Love Unbound (Billionaire In Love 2)

by Ava May

  At least it was better than receiving flowers from him at work. She'd had to explain to her colleagues that they were just from her parents and friends, wishing her well at her new job. How she wished that Jack would send her flowers...

  With her mission being a failure, she closed the laptop without bothering to reply to Matt. However, almost as soon as she logged off, her cell was bombarded with text messages from him, trying to ascertain whether she was all right. For a moment, she was tempted to pick up the phone and send him an angry text message back, but just as her fingers hovered over the screen she thought better of it and simply switched it off. The joys of modern technology were such that she could ignore someone so readily, and she drifted off to sleep, forgetting about the man of her past, and thinking about the man of her future.

  It seemed a forlorn dream because in all likelihood, Jack used her once and was done with her. But there was a part of her heart that was convinced that one day she would see him again, and he'd be reminded of all they had shared. It seemed impossible that everything she felt was only moving in one direction. Part of the reason why things had been so intense with him was because they had shared the connection, and although he could have any woman he wanted, she knew that the feeling they experienced together was nigh on impossible to replicate, and that gave her hope that somehow he would come back to her, possessed by the same need as she was.

  Wrapped up in her soft cotton sheets, Scarlett's mind drifted back to Jack again. She wondered if he was somewhere, thinking about her in the same way that she thought about him. Again she thought about his hands moving down his body, playing with himself, making his penis swell and grow erect as he stroked and squeezed it. The heat grew within her again, and once more she descended into the hazy bliss of orgasmic delight...

  3

  The weekends were a time for her to relax. Work was busy and while she was able to handle the pressure that came with her promotion, she felt drained by the end of the day, and there was barely any time to relax. It didn't help that every time she walked past Jack's empty office, she flushed with pleasure as she thought about the things the two of them had done in there. People still gossiped, and although her ideas were taken on board in the meetings, she got a strong sense that Sam still didn't like her, so she stayed out of his way as much as she possibly could.

  But she did work long hours, and as such she found it hard to do menial things like chores during the week, for when she came home she was ready to collapse. Sunday mornings were set aside for chores, while she tried to get all her shopping done on Saturday morning, although this often took longer than usual because it seemed like everyone else wanted to do their shopping at that time as well. It wasn't something she enjoyed, because she never usually had the patience to go around the store and pick out exactly what she needed, she preferred to grab whatever came close and get out of there as quickly as possible.

  She still thought of Jack, but as the days went by, her feelings for him faded and her memories became more forlorn. It was sad to admit, but she wasn't one to dream too much, especially not since Lisa died, and she didn't want to waste her energy on things that were never going to happen. So, although she indulged in fantasies from time to time, she admitted to herself that she was never going to see Jack again and that she would simply have to accept that the moment they shared was just a moment.

  When she returned home, she bustled through the door with her shopping bags. It was only when she was halfway through the door that she noticed a piece of card lodged in the hinge. Thinking that it was just a random business card, Scarlett went inside and forgot all about it as she put her shopping away. When she went back to close the door, she saw it again, and pulled it out with the intention of throwing it straight into the trash. But when she looked at it, she saw that it was a handwritten message meant only for her.

  Meet me by the fountain, J.

  Scarlett's heart fluttered and she read the message over and over again just to make sure that her eyes were not deceiving her. She turned the card over in her hands. The edges were sharp and the other side was blank. It was such a short message, more of a command really, yet it was pregnant with opportunity. Squealing with excitement, she ran to her room to get ready, but then she paused. Was she really going to jump every time he told her to? Was she going to be the type of woman to hang onto him and just drop everything to be with him when he was in town so that she could be used again for one hot, sweaty afternoon and then be forgotten about? Scarlett had more self-respect than that, but she knew that she couldn't dismiss the message entirely.

  She got dressed in an outfit that flattered her hourglass figure, but didn't scream that she was ready to be swept away in a burst of hedonistic desire.

  She was going to go up to Jack and tell him that she didn't deserve to be treated like this. Nobody did. No matter that he was a billionaire and the most desirable man she had ever met—even if he had not a cent to his name, he was still the most handsome man she had ever seen. But she would fight every fiber of her being that yelled at her to give herself to him, because she was going to show him what she was worth, and it was more than just an afternoon fling.

  The sun was shining high in the sky and the afternoon world was idyllic. Scarlett drove into the city and walked along the sidewalk, enjoying the smell of coffee emanating from the row of cafes along the commercial district. Street performers danced and hollered, and as she walked, she glanced down at some amazing chalk art. But she had no time to waste. She had no idea when Jack had left that note, and she didn't think him the type of man to wait around. There were far too many demands on his time.

  Her heels clacked against the ground as she crossed over to the park. Most of the city was built as a tribute to the dollar, but there were still some nooks where natural beauty was allowed to flourish. The park she entered was a large expanse of land that, if truth be told, did look at odds with its surroundings. Stepping into the park was like stepping into another world. Trees framed the edge and lush green grass stretched out before her. Grey paths wound through the greenery, and colorful flowers provided a burst of light. As she neared the fountain, Scarlett felt the nerves grow in her stomach. Seeing Jack in the office was one thing. That was their domain. It was forbidden and secret, and there were rules to which they both had to adhere, but out here they were in the real world. Anything could happen. It was like a proper date.

  Out on the grass, Scarlett saw a few people having a picnic. There were families with their young children skipping about with glee. One of them had bubbles and were watching them float and they sparkled in the sunlight. Lovers ignored the rest of the world and lost each other in their own eyes. A few people were walking their dogs as well, and some other people were laying on the grass, reading, using the books to shield their eyes from the sun.

  As she approached the fountain, her pace slowed and she focused on her breathing to keep it steady. She had no idea what she was going to say to him, and she only hoped that she could maintain her resolve and tell him everything that she had rehearsed on the way to the park.

  Then she saw him and she froze.

  He was sitting on the edge of the fountain, caressing the cool, clear water. On either side of him, people were tossing in coins, making a silent wish. Had he made a wish too? Had he wished for her? There was a moment when she could have spun on her heels and turned away, and she would have never had to see him again, but she clenched her jaw and walked forward, each step more determined than the last.

  Jack turned his head slowly and looked at her. He looked tired, but he wore a smile and seemed genuinely happy to see her. He wasn't dressed like she expected. Somehow, she imagined that he was always in a suit. This time, he was wearing shorts and a white v-neck t-shirt that wrapped tightly around his muscles. Sunglasses hung from the plunging neckline, and salt and pepper stubble grew across his jaw.

  “For a billionaire, you look rather normal,” she said, folding her arms. Jack laughed, and walked for
ward to hug her. He kissed her on the cheek, and to feel his hand wrap around her made her melt. Her eyelids fluttered but her resolve remained strong.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked, looking puzzled at her lack of reaction. His hand still lingered on her upper arm, and a tingling sensation spread throughout her flesh.

  “Oh, of course everything is fine. You know, it's not like I met this guy and had a pretty decent time in his office, and then he just ups and leaves without saying anything...” she said, averting her gaze.

  “Pretty decent?” he said, and leaned into her so that his mouth was against her ear, and his low voice growled. “It was the best fuck I've ever had.” Her eyes danced around to all the other people playing in the park. The secret she shared with him made her heart do somersaults. Her throat was dry and she gulped. Her breaths became shorter and now that she was in the presence of his masculine essence again, it brought back all the memories of his body, all the ways he made her shiver with delight, and they were stronger than ever. She was falling again. Being around him was dangerous, and yet she couldn't walk away.

  Jack stepped back, and it was like she was facing the cold air after drinking copious amounts of alcohol. She staggered slightly even though she was standing still, and she just hoped that Jack didn't notice.

  “Didn't you get my flowers?” he asked. She furrowed her brow and thought back, then a moment of realization shocked her. She brought her hand to mouth. The ones she had thrown away.

  “Those were from you?!”

  “Who else would they have been from?” he said, although Scarlett was too preoccupied with her own ghastly mistake to notice the hint of jealousy in his voice.

  “My ex... he'd sent me some. He keeps trying to win me back. I just assumed...”

  “Well, never assume. I hope that you didn't think too badly of me.”

  “I thought that you had just gone and played me like a fool. Mandy had said that you were sticking around a few days, so when I went into work the next day, I thought that you had left because of me.” She felt like an utter fool. All that despair she was feeling had been because she'd been so blinded by anger at Matt.

  “Not at all. Something came up with an associate in China and I had to fly over there. I just got back early this morning and I wanted to see you.”

  “You traveled all that way and the first thing you did when you got back was post a note at my door? You haven't been waiting here all morning have you?”

  Jack shrugged. “I like to come here to think sometimes. I spend so much of my time either flying or sitting in an office, it's nice to remind myself that there's a real world out there, with fresh air and sunlight instead of the stuff that's pumped around offices.”

  It was a touching to think that he had waited for her all this time, and suddenly all the thoughts and feelings she had about him were turned on their head. Her heart thundered in her chest and a smiled played across her face. The flurry of anger she was going to direct towards him quickly faded and was replaced by excitement. He offered her his arm, and she gladly took it, and the two of them walked along the path, enjoying the feeling of being with each other while the sun shone down upon them.

  4

  “So what was China like?” she asked.

  “It's a nice country. I don't get to do much sight-seeing while I'm in these places though; most of the time it's all business. People think being a billionaire is a life of luxury, but the reality is that it's just a lot of boring meetings with boring people acting like they're the best of friends when really, if it suited them, they'd sell your soul for you.”

  “Oh hang on a minute,” she said, and rummaged around in her bag. She pulled out nothing and pretended to play a small violin.

  “I'm sure swimming in all your mountains of cash must be such a hard life,” she said with a teasing smile.

  “All right, all right. I know I've been lucky, but even I'm allowed to complain sometimes.”

  “You must have enough money that you could retire though, and just do whatever you wanted.”

  “I could... but I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I was always taught to work hard, and that you had to earn everything you got in this life, and that was instilled in me from an early age. I've never been able to shake it off. I never even set out to make loads of money. All I wanted was enough to be comfortable. Most of the money I earn goes to various charities. But a while back, I did try cutting my hours down and it didn't stick. I just found myself wanting to do something all the time. I guess the only way I know how to relax is to be working.”

  “You are a unique man, aren't you?”

  “I try,” he said, and they both laughed gently.

  “I know where you're coming from, though. I've been the same. I mean, I wasn't always like that. My parents were good and they let us—me and my sister—have a good balance between homework and play. They thought both were important, but when my sister died, I just... I don't know. I wanted to live enough life for the both of us and I don't know if I succeeded. I know my parents don't think I did. They would rather I be off exploring the world and having a load of experiences. But it's difficult, you know? Sometimes I want to, but then other times I think... would I be living my dreams or hers? And I don't know if I have the right to steal hers away, like I'd be doing her an injustice if I didn't appreciate her dreams as much as she would.”

  “I guess you have to honor her in your own way,” he said softly.

  “Yeah. After it happened, I made so many plans of things I wanted to do. When we were little we had a big bucket list of things that we were going to do together, but then she was gone and I looked at that list... doing it without her just didn't seem right somehow. It didn't seem as fun. So I threw myself into work, which is what I wanted to do anyway, but I don't know if I have the balance right.”

  “Well, there's nothing stopping you from being spontaneous. If you want to go on a trip then just go and do it. If you have the means and the opportunity, then there should be nothing stopping you. I'm sorry to hear about your sister though. Lisa, wasn't it?”

  Scarlett was a little taken aback that he knew her name. “How did you…?”

  “You mentioned her briefly in the break room,” he said. Scarlett's cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment.

  “Ah, yes, the less said about that the better.”

  “I don't know. It certainly made you stand out. I’ve never had an employee cry on my shoulder the first time they met me.”

  “Well, in my defense, I didn't know that you were, well, you. I still think that was unfair. You didn't even tell me your name.”

  “You never asked.”

  “I wasn't in the right state. Anyway, the less said about that the better! Let's just move on.”

  “Fine by me,” he said, and his eyes twinkled with mischief. Somehow, Scarlett knew that she was never going to live that first meeting down.

  “How did she... I mean, how did it happen, if you don't mind me asking?”

  “No, it's fine,” Scarlett said, although her smile faded and her voice grew flatter. She'd told the story so many times and relived it so often in her head that sometimes it felt more like fiction than reality, but then the horror of what happened reared its ugly head and the anguish and sadness gripped at her soul.

  “She was on her way home late at night. Wanted to be with us for Thanksgiving. She could have driven back the next morning but she wanted to be there so she could help cook. She was going down the road and it was dark and late, and I think maybe the streetlights on that part of the road weren't working, and there was a crash. She was taken to hospital. We didn't find out until she was there. We rushed there and she was still alive, but there wasn't anything they could do for her. It was all just too late and she'd suffered too much. The car was a wreck and I couldn't imagine what it must have been like for her to be in that. I don't know anything about the other driver either. Whoever they were, they were brought in at the same time, but they weren't i
n the same ward, so I don't know if they died straight away or if they were taken somewhere else. Never knew who did it. Just one of those things, I guess. Two strangers going in different directions, end up causing a shock wave that affects so many people.” Tears stung her eyes as they always did, and she blinked them away.

  “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset.”

  “It's okay,” she said, sniffing. “It always happens. I'm kind of more afraid of the day when I don't cry over it.” Scarlett was too busy tending to her own tears that she hadn't seen Jack flinch when she talked about the accident. His expression only changed briefly, but had she been paying attention, she would have noticed it. As it was, it was a brief flash and then his face was set in its stony expression again.

  “It sounds like the two of you were very close,” he said, and drew her in closer, squeezing her arm with his and making sure that she felt comforted. Scarlett nuzzled her head against his arm, enjoying the feeling of protection that came with him.

  “Yeah, we were best friends. She was a year younger than me but everyone thought we were twins. Losing her was like losing a part of myself. There was a point when I didn't know how I was going to go on without her, but in the end I didn't have any choice. Have you ever lost anyone close to you?”

  He seemed to consider the question for a long time but eventually answered in the negative. “My parents died when I was very young, so I don't remember them that well, and I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I tend to keep most people at arm's length. It somehow seems... simpler that way.”

  “It sounds like a very lonely way to live.”

  “It can be.”

  They walked on in silence, enjoying the presence of one another. It was one of those times when no words were required. The sounds of the park filled the air around them, but with every step they moved further and further away from civilization. A frisbee soared over their heads, and birds swooped through the sky. The roar of cars could be heard in the distance, but was barely a whisper.