by Marie Carnay
BILLIONAIRES FOR CHARITY: PART THREE
Marie Carnay
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 by Marie Carnay. Cover and internal design © by Marie Carnay. Cover image copyright © Period Images, 2015.
All rights reserved. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The use of stock photo images in this e-book in no way imply that the models depicted personally endorse, condone, or engage in the fictional conduct described herein, expressly or by implication. The person(s) depicted are models and are used for illustrative purposes only.
This book is for sale to mature, adult audiences only. It contains sexually explicit situations and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store this e-book where it cannot be accessed by minors.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title and Copyright
Billionaires for Charity: Part Three
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Epilogue
About Marie
BILLIONAIRES FOR CHARITY
Part Three of a three-part BBW ménage serial
by Marie Carnay
Two billionaires, one curvy woman, and a charity date auction. There’s no upper limit when you’re bidding on love.
Winston and I run one of the top hedge funds in the world. I can have anything money can buy. And tonight, it’s a date with the sexy brunette showing off her curves on stage. Miranda’s everything I want in a woman—sexy, confident, natural. The only problem? Winston wants her too. Thank god I’ve learned how to share.
James and Winston. Billionaires, winning bidders, sex gods. Two men I never expected to meet, let alone fall for. But when they sweep me off my feet, I can’t help it. I’m smitten. Can I give two men my heart? Or will I end up ripped in two and all alone?
Part Three of a three-part ménage serial full of steamy scenes featuring two sinful billionaires and one curvy woman. Intended for adult audiences only. You’ve been warned!
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CHAPTER ONE
“IT’S NOT WHAT you think.”
James forced a wave of bile down his throat. Three redemptions in a week. They hadn’t had that kind of turnover since WaterStone opened. It wasn’t a blip. It was a huge warning sign of a shit storm coming. He leveled his gaze on his partner and laid it all on the table. “Why did my secretary tell me to ask you about the redemptions? We just talked a few hours ago. You said you didn’t know anything about it.”
Winston licked his lips and James had never wanted to hit someone so hard in his life. Come on. Answer me. He opened his mouth to ask again when his partner turned to Miranda.
“I think maybe you should go. I have something I need to discuss with James and it would be better done in private.”
That bastard. He does know. All they’d worked for. All they’d built. Did Winston really risk it all? And what for? He glanced at Miranda and knew. For her, of course. Money never mattered to Winston the way it mattered to James. Without it, Winston would still be a Stone. Rich. Powerful.
Without his business, James would be…nothing Miranda would want. He clenched his jaw and stared at Winston.
“What’s going on? James, why are you so upset?” Miranda walked over to him, reaching out to touch his shoulder until he turned her way.
“Our firm is losing clients. Three in the past week. That doesn’t happen without a reason.”
“I don’t understand. Why are you asking Winston about it? I thought you two were partners.”
“I thought so too.”
Winston huffed and ran his hand through his hair. “I told you, it’s not like that. Miranda, you should go. I’ll walk you out.”
“All right…” Miranda took a step, but James reached out and grabbed her by the arm.
“No, Winston. She stays.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is between the two of us. She shouldn’t be here.”
James tightened his grip and Miranda yelped. “James!”
“What?” The word came out as a snarl. He knew she was frightened. Apprehensive. But no way was she going to walk out the door. If Winston had been sabotaging the firm, Miranda was damn well going to hear about it.
“If you want me to stay, I’ll stay.” She tugged on her arm. “Just let me go.”
“Let her go, James. Now.” Winston strode forward and James balled his free hand into a fist.
After everything. After he’d opened himself up to not just Miranda, but Winston too. To the thought of the three of them. Together. And here his partner was. Keeping secrets. Hiding the truth. He ground his teeth together and stared at the man he’d thought was his closest friend. Winston wouldn’t hold back knowledge of the redemptions unless he had something to do with it. He couldn’t.
“We can handle this, James. Quietly.” Winston lowered his voice and inched closer. “She should go.”
“She stays.”
Winston raised an eyebrow and glanced at Miranda. “Fine. But don’t blame me later.”
James snorted and let Miranda go. Sure thing. “Tell me the truth. Why are are having redemptions?”
“I only found out a few hours ago. I stopped by my office before the happy hour and Gunnison called while I was there. I couldn’t believe it at first. Thought it must be a joke. But then I called Mercado and confirmed it.”
“Fuck, Winston. Spit it out.”
“It’s because of us. Our relationship with Miranda.”
The words hit James like a battering ram and he staggered back. It can’t be. “You’re lying.”
Winston snorted. “I wish I were.”
“That’s…ludicrous.” James blinked and shook his head. He’d never heard of something so absurd. Insider sabotage, a covert coup to break up the business, a partner who wanted out. Those options made sense. Their sex-life? Not a chance. “No client would pull his investments because we’re dating the same woman.”
“I thought so too. So I pressed Mercado. You’re right that he’s loyal. After a couple of questions, he laid it all out. Said he felt terrible about it, but he couldn’t handle the bad publicity if it hit the papers.”
Winston’s words were running circles in James’s brain. Here he’d been ready to rip his partner’s throat out, assuming he’d sabotaged everything. When it wasn’t him at all. He frowned and glanced up. “If what came out?”
“All the deviant shit we’ve been up to.”
“What?”
Winston’s face turned grim. “There’s a source. Someone’s spreading salacious stories about the three of us. Claiming we’re reckless. Dangerous. That we’re letting the business fall apart.”
Fuck. He turned and walked to the windows, leaning on the console table and staring out at the lights of Manhattan. The colors blended into the dark as his eyes unfocused and the weight of Winston’s words seeped in. “Our investors know our track record. They know we’d never let our personal lives impact our investments.”
“It’s not enough. Mercado said the word is that this new…relationship…has changed our focus. We’re not wolves of Wall Street anymore. Just a pack of domesti
cated dogs.”
James shook his head. “That makes no sense.”
“Tell me about it. Our numbers are better than ever.”
“Do you know who’s behind it?”
“No. It could be anyone. We were on that morning show. And I checked the tabloids. James, we’re all over them. Story after story about us and Miranda. Terrible gossip claiming we’re doing outrageous things—like buying sex clubs and having orgy parties and other crazy shit. All with investor money. It’s insane.”
James closed his eyes. “That’s preposterous.” He took a deep breath and said the words he feared were true. “If it were just the tabloids, I’d say it was a stranger. But only insiders know our clients.” Turning around, he opened his eyes and looked at Winston. “It’s someone close. Someone here.”
Winston shook his head. “No way. No one would sabotage us. I think it’s a competitor.”
James exhaled in a rush. They needed to pull out all the stops. Find the source, shut the bastard down. Stem the tide before it got any worse. He couldn’t believe their relationship with Miranda was seen as a threat. She was the best thing that had ever happened to them. He turned to tell her as much, but froze.
Shit. Pale and shell-shocked, she trembled like a frightened child. “Miranda! Honey, are you okay?” He rushed over in time to catch her as her eyes rolled back and she passed out. “Damn it!”
“I told you she should have left.”
James frowned and carried her over to the guest chair. “I thought you were stalling.”
“I wasn’t.”
Setting her down, he checked her pulse. “I’m sorry, Winston. I should have trusted you.”
“Damn straight you should have. I might be a pompous ass, but I’ve never lied to you. Did you seriously think I had something to do with it?”
“Honestly? The thought crossed my mind.”
“Why?”
James nodded at Miranda as he pulled her hair off her face. God. She’s so beautiful.
“Miranda? I don’t understand.”
“Yes, you do. If you ruined the business, you’d get the girl.”
Winston snorted. “How would me losing billions help at all?”
“Even if WaterStone failed overnight, you’d still be filthy rich. Me? I’d be a busboy in the coffee shop downstairs instead of the owner.”
“I’d never do something like that.”
“I know. The redemptions have addled my brain. I’m sorry.” He searched Miranda’s neck for her pulse and when he found it, he glanced up at Winston. “Whoever’s spreading these lies got one thing right—Miranda’s changed us. And up until a few minutes ago, I thought for the better.”
“Me too.”
James swallowed. “So are we good? I mean…the two of us?”
“Yeah, partner. We’re fine. But what about her?”
James ran his hand down Miranda’s face and tapped her cheek. Come on, Miranda. Wake up. “I think she’s okay. But her waking up would be a plus.”
What the…Miranda blinked her eyes open and sat up. James and Winston hovered over her and she frowned. “What happened?”
“You fainted. Are you all right?”
“Why would I—oh, god.” Everything came rushing back. The fight. The truth. The panic. Her heart thumped a mile a minute and she scooted back in the chair. Don’t pass out. Get it together.
“Hold on.” Winston turned and jogged to the far wall, opening up a cabinet and pulling out a bottle. He poured a fistful of drinks and brought them over. “I think we all need one.”
He handed them out and Miranda tried to smile. “Thanks.”
She took a gulp, letting the bourbon burn the back of her throat as she swallowed. Pain helped make it all more real. “Are you sure it’s about us? The three of us?”
“I don’t think two clients would lie.”
Miranda took another sip and closed her eyes. She never meant to cause problems with their business. “I’m sorry. This is all my fault.”
James grunted and shook his head. “No, it’s not. It’s some vindictive asshole’s fault. You have nothing to apologize for.”
“If I hadn’t…If I’d been able to…” She trailed off and glanced up at Winston. There’s no way she’d be able to choose.
“If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine.” Winston stood up and paced the room. “If I hadn’t bid against James, you two would be an item and I’d be out of the picture. It’s more my fault than anyone’s.”
“You two need to quit blaming yourselves. I’ve done that enough for all of us. Like it or not, we’re all wrapped up in this mess.” James stood and pulled out his phone. “I’m going to make some calls. See if we can nip it in the bud.”
Winston nodded. “You calling Niles?”
“Mmm-hmm. I should have days ago.”
Miranda frowned. “Who’s Niles?”
“He’s our fixer. If anyone can get to the bottom of this, he can.”
Her eyes went wide and she flicked her gaze back and forth. “You have a fixer?”
“We’re billionaires, darling. We have everything.”
Between Winston’s smile and the bourbon coursing through her veins, the panic inside her edged off and she could breathe. “Wow. Okay.”
James stood up and drained the rest of his bourbon. “We won’t have anything for long if we don’t get a handle on this mess. Winston, if you hear something—”
“You’re the first to know. Don’t worry. We’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“I hope you’re right.”
James turned to Miranda and she fought back the urge to hug him. She wanted him to wrap her up in his arms and tell her it would all be all right. That they would be all right. But he needed to focus on the business and not her insecurities. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers and before she could blink, he was disappearing through the door.
She glanced up at Winston and bit her lip. Without James there, Winston’s cocky confidence was replaced by a frown. “You’re worried.”
He met her gaze and nodded. “Mmm-hmm. I should have listened to James days ago when all this started. Maybe I’d have picked up on it. But I didn’t. And now…”
“Now you’re about to lose billions of dollars because of me.”
“No.” He set his drink on the desk and strode up to her. Grabbing her by the arms, he forced her to look him in the eye. “Don’t think that. You are not to blame here.”
“I can’t help it. If I were out of the picture…If I left and went back to my old life…You both could move on and recover.”
“I’m not losing you because of some stupid tabloid witch hunt.”
“It’s not stupid if it ruins your life.”
“No one said anything about ruining my life. Even if we lost it all, Miranda, we’d still have you.”
She shook her head and frowned. “I’m not worth billions.”
“You’re selling yourself short.”
“If I remember right, you capped your bid at two hundred and fifty thousand.”
Winston grinned and swooped in, mashing his lips against hers in a quick, bourbon-laced kiss. “You are the best thing that’s happened to me in years. Had I known, I never would have agreed to a tie.”
A wave of emotion welled up inside her, and she pulled back. Don’t cry, Miranda. “You should go. Help James and save your business. I’ll go home.”
“You sure I can’t convince you to stay?”
“I’m sure. I’ll only be in the way.”
“How about I call Sonny and he takes you to my place? You could stay with me tonight.”
Miranda tried to smile, but all she could think about was WaterStone and the damage she’d caused. “Thanks, Winston. But…I think I want to go home.”
“What if I promised chocolate and strawberries and more orgasms than you’ve ever dreamed of?” His eyes lit up and the urge to say yes was almost overpowering. If only they could forg
et it all and pretend the world wasn’t out to get them. But she shook her head and stepped back. Winston needed to concentrate on the firm, not her.
“On any other night, I’d run to the car. But you need to to be here. Not worrying about me. I’ll be okay.”
Winston frowned again, but gave in. “If that’s what you want. But I’m calling for the car. Sonny can at least take you home.”
“Thanks.” Miranda gave him a last, quick kiss and walked out the door. Her eyes blurred and her head swum and she barely made it to the elevators without losing it. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the feeling it was all her fault. After making her way out of the building, she stumbled toward the waiting town car in a daze.
“Where to, Ms. Holmes?”
“Home, please. Thank you.”
The driver nodded and pulled off the curb as she leaned back and closed her eyes. An hour or two before, she was having the best sex of her life on Winston’s office floor. And now? She wasn’t sure she’d ever see her lovers again. She snorted at the word. Lovers. It seemed so crass and inadequate. They were so much more.
Twenty minutes later and the car pulled to a stop. “Miss?”
She blinked her eyes open and sat up. “Yes?”
“Are you sure you want to go home?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because it appears a bit crowded.”
Miranda frowned and looked out the window. Oh my god. Instead of the usual doorman and random smattering of pedestrians, there was an entire wall of paparazzi. “What are they doing here?”
“I’m going to guess they’re here for you.”
“Me?” Miranda shrank back and glanced at the waiting horde again. Cameramen jockeyed for position with each other outside her building’s doors, fighting each other for a chance to be on the front line. Shit. “Can they see me in here?”
“No, miss. The back is celebrity tinted. They can’t see you.”
Thank god.
“Do you have somewhere else you can go?”
She bit her lip and nodded. “I do. It’s not far.”
