The Billionaire Scoop: A BWWM Romance (Secrets & Deception Book 1) (5 page)

W
hat the hell was that
?

Mari almost walked into someone as she exited her apartment, concentrating on trying to slow her heart rate back down, but it was no use. 

She knew how Jim felt all right—the kiss felt so natural it took her a few seconds to realize it wasn’t supposed to be happening; he was betrothed, after all.

What had gotten into her?

It was already one thing to let a strange man into her home—quite another for things to go any further with him while he was still technically attached to someone else. 

She was not that kind of woman; no one was going to call
her
a home-wrecker.

Did it matter that Jim was so obviously unhappy and unlikely to go through with the marriage? That he wasn’t exactly in love?

She sighed.

Of course it mattered; a commitment was a commitment.

Sure, it looked like he was about to back all the way out of that deal, but she had to keep her head on straight for more reasons than one.

No matter what Jim said, the circumstances still stood—for now, he belonged to someone else.

So why did it feel so right to have him in her home?

Clearly, he felt it too—his brain and body got confused by the circumstances, and naturally, after spending the night in a woman’s place, he had done what he probably always does when he wakes up—kiss her goodbye.

Jealousy burned through her at the thought.

They hadn’t even done anything!

And it was likely they never would.

Her heart clenched a little at the thought of him saying goodbye later that day or the next, and the very real possibility she’d never see him again—especially after what she had planned.

She wanted more—more of what his lips left on her.

And despite her words, all she’d wanted was to watch him strip last night.

She was trying to be bold, helping him out of his jacket, but that step toward him and the nearness to his tall, broad frame and his intoxicating cologne was too much.

She had never had a one-night stand before; in fact, her last time was eons ago—her second year in college.

Jim made her want to do far more than what she considered decent, and they had no sort of relationship at all!

She didn’t get involved with anyone she wasn’t in a committed relationship with!

But she couldn’t tell her body that.

Heat pooled at her core whenever she was with him, and she had to fight herself not to help him take his shirt off and more last night.

She was tempted to strip her own clothes off right there and then!

Where had the impulse come from?

Um…obviously he’s hot. You saw those forest eyes, that chiseled face…

Jim was right—she was crazy to bring a strange man into her home—a man oozing sensuality and sexual prowess. A powerfully built man with a broad chest, muscular arms, sea-green eyes, and a panty-melting smile.

How long did he plan to stay in her place again?

And how the hell was she supposed to keep resisting him when she could barely keep her mind out of the gutter around him?

Simple—just say ‘hey,’ then sort out the food situation, tell him you have to study or whatever, and then disappear into your room as fast as possible. Well, maybe not right away, since you need more info from him, but as soon as the atmosphere shifts—like maybe around nine…

She shook her head again.

If
he was still there when she got back.

What was she thinking, leaving him there in her home?

She hid everything that could give away her intended career before leaving, but what if he was extra snoopy? What if he used his millions to do some research on her and found out what she was up to?

She knew it was unlikely, but to her surprise, the thought of returning home and finding him gone scared her more than anything.

She was nowhere near ready to let him go, and not just because she hadn’t gotten more out of him for her story just yet.

Jim Craig was certainly a dangerous man—his kiss had not only made her feel inappropriate, it made her feel like dropping the scoop immediately.

She started growing angry at herself.

You haven’t even gotten the D, and you’re thinking about sparing him?

Why was she still having any sort of moral conflict about him? He wasn’t worthy of her consideration.

She let out a breath, feeling the weight of that lie.

She had been with him long enough to sense he wasn’t just some selfish prick.

The mere fact that he had fled from an arranged marriage spoke volumes.

But shouldn’t that turn you off?

Any day before yesterday she would have judged a man hard for taking off like that, but the look in his eyes, the way he couldn’t just fall into line with his father’s expectations, that he wanted his marriage to mean something beyond a merger, that he longed to find the proper woman…

Her heart fluttered.

She reminded herself not to get caught up.

Despite the kiss he’d given her, he wasn’t exactly in a position to think clearly himself.

He had way too much going on right now to know what he really wanted.

All he seemed to be sure of at this point was what he didn’t want: Lucy—the poor girl he left behind.

M
ari didn’t believe
the receptionist—the person she’d dropped by to see most likely did not actually just leave for lunch.

It was a flimsy excuse—one she wasn’t surprised to hear considering she had popped by unexpectedly, but she was still proud of herself for trying.

She knew her chances of forcing a meeting between her and an HR person were extremely slim, but she was hoping to catch the eye of someone in charge on at least one of her many visits.

Maybe someone important would glimpse her and want to know more; her mom had always told her that presenting a case in person is usually most powerful.

“It’s harder for someone to say no while looking at you,” her mom used to say, “And you, in particular, have a distinct advantage. People always respond to pretty.”

“I’m not that pretty, mom.”

“Pretty enough, baby.”

Sure, she’d continue to keep mailing resumes, but she would keep trying to arrange a meeting in person, unannounced.

At least, now she was just going through the motions pleading her case, knowing she had a hell of a trump card to play.

Once she got her info together for her article on Jim Craig, she imagined several places clamoring for her exclusive.

As she left the building, she dialed up Annie, hoping to catch her at a good time.

Her best friend usually took her lunch breaks around this time, and if she wasn’t too busy, Mari could finally spill some of the beans from the past twelve hours or so—she felt like she was about to burst.

So much had happened in so little time.

Just as she’d hoped, Annie answered.

“What’s up, big-shot? How was the first day at work? I just know you nailed that interview and they asked you to start immediately!”

“I thought I did too, but it didn’t work out. But you know what mama says—when one door closes, one opens, and an opportunity of a lifetime walked right into me last night. Or I walked up to it. Or…”

“Well, do tell!”

Mari quickly filled her in, leaving out a few details.

“Dang! When I said it’ll all fall into your lap, I didn’t think it would almost be literal! So let me get this straight—some billionaire jilts his bride and you gave him your apartment to hide out in, your shoulder to cry on, and you’re going to use everything he shares with you to write an article.”

“Yup! Can you believe it? I thought I just knew how things were going to go, what job was right for me, the path I’d take. I had stuff all planned out, and life went ahead presented something far better than I could have come up with myself. It’s not the way I imagined it would happen, but it’s a helluva lot better!”

“Nuh-uh, girl.”

Mari thought she’d heard things for a moment.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re not gonna use that man to start your career.”

Mari felt taken aback.

“I don’t see the problem here. He’s a high-profile figure, this is a major scandal, it has so many sexy elements to it—the rich, the pretty, the petty…”

“Yeah, but have you told him you’re a reporter? Does he know everything he says can and will be used against him?”

“This isn’t a court of law—it’s entertainment, and anything goes. The guy is filthy rich and I can almost guarantee he’ll be none the worse for wear. He’ll be just fine in the end—we both will. Dang, I thought you’d be more supportive!”

“I’m supportive of your career choices, sure. It’s your life, not mine. I’m supportive of your love life choices, long as it’s not some douche who’s likely to hurt you. I am
not
supportive of outright deception. You’re telling me your betrayal won’t hurt him?”

“You do understand the world of reporting, right? This is part and parcel…”

“Shit, are you recording this right now? Are you planning to do some story on old best friends left behind and how quickly things change or something?”

“Wait, what? I would never do that!”

“I don’t know about that now, Mari—looks to me like if a story calls for it, all previous morals go out the window. I give up my right to expect confidence from you…”

“It’s different with you—you’re my best friend!”

“So I thought! But I don’t know how to be best friends with someone I can no longer trust.”

Mari couldn’t believe it.

“I really don’t understand why you’re being so hard on me—there’s a clear difference here, and that man is not my friend. He is a stranger. A very rich stranger. No matter what happens, he’ll be fine in life. He’s got cushions galore, Annie—he’s got the trifecta of privilege. Why the hell should I give some silver-spoon any consideration? You know if the tables had been turned, he’d throw me under the bus in a jiffy.”

Annie’s voice seemed to soften.

“Look, I get what you’re saying, but as a person, that man is vulnerable and trusting you with a part of his life at a time when he’s having trouble talking to anyone else. You don’t think that deserves some respect?”

“I must respect a man who left his fiancée at the altar?”

Annie whistled.

“Dang, touché! Okay, Mari, do what you have to do, but let the record show I discourage betraying the guy. Get all the info you need, but please think twice about sharing it; think about what this could do to him beyond making part of his life public entertainment. From what you’ve told me about him, all I hear is a person going through it, and one of the worst things that can happen while going through it is having some flashlight shined on it for everyone and their shitty opinions to impose themselves on.

“You remember Raquel—that poor girl couldn’t handle everyone suddenly knowing about her freaky side and having that sex tape get out. Sure, she wasn’t as protected as this guy; she didn’t have people to shield her from it one way or another, but some people can’t take the added burden of public judgment and venom. Stuff like this tends to bring the worst out in people. Let me put it this way—how would exposing his deepest secrets help him? Who would it be helping but yourself? What would Erin Brockovich do?”

Mari burst into a giggle.

“Laugh, but isn’t that what you told me? Isn’t that the kind of stuff you want to do? Expose corruption and neglect and whatnot? Wasn’t your goal to help people? Inform the public about important things? Since when is betraying a rich guy’s confidence in his most vulnerable of times important? Besides, I hear a little more in your voice than excitement over a story. This whole thing could be far greater than just some exclusive, Mari; you like him, and maybe he likes you. It might not be the right time, but betraying him like you plan to do is sure to mess up whatever potential you guys might have.”

Mari let her best friend’s words sink in.

Then she said, “You really think I have a chance with a guy like him? Spare me. He’s destined for someone more like his equal.”

“Well, like you recently said your damned self, destiny has other plans than what makes the most sense to us at the time and sees possibilities far beyond our puny calculated choices. And didn’t he run from his supposed equal? Be careful, Mari; the story and access to it might be a once in a lifetime opportunity, but isn’t the guy himself?”

Mari shook her head though she knew Annie couldn’t see her.

“I have to go—I’m headed to drop off some more resumés.”

“Glad to hear it. And if things work out between you and the billionaire, you won’t have to worry about that anymore!”

Mari chuckled and decided not to fight Annie on her fanciful notions anymore.

She knew the most she could hope for at the moment was a chance to address the sexual tension between her and the unhappy tycoon, and they could maybe get a night or two of carnal satisfaction—
after
he was officially available again, of course.

Guys like him didn’t use girls like her for more than a few nights, she was sure of it.

And in this case, she didn’t mind being used for a night or two at all—especially since, despite Annie’s concerns, she knew she had to go through with the story.

J
im stared at his phone
.

He’d turned it off at some point, avoiding both attempts to contact him and attempts to track him down via the phone’s GPS; he wouldn’t put it past his dad to get someone to try to pin down his general location through the phone—especially as a father unaware of what had happened to his son. Not to mention the businessman who’d lost control of one of his employees.

Twenty missed calls
, it informed him after booting up.

He imagined at least half of those calls were from Lucy. Five were probably from his dad, and the others a mix of his sister and Scott; not many people had his personal number.

He realized his voice mailbox was full.

He didn’t even want to bother guessing who had taken up the most space there, and he certainly didn’t care to acknowledge the number of texts he’d received.

He let out a deep breath.

He couldn’t hide forever.

It surprised him to discover that, although Lucy had called many times, she didn’t leave a single voice mail; most of the messages were from his dad.

“Son, I know it’s a bit much to take in. We’re pausing the ceremony while you come to your senses. Take a breath. See you in a few minutes.”

Jim felt sick as the image of a hundred people waiting for him to return formed.

What he’d done, far beyond ditching Lucy at the altar, started to sink in.

He had not only embarrassed Lucy and her parents tremendously but his own father.

He imagined his dad confidently informing the crowd that he’d return, smiling wide as he assured everyone the show would go on.

Shit.

Jim would have to come up with one heck of a face-saving story.

Blood raced in his temples as he selected the next message.

“Son, where are you? Give me an ETA.
Or something
.”

Jim groaned.

He knew exactly what his dad meant by that
something
—a damned good excuse. A made-up medical ailment, most likely—something everyone could immediately understand. A ruptured appendix. An aneurism.

He felt light-headed then immediately lost consciousness and was hospitalized overnight? Oh, poor thing! Well, we’ll certainly try to be there for the ceremony once he’s well again!

Jim knew his dad didn’t necessarily mean for him to call right then, but his father was right—he needed a proper excuse for his departure, and it sure as hell couldn’t be that he just didn’t want to go through with the wedding; that wasn’t an option.

While he half-listened to the next few messages, he tried to come up with an acceptable reason to give his father.

Lucy was another matter, but he’d deal with that later.

His dad’s messages got even angrier, his voice getting lower, the messages shorter and more threatening until a final “Call me immediately!” with no concern in the raised voice, only barely-restrained rage.

But his dad was too smart a man to actually threaten him in a voice mail, something that would be recorded, kept, and possibly replayed for other ears.

His anger at his son would be understandable to anyone else who might have heard it, but a man as careful as his dad left little room for error.

Jim shook his head as he processed his dad’s messages.

How did he do it? How did his father manage to just take over the reins from the last Craig patriarch and ease into the business so easily?

Not once did Jim detect his dad might be happy elsewhere—somehow, what his great-grandfather had founded decades and decades ago stayed in the hands of each successive Craig generation, and each man accepted everything without complaint.

So what was
his
problem? 

It wasn’t that he wasn’t good at what he did—he’d been inducted so early, his tendencies hadn’t mattered.

Now, here he was, vice president and a shoe-in for CEO once his dad stepped down one way or another, and he wanted to throw a tantrum about it like some brat.

His father had made sure life was very comfortable and easy for him. Marrying Lucy and taking over the family business someday was truly the least he could do.

He remembered the disappointment on Maribel’s face when she spoke of the job opportunity she thought she had in the bag disintegrating before her eyes.

Jim never had to bounce around searching for a job, and now, what he took for granted daily loomed before him in the face of Maribel’s desperate job search.

He’d wanted to just hand her a job like his father had done for him, and even though she clearly needed to get started sooner than later, she’d refused him. 

Why?

“No handouts,” she’d said.

No obligations
, she’d implied as if he would expect some sort of indecent favor in return.

But also, underneath it all, she apparently had no interest in the jobs he’d offered her; she wanted to pursue a particular position he couldn’t provide.

She’d been sort of vague about her pursuits, but she clearly had something specific in mind. No one moved to New York for just anything.

He’d press her more about it later.

He stared at his phone again, dreading having to check his emails soon too.

All he knew was that he couldn’t call his dad back just yet.

He flipped through his text messages and discovered that, surprisingly, only his sister and best friend had texted him.

Scott hadn’t called at all, but Judy had, and she eventually left the one message that wasn’t his dad.

“You need to touch base,” was all she’d said.

He dialed her up.

“That was a total dick move,” she greeted him.

Jim grinned, even as he put his hand on his forehead in shame.

Judy always had a way of being forthright.

Her bluntness tended to surprise some people at first, but they ultimately appreciated it.

It was a rare occasion where she held her tongue to spare feelings.

“I know, Judy. I just…”

“Brother, you know I’ll support you in any case, but Lucy deserves an explanation. A phone call. A certified, notarized letter. Something. You can’t just…”

“I know, I know—I’ll call her right now. Well, after we’re done here.” Jim took a deep breath. “How’s dad?”

“Mad as hell,” Judy said. “Like, I was a little worried, considering what you looked like earlier, and your discomfort with the whole thing didn’t escape dad, obviously. He knows your heart wasn’t exactly in it; in fact...well, I won’t repeat what he said.”

“Go ahead; I think I need to hear it.”

“He’s not sure how he managed to raise such a yellow-bellied son.”

“Raise? Is that what he calls leaving care completely up to mom and nannies? Christ, the only way I could see him was when I joined the company.”

“This isn’t about any of that right now. You embarrassed everyone and you must address this whole thing sooner than later. The longer you wait, the worse it gets.”

Jim rubbed his forehead.

“I know—I’ll sort out apologies to the group at large. As for dad and Lucy, I’ll get to them after we hang up. I just wanted to talk to someone who wouldn’t rage at me first.”

“Where the heck have you been, Jim? I was really starting to get worried myself.”

“I found a place to hide out. I won’t say where over the phone, obviously. Just know I don’t plan to stay here forever. I’ll sort everything out between today and tomorrow.”

“Are you still going to go through with it? That’s pretty much the only thing dad will accept, I think.”

“I’ll figure it out. If dad or Lucy had gotten hold of me sometime last night, I might have, and if things didn’t happen the way they did in the hours afterward. Now, I know I can’t go through with it, no matter what the threats.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

He bit his tongue, taking a moment to consider.

Should he tell Judy?

He trusted her, no doubt, and despite her bluntness, she knew how to keep a secret, but he didn’t want any possible judgment with it; after all, how on earth could he explain to her he could no longer be bullied into marrying Lucy because he’d met someone he would much rather tie himself to less than two hours after his scheduled nuptials? How crazy and selfish would that sound?

Judy wouldn’t take his interest in some other woman so quickly seriously, and she would no doubt decide it was just another thing representing his desire to escape his commitment; a way for him to slither out of the deal.

How on earth could he impress upon her that he was serious about this new girl? Did he even know for sure he wasn’t clinging to the idea of Maribel in a desperate attempt to escape Lucy?

Best to keep his mouth shut for now until things were clearer to him.

He chose his words carefully.

“I mean, if dad had found me after I ran out, I might have been persuaded to go back inside and follow through. But getting away from everyone overnight and having time and space to really think about what it all means…I’ve reached the point where it’s pretty damned clear that there’s no way in hell I can marry Lucy. I’ll come up with whatever excuse he wants to hear, but having so narrowly escaped certain unhappiness,
this
one thing is clear.”

He heard Judy let out a breath. 

“I don’t know how you’re going to get out of this unscathed, but whatever you decide, whatever you need, I’m here, brother. You know that. I will help you escape if you need to, and I won’t get in trouble for it.”

Jim chuckled.

“Thanks, sis.”

She was right—perhaps it was because she was a girl, perhaps for other reasons, but their dad was always harder on him.

Then again, even though not at all related by blood, Judy was far more like his father than he was.

She was smart, practical, and a natural fit in the company as its CFO. Who would have thought adopted Judy would end up being his parents’ dream child?

Jim considered who to call next.

He still hadn’t come up with what to say to his father, and even though it was the same case with Lucy, he knew he needed to get to her first.

Lucy picked up on the second ring.

“Hello?” she said as if she hadn’t read his name on her call screen, and it could be anyone on the other line—although she obviously didn’t fear a kidnapper with a ransom message, the way she faked indifference.

“Lucy,” he began quietly, his voice heavy, and that was all it took for her dam to burst, it seemed.

He had to hold the phone away from his ear as she yelled at him, asking what the hell he was thinking, where the hell he was, and how he could do that to her, among other choice words.

He brought the phone back to his ear once she screamed, “Answer me!”

“Lucy, I’m so sorry. I know an apology doesn’t even begin to...listen, let’s arrange to meet up. I would much rather talk in person; we have a lot to discuss.”

“Ya think? Fine. You know where, 6 p.m.”

Jim checked his watch.

He had plenty of time to figure out a change of clothes in addition to sorting out his thoughts.

Hopefully, everything would be clearer once the meeting time arrived, but for now, he was certain of one thing: he wanted Maribel to come with him.