Last Name - Dr. Rebecca Sharp Page 0,37

she chided with a warmth to her voice that made my stomach roll, wondering how I’d ever been attracted to her. “You know why it matters to me.”

Even though I swallowed it, my groan of frustration was strong enough to still echo from deep in my chest.

I’d originally planned on meeting the group here today to tour the Bay and the sights it contained, but this past week I’d been inundated with a whole host of problems and complications with the hotel. I was starting to realize that I’d purchased a much bigger mess of a business than I’d anticipated, and while I was confident everything would still work out, it was taking much more time to sort through all the details than I’d planned.

With that on my plate, the knowledge that Lynn would also be here, and the belief—after the beach incident—that Carrie wouldn’t, it was easy to make my apologies to Lars and Suzanne for not being able to make it today.

But then she’d come to my office. And I’d watched as more of the walls she held up against me began to crumble.

And when Lars let it slip how excited Suzanne was that Carrie had agreed to come today, I knew I couldn’t stay away. Not after the beach. Not after my office.

There was an unfinished situation between us, and it had nothing to do with our mistaken marriage.

“I don’t know why you are concerned whether I’m here or not,” I replied tightly, wishing I would’ve started my search for Carrie inside the Scandinavian-style mansion that sat facing the lake. “You certainly weren’t a factor in my decision to come.”

Though Lynn had been one in my consideration to stay away.

“Oh, James,” she pouted. “You know why I want you here. You know I think we should talk about us.”

I gritted my teeth. “There is no ‘us,’ Lynn. There hasn’t been for years.”

“Exactly. And years was enough time for you to get over everything that happened with your father so that we can finally move on. Together.”

“Jesus,” I swore. Sometimes, I felt like it was safe to bet my entire corporation—my entire fortune—on the fact that Lynn was delusional. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, but we’re over. We have been. I don’t want you, and nothing is going to change that.”

The wistful seductiveness she’d painted on her face burned off with the bitterly acidic expression that replaced it. “Oh no? Or is it that you are just distracted by that chunky piece of meat Suz insists on dragging to all these events?” she snapped and my fist flexed, resisting the urge to snap her neck. “Because I really don’t see what is so fascinating or attractive—”

“Lynn,” I growled at her so harshly even she, in all her delusions, had the good sense to clamp her mouth shut at the warning.

I closed in on her, tired of her infatuation, insinuations, and dramatics.

“You can’t see because you are blind,” I charged. “You’re blind to anything that doesn’t keep the world revolving around your selfish sun.”

She hissed.

“We are done, and the sooner you accept that, the sooner you’ll see how bitter and pathetic you’re acting.”

Vitriolic anger crinkled her features. “We’re only done because you’re distracted by some employee, but soon you’ll realize that we were always meant to be. I’ll make you realize it.” And then, like a weightless cloud, her anger disappeared into a smile of such hubris, I had the urge to laugh.

She was so spoiled and so self-centered, it was almost comical how she couldn’t see how ridiculous she sounded.

“I’ll get rid of your distractions.”

Humor evaporated.

“Was that a threat?” My question cut like a blade of steel through the air, but I didn’t wait for her to answer. Instead I gave it to her. “Remember just how much you have to lose, Lynn.”

“You’d never tell them,” she sneered. “You’re too good to hurt people like that, James.”

“I will do what it takes to protect those I care about.” It was a threat cloaked in a promise and I left it for her to consider as I stalked around her, heading for the Vikingsholm mansion where I should’ve gone looking for Carrie first.

I’d kept the truth to myself for all these years. I’d let it eat away at me so it wouldn’t hurt them. But the thought of Carrie being locked in Lynn’s sights sent a wave of protectiveness crashing through me like I’d never experienced before.

And it was the difference between looking