Page 10 of Battle with a Billionaire

She heaved a sigh, her features pinching as he guided her to his office and eased her into a chair. He crossed to the drink cart, pouring her a brandy.

“Here,” he said as he offered it to her, “drink this.”

She accepted the proffered glass and stared down at the amber liquid. “I feel like a damsel in a gothic novel.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No,” she said, flicking her gaze up to him. “He just stunned me. I didn’t expect that. Though I guess I should have.”

“I’m not certain you could expect anything Kyle does. He’s a wild card, and he seems to get wilder by the second.”

“He’s hurt and angry,” she said after another sip of the brandy.

“That doesn’t excuse his bad behavior. What made him think it was okay to kiss you?”

Julia flicked her eyes to the ceiling above them as she chewed her lower lip. “I think he was trying to convince me that there was something between us.”

Grant leaned against his desk, crossing his arms. “Something between you?”

She offered him an apologetic glance. “He says he loves me.”

Grant slid his eyes closed and shook his head. His son’s emotions were understandable, he supposed. He’d fallen for Julia in a fairly short amount of time. But that didn’t mean he should chase her around the house and kiss her against her will. “He’s out of line, and his behavior is not welcome here.”

Outside thunder rumbled as Julia heaved a sigh, remaining silent.

“Please tell me you don’t feel sorry for him.”

“I do.”

Grant scoffed as he stalked around his desk and collapsed into his chair. “Julia, please. He’s like a powder keg waiting to blow. He has to leave this house.”

“No, I agree with you. I think it’s best if we have some distance, but I think he’s desperate to be accepted.”

“He should have thought of that before he did what he did. Every time I think of him with his hands on you it makes me want to punch him again.”

“That’s exactly what we don’t need.”

Grant let his head thud against the chair’s high back. He recalled their shared laughter after his second arrest. Despite the situation being fraught with tension, Julia always could lighten the mood. “I know. I’m really trying hard to avoid another arrest. I know you don’t like the chairs at the police station.”

She grinned at him. “I really don’t. And you’ve been on such a streak with not getting arrested, I’d hate to see you ruin it.”

He returned her smile, his eyes lingering on her until a knock interrupted them.

The appearance of Kyle in the doorway ruined any moment and most of his mood. The man kept his eyes trained on the floor. “I’m leaving now.”

“Don’t let the door hit you on–”

“Grant,” Julia murmured in warning.

He threw his hands in the air. How she managed to maintain her cool with his son was a lesson he hadn’t learned from her yet. The mere sight of the man made him tense on most occasions.

“Julia, could I–” Kyle began.

“No, you can’t. Go.”

Kyle’s jaw tensed as he shook his head at Grant. “I was asking Julia if we could talk, not you.”

Julia flicked her gaze to him, her expression consoling. “Kyle, I think it’s best if we all have some space. We’ll talk later.”

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