The Tycoon Takes a Wife (15 page)

Lima, Peru: Two Months Later

S
he had dreamed she was draped in jewels.

Languishing in twilight slumber, Eloisa Landis skimmed her fingers along the bare arm of the man sleeping next to her. She’d had the sweetest dream that her husband had showered her with emeralds and rubies and fat freshwater pearls while they’d made love. She stroked up Jonah’s arms to face, his five-o’clock shadow rasping against her tender fingertips.

Eloisa flipped to her back and stretched, extending her arm so the sun refracted off her cushion-cut diamond ring to go alongside her wedding band. Early morning light streaked through the wrought-iron window grilles in the adobe manor home he’d rented for the summer. A gentle breeze rustled the linen draping over the bed.

What was it about this man that took her breath away?

His hand fell to her hip and she smiled.

Yeah, she knew exactly what drew her to him. Everything.

Growling low, he hauled her against his side. “The rubies, definitely the rubies,” he said as he peeked through one eye, apparently not as asleep as she’d imagined. He flicked the dangling gems on her ears. “I’ve been dreaming of draping you in jewels for over a year.”

“You certainly played out that fantasy last night.” She reached underneath her to sweep free a sapphire bracelet that was poking into her back.

How delightfully ironic that he was the one giving her jewels and castles. Not that she needed any of it. She had peace and excitement, stability and adventure all at once with the man she loved. “You certainly brought along a king’s ransom in jewels.”

“Because you’re a Landis, lady. That makes you American royalty.” He rolled her underneath him, elbows propped.

Royalty. The word didn’t make her wince anymore. She was coming to peace with that part of herself. She’d visited her father again. His health was still waning, his liver failing. She would have to face that, no more hiding for her. But thank goodness she had Jonah at her side to deal with the worst when it came around.

Jonah kissed her lightly, comforting, as if he read her thoughts, something he seemed to do more and more often these days.

Audrey and Joey were well on their way to opening a catering business in Maine, of all places. They said they planned to bring a little southern spice into lobster.
Harry planned to join them and manage the books, always looking out for his daughter’s financial future.

Eloisa’s family was expanding rapidly, with the Landises due in for a long weekend visit. Ginger had mandated they all needed to get to know their new relative better. Eloisa appreciated the overture. How silly to get so excited about being the belle of the ball.

But she couldn’t help herself. The Landises had a way of making her feel special and welcome.

A part of their family.

Jonah toyed with the beaded pearls strung through her hair. “Have you given any thought to where you would like to live?”

“I figure when the right restoration project comes around for our home, we’ll know it.”

He gave her hair a light tug. “Can you narrow that down to a country for me?”

“Nope—” she threaded her fingers through his hair, drawing him down to her “—I’m through limiting my options out of preconceived notions.” She nestled her leg more firmly between his, grazing him with the gold-flecked garter belt around her thigh. “Now, it’s all about the possibilities.”