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      The Tycoon’s Secret Affair

      By

       “The best course is for us to be married and provide a stable home for the baby.”

      “With two parents who can barely tolerate one another.”

      He raised one eyebrow. “I wouldn’t go that far. I’d say we got on quite well together that night in my hotel room.”

      A deep flush worked its way over her cheeks. “Lust is no substitute for love, trust and commitment.”

      “And who is to say those things won’t follow?”

      She stared at him in astonishment.

      “Give it a chance, Jewel. Who is to say what the future holds for us? Now, if we’re finished, I suggest you get some rest. There are many things to be done, and the sooner I arrange everything, the sooner you can be at ease.”

      “I haven’t said I’ll marry you,” she said evenly.

      “No, and I’m waiting for your answer.”

      About the Author

      MAYA BANKS has loved romance novels from a very (very) early age, and almost from the start, she dreamed of writing them as well. In her teens, she filled countless notebooks with overdramatic stories of love and passion. Today her stories are only slightly less dramatic, but no less romantic. She lives in Texas with her husband and three children, and wouldn’t contemplate living anywhere other than the South. When she’s not writing, she’s usually hunting, fishing or playing poker. She loves to hear from readers, and she can be found online at either www.mayabanks.com or www.writemindedblog. com, or you can e-mail her at [email protected].

      To Dee, who loved Piers from the start

      Dear Reader,

      THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS trilogy comes to a close with The Tycoon’s Secret Affair, Piers Anetakis’s story. Of the three Anetakis brothers, Piers is the most closed off and the most troubled. But he’s also the most passionate and emotional.

      He’s been hurt by past betrayals, but then so has Jewel Henley, the woman Piers meets one night in an intimate, tropical setting. These two are kindred spirits, and they have a lot to offer one another—if they can ever get around their issues of trust.

      I’m inviting you along for the exciting conclusion of the Anetakis family’s story. Rich, powerful and ruthless, these three men learn that no amount of wealth or privilege can ever fill the places in their hearts only love can reach. Piers and Jewel must navigate many obstacles in their search for happiness. Their love will be tested, and they’ll have to offer the one thing not easily given by either: their trust.

       Maya Banks

      Prologue

      Jewel Henley shifted on the hospital bed, one hand curled around her cell phone, the other hand pushing aside hot tears. She had to call him. She had no choice.

      Having to depend on the man who couldn’t get her out of his life fast enough after their one-night stand wasn’t a prospect she relished, but for her baby, she’d do anything. Swallow her pride and try to let go of the burning anger.

      Her free hand dropped to rest on the burgeoning swell of her belly, and she felt the sturdy reassurance of her daughter’s kick.

      How would Piers react when she told him he was going to be a father? Would he even care? She shook her head in mute denial. Surely, no matter his feelings for her, he wouldn’t turn his back on his child.

      There was only one way to find out and that was to push the send button. His private phone number was already punched in. She may have been fired from her job, but for some reason, she’d held on to the phone numbers she’d been provided upon her hiring.

      And still she couldn’t bring herself to complete the call. She let the phone drop to her chest and closed her eyes. If only there weren’t complications with her pregnancy. Why couldn’t she be one of these beautiful, glowing women who were pictures of health?

      Her thoughts were interrupted when her door swung open and a nurse bustled in pushing a cart with the computer she used to log her charts.

      “How are you feeling today, Miss Henley?”

      Jewel nodded and whispered a faint, “Fine.”

      “Have you made arrangements for your care after your release?”

      Jewel swallowed but didn’t say anything. The nurse gave her a reproving look.

      “You know the doctor won’t release you until he’s satisfied that you’ll have someone to look after you while you’re on bed rest.”

      A sigh escaped Jewel’s lips and she held up the phone. “I was just about to make a call.”

      The nurse nodded approvingly. “Good. As soon as I’m done I’ll leave you alone to finish.”

      A few minutes later the nurse left, and once again Jewel lifted the phone and stared at the LCD screen. Maybe he wouldn’t even answer.

      Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she punched her thumb over the send button then closed her eyes and put the phone to her ear. There was a brief silence as the call connected, and then it began to ring.

      Once. Twice. Then a third time. She was preparing to chicken out and cut the connection when his brusque voice filled her ear.

      “Anetakis.”

      It came out more of a growl than anything else, and she quickly lost courage. Her breath came stuttering out as more tears welled in her eyes.

      “Who is this?” he demanded.

      She yanked the phone away and clumsily jabbed at the buttons until the call ended. She couldn’t do this. Issuing a silent apology to her unborn baby, she decided that she’d find another way. There had to be something she could do that didn’t involve Piers Anetakis.

      Before she could dwell too long on such possibilities, the phone pulsed in her hand. She opened it automatically, a second before she realized that he was calling her back.

      Only her soft breathing spilled

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