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“So do I. Although I thought we could talk later and make love now,” he said in a husky voice. He caressed her neck and throat, stirring sizzles of pleasure through her, increasing her racing heartbeat. He fished in his pocket. “I brought you a present.”
She inhaled and stared at a long slender black box tied with a red satin ribbon. “You shouldn’t get these gifts for me,” she said.
“I don’t know why not. I want to. Open it,” he commanded with a note of eagerness in his voice. She gazed up into his eyes and saw dancing flames of desire in their depths.
Wriggling out of his embrace, she tugged the ribbon free, opened the package and lifted out a black velvet box. When she raised the lid, a dazzling diamond-and-sapphire necklace sparkled in the afternoon light. “It’s gorgeous,” she said flatly, disappointment washing over her.
He tilted up her chin. “What’s wrong? You sound as if I’ve given you a bunch of weeds.”
“It’s beautiful, Jake. It’s not the necklace. We have to talk. There’s something wrong here. Not the necklace. It’s other things—this marriage we have.” She inhaled deeply, gazing into his unfathomable eyes. She knew most women would never do what she was about to do. Her sister, Beth, had spent hours on the phone arguing with her about it. “Our marriage, our…deal—it’s not working.”
Jake frowned. “Give it a chance. We’ve only been married for a little over a year and a half. What exactly aren’t you happy about?”
“We agreed we wanted a baby. We’ve been to doctors who’ve said we’re both healthy, but I’m not getting pregnant. I feel as if I’m failing you.”
“Relax. Give it time,” Jake said, his voice lowering and his frown vanishing. “In fact, we can work on it tonight,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
She almost closed her eyes and succumbed as she had so many times before. Jake was passionate, understanding and constantly trying to please her—he was impossible to resist. But for once, she clung to her sanity, grasped his arms and leaned away from him.
“Jake, listen to me!” she demanded. “You know you can distract me, but we need to talk about this.”
Jake stroked her cheek lightly. “Darlin’, I’ve tried to give you everything you want. You can spend your time as you please. I’ll tell you what—go change and we’ll fly to Grand Cayman for dinner and dancing. You’ve been on this island a month, and it’s time to get you out. While you dress, I’ll have the plane readied and we can talk all evening.” He walked to the hall table and picked up his cell phone. “I’ll make dinner reservations,” he called over his shoulder.
“Jake, we can stay right here…”
“I know we can, but I want to take you out. How long will it take you to get ready?”
“Ten minutes,” she said, shaking her head, wondering how a man who was so brilliant in business could be so dense about relationships.
“Make it fifteen so I can shower and shave.” He turned, flipped open his phone and started talking as she stared at the empty doorway.
“This is part of what I’m talking about,” she said to no one. “You aren’t listening. You’re just doing exactly what you want to do.” Clamping her lips together, she headed to their spacious bedroom to change. She could already hear Jake in the shower.
In the walk-in closet that was larger than half of her old apartment, Emily set the necklace and its open velvet box on the hand-crafted walnut triple dresser, stared at the brilliant diamonds and deep blue sapphires and sighed. So many women would be thrilled to get a gift like this.
As she dressed she could hear the waves hitting the beach through the open glass doors. A paradise and a prison. That was all her island home was. Her marriage, too.
She guessed they would eat in a luxurious dining room, so she selected a deep blue, sleeveless sheath. Prim and plain, it had tiny ebony buttons that fastened to the high, round collar. The lines were simple, yet the dress suited her. She brushed her hair again, looping and pinning it on top of her head. She wore little makeup, so after slipping on high-heeled sandals and grabbing her envelope silk purse, she was ready to join Jake. She paused to stare at the diamond-and-sapphire necklace. As far as she was concerned, it was too elegant for tonight. She picked up a diamond drop he’d given her and put it on, watching it sparkle against the blue dress. She didn’t care about jewelry and seldom wore it, but she knew it pleased Jake when she wore his gifts.
As she hurried through the villa, she wondered whether she would ever be able to get him to listen to her. Maybe she should just walk out and leave him a letter.
Jake stood by the front door looking at his BlackBerry. At the sight of him, her pulse jumped. Whatever else, her husband was handsome. Dressed in a tailor-made navy suit and a monogrammed white shirt, he looked like the successful billionaire he was.
Jake’s chiseled features and prominent cheekbones always made her heart skip a beat. But she knew it was his gray eyes that set him apart from other handsome men. Devastating eyes that could smolder with desire or light up with amusement or assess a situation at a glance. Tiny flecks of green near his pupils showed when she stood close to him. But those same eyes hid Jake’s thoughts as effectively as fog hiding the world from view. And she knew too well how they could become cold steel, filled with determination to get his way.
If she left him, she would be breaking vows that she had been taught all her life were sacred. The prospect of leaving him made her feel guilty, but her fears for the future and her inability to have a baby were stronger.
Her sister thought she’d lost all good sense to walk out on Jake and the life he could give her. Emily wondered if she would forever regret leaving him. During the past three weeks she’d asked herself that question constantly. She knew Jake wasn’t the sort of man to have regrets. He’d move on with his life—he could find dozens of women who would be thrilled to take her place. Who could easily give him the family he wanted.
There would be no going back. Jake could be unforgiving. She had already seen that side of him at work. Strong-willed and forceful, Jake was accustomed to getting what he wanted. The evening was going to be difficult. They were on Jake’s turf. If she had waited until they were back at home in Dallas, this would be a degree easier for her. On his island, he was in charge. The only way home was to convince Jake to let one of his planes fly her.
As Jake put his BlackBerry into its holder, his gaze moved leisurely over her. He approached her, stopping only inches from her, and slid his hands to her waist. “You look beautiful and smell wonderful,” he said in a husky voice.
“Thank you,” she answered solemnly, gazing up at him, her heartbeat jumping again. She could say the same thing about him. The scent of his aftershave was faint, yet enticing. The expression in his eyes curled her toes.
“You’ll taste better than any dinner we can find,” he added in a slow drawl that made the temperature in the room climb. When his gaze lowered to her mouth, she drew a deep breath. He leaned closer. “You’re luscious,” he whispered, brushing her mouth lightly with his. She closed her eyes, placing her hands on his arms and feeling the solid muscles beneath the elegant suit. Jake drew her to him and covered her lips with his.
The minute his mouth touched hers, her lips parted and his tongue slipped inside, building fires she couldn’t control. Knowing she was lost to his kiss, she moaned softly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed against him and returned his kiss.
Her heart drummed. Desire flamed into a scalding inferno that made her cling more tightly as he leaned over her and kissed her passionately.
When at last he released her, it took a second for her to open her eyes. She found him watching her intently. Two emotions showed in his expression—desire and satisfaction. He could always kiss her arguments and complaints into oblivion and he knew it all too well.
“Jake, kisses solve nothing.”
“You’re right. They start fires that only you can put out later,” he said in a husky voice. “You’re wearing the diamond I gave you. I’m glad you like it,” he said.
“It’s lovely,” she answered.
“Before we go, there’s one thing that will make the evening better,” he said. Still watching her intently, he reached up to unfasten the tiny ebony buttons, starting at her collar and working his way down. “You have enticing curves that you hide from me even now that we’re married.”
She wanted to unbutton his shirt, run her hands over his sculpted chest and kiss him again. So easily, he could kiss her into forgetting dinner and their evening plans. She knew she had to keep her hands to herself or she’d never get his attention on conversation. If they made love, instead, she’d be hopelessly sidetracked. Yet it was a struggle to stand quietly while he steadily unfastened button after button. She caught his wrist and held him lightly.
“That’s far enough, Jake,” she said.
“One more. Let me enjoy the view. Two more until we get off the plane.”
Smiling at him, she was unable to refuse. He unfastened three more and pushed the dress open slightly to create a wider V. His fingers drifted lightly over the curves he revealed, making her insides tighten.
“There. I think you look delectable,” he said.
“And you’re quite irresistible,” she told him frankly, wondering if he realized how much she meant what she said.
“I hope so,” he answered solemnly, gazing into her eyes with another one of his inscrutable looks. “Shall we go?” he asked. In his usual take-charge manner, he took her arm and headed outside without waiting for her answer. He held the door to his low-slung convertible sports car.
She’d been surprised to learn that Jake had a fleet of fancy cars, which he kept at his various houses. She sat on the soft leather and watched him stride around the car and slide into the seat beside her. As he did, she fastened the three buttons of her dress that he had just opened.
In minutes they were at his private airstrip where his jet was ready and waiting. Toby Uride, his chauffeur, and Brick Prentiss, his bodyguard, were also there. It had taken her a while to get accustomed to all the people who worked for Jake, particularly the bodyguard.
Shortly they were airborne, flying over his island and then the deep blue Caribbean. She spotted Jake’s yacht at anchor near the island dock. Farther out, they flew over a sparkling white cruise ship that looked only slightly larger than Jake’s yacht.
When she turned, she found him watching her. “You’re beautiful, Em,” he said, leaning forward to take her hand and run his thumb over her knuckles. She inhaled. With only a look and a slight touch, he made her want him.
“Thank you,” she replied, knowing he could hear the breathlessness in her voice.
“That’s another facet to you that I like. You always respond to me,” he said softly. “I react to you, you know. More than you realize. And you’re not always trying to evoke a response. Like now, you’re not doing anything, yet you’re turning me on.”
“If you’d sit back, stop touching and flirting, neither one of us would be so stirred up,” she said. She was aware she sounded prim, but she didn’t care. “Tonight, all I want is a chance to talk to you without distractions. I want you to listen.”
He nodded. “I’ll pay attention to whatever you tell me. But I’d rather ‘stir you up’. Go right ahead and get me aroused. Making love when we get home will be even better.”
His scalding gaze and husky voice were as tantalizing as his touch. She hoped he had no idea what he was doing to her, although she suspected he knew full well. She pulled her hand away and leaned to look out the window again. “This is beautiful, Jake. You should look.”
“I am looking,” he drawled.
She kept her attention outside, because although her pulse raced, she didn’t want him to know how hot and aroused she’d become.
It was a quick flight. Then, with Toby at the wheel of the limousine and Brick in the passenger seat beside him, they drove to one of Jake’s friend’s luxury hotels. They arrived at an elegant restaurant on the top floor with maroon-and-white decor, and the maître d’ addressed Jake by name before leading them to a secluded corner. Seated at a linen-covered table centered with a white candle, they had a panoramic view of flaming torches lighting the beach and, directly below, landscaped grounds with tall palms.
She had iced tea while Jake ordered wine. As soon as they were alone, Jake turned his attention to her again, taking her hand. His fingers were warm. Even that slight contact was electric.
If only she could get pregnant! The longing came daily, and she reminded herself to stop wishing for the impossible. They’d seen the best doctors, made love all the time, and still no baby.
She knew she should be happy with what she had. Jake was sexy and thoughtful. She had an easy, luxurious life, but she wanted more. He was totally engrossed in his achievements. When she’d married him, she’d known that he coveted success, but hadn’t realized the full extent of his preoccupation with money, luxury and absolute power.
Candlelight flickered, highlighting Jake’s prominent cheekbones, throwing the planes of his face into shadow. She resisted the urge to reach across the table and touch a stray lock of black hair that waved slightly on his forehead. He’d chosen a seductive setting and turned his full attention on her. She had married a charmer deluxe and it was difficult to try to talk about subjects he didn’t care to discuss.
In spite of his optimism about their future, she hadn’t been able to give him a child. That was why she needed to set him free and let him find a woman who could.
He tilted up her chin. “No long faces,” he ordered gently. “We’ll have a baby. All the doctors have said we would. Give us time, Em.”
“You’ve always gotten everything you’ve wanted.”
“Not everything,” he said with that steely gaze coming. “Not until I had money and power. Growing up was a whole different story. My dad was a drifter and was killed in a barroom brawl. Mom had nothing, but she wanted the best for me and my kid sister. Mom always tried to see to it that I had good grades in school, and later, she and I both saw to it that Nina did. My life changed forever when I met Hubert Braden.”
She knew about the man who had mentored Jake and his friends, Ryan Warner and Nick Colton.
“It was wonderful that you and your friends got summer jobs landscaping and caring for Hub’s property in Dallas, but if you’d never crossed paths with him, I think the three of you would still have made fortunes.”
“You have great faith in me,” he replied with a smile. “Hub counseled us. Later, after I had my accounting degree, he hired me to work for him and really took me under his wing,” Jake said, a faraway look in his eyes. “He gave me financial backing and advice when I went on my own. No, I couldn’t have done all this by myself, much less this quickly. I became a billionaire before I was thirty. That’s due to his money, influence and the business he tossed my way.”
She recalled the frail elderly man who had round-the-clock nursing at his chalet in Switzerland. After their honeymoon, Jake had taken her to meet Hubert Braden. He could barely talk and looked as if he didn’t weigh more than eighty pounds. But his eyes lit up at the sight of Jake and she thought Jake’s visit with his new bride made him happy.
“You may be right. But as strong-willed and shrewd as you are, I suspect you would have become a billionaire without help. I don’t know why you pursue money to the extent you do. You could live easily on what you have. Why do you want more?”
“I thrive on work. Poverty was hell and I want to be as far away from it as possible. I like making money. Someday I might like to go into politics, and that takes financial backing.”
Horrified, she stared at him. “If you say, ‘I might like to go into politics,’ it translates to ‘I might like to run for president.’ You don’t do anything in a small way.”
He laughed. Creases framed his mouth as he revealed his dazzling white teeth. “I’m building a dynasty,” he answered, and she heard the steel in his voice. “I hope to have sons to leave it to.”
One more reminder that she couldn’t give him a baby. She looked away and wondered whether Jake ever thought about the world except on his terms. “That brings us back to what I want to discuss with you,” she said stiffly.
“We’ll talk soon enough when we won’t be interrupted. I see you’re all buttoned up again,” he added with amusement in his eyes.
“We’re in public,” she replied. “I’m revealing enough bare flesh. You’ll see all you want of me later, I’m sure.”
He inhaled deeply. “That thought tempts me to turn around and leave. Of course, we can get a suite here at the hotel. This is one of Ryan’s hotels.”
“The rich get richer,” she replied, wrinkling her nose at him and knowing that he and his close friends still did all sorts of favors for each other as much as they would have if they had been blood brothers.
“Let’s dance and see if we can get rid of that solemn look in your big blue eyes.” Without waiting for an answer from her, he stood and reached for her hand, giving her one of those looks that could melt her.
Reminding herself to stay firm, she followed him to the dance floor and stepped into his arms as an old ballad played.
He spun her around and dipped low, holding her easily in his strong arms. For a moment she forgot everything as he whirled and leaned over so she had to cling to him. When she gazed up into his eyes, his desire was obvious, making her heart race faster. Breathlessly, she held him as he swung her around, pulling her close.
“That’s better,” he said, smiling, a warmth in his expression that was like sunshine pouring out when clouds drifted away. She had to smile in return, briefly succumbing to Jake’s charisma and letting her worries go.
The ballad ended and a fast number began. Still holding her hand, Jake continued dancing to the faster beat. His muscled body moved with a fit male athlete’s grace. Her breasts tingled and with every brush of their bodies—hip against hip, shoulder grazing shoulder—she wanted more of him.
She followed his lead, watching him. Jake’s body was long and lean and strong, sexy in his dark suit. She wondered if they would make love when they flew home, or if they would end the evening not even speaking.
While their lovemaking was sensational, there was no intimacy, no real emotion. Tonight, if they made love, would be no different.
When the dance ended, she was hot, breathless. Jake took her arm lightly and they returned to their seats to find their tossed salads waiting.
She took a long drink of ice water, trying to collect herself and stop thinking about Jake’s kisses, his hands moving over her. “Tell me about your week,” she suggested, setting down the water.
He placed his wineglass on the table. “You’re beginning to distract me when I’m away from home. Instead of keeping my mind on business the way I always have, I find myself thinking about you.”
“C’mon, Jake. There’s no way that I interfere with your thoughts when your mind is on business.” She didn’t believe him for a minute. Jake could focus on his job with an intensity that amazed her. “I worked for you too long to accept that.”
He shrugged, sipped his water and set down the goblet. “Think what you will, but I’m telling the truth. I thought it might flatter you to know. I haven’t had this problem with any woman before.”
In spite of her certainty that he was exaggerating tremendously, she felt a thrill. She was aware that he knew how to make a woman feel special, and took his compliments lightly. She often wondered if his mind was on business when he said them.
She looked at her successful handsome husband and remembered her decisions earlier in the day. She knew she had to get him back on track and make him listen to her.
“That’s very flattering, Jake, but it doesn’t change my feelings on our marriage. We’ve given ourselves time. I’m just not getting pregnant and I know you want a family. You talk about it every time we’re together.”
“If I’m pressuring you, I’ll stop,” he said, placing his fork on his plate and looking at her with a direct gaze she met unwaveringly, relieved to finally get his attention.
“No, that’s not it. I know having a son is important to you. If I get out of your life, you can find a woman who will give you one.” Tears threatened, and she clamped her lips closed and fought to control her emotions.
She didn’t want her salad, suddenly, and set down her fork.
He tilted up her chin to study her. “Don’t cry,” he said gently. “I’m not complaining. I’m not unhappy with you. I don’t want to get rid of you or trade you in for a different model. Will you forget all that?”
“I find it difficult to,” she replied stiffly, hating that she couldn’t control her tears. She wished that he wasn’t being so kind.
“Do it, anyway,” he ordered, running his index finger lightly over her cheeks to brush away her tears. “Don’t cry over something that a year from now may not be an issue between us. The minute you get pregnant, you’ll forget all about leaving.”
“It isn’t just the pregnancy,” she said and then bit her lip as their salad plates were removed. She noticed Jake didn’t eat all of his salad, either, and she wondered whether he was as calm and self-assured as he acted.
Lobster with melted butter and thick juicy steaks were placed in front of them, and soon they were alone again. Her appetite didn’t return as she stared at him. Raven glints in his black hair glowed in the candlelight and his thick eyelashes were dark shadows. Piano music played in the background and Emily knew this moment would be etched in her memory forever.
“You’ve been great to me,” she replied patiently. “You’re used to the world on your terms, but this time it isn’t conforming.”
