrived, but it’s a little difficult getting around on these things.”

  “What’s going on?” she asked, inching backward. Her eyes fell to his bare chest and her hand ached to touch him. Droplets of water clung to his hair, signifying that he’d just stepped out of the shower.

  “Oh, you mean this?” He looked at the bed. “Do you like it?”

  Stunned, she glanced back at the bed and then at him again. “Mr. Taylor, I don’t know what you expect me to say and I don’t think that it’s appropriate for me to be in here.” She turned away.

  “You’re probably right,” Marcel said. “I’m just nervous.”

  She stopped and cast a sideways glance at him. “About what?”

  “About this woman I met at the masquerade party.” He flashed her a smile. “She’s coming over here tonight.”

  She straightened. “What?”

  “Yeah, I know. I didn’t want to go to the damn thing, but I’m so glad Solomon talked me into it.” He hobbled over to the bed and sat down. “We had this crazy arrangement that he would find me a wife at the ball. I know a person shouldn’t just randomly select someone. The institution of marriage shouldn’t be taken so lightly. But, it happened.”

  She watched him with guarded eyes. “What happened?”

  He met her steady gaze. “I fell in love.”

  The declaration shocked her and even caused her to take another step back. “Just like that?”

  His smile widened as his gaze lowered to caress her body. “No, it’s a little more complicated than that.”

  “I see.”

  His intense stare returned to hers. “Do you?”

  He knows. That’s ridiculous, he couldn’t possibly.

  Marcel reached for the sandal. “It was a magical night. It was even kind of cute how she selected a Spanish name but spoke with a French accent.” He chuckled.

  Diana dropped her gaze as a rush of embarrassment coursed through her. Why hadn’t she realized that?

  “You know, it was kind of her fault how I broke my ankle.”

  “How?” she asked indignantly.

  He smiled. “Well, I guess I can tell you since we’re friends and all.” He dangled the shoe from his fingers. “My future wife—”

  “Your what?”

  “Yeah, it’s amazing, isn’t it? Casanova Brown retiring at last.” He struggled to the nightstand and withdrew a jeweler’s box. “Do you want to see the ring?”

  Curious, Diana floated over to him.

  He opened the box and a magnificent emerald-cut diamond gleamed back at her.

  “It’s beautiful.” She sat down on the bed.

  “Do you think that she’ll like it?”

  She pulled her head up to meet his gaze. “Any woman would love this.”

  He smiled and picked up a small black book from off the table. “I guess it’s time to do away with this thing, as well.” He stood and then used one of his crutches to make it over to the fireplace and tossed the book in.

  Diana’s eyes bulged. “You’re serious.”

  “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my entire life.

  Diana swallowed.

  “Of course I don’t know how she feels about me, but I’m determined to find out.”

  She snapped out of her reverie. “What do you mean?”

  He shrugged. “Well, that glorious night ended on the wrong note. Believe it or not she took off before she told me her real name—and with my clothes.”

  “I’m sorry…to hear that.” She cleared her throat.

  Marcel smiled. “Not as sorry as I was. There I was, left in a bedroom with just my underwear and my shoes and, of course, one of hers.”

  “So what did you do?”

  “Scrambled around like a pervert until I found Willy’s bedroom. I found some clothes that didn’t fit and tried to escape by the back balcony, but I fell off and broke my ankle.”

  Diana gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Mostly because she nearly broke her own neck doing the same thing. “That’s horrible.”

  “Yeah.” He returned to the bed. “But it’ll all be worth it when she walks through that door.”

  “But you don’t know who she is.”

  Marcel shrugged but held on to his sly smile. “There are clues.” He returned to the bed and picked up her shoe. “Solomon suggested that I have all the women invited to the party try this on.” He held out the shoe.

  She swallowed her rising panic.

  He shrugged. “Maybe it only works in fairy tales. There’re a lot of holes in that plan. Don’t you think?”

  Diana nodded and then jumped when something cold and wet touched her hand.

  Brandy barked and smiled up at her.

  “I’m sorry, I was supposed to put her out before you arrived.”

  Diana relaxed and shook her head. “No. She’s fine.”

  Brandy licked her hand again.

  “I think she likes you.” Marcel leaned over to scratch behind Brandy’s ears.

  “I like her, too.” Diana smiled at the dog.

  “Brandy, go downstairs,” he instructed.

  Brandy obeyed.

  “Mind if I ask if you’re a good cook?”

  “What?” Diana glanced over at him and was surprised to find him sitting so close. The clean scent of soap mingled seductively with his aftershave. Her eyes fell to his lips and desire stirred within her. She wanted to kiss him and lose herself in his arms again. “You still haven’t told me how you were going to find this mysterious woman.”

  “I’m going to use good old-fashioned male intuition.”

  “Come again?”

  He shrugged. “And if that doesn’t work, I guess there’s always Castleman.”

  Had someone turned off the air conditioner? She felt hot. “You’re going to call Castleman?”

  “Actually, I already have. He delivered a folder for me, but I decided not to read it. I want the woman I love to tell me everything. About her parents, how she grew up, her fears and the things she loves.”

  Her gaze met his again.

  “I’m going to tell her that I’ve loved her since the moment I laid eyes on her. I loved her before I realized it was love.”

  “But you don’t know what she looks like.”

  “Sure I do. She’s about your height, your weight. Plus, she has this one adorable feature.”

  “She does?”

  “Yeah.” He lowered his voice. “Her nose is just slightly off-centered…sort of like yours.” He tapped the tip of her nose.

  Diana couldn’t breathe.

  He leaned in close and inhale
d. “Her skin even smells like yours.”

  “I—it’s a popular fragrance.”

  “It’s my favorite.” His beautiful smile returned. “You know, a wise woman once said that a life full of regrets—”

  “Is no life at all,” she finished for him. A tear trickled down her face.

  “I want to hold her in my arms, feel her heart beat against my chest and taste your sweet lips again.” He gently wiped away the lone tear.

  A small gasp escaped her, but he caught it in a kiss.

  Diana melted beneath his sweltering passion. A part of her couldn’t believe this was happening. The other part just wanted to enjoy the moment.

  When their lips finally broke away, she slid her hand gently down his face. “How long did you know?”

  “I told you. The moment I laid eyes on you.”

  “But why didn’t you say something?”

  “I was enjoying the game—the mystery. Plus, if it wasn’t for that party, God knows how long it would’ve taken me to realize I loved you. We could’ve been playing boss and secretary forever.”

  She glanced down.

  “Or until you turned in your resignation.”

  She kept her eyes lowered. “I was planning to turn it in today.”

  Marcel’s hands fell to his sides. “You know, while I’ve been spouting words of love, you haven’t said anything. How do you feel about me, Diana?”

  Her vision blurred as her heart pounded wildly in her chest. “I’ve been trying to talk myself out of loving you for two years.” Tears poured from her eyes. “And it hasn’t worked yet.”

  “I’m glad.” Marcel reached for her. “I’m so very glad.” His lips landed gently against hers as his hands caressed her face.

  Diana pushed his hands away and gave back his ring. This was going way too fast and made very little sense.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head as she stood from the bed. “We are. This whole thing. We’re two different people. No way a relationship could work between us.”

  Marcel rubbed at the wrinkles in his forehead and set the jewelry box on the nightstand. “I don’t understand. You just said that you loved me.”

  “I do,” she said, pressing a hand against her chest, “but that doesn’t mean it’s enough.” She was just as amazed by the words streaming from her mouth as he was. “You’re famous for having a roaming eye.”