Off Limits Grumpy BILLIONAIRE BOSS

1. Chapter 1

NATALIE

Promise you wont screw this up, Carla Thompson half yelled at me as I walked through the studio doors. We are talking about Alex Carter!

Ive never screwed anyone in my life. You know that.

We are not talking about your virginity, dum-dum.

The sun barely peeked from behind the clouds, but my day was already a disaster. I could feel it right from the moment my boss said the word screw. I walked further in, dropped my bag, and plopped at my desk.

Carla practically bounced off the studio walls. She waved a glossy card in front of my eyes. I have a job for you.

That is if you dont blind me first, I sighed.

She slammed the card on my desk, and the gold lettering caught my eye. It was for a charity gala. I am assigning you to attend this gala. They need a last-minute volunteer, and I signed you up.

I looked at Carlas stern expression and back at the card. I would rather face her than all those at the gala. Umm, Carla, I am a bit swamped with work right now. Why dont you...

No excuses, Natalie." Her tone meant negotiation time was over. This is our golden chance. Alex Carter would be there

And he will magically fix everything?

Maybe, maybe not. But Id rather not see you in the office this evening. Ren will be here. I plan to seduce him.

She started to walk away, and I heaved a sigh. Maybe you will find your own Ren there.

I did not want a Ren. The dude always smelled of cigarettes and liked barbecue on a good day.

So, what exactly do I do when I get there?

She paused in her steps and gave a tight smile. You are so clueless. Just be charming, mingle, and try to make an impression. And dont screw it up!

Oh, sure. I can be the life of the party. I rolled my eyes.

I doubt it, dum-dum.

She could be the dum-dum for thinking Ren was any good.

I looked at the card againAlex Carter, known as grumpy, private, and a chronic womanizer. I did not see how these three lifestyles fit together, but he seemed to be doing well at Sterling Health, a luxury and cutting-edge medical care center.

I glanced around the ill-furnished studio, and I was convinced that I should give this a shot.

I sighed again. I was not the kind of woman he was usually seen with, so if I could not charm him, Id confront him. The idea excited and terrified me, but I had to be unyielding and sharp like Carla Thompson.

Before I reached for my bag, I heard Carla shout from her room. He likes red. Do not go looking like a rainbow vomited on you with those colorful scarves.

I headed out the door and made for the bustling streets. The air was crisper than in the stuffy studio.

I began to rehearse my pitch until my phone snapped me out of it with a ping, TAKE THOSE ARTWORKS OF YOURS WITH YOU.

I smiled and dumped it in my bag. It pinged again. TAKE ETERNAL GRACE.

My smile widened. Six heavy canvases were holding hundreds of strikes from brushstrokes. Alex Carter wouldnt know what hit him.

But the feeling was fleeting, as the chaos from the street reminded me of what I was about to face in a few hours. As the hot summer breeze blew at my chestnut brown hair, my left hand rushed instinctively to hold the unruly loose waves away from my face while my eyes darted, searching for a cab.

127 Elmers Street, I quoted as I slipped into the cab. Only one person could still see the storm in me.

Carla Thompson chose you to go?

Shocking, right? She knows I am not built for the events lifestyle. I sighed and ducked at the piece of clothing Emily threw at me.

Of course not.

My eyebrows curved in frustration and laced with curiosity.

But guess who your fairy godmother is?

You? I laughed. Not with these hand-me-downs you are throwing at me. Cinderella would never!

A quick chase around the room followed the echoes of our laughter piercing the evening air. Exhausted, I slumped on her chair and let her pull my cheeks.

You are my best friend, Emily James. You know that, right?

Well, no one else wants you. I have no other option. She laughed, and I swear I could hear a snort.

Well, Im anxious. These people are not even interested in the arts or anything close to it. Just the status of owning artwork.

Emily ignored my whining, returned to her walk-in closet, rifled through it, and screamed cheerfully, Found the perfect dress. She presented a slinky red dress.

Did Carla text you?

Yes, and I think its the perfect fit. I am five feet five inches tall, and you are an inch or two taller, so this should give your legs the exposure they need.

I grabbed the dress from her and pressed it to my chest. Exposure, yes. But will they spread? No!

Its Alex Carter, for Petes sake, Natalie. I would spread my legs, arms, hair, and wings.

I scrunched my nose almost in disgust. What about Richard?

You will not breathe a word to him.

If it were any other person, I would be a snitch. I looked at her with serious eyes and then sighedthe things we do for love. I felt the dress; despite my opinion that it would draw flies, it was beautiful. I would be avoiding dozens of them.

Slipping into the dress was like walking on lathered floors. It swallowed my figure and fought at the chest area while zipping. Emily spun me around, gasping in pure delight. I couldnt tell if it meant she liked the dress on me or liked that shed made the right choice, and then she threw in a cute male bow.

Can I have this dance, my lady?

No, you cannot! I laughed.

Emilys response was a fake chest grab. Dont go refusing everyone like that, you know. Especially not him!

Why not?

I knew exactly what she was driving at, but something nudged me to prolong the talk to help my anxiety. Her following statement did not help my wet palms or palpitating chest.

You are beautiful. If hes nice to you, be nice to him.

At that moment, I wondered what part of Emily drew me to her and, most importantly, what part made me keep her as a friend for the past decade.

I rolled my eyes and fired back in an angry tone. Absolutely not. I am only going there to sell my work, earn some cash, and come home, not add my name to his list of conquests.

Before Emily could fire her comment, her phone rang, but it did not stop her from yelling above the ringtone. Girl, youve got an attitude. No Prince Charming would want that.

I walked to the length mirror and admired my figure. The dress was almost magical; it hugged my breasts firmly, and it seemed as if the designer had waved a wand over it for a booty bounce effect.

Emily wrapped up her call and walked toward me, beaming with approval. Your father would be so proud of you, she said.

You will not breathe a word of this near his gravestone.

She laughed and threw her arms around me. I stiffened at the sudden gesture, partially because I could not return it. The dress had a shoulder cutout, and although my exposed collarbones were alluring, my hands could only move 45 degrees.

Use simple makeup, let your hair down, have fun, and talk to people. People say the universe throws curveballs at fancy parties.

I faked a smile. Lets hope it doesnt hit Alex Carter.