Tied to the Billionaire(18)

Just as Elena had expected him to, Henry had arranged for a car to pick her at the C?te D’Azur airport in Nice. She instructed the driver to take the coastal route and fifteen minutes later they were driving along the Promenade de la Plage, heading towards Antibes. She hadn’t realised how much she’d missed France, but being in the country again, feeling the sun on her face and breathing in the fresh sea air reminded her how much she loved the Riviera. When she was in university, Elena had dreamt of moving to the country permanently, but it hadn’t worked out that way. After she’d started her design business, she’d become caught up in the frenzied London lifestyle and her dream had pretty much been put on hold.

The car pulled into the driveway of her uncle’s villa and as she stared at it through the tinted windows a fond smile stretched across Elena’s lips. She’d forgotten how beautiful the place was. The villa was set high up on a mountain and the panoramic view of the sea stretching out to the Cap d’Antibes was simply breathtaking. Stepping out of the car, Elena smoothed out the creases in her Lanvin silk skirt, taking her Dior sunglasses from the top of her head and sliding them into place to shield her eyes from the bright, midday sun. As she ascended the stone steps that led to the magnificent, glass fronted doors, she felt as though she was coming home.


Henry was more like a father than an uncle. At nineteen, Elena’s parents had been killed in a car crash and though she was legally an adult, Henry had insisted on looking out for her, ensuring she had everything she could possibly need. That translated into him paying for her education and giving her an allowance, even though she’d been well taken care of in her parents’ will. His latest endeavour to ‘care’ for her was inviting her to live in his villa in Cannes. He hardly spent any time there himself and said he didn’t like to see it sitting empty, but Elena was certain his generosity was because he hated where she currently lived. Her cosy flat in Knightsbridge was too downmarket for his tastes. That was probably what the invite to spend the week had been about. Elena suspected he wanted her to get a taste of what she was missing and if that was his intention it was a damn good plan. She liked the life she had built for herself in London, but compared to the South of France? There was no competition.

As usual the front door to the villa had been left unlocked. Elena let herself in and walked through the grand entrance hall until she reached her uncle’s study. It was located at the back of the property overlooking the pool and about the only room he frequently used. She removed her sunglasses, smoothed down her glossy blonde hair then knocked on the door before walking inside.

“Unc—” Elena’s words cut off quickly when she regarded the man sitting behind the large mahogany desk who was most definitely not her uncle.

“Hello, Elena. It’s good to see you again.” When Henry’s business partner, the enigmatic Charles Hunt, rose from his seat and rounded the desk, Elena hated the effect he had on her. Instantly her nipples hardened and a tingling sensation erupted in her groin. It had been at least a year since she had last seen him in London, but he looked as good as ever. Well over six feet tall, Charles towered above her, but his raw magnetism didn’t come from his height or muscular build. Charles exuded power—it oozed out of his every pore.

The American billionaire was undoubtedly a catch. Women on every continent wanted to bed him and many of them had succeeded—if the gossip about him was to be believed. Charles had tried to seduce Elena on more than one occasion, but by his own admission he was highly dominant and Elena had never been good with people telling her what to do, in bed or out of it. She just wasn’t wired that way. But even as the thought came to her she knew if she were ever to submit—to give herself to someone so completely—it would be to him.

Elena had been no saint over the years. She’d had her share of fun and short-term relationships, but something had always held her back, stopped her from becoming too involved. When the men she dated began to get impatient, demanding more of her time and a deeper commitment, Elena was quick to cut ties. She always told herself it was because she was too young and not ready for a serious relationship, but the truth was that from the moment she’d first met Charles, she hadn’t wanted anyone else. He was her ideal. Strong, confident and powerful, Charles was exactly the type of man she needed in her life. He excited her. But she didn’t know if she could give him what he needed, particularly in bed, so she’d always shied away and feigned indifference. She had a feeling Charles could see through the barriers she had constructed and knew the real effect he had on her, even though he’d never said as much.

Charles’ dark brown hair was longer on top than he used to wear it and there was a light dusting of stubble on his chin which only added to his appeal. His eyes were the same as she remembered—a sparkling deep azure blue that reminded her of the ocean on a sunny day. They were mesmerising.

Elena cleared her throat. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

Charles raked his eyes over every inch of her body before finally meeting her gaze. His lips curved into a sensual smile, revealing perfectly straight, white teeth. “Surprise.”

His expression reminded Elena of a predator, sizing up its prey before it pounced. She shivered, her thoughts wandering into dangerous territory. “Where is Henry?”

“Ah, he had to return to New York this morning, I’m afraid. He had some unexpected business to attend to, but he did ask me to convey his apologies. He was looking forward to spending time with you this week. I guess you’re stuck with me.”