Page 9 of Grumpy Alien Billionaire

I swallow hard, my face heating up. He’s not even touching me, and yet I feel like I’m already in way over my head. But there’s something about the way he’s looking at me—like I’m the only person in the world—that makes me want to take the leap.

Finally, I place my hand in his, and the moment our skin touches, it’s like a current zipping through me. His fingers close around mine, warm and firm, and he pulls me gently towardhim. My body trembles, not from fear, but from the sheer force of my own desires crashing over me like a wave.

"Good girl," he murmurs, and the words send a jolt straight to my core. I’m not sure what I’ve gotten myself into, but one thing’s for certain—I’m not going back.

His hand engulfs mine, warm and firm. A jolt, like static electricity, zaps me. He tugs me forward, and my ridiculous heels click against the pavement. We’re a spectacle—me, clinging to his arm like a life raft, him, radiating an aura of money and power that draws stares like moths to a flame. People openly gawk. A taxi driver nearly takes out a fire hydrant, his eyes glued to my legs. I shrink, wishing I’d worn something less…Cindy.

“Can I wear your coat?” I ask, my voice barely a squeak. “I feel like everyone is staring at me.”

“That’s because everyoneisstaring at you,” he says, his voice a low rumble beside my ear. “With good reason.”

Heat floods my cheeks. I try to hide, tucking myself closer to his side, using his massive frame as a shield. It’s no use. I’m like a beacon in this dress.

“Come on, let me wear it,” I demand, trying for a playful tone that comes out sounding more petulant than I intended.

“No.”

The word, flat and final, shocks me. No? He just…said no. No explanation, no softening. A strange mix of irritation and…excitement? ripples through me. It’s like stepping onto a roller coaster, all thrilled anticipation until the bar locks into place and you realize—I’m strapped in. I have no control.

He’s in charge. Lanz. Not Alonzo. The mask is slipping, and I glimpse the steel beneath the charm. And the most terrifying part? I like it.

"Why not?" I ask, my voice sounding smaller, more pleading than I’d intended. I cringe inwardly, hating how much I sound like a little girl begging for permission.

"Because," he says, his tone smooth but final, "I want to look at your gorgeous body."

My breath catches, and my cheeks flare with heat. Gorgeous? Me? No one’s ever called me that before—not like this, not with that kind of intensity. His golden eyes rake over me, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I feel exposed, vulnerable, and yet… thrilled. My heart’s pounding so loudly. My brain scrambles for something to say, but all I can manage is a strangled, "Oh."

"Do not be ashamed," he says. He tugs me forward, adjusting my position so we’re walking side by side. His hand stays firm on mine, guiding me like I’m a skittish colt. "Be proud. Get used to people staring. Embrace it. You are an amazing, beautiful woman. Why conceal that?"

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. They’re everything I’ve never allowed myself to believe. My parents’ voices echo in my head—Pride is a sin, Tyler. Humility is your shield.I’ve spent my life shrinking, blending into the background, hiding behind baggy sweaters and self-deprecating jokes. The idea of embracing my body, mysexuality, feels… dangerous. Wrong, even.

But Lanz isn’t having it. His hand moves to the small of my back, warm and steady. "Chin up," he instructs, his voice soft but firm. I oblige, lifting my head. His other hand brushes my shoulders, straightening my posture. "Chest out, longer strides. And smile, my sweet."

I try to obey, but my legs feel like jelly. My steps are awkward, my smile forced. I’m hyper-aware of the way my dress clings to my curves, the way the heels make my legs look longer than they’ve ever been. People are staring—of course they are. Lanz is a magnet, and I’m the awkward accessory trying to keep up.

"The world is yours," he murmurs, leaning down slightly so his words brush against my ear. "You are a goddess of love."

A goddess of love? I almost laugh, but the way he says it—like it’s a fact, like he’s stating the obvious—makes me shiver. I glance up at him, and his gaze is steady, unyielding. He believes it. That’s the crazy part. Hebelievesit.

I could never do this on my own. Never walk with this kind of confidence, this kind of boldness. But if I tell myself it’s him—if I tell myself he’s in charge, and I’m just following his lead—then maybe, just maybe, I can manage. My chin lifts a little higher. My steps grow surer. I can feel the warmth of his hand on my back, a constant reminder that he’s here, guiding me, pushing me. And for the first time in my life, I don’t want to hide.

CHAPTER 4

LANZ

Tyler steps onto theGolden Odyssey, her eyes widening as she takes in the sheer scale of it. The sun catches the polished steel hull, making it gleam like liquid gold. Her gaze travels upward, tracing the sweeping lines of the aluminum superstructure. She’s practically frozen in place.

“This is… a yacht?” she finally manages, her voice tinged with disbelief. “It’s more like a floating skyscraper.”

“That’s one way to put it,” I say, guiding her forward with a light touch on the small of her back. Her skin is warm beneath my fingers, and I feel a jolt of heat ripple through me. “Welcome to theGolden Odyssey. 404 feet of German engineering and Italian design. Built to impress.”

She lets out a low whistle as we ascend the grand staircase to the main deck. “You weren’t kidding about the Bond villain thing. I’m half expecting a henchman in a tuxedo to pop out and offer me a martini.”

“Shaken, not stirred?” I quip, amused. “I’ll let Captain Soanzo know to work on his British accent.”

She laughs, and the sound is light, almost musical. I like the way it cuts through the usual tension I carry. Her eyes dart around, taking in the beach club platform, the loungers, the poolthat seems to stretch forever. It’s all familiar to me, but seeing it through her eyes makes it feel new again.

“You’ve got a gym up here, too?” she asks, spotting the equipment on the upper deck. “You could run a marathon and never leave the boat.”

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