My Grumpy Billionaire

“I can’t talk to you if you aren’t going to sit down. I’m not going to give myself a crick in my neck.”

Swallowing a sigh, I sit. It’s best to humor her for the moment and wrap this visit up. I’d rather be holding Sierra right now. “If you’re here to hear my thanks in person, thank you.” Hopefully this will satisfy her and we can end this pointless chat.

“You’re welcome.” She looks slightly happier. “I saw you at the concert and waved and called out, but you totally ignored me.”

“I didn’t hear you. It was loud.” Thank God.

She sighs. “That’s what I thought, too. So annoying.”

Not for me.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were trying to impress a girl? I could’ve arranged for backstage passes. Nothing gets a girl excited like seeing rock stars.” She considers for a second then shakes her head. “Never mind. She could’ve gotten attached to the wrong person. Devlin and Killian are married, but they’re still too hot to be taken off the market.”

“Mother. Don’t be a homewrecker.”

She rolls her eyes. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. They’re newlyweds, so they still care about their wedding vows.” Her tone says that’ll end soon.

Ideally, they’ll stay caring about their vows for the rest of their lives. I don’t want to think about Mom having a threesome with some rock stars. Her sex life is something I try to pretend doesn’t exist, although it tends to be the reason she contacts me.

“Still, it was fun to hang out with them.”

“Glad you had a good time,” I say vaguely, while realizing Sierra and I will have to fly back to California tomorrow. I wish we had more time, so I could show her more of Japan.

Perhaps next time.

The thought slides into my head so easily that I stop for a second. It’s as though I want our relationship to go on. Nothing in my gut feels bad about it. Actually, it feels right that we stay together.

The sex and everything else say a relationship with Sierra would be nothing like what I’ve had before.

She’s special.

“Your girl would’ve loved it, too,” Mom says, pulling me out of my reverie.

We had plenty of fun doing other things.Like having lots of orgasms.

“Killian could’ve sung her an encore to celebrate her birthday, since you’ll never sing for her.”

“I don’t sing for anybody.” Mom can hint all she likes. I’m not going to be paraded around like some trained bear whenever my parents need an ego stroke.

“Or maybe not,” she adds as though I haven’t spoken. “Did you know Adriana Mitchell and Don Kasher were there too?”

“And…?” But I don’t need to hear her answer. She hates them because they’re nothing like her and Dad. A wholesome, respectable couple. Two of the very few normal, nice people left in Hollywood. Fame and fortune haven’t made them crazy.

“It was nauseating to see their sanctimonious faces,” Mom sneers.

“How insufferable. Can I go now?” I’m half standing up.

“Not yet.” She flutters a hand downward. Sit. “I want to see Sierra.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why on earth not?”

Is she serious?How can she not know? “I don’t want to scare her.”

Something that looks oddly like hurt crosses her face. But no. Mom is incapable of genuine feelings. She only shows human emotions when she needs to manipulate someone.

“You’re so cruel sometimes.” Her voice cracks slightly, and a sheen of tears appears in her eyes.