The Billionaire Goes For Broke: Book 1: London (5 page)

Michael pulled himself out of the water, the cool drops sliding off his arms and back. His hair was slicked back on his head as he strode into the beach. He could feel the sand sticking to the soul of his feet as he took the steps. He felt refreshed, energized and blissfully alone. The only sound around him was the whooshing of the palm trees in the beach and that of seagulls. He had forgotten till now what peacefulness felt like.

Once out of the water, Michael wasn’t sure what he was going to do next. He turned around to look back at the waves again, in near disbelief that all of this was his. What had he done to deserve any of this? 

“Mr. Castle? Michael?” Thelma’s sweet voice interrupted his thoughts. It wasn’t until he’d turned around, his hands on his hips, to face her; that he realized that he wasn’t wearing anything. That he was completely butt-naked and still drenched. Thelma still had a smile on her face, and her eyes didn’t travel anywhere from his face. He could feel his neck growing red in the embarrassment of being naked in front of her, but his hands fell to his side.

“I tried calling you on the intercom. What would you like for your supper? Do you have a preference?” Thelma asked, as calmly as she always was. Michael could feel his heart thumping from the excitement and the embarrassment.

“I…uh…whatever you want. No, I don’t have a preference.” He didn’t know what he was saying. Thelma took a few steps towards him and Michael stepped away, suddenly surprised by her forthrightness. He was completely naked, why didn’t she care? Why was she not shy to see him like this?

“I’ll think of something then.” She said and now he saw as her eyes travelled all over him. They finally rested on his dick, which was for some reason moving as she spoke to him. Michael instinctually covered himself with his hands now and Thelma smiled again.

“You don’t need to be embarrassed Michael. This is your home.” She said, and took a few more steps towards him. He watched her full lips move, her long slender bare arms by her side and the way her breasts rose and fell under the dress. She was absolutely gorgeous. Michael shook his head, to be rid of the thoughts forming in his head. He couldn’t afford another involvement, not at this time. Even though she was making it very difficult for him to resist her.

“Thank you Thelma.” He said abruptly, hoping she would take that as a cue to leave.

“Mr. Castle…Michael. If you’re lonely…” She said and to his absolute surprise Thelma placed a hand on his damp bare chest. He felt her touch like a thud and his body jolted away from her.

“No I’m not…I mean, I’m fine. Thanks.” He said hurriedly, but the smile on her face remained and she placed another hand on his chest.

“I didn’t get a chance to thank you for this job Michael.” She said, craning her neck back to look at him. Their bodies were only inches apart now and Michael struggled hard to not simply envelope her in his arms.

“That’s not necessary Thelma. You’re very welcome. You’re doing a great job here.” He was still stuttering with his words. How did she have this effect on him? Why was she even doing this?

“I want to though. To show you just how grateful I am.” She leaned in towards him and Michael stepped back from her, so that her hands fell away from his body.

“Thelma. Please, I need some time to myself.” Michael said, trying to smile so as not to embarrass her. She wasn’t the first woman to come on to him, neither was Danielle. Michael knew his position, his money, his athletic physique…all played a role in getting women’s hormones working on overtime. He knew that the best way to deal with a suggestion of this sort was to be polite and not hurt anyone’s feelings. And he especially didn’t want to hurt Thelma’s.

“Of course. But everyone likes a bit of company.” She was still smiling, seemingly not in the least offended by his resistance. She reminded him of Danielle in a flash, the same kind of confidence in her sexuality, as attractive if not more. Michael could barely believe his luck! But this wasn’t luck, he couldn’t do this anymore, not again.

“I’d prefer to not have any company at this time Thelma.” He said again and took a few more steps away from him. She watched him, biting her lip. Did she think it was a game? Her eyes dropped to his dick again, which was hard and throbbing by now. He cursed it, his own body. It was defying him.

Thelma took more steps towards him and this time Michael was frozen in his spot. She smiled, catching his gaze intensely and then fell down on her knees in front of him. Without warning, she had taken his dick in her mouth. Michael’s eyes closed instinctually and his head craned back. This was unbelievable. She felt amazing, his heart was racing, his hands were reaching out for her head.

Suddenly he snapped. He pushed her away, probably a bit too roughly and then stepped away from her.

“What are you doing? I need to be alone, please.” He might have spoken too harshly because Thelma stood up now, a look of being hurt had entered her eyes. He didn’t know what he had done wrong. How he had led her on.

“Dinner will be ready in an hour. I’ll serve it in the dining room once you press a buzzer.” She said and swiftly turned around to walk away. She was hurrying away from him, like she needed to get away from Michael.

His head was exploding again. All the peace and calm he had managed to accumulate for himself after the swim had deserted him. She didn’t need to hurry away, he was the one who needed to escape from her. Given his history with confident sensuous women like Victoria and Danielle, he knew he wouldn’t be able to resist Thelma for very long.

Michael remained standing, watching her walk up the path and enter the house. This was turning out to be a bad idea now. Even a few months ago, Michael would have fucked her. He would have thrown her on the sand and taken her, if that was what she wanted.

What was stopping him now? Victoria? Danielle? All the long list of women in his life? His company facing turbulent times? Michael ran his hands through his drying hair and looked up to the sky. What was he going to do?

In the dining room, the table was set and Michael sat at the head of the table by himself. The meal was elaborate, six courses and Thelma stood at the other end of the table, with her hands crossed and a look of forced politeness on her face.

“This looks great Thelma. Thank you.” He said, picking up his cutlery, without looking at her. She didn’t respond to that and he finally faced her. She looked away.

He spooned some caviar from the silver bowl and pushed it into his mouth, he wasn’t hungry anymore. The most beautiful woman he had ever set eyes on, was standing before him. Asking him to sleep with her, to touch her, to make her feel good…and yet, he couldn’t do it. Since when had Michael gotten so emotional? He couldn’t still be hung up over Victoria? She was a bad person, he knew that now. She didn’t deserve his time, or his mental effort. What was it then? Danielle? She was too young for him. Too naive. He didn’t know her well enough to be emotionally attached to her. What was it then?

“Thelma.” He said quietly when he finished chewing.

“If everything is alright I’ll leave you then. Let you enjoy your dinner in peace.” She was more professional than he expected her to be. She had a smile on her face, even though he could tell that she was hurt and embarrassed by being pushed away.

“Before you go, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. For pushing you away. You’re a very attractive woman. I mustn’t be in my right mind.” He said, placing the spoon back on the table. Thelma blushed visibly and hung her head.

“I’m sorry Sir. That was very inappropriate.” She said and Michael cleared his throat. He wanted to say it wasn’t, but he knew it was. “I just…I just didn’t know what you wanted. I thought you wanted me. And I want you. So I thought it would be fine.” She still wasn’t looking at him. Michael licked his lips and tried to think. She wasn’t entirely wrong. Of course he wanted her, it was clear to see. His dick was hard again already, just hearing her speak.

“It wasn’t your fault. I might have looked at you a certain way, given you signals. It’s just that…I’m not available right now. Any other time, you wouldn’t have been able to keep me off you.” He said, his voice soft and gentle now. He wanted to see her smile again. She did smile at that, pleased to hear that he was indeed attracted to her.

“Do you mean emotionally? Emotionally unavailable? Because I read in the papers that you’re still single.” Her voice was sweet as usual, and this time curious. She seemed to have done her research. Michael smiled and picked up his spoon again.

“Yes, I suppose. Emotionally unavailable.” He said and dug into the caviar again. He didn’t mind talking to her for some reason.

“Like you’re in love with someone?” She asked, as innocently as before and Michael stopped chewing. What did that even mean? What did love feel like? How was he supposed to know?

“No. I don’t think so. Just very lost in my thoughts. Distracted you might say. Too many things are going on in my life. I don’t want to take advantage of you at such a time, when I have nothing emotionally to invest in you.” He said, and suddenly realized that he was speaking to her like they were making a business deal. Thelma was smiling again and she nodded.

“So you’re running away from something?” She asked and Michael nodded slowly.

“Yes. I most certainly am. And I need to go back.” He said, throwing the napkin in his hand on the table.

“You’re going back? Now?” She asked him, watching him stand up from the table.

“Will you let Jackie know to get the jet ready? Yes, I have to go back. I can’t believe I’m running away.” Michael crossed the room over to her.

“Thank you Thelma.” He said, grabbing her by the arms and planting a kiss on her cheek. She giggled.

“You’re welcome Michael. Glad I could be of help.” She said, equally as surprised as he was by the sudden change in mood.

“I’m sorry I can’t finish the meal. But you should know, in another lifetime, in different circumstances, you would be the woman of my dreams Thelma.” Michael said with a genuine laugh and then walked out of the dining room.

He was rushing towards the main door of the mansion. As always Lakshmi had delivered. This was the reason he needed to come here, because this island always had the solution, or at least filled him with the drive and the energy he needed to push forward. He knew all along what he needed to do, he needed to take charge again. The luxury and the money had dulled him down, he was getting lazy. Michael Castle was the only one who could solve all of Michael Castle’s problems and it was about time he did something about it.

“Where in the name of God have you been?” Steve walked into Michael’s office earlier than usual the next day. Michael looked up from his computer, after just having sent off the email he was writing.

“I sent you an email. I went away, but then I cut the trip short.” Michael sat back in his chair, a little taken aback by the tone of Steve’s voice.

“To your bloody island?” Steve banged the door shut behind him, still maintaining his distance from Michael.

“To my island, yes. I didn’t know you felt so passionately against it.” Michael tried to smile, hoping this dark mood of Steve’s was going to pass. He hadn’t seen him like this before, usually it was Steve who was the level headed one.

“So you just decided to up and leave, and switch your phone off in the middle of a major crisis. Giving a rat’s ass about what the rest of us had to go through, alone.” Steve was glaring at Michael now, and Michael cleared his throat. Was this really just about the company?

“It was only for a day Steve. Relax.”

“How was I to know how long it was for? We were all panicking. Everyone wants a refund.” Steve’s voice was raised now and Michael flinched. Nobody, had ever spoken to him this way before. Absolutely nobody, and he could feel his hands itching for a physical fight.

“Calm down Steve. We are in a professional environment.”

“There is absolutely nothing professional about you Michael. You party every day and all night, barely attend to your calls or meetings anymore. You scurry off to your little island in the Caribbean whenever things go wrong. Tell me, why should I even work for you anymore?” Steve was thundering, he had placed his hands on the back of the chair in front of Michael. His eyes were wide and ravage and Michael tried to remain calm.

He placed his hands on his desk and breathed in.

“I needed time to think. Now I’m back, so let’s get started.” He managed to say, even though there was a lot more on his mind that he wanted to rattle off.

“Not so fast Michael Castle. Not before you tell me exactly how you want to explain Danielle’s presence in your office, in my absence.” Steve crossed his arms now and planted his feet firmly on the carpet. He was looking down at Michael.

“What are you trying to say?”

“That I know that Danielle was in here on several occasions without my knowledge.”

“Maybe you should ask your daughter about it.”

“I’m asking you.”

“Let it go Steve. Whatever it is you’re making up in your head.”

“Admit that you’ve been sleeping with my daughter.” Steve screamed now and Michael flinched. He looked away from Steve and let out a huge breath.

“I won’t admit anything. It’s between you and your daughter.” This was exactly what Michael was scared was going to happen. He didn’t want to deal with an enraged father, especially not since the father was Steve Carlisle.

“No. This is between me and you. You are much older than her, you should be the one responsible.”

“She’s a grown up adult, stop treating her like a child.” Michael stood up from his chair now, his voice equally as raised as Steve’s.

“Be that as it may. Did you sleep with her? I’ve seen the way you’ve both been looking at each other. I know she’s been here without me. And since day before, right after she was here, she’s locked herself in her room and you disappeared to your island. Something happened. You hurt her.” Steve had charged towards Michael now, his words being followed by spittle from his mouth.

Michael pushed his hands into the pockets of his pants and smiled.

“You have a good imagination Steve. Tell me, was
I
imagining it when I saw you whispering into Victoria’s ear the other day at the museum? Did I see your hand on her waist and remember correctly that she said you both were on a date?” Michael managed to smile while he was saying this. The impression he wanted to create for Steve was that he was entirely confident in himself. Even though the news that Danielle had locked herself up in her room since that night had thrown him off his center.

Steve visibly shrunk and gulped, then looked away. The ravage look in his eyes turned to guilt instantly.

“Talk about being older. You’re Victoria’s father’s age, his friend even. Does your wife know? Does her father know?” Michael was the one who took a few steps towards Steve now. He moved away from him.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Well, that is what I saw.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Are you threatening me?” Michael asked and an eerie silence descended in the room. Steve pulled at his collar, loosening the tie at his neck. He looked much older suddenly and Michael couldn’t believe that Victoria was attracted to him.

“I just want to know if you’ve been sleeping with my daughter.” Steve asked, in a much calmer voice now.

“Are you sleeping with Victoria?” Michael asked and Steve remained silent. That question was answered by the silence in the room and Michael felt his heart drop to his feet, even though he managed to maintain a smile on his face.

“How long have you been sleeping with her?” Michael asked and Steve looked away.

“I didn’t sleep with her till she turned twenty. I made sure of that, even though she’d been seducing me since she hit puberty.” Steve said and Michael turned away from him. It disgusted him, to think that Steve and Victoria were ever together.

“We’re in love.” Steve was pleading now, begging Michael to understand. “But her father will never understand, the circle that we live in…they’ll never understand.” Steve continued and Michael walked over to the window. What kind of a person was Victoria then? Was she just a heartbroken girl who couldn’t be with the man she really wanted to be with? Steve Carlisle?

“And don’t you dare try and tell me that is what you have with Danielle.” Steve’s voice had changed to a threat again and Michael turned to look at him.

“I know you Michael Castle. I know the way you treat women. I know how I can get at you. Everyone will believe me if I said you were rough with her. That will really get you back.” Steve was thundering again and Michael shook his head.

“Steve. Calm down. You know you can’t do that. Because then, I’ll have to tell your wife and Victoria’s dad what has been going on between the two of you for the last decade.” Michael was smiling again. He knew how to change his expression for the situation, no matter how nervous and upset he was on the inside.

Steve’s face shrunk again, his forehead was covered in a thin film of sweat.

“Michael!” His voice was pleading again.

“Don’t you worry good man,” Michael walked over to him again and thumped him on the back. “You don’t have anything to worry about, as long as you don’t spread malicious gossip about me and your daughter.”

Steve breathed in and shut his eyes.

“Don’t go near my daughter again Michael. If you do, I won’t care what you say about Victoria and me to anybody. I will come after you. Danielle is the most precious thing to me in the world, I won’t allow her to get hurt by a monster like you.” Steve was hissing now, unable to control the hurricane of emotion.

“You just called your boss a monster?” Michael challenged Steve.

“You’re not my boss anymore Michael. I quit. I can’t work with you. You’re on your own.” Steve turned from him. Michael remained silent. Just like every new thing that was happening today, nobody had ever quit his company before. His brand had a reputation for keeping its employees happy. He didn’t know what to say. He was a little relieved, because he didn’t think he could work with Steve anymore, but at the same time, he was going to lose a valued manager.

“Do you have a plan to fix all this?” Steve asked, with his hand on the doorknob. Michael slowly turned to him, and then smiled.

“Of course I do. I’m flying to New York tomorrow to do an interview. There’s nothing some good PR can’t fix. At least temporarily.” Michael said and watched as Steve’s face changed. He looked impressed, he could finally see why Michael Castle had reached the position that he was in right now.

“Well…I hope it works out for you.” Steve said and opened the door and walked out.

Michael sighed loudly as the door closed behind him. Maybe this would mean that all his contact with Danielle will be cut off. Had he upset her? Hurt her? He had given in to her to satisfy her, to please her. He thought that was what she wanted. He hated himself after that. He despised his own weakness…but had she wanted more?

Michael went back to his desk and opened the email he had received as a response. The interview was on and they were excited to host him.

“Jackie. Book me a flight to New York for early tomorrow morning. I need to be in midtown Manhattan by 2:00 pm, local time.”

Michael was alone again and he looked around him. Was his life falling apart or was it coming together finally? He felt more energized than ever before, his company was going to be alright, and Steve was gone. He seemed to be headed in the right direction again, but he couldn’t be sure.

His hands instinctually started typing into the internet search engine. Victoria Collinger. Images of her long chestnut hair, the fabulously glamorous photographs of her flooded his computer screen. He couldn’t believe it. She was in love with Steve Carlisle. Always had been. Michael sighed, realizing then that you can’t change what your heart wants. Victoria wants the world, wants to be successful and also wants Steve. She can’t have him so she does what she can to numb the pain.

Michael didn’t hate her anymore, even though she had played a part in making him feel this miserable. The more he looked at her face, the sorrier he felt for her. What does age matter anyway? Steve was intelligent, well read, successful and very handsome for his age. Why shouldn’t Victoria have him? Since they loved each other.

As his eyes fell on his desk, the image of Danielle lying stretched across his desk flitted through his head. That was that. If he was lucky, he would never have to see her again. But she was so gorgeous though, felt so good in his hands. She was feisty too…but she was out of bounds.

Michael shook his head and reached for his phone. He wasn’t thinking as he typed.

Heard you’re not well. Feel better soon. I probably won’t be seeing you again, Take care.

He sent the message off to Danielle with the hope that it might help her recover. She deserved better than him, better than Michael Castle who didn’t know what he wanted.

What did he want? Thelma? Some other unknown woman he was yet to meet? Danielle? Nothing fixated in his brain and he started pacing the floor of his office. The one thing, the only thing that he could be sure of now was that he needed to fix his company. That was the only way forward and the one thing he was sure he was good at. Where his heart was concerned, it felt broken now and he didn’t know how he could possibly fix it. Perhaps New York might have the solution?