She had come into his life to show him what he was capable of feeling. And when he finally opened up to her, he would give her so much love and intimacy, her heart would overflow with it. With a renewed sense of clarity, she went to her desk and began writing the final scenes of her new novel. It was deep in the night by the time she typed “the end.” It was the best thing she’d ever written—because it was about the man she loved, she knew it would be a hit.
Chapter 12
In the morning, Mina began submitting her novel to every romance publisher on the planet—big and small, domestic and foreign, anyone who was willing to accept an unsolicited manuscript. Somebody somewhere would see the value of her story. She simply knew it because it was about the first time she’d really fallen in love.
That kiss last night had made it all so clear. She knew that underneath all that hardness was a man crying out for affection. He needed it more than anyone she’d ever met. She was the girl who could give it to him. When she finally opened his heart, all the love she’d craved would come pouring out.
Spencer sent her a text message before breakfast, reminding her that she needed to pack the appropriate outfits for their trip to Tahiti. She hurried to the dining room for breakfast but found him already gone.
As she stood in the dining room, disappointed and confused, the butler, Charles, informed her that Spencer had left for business early that morning and would meet her in his private jet at the airport. Mina ate her breakfast alone, sent out her manuscript to a few more publishers, and then completed her packing for the trip.
When it was time to go, Charles helped her carry her things down to the limo. Forty-five minutes later, she walked up the stairs into Spencer’s private jet.
She couldn’t believe she was traveling like this. Taking a private jet to Tahiti was something she’d never expected to happen in her life. Inside, Mina found Spencer sitting in a white leather bucket seat, talking on the phone with one of his executives.
He looked up at her and waved toward the seat across from him, barely acknowledging her existence before he went back to barking at the person on the other end of the phone. Mina told herself he really didn’t mean to be so rude. He just didn’t know how to act. He didn’t understand romance, feelings, or love.
The pilot announced it was time to take off, and they taxied out to the runway. Spencer finally hung up the phone and looked up at her with a faint smile. There was a glint of apprehension in his eyes.
He seemed nervous, like a twelve-year-old boy looking at his first crush. Mina bit her lip, recognizing his expression for what it was. She had to be careful. She couldn’t chase him away now that he had let himself open up a little.
“We’re exactly on time,” he said. “I commend your punctuality.”
“I had some things to take care of this morning, but I got them done early.”
“Early to bed, early to rise, as they say.”
“Yes. It’s been coming in handy. I think you’re a good influence on me.”
“I can see that.”
“I finished my novel this morning.”
“The one about…us?” His voice squeaked.
“Want to read it?”
He drummed his fingers on the tray in front of him and pursed his lips. “Perhaps I can find the time for that. I would be interested in knowing what my wife does since so many other people are interested.”
“I can see how that would be useful.” She took the cup of coffee offered to her by the flight attendant.
“I’m going to be very busy in Tahiti with the opening. I hope you brought something to occupy yourself because I won’t be able to look after you the whole time.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. I can take care of myself.”
“Good. I knew we could make an excellent team.”
Mina fell asleep halfway through the flight and woke up with the sun beaming into her eyes through the tiny window beside her. She grumbled and wiped the drool from her face.
“We’re here.” Spencer checked his watch. “I have much to attend to. I’ll show you to your room when we get to the resort, but then you will be on your own.”
“Okey doke.” She rubbed her eyes. “How long have I been out?”
“For almost six hours.”
“Did you sleep at all? You look as fresh as when we left.”
“No. I only sleep four hours a night—even less when I’m opening a hotel.”
“Wow, how do you manage?”
“Self-discipline. And green smoothies. Being a dragon shifter helps, of course.”
She stretched, yawned, and accepted Spencer’s hand when he offered it. Spencer led her down the stairs and into the waiting limo.
“Your bags have already been loaded,” Spencer told her. “We’ll be at the resort in fifteen minutes.”
“I need to go back to sleep. I’m exhausted from writing all night.”
The day was warm and bright, the sky crystal-blue without a single cloud in sight. They drove past the white sandy beaches and the lapping turquoise waters of the Pacific.
She lowered her window and took a deep breath of the balmy ocean air. The fragrance of tropical flowers hung on the breeze, and Mina thought for a moment that she really had entered paradise.
When they made it to the Camden Resort, she was stunned by the splendor. It was built in a modern style but had a hint of the native and colonial past. There was a massive arch covered with tropical flowers over the front drive
Inside the glass front doors, she found a lobby with a domed ceiling that rose three stories overhead. A wall of water trickled down into a stream that ran through the slate floor to the pool outside.
The lobby opened out onto a grand veranda, where a huge swimming pool seemed to merge with the ocean beyond. Tropical flowers bloomed all around, filling the air with an intoxicating fragrance.
“Come.” Spenser wrapped her arm around his. “We have the presidential suite.”
They took the elevator up to the top floor. The double doors at the end of the hall opened into an open living room with long white couches, a full kitchen, a dining area, and a big-screen TV that was cleverly concealed behind a wall.
“Your room will be through there.” He pointed. “I would have booked us separate suites, but with the grand opening, it was better to leave room for guests.”
“I totally understand,” she said, happy they would spend a little bit of time together.
“I need to go. Ring the lobby if you need anything. Tell them you’re my wife.”
She stood in the middle of the room. Her bags had already been stowed away in her room on the other side of an open door. She wanted to go to Spencer and wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him the way he’d kissed her the other night. But she was stuck in place, unable to move.
“You will probably be sleeping when I return. Don’t wait up. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He disappeared out the front door, and Mina was alone. Again. She stared at the door, wishing he’d come back, wishing he’d tell her the truth about how he felt about her, but he didn’t.
She sighed and turned to her bedroom. If she couldn’t get Spencer’s attention, at least she was in this fabulous resort. Every detail was exquisite. Spencer and his team really did an amazing job.
This was the second of his hotels she’d been to, and it was even more impressive than the last. The Beverly Hills location had a certain LA swank to it. The Tahiti resort was all about tropical splendor.
She went into the bedroom, slipped out of her shoes, and lay on the bed for a long time, unable to sleep. Finally, she got up and looked for the room service menu. Finding it in a welcome packet near a fruit basket on the dining room table, she sat and perused the offerings.
Everything sounded delicious. It was all upscale, five-star-resort food. Mina wanted a hamburger, maybe the hamburger with pineapple on it, since she was in the tropics. She picked up the phone.
“I’ll have your pineappl
e burger, medium well with french fries and a strawberry shake. I’m in the presidential suite.”
“Coming right up, Mrs. Camden,” the waiter said.
“Oh, I’m not…” Then she caught herself. Like she’d said herself to Winston Jacobs, she was Mrs. Camden. For better or worse, she was going to own it.
“Yes, bring it right up. My husband asked me to inspect the quality of the room service.” She snickered at herself. Mina had worked hard all her life and never had tried to present herself as an important person. But playing at it was kind of fun.
“Yes ma’am. We’ll have it up to you right away.”
She giggled when she hung up the phone, looking forward to a big juicy burger. She went into the living room and searched for the controls that would reveal the TV.
She pressed a bunch of buttons on the remote controls until the wall slid away. She pressed some more buttons, and the TV came on. When she found the menu, she realized that she had about four hundred stations to choose from in multiple languages.
“Wow.” Then she checked what new movies she could watch. She had been so busy working on her book since she’d moved in the penthouse with Spencer that she hadn’t spent any time hanging out and relaxing. After writing a book in a few days, it was time for some hardcore chilling.
All the rental movies were available for free at the press of a button. Being the wife of a billionaire really did have its benefits. She giggled. There was a knock at the door. She told them to come in, and the waiter rolled her tray in front of the TV.
“Thank you very much.” She pulled out some cash that Spencer had left her for tips.
“Thank you, ma’am. I hope the meal is to your liking.” He removed the silver dome from her plate.
She picked up the strawberry milkshake and took a long draw through the straw.
“This is good.”
“You need anything else?”
“I’m good.” She slurped up more shake.
He bowed slightly then disappeared through the front door. Mina turned on one of the movies she’d been wanting to see, dug into her hamburger, and got ready for a pleasant night of chillaxing in a luxury resort hotel room. The only thing that could have made it any better was being with her husband. He was her husband. Someday, she told herself, he would feel it too.
Chapter 13
Spencer returned to the presidential suite late in the night and was up early the next morning before the sun rose. He was always full of energy when he opened a new resort. This time was no different. He prepared to leave the suite, glancing at Mina’s door on the way out.
He wanted to see her, to talk to her, gaze into her warm, teasing eyes, and feel her touch on his chest. His inner dragon growled. He shook his head. He didn’t have time for these feelings. And he never would. He refused to let these stirring emotions distract him from what was important: his work.
He grimaced at himself and closed the door. He had back-to-back meetings until late in the night. He hurried to the elevator and rode down to the first floor. Before beginning his tour of the facility he had scheduled for that morning, he drew his phone from his pocket and typed out a quick text message.
“We should meet tonight to discuss our arrangement,” he typed to Mina. “Wear something appropriate. I will meet you in the dining room at eight.”
If he squeezed his appointments together and skipped lunch, he would be able to see her tonight. He kept telling himself he only needed to see her to iron out their business agreement, but deep down, he knew that wasn’t true.
He wanted to see her because he missed her. He loved spending time with her. He loved her easy smile and her bright eyes. He loved her innocence and kindness. He loved that she was good to him when he gave her no reason to be.
He loved her.
He growled at the thought. He didn’t love her. He didn’t love anyone. What he loved was accomplishment and success. He loved closing the deal and opening a hotel. That was it, and it always would be. Mina L’Amour had gotten under his skin. And if it weren’t for how profitable she had already proven to be, he would have nipped this in the bud as soon as the inheritance was secured.
He wanted to contract her for another year because their arrangement was benefiting him financially. Tonight was just a way to secure that arrangement for a longer period. It wasn’t about seeing her curves in a formfitting dress or making her smile. It wasn’t about watching her excitement when she witnessed the luxury and splendor he had to offer. It was business.
Spencer knew he could tell himself that until the end of time, but it wasn’t true. Try as he might, he couldn’t suppress the feelings bubbling up inside him, feelings for Mina—soft, tender feelings he had never experienced before.
It made him all warm and fuzzy and extremely uncomfortable. But he couldn’t stop it. He couldn’t make it go away. When she texted back that she would love to see him tonight at eight, he knew in his heart that he didn’t want to make his budding feelings go away. He wanted more. He wanted her.
* * *
Spencer’s text woke her, but Mina went back to sleep soon after responding. She got out of bed when the sun was already reaching its zenith. She stepped through the glass French doors onto the patio, and the tropical breeze blew through her hair and ruffled her silky pajamas as she gazed out at the white sandy beach.
There were no guests in the resort yet. Today, she would have the entire place to herself. The turquoise waters lapped against the shore, and the tropical landscaping, full of hibiscus flowers and jasmine, filled the air with sweetness.
She turned away from the beautiful view and back into her luxurious room. Sometimes, Mina had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. Everything was perfect and beautiful in her world now. Or it would be if Spencer were with her.
She picked up her cell phone and reread the text from Spencer. It was cool and distant, the way Spencer always addressed her, except when his guard was down. She remembered their kiss. That had been anything but cold and distant. It had been full of heat and desire. She was certain he wanted her as much as she wanted him. He could no longer hide it after a kiss like that.
Mina sat at her desk and opened her laptop. Going through her emails, she answered a message from Kayla and one from her mother asking about her trip to Tahiti.
As she finished responding to her friends and family, a new message popped up on the screen. She blinked several times. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Did it say what she thought it said? Publishing companies never got back to writers this quickly.
She smashed her finger on the touchpad, opening the message. Her heartbeat buzzed in her ears as she read the words, once, twice, then three times. She put her hand to her forehead, unable to believe what she was reading.
“Dear Miss L’Amour,
I am a senior editor at Open Hearts Romance, and your manuscript, The Billionaire’s Arranged Bride, recently came across my desk with a recommendation from a colleague who had recently read your blog. I picked up the manuscript to take a quick glance at the opening page but got so absorbed in the story that I missed my lunch meeting.
Needless to say, this is uncommon in my business. I was absolutely blown away. I would like to offer you a publishing contract with a generous advance of five hundred thousand dollars. The contract terms are attached to this email. Please respond at your soonest possible convenience. The Billionaire’s Arranged Bride is perfect for Open Hearts Romance. And we don’t want to miss the chance to publish this sweet, engaging story.
Yours truly, Beatrice Higginbotham, Senior editor, Open Hearts Romance.”
Mina pushed herself away from the desk. Sweat erupted on her brow. She blinked a dozen times, trying to make sense of what she had just read. Could it possibly be true? Was it really happening? Was Open Hearts offering to publish her book?
She paced the room, her arms folded tightly over her chest. She looked back at the laptop and read the email for the tenth time. Yep. It said what it said. They
wanted to give her five hundred thousand dollars for her manuscript. That was unheard of for a new author. She couldn’t believe it.
After all her submissions and rejections over the last few years, she had hoped at best for someone to give her a positive rejection. A tiny advance with a promise to publish would have left her overjoyed. But this? She could barely breathe.
Open Hearts Romance was the premier romance publisher in the industry. Her life would be completely changed forever. Success had fallen in her lap, out of nowhere, as if granted to her by a fairy godmother. She put her hand on her damp, fevered forehead and tried to calm down.
She was going to have to think about this. Let it sink in. And what better way to let a mind-boggling success sink in than to spend the day at a tropical resort? She let out a deep breath. Things were looking up in her life, and she was going to have to accept that. She couldn’t go around fainting every time something good happened. Her shoulders slowly relaxed, and her heartbeat returned to normal. It was time to go and get her suntan on.
Mina showered and dressed in a bikini with a maxi dress and made her way down to the dining room for breakfast. The daily buffet was set up for the pre-opening guests who consisted of investors, executives, construction supervisors, and suppliers.
She went down the line, scooping delicious food onto her plate, and sat by herself by the window. She looked at her phone, wanting to tell Spencer her good news. She knew he was busy. Tomorrow morning, the resort would officially open with a big blowout ceremony when all the guests arrived. He had promised to see her tonight, and she would tell him the good news then. Of all the people in her life, she wanted to tell him first.
She wanted him to be proud of her, to see her as an equal, someone who could take care of herself. She couldn’t wait for him to know that she’d made it. It was really happening for her.