Page 68 of Desperate Desires

Money I couldn’t even begin to understand.

No wonder he upped and bought a whole hospital wing.

But he did that for you, a voice whispered inside my brain. I shook my head.

Confusion was not my happy place, but it was running rampant inside me as I stared at my now husband waiting for answers.

“What? It’s not like it’s hard,” he answered.

I just stared at him and scoffed.

Was he nuts? Normal people didn’t just own islands.

“Come on. Everything is ready for us,” he murmured, taking my hand.

Short, stubby palm trees swayed in the surprisingly chilly breeze, but I was enchanted by the color and wonder of the beauty around us.

There were gravel roads with giant, flat-topped rocks lining the streets and I was charmed by the small cabins we passed on our way to what was an extraordinary main house.

I was still wearing his jacket and my ruined scrubs. I felt totally gross, wishing I’d had time to shower and change.

Silence reigned in the short Jeep ride, but as our destination appeared closer, I was blown away by what was possibly the most stunning home I’d ever seen. It just got better the closer we got to it.

The landscaping was gorgeous, using local plants and rocks to decorate the surrounding pathways.

Of course, the incredible private beach with its uninhibited view of the sea was pretty amazing, too.

The smaller houses we’d passed on the way were nice, but they had nothing on this. Ono had explained that was where the caretakers and airplane staff stayed when he was on the island.

I wondered how people lived like that, and he further explained it was only about a half hour ride by boat to other populated islands.

“Then I come here when I need to unwind, or I want to be alone.” He said.

And I frowned, wondering how many women before me had come with him to the space. Jealousy blindsided me and I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

“No one, Bellezza,” he said, pausing and turning to face me. “I’ve never brought anyone here but you.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Instead, I took the time to look around.

The house was a one level modern construct with window walls and a clay tiled roof.

The appearance was rustic, but I knew from my experience with Micky’s family that it would be outfitted with the best security and tech.

“Are you hungry? I had groceries delivered,” he started.

“Um, actually, I was hoping for a shower?” I said, even though it sounded more like a question, as we entered the home.

“Shit. Sorry, you’re right. Come on,” he said, and took my hand.

Ono lead me through the house to an enormous bathroom with a huge window wall overlooking the private beach.

“This is beautiful,” I murmured, my eyes eating up the view.

“You like it? Good. This used to be a pirate cove. Smugglers used it to hide their goods from patrolling naval ships. The windows are one way. No one can see inside,” he explained as he opened the glass door to a beautiful six-headed shower stall and turned on the water.

“Oh, um, I can do that,” I said, feeling a little bashful suddenly.

“I got it. You go on and get undressed.”

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