Page 92 of Billionaire Grump

“What?” Josh squawks. “When did this?—”

“Next time you steal money, I won’t be bailing you out,” Alexander says, and I’m almost surprised at the way Josh quiets and stands up straight. Alexander is clearly very used to dealing with younger brothers.

“I was going to give half of it to Ivy, obviously.” Josh is defiant. “We deserve that money.”

“I agree.” Alexander says, in his CEO’s voice. “Which is why you’re keeping it. Ivy doesn’t need any of it. She has her own money. You should both know I met with your father earlier this afternoon.”

“What?” Josh and I gasp in unison.

“I told him you’re keeping the ten million. On several conditions. One, you won’t do it again. Ever. Two, you’ll learn how to invest it properly, which I’ll teach you how to do. And three, you’ll come work for me. Anyone who can syphon that much money out of the Bahamas needs to learn how to use their skills to make money, not commit further felonies. My brother will try to poach you, but we can deal with that later. You might be able to work for both our companies eventually. We’ll work around your Columbia schedule and typically, when we hire students, we pay the tuition bills. You’ll be responsible for your own room and board. Where are you planning on living?”

Alexander is so no-nonsense Josh is stunned into silence for a few seconds. No huffing. No attitude. Just a measuring glare that almost looks like respect. “Uh, one of the guys I went to Florida with has an extra bedroom in his apartment and they want me to move in. It’s right across from campus. I was going to head over there now to take a look at it.”

“Good,” Alexander says. “You can pay for it. I’ll pay for everything else. We can talk about the contractual details when you come into the office tomorrow. Actually, make it Wednesday. I’m going to be busy with Ivy tomorrow. Do we have a deal?”

Josh doesn’t even hesitate. He shakes Alexander’s hand—somehow, as Alexander is still holding me like I weigh nothing. “We have a deal.”

“Good. It’s settled, then.”

Josh looks at me with real feeling in his golden eyes, so similar to mine. “You okay, Ive?” I think it might be the first time he’s ever asked me that question.

I nod. “Love you, Josh.”

“Love you too.” To Alexander, he says, “I’d say treat her right but it looks like you’re already doing that.”

“You have my word.”

Josh nods. “Okay, then.” His grin lights up his whole face. “Holy shit.” He crooks a thumb toward the door. “I guess I’m going to go check out my new digs now and leave you guys to it.”

“Okay. Bye, Josh.”

“Later, kids. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Then he slams the door behind him.

“Wow,” I comment, about the existential curveball that’s made my life almost unrecognizable over a single weekend. It’s going to take a while to adjust.

Alexander is carrying me into my bedroom, kicking the door closed behind us. “You won’t need this apartment anymore, but I want you to keep it just like it is. So you have your own space if you need it. You can come here and relax and do yoga and whatever you need to do to get inspired and write your next record. Fuck, this little yoga outfit should be illegal, Jones. From now on, these are for me and me only, not fucking Instagram. Are we agreed?”

I guess that’s fair. And a weird relief in some ways. “Okay.”

“I’ll be installing a doorman and security. You’ll have your own driver, of course. And I’ll help you invest the income you’ll be making from the other apartments.”

I kiss his perfect mouth. “Okay.”

“I missed you today,” he murmurs, laying me on the bed and peeling off my clothes, kissing his way down my stomach. “I know it’s fast. We’ll figure it out. We’ll just go with it and see where it takes us. Don’t leave me.”

“You’re too well-hung to walk away from,” I smile, repeating the words he said to me at some point during our whirlwind love affair.

“Damn straight.”

My laughter turns to moans because I’m already coming.

EPILOGUE

“She shouldn’t marry the guy from New York. She’s obviously supposed to be with the guy from Alabama,” Alexander comments grumpily, like he’s pissed off Reese Witherspoon isn’t going to end up with the man she’s destined for.

“Just keep watching. The best part is coming up.”

“How can I concentrate on them when the most beautiful woman in the world is riding my cock, Jones? I can’t multi-task like this.” He spans my waist with his hands, sliding them higher to hold my breasts, pinching my nipples until they’re taut and rosy. “How are you so fucking perfect?”