Bombshell: A BWWM Billionaire Amnesia Romance Suspense Novel Page 10

  Eventually, she gave up trying to do store windows and switched to posting her notices on trees and lampposts. The tape wouldn’t stick to the trees, so she barely had half a dozen flyers posted by the time she gave up and sped home so she could get ready for work. Uniform dawned, she took the box of flyers with her. She’d hand them out to the customers, when the boss wasn’t looking.

  The diner was the hub of gossip in town. She’d get the word out.

  When she arrived at work, Holly asked her boss about putting a flyer in the window. To her delight, the owner agreed. It was crazy busy so she put the box in her locker along with her purse and went about taking care of the rush.

  As the night went on, a few of the patrons noticed the flyer in the window, and she could tell people were talking about it. The diner buzzed. People were talking about what happened at the Double XX. No one seemed to know about the gun toting sheriff, but everyone heard that the place had been trashed and someone had stolen the prize money.

  Holly listened to their conversations like she always did, even though people spoke in whispers while looking over their shoulders. “My brother would have been the sure winner, but they only had two acts before the robbery.”

  At eight o’clock, the owner of the Double XX came into the diner. The staff and the patrons perked up at the sight of him. Sam was always handing out free drink and food tickets for his bar, and everyone in Misty Falls thought he should run for mayor—he was that loved. But when they saw his face, those who knew that his bar had been trashed told those who didn’t to give him some space. He wasn’t there to pass out free drink tickets. It was clear that Sam was unhappy.

  “What’s wrong?” Holly said as she plopped a cup of Joe and a menu on the counter.

  “My wife, she never came home,” he said. “I’m hungry and I don’t know how to cook.”

  “Well, I’m sure she’s fine,” said the owner of the diner. She’d come out of nowhere and shoved Holly aside so she could personally tend to one of the town’s most popular and affluent men. “Did you have another squabble? Maybe she’s giving you the cold treatment, and staying with a friend.”

  Everyone knew that his wife was a sex addict, and no one understood why Sam put up with her.

  “Florence doesn’t have any friends,” he said flatly. He handed the menu back to Holly’s boss. “I can’t think, you decide.”

  “Fish and chips,” her boss yelled to the kitchen. “Holly, get him a glass of water, some clam chowder and a side of bread with butter. Hurry up, now.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next morning, Merrick looked out the window as the company helicopter carried them along the coast to Atlantic City. He looked at the woman sitting in the seat beside him, and his jaw clenched as he chided himself again for being a total asshole. He’d known the minute he had seen her coming down the steps last night at dinner that she was clearly mad at him.

  And even though she looked like a million bucks in whatever outfit Joann had found for her at the department store in Linton, she was as distant during the entire flight as she had been at dinner the night before. Even Tony, who was usually the life of any party, had picked up on her mood, and the three of them barely spoke a word as they made their way over the mountains to the coast.

  Merrick thought about the previous day and his biggest regret. He never should have touched her. He never should have made love to her. He wanted to reset the clock. To go back to that moment when she’d asked him to pull out the razor from the tub. “No, sorry, sweetheart. You’re on your own, can’t help you,” is what he should have said. It didn’t matter that she was trying to seduce him, because she was only doing it because she believed his lie. Believed the story that they were engaged. She was only trying to seduce him because she thought they were in love. And he had let her. Guilt stabbed at his stomach again.

  Even now he couldn’t decide what to say to her. He wanted to fix everything. Tell her the truth about everything. Start from scratch and hope for the best. He wanted to make things right.

  He’d at least managed to sleep in the room across the hall from her. He’d expected her to question that move, to protest about how ‘silly’ it was to have a fiancé sleeping in a different bed. But she didn’t. Clearly she was done with him. Even though she hadn’t argued about coming to Atlantic City. Then again, why would she? It was, after all, the only life she knew, the only place she had to go.

  When the helicopter landed, Tony woke up, and Merrick tapped Bombshell gently on her leg. “We’re here, sweetheart.”

  Bombshell’s jerked and her eyes flew open. “What?” She looked around, confused.

  “We’re home,” he said, the words cracking in his mouth. He was lying to her again.

  She let out a breath, and her shoulders dropped.

  Merrick got out first. “Watch out,” he said, jabbing a finger up at the still-rotating blades as he helped her step down onto unsteady legs and hurried her away from the helicopter.

  Tony was pulling out the luggage. “Don’t mind me, go ahead—I’ll bring the goods,” he yelled.

  Merrick nodded and opened the door to get off the roof and into some shelter. Even without a helicopter, the roof was windy and chilly.

  When they got inside, Bombshell stopped and freed herself from Merrick’s supporting hand.

  “Merrick,” she said, gasping a little as she spoke. “I think I remember something about the old me.”

  An invisible hand punched Merrick in the gut. She was going to tell him that she remembered who she was, and that she knew he was lying about everything. That’s why she wouldn’t talk to him on the helicopter. She had been saving her confrontation for a less noisy environment.

  He couldn’t look her in the eye. He studied the fire escape sign posted to the door. He braced himself and inhaled, holding his breath.

  “Well, not exactly a memory—but an understanding about the old me. I must have a fear of flying or something, because being up in that machine freaked me out. You have no idea how relieved I am to be walking on solid ground.”

  What? Merrick let out his breath. He couldn’t believe it. She wasn’t mad at him. She was smiling at him. Happy, relieved, ecstatic apparently just to be on solid ground. Hope bloomed in his heart, and before he could stop himself, he pulled her into a hug. “Well, no more flying for a few more days, then, alright?”

  She nodded happily then nestled against him, tucking her head against his shoulder. He held her close and breathed in her scent, then released her. “Come on. I need to get you downstairs.”

  When they stepped into the service elevator which only went down one level to a hallway that they could take to the main bay of elevators, Bombshell rested against the wall and gripped at the rails, suddenly tired.

  He rushed to her. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m really sleepy, Merrick. Are we going to our room? I sure could use a nap.”

  Merrick didn’t answer right away. He had to think about his. Our room? Of course, she’d think that. Why wouldn’t she. They were engaged, allegedly. But, he’d already decided that he couldn’t risk another repeat of yesterday – by sleeping anywhere near her. At least not until she’d had a chance to see a few doctors, and maybe he’d summoned up the courage to tell her the truth about everything. Until then, he didn’t mind living with the farce—but he wouldn’t allow himself to take advantage of her physically again. The next time they made love—if there was a next time—it would be under full disclosure, and she’d be in her right mind.

  “Merrick?” She was waiting for a response.

  “Uh,” he said, still not sure what to say, he opened his mouth to say, something. The door pinged open, giving him another moment’s reprieve.

  “Surprise!”

  Merrick and Bombshell grabbed their chests, surprised indeed by the group of excited people waving and laughing outside the elevator door. Merrick recognized several of his cousins and a few of the hotel staff. He didn’t understand what was
going on. But when his cousin, Linda, came pulled him out of the elevator humming those first famous bars from the Wedding Song, Merrick cursed under his breath. “Damn it, Tony.” Apparently, he had told Mama G and everyone else. Oh shit.

  He put on a good face as the group excitedly pushed and pulled the young couple into a conference room. “Surprise,” was screamed again as they stepped into the room—all decked out with silver and white streamers and cut-out paper wedding bells. A big banner hung on the wall above a spread of food. “Congrats, Merrick and Bombshell.”

  It was an engagement party. Merrick’s plan to start being honest with Bombshell as soon as possible went out the window. Bombshell seemed thrilled by the attention. She’d been dragged away as everyone introduced and congratulated her. He saw his mother give her kisses on both cheeks, then hold her out in front of her as if she wanted to get a good look at her. And then she pulled Bombshell in for one of her famous crushing-style bear hugs, before letting one of the cousins take Bombshell away as she moved towards Merrick.

  “I can’t believe it, Merrick… Why didn’t you tell me? You know how much I’ve been praying that you’d find someone and settle down.”

  “I’m sorry, Mama G—she, uh, it all happened so fast, I didn’t have a chance.”

  That was true. He’d never been able to lie to his mother.

  “Well, it doesn’t matter now—I’m so happy for both of you. And oh, my goodness, Merrick, she sure is a looker.” Mama G clapped her large hands together with glee, and her eyes sparkled. “I can’t wait to see my grandchildren.”

  Merrick felt himself blush. Jesus Christ. This was getting out of hand.

  Then he spotted Bombshell. Her face had gone ashy, and she looked more than a little shell-shocked by all the attention. Merrick picked up a spoon from the buffet table and grabbed a glass of champagne. Holding it in the air, he clanged on the glass until he got everyone’s attention.

  “Thank you so much for this party, everyone, but I’m afraid we can’t stay.”

  “No,” came a universal groan of protest.

  “Bombshell has an appointment we need to make,” he said.

  He walked over to her and steered her out the door, to the sounds of continuing protests. Just then, Tony walked up, a big stupid grin on his face. Merrick wanted to smack it off his mouth, but he couldn’t do anything that might upset Mama G, or the confused and overwhelmed woman by his arm.

  So he turned to back towards the party.

  “Again, I’m sorry—but I need to take Bombshell to the hospital—Tony will explain.”

  He hustled Bombshell out into the hall and took her to their room. He pulled out the passkey that opened every room in the hotel from his wallet and let her inside.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Oh, Merrick, it’s incredible,” she said as she walked into the room. “Do we really get to live here?”

  Her eyes were big as saucers, and it reminded him of that childlike way she’d reacted when he’d first shown her around his cabin. And even though she was clearly exhausted, the way her face lit up made his heart thump.

  The doctor’s appointment wasn’t for another few hours, but he was still glad to get her away from the surprise party. He was hungry, and he let Bombshell roam around the room as he ordered room service and mulled over how to change up his story so as not to upset Mama G. When Bombshell closed the door to the bathroom, he grabbed his cell phone and called Tony.

  “You’ll thank me later, bro,” Tony said as he answered the phone.

  “What the hell are you talking about? Do you realize how this screws up my plans?”

  “What plans? You haven’t told me squat, bro—but I can tell by the way you look at her that she’s more than just talent for the performance center. You really like that girl. Don’t pretend that you don’t.”

  Merrick gulped. Tony was right. Tony had always been able to read him like a book. Was there more to it than just an insane physical attraction? Was he falling for this woman?

  “Merrick,” Bombshell said, “Oh, Merrick—look, there’s a piano. Can I play it?” she said.

  Despite himself, and his pain-in-the-ass brother on the other line, he said, “Sure, sweetheart, play away.”

  “See—I told you. Listen to you, you’re in love, bro.”

  Merrick stepped into the hall, leaving the door ajar as he whispered into the phone. “Look, Tony—I don’t appreciate you messing around with my life like that. Did you get the identification like I asked? Does she have an insurance card?”

  “Yeah, yeah—got all that. You want me to bring it—or do you need a little ‘alone time’ with your diva?”

  “Damn it, Tony—I don’t. As a matter of fact, I’m not planning on putting my hands on her again. After she gets done with seeing the doctors, I’m going to tell her the truth, then you and I are going to sit down with Mama G tonight and I’m going to let you explain to her why we got her hopes up.”

  “So, you want me to bring the identification now, or what?” Tony said.

  “No, bring it to the lobby. We’ll be down in thirty minutes. You can give it to me then.” He hung up and walked back to the room. She was playing the piano, and then she was singing. His heart fluttered at the sound of her voice. He didn’t recognize the song. God, her voice is incredible. Standing inside the hotel he’d turned around with grit and determination, even before he’d come into his unexpected wealth, his business mind kicked in as he listened to her sing. He held his breath on every note—expecting for something normal to occur at any minute, for him to become bored with her skills. But it didn’t happen. Every sound she made, only made him want more. She was mesmerizing, a true phenomenon. He had to keep her around long enough to share her gift with the world. And for his performance center to have her as its debut performer—that would put them both on the map.

  Maybe, Tony was right. Not about him being in love—that was silly—but about him being hasty. Maybe he should just let things play out. If he told her the truth this early —before she’d had a chance to bond with him—she might get too upset. She might even leave.

  He gulped and opened the door for the steward who was rolling in the breakfast tray.

  ~~*~~

  Bombshell’s cheeks were flushed with happiness. She sat down and started playing. Then stopped as she realized that she couldn’t remember ever playing before. It seemed so strange to know how to do something that seemed so unfamiliar. She stopped playing and got up. And started to pace around the room, feeling uncomfortable, avoiding Merrick’s eyes. Room service arrived with breakfast and she excused herself to wash her hands and touch up her lipstick.

  When she returned, Merrick was standing near the table, waiting for her like a gentleman. She noticed for the first time how tall he was. He had to be close to seven feet tall, yet because he was lean, she’d never realized what a giant of a man he was. And then she remembered the feel of his cock inside her. Oh, yeah—that part of him was giant, alright. Moisture pooled inside her, and she had a sudden desire to rip off her clothes and drag him onto the king-size bed and have him for breakfast, but a part of her held back. He’d seemed a bit standoffish, a bit broody, and a bit unhappy with things. It was as if he was angry that there’d been an engagement party at all. Eyeing him surreptitiously while she put her napkin on her lap, she wondered if maybe he’d intended to break things off with her—and he was upset because whoever had planned the surprise party hadn’t gotten the word?

  They dug into their food, more out of a desire to not speak than real appetite. As she buttered the flaky croissant with half a ball of butter, she pondered her memory loss. She suddenly remembered laughing just after they’d had sex. Apparently, right after that, she’d had some kind of fit—according to Joann. But she didn’t remember any of her fit, but she remembers giggling. But why? What had been so funny? Suddenly it all came back to her in a flash.

  She’d laughed because it seemed so ludicrous that she could forget having had sex wi
th him before. That was it. The idea that a cock that big could be ever be forgotten, only reinforced the severity of her amnesia. And, yet she was remembering some things. The song she’d just played on the piano, for example. It seemed so strange that she couldn’t remember meeting the man she’d obviously fallen so hard for. Maybe, if he could just tell her everything from the first moment they met and fill in the blanks for her, she wouldn’t feel so lost and confused.

  “Merrick,” she said, holding the croissant before her open mouth.

  “Yes.”

  “How did we meet?”

  Merrick’s eyebrows went up into his head and he started choking on a piece of melon. He recovered himself, then grabbed for his phone. Bombshell looked at him. She hadn’t heard his phone ring. He pressed a button on his phone and moved towards the door.

  “Sorry, honey, business, got to take this.”

  ~~*~~

  Bombshell stared at him as he went out into the hall. A moment later, he poked his head through the door. “Listen, sweetheart, I’ve got to deal with this. Why don’t you rest and I’ll come back for you in thirty minutes—then I’ll take you to the doctor, okay?”

  Bombshell didn’t know what to do, other than nod at him. Her stomach ached, and not just from hunger, although she’d barely eaten a bite. He was avoiding her for some reason. Then her mind went back to the note in his pocket. Tina and her twin sister. Was that the business he had to take care of? She wanted to be angry and jealous, but she was too tired, too confused. The pain where she’d hit her head was starting to throb again. She pushed away from the table, got undressed, and climbed into bed in just her panties. She closed her eyes and fell immediately into a deep and dreamless sleep.