Entranced (The ROGUES Billionaire #1) - Tracie Delaney Page 0,65

in a cherry-apple red—the deep tones of the chiffon contrasted beautifully with her dark hair, as I’d known it would when I’d selected it for this occasion. I’d placed it on the bed for her while she took a shower.

“I thought we could eat at the hotel for dinner this evening. We’re only here for such a short time, and while I’d love to have you all to myself, the hotel chef is particularly renowned. Last year he made the list for the top ten chefs in the world.”

“He did?”

“So I’m reliably informed.”

“Ooh, yummy.” She held the dress against her body. “This is beautiful, by the way. But you shouldn’t have. It must have cost a fortune.”

I rolled my eyes. “Get dressed, Athena.”

She saluted. “Sir, yes, sir.”

I launched to my feet, chasing her into the bedroom.

She darted around to the other side of the bed, holding the dress out in front of her like a shield. “Ryker, no,” she warned. “You’ll wrinkle this gorgeous dress.”

“Like I care,” I said, prowling toward her.

She squealed and ran into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Tinkling laughter reached me through the thick wood. I chuckled in response. I may only be twenty-eight, but there had been many occasions in the past seven years—since ROGUES took off—that I’d felt much older than my years. Such was the cloak of responsibility of running a global company when I’d barely graduated from college weighing heavily upon me. Athena reminded me I was still a young man and that I shouldn’t take myself too seriously. She’d given me back my smile, stolen my heart, filled my life with riches far beyond those of the green bill variety.

I returned to the living room and poured a glass of scotch. Standing at the back of the villa, facing the swimming pool, I buried a hand in my pants pocket and sipped my drink while watching the moonlight dance off the calm water, the speech I’d spent the last week preparing running through my head. This was the right time. I could only hope Athena received it well.

“Ta-da,” she said.

I turned around slowly, and a slug of desire struck the pit of my stomach.

The dress I’d chosen fit her like a second skin, the color a perfect contrast to Athena’s dark, wavy hair and lightly tanned skin. The off-the-shoulder design revealed toned shoulders, and the neckline dipped between her breasts, giving me a glimpse of perfect cleavage.

I crooked a finger. “You’re stunning.”

She glided toward me, the chiffon swishing around her ankles as she moved.

I stroked a hand over my chin. “Something’s missing, though.”

Her face fell. She smoothed her hands over her hips. “You don’t like it?”

“I love it. But it needs…” I opened the drawer where I’d hidden the jewelry I’d bought to go along with the dress. Placing the box in my palm, I opened the lid.

Athena gasped. She reached out, tentatively, her fingertips caressing the diamond-and-ruby necklace and matching earrings. “Ryker,” she breathed. “It’s too much.”

I set the box on the coffee table and removed the necklace. “Nothing is too much for you. Turn around.”

She did as I asked. I fitted the necklace and fastened the clasp, then handed her the earrings—not something I’d like to attempt to insert. She put them in, then met my gaze, waiting for my reaction. I traced my knuckles over her soft cheek, slowly inching down. I etched a line over her clavicle, across the top of her breasts, dipping into her cleavage.

“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, and you’re mine. Have you any idea how it makes me feel to know I’m the only man who has ever been inside you, who’s explored every inch of your body with my hands, my tongue, my mouth? To know that I’m the one you waited for?”

“No,” she whispered hoarsely. “Tell me.”

“I feel like a giant, Athena, like I could conquer the world. Your love gives me so much power, I’m drunk on it. On you. My only regret? I waited far too long to tell you. I wasted too much time trying to deny my destiny, my soul mate. And it made me hellishly miserable.”

Her eyes glistened, but I knew they were happy tears. I caught one as it clung to her lashes. “No crying. You’ll ruin your makeup.” I stuck out my arm. “Let’s go eat. I want to see if this chef lives up to the hype.”

We took a short walk through the gardens to the main area