Page 39 of Falling for Mr. Grump, the Big City Billionaire

"Skye, there's something I need to tell you," he begins, and my stomach drops to somewhere around my ankles.

Whatever's coming, I have a feeling I'm not gonna like it one bit.

Troy takes a deep breath, and I swear I can see him steeling himself. "Skye, my name isn't just Troy. It's Troy Bellamy."

I blink. "Okay... and that's supposed to mean something to me because...?"

He winces. "Bellamy, as in Bellamy Hotels and Inns."

The name then hits me and I rear back.

Bellamy. That’s Drew Bellamy.

“So what? Are you related to Drew Bellamy? Is that the big secret? That’s not a bad thing Troy. You didn’t need to tell me about your background if you didn’t want to.”

“Yes, Drew is my younger brother, but that’s not the only thing.” He looks down, his eyes not giving away any emotions.

“The company with the buyout? That the town is threatened by? It’s me. I wanted to buy land for my Company.”

What?

What exactly does he mean?

Bellamy Hotels? The corporate giant that's been trying to buy up half of Seaside Cove. The very thing we've been fighting against.

"No," I whisper, taking a step back. "No, that's not... you can't be..."

But even as I'm denying it, pieces are falling into place. His expensive clothes. The way he always seemed to know more about the situation than he let on. That stupid private jet.

Troy – no,Troy Bellamy– reaches for me, but I jerk away. "Skye, please, let me explain."

"Explain what?" I snap, finding my voice. "How you've been lying to me this whole time? How you're here to destroy everything I care about?"

"It's not like that," he insists. "I came here to assess the situation, yes, but things have changed.I'vechanged."

I laugh, but it comes out harsh and bitter. "Oh, spare me the reformed bad boy routine. What, you kiss one small-town girl and suddenly you've seen the error of your ways?"

He flinches like I've slapped him. Good.

"That's not fair," he says quietly. "What I feel for you is real, Skye. I never meant to-"

"To what? To lie? To use me?" I'm on a roll now, all my hurt and anger pouring out. "Did you think you could charm me into selling out my home? Was that the plan?"

"No!" Troy runs a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. "There was no plan, not really. I came here because my family's company is interested in the area, well, not Drew actually, but I swear, I never intended to hurt anyone."

"Well, congratulations," I spit out. "Mission NOT accomplished."

I turn to leave, but Troy grabs my arm. "Skye, please. I'm trying to make this right. I want to help-"

I whirl back, yanking my arm free. "Help? You want to *help*? Here's an idea: leave. Go back to your fancy hotels and your corporate boardrooms and leave us alone."

The look on his face – pain, regret, something else I can't quite name – almost makes me waver. Almost.

But then I remember everything we're fighting for. All the people counting on me. I can't let one admittedly amazing kiss cloud my judgment.

"We're done here," I say, my voice cold. "Don't contact me again."

This time when I turn to leave, he doesn't try to stop me. I take about ten steps before the tears start falling, but I don't look back.

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