GRAEME UNCAGED: Part One (Taming the Billionaire Book 2) (12 page)

“It’s beautiful, and very large, isn’t it? About the same size as the one Daddy gave Olivia, and that set him back over two million,” said Julia faintly. “Have you told Daddy yet?”

“Yes, we had lunch with them. Of course he’s known ‘Riguez forever, they were at University together although ‘Riguez was two years behind him. And Rodriguez really did sell Daddy a bank on Tuesday, and I am so excited and so happy and I can hardly wait to be married to this man...” Louisa ran out of breath.

“And did Graeme and Olivia buy your story?” asked Nick, much amused.

“Er...of course they did!” insisted Louisa.

Rodriguez smiled.

“I think Graeme will be happier with me as a son-in- law than this worm called William.”

“When is the wedding?”

“It will be as soon as legally possible. Louisa’s solicitor says about eight or nine weeks if we marry in England. However, my Uncle King Philippe Miguel has arranged a special license in Espagnolia and we will be married three days after Louisa gets her decree absolute. So, we plan a wedding on December 15
th
, in Madriata.

“A family friend is Archbishop of Madriata and he has already arranged special dispensation for us to be married by him at the Cathedral there, since Louisa is converting to Catholicism.  My mother is planning the wedding already in Madriata. My solicitors who arranged my annulment are looking at Louisa’s situation to see if it possible to do the same for her, and then we will be married sooner.”

“Well, I just know William will try to get money out of this,” said Julia.

“He asked for two million, but we settled with selling him a house Rodriguez had in Notting Hill for a tenner, so he can have a home for him and Maxine and the baby.  He started talking DNA tests, but my solicitor told him we’d want the same and that got dropped in a hurry because he figured Maxine would freak.  I think he may really love her, she’s just his speed...anyway my solicitor is getting the divorce on grounds of unreasonable behaviour, his drinking, my riding more than William liked, and that makes it less messy.”

Nick started to laugh.

“Hmm, DNA tests. Perhaps I can help you there if it comes up again. A friend of mine works for a lab...”

Rodriguez smiled. “My cousin owns such a lab, Nick...”

“And you sold Graeme a bank? Sounds like you might be able to afford Louisa and her riding. I’m sure you will be very happy.”

“He’s perfect for me,” sighed Louisa. “William doesn’t hold a candle to him in any way.”

They drank the champagne and talked for hours. Nibbled on the canapés, then moved to the restaurant for a proper dinner.

At the end of the evening, Julia was convinced that Louisa for once in her life had made a good choice.

“But, baby, you don’t believe their story do you?” asked Nick as they undressed for bed.

“No, but they are beginning to believe it themselves. When we went to the loo, Louisa told me ‘Riguez’s wife has been saying not only that he is sterile but that he’s gay as well, so it really works for him, and Louisa has stars in her eyes.

“According to her, Rodriguez is one of the best riders in the world, nearly as rich as our family, and traditional. She says she feels safe, sexy, desirable and clever with him, so it’s a win-win, isn’t it?”

“Unless he really is sterile and gay,” said Nick softly.

“She says he might be sterile, so the baby is manna from heaven, but he definitely is not gay, she says. In fact, she says he’s amazing...”

“Amazing, eh?”

“But he can’t be more amazing than you, Nicky. Please show me just how amazing you are.”

“Gladly, jewel of my heart...”

Julia sighed happily as Nick took her into his arms and kissed her passionately.

TEN

The wedding of Nick and Julia the following Saturday was perfect. Julia had asked that Graeme and Olivia have it at their home, and Rose had outdone herself, making sure everything was as perfect as money could achieve.

Julia wore her mother’s wedding dress and looked radiant. Louisa and ‘Livi were her attendants.

Olivia helped them to write their vows.

It went off without a hiccup.

The reception was rather interesting.

William came.

Well, he had an invitation, didn’t he, from before this nasty divorce business blew up?

He regarded both Julia and Nick as good friends, and was not bright enough to realize that once he and Louisa were finished, he’d never hear from them again.

He had the taste not to bring Maxine .He didn’t stay long, Maxine would have been upset if he did.

He chatted politely with Louisa and Rodriguez and thanked them for the house. Maxine loved it, he told them. His grandmother was giving him fifty grand from his trust fund to decorate and furnish it.

His father said somebody had tipped him off about irregularities in the futures trades that had caused such losses and it looked likely he could recoup as much as ten million from the brokerage firm.

As he left, he kissed Louisa on the cheek and shook Graeme’s hand.

“I know it was you who found out about the broker, Graeme, and I thank you. My father is too stubborn and embarrassed to do that, but he asked me to give you his regards. I hope you aren’t going to call any of the loans you bought?”

“As long as your marriage is dissolved quickly, your father has nothing to worry about, but if he interferes, I will destroy him. Nothing is more important to me than my family’s happiness and peace of mind.”

“He’s not going to interfere. Grandmother read the riot act to him.”

Graeme smiled. He liked William’s feisty grandmother.

“My best regards to your Grandmother. Tell her we’d love to take her to dinner the next time she decides to visit London.”

William pulled Graeme further aside.

“Eh, Graeme, I don’t really believe that Espagnolian or Espayolian, whatever he is, is the father of the baby you know, but if she’s happy with him, I wish them all the best. I’m sure he’ll suit Louisa better than me, since he’s as horse mad as she is.”

Graeme smiled. Perhaps William wasn’t quite as stupid as Louisa wanted to believe. Or perhaps it was his male ego speaking…

“She’ll be happy with him, William. You’re quite correct. He’s as horse mad as she is.  Let me know when your wedding is, won’t you? I’ll send you a cheque, so that you and Maxine have a little nest egg. No need to mention that to anyone, though.”

“That would be wonderful, Graeme. Very, very kind of you. We are pretty broke.”

“I can imagine. Your father is stretched to the limit at the moment and he must have cut you back somewhat.”

“Yes, he halved my salary. When he heard I got the house, he threatened to cut it again…and he probably will.”

“Well, I’ll give you a million, for being gracious about Louisa and Rodriguez on the condition you tell no one of your suspicions. Rod is actually Prince of Iberia through his Spanish Father and in line to the Espagnolia throne, through his mother. We don’t want any rumours flying about.”

“A million pounds? Oh, Graeme, I won’t say a word to anybody, not even to Maxine!”

Graeme nodded.

“I’ll open an account at Browning Mercantile Bank, and it will be there, sitting, making interest…don’t tell Maxine
or
your father, or I’ll take it away.”

“Don’t worry, Graeme. Mum’s the word.”

William went home, regretting not the loss of his wife, but of his father-in-law. Graeme was William’s new hero.

Julia and Nick left for their honeymoon, the party wound down and Graeme took Olivia upstairs to bed.

“I’m truly amazed and grateful that Louisa didn’t tell her sister about our baby,” smiled Graeme. “I’ve never known her to keep a secret from Julia before. In fact, I’ve never known her to keep a secret.”

“Well, thank goodness she did. I really didn’t want to take any attention away from Julia and Nick, and we didn’t.”

“No, but Louisa and Rodriguez did somewhat with all the publicity they’ve had.  Everyone seemed to believe them, though.”

“Rose is so happy she doesn’t have to plan that wedding, she said two was enough.”

“Rose and Ragnar seem to be doing quite well,” remarked Graeme as they undressed.

“She’s truly happy. She says they suit each other.”

“He’s smitten with her,” said Graeme. “He’s busy designing a collar for Rose. I told him he should wait, but he pointed out that like me, when you meet the right woman, waiting is only a waste of time.”

“Louisa’s asked to wear my wedding gown, Graeme. I’m very touched. We think the high waist and bell skirt will fit her nicely. She’s going to come and try it on tomorrow.”

“That is nice, ‘Livi. The girls really accept you, baby.”

“I’m glad we’ve invited them for the holidays. I remember Nick telling you Julia wanted Christmas at their new home, but once they moved in, she realized it won’t be ready and she’s all geared up for Belfast. Rodriguez said they will be there as well, Boxing Day through New Year’s Day. Do you really want to invite Amanda and her boyfriend?”

“We should. Just for New Years, maybe five days?”

“Perhaps we should invite Haillie for the same time?  It sounds like she has a pretty dismal holiday planned. I know all about dismal holidays, Graeme. This is the first Christmas I’m actually going to enjoy! She can amuse Amanda. And I know she’s disappointed I haven’t started my office yet.” Olivia sighed.

“What, baby?”

“Well, Graeme, I know she can do the job, and I should be happy to have her, but there’s just something, something calculating about Haillie. I’m not overjoyed about the thought of her being my administrator. She tries to push me and I don’t need that, from her.”

“I understand, ’Livi. I created this situation for you, didn’t I, by speaking to her before I checked with you?

“Hmm…If Michael Wilde becomes Vice Chairman, Brian Scott will take his place, Paul Easton will move up to Brian’s job and Mergers and Acquisitions will need someone to take care of the meddlesome administrative chores he does. Of course, Haillie can’t take on all Paul’s duties, but we can always hire another analyst. Perhaps she’d fit in there, with all the men? It would be a better move for her careerwise than to a P.A. position.”

“She’s looking for an affluent husband, Graeme, if the truth is known, not a banking career.”

“Well, she’ll certain meet some wealthy men working in Mergers and Acquisitions, won’t she?”

“She will.”

“Let’s invite her for New Years, and I’ll ask Jeremy Pullman. He’s a chap I play squash with occasionally and he owns shares in the fitness centres with Michael and I. He’s in his early thirties, very fit, good looking, wealthy and not in any serious relationship. He’s been married twice, has twin boys but they live with his first wife in Belgium, not him. You met him the first night I took you to The Club, but I think you were too nervous to remember him.”

“Do you think he’ll like Haillie?”

“He’ll like to get Haillie into bed, baby. I think she may be too self-absorbed for him long term and not submissive enough, but they’ll have a nice New Year’s.”

“Would you like a bath, Graeme?”

“I’d rather take you to bed and play with these,” leered Graeme as he dangled the gold handcuffs in front of his wife.

“Oh…oh…yes, please.”

  “What a great gift this was from Michael and Linda,” he smiled as he took Olivia’s wrist and snapped a cuff on.  “They do fit you perfectly, baby.”

“They do, Sir. Linda and I are about the same size, so they had Ragnar use her wrists as the model.”

“Lie on the bed, ’Livi, you know, closer to the headboard, I’m going to fasten you to the slats.

“Hands above you head, kitten, all stretched out for me to ravish.”

“If it pleases you, Sir.”

“You please me, my darling. You always please me.”

Graeme spread her legs and knelt between them. He leaned over her, supporting himself on his arms, and leaning down, kissed her softly at first, then nipping gently at her bottom lip and then his tongue slipped between her open lips and he played languidly with hers, softly stroking, softly thrusting, tender, loving...He pulled away from the kiss and gazed into her eyes.

“Olivia, I have never loved a woman the way I love you...”

“Thank you, my husband. You know you’re the only man I’ve ever loved, ever will love.”

“Michael was right when he told me I’d never deeply been in love with anybody before you not even with Carrie. He said I’d loved her, but I hadn’t been in love with her, and I know he was right...”

“Oh, Graeme…”

His lips were moving now, from her earlobe, down along her graceful neck, to
that
spot, the place that when he made those wet circles that marked her as his, made her writhe and quiver for his touch...