Page 40 of Ruthless Financier
He wrapped his arms around me and played with my waist of my skirt. I walked with him back to my table. When he
He smiled at them, full of charm, and said, “Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Archer, I’m going to steal my wife now. We’ll see you both tonight.”
So he’d known the older women personally. They both smiled, and Nora said, “Have fun newlyweds. You’re a lucky man to have found a woman who loves you.”
“I am,” he agreed.
No one could see into my heart like that. If I fell in love for real, I’d be a disaster. I couldn’t let it happen. I looped my arm in his and sprinted out of the club house.
His muscles were hard and tense, but he helped me get into the limo. I opened my lips but he shook his head and pointed to the driver.
So I tugged my ear and tapped my feet during the ride home. How did Jacob’s father being there change things for him? How could I help? Should I even ask? My heart pounded, but we drove to his mansion in silence.
Once there, we headed into the living area. His beach-white walls and yellow couches faced the ocean. I stood in the middle of the room and asked, “Are you okay?”
He paced to the window and back, his hands curled into fists at his sides. “I’ve not seen my father in ten years. This feels like a set-up.”
I swallowed and widened my own stance. We might not be in love, but we were a team. I asked, “What happened the last time you and he spoke?”
His brown eyes had red flashes in them as he said, “I threatened to destroy his company and stormed out.”
When he came closer, I patted his arm and said, “So you told the truth.”
He slowed down and relaxed his arms a little. “He said I could try, but I’d self-destruct before I ever came close to ruining him.”
Now Jacob was one of the richest men in the world. My mind tried to put the clues together. His father was probably proud of his success. Heck, if my future child succeeded, I’d be proud, and I’m not maternal. I tilted my head and asked, “Hmm, are you his heir?”
Jacob’s face was red. I felt his gaze penetrate my skin as he stared at me. Then he shook his head. “He hates me.”
Combined, Jacob’s and his father’s net worth would be astronomical. I placed my hand on my hip and said, “He’s your father. He needs to pass the torch to someone.”
He beat his chest like that might convince me. “It’s not me.”
I cupped my cheek. How did Jacob—who trusted his business acumen—not see this? I batted my eyes. It seemed so obvious to me. “You’re successful, and you’re his son.”
His entire body was stiff as a board as he said, “One he never wanted.”
I walked over and squeezed his hand. “Indulge me.”
He lowered his shoulders slightly as I asked, “What if he showed up and just gave you everything, and you didn’t need to destroy anything?”
He stared at my lips and wet his own. “Then I’d sign everything over to you.”
My skin jumped as my eyes widened. “Don’t be silly. I’m not a banker. And let’s be honest here, I like making money.”
“Right. I was just being extreme. Doesn’t matter anyway. It won’t happen.”
If I was his real wife and not a temporary one, I’d hold him tight.
But I stilled. He traced my cheek like he thought I was precious. “You’re into keeping up your family’s nonprofits. And you’re the sweetest person in the world.”
If I was sweet, then I was weak. But I didn’t tell him that. Instead, I went up on my tiptoes to be closer to him as I said, “With your twenty-five million, I have everything I need.”
He lightly kissed my lips and then said, “No. I want you to be doing something you enjoy.”
Yes, I’d been in charge of financing my family forever. I closed my eyes and my lips opened for more, but instead he stepped back.
I placed my hand on his chest and he let out a sigh and said, “But before I commence with my plan, I need you.”
