Read Online [Invitation to Eden 20.0] The Island of Eden by Lauren Hawkeye - Free Book Online

lean into her ear. “I want the woman close to me, so I can keep an eye on her.”
    “Very well, Sir.” Miranda nods, but she’s still eyeing the woman with suspicion. I wouldn’t tolerate this if Ms. Davis was an invited guest, however, the fact that she forced herself onto Eden—dream woman or not—makes me find my employee’s protectiveness rather entertaining.
    Miranda silently jerks her head for the woman to follow, and Roan joins his woman. Noelle licks her lips, as though she’s nervous, then nods to the couple. “Good.”
    “I hope you are ready for a story, Ms. Davis.” I’m unnerved by the way she stares so openly at me, as though she’s...
    Well, as though she sees something she likes. I’m sure it’s because she thinks I have a story for her, still it’s something I’m no longer accustomed to.
    “I’m always ready.” One pale eyebrow arches, and her nerves appear to fade in the face of mischievousness.
    Kitten. She reminds me of a kitten. One that I very much want to make purr.
    I can feel my cock start to harden in my pants at the thought of all the ways I could do just that run through my mind. Silently, I pick up my shoes, and walk away, emotions high, lust out of control.
    I can sense her watching me as I trek up the stone stairs and turn a corner. As soon as I know I am out of sight, I stop and lean up against the jutting rock face.
    Closing my eyes, I curse the island.
    “ This is who you send me?” I slam my hand back against the stone. My knuckle slices open, blood welling between the parted skin. I don’t care. “My dream woman is a reporter who wants to ruin me?”
    The ground beneath me vibrates in response. I growl, and it shakes enough to knock me against the stone.
    Yes, I’m talking to the island. And yes, it’s talking back. Over the years, we’ve become entwined to the point that I’m no longer sure I could survive if I moved away. And right now, Eden is giving me a clear message. Yes, this is the woman. And yes, it knows what it’s doing.
    I’m crushed that I so misread the vision that I had a decade ago. It’s just not possible that this woman is... who I wanted her to be. I’m attracted to her, of course. Only a blind man wouldn’t be. But beyond that...
    A reporter. While clearly the island thinks she’s here to teach me something about myself, she’s not the woman for me.
    I like my women soft, pliable. Submissive . Easy to leave when the time is done.
    It’s not my most noble trait, but the dominance I command when I’m fucking a willing woman? It’s my way of taking back control. I have to do it.
    A hardheaded, pushy, nosy reporter who won’t be controlled? No. Just no. I shake my head. Unbelievable. Some nosy woman whose business is to dig into mine. What am I supposed to keep her occupied with until I can get her off the island, or until the island finishes its game?
    For the first time in memory, I’m at a loss. But I am nothing if not good at keeping my secrets. This relaxes me a bit, and, rolling my shoulders, I slip on my shoes.
    “Good luck to you, Ms. Davis. But I am Master here.”
    I step back onto the path and walk, sloshing in my shoes with each step, back to the castle to finish my rounds for the day.  I refuse to be distracted by this woman who has washed up on my shore, nor by the crushing disappointment that comes with the knowledge that she is not who I expected or wanted her to be.
    I have my island. My sanctuary. And it looks like that will have to be enough.

Chapter Four
    NOELLE
    T his island is unreal.
    Right now I’m standing just below a stone manor perched on a cliff with a breathtaking view of a genuine, ancient Irish castle. Like... from Europe. But on a tropical island. The wild contrast delights me.
    I follow my guide into... wow. There’s not much that takes me by surprise in life, but this... holy shit.
    My parents are wealthy, and I grew up in a mansion. But compared to the luxury of just this greenhouse, which