Marriage Made on Paper by Maisey Yates

Author:Maisey Yates [Yates, Maisey]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-4089-2557-7
Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon Ltd
Published: 2011-10-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

LILY disappeared into her room when they arrived back at the vacation home and reappeared a few hours later, her armor back in place. Her hair was pinned perfectly into place again, her makeup covering her freckles.

“Any plans for tonight?” she asked, her high heels clicking on the wooden floor as she moved across the room, keeping her distance from him as she settled onto the low couch.

“We’re treating the board to a traditional dinner on the beach. Complete with traditional dancing.”

“I love that idea. Will you be doing it for regular guests, too?”

He nodded. “Yes. When I first visited Thailand I was backpacking with friends, no luxury resorts or anything. We ate in the marketplaces and avoided the tourist traps. I want to bring that element into the resort. Luxury, but with a chance to experience the culture.”

She shot him a severe look, her lush lips pulled into a tight line. “We’re putting that in the press release when the resort opens. I don’t understand why you’re so reluctant to give the public some information about the good things that you do.”

He let out an exasperated sigh. “As you said, Lily, they call it a private life for a reason. I don’t see the point in sharing every aspect of myself with the press. I don’t talk about the fact that I raised Maddy because I’m afraid it would embarrass her. She feels like she must have been unlovable for our parents to neglect her like they did, and I’m not about to let the public know the circumstances of her life. It isn’t fair to her.”

“And the other things? The sanctuary? Your respect for the Thai culture?”

“Personal.”

“But it’s not really. It relates back to your business, to your image. And really, why not let people know you’re actually a decent person?”

He laughed. “My parents made so many charitable contributions they were hailed as the most generous couple in the San Diego area. They have plaques on schools and hospitals. It didn’t make them good people.”

Gage knew, better than most, that public image and private image were not the same thing. His parents were the most self-absorbed, selfish people he’d ever encountered, and that included every one of his past mistresses.

All of the flash, all of the grand gestures, meant very little when the only thing behind it was a desire for more publicity. His parents didn’t care about anyone, or anything, beyond their own ambitions. He’d worked all of his young adult years to establish his business. He’d been so determined to impress them with who he’d become.

He’d made his first million, his first two million, and still he’d waited. Finally he’d stopped caring. Probably on the day Maddy called, telling him she hadn’t eaten for three days, not because his parents were too poor to provide her with food, but because they were so busy living their very important lives they’d forgotten their daughter. That was also the day he’d brought his sister to live with him.

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