The Tycoon's Secret Affair (The Anetakis Tycoons #3)(34)

“I’m glad you like it. I was afraid I wouldn’t have everything in place before you were released from the hospital.”

“You didn’t already own it?”

“I had my representatives looking for just the perfect place the day you told me where you’d like to live more than anywhere else. When they found this place, I knew it was perfect. The sale isn’t quite final, but I convinced the owner to allow us to take possession of it until all the paperwork can be finished.”

She was unable to keep the wide smile from forming on her face. “That’s the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for me.”

He put his hand over hers, his palm warm and soothing. “Tell me, yineka mou. Has anyone ever done a wonderful thing for you? I get the impression yours has not been an easy life.”

She stiffened and tried to withdraw her hand, but he wouldn’t allow it. His grip tightened around her fingers, but his touch stayed soothing the entire time.

“What is it you won’t tell me?” he asked quietly. “Surely there should be no secrets between a man and his wife.”

She turned away to stare at the ocean, the breeze blowing across her cheeks and drying the invisible tears she shed.

“It’s nothing so dramatic,” she said matter of factly. “My parents died when I was very young. I barely remember them, and even now I wonder if the people I remember aren’t just one of the many foster families I was shuttled through.”

“You had no relatives to take care of you?”

She shook her head. “None that would, anyway.”

A young woman came out then carrying a tray of food, and Jewel sighed in relief. She didn’t miss Piers’s frown, which told her the conversation wasn’t closed, just delayed.

Still, nothing good would come of her rehashing the past.

They ate in companionable silence. Jewel enjoyed the sounds and smells of the ocean and found herself more relaxed than she’d been in longer than she could remember.

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, the sky faded to soft hues of pink and purple with threads of gold spreading from the disappearing sun. The ocean shimmered in the distance, reflecting the brilliance of the sunset.

She hadn’t realized she’d long since stopped eating, so entranced by the view was she. Only when the maid returned to collect the dinner plates, did Jewel break from her reverie.

“You look tired, yineka mou,” Piers said gently. “I think I should take you upstairs so you can get ready for bed.”

She yawned and then chuckled at how easily she’d given herself away. “Bed sounds really good right now. Does the bedroom have windows we can open? I’d love to be able to hear the ocean.”

“I think you’ll find the view from our bedroom magnificent, and we can certainly open the windows if that is your wish.”

He helped her to her feet and they returned inside. They took the stairs slowly, and she bit her lip when the upward movement put awkward pressure around the area of her incision. Her entire belly felt bruised and tender.

When they entered the master bedroom, she let out a sound of pure delight. The entire back wall that faced the ocean was glassed in from floor to ceiling. She left Piers’s side to peer over the water, her palms pressed to the cool glass.

Her throat suspiciously tight, she turned to face Piers. “This has been the most wonderful day. Thank you so much.”

“I’m glad you approve,” he said huskily.

She returned her attention to the view, watching as the last bits of the orange glow from the sun disappeared into the sea.

“What about your work? Your hotels?”

He came to stand beside her, studying the ocean with her.

“Most of my work can be handled from here. I have a phone, my computer and a fax machine. There will be times I need to travel. Up to now, I’ve always done the bulk of the traveling, but I find myself unwilling to continue on that track. Either my brothers will have to help shoulder the load or we’ll hire someone to do most of the traveling.”

“You won’t miss it?” she asked lightly.

“A few months ago I would have said yes, very much, but now I find myself more reluctant to be away from my wife and our child.”

Warmth spread through her chest. How like a family they sounded. She wasn’t entirely certain what had caused him to change his tune, but she had no desire to question it. She only hoped it lasted.

Fifteen

F or the next several days, Jewel rested and recovered under the watchful eye of Piers and the staff he’d hired. It seemed odd at first to have other people in the house, but they blended so seamlessly into the background that Jewel quickly became accustomed to their presence.

Piers even had a physician come to the house to check her incision and remove the staples so she wouldn’t have to make the trip into town.

In short, she was spoiled and pampered endlessly, and she was fast becoming bored out of her mind. She was positively dying to explore her surroundings. A trip down to the beach was foremost on her wish list, but she also wanted to go beyond the grounds of their estate and see the rest of the island.

According to Piers, the island was small and not yet discovered by the many tourists that flocked to the Caribbean. Fishing was the main source of industry for the locals. There were plans to build an elaborate resort, an exclusive playground for the wealthy where no expense would be spared and guests would be lavished with personal attention.