My Grumpy Billionaire

“What did you just do?” I ask.

“Kicked him in the head.”

“You did? I didn’t see anything.”

“In this light? If you could have seen it, I’d have been way too slow.” He lowers his gaze a little, then exhales. “Do you really want to go around like that? We are in New Orleans, but…”

“Like what?” I look down at myself, wondering if I have Todd’s disgusting drool or blood on me.

Then I choke back a scream and quickly put an arm up to cover my bare breast. My face flames, and I start to fan it before I catch myself. When did my dress decide to malfunction?

No wonder my torso felt oddly cool. I thought it was just a delayed reaction to being harassed by Todd. But he must’ve broken one of the straps when he fell and tried to grab my dress. Jerk! This dress is brand new!

Now I wish he’d get back up, so the Midnight God could kick him again.

“I didn’t mean to flash you,” I say, desperately trying to pull the fabric back up over my boob. “I didn’t even realize…”

I can’t read the Midnight God’s expression behind his mask. But his mouth is no longer so tight. He steps back and shrugs out of his jacket. “Here.”

He drapes it over my shoulders and does up one of the buttons so I’m modestly covered. The jacket’s warm and smells amazing—soap, wood, spices and something else that’s uniquely male. Delicious enough to make my insides flutter.

“Thank you,” I say, doing my best to sound calm.

“No problem.”

I glance down and note Todd isn’t moving. I worry my lower lip. “Did you, um, kill him?”

If the police show up asking for a statement, I don’t want to lie. But I also don’t want to tell them that the Midnight God kicked Todd’s head so hard he died. Maybe I can provide him with a great legal team. Todd’s head being full of self-important tofu has to be a legitimate legal defense, if you get the right lawyer.

“Just knocked out,” the Midnight God says. “His jaw might be dislocated, but he’ll live.”

Holy cow.I’m not usually a violent person, but something about the way this man came to my rescue and protected me is hot, especially when the heroic act is combined with lethal skills. He’s as casual as if he just ate a sandwich.

It’s the utter confidence and control he’s displaying. Plus he risked himself to save me.

Now I understand why Ellie auto-buys romance novels with bodyguards and protectors in them. I’m never teasing her about it again.

“Would you like me to take you to your friends?” His dark, deep voice brushes over me like the most luxurious silk.

I shiver as my nerves prickle with awareness. “I’m, uh, actually here alone.”

“Oh.” The single syllable carries some surprise. But no judgment.

“Yeah, my friend was supposed to show up but her flight got canceled. So I’m here by myself to enjoy the party. I’ve never been to a masquerade before, you know?”

“I see.” He looks around. “Well, if you’re going to stay here—”

He’s about to leave!And I don’t want him to. I don’t know exactly what I want with him yet, but it’s been so long since I felt something for a man. Not to mention I don’t want to stay here with Todd, even if he is currently lying on the floor like a speed bump. Who knows when he’ll wake up? And if he was annoying and aggressive before, now he’s going to have a heck of a headache on top of it.

Without realizing what I’m doing, I put a hand over the Midnight God’s arm. His muscles leap and flex, and my fingertips tingle. The sensation doesn’t stop there, though. It races up my arms and wraps around my shoulders and down my torso, stopping briefly over my nipples until my toes curl, then ends in my clit. The intense sexual awareness is so sudden and shocking that I just stare at him, my mind empty of all but one thought: He’s yummy.

His mouth purses briefly, and he glances down at my hand on his arm.

And the sexual trance is broken. Ack! I’ve been staring at him! Hopefully I’m not drooling as well. But I probably look like a starving raccoon eyeing a slab of steak.

“Actually, I’m not sure if I want to stay.” My words tumble out fast. “I don’t feel super safe after what happened.”

He raises his eyes back to my face.