At the Tycoon's Service. Maya Banks
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her surprise, the jeweler plucked the one she’d been staring at and handed it to Chrysander. Chrysander slid it onto her finger, and it fit perfectly. It was smaller than the others, and simple, but it suited her. A single sapphire-cut solitaire sparkled on her finger, and suddenly she had no wish to take it off.
“You like it,” Chrysander said.
“I love it,” she whispered, then looked quickly up at Chrysander. “But if you’d prefer another, I don’t mind.”
“We’ll take this one,” Chrysander told the jeweler.
If the jeweler was disappointed, he didn’t show it as he smiled broadly at the couple. He efficiently boxed the jewelry back up and stored it in a briefcase that he locked. A few minutes later, Chrysander walked the jeweler out to the waiting helicopter but not before issuing Marley a stern order not to move from her spot.
She giggled as he left. He looked so exasperated, but then he was probably used to people obeying his every command and staying where they were put. A sudden thought horrified her. Had she been one of those people? Surely not. She may have lost her memory, but she hadn’t had a personality transplant.
With that in mind, she left the library and went in search of something to eat. Her nonbreakfast was now a regret as her stomach protested.
Before she could open the refrigerator, she heard Chrysander enter the kitchen.
“How did I know you would not be where I left you?” he said.
She turned around and smiled sweetly. “Because you didn’t ask nicely?”
He let out a low laugh, a sexy sound that vibrated right up her spine. “I’ve asked the helicopter to return in an hour’s time. If you are feeling well enough, I thought we could go visit the ruins you were interested in and maybe take in some of the other sights.”
“Oh, I’d love to!” Forgotten was food or anything else as she hurried across and threw herself into Chrysander’s arms. She hugged him tightly in her excitement.
Chrysander chuckled again. “Am I forgiven then for being no fun?”
She pulled back and made a face. “Trust you to throw my words back at me. But yes, you are forgiven. Let me just go change.”
“Bring a sweater,” he cautioned. “It will grow cooler toward evening.”
She started to hurry off, but he caught her hand and pulled her back to him. She landed against his chest and looked up to see his mouth just inches from her own.
“Surely I deserve a reward?” he murmured.
She licked her lips, and he groaned. “I suppose a little one wouldn’t be remiss,” she said huskily.
His mouth closed over hers, and she melted into his arms. She trembled as he deepened his kiss, and a small moan escaped her lips.
He pulled away, his eyes blazing. “I better take you upstairs to change, or we will not be going anywhere but to bed.”
She grinned impishly then pulled away and headed for the stairs. Not that she thought she’d get far, and she didn’t. He caught up with her before her foot hit the first step.
She gave him an exasperated look as they climbed the stairs. “I am perfectly capable of navigating the stairs on my own, Chrysander. I’m not completely helpless.”
“I can be a reasonable man. Just not in this matter,” he said arrogantly. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to live with the fact that I intend to take care of you.”
She rolled her eyes, but a smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. She could tell she strained his patience, and for some reason that amused her.
He waited while she changed and handed her a sweater when she was finished. She laid it over her arm, and once again he took her down the stairs and out to the helipad, where the helicopter waited.
Soon they were flying over the water and a while later landed in Corinth. A car was waiting, and to her surprise, Chrysander put her into the passenger seat of the Mercedes then slid into the driver’s seat himself.
“I do know how to drive,” he said dryly when she looked at him questioningly.
She laughed. “It’s just that I’ve never seen you do so.” She frowned as she realized what she’d said. “What I mean is, I haven’t seen you drive since…”
He laid a hand over hers. “I know what you meant, Marley. True, I don’t drive very often. I’m usually occupied with business matters, but I have a car both here and in New York.”
She settled into the soft leather seat as he drove away from the airport.
They spent much of the morning walking among the ruins. He explained the history, but she was more focused on the fact that it was a beautiful autumn day and they were together. No annoying personal assistants, no doctors or nurses, no business calls or faxes. It was, in a word, perfect.
“You’re not paying a bit of attention, pedhaki mou.” Chrysander’s amused voice filtered through her haze of contentment.
She blushed and turned to look at him. “I’m sorry. I’m enjoying it, truly.”
“Are you ready to return to the island?” he asked. “I’m not overtiring you, am I?” The amusement had turned to concern, and if she didn’t dissuade him of the notion that she was not well, she’d find herself bundled back on the helicopter and her perfect day would be at its end.
“Tell me about your family. You’ve said nothing about them. I realize the information may be redundant, but since I can’t remember any of it, perhaps you could humor me.”
“What would you like to know?” he asked.
“Anything. Everything. Are your parents still living? You don’t talk about them.”
A flash of pain showed in his eyes, and she immediately regretted the question.
“They died some years back in a yachting accident,” he said.
She slipped her hand into his and squeezed comfortingly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up such a painful subject.”
“It’s been a long time,” he said with a shrug. But she could tell speaking of them bothered him.
She opened her mouth to change the topic when he suddenly frowned and lowered his other hand to his pocket. He pulled out his cell phone and studied it for a moment before opening it and putting it to his ear.
“Roslyn,” he said shortly, after a quick glance at Marley.
Marley stiffened and pulled her hand away from Chrysander’s. Trust his assistant to know just when to call. She must have radar.
She could see the tension rise in Chrysander, and when he looked in her direction, it was as though he stared right through her.
“Everything is fine here,” Chrysander said. “Find out from Piers how things are going for the Rio de Janeiro hotel and report back.” There was a long pause. “No, I don’t know when we’ll return to New York.” He glanced again at Marley, and she got the distinct impression Roslyn was talking about her. “No, of course not,” he said in a soothing voice. “I appreciate your diligence, Roslyn. You’ll be the first to know when I plan to leave the island.”
Marley looked away in disgust, no longer able to listen to his part of the conversation. A few moments later, he snapped the phone shut and put it into his pocket. As expected, when she turned back to him, his entire demeanor had changed for the worse. He looked at her almost suspiciously, though she couldn’t imagine why. But she wasn’t imagining it. There was a distinct change in his mood.
“I’m sorry for the interruption,” he said almost formally. “What were we talking about?”
“Tell me about your hotels,” she