Free Illegitimate Tycoon by Janette Kenny Page A

Rafael was taking them. But she hadn’t cared.
She was with the man she adored, and together they were embarking on a lifelong
journey together. Together they would make beautiful love and babies.
                 How
naive she’d been not to realize they’d face obstacles along the way. That the
damaging effects of the anorexia she’d battled in her youth would threaten to
steal her glorious dreams from her.
                 “You
are awfully quiet,” he said. “I was thinking of our wedding day and honeymoon.”
                 He
said nothing for the longest time, but she noted his fingers tightened on the
steering wheel. Noticed that a muscle along his jaw grew taut.
                 “I
regret I could only give you a poor man’s tour,” he said, his admission
surprising her.
                 Was
he serious? Did he really think that she wanted or needed to live lavishly?
                 “I
certainly don’t,” she said, and gained a doubting frown from him before he
turned his attention back to the winding road. “I reached superstardom at a
young age, Rafael, and was under my controlling mother’s rule for some time, as
you know. I’d had my fill of extravagance by the time I’d turned eighteen.”
                 “That
is good to hear, querida .”
                 “It’s
the truth.”
                 She
and Rafael had enjoyed a very simple honeymoon. They’d taken an auto tour of
Europe, a leisurely journey where they had shunned tourist traps in favor of
exploring each other in sensual detail in a staggering assortment of villas, châteaus,
apartments and yachts.
                 What
sightseeing they’d done had been just as laid-back. It had been the first time
in her life that she’d totally relaxed. That she’d been someone beside the
sought-after model.
                 Yet
when their honeymoon was over, the real world had intruded. Her and Rafael’s
careers had become more demanding as time wore on.
                 Now
here they were after a horrid year apart, her burdened with guilt and he
expecting her to embrace the one thing that terrified her.
                 He
parked in the harbor lot and pulled a small hamper she hadn’t seen from behind
his seat.
                 “Ready?”
                 “For
a picnic? Of course.”
                 “Good.
If we hurry, we can catch the ferry to Île Sainte-Marguerite.”
                 She
blinked, her gaze traveling across the sea to the small archipelago. “Isn’t
that one of the places we stayed on our honeymoon?”
                 “It
is. You asked for peace and quiet, and this was the first place that I thought
of.”
                 What
a wonderfully romantic surprise! She pressed a hand to her pounding heart, so
touched that tears sprang to her eyes.
                 “It’s
perfect.”
                 “I
am pleased that you like it,” he said, and hurried her down the wharf to the
waiting ferry.
                 Fifteen
minutes later they set foot on the jeweled island. “Are you up for a hike?”
                 It
was as if history were repeating itself. “Of course.”
                 She
slipped her hand in his and let him lead her down to the coastal pathway lined
with botanicals. For over an hour they walked quietly along the pathway, admiring
the gorgeous scenery and laughing at the songs from the migratory birds
clustered in the trees. The aroma of lavender, eucalyptus and an array of
exotic flowers perfumed the air, while the peaceful quiet of the island soothed
her soul.
                 Through
the occasional breaks in the forest she could glimpse Fort Royal, but though
the scenery was spectacular, she had difficulty taking her eyes off Rafael for
long. This closeness between them was what