The Billionaire's Unconventional Love Affair

I nod at the doorman as I head into the Imperial. It had been a 5-hour drive from my country house and I need to catch a couple of hours of sleep before dealing with business. I check my watch as I enter the elevator, hitting the button for the penthouse. There's about 4 hours until the meeting. Just enough time for a nap, shower, and then prep for the meeting. I briefly close my eyes as I roll my shoulders. I really dislike being called away on such short notice. "Evan?" I blink my eyes open at the voice and a smile spreads across my face when I see the man that enters the elevator. "Malcolm." I greet. "It's been a few years." I trail my eyes over his form-fitting jeans and tee. I know I was blatantly checking him out but the man filled out those jeans nicely. His cheekbones were as sharp as I remember and he still seems to favor having slight stubble on his face. Couple that with his short dark hair and dark eyes, and Malcolm is the definition of ruggedly handsome. Malcolm clears his throat. "This is my wife, Mira." I look at the gorgeous woman beside him, my eyes briefly lingering on her midnight blue hair before moving to the strappy dress and sandals. "Mira, this is Evan. An old client of mine." I hold out my hand to her. "It's a pleasure. Malcolm spoke about you quite often." I could admit that I had been jealous at the time, but I can see why he's so enamored with his wife. "It's nice to meet you." She says. I barely manage to hold back the shiver as her husky voice washes over me. It's so at odds with her fragile femininity and I find that I quite like the contradiction. The elevator jerks to a stop. "Well, this is our floor." Malcolm says. "Maybe we'll see you around?" If only he knew the thoughts running through my mind; he'd keep himself and his wife far away from me. "Yeah. I'm here for a few days on business. I'm sure we'll bump into each other again." I watch them leave, my eyes lingering on his ass. The door shuts and I sigh at my reflection. My eyes were brighter than usual, the blue looking lighter, and there was a slight flush to my cheeks. I rearrange my erection with a sigh. I definitely need a cold shower now. Malcolm Lawrence. What are the chances? I haven't seen the man in 4 years, and his sudden appearance felt like a sucker punch. I had purposely not kept in touch with him because my attraction to him had been so strong and he is undeniably straight - and in love with his wife. What the hell are they doing in my hotel? I step out of the elevator and into the penthouse. Hardly noticing the spotless space decorated in grey and maroon ascents, I head straight for the whiskey I keep in the kitchen. I down a shot as I stare sightlessly at the marble counter. Malcolm being here complicates things for me; at least on a personal level. I pour another shot and sip at it as I move to the grey sofa. Laying back with a sigh, I picture him in that last meeting we had. He had looked so proud of the website he had done for my company. His face had been glowing with pride and it had been so tempting to finally let go and just kiss him. I kept telling myself that if he rejected me then well, we were going our separate ways anyway, what would be the harm? But I couldn't do it to him. It would've made him uncomfortable and that was the last thing I wanted. I wasn't in the habit of forcing my affections on people. I finish my drink and head for the shower. I should avoid them as much as possible. It's not like I could act on my interest....for either of them. Because yes, Mira is f*****g gorgeous too. That blue hair and that husky voice? Damn, but she looked perfect beside him. I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my waist. Falling onto the bed, I set the alarm on my phone. I drift to sleep still thinking about all the possible ways that I could have them both, even knowing how impossible that would be.                                                                                    *** I wake up slowly, my mind still lingering on the dream of Malcolm's lips on mine. I blink up at the ceiling and curse. Malcolm is straight. I know this. I haven't thought about him in years; had activity worked to forget him. I had gone through a steady stream of partners, trying to purge him from my mind. Unrequited feelings were a serious pain. The months after our brief association had been difficult. I kept staring at his number on my phone until I eventually forced myself to delete his information. I grab my phone to check the time. There's still 2 hours until the meeting, so I scan my emails, responding to the most important and ignoring the rest for later. Getting up, I slip on a pair of briefs and then head to the kitchen, putting the coffee maker on. The sun was just starting to set, and I admire the colors painted across the sky and reflecting off the ocean through the floor-length windows. Two cups of coffee later, I put away the files I had been reading through. Ryan wanted to discuss a new venture and of course, only told me about the meeting that morning. I can't decide if it was an oversight on his part or deliberate. The venture itself seems promising enough. As far as I can tell, the resort needed a revamp and there was almost zero marketing to speak of. But I won't be able to properly assess it until I saw the accounts and the property itself. It's in a good location though; a wooded area with plenty of hiking trails, a lake, and even a few waterfalls. Perfect for vacations and honeymoons. I wonder briefly where Malcolm and Mira had gone for their honeymoon and then push the thought away as I go to my closet to choose a suit. I keep a full wardrobe here so I won't have to bring luggage with me whenever I come to the city. Choosing a three-piece black suit, I slip it on and grab my phone on the way out. I take my time heading to the hotel's restaurant, not wanting to get there first. My eyes scan the lobby and then the restaurant when I enter, searching for Malcolm and Mira, even knowing that I shouldn't. Nothing good would come of it. The hostess leads me to a private table in the back, already occupied by Ryan and another man. We shake hands as I take my seat. "Evan McCain, allow me to introduce Steven Wright. Steven, this is my business partner and friend, Evan." Ryan says. "So, tell me about your resort." I say. I have no interest in pleasantries and even less patience for small talk. Steven clears his throat. He's animated when he begins explaining how long ago he had built the resort and the steady decline in guests and thus profits. He isn't looking to sell but needs investors who are willing to help with renovations and marketing, in exchange for 40 percent of the profits. I raise an eyebrow at that as I scan his books. There is no way he'd be able to afford to give us 40 percent. Not even in the next 5 years. The most we would get is maybe 10 percent. I pinch the bridge of my nose and glare at Ryan. This is basically a charity case and he knows it. No wonder he only told me at the last minute. Any sooner and I would have had time to do proper research. I would have turned him down flat. But he wanted me to meet the man first. He wanted me to hear the passion in Steven's voice as he spoke of his resort. The sneaky bastard knew I wouldn't turn it down once the venture became an actual person. "Mr. Wright," I say, taking a sip of whiskey. "I'm going to be honest. There is zero profit in this for us. You wouldn't be able to afford to give us 40 percent without going bankrupt and you are already halfway there. We will be spending our resources on your resort without getting anything in return. Now, if you had been offering to sell it to us, that would be different." I sigh. I was going to regret this. "I understand not wanting to give up something that you worked so hard for. We can agree to become a silent partner. Our marketing team will be in charge of all advertising, promotions and such. We will also be targeting a higher market demographic. You have a great location and the resort itself is very promising. We will do a few renovations, build a few more cabins. Maybe add a spa. But, this all means that we will be full partners. We won't expect any of the profits for the next say 10 years. Everything will go towards keeping the resort afloat, paying for expenses, and such. But it will be a 49/51 split. You will hold the majority of the shares of course. And our company will be able to use the resort free of charge whenever we wish." Steven stares at me in shock and then turns to look at Ryan who is smirking at me. I glare back at him and he has the nerve to laugh. I'm getting soft. I should punch the bastard and rescind my offer. This is a terrible business deal. "I accept." Steven says. He holds his hand out and I shake it. I finish off my drink and then stand. "I'll have the agreement drawn up. Expect a call in a day or two. I'll want to see the resort for myself as well. After that, we'll meet at our office to finalize everything with our lawyers." I button my jacket and turn to leave. "You're not going to finish dinner with us?" Ryan ask. I give him a hard look. We'll need to have a discussion about him blindsiding me like this. "Good night, gentlemen." I leave the restaurant and head for the hotel bar. I need a few more drinks after that. The dimly lit bar was a welcome respite and I head straight for the counter in front, ordering a shot of tequila and a glass of gin. I down the shot and then grab my glass, intent on finding a secluded area to relax. Of course, that's when my eyes connect with hers. Mira. Her eyes widen slightly before she smiles. She speaks to Malcolm whose back is to me and then he's suddenly looking at me too. He motions me over and my feet are moving before my brain can catch up. s**t. I can't do this right now. "Evan. I'm glad we bumped into you again." Malcolm says. His smile is so f*****g sexy and I have to tear my gaze away from him. But then I find myself looking at Mira and that doesn't help at all. I sip my drink and she scoots over for me to sit beside her. I slide into the booth wondering what I did to deserve this kind of torture. "So, what is that you do for a living?" Mira asks. Her voice washes over me again, and all I want is to drown in it. In her. In them. s**t, I need to get laid. I clear my throat. "Marketing, mostly." I say. Wow. That is the worst attempt at making conversation. Malcolm chuckles and my gaze snaps to him. I had forgotten how much I love his laugh. "He's being modest. He owns a marketing firm. And probably other businesses that I don't even know about." I smirk. "Well, I own this hotel too." I say. "Seriously?" Mira asks. She looks at me with wide eyes and I can't help feeling a little bit enchanted by her. "Yeah. And what about you?" I ask. I'm ashamed to admit that I had never asked Malcolm about her. I had been too wrapped up in my own infatuation of him and my jealousy of her. She blushes a little and I stare appreciatively at the color staining her cheeks. "I own an animal shelter." I raise a brow in surprise. I didn't expect that. "That's amazing." "She is amazing." Malcolm says. Her cheeks pinken even more at the adoration in his voice. "Mira finds and rehabilitates animals that have been injured, abused, or neglected. She's incredibly dedicated to them. It's a miracle I got her to come away with me for a few days." He says. He smiles at her and I know that he isn't upset about it. He loves that she loves her work. "He's right. You are amazing." I say. She looks at me in surprise and I quickly glance away. I gulp down my drink and then signal a waiter to order another even though I'm already slightly buzzed. I really need to tone it down. We talk about lighter things after that. The weather. The beach. A movie we had all seen. I watch them through it all. They touch often; small touches. A hand on the arm, a gentle brush against the shoulder. It shouldn't have seemed erotic, but for some reason I find myself craving those simple touches too. They laugh often too and give each other soft smiles that make me wish for impossible things. Malcolm excuses himself to use the restroom and a sudden silence settles between Mira and me. She turns to me and I pretend not to notice. Although how anyone can not notice her is impossible. "So, this might be a little inappropriate and you can, of course, choose not to answer," she says and I turn to her, intrigued despite myself. "Are you attracted to men or women?" I stare at her in shock. Did she really just ask me that? Was I that obvious? "Both." s**t. s**t. f**k! Why did I answer her?! She smiles at me. "I thought as much." She thought as much? "Really?" I ask. I clear my throat and drink some more. Liquid courage is required for this conversation. "I see how you look at him. I mean, he's sexy as hell. I have a hard time looking away from him too." She says casually. "But I see how you look at me too. It's a little unnerving, to be honest." Of course, it is. "I would apologize but I make a habit to always be honest." "It's alright. We can't help who we're attracted to." She lifts her drink just as Malcolm returns to his seat. "So, you said you own this hotel. Does that mean you live here too?" And just like that, our conversation is swept under the rug. "I stay in the penthouse whenever I'm here but I have a house in the country that I prefer. I'm there most of the time since I can work easily from my computer. I usually only come to the city for meetings. I used to travel quite a bit for business too but I leave that to my partner now." "Where in the country?" Malcolm asks. "Along the Garden Route. I have a small villa. It's about half an hour's drive from Mossel Bay." I say. They share a look and then Malcolm chuckles. "We actually live in Mossel Bay. It's amazing that we've never bumped into each other before." I swallow hard. First, they're in my hotel. Them being here is difficult enough. But knowing that they live so close to my villa...I just know that I won't be able to forget about him so easily now. Or her. "When did you relocate?" I ask because he sure as hell hadn't always lived there. "Just over a year ago. I had to relocate for work. Mira had just finished her studies and hadn't found work yet so it was a good time to move. Once we were settled, she opened the shelter." I nod. "It must be difficult running an NPO." I say, trying to change the subject. "It is. But I get a lot of volunteers. Mostly teenagers who want to put volunteer work on their resume. I get some donations from the community too. Having an online presence helps. But yes, it can be tough. Some months we barely scrape by." She says. She sounds so passionate about it and I find myself wanting to help her. I nearly laugh at the irony. A couple of hours ago I was glaring at Ryan for presenting me with a veritable charity case. And now here I am, wanting to invest in an actual charity. "I could come take a look when I'm back. If you'd like? My company invests in a lot of small businesses." I want to take the words back when she gives me that penetrating look. Especially after the conversation we had while Malcolm was in the restroom. "Does your company often invest in NPOs?" She asks shrewdly. I clear my throat. "No. But perhaps instead of helping other people get rich, I could put my money to good use for once." I say. I'm surprised by how much I mean that. "Sure. Let me give you my number and you can let me know when." She says finally. I hand her my phone. "How long are you staying here?" I ask Malcolm. "Just for the weekend. We both have work on Monday. Mira managed to get someone to cover for her but she doesn't like being away for long." He says. "What about you?" I shrug. "I have business to complete. Unfortunately, I'll be in and out of the office for the next few days." We have a few more drinks and then head up to bed. Unfortunately, I go to bed alone, saying good night to them when we reach their floor. I step into my penthouse and it had never felt so empty before. I hadn't realized how lonely I am until I sat there watching them. They were still so in love and it's difficult for me to fathom. I envy them that. I want it for myself. I haven't dated anyone in more than a year. Haven't had s*x in just as long either. All those casual, meaningless flings had gotten tiring. But what Malcolm and Mira have is real, and I want to be a part of it.