The Billionaire's Paradise (Sexy Billionaires)(19)

But there was no denying the temptation was starting to outweigh the fear of being burned.

…

Hayden slipped on a pair of designer shades as he walked out of the hotel. His watch showed it was five minutes to eleven, but he had no doubt Avery would already be waiting. Never in their professional acquaintance had she ever been anything but prompt.

Sure enough, when he reached the driveway, his gaze zeroed in on her brown curls, pulled back in a loose clip. She stood staring at the car he’d ordered.

“A Porsche convertible?” she demanded when he reached her side. “Do you have a subtle bone in your body?”

“No.” Daring to move closer, he wrapped an arm around her middle as he brushed his lips over her cheek, gratified when she didn’t stiffen. Yes, his decision to stop giving her space was definitely the right way to go. “Ready for a drive?”

“Ten bucks says some cop pulls you over on principle.”

“I’ll take my chances,” he said, holding open the door for her.

Shaking her head, she ducked into the vehicle, fastening her seat belt as he rounded to the driver’s side. Within minutes, they were zipping away from the hotel, the wind in their hair. Glancing at his companion, he saw not even the unflappable Avery Clarke could keep the grin off her face.

“See?” he asked. “My way of life isn’t without its rewards.”

She inclined her head. “All right. Fast cars might be more fun than I’d pictured.” She tipped her face up to the sun, and he had to remind himself to keep his eyes on the road.

Hell, it was easy to spoil her. Back home he had a fleet of cars so expensive they’d make her eyes cross. A trip out in something sporty and fast was nothing new to him.

But it was all new to her.

Something bubbled inside him. An emotion he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Excitement? Joy? Both? It had been so long since anything in his life had surprised him. Yet Avery was a constant revelation.

When he was with her, everything felt new, despite the fact he’d already indulged in every extravagance known to man. But seeing the world through her eyes brought back the enjoyment that he’d once chased so single-mindedly. How would she react to a private tour of the world’s most famous museums? Or traveling by corporate jet to some of the most remote, untouched islands in existence? There was no end to the adventures his money could buy, and he longed to experience them all again with Avery by his side.

The smile slipped from his lips. Future trips weren’t in the cards for them. This was supposed to be temporary. When they left the island, their paths would only cross again professionally.

He wasn’t the sort of man who could stay with Avery longer than that. Not without hurting her in a way he’d never allow.

“Do you have a plan?”

Blinking, he turned her way, wondering if she’d somehow been listening in on his thoughts.

“For where we’re going,” she clarified.

He shook his head, shifting his attention back to the road. “Not everything needs to be planned out. Just relax and enjoy a ride through the stunning countryside with an equally stunning companion.”

A soft chuckle reached his ears. “Stunning, hmm?”

“Aren’t I?” he replied without an ounce of shame. They’d turned away from the beach to begin the slow climb farther inland. Already the beach palms had given way to lush, green, rolling fields.

“Something like that,” she said, brushing the loose strands of hair from her face. “I did some research on a few places to check out upcountry. They might be worth investigating for future tour opportunities.”

“Always working.”

Her head turned toward him. “That’s why I’m here.”

That’s only one reason why you’re here. And despite my desire to improve my hotel’s numbers, it’s quickly becoming secondary.

Wyatt would have a fit if he knew Hayden was placing more importance on Avery than on work. Pleasure was temporary. His business was the only constant in his life. One he’d poured his soul into. After Sophia, focusing on his hotels had been a way of keeping himself sane. It was his good fortune that his focus had transformed into millions.

When he’d finally lifted his nose from the grindstone, he’d been years older and ten times richer. But his success hadn’t filled the gaping hole in his chest. So he’d collected the best and brightest to ensure his company would thrive without his constant presence, and gone off to explore the world, determined to find something to patch himself back together.

Too bad he was still searching.

“All right, Wexton,” his companion said into the silence hanging between them. “I’ll try to relax a little. So long as we go to at least a few of the places on my list.”