Billionaire Bad Boys: A Collection of Contemporary and Paranormal Bad Boys Read online

  "Are we?" I let my gaze travel over the tips of his perfectly pointed ears, the almost white-blond of his hair, the gold of his skin and the way his legs seemed like they went on for miles. He looked mostly like a typical elf. Nothing was amiss. "Or are some of different than they're supposed to be?" I leaned forward. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed, Matthias. Don't insult my intelligence like that. Haven't you ever wondered about me?"

  Matthias leaned in closer, invading my personal space. He reached out a long finger and toyed with one of the curls that fell around my shoulder. “I’d be a fool not to notice. But if you’re asking if it bothers me, I’m going to tell you no. I’ve never seen an elf with hair like sunshine, nor with one like curls of ribbon. Nor have I seen that particular shade of emerald in any of our eyes. But I don’t think it’s wrong, Ava.” He sneered at me. “I think it’s lovely. Truly, truly lovely. I think you’re intelligent, unique, different. But I also think you are a fool.”

  Matthias stood from the table, looming over me. “You are asking too much of me. I cannot give you what you ask for.” As he stepped out of the living room, he snagged his jacket from the couch. He paused just before he stepped into the shop. “There is a reason the information at Genome is so tightly controlled. Sometimes we shouldn’t ask the answers to the questions that haunt us.” He tapped the edge of the door frame and left, leaving me stewing in my shame and disappointment.

  3

  I fiddled with the ring he’d left lying on the table. What a spectacular failure. Not only had I failed to secure a private DNA test, I’d also bombed on making the sale that would set me up for life. Plus I’d alienated Matthias. Normally that would be a source of pride for me, but today he was different. Softer. More sincere. He’d called me lovely. Well...sort of.

  My stomach twisted in knots. Never had Matthias made me feel off kilter. Annoyed, yes. Occasionally angry, yes. Never this sort of confusion. His words came back to me, but they only solidified my decision.

  This town was hiding something. And I was going to find out what it was.

  True night had fallen over Midnight Cove when I heard a knock on the shop’s door. Frowning, I pulled my bathrobe tighter over my body and pushed through the beading separating my house from my store. I flipped on the lights and peeked out the window only to see Matthias’ blond head outside. He was shifting to and fro on his feet. If I hadn’t known him a little better than I was comfortable with, I would have thought he was cold.

  But this was different. Matthias was nervous.

  I pulled open the door. Without a word to me, he shoved in, closed the door and locked it behind him.

  “What -?” I asked in surprise.

  “I’ll do it,” he said abruptly.

  I stilled.

  He was looking down at his shoes. His mouth was a tight grimace against his skin.

  “Why?”

  Matthias pulled the leather gloves from his fingers.

  “I...guess you’re staying for awhile.”

  “When I was younger I wanted to be an archaeologist.”

  I blinked. “Okay?”

  “My parents refused. They told me as the eldest son I would be responsible for accepting the helm of the company. Anything less would not be tolerated.”

  I still didn’t understand. “But don’t you like being involved with Genome?”

  He stared at me, a storm brewing in his beautiful eyes. “I like exploring. I like digging through treasures and unearthing something I’ve never seen or felt. I like the thrill of discovering some lost treasure and holding it in my hand while I imagine who or what might have held it before me.”

  “Can’t genetics be like that?” I wondered out loud. “Isn’t there a thrill of finding something never before seen? Some mutation never discovered that could help us learn more about our origins?”

  A small smile played across his mouth. “Well - yes. There is that I suppose, but it’s all electronic. Data. Pristine and pure and utterly boring.” He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it onto the counter. “Cup of coffee?” he asked.

  I motioned him back. “Coffee is bad for your digestion.”

  He tutted behind me. “I’m almost immortal, my dear. Please don’t worry about my digestion.”

  “I need you alive because I need you for something.”

  He chuckled and I let the beaded curtains smack him in the face as I stepped into my home.

  I placed my hands flat on the counter to keep them from trembling. Matthias was here. He was going to help me. I blew out an unsteady breath and pulled down a mug for him. I used another coffee pod and waited for the machine to do its thing. I turned to study him.

  Matthias looked nervous but there was something different about him. My gaze narrowed as it traveled down his face and body.

  “See something you like?” he said, his tone amused.

  My gaze snapped back up to his face. “You’re wearing jeans,” I marveled.

  A flicker of confusion flashed on his face. “And?”

  “I’ve never seen you in anything other than a suit.” I reached over and handed him his coffee cup.

  His fingers brushed mine as he accepted it, causing a warmth to spread down my arm. Not unpleasant. Odd.

  Oh, who was I kidding? It was nice. Too nice. I cleared my throat.

  “I’m always working when I come to see you. I wasn’t born in a suit, you know.”

  I shrugged. “I didn’t know. It kind of seems like you lived in it.”

  His brows rose over the mug as he sipped carefully. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

  “Same here,” I said and headed over to the kitchen table. I sat and pulled my robe tighter.

  It was impossible to miss the smirk that formed on the side of his mouth.

  “So what do I have to do?” I asked.

  “Straight to business. Normally I would admire that in a person, but I fear I may need a moment. I am, in fact, about to do something completely against the rules and possibly betray my parents.”

  I winced. “I’m sorry.”

  One light eyebrow rose. “Are you?”

  I wasn’t. “Guilty, then.”

  "That's more honest. Now, all I really need from you is a saliva sample. But you can't have eaten or drunk anything in the past three hours." He eyed the empty mugs on the counter. "I may as well get comfortable it seems."

  I blinked. Dang it. My last cup of tea was less than an hour ago. I didn’t want Matthias to hang out here for longer than he had to, but it seems we had no choice. Him coming two days in a row might raise some eyebrows.

  “Do you play cards?”

  He crossed his ankle over his knee. “Depends. Do you like getting beat?”

  A snort of laughter escaped me. “We’ll see who’s crying after the first few rounds.”

  Matthias rubbed his hands together. “Bring it, elf.” He paused, his eyes twinkling. “Or whoever you are.”

  I winced. “Funny. Genetics jokes. Too soon, Matthias.”

  He waved me away. “Bring me another cup of coffee, too.”

  I rolled my eyes but took his cup. “You have an addiction.”

  “I prefer to call it a choice.”

  I snagged a pack of well-used playing cards from my junk drawer and filled his mug. A few minutes later we were well into a game of Slap Jack, both of us concentrating way too hard.

  “When do you plan on proposing?” I asked, right before I laid down the Jack of Hearts.

  That broke his concentration allowing me to slap down and take the massive pile of cards. “Ha!” I crowed.

  “Unfair,” he grumbled. “You’re playing dirty.”

  “Is there dirty play in slap jack?” I asked innocently. “Or is it every elf for himself?”

  He studied me and slowly began to roll up his shirt sleeves. “Game on, then.”

  We were tossing cards onto the pile with wild abandon, both of us doing our best not to blink.

  “So,” Matthias began, “are
you a virgin?”

  My cards fell out of my hand and scattered across the table. “What the hell?” I spluttered.

  He chuckled and set his cards down. “Payback, my dear.”

  I looked at the clock. Only thirty minutes had passed by. This was going to be the longest two hours of my life. “Fine,” I said. “Let’s just talk then.”

  He set his cards down. “Good by me. So. What’s the answer?”

  My face was on fire. I was, in fact, not a virgin, but I could see why he thought I was. I’d never been linked to a single being here in Midnight Cove. My one tete a tete happened when I’d traveled to Earth for a scavenging mission. I called it a mission but it was basically me tagging along with my father while we looked for a certain China pattern unavailable to us here or anywhere else we had looked.

  I sneaked out of our cheap hotel room and made my way to a club called Paddy’s. I was eighteen at the time, a little tired of being unappreciated. With a little help of a glamour, I’d disguised my ears, dimmed the color of my eyes a little bit and armed with a short skirt and a head full of clouds, I’d pushed my way into the Irish bar and right into the arms of a tattooed drummer.

  Fast, hurried, and terribly uncomfortable, it was over almost as soon as it began. Which made me wonder about the whole allure of bad boys. The only thing bad about him was his stamina.

  “No,” I ground out.

  To my surprise, Matthias burst out laughing. “I can’t believe you actually answered that!”

  “I’m honest. Nothing to hide here.”

  His gaze narrowed and he made a snorting sound. “Thus the reason we’re sitting here about to be involved in a clandestine genetics deal?”

  “Drink your coffee,” I snapped.

  He lifted his mug in salute and took a sip. “So tell me. What is it you’re trying to find out?”

  I swallowed hard. Should I tell him? We’d already gone this far. We were in it together. “I think one of my parents might have had an affair.”

  He blinked in surprise and the mug shook in his hands. “I’m assuming you think it was outside of our species?” His gaze flicked briefly to my hair and I knew his wheels were turning.

  I nodded. “I think it’s the only explanation.”

  Matthias’ lips pressed together and he exhaled through his nose. “Tell me what good this information will do you.”

  I shook my head. “Maybe nothing?” I admitted. “Maybe everything. My parents weren’t...affectionate to each other. My mother wasn’t affectionate with me at all. I’ve always felt like I was an outsider. I never belonged. She always made me feel like she was doing me a favor. Nothing was ever out of the goodness of her heart, you know.” I shut my eyes. “Sometimes I could feel her staring at me. Judging. It wasn’t a fond stare.”

  I felt something touch my fingers and when I opened my eyes, Matthias’ fingers were linked through my own. Pulling away was an option, but it had been so long since I’d had any physical contact that I hesitated.

  His hand was warm and dry. I liked the feeling of it in mine.

  “Are you prepared for what you may find out?”

  I shook my head which made him laugh.

  “Fair enough. Honest is sometimes the best policy.”

  “You didn’t answer my question,”I blurted.

  He let go of my fingers and I missed the warmth. “Oh?”

  “You know you didn’t.”

  “I can’t really propose without a ring.”

  The ring was tucked into my nightstand. I hadn’t made the effort to tuck it back into the closet because I had a niggling feeling I would see Matthias again. I pushed back my chair and stood. “I’ll grab it.”

  I left Matthias sitting at the table. As soon as the ring was tucked into my pocket I headed back into the kitchen only to see him going through my fridge.

  “Looking for something?”

  He was bent over, giving me a fantastic view of his jean-clad rear-end.

  “You’re a terrible hostess,” he said, his voice muffled. “I’m absolutely famished.”

  “Who eats after 10 p.m.?” I asked in disbelief.

  His head popped out. “You don’t?” His stare made me feel like I had three heads.

  “It’s very bad for your metabolism.”

  I’m surprised his eye roll didn’t damage his optic nerve.

  “For the hundredth time, Ava, you’re an elf. We don’t need to worry about our metabolism.”

  “Am I?”

  “Are you what?”

  “An elf!”

  His sigh was somewhat subdued by the sound of a crinkling wrapper. A bark of triumph came from the fridge as he stood up holding my chocolate covered graham cookies. “Finally!” He took four out but left the container on the counter.

  “Make yourself at home,” I muttered.

  He chewed and stared at me thoughtfully. Once he swallowed, he reached over and pushed a strand of my wild hair away from my ear. “Are there any other species with ears like ours?”

  He had a point. “No.”

  “Then I think it’s safe to say you’re an elf. Now have a cookie, you neurotic woman.”

  I reached over and snagged a few only to drop them like they burned me. “Matthias! I’m not supposed to eat.”

  “Oh dear,” he said. “Silly me.” But from the smirk on his face I had a feeling he hadn’t forgotten. Could it be? Was he dragging his feet? I fingered the ring in my pocket.

  “When is the wedding date?”

  His amusement quickly faded. “So curious about my wedding, Ava. Are you jealous?”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and smiled. "Not even a little. But with a wife, I think it's a good chance I won't see you around my shop as much."

  * * *

  He snagged another cookie. “I’m sure you’ll miss me sorely.”

  “The only thing I’ll miss is the sound of my cash register taking your money.”

  His expression sobered. “Soon, I’d expect. My parents are ready to get the baby train rolling.”

  “How long have you been dating?”

  He laughed but the sound was bitter. “I don’t think you can consider what we’ve been doing dating.” He made air quotes. “It’s more like an inspection. Kick the tires, walk around it, sniff and make sure it smells okay, and then make sure no one else is going to bid more than you will.”

  I couldn’t help the expression of disgust that fell over my face.

  The side of his mouth quirked. “Darling, embrace the fact that you are different. If you weren’t, my parents would be here pulling up the side of your gum to check your teeth.”

  My nose wrinkled. “Still doesn’t make it right,” I murmured.

  “Not much is right in the elven world. But this is what we do, isn’t it?’ He shoved another cookie in his mouth and chewed like he was murdering it. “We grow up under constant supervision. We have fun when it’s scheduled. Then we marry someone genetically and perfect on paper only to continue the cycle when it’s our time to keep procreating our race.”

  The bitterness in his tone made tears prick the back of my eyes. I reached over and held his hand when he went to reach for another cookie.

  “Come on,” I said to him before I could change my mind.

  His brow knit together. “Where?”

  I tugged him along, pushed the beaded curtain aside and grabbed my jacket. “Get your jacket. And your keys. Because you’re driving. My license is suspended.”

  His snort of amusement made me smile. Matthias allowed me to drag him outside. He gave up trying to ask questions and held open the passenger door for me. I sank into the soft leather seat with a sigh and flipped the lock to make sure he could get in.

  Matthias started the engine. “Where to?” he asked.

  I pointed to the left. “Drive, man, drive.”

  Matthias grinned and gunned it out of my driveway, gravel spitting behind us.

  Twenty minutes and about a thousand questions later, I told Ma
tthias to turn into a wooded area.

  “There’s no road here,” he protested.

  “There is. It’s just no one uses it.”

  I felt him give me a dubious stare, but he slowed down and turned into the tiny makeshift path. “This is going to scratch my paint,” he muttered.

  “Oh fun,” I said mockingly, “dangled in front of my face and rejected soundly!”

  “Shut up,” he said. “Do you know how expensive it is to paint a Porsche?”

  “Ask your mom,” I said sweetly. “Don’t they roll around in their gold every night?”

  Matthias didn't answer, but he kept going down the path. We drove for a couple of minutes, me with a mad grin on my face and Matthias wincing every time we hit the slightest bump until we came to a small grove of trees.

  “Pull over there and stop,” I said, pointing a place I’d been parking at since I was a teenager.

  “My my,” Matthias said. “Are you taking me up here to park, Ava?”

  “You wish,” I muttered, pushing open the door as soon as the vehicle stopped. I knew it didn’t look like much. Just a clearing with a bunch of trees. I bit my smile back as I watched a very confused Matthias step out of his vehicle.

  “I don’t understand,” he finally said.

  “Come on.” I pulled my jacket tighter around me and headed straight into the trees.

  “I should have checked you for a weapon before we left,” he whispered to himself.

  “If I wanted to kill you, I assure you I would be much smarter about it,” I called back.

  I heard him crunching the leaves as he followed behind me. I kept pushing through the woods and finally stopped once light began to come through the foliage.

  He bumped into me and started to apologize before he abruptly cut off. “What -?”

  Matthias stepped through the copse of trees and onto the edge of the city. His stunned inhale told me everything I needed to know.

  As far as I knew, I was the only one who knew about this place. Well, me and Matthias now, and why I’d shown him this, I wasn’t quite sure. When you looked around Midnight Cove, all you could see were the lights and shops, and the perpetual darkness. People got so involved in their own lives, they forgot to see everything else around them. Which is why this place was so amazing. From this one spot, you could see the spread of the entire town.