Billionaire Boss

Protector

A Grumpy Boss Romance

Tessa Sloan

Wild Fern Publishing, LLC

Copyright © 2023 by Tessa Sloan

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

1. Chapter 1

2. Chapter 2

3. Chapter 3

4. Chapter 4

5. Chapter 5

6. Chapter 6

7. Chapter 7

8. Chapter 8

9. Chapter 9

10. Chapter 10

11. Chapter 11

12. Chapter 12

13. Chapter 13

14. Chapter 14

15. Chapter 15

16. Chapter 16

17. Chapter 17

18. Chapter 18

19. Chapter 19

Chapter 1

NATALIE

C lutching my purse, I march back toward the black Mercedes Maybach

waiting at the entrance of the cemetery. It’s only about three in the afternoon, but the clouds have turned gray suddenly without warning, the moisture in the air growing heavier each second, causing the world to turn dark and dank all around me. Pressing my eyes closed, I flinch, rooted on the spot when a sharp streak of lightning cuts across the sky, followed by a rumble of thunder. Biting my bottom lip, I swallow my tears.

Damn it, Natalie. You’re twenty-four years old and still scared of a littledesert monsoon?!

As the sound fades, I take a deep breath to gather my strength and begin to sprint as large droplets of water start to fall. Panicking, I dash, not noticing the puddle of mud at my feet, only to slip and fall on my butt with a thud.

Jesus! What a klutz!

With gritted teeth, I attempt to scramble to my feet, only to be startled when low thunder booms again. Heavy rain begins pouring down in sheets and it only takes a moment for me to get drenched pitifully. Feeling my strength escaping my body, my knees grow weak before I can straighten up. My vision is blurred

by the driving rain as my eyes catch sight of a familiar figure getting out of the car.

Come on, Nat. Just a few more steps. Get up!

I give up my attempt as the skies grumble again while my hands subconsciously find their way to cover my ears. The cold air seeps into my skin and I shiver harshly. I can’t be sure if it’s because of my fear, the chilling wind through my damp clothes, or the icy cold glare coming from the approaching figure of a man carrying a black umbrella. Within a few breaths, he successfully rescues me from my pathetic pit of mud and despair and seamlessly deposits me on the passenger seat.

I purse my lips as he throws his coat over me, blasting the heater, and adjusting the vents so that they’re all aimed directly at me.

“I-I…” I stutter when he shoots me a look. His jaw is clenched, and his steel grey eyes look deadly as he squints ever so faintly. “I-I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.”

“Mmh,” he hums simply.

Averting my gaze, I bow my head and stare at the droplets of water through the window as he maneuvers the vehicle from behind the steering wheel. I close my eyes and utter a silent prayer when lightning flashes again. Fortunately, the noise is muffled in the cabin of the car, and the ride back home is quick.

I get out of the vehicle the moment it pulls to a stop in the driveway. Without sparing the man another glance, I sprint up the stairs and head straight to my bedroom. My clothes are already mostly dry, but I feel sticky and humiliated. I take a warm shower, blow-dry my hair, and fall onto my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Today is the third anniversary of my grandfather’s death. For the same amount of time, I’ve been living under a roof with the cold and despotic Derik Lewis.

Throughout these years, I still can’t seem to get used to his demeanor.

Sometimes he’s okay, but most times he’s overbearing and difficult to read. I still cannot understand why my grandpa trusted the man so much, to leave me in his hands. These thoughts linger in my mind as I doze off.

It’s pitch-dark when I wake up, making me shoot up from my bed.

It would be detrimental if I came late for dinner. Derik hates tardiness and values his timetable. The best I can do is adjust and avoid stepping on his toes.