The Reluctant Billionaire Page 2

  “Really?” He blinked at her. “Uh…”

  “You’re wondering why I’m still tending bar rather than earning a fortune in practice somewhere, right? I don’t need to be a mind-reader to figure that one out. Almost everyone who knows I’ve got my doctorate has asked me the question at some point.”

  “Well, yeah.” She was as sharp as she was beautiful, Jace found himself thinking, propping his elbows on the bar and listening in fascination as she spoke.

  “I practiced for a year and realized I’d made a huge mistake.” Nessa shrugged, leaning back against one of the low refrigerators behind her, arms folded over her chest. “Being responsible for other people’s mental health is a massive burden, and one I was never really ready to take on.”

  “You lost a patient?” Jace guessed astutely.

  “I lost a whole bunch of them. I was the junior staff psychiatrist at Wacol detention center in Brisbane. There was a prison riot.” Nessa’s eyes went dark and distant. “Four dead, all patients I’d seen in the previous month. Five more transferred to maximum security jails elsewhere.”

  “I’m sorry,” Jace said quietly, knowing the sentiment was inadequate. Knowing she’d always blame herself, wonder if she could have seen it coming, could have done something to prevent it. “That must have been very difficult.”

  “As far as I was concerned, it was career-ending.” Nessa picked up a clean glass and a cloth, and started polishing it unnecessarily. “I could have gone back, but I didn’t want to. I tended bar throughout my degree and honestly I loved it. I went back to it permanently and decided to make it my career for good. Luke headhunted me for the resort about a year ago, and I never want to leave.” She set the glass back into the rack of clean ones with a small smile. “So now I just dispense gentle advice and excellent drinks to people who are usually trying to relax anyway.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Jace lifted his near-empty glass to her, thinking as he did so he almost envied Nessa her confidence, her surety she was now on the right path, even if it might not be the one she’d directed so much of her life to following. “Can I buy you one?” he offered on impulse.

  “Thank you, but I don’t drink on duty and I’m comped as much free soda as I can drink.” Nessa shook her head at him with a smile, wondering as she did so why she’d told him so much of her story. She didn’t usually open up to people this way on first meeting. There was something about Jace, though, something in his light blue eyes which made her think he would be a difficult person to lie to. “Another one of those?” She nodded at his glass.

  “Better not, I haven’t eaten for a few hours and I haven’t had alcohol in a few weeks. I’ll be all over the place.”

  “Drying out?”

  “I’ve been ill, actually. Pneumonia.”

  Nessa nodded. She’d suspected something of the sort from the way his clothes hung a little on his frame, the gauntness of his cheeks, and the sallow tint to his skin. “Sunfish is a great place for recovery,” she said. “Warm weather, great atmosphere. You staying long?”

  Jace didn’t detect any nosiness in the question; just natural curiosity. “Couple weeks, probably,” he replied. “Maybe I’ll see you around again.”

  “I’ll be here.” She tossed him a smile. “This is my bar. Eleven ‘til seven, every day.”

  “You don’t get any days off?” That didn’t seem right. He’d have to speak to Luke about that; the staff needed personal time--

  “Of course I do. It varies which ones, though. Depends on when I can get someone to cover.”

  “I see.” He played with his empty glass, picking up the cherry and eating it before some impulse made him say, “Since you finish at seven, would you maybe care to have dinner with me?”

  Nessa paused, her always-busy hands stilling on the glasses she’d been sorting. “Staff members aren’t allowed to fraternize with resort guests.”

  “Fair enough, but I’m not technically a resort guest, am I? I’m staying in one of the villas.”

  She hesitated, then shook her head. “I have plans with some friends tonight.”

  Jace smiled, not taking offense. “Maybe another night.”

  “Maybe.” She tipped her head noncommittally.

  “It’s been nice chatting with you, Nessa.” He stood, stretched his arms up toward the sky with a sigh. “Oof, been too long since I did any exercise. I’m stiff just from that walk.”

  “Are you planning to walk back? Because it’s gonna be dark soon, and we’re up in the tropics here, we don’t really get a twilight period. It goes from full light to pitch dark very fast.”

  “I’ve noticed that, watching the sunsets the last couple of days,” Jace agreed with a nod.

  “You don’t want to be out on that trail in the dark. You won’t be able to see your footing, might take a nasty fall…”

  “You worried about me?” He gave her a cheeky smile. “Don’t worry. I was planning on walking up to the main resort to see a friend who works there. I’ll see if I can get him to give me a ride back in one of the golf carts.”

  “That sounds like a good plan.” Nessa found herself watching as Jace stretched again, the hem of his T-shirt riding up to reveal a flat, toned stomach… was that actually a six-pack? He was an attractive man, she thought a little unwillingly, even with shaggy hair and a scruffy beard. She liked her men a little more clean-cut normally, but there was definitely something about Jace. Maybe it was those hypnotic light blue eyes. “See you again sometime.”

  “I certainly hope so.” He gave her another broad smile before turning and heading off toward the main resort.

  Nessa watched him until he was out of sight, wondering if she would indeed see him again. She didn’t shake herself out of her reverie until a customer sat down at the bar and coughed politely to attract her attention.

  Chapter Two

  Jace ambled toward the main resort, taking his time to look at the beautiful surroundings, the immaculately tended gardens. The private cabins placed discreetly away from the path looked inviting; he thought he would rather enjoy one of those, maybe more so than the large, empty villa he was rattling around in at the moment. It hadn’t exactly been designed for one person.

  Smiling at his own foolishness, he strolled on, his mind back on the woman he’d just met. Nessa was an intriguing, beautiful puzzle; he found himself disappointed she’d declined his dinner invitation, and not just because he was lonely for any company. She interested him far more than the women he usually met, glossy, corporate ladder-climbers in New York who seemed more interested in his position and connections than in him as a human. Nessa seemed real; her honesty about her past only made him curious to know more.

  Of course, her beauty didn’t hurt either, he acknowledged to himself as he walked up the white marble steps into the main resort. Whatever genetic mixture had produced Nessa, it had gifted her with the kind of traffic-stopping looks which would probably have made her a successful catwalk model if she were about eight inches taller. Her face was imprinted in his memory: those wide, light-amber eyes, high cheekbones and delicately pointed chin, full soft lips curved into a knowing little smile.

  “Shake it off,” Jace told himself firmly. “She turned you down. She probably gets hit on twenty times a day, with a face like that.” He’d stop by another afternoon and say hi, maybe gently repeat the offer, and if she said no again, he’d accept gracefully and shut his mouth. Pursuing a woman who didn’t want to be chased was a dick move, and it wasn’t like he ever lacked for feminine attention. With his looks and money…

  Jace snorted, chuckling at himself. The last thing he wanted Nessa to be was the kind of woman who’d be interested in his money. How would she know he had any, besides? And as for looks… he raised his hand, ruefully running it over his scraggly beard. If he wanted to impress Nessa with those, he was going to need to clean up some.

  Entering the main reception, he paused for a moment to admire the glass-domed atrium, the shimmering marble floor
, and the huge tank of tropical fish opposite the reception desk. Hunter Enterprises had spent millions of dollars on Sunfish Island, and the money showed. The main building was magnificent, beautiful architecture and artistic design everywhere the eye settled.

  Approaching the reception dress, he returned the friendly smile of the young man who greeted him. “I’m looking for Luke Collyer’s office?”

  “First floor, sir.” The man pointed down the marble hall. “Just take the stairs and turn left at the top.”

  “Thank you.” Jace followed the directions and found a glass-walled office with RESORT MANAGEMENT etched on the door. Inside, a young woman was shouldering her bag and heading out.

  “Oh, hello!” She blinked in surprise as she almost collided with Jace. “Can I help you?”

  “I was looking for Luke, but he probably already finished for the day. Never mind, I guess.”

  Blue eyes scanned his face, then the girl smiled. “You must be the friend Luke said might stop by. Jay, wasn’t it? You can go on in. Maybe you can get him to finish work at a reasonable time, for once.”

  Jace didn’t bother correcting her, just thanking her as she gestured him toward the inner office. Rapping on the door, he pushed it open and leaned in, grinning.

  “Hey, your boss says you’re working too hard.”

  Luke looked up from the computer screen he was frowning at, a smile coming to his face. “I was about to say that I’m the boss here, but technically I guess you do outrank me.”

  “I know I promised not to interfere in resort business,” Jace said, moving fully into the room, “but it’s come to my attention that my resort manager is working too hard, and you know what they say about someone who’s all work and no play.”

  “You calling me dull?” Luke pushed his chair back, rose to his feet, and grinned broadly. “I’ll show you dull. Come on. Time you sampled some of Sunfish Island’s nightlife!”

  “Be gentle with me,” Jace begged laughingly as Luke slung his arm around Jace’s shoulders and steered him out of the office. “I’m an invalid!”

  They ended up in the resort’s famous French restaurant. Recently awarded a Michelin star, the food was as good as anything Jace had eaten in the most expensive restaurants in New York. Luke called the sommelier over and ordered a bottle of an Australian white wine Jace hadn’t heard of, which turned out to be so good Jace immediately decided to send his father a case.

  “Damn,” Jace said finally, sitting back in his seat and rubbing his stomach. “I don’t think I’ll have much trouble regaining the weight I’ve lost if I eat here regularly.”

  Luke chuckled, raising his glass to toast the sentiment. “I go running on the beach every morning to make sure I don’t get tubby. The resort is extremely lucky to have Suzannah Monteil… I need to go through the budget and look at getting her another raise, actually, or she’s gonna get poached from under our noses.”

  “I’ll authorize it,” Jace said immediately. “Pay her whatever you think fit. Word is going to get out pretty quickly and people will come to the resort just for the opportunity to eat here.” He looked around the restaurant. He could only see one vacant table, a waitress already clearing and re-setting it to make it ready for occupation again. “It’s already busy, but we could be completely booked out every night. A waiting list. Folks flying in by helicopter just to dine here.”

  “You sound like our marketing manager,” Luke said with a grin. “I’ve already heard all this from her. I think she’s got every major restaurant critic in the southern hemisphere lined up to visit us over the next month. That Michelin star has really put us on the map.”

  “Which is why you need to keep the chef no matter what.” Jace nodded, his quick mind turning over the issue. “Is there any other incentive you want to offer her? Anything else she’d like?”

  “I haven’t really had the chance to sit down and talk with her about it.” Luke shrugged. “Maybe you can meet with her yourself.”

  “I’ll think about it, toward the end of my stay. I’d rather not talk to anyone in my official persona before that. Keep it quiet that I’m here, please.”

  Luke nodded. “Sure.”

  “You have my complete support in offering her whatever the hell she wants to get her to agree to stay, though,” Jace offered. “Up to and including moving into the family villa once I’ve gone, if she’d care for more luxurious living quarters.”

  That made Luke laugh. “I’ll keep that card up my sleeve just in case. I very much doubt she’d accept, though. Suzannah is… well, she’s not the sort to be tempted by money or luxuries. Honestly, she’ll probably demand the authority to order loads more exotic ingredients for the restaurant.”

  “Fine by me,” Jace said, “she’ll probably earn us another Michelin star with them, so authorize away.” He toasted Luke with the last of the wine before draining it. “Hey, do I need to run the comp card?”

  Luke waved him away. “It’s all taken care of, don’t worry. You had enough? Want a coffee?”

  “Honestly, I’m fighting to keep my eyelids open,” Jace confessed. “The rest of that nightlife you promised me might have to wait for another day.”

  “It’s all good, mate.” Luke gave him a warm smile. “You look pretty done in. Let me run you back home, eh? Get some rest. I don’t want to be the cause of a relapse; your father would kill me!”

  Jace found his head nodding as Luke drove the golf cart back to the villa. “Is it okay if I wander over again tomorrow?” he asked drowsily. “I could stop by and see Nessa again.”

  “Oh, you met Nessa?” Luke glanced at him as he pulled the cart to a stop. “She’s something, isn’t she? A real asset for the resort. I ran across her slinging drinks in a bar near the football ground in Brisbane; I’d never seen anyone make cocktails so fast.”

  The mental image made Jace smile as he got out of the cart and thanked Luke for the ride and his company at dinner. Luke sped off with a cheerful wave and Jace let himself into the villa, collapsing to lie on the couch. He fell asleep right there, worn out from the unaccustomed exercise, delicious food, and the alcohol he’d consumed.

  ***

  Jace woke with a dry mouth, a sore head, and a desperate need to visit the bathroom. Attending to the last need first, he found some painkillers in his toiletries bag and washed them down with a large glass of water. A couple of slices of toast and three more glasses of water later, he started to feel a little more human. No more drinking with Luke, he concluded. The aftermath was no fun.

  Refilling his glass again, he took it outside and sat by the villa’s pool, dangling his feet in the sparkling blue water and gazing out over the pool’s infinity edge at the ocean.

  “I could live here,” he said aloud, startling himself with the revelation. For years, his view had been the New York City skyline from his penthouse apartment; before that it was Sydney. Both cities with spectacular views available to anyone who cared to look. Still, this place had that one thing both places would never have: tranquility.

  It was something Jace had never realized was missing from his life, until yesterday. The knowledge the phone wasn’t going to ring, that nobody would bother him unless he actively went out and sought company, was eye-opening. For the first time he could remember, there were literally no demands on his time at all.

  He’d thought the forced inactivity and solitude would drive him crazy with boredom. Instead, he seemed to have unlocked something which had been stagnant for too long: his creativity. Ideas for designs were beginning to surface in his head, as they hadn’t since he gave up his dreams of being a full-time architect and joined Hunter Enterprises at his father’s behest.

  Nessa’s story popped back into his head: the way she’d told him so emphatically she never wanted to leave Sunfish, despite her qualifications for a much more high-powered job. She’d consciously chosen a simpler life and found contentment. Perhaps it was her words which caused his introspection now, making him reconsider his own life choi
ces. Kicking his feet absently in the water and watching the ripples spread out from the movement, Jace sighed. He couldn’t walk away from his responsibilities, tempting though the idea seemed. His father had been grooming him for years to take over Hunter Enterprises, and Jace had excelled in every role he’d been given.

  Capability did not equal enjoyment, however, and Jace hadn’t enjoyed the work in a while. For the first time, he began to consider alternatives. Maybe he could speak to his father about other options, about looking at someone else being Chief Executive when his father decided to step down, because the idea of being responsible for the whole shebang seemed completely unpalatable.

  The sun felt hot on his back, and he didn’t have sunscreen on. Pushing himself up, Jace dried his legs off and headed back inside. Maybe he’d check in with his father. Just say hi. A quick calculation told him it was early evening in New York, a pretty good time to call. John would probably still be at the office.

  Jace had to convince his own assistant to put him through. Nancy was a dragon, but a wonderful one; she managed every aspect of his life and mothered him unmercifully when he let her get away with it. She flatly refused to put him through to his father until he promised he wouldn’t talk business, that it was just a social call.

  “How’s the sun, sea, and sand?” John Hunter boomed down the phone, making Jace grin. His father was always a larger-than-life character.

  “I haven’t actually been in the sea yet.”

  “Why not? It’s not jellyfish season, is it?”

  “No.” Jace chuckled. “I just haven’t got around to it, honestly. The villa’s got almost everything I need, I haven’t wanted to leave. I went over to the resort yesterday, had dinner with Luke. Don’t worry, though, he told me straight up he’d kick me out if I even tried to talk business.”

  “I know.”

  “Of course you do,” Jace realized. “You’ve been checking up on me.”

  “Actually, I called Luke to congratulate him on the restaurant getting a Michelin star. He told me he saw you yesterday, and that you seemed well but still kinda tired.” John’s voice softened, gentled. “And if I was checking up on you, Jace, it’d only be because I’m worried about you. You gave me a damn scare.”