The Billionaire's Bargain (18 page)

“Our romance happened so fast,
Sofia
. I didn’t want to
wait a minute longer to make her my woman.”

“Yes, I can see. She’s perfect,
Duncan
. I can tell she
has a good heart. Keep this one safe.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Sofia
was on his side. She led the way
into the kitchen.

He leaned down to Tess when
Sofia
’s back was
turned.
 

“
Sofia
mentioned how beautiful you are. That’s
what she was saying.” He purposely didn’t tell her about the hips and babies
part of her comment. This trip was to get her to fall in love with him, not to
hate him. Women and weight made a touchy subject. He liked Tess the way she
was. He didn’t want her to change for him. Besides, babies were a huge step,
even if he did plan to have his seed planted in her body very soon. First he
wanted her to love him.

That was what he had planned for her
on this honeymoon, sunshine, happiness, and loving.

Duncan
told
Sofia
in Italian grabbing her attention once
more. “She was a rare find indeed.” He kept a hold of Tess not wanting to let
her go.

“I’m so pleased you came back. Will
you be visiting Miranda?”
Sofia
asked in Italian.
Duncan
stroked Tess’s shoulder. She leaned closer snuggling against his chest.
Duncan
saw
Sofia
’s
eyes soften. “Does she know about your family?”

He shook his head. “I don’t want her
to know.”
Sofia
had been a member of his mother’s household before his father moved Miranda in.
“She’s got her own bad experiences with her own parents.”

“My lips are sealed, dear boy.
So much drama.
No woman could keep up.”

Duncan
knew what she meant. It was one of
the only areas of his life he didn’t like to think about. He’d cut his father
out of his life for good. He’d been the only child to come from his father.

“So, I’ll let you know where
everything is and get you both settled,”
Sofia
said, including Tess in the conversation.

“You’re leaving?”

“Honey, I have my own life to lead.
Also, you’re newly wed, and you don’t need an old woman like me spoiling the
fun. I’ve taken care of everything for you to stay here without wandering out.”

Duncan
appreciated everything
Sofia
had done for him.
She worked so hard and made sure he’d have a good time whenever he visited.

“I’ll be a phone call away if ever
you need me. Now, stop stalling.”

Sofia
took Tess’s hand pulling her away
from him. He missed Tess the moment she was gone.

He followed them into the kitchen.
Hearing Tess’s reactions was wonderful. She was a true delight to him.

Chapter Fifteen

After another few words from
Sofia
, the older woman took her hand pulling her away from
Duncan
. She
liked holding onto him. He was a safety net. When he was around she felt
protected by him. He’d never tried to physically hurt her. Even as her
excitement grew from being in a country she’d fallen in love with from a girl,
she still wanted to be safe.
Duncan
gave her that.
Sofia
led the way into the villa’s kitchen. It must have been the size of her
apartment from the vast size. It made her wonder what was in all the other
rooms inside the villa.

Her hobby was cooking, and she loved
looking at kitchens when she went to the DIY stores. The kitchen was filled
with all the top of the line products. Tess heard
Duncan
explain everything was purchased from
the surrounding towns.
 

“It’s wonderful,” Tess said. She
gazed round the large room and felt at home. She knew cooking would be a dream.
The kitchen made her think it was fit for a family.
A nice
large family with lots of love.

Tess was taken to the fridge, the
pantry, and given more information on all the food available that needed to be
eaten. Then
Sofia
prepared cold cuts of meat, a variety of cheeses, and some fresh baked bread to
soften their building appetite. Tess loved the food, and
Duncan
ate all of his helping and then went
for a second and even a third. Tess couldn’t stop herself giggling like a
little girl at the way he was behaving. The moment they’d stepped off his
aircraft he’d been different. There was an air of ease about him. He looked
more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. He responded in kind by laughing as
well.

The experience was wonderful. Tess
was unable to recall ever feeling so happy.

Once they were all cleared and well
fed to wait for the supper,
Duncan
took her for
a tour, leaving
Sofia
to finish preparing the night’s meal.
Duncan
had informed her tonight’s meal was a surprise. When she asked what she should
expect, he’d given her an indulgent chuckle, kissed her head, and said to wait
and see.

“
Sofia
will be spending the night here, and then tomorrow she’ll be walking back
home,”
Duncan
said.

“She’s a lovely woman. I’m so
pleased to have met her.” He took her hand once again. A thrill of excitement
shot through her entire body. The chemistry between them was undeniable. She
hoped they were able to work past their issues. Her feelings for
Duncan
were really
starting to grow.

Tess feared what she’d end up
feeling for
Duncan
.
There was a side of him she didn’t like, his business side. Then there was the
person he appeared to be now, the kind man who smiled without expecting
something. This man she liked. She wondered which man was the real Duncan
James.

The house was amazing and
breathtaking. From the decoration alone she knew there was no expense spared in
all the rooms. Everything, from the art to the furniture, was there for a
reason. Tess loved everything. She knew there had been a lot of love dedicated
to the house.
Duncan
must have really fallen for the villa. His mark was in every room.

“Did you decorate yourself?” she
asked.

“Yes. I didn’t want anyone having
any part in it. It took some time, but I got what I wanted.”

“Your house is beautiful. Your time
and attention really show.”

“Thank you.”

 
The beautiful pieces of art that decorated the
walls were all different but all splendid. They ranged from self portraits to
landscapes to passionate lovers entwined. Every detail was designed to capture
the eye and keep it. The explicit art work wasn’t vulgar but portrayed as
beautifully as possible. The male and female forms wrapped into one.

Tess felt her blood heating. The
lovers looked so attuned to each other.
          

“Do you know the lovers?” she asked.
She felt the heat spread into her cheeks. Why couldn’t she go a day without
blushing around this man?
 

“No, I don’t. But I know the artist,
and I know he’s incredible. The way he shows the lust in the picture is
magnificent. To me, it looks like there is no one else in the world alive for
them. They are devoted to one another. It is so passionate but modest at the
same time. The artist has made less, more.”

Tess could only agree. As they made
their way upstairs,
Duncan
stroked her hand where he held it, filling Tess with happiness. She felt a bond
between them beginning to form.
Duncan
kept so much of himself locked away. This man wasn’t the same one she’d
married. This man was deeper than money.

This man she could easily fall in
love with.
 

If not for their predicament, her
father’s thievery, they could have had a real chance together.
 

You still can if you only look beyond the problems.

Tess wanted to love someone so much,
but she was scared to finally let go.

“I’m pleased you like my home,” he
said, pulling her out of her troubled thoughts.

“You’re different when you’re here.”

He paused turning to face her.

“Is this a good different or a bad
different?” he asked.
Duncan
reached out to push some of her hair off her face. His attentiveness pleased
her. He stroked a line from her forehead to her lips. She stopped breathing as
he ran a thumb over her bottom lip.

“It’s good,” she said. “Which one of
you is real?”

“You’ll have to find out.” He took a
kiss then continued on with his tour.

When they entered the master suite
Tess wondered how he’d decorate the main room.
Duncan
wasn’t like the man she’d come to
know. The tabloids had lied about him, and he’d succumbed to the reputation.
She didn’t want to spoil the moment they were sharing. Tess felt so close to
him. She wanted to press a hand to her lips where they tingled from his kiss.
His gentleness was a contrast to the powerful man he portrayed. She wanted to
get to know this side of him.

He opened the door to the master
bedroom. She was surprised by how sensational the room looked. The king-sized
bed dominated the room. The luxury of the room wasn’t lost even with a large
bed. The bed was covered with silk sheets. They looked beautiful and soft. The
pillows were plump and inviting.

She looked round and saw doors that
opened onto the patio outside overlooking the vast gardens. A slight chill
permeated the air from air conditioning. Tess followed
Duncan
as he tugged on her arms. There was an
incredible en-suite bathroom with a glorious open bathtub and a separate power
shower, two sinks, and luxuriousness in every corner.

Tess loved it and wanted to share it
with the man at her side. She didn’t want to lose him. The desire she felt for
him increased ten-fold. Tess felt the pull deep within her body. She sensed his
desire and the need he had for her. It was strange how quickly the air changed.
He stared at her, his gaze dark as he looked from the top of her head down her
body to her toes. Tess didn’t feel scared but anxious. Her mind and body were
becoming attuned to this man. Her heart was melting as her mind opened up to
wanting more from him.

She was beginning to want to have a
family with this man.

It no longer mattered about the
shortness of time. She knew what she wanted.
 
Duncan
was proving to her there was more to him than met the eye. She was more than
willing to take a leap of faith with him.

They
stood close,
neither moving away nor
closing the small distance. For a few moments it
was a battle of wills, but to Tess it felt like a lifetime. She wanted to do
something, but she didn’t know what to do.

Then it suddenly hit her.

I want him to kiss me, to take me. I want to finally be his wife in the
truest sense of the word.

Tess wanted to forget about the
disaster of her wedding night. They both could make a fresh start, here and
now. She was willing to take a chance. Was he?

****

Duncan
watched Tess closely to see her
reaction to his home and the room he hoped to share with her. He recalled with
great detail the pains he’d gone to have this place looking the way he wanted.
It had taken many years and plenty of tears to get what he wanted. He felt the
results of all his efforts by her amazed expression.

He didn’t want her thinking another
woman had been here before because he’d never brought any woman here. This was
his domain, and that is how he’d kept it. Tess was the first woman he’d ever
let see a part of himself he’d kept hidden. Why he’d done it, he didn’t know.

Because you want her to love Duncan James the
man.
Not what the press or anyone else portrays you
as.

He’d wanted to share his home with
Tess. She deserved to see the beauty in the world.
Duncan
wanted to give her something no other
man could, a chance for her to have all of her dreams. He’d got plenty of money
and the means to give her the world.
 

“You’re really rich,” she said. A
deeper blush stained her cheeks. He loved seeing her innocence. It reminded him
of everything she’d given him. For a short time when he was with her, he could
forget about his plan for vengeance. He could embrace everything life had to
offer.