Page 151 of Titus

The driveway curved through what felt like its own private coastal park. Perfectly manicured landscaping lined both sides, interrupted by native grasses, sculptural agave, and ancient olive trees imported from Spain.

The farther I drove, the more secluded it grew, and that’s when I saw the house.

“Oh my God,” I said to myself, easing the car in.

I’d been here before, but this view of the home was something I didn’t expect.

The home emerged from the cliffside as if it had been carved directly into the landscape. The imposing structure was a modern design that drew on the best elements of Spanish architecture.

That was the only way I could describe it. It was nothing short of grand elegance. Clean contemporary lines blended effortlessly with warm Mediterranean architecture. Walls of pale limestone rose against the backdrop of the Pacific. Massive glass panels reflected the ocean, while natural wood accents softened the sleek design.

I already knew the back of his estate was magnificent, appearing to hang suspended above the cliffs from the one and only time I’d been here for dinner with him. But the front of the property was an entirely different experience.

Numerous stone steps led to two massive wooden front doors, intentionally concealing the property’s greatest feature and slowly building anticipation before revealing what lay beyond. The entrance felt designed to introduce guests to an experience they didn’t yet realize was coming the moment they stepped inside.

I slowly pulled into the circular motor court, where a luxury SUV and a black Rolls-Royce were parked near the entrance.

Before I could reach for my door handle, a valet appeared and opened my door with a polite smile.

“Good evening, Ms. Veléz,” the young man said.

“Thank you, and good evening to you, too.”

“Mr. Hawk informed us that you are to have access to the home whenever you choose.”

I smiled. “Well, I wanted to surprise him, but it looks like he already knew I was coming.”

“No,” he grinned. “Our security was prepared and is always watching the perimeter. They notified staff of your arrival.”

“Ah,” I laughed softly. “Why does this not surprise me?”

I stepped out and smoothed my dress while taking another look at the estate. I was surrounded by towering glass, warm stone, steel, wood, and the ocean. All of it married together to create a bold statement about the very powerful man who lived here.

The valet collected my keys. “If you’ll follow me, Ms. Veléz.”

My stomach immediately fluttered with excitement. A ridiculous reaction, considering I’d spent two nights aboard his yacht. But this somehow felt different, more intimate and warm.

And for the first time since meeting Titus Hawk, I was about to step back into the part of his world he had told me very few people ever saw.

The valet led me through a towering glass entryway into a home that somehow felt even more impressive from the inside.

Warm limestone floors stretched beneath my feet as sunlight poured through walls of glass overlooking the Pacific. The space felt enormous yet somehow welcoming. It was modern without being cold, and luxurious without trying too hard.

A sweeping staircase curved toward the second floor, while contemporary artwork lined the walls. As we passed through the house, I saw that beyond the great room was a dining area that could easily seat twenty people, and beyond that, a kitchen large enough to feed a small country.

I slowed as we passed a long hallway, taking in the framed architectural sketches that hung beneath soft lighting. They depicted private islands, luxury resorts, and hotel concepts, each intricate enough to look like works of art. I assumed they were Titus’s visions, either projects he’d already brought to life or ones that were about to become reality.

“This way, Ms. Veléz.”

I followed the valet through the rear of the house, where massive sliding glass walls had been fully opened to let the ocean breeze pass through the home.

The moment I stepped outside, the view stole my breath. Last time I’d seen this area, I had my guard up and was suspicious of why Titus had even brought me here.

This time, feeling differently about him, I was seeing everything in his personal life in a much different way as well.

The Pacific stretched endlessly in every direction. The infinity pool seemed to spill directly into the ocean beyond the cliffs. Surrounded by palms and waterfall structures, the pool snaked through a lush area.

Several terraces stepped down toward private lounge areas, fire features, and additional flowering gardens.