Page 58 of Billionaire's Matchmaker

“Well, even if you don’t want coffee, I do. Having an uninvited guest wasn’t how I planned to start the day. Make yourself comfortable while you’re here.”

Theodore disappeared inside the cabin, leaving Rafe to exhale his irritation. He glanced at his cell phone to see if Hope had returned his last text message, the one where he’d reminded her not to touch herself. Words couldn’t convey how much he wanted her to disobey him.

There was nothing.

Frustrated but undeterred, he decided to change his approach.

He sent an email with instructions to Jeanine, then repocketed his device.

When Theodore returned, he was carrying a mug of coffee, but even from several feet away, the scent of whiskey wafted toward Rafe. “Is that necessary?”

“This one’s for you,” Theodore said, extending the mug.

“I don’t drink in the morning.”

“Well, then, don’t mind if I do.” With a shrug, Theodore took a long drink. “I hated running Sterling Worldwide. Didn’t plan on getting married.”

“We all have to do things we’d rather not.”

“Your mother is a good woman. Bit of a stick up her ass, but she did her best.”

“Don’t fucking go there,” Rafe warned, a growl in his voice. His mother was a good woman. And she cared a lot more about Sterling Worldwide than the man who owned the company. Rafe would be damned if he’d listen to anyone say anything bad about her. No matter who they were.

“Duty. Responsibility. Think of what others will say. Go to work. Increase the wealth. Take the right vacations. Go to work. Increase the wealth.” Theodore gazed out over the gorgeous blue water. “Even the fucking Zeta Society. Take your place. Do the right thing.” When he looked back at Rafe, he did so with clear, lucid eyes. “I abdicated.”

Rafe pulled off his sunglasses. “Dad. Listen to me—”

“Call it retirement if you must.”

“You’re too young.”

“What’s the sense in having all this”—he extended his hand and swept it wide, encompassing the world, not just the marina—“if you don’t enjoy it?”

“Future generations are counting on you.”

“I did my part. Added to the damn coffers like I was supposed to. Produced the requisite heirs.” He took a drink of the coffee he’d said was for Rafe. “Now, my boy, it’s up to you. I quit. Firing myself. If you want my advice? Let that little prick have it.”

Rafe scowled. “Noah?”

“He’s got ambition and a wife who popped out the squalling brats.” He shuddered. “Thank God Lillibet doesn’t want kids. Best thing about her.”

Rafe ignored that in favor of staying focused. “I talked to Celeste. Noah has indicated he wants your seat on the Zeta’s steering committee.”

“Better him than us.”

“Judge Anderson has been trying to reach you. You missed a telephone conference call.”

“I was busy.”

“There’s a planning meeting Saturday.” For more than a hundred and fifty years, a Sterling had attended every session.

“Let Noah go. He’s a schemer, Rafe. I said ambition, but hunger or thirst is a better word. He wants power. You’re goddamn rich, boy-o. Let him have the headaches. The trust is inviolate. You’ll get a piece of anything he makes. I’d watch him, though. He’s got plenty offshore in Switzerland. Panama, even. You have enough money to live the life you want. The one you deserve. If you don’t want to get married, don’t. Have girlfriends for as long as you can keep getting it up. Sleep in. See the world. Enjoy your time on the planet.”

Fury colored Rafe’s world. Nothing excused his father’s adultery. “The company legacy means nothing to you? The struggle? The sweat? Our obligations? Grandfather—your dad—made it clear that we have a duty to do good in the world.”

“Haven’t lost a minute worrying about it.” He clapped Rafe on the shoulder. “Be sure you listen well. I’d hate to have you make an unnecessary trip. I’m not coming back, boy-o. Not now that I’m out.”

Previous generations had sacrificed for Theodore to squander the riches? “If that’s the case, Mom will want a divorce.”

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