Grumpy Romance (Billionaire Dads #1)

by Nia Arthurs

“You’re mistaken.” My eyes harden. “I’m no gentleman.”

Unacceptable. I want her. So I must have her.

“I don’t care what you think about me or the offer you received. The moment you step through those doors,” I point to the elevator, “you are not to question me. You are not to taunt me. You are not to argue or flash those angry brown eyes at me.” My long-legged stride closes the distance between us. “And most of all, you keep that sass to yourself until I give you permission to let it loose. Understand?”

If I need to rely on connections to get ahead, I haven’t done my job properly.

“The answers sent in to corporate are often prettied up by management. They don’t want you to know how bad things are in case you blame them for the issues. That lack of trust is what makes those reports undependable. How can I solve something based on only half the truth?”

“Then fight back. That spunk of yours comes from somewhere, doesn’t it?” I lift my head. “Beat him at his own game?” “No one else could do it. They ran when it got tough. You didn’t. From the moment you met him, you were fighting. That’s why you’re here.” He tips his chin at me. “So what are you going to do about it?”

She’s stubborn. Aggressive. Beautiful.

“You have store managers for a reason. Either you have competent people in those leadership positions or not.

I want to reward her for her brilliance by teasing her until she moans.

I step back instinctively. It’s like my body knows that, in this situation, Alistair’s the hunter and I am most definitely the prey.

I hate begging. And I hate relying on other people to get me where I need to go.

There’s no life here. No sense of connection with the audience. I know it’s all about money and data, Mr. Alistair, but the client won’t know that. We have to approach it from an angle that puts them first.”

So much attitude. My mind lights up with all the ways I can tame that sharp mouth into submission.

“I think she’s one of the best things that ever happened to the company,” Ezekiel says. I’d take it further. I think Kenya Jones is one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Ezekiel shakes his head slowly. “That’s the thing, Miss Jones. He does.” A worried look crosses his face. “And I’m afraid it’s already in your possession.”

Forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest in the dark, and I have a feeling I’ll find out just how sweet it is tonight.

His eyes light up with a primal glint. What was meant to bring us on equal footing has only pulled me deeper into his clutches.

“Don’t.” He stares at me and touches one of my curls reverently. “You can lie to everyone else, but not to me. And I don’t want to lie to you. Not anymore.”

“If he comes after my heart, he’ll have it. That man gets everything he wants. Even if he has to tear down the world to make it happen.”

Damn. Will I ever tire of her fire?

“But he also knows,” I take her hand and pull her toward me, “how persistent I can be. Especially when I meet resistance.”

I will never understand these plot points. Why do characters break out into song at random moments?

Me neither lol

I smile. She’s got me wrapped around her little finger. It should be scary, but it’s freaking exhilarating.

rap

wrap

She says my name and I know I’m going to blow her mind all night long. I know I’m going to drag her straight to heaven and back. I know I’m going to hold on to her for the rest of my life.

Her fingers dig into the back of my neck, matching my passion, begging to be claimed whole.

Then, I whisk her into the bedroom and I tease her until she learns her lesson. “Holland.” She purrs. With need. With desperation. Then, and only then, do I give her what she wants.

I kiss her. I torment her. I worship her.

Then Kenya Jones barged in and took it. And she wasn’t satisfied. This woman. After gunning for my heart, she took my mind. My soul. My body. So I punished her for it. I shattered her.

Her lips press together in a slight grimace. “They told me I was being selfish.” My body tightens with frustration. It’s crazy to me that anyone would say that about Kenya. She’s hardheaded and stubborn. Sure. And I’m obsessed with her because of that. It’s sexy to see her take control of her work. She knows when to be firm. When to get to business. When to cut someone off and knife through excuses. She’s amazing. But she’s not cold. Never harsh. And always willing to throw herself into the trenches to achieve something. If this woman is selfish, the world has no hope.

“They drained you and they didn’t pour anything back,” I whisper.

“You’re a marketing genius. You’re also the woman who turned a promo date error into an explosive PR success. Whatever you touch seems to turn to gold.”

His eyes flash cruelly. “I won’t let you go.” My chest rises and falls. The sound of my own heartbeat racing in my ears echoes back to me. “Try and stop me.” “Don’t think I won’t.” He snarls. “Don’t think I won’t follow you to the ends of the earth and drag you back to my side. I already lost someone. I’m not losing anyone else again.”

Gossip is for empty-headed people with nothing better to do.

“Kenya is different. You ask her to jump and she’ll tell you to jump first. She doesn’t need you to take charge because she takes pride in the scars she’s earned from surviving all life has thrown at her.

“Partnership,” he says sternly. “She’s not Claire. She doesn’t want you to smother her. She wants you to propel her up so she can fly. So you fly together.”

I plod aimlessly down the hallway. What if Kenya meets someone else overseas? A rush of jealousy singes my veins as I imagine some other guy adoring those gorgeous curves and taming that sharp mouth.

It’s not that I don’t have other support. Sunny jumps on my side because she’s the most amazing best friend a girl can ask for. But agreeing with me all the time isn’t helpful. Alistair doesn’t suffer from that issue. He’s brusque and rough. Every problem I hand over to him is met with a cold but tactical solution.

I step toward her. “Kenya, I went along with your lie because I knew you weren’t comfortable meeting me. I want to make an effort to respect your space. To respect your independence. But I also want you to know that I will burn the world down if it’ll keep you warm.

And whenever you’re tired of fighting alone, and proving whatever you need to prove, I’ll be there to run with you.

I won’t tie you to my side as long as you promise you’ll keep coming back to me. As long a...

But what I have is family. You’re mine, Kenya. And I want to be yours.”

“Hello, beautiful.” Alistair’s firm baritone voice sends a thrill through my body.

And I’ll make sure you never regret being a part of my family.” He cradles my face. “I promise to always support you, lift you up, fight for you—”

“I cherish you.” He strokes my chin. “And so does your dad. Believe it or not. When we talked, he told me to take care of you.

I shake my head because he is still one cocky bastard. But he’s my cocky bastard. And then I kiss him until the world disappears.