you have many guests?” He withdrew his hand and glanced around at the quiet morning.
So much for the pleasantries.
She schooled her expression so as not to frown at his obvious lack of social niceties. “Not at the moment. We’re expecting guests to begin arriving tomorrow for an upcoming wedding.”
“So right now, the island is deserted, other than staff?”
She shook her head. “Not exactly. We have some honeymooners as well as some couples who have returned for a renewal of their vows and a second honeymoon.”
He frowned. Apparently that was the wrong answer.
“If you’d like to come this way—” she gestured toward the golf cart “—I can give you the grand tour.”
“Is there much to see?”
Was he being serious? Or was he being sarcastic? It was impossible for her to tell as neither his tone nor his expression changed much. His gaze continued to scan the area. And so she did the same, trying to see Infinity through his eyes. There was lots of green foliage interspersed with red, yellow, pink, purple and blue blooms. Wild orchids grew everywhere. A few of the buildings overlooked the cove. Her office happened to be one of them. And then she realized the problem.
She swallowed hard and turned to him. “You can’t see much of the resort from here as the island has been strategically planned. The buildings have been placed in various locations over the island instead of concentrated in one spot.” She should have grabbed a map of the island for him. It was something that was distributed to all the guests with their welcome basket. “Trust me. There’s a lot to the island including acres of vegetable gardens. We grow most of our own food.”
His gaze met hers, but she couldn’t read his thoughts. “Let’s proceed.”
He bent over and it was only then that she noticed he had an overnight bag. She hadn’t expected him to want to stay. Most business people who had flown in to meet with her had also flown out the same day. This was a situation that she hadn’t quite anticipated.
She stepped forward and held out her hand to take his bag, but he resisted. She didn’t know if he was being gentlemanly or if he was afraid that she might drop it. Whatever.
Once he placed the bag in the back of the cart, he joined her up front. His bicep brushed against her shoulder. It was as though static electricity flowed through her body. And suddenly the cart felt as though it had shrunk to half its size. Her mouth grew dry as her palms grew damp.
She refused to turn to him. Their faces would be far too close together. And there was something about his mouth that made her wonder if he had to be in control even when he was kissing someone. And then realizing how out of hand her thoughts had gotten, she gave herself a mental shake as she started the engine and then pressed on the accelerator.
She had to keep it together. She had to be a professional instead of letting the lack of a love life get the best of her. After all, the future of Infinity Island rested on her making this deal. And so they set off.
It was late afternoon by the time she’d given him the full tour. He was the first potential investor who had stuck around this long. Lea’s hopes soared. He had many questions about the island and she did her best to answer them. She was proud of her little island. As she’d spoken of the various aspects of the island, Mr. Marinakos made notes on his digital tablet.
This is going to work. This is going to work.
She struggled not to grin. After all, nothing was final yet—
“Miss Romes, I’d like to make you an offer.”
Yes! Yes! Yes!
She stifled the giddy happiness bubbling up inside her. She had to maintain her cool just a little longer. Later she could celebrate her success with Popi.
“Please call me Lea.” When he sent her a puzzled look, she added, “If we’re going to do business together, there’s no need to stand on formality.”
He hesitated. “Agreed. Call me Xander.”
“Okay, Xander.” She sent him her brightest smile. “What do you have in mind?”
And then he stated the most amazing number. She never ever imagined that anyone would want to invest such an incredible amount of money in the island. She wasn’t even sure what to do with that much money. Sure the place needed work, but none that would amount to that sum.
“Thank you. That is a very generous investment—”
“Wait. I think you misunderstood me. I’m not investing in your island. I’m buying it.”
He wanted to buy her island? Her heritage? Her heart sank clear down to her white sandals. This partnership was over before it even had a chance to begin.
Lea shook her head. This couldn’t be happening. She’d only just found this link to her past, and she wasn’t about to give it up. No way.
* * *
Xander Marinakos could feel this deal slipping through his fingers.
That was a very foreign position for him to be in.
The stubborn look on Lea’s face said she wasn’t giving up this island. And part of him applauded her while the rest of him thought it was a foolish endeavor. But he wasn’t a man used to walking away empty-handed.
“If you’re holding out for a better deal, you won’t get one from me or anyone else. That’s my one and only offer.” He wasn’t one to be trifled with—no matter how gorgeous he found this woman. Business was business.
“I’m afraid you came here under a false assumption. The island never was and never will be for sale.”
His lips pressed into a firm line. He wondered if she even considered what she could do with the money he was offering her.
This island could be the jewel in his real estate empire. It was beautiful and so private. And yet, it wasn’t that far off the mainland. Talk about a perfect location. He could build the most opulent estates that would sell for outrageous fortunes. He might even build a vacation home for himself. Not that he ever took vacations. But maybe someday he’d start.
“Is there anything I can say to change your mind?” If it was within reason, he’d consider it.
She didn’t even hesitate when she gave another firm shake of her head. “This island has been in my family for generations and I intend to keep it that way.”
He sighed. He was smart enough to know when to walk away. “Do me a favor?”
“What would that be?”
“If you ever change your mind about selling, let me know. This place would make a wonderful locale for exclusive estates.”
She didn’t look impressed. “It’s already a noted wedding and honeymoon destination.”
He didn’t want to argue with her. He’d never heard of the island before it was brought to his attention as a potential building site, but then again, he avoided anything to do with happily-ever-afters. However, he refrained from mentioning it to Lea. He liked it better when she smiled. “So it is.”
Though the grounds were well maintained, the place needed to be moved out of the last century and into the current one as far as technology and decorating went. He just didn’t see anyone coming in here and wanting to invest in the place to develop it as a venue for weddings—not when there were so many other more lucrative uses for the island.
He stared into her blue-green eyes, seeing the depths of her desperation. But no one could truly help her until she realized that fixing this wedding island was a waste of money. And as a respectable businessman with his thumb on the heartbeat of development, he couldn’t in good conscience throw good money after bad. It wasn’t