Page 12 of The Reluctant Billionaire

Nessa smiled. “Later.”

And with that answer, Jace had to be content, as Cory’s sharp whistle called them up the beach for lunch.

Chapter Five

Nessa nudged Jace. “Wake up.”

“Huh!” His eyes snapped open. “Whoa. I was pretty sound asleep, huh?” Yawning and stretching, he rubbed at the back of his head.

“I don’t think the boat engine had even started before you were snoozing on my shoulder.” She smiled at him. “You’re still not fully recovered, huh?”

“Pneumonia really knocks the stuffing out of you,” Jace admitted, “and it’s been a pretty big day. Sorry. Didn’t mean to drop off on you.”

“It’s fine!” She squeezed his hand lightly. “I wouldn’t have woken you up, except we’re almost home.” She nodded forward, and he looked to see they were indeed slowing to move into Sunfish Island’s dock.

“So we are.” He hesitated a moment before saying, “Would you like to come back to the villa with me? I’ve got a fridge full of food, we can easily throw together something for dinner.”

“Sounds lovely,” Nessa said, enthusiasm clear in her tone.

Jace had taken the golf cart stored in the villa’s small garage to get to the dock that morning. He gestured to it now as they disembarked and bid farewell to Cory. “I didn’t think my legs would be up to walking back after a day spent swimming and snorkeling.”

“My legs thank you for the consideration.” Nessa tossed her bag into the back and settled into the plush leather passenger seat with a sigh of contentment. “And so does my butt; this is so much more comfy than those hard plastic seats on the boat!”

“Wait until you try out the showers at the villa.” Jace grinned, getting in and starting the cart.

“Giant shower roses?”

“Yup, with super-high pressure. Not only that, they have adjustable jets coming at you from every direction.”

Nessa moaned. “Drive faster.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jace chuckled. “It’s just up ahead.”

“This one?” Nessa gaped as they approached and Jace pushed a button on the dash to open the garage door. “Wow, this is one of the best locations on the island!”

“Oh?” Jace said, deliberately obtuse.

“I’ve always loved the design of this house, too. Lucky you, to be friends with the owners,” Nessa sighed enviously as they parked inside and got out of the golf cart. “Well, at least I get to be nosy and look around inside!”

“Poke your nose anywhere you like. I have free run of the place,” Jace said, with absolute honesty.

Nessa gazed around admiringly as they entered the house proper, taking everything in: the high ceilings, the glass doors which slid all the way back to give an unobstructed view over the pool to the ocean, the imported Carrara marble tiles on the floor. Even the furniture looked architecturally designed, though still somehow temptingly comfortable. There were a few books and a laptop lying on the coffee table, but otherwise the place was very tidy and barely looked inhabited. Jace was obviously not a slob, she noted approvingly, as she glanced into the kitchen and saw no dirty dishes on the counter or in the sink.

“All the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms,” Jace said. “There’s one on this level and four upstairs.”

Nessa didn’t hesitate before saying, “Which one are you using?”

“The one on this level… too lazy to walk upstairs when I’m tired.” He smiled self-deprecatingly. “You’re welcome to use any of the others.”

“Or I could share yours.” Her eyes held his.

Jace drew a deep breath. “You’re very welcome to share mine. Why don’t you go have a shower while I quickly throw something together for dinner?”

“Sounds good,” Nessa agreed, though she’d been rather hoping Jace might come shower with her. On the other hand, they were both sticky and sandy; a chance to wash up and eat first would be welcome.

“Right in here.” He opened a door and showed her into a stunning bedroom suite, sharing the same magnificent views as the main room. The king-sized bed was made up with what Nessa guessed were silk sheets, in a stunning shade of turquoise blue. A door on the other side of the room opened into a lavishly appointed bathroom; plush towels in the same shade of turquoise hung on chrome towel racks on the wall. A third door led to a huge walk-in closet, with a few of Jace’s things taking up scant space on the hangers and shelves.

“Wow,” Nessa said, mouth open. She’d never seen a bedroom suite like this, and Jace had said the house had four more of them. “I guess this is how the other half live, huh?”

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