Authors: Paige Cameron
Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (2 page)
He drove fast along the back roads, yet Janice felt safe. His hands were firmly on the steering wheel, and his attention focused on where he was driving.
When they made a right turn and then pulled onto a gravel road, she began to get a bit uneasy.
“Where are we headed?”
“See the sign straight ahead?”
Janice spotted the wood signpost. “Airport. There’s an airport here?”
“A little farther and we make another right turn then we’ll be at a private airport I use.”
Stunned, Janice sat back and watched as an old wooden building with a tower came into sight. To the left of the building was a long, well-built runway.
“We’re not flying to dinner, are we?”
Drake didn’t answer. He stopped the car and came around and opened her door. “Come with me. I want to show off my private jet.”
She hesitated a second, then took his hand. “Is this the one Samantha flew in? She said it was luxurious.”
“Same one. It’s out on the runway. They have the steps down, waiting to give you a tour.”
Janice stopped at the bottom of the steps. “The engine is running.”
“They’re going on a trip for me after our tour.”
A sense of wariness held her still for several seconds.
“Remember, I’m a gentleman.”
“Something tells me that’s when you want to be.” Ignoring her gut feeling, Janice climbed the steps and walked inside the plane. “Oh, it is lovely.” She went across to one of the plush chairs and ran her hand across the velvet covering.
“Sit down. See how comfortable it is,” Drake said. She sat and he bent down to show her how the belt came across and fastened.
His spicy aroma had her taking a deep breath. He looked right into her eyes, and an ache started deep inside and low. The sounds of the engines revving and the door being latched brought her head around.
“We’re taking off.”
“Yes, darlin’. We’re going to my personal island for dinner.”
“Stop this plane right now.”
“Too late.” Drake moved to the nearest seat and fastened his belt. “For ten thousand dollars don’t you think I deserve to choose the place where we eat?”
“Within reason, and that doesn’t include a restaurant hundreds of miles away.”
“Most women would be overjoyed at the prospect.” His smooth purr of a voice sent a shiver down her spine.
“I’m not most women.”
“And that is why you’re here, and they’re not.”
Chapter Two
“We forgot my bathing suit,” Janice added, trying to convince Drake to turn the plane around.
“No worry. We can swim nude.”
“Not me.”
“I’m very surprised at how puritanical you are.”
“I am not. I’m sensible, rational, not wild, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like to have fun.”
“When is the last time you really let yourself have fun?”
He’d unfasten his belt and now stood beside her chair. Reaching down, he released her. “Come with me. I’ll give you that tour.”
“The last time you said that to me, I ended up on this plane flying to some mystery island.”
Drake laughed and pulled her out of the chair. He led her down a short hall and opened the door to the end room. “‘Step into my web,’ said the spider.”
A shiver ran up her spine at his words. With a gentle push, she found herself inside a luxurious bedroom.
“All the comforts of home, I see,” she said.
“Why be uncomfortable when you travel? I’m on the go a lot.”
Janice took a cautious step further into the room. She turned to find Drake leaning against the door, a seductive smile on his face, hunger glittering in his eyes. She clasped her hands together to hide their tremor.
“Go over and look in the bathroom. It’s quite decadent.”
“I’ve no doubt, knowing you.”
“But that’s the problem, you don’t know me. You’ve listened to others about my reputation.”
“You are known to be a ladies’ man. Are you saying the gossips are wrong?”
Drake moved closer, and her heartbeat sped up. Standing in the middle of
his
bedroom made her feel vulnerable. She hated not having control.
“I enjoy life to the fullest, but perhaps not as full as people like to imagine. I’m thirty-two, and definitely not a virgin.”
There went the flash of heat to her face, again.
“Are you a prude, Janice, or as innocent as you appear? You’re definitely an intriguing woman.”
He had stepped right into her space. She wanted to move back. She didn’t. Her body rebelled, and she found herself leaning in toward him. He licked across her mouth, and nibbled at the corner of her lip. She parted her lips, and he gently moved his tongue inside. They were held together only by the steamy kiss.
Drake straightened. His brown eyes held her fascinated. “Have you ever done something just because you wanted to, without thinking out all the pros and cons? My sweet, who holds herself to a rigid control, what would happen if you let it all go?”
Mesmerized by his tone, the lingering desire still flowing through her veins, Janice wanted to do as he suggested. She’d never have the courage. Tomorrow reality always returned.
She turned away and put space between them. “I’m not the woman you want. I don’t do wild, wicked weekends. I suppose in your world, I am that prude.” Janice was surprised to be blinking her eyes to keep tears from falling.
“I have time. I’ll show you the way.” His hands cupped her shoulders as he whispered into her ear.
Janice whirled out of his grasp and forced a smile on her face. “Temptation comes in a very handsome package.” She let her eyes roam down and back up his lean, sexy body. As she’d hoped, he laughed, the lust in his eyes not quite as apparent as earlier.
“Ah, my love, you are a woman of contradictions, a challenge. I intend to discover all your secrets.”
“Why? There are hundreds of women who’d love this attention. I don’t want it,” she said, and crossed her fingers behind her back.
“Shall we go back to the front of the plane? I’d offer the bed for you to rest, perhaps sleep the rest of the journey, but you don’t trust me enough, yet, to do that.”
When she had safely returned to the main, well-lit cabin and sat down in her chair, he went back to his seat. He swiveled to face her. “What you said back there”—he nodded toward the bedroom—“you lied, we both know it. I intend to prove it.”
Drake rang for the stewardess. “Please bring us some snacks and a whiskey for me. Would you like wine, or is that too daring?” he asked Janice.
“Actually, I’d like a Rusty Nail.” His surprised expression had her grinning.
“See what I mean, a woman of contradictions.”
* * * *
They ate, and afterward Drake put his chair back and slept. Janice enjoyed observing him. He had good bone structure, high cheek bones, a strong mouth, and a square, determined jaw. He was not a pretty, handsome man, his face spoke too much of being a leader. His only softness, the dark, brown hair worn slightly long, shone silky in the soft cabin light. She had an absurd desire to run her fingers through the strands.
Instead, she focused her attention on the rest of his long, lean body sprawled in his chair. Always, she’d sensed a leashed tiger underneath his gentleman persona. Even asleep, he appeared ready to wake, and charge if necessary.
I suppose in all the dangerous situations he goes into he must be prepared
.
He didn’t talk about the arbitration work he did for the government, under the guise of being an international attorney. What was his background? Where was he from? She’d never asked Samantha’s husband,
Jackson
, about his friend. She jumped when Drake’s eyes suddenly opened.
“How can a man sleep with you so loudly observing him?” He pretended to be irritated, but his laughing eyes gave him away.
“You like for women to admire you.”
“Don’t you like for men to do the same to you?”
“Perhaps, sometimes.”
Drake glanced out the window. “We’re close. The seat belt sign will come on soon. It will be good to be here. One of the few places I can really relax.”
The plane landed as the sun set across the calm sea. Streaks of pink and orange painted the sky and the water. Excitement began to build inside her. A private island. Few people, and none she’d known, had ever had the money to purchase a whole island. He was obviously well-paid for his work.
“I can’t wait for you to see the house.”
For a second, he reminded her of a young boy showing off his prized possession.
The sunset streaked across the villa, making the house look like a many-faceted jewel sitting on the top of a high hill. She couldn’t look away as they wound their way along the curved drive. Purples, pinks, and orange colors alternated over the window panes. The smell of flowers, jasmine, orange blossom, and other sweet scents blew around her. Had she fallen asleep and awoke in
Eden
?
“You like my island and my home?” He reached across the seat and clasped her hand.
“I do. It’s a magical place. The air is soft and sweet, and the views are magnificent.”
“Glad I tricked you into coming?”
Janice glanced at him. “I believe I am. We’ll see afterwards.”
“Always cautious.”
The driver, who’d been waiting for them in an old convertible, turned into a wide gravel drive that led to the house. He stopped at the front door and went around to the trunk to get the one small bag Drake had brought with him.
Drake opened her door and put out his hand. “Welcome, to my home.”
The house was surrounded by terraces filled with flowers. A smiling, plump, gray-haired woman greeted them at the door.
“Welcome. Come in. When you’re ready I have hors d’oeuvres and drinks ready to bring out to the veranda.”
“Thank you, Ulani. This is my friend, Janice Dedrick. Janice, Ulani is a wonderful cook. You’ll love her food.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“I’m going to show Janice around. We’ll be out on the veranda in a few minutes.”
“Good. It is nice meeting you, Miss Dedrick.”
“Please call me Janice.”
Ulani nodded and walked away.
Drake guided Janice into a large living room. The windows facing west gave a picture of the terraces and blue water in the distance. The whole world painted in all the colors of the rainbow.
She followed Drake around as he pointed out an office, and the kitchen that opened off this room. All the rooms had glass sliding doors opening to a wide veranda. They came to a short hall, and Drake motioned for her to go ahead of him.
“I have two bedrooms here, one on each side. The last door is mine. Go ahead and enter.”
She glanced back at him. “It’s safe for me to enter?”
“Of course. But, it might be dangerous for me. Who knows, you might decide to attack me and cover me with kisses.” His lip quirked up at the corner.