The Unknown Billionaire (Captured by Love Book 6) (21 page)

Marilyn blinked back the tears that were roused by the pooling in Jarryd’s eyes.

“Then I discovered she’d also left me the bulk of her estate,” Jarryd continued, clearing his throat to ward away his own emotions. “I knew that people were more inclined to believe Patrick’s unproven accusations simply because of who he is. I feared then that he had the capacity to forever taint my name and make people question my honesty. Anyway, that’s part of the reason why I was reluctant to use my inheritance. It was my only way to show everyone that Patrick was wrong about me. But I did use some of the cash recently—to buy those diamonds that I sent for testing.”

“Thank you for that,” she said, her voice hoarse. “Dad told me a little bit about it. He’s very sorry for disbelieving you too.”

Jarryd took both her hands and kissed them. “And I’ll work with you guys until this is all sorted. I don’t want anyone questioning
your
integrity and professionalism.”

Marilyn melted. How could she not, when Jarryd’s feelings were written all over his face? But there was something she was dying to hear.

“Do you still love me?” she whispered.

“God, yes!” Jarryd said, cupping her face. “I love you so much. Don’t tell me you’re still doubting that.”

She shook her head, smiling. “No. I just wanted to hear it.”

“And do you still love me?” Jarryd asked softly.

“Yes. I love you with all my heart.”

S
ix months later...

Marilyn padded out of the en suite, having just finished taking a shower. She crossed the large bedroom, smiling wistfully at the sight of the king-sized bed before glancing out the large bay window overlooking Sydney Harbour. Only a couple of wispy clouds broke the blue that was the sky on a beautiful winter’s day.

The brightness outside reflected her general mood. She and Jarryd hadn’t been in any news for the last three or four days. The media attention they’d been getting in the last three months had started to subside.

Thank goodness for that. She’d be sure to rehire the PR company that had helped them start off on the right foot. That PR firm had arranged for a joint press conference held by Greeves Minerals and Grant Ace where she and Jarryd, her parents, and Olivia and Elliot had explained to the media the results of the police investigation against Lorna Tramwell and Patrick O’Neill. While there was still some interest in what had happened, it was nowhere near as intense as it had been when the scandalous news broke out that Lorna had been committing fraud with Patrick’s knowledge and encouragement. Fortunately,
Biz Q&A
would continue on, with a different host and head panellist at the helm.

Customers were also happy that Grant Ace had replaced the twenty-six synthetic stones already sold off with independently certified natural ones despite the sales occurring prior to Grant Ace taking over Well of Brilliance. Even though they’d be losing money on that decision, Marilyn knew that showing the public they were doing the right thing was better for the company in the long run. Plus, she’d instigated legal action against Lorna and Patrick to recoup some of the losses.

And even though she’d rather not be in the spotlight, there was some news that she particularly enjoyed reading about—the goodwill from the public upon hearing that Marilyn Grant of Grant Ace was in a relationship with Jarryd Westbourne, the previously unknown son and heir to the fortune of Margaret O’Neill. Sure, there were also detractors and haters, but she chose not to worry about them.

With a contented sigh, she continued to her big dressing room and looked around, curling her toes to feel the plush carpet. She liked this setup better, with Jarryd’s clothing neatly hung and folded on one half of the generous space. She had more clothes than what was before her, with her evening gowns, less-used dresses and most of her shoes kept in the other dressing room that used to be Jarryd’s.

They’d both hated having to shout just to have a conversation whenever they got dressed together, so they decided that having separate walk-in closets wasn’t the ideal situation they’d thought it would be when they’d bought this beautiful house together two months ago.

She’d enjoyed reorganising their wardrobe even though it took one whole day to finish a task that should only have taken a few hours. Jarryd had kept on distracting her, seducing her whenever she got a section done.

And she’d ended up having an orgasm every time.

She inhaled deeply, desire blossoming in her belly from her hot memories. Argh, if only Jarryd were home, but he’d been away for three days now to visit a Greeves Minerals mine and a gemstone-processing facility in Western Australia. Jarryd was still more than happy for Olivia and Elliot to run the company so he could focus on Westbourne Constructions, but he’d taken a keen interest in learning more about the ins and outs of the corporation he half-owned.

Fortunately, he was due back today, but not until three this afternoon. That meant that he’d be missing a chunk of Erin’s birthday party starting at noon. And they wouldn’t be able to make love until they got back home tonight.

Pouting, she pulled out a maroon turtleneck sweater and a pair of skinny black jeans to wear with ankle-high boots. She laid them down on the long dressing bench in the middle of the room and walked to the drawers where she kept her underwear. She tapped her fingers on her lips, trying to decide what to put on. Should she wear the matching bra and panties she’d bought from Victoria’s Secret yesterday or the lace teddy that Jarryd loved stripping off her?

“How about wearing nothing underneath?” said a sexy voice from the threshold.

She turned around with a gasp before hastening to the man she missed like crazy.

Jarryd caught her in his arms, lifting her off the floor.

“You’re back early,” Marilyn said gleefully.

“Yeah. I almost forgot that I can afford to change my schedule at a whim. I finished early at the facility, so I rang Simon and asked if I could be picked up earlier than planned. Lucky he had a plane available immediately. It was a bigger one, but I thought what the heck, I’m missing my honey and I need to get home as soon as possible.”

She giggled. “You can afford to buy a jet.”

“What’s the point when we have a friend who runs a private jet service? Isn’t that why no one else we know owns a plane? Because every one of us is Simon’s satisfied client?”

“That’s right. Anyway, I’m glad you’re home,” she said sultrily, caressing his nape.

“I’m glad I’m home too,” Jarryd murmured, kissing her passionately. “Especially when I’m lovingly greeted by a sexy naked woman.”

“A sexy naked woman who was having horny thoughts of you,” she said against his lips.

Jarryd let out a low moan, cupping her butt to press her harder against him. “What kind of horny thoughts?”

She wrapped her legs around him. “This kind, except that you should be naked too.”

Jarryd walked them to the dressing bench and sat her there. Then he stood up and started unbuttoning his shirt, his gaze on her hot and wanting.

She licked her lips, leaning back to prop her elbows on the bench. She playfully opened and closed her legs as she watched him strip.

Jarryd impatiently got out of his trousers and briefs and leaned down on her, kissing her hungrily on the lips. “Naughty girl. You know what that does to me. I missed you and your pussy so much I couldn’t wait to get home.”

“Just my pussy?” she said with fake indignation.

He kissed her neck. “I said
you
and your pussy.”

“So my pussy gets a special mention, huh?”

Jarryd licked a nipple, making her arch her back towards him.

“Of course it gets a special mention. It’s my dick’s favourite place.”

She giggled, which turned into a moan when Jarryd touched his dick’s favourite place.

“I love that you’re so wet for me already,” Jarryd murmured, continuing to flick his tongue on her pebbled nipples as his fingers probed her entrance.

“I really missed you,” she said, gasping when Jarryd rubbed her clit. She groped down his body, finding his erection already thick and hard.

Expertly, knowing what the other liked, they took each other to heights of passion only reached by the two of them together.

Soon she was near the crest, ready to explode as Jarryd inserted a finger in her while he continued to suck and lave her rosy peaks.

“I’m so close, honey. I want you inside me,” she pleaded.

Jarryd groaned, as if he didn’t want to obey her but was unable to stop himself from doing so. He positioned himself on top of her. “You’re not wanting a quickie so we can leave for Erin’s party, are you?”

“What? No. I really want you.”

“Good,” he said, inserting his hardness into her. “Because I was imagining a long, slow lovemaking session for my homecoming. We’ll do that after this round.”

She moaned as Jarryd started moving inside her. They’d be late for lunch if they had a second round. But then again, Erin expected Jarryd to be late anyway. Erin wouldn’t mind if she arrived late with her boyfriend, would she?

And frankly, Marilyn didn’t care much for anything else but this moment—she and Jarryd lost in each other, joined together in the most intimate of ways, real and raw, giving and receiving with both vulnerability and power, honest in their need for an indescribable ecstasy that could only be fulfilled by the other.

“Jarryd... I love you...” she panted, almost there.

“I love you too, baby,” Jarryd responded, his breathing laboured as he continued to drive into her.

And she came hard, her body bucking off the bench as she cried out her release.

“Fuck, I love you,” Jarryd said with a groan, pounding into her harder, faster, then tensing before shooting hot jets of come inside her.

*****

“
Hi, sorry we’re a little late,” Marilyn said to Erin as she gave her friend a hug.

“My fault,” Jarryd said with a grin.

“No worries,” Erin said with a wink. “I know what it’s like when Brad and I are apart for more than two days. Anyway, Jade and Lucas aren’t here yet. Apparently, Julian had been fussing all night and had gone to sleep just before they were due to leave. They’re waiting for him to wake up before coming here.”

“Ooh, can’t wait to see little Julian again,” Marilyn said. “What about our two little princesses? Are they here already?”

“Yup, they’re here. They’re asleep in their portable bassinets in our guest room and Lexie and Cassie have the baby monitors in a pouch slung around their necks,” Erin said with a chuckle.

“Can’t wait to give them a cuddle when they wake up,” she said longingly.

They walked into the large open-plan informal living area of Erin and Brad’s house and greeted their other friends and the couple’s relatives congregated there.

“Hey, Tash, how are you feeling?” Marilyn asked as she hugged Natasha. “No sign of the baby coming out yet?”

“No. I do hope he comes out tomorrow as scheduled. I’m really ready to see him now.”

“I hope he comes out tonight,” Erin said. “Then he’ll have the same birthday as Auntie Erin.”

“Well, I do want to enjoy this party first,” Natasha said with a chuckle.

“Aha, here are the latecomers,” Simon called out. “What’s your excuse? You don’t have kids yet.”

“We were trying to make one,” Jarryd quipped.

Marilyn blushed, giving Jarryd a frown.

“Oh, really?” Simon said with exaggerated surprise. “That’s wonderful, you two. More babies for the group.”

“He’s joking, Simon,” Marilyn said. “He just came back from WA, that’s why we’re late.”

“But we thought you’d get here first before Jarryd.”

She rolled her eyes. Sometimes Simon could be annoying with his teasing.

Jarryd put an arm around her waist. “So, Simon,” he said. “Any news on the love front? It’s been six months since you said you were ready for it.”

Marilyn chuckled, pressing closer to Jarryd. How sweet of him to deflect the attention away from them and to Simon.

“Did I hear the word love connected to Simon?” Tristan asked, his eyes round.

“Yes,” Marilyn said to her cousin. “Like you and Derek, he’s looking for true love.”

Tristan snorted. “Who said I’m looking?”

“And Derek’s already found true love,” Rick said.

“Hey, I haven’t said anything of the kind,” Derek retorted.

“I thought you’re being serious with your current girlfriend, bro,” Rick said.

“Nah. Why do you think I haven’t got her to meet you guys?”

“But you’ve been going out with her for a year, haven’t you?” Marilyn asked.

“On and off. And it’s more off than on,” Derek said, looking unconcerned.

“Anyway,” Tristan said, “getting back to you, Simon. So you’re now looking for love, huh?”

Simon smirked. “Not actively. I doubt I’ll find it easily, though.”

“Why?” Marilyn asked.

“Well, in the last six months, I dated seven women. None of them made me feel anything here the way you people in love describe,” Simon said, tapping his chest.

“Seven women in six months!” Cassie said. “Maybe you need to give your feelings some time to develop before giving up too quickly. You must have been interested enough to have asked them out, right?”

“No. They asked me out.”

“All seven girls?”

“Yeah.”

“When was the last time
you
asked someone out?” Lexie asked.

Simon reddened.

“Whoa, whoa,” Rick said. “Simon Alexander blushing. This is new. Pray tell.”

“It’s the sun,” Simon said dryly.

“We’re indoors. Come on, what’s going on?”

Simon sighed. “Okay, fine. I asked three women out in the last six months. And they all turned me down.”

The room went silent.

“All
three
women you asked turned you down?” Carter asked in disbelief.

“Yes. So I had no choice but to go out with the seven who asked me out.”

“Oh, poor you,” Lexie said with a laugh. “Any idea why the three didn’t want to go out with you?”

“Yes. I think they were intimidated by the more aggressive ones who throw themselves at me. And they probably think I just want to fly them in one of my planes and induct them in my personal mile-high club.”