“Thanks.” I smacked her playfully. “I hate you.”

  “Liar.”

  Only Cameron O’Connor could get the movers and shakers of Manhattan to make the twenty-five-minute trek out to Wave Hill Gardens in the Bronx. The grounds were always stunning, but our wedding planner Dana and the floral team had leveled up the place to create a sumptuously dreamy setting for our big day. I tried not to let the fact that Nina was right about the mega-high-profile crowd rattle me.

  The day was about Cameron and me. The other stuff was background noise.

  “Hey there, special delivery,” Megan said as she slipped in the room holding a small box. “Cam asked me to give this to you.”

  My eyes preemptively swam with tears. I was going to be a mess at the altar.

  “I can’t believe how gorgeous you look,” I told Megan as I took the package from her. “How do you have a newborn? Look at that body.”

  She swiveled back and forth, modeling the blush halter gown for us like a pro. “I didn’t really have a choice; you picked a killer dress. I hope my Spanx hold up!”

  We all laughed with her. She was right, the dresses were formfitting, but both of my bridesmaids looked perfect.

  “Do you want to open that in private?” Nina asked as she pointed to the package.

  “No, I need to practice holding back my emotions thanks to all this makeup. Stay, please.”

  I walked to the window and perched on the wide ledge. The box was wrapped in pink and silver paper and had a thick white bow wrapped around it. I took my time taking everything off, and Nina fussed at me.

  “I know, I know,” I answered. “I just want to enjoy every second of today.”

  “Please do,” Megan replied. “I’m glad I have the photos and video because I remember nothing from my wedding!”

  I took a breath before lifting the lid off the box. Cameron was a generous gift giver, and I had a feeling that whatever was inside was not only going to be magnificent, but also truly meaningful. When I saw what it was, I realized I was right.

  Sitting on a navy pillow was a small silver locket in the shape of a book. The cover showed our initials in tiny diamonds.

  “Oh, it’s perfect,” I sighed, pulling it out by the delicate silver chain.

  Nina and Megan crowded around me.

  “It looks like an antique. Does it open?” Nina asked.

  I gently clasped the book and pulled it apart to reveal two small black-and-white photos inside. One was of the two of us in profile with our foreheads touching and the other was of our clasped hands. I’d never seen either of the beautiful photos, but that was Cameron, always finding new ways to delight me.

  “Check out the back,” Megan said.

  I turned the locket over. The tiny script read, “May our love story never end.”

  “Aww,” they both said in unison.

  I blew out a breath between pursed lips. “Keep it together, keep it together,” I chanted as my heart nearly spilled over with happiness.

  Megan fanned me with both of her hands while I stared at the ceiling to prevent the tears from falling.

  Dana peeked her head in the room. “Hey, ladies. We’re almost ready. Can I get you anything?”

  I so appreciated the fact that Dana was as calm as a yoga instructor. It was exactly what I needed, because my stomach was turning inside-out. Excitement, nerves, an ounce or two of terror, and joy for what was going to be the best day of my life.

  “We’re okay, thank you!” I answered. “And I’m ready to go when you are.”

  I’d been ready to marry Cameron for a long time now.

  The final getting-ready moments were a whirlwind, and the next thing I knew I was beneath a cloudless sky, walking down the aisle to my one true love.

  I wasn’t surprised that the mighty Cameron O’Connor teared up as I got closer to him. The roles were reversed this time, with Aiden reaching over to squeeze his brother’s arm. Tyler leaned in to give Cameron a pat on the back.

  When I joined him at the altar, he gave me a quick kiss, prompting laughter from the crowd and a light scolding from the officiant. I couldn’t stop staring at him. I’d seen him in a tux before, of course, but Cameron in this tux on this day? It was all for me.

  Twenty minutes later, we were husband and wife. We sealed our vows with a real kiss that took my breath away.

  Cameron squeezed my arm against his side and placed his hand on top of mine as we made our way down the aisle together.

  “I’m the luckiest man alive,” he whispered in my ear.

  I bit my lip and smiled up at him, hoping the happiness in my face would suffice as an answer, because every time I tried to talk, I got choked up on tears of joy.

  When we’d planned the reception with Dana, we told her we had one goal for it. We weren’t looking for pure elegance, although that was a given considering the event’s price tag, all we wanted to ensure was fun. That’s why the band was cranking from the cocktail hour through dinner. Sure, we had them throw in a few ballads and standards, but the upbeat party vibe meant that people danced the whole time.

  Even Cameron.

  He was by my side through the ridiculous line dances, lindy hops, club songs, and cheek-to-cheeks. We laughed, sweated, switched partners and grooved the whole night. Megan had warned me that the one thing she regretted about her wedding was not actually enjoying it with Aiden, which was a lesson Cameron and I took to heart. A wedding was a party, and we were going to enjoy every last second of it.

  The band finally paused toward the end of the night, and the crowd ran to grab their drinks to cool off in between songs.

  “Hey everyone, can I get your attention for a minute?” a familiar voice rang out over the mic.

  Cameron glanced at me wearing a shocked expression. “Tyler?”

  I craned my neck and spotted him in front of the band with his guitar slung over his shoulder. I scanned the crowd and spotted Nina with her hands clasped in front of her mouth, looking exactly as she did the first night we’d seen him in concert.

  “I’m only supposed to be a groomsman today, but I couldn’t resist taking over for a quick song. Cameron, Felicity, I wrote this one for you. Get out here, you guys.”

  I couldn’t tell who was more shocked between the two of us. Nina caught my eye and nodded as Cameron led me back to the dance floor. I had a feeling she’d helped Tyler with the song, since the pair were now writing together all the time.

  Tyler’s song was an upbeat ode to love that hinted at our personal love story but still focused on the universal experience of finding “the one.” It wasn’t a weepy first dance song, it was hopeful and filled with joy. The chorus was a dynamic call and response that had everyone singing along by the end of it.

  “I think our boy has a hit on his hands,” Cameron said in my ear as we danced.

  “I’m not sure he’ll ever play it again,” I mused. “It’s ours in this magical moment, and once it’s over, it might be gone forever. Ephemeral.”

  “That might be what he wants, but look over there,” Cameron replied, nodding over my shoulder. “Lucy is up to her old tricks.”

  I glanced where he was looking and spotted Lucy filming Tyler wearing an excited expression.

  “Oh no,” I sighed. “I guarantee he’s going to get a zillion new followers, and some label is going to come knocking on his door.”

  “He’ll figure it out,” Cameron replied. “I’m not worried.”

  Tyler and Nina had found balance in one another. They’d navigate whatever came next together.

  The party raged on, and the venue nearly had to kick us out at the end. Hours later, after the cake and fireworks and tearful farewells, Cameron and I were finally alone in our honeymoon suite at the Four Seasons, exhausted and blissed-out.

  “I love this dress, but I need it off now,” I said, contorting myself to try to reach the buttons. “Can you undo it for me?”

  I turned so my back was to Cameron.

  “Hold on, not so fast,” he said. “I need to look at my wife once more before you take it off.”

  He walked around me slowly, like a tiger on the prowl, letting his eyes trail down my body.

  “You are flawless, my love.”

  Suddenly, I was no longer tired.

  “You have got to be the sexiest bride I’ve ever seen. That dress…”

  Cameron had hinted he wasn’t a fan of princess bridal gowns, and anyone who knew me understood I wasn’t going to be that type of bride anyway. The girls had helped me pick a showstopper of a gown—a formfitting, strapless lace dress with subtle beading.

  “I knew you’d like it,” I said. “And you. Come on, you’re basically a model.”

  He grasped his lapels and struck a pose.

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” I laughed.

  We both moved together at the same moment, finding the familiar spot in one another’s arms.

  “Best day ever,” he murmured.

  “Agreed,” I snuggled closer to him.

  Cameron kissed the top of my head, then sputtered. “I’m sorry, is your hair shellacked?”

  I pulled back, laughing and mortified at the same time. “My hairdresser wanted to make sure the updo held since we were outside. I guess she went a little crazy with the hairspray? That’s why I want out of this dress, so I can shower and…you know…” I winked at him.

  “Maybe I’ll join you in there?”

  “Or,” I said as I stepped away from him. “Or, you can wait out here for your blushing bride to come out in her sexy new boudoir set. I mean, I put some thought into it; I’d love to actually use it. And since I am a virgin…”

  I glanced down shyly.

  “Ooh,” Cameron played along. “That’s right. It’s going to be our first time.”

  “Be gentle with me,” I fluttered my lashes at him like I was a helpless maiden.

  He closed the distance between us and cupped my cheek gently. “I will, my precious. When we finally make love, the heavens will sing.”

  We dissolved into laughter.

  “Unbutton, please,” I turned around for him.

  He traced kisses down my spine as he did it, and I came close to forgetting about my new lingerie and jumping his bones right then and there.

  “Hurry up,” Cameron said. “I’ll be the naked guy out here.”

  He swatted my ass as I tripped toward the bathroom.

  I turned on the shower and realized I’d never felt so deliriously happy. It had been the perfect day, in so many ways. Sometimes I still had to pinch myself to prove everything I was experiencing was real. The man who’d made my life miserable was now the best part about it.

  I’d intended to take a leisurely shower, but it was late, and the adrenaline was starting to wear off, so I rushed through it, dried off quickly, and piled my damp hair in a clip on top of my head. The diaphanous white chemise I’d packed had wide lace inserts along the side, so I was as good as naked in it.

  Perfect.

  I walked out and posed against the door. As promised, Cameron was in bed, his gorgeous bare chest signaling that he was likely naked below the sheets as well. He was so busy smiling at his phone he didn’t even notice me.

  I cleared my throat.

  He looked over, still smiling, and when he saw me he dropped his phone. His reaction was one of the many things I loved about him. Here I was, scrubbed clean with wet hair, and it was enough to take his breath away. Cameron loved every version of me.

  I strutted over to the bed and climbed in. “What were you watching?”

  “I forget,” Cameron sounded like he was in a trance as he answered me. “Because look at my bride!”

  He kissed me.

  “Something had you grinning,” I said as I pulled away. “Tell me.”

  “It was Lucy, saying she was right about us. She edited together a bunch of clips of us over Tyler’s song, from the night in our flagship when you were trying on rings to tonight. She was gloating, saying she’d called it.”

  I straddled him. “She was the only one who believed it was possible.”

  He pulled me closer to kiss me, sliding me against his hardness. “Not true.”

  We kissed, getting more feverish with each second.

  “I knew I was going to make you mine from the first moment I saw you, all grumpy and feisty out on that sidewalk,” Cameron murmured.

  “Liar,” I laughed against his mouth. “You hated me.”

  “Maybe.” I felt him grin. “All that matters is we’re here now. And this is the first day of our journey together.”

  “Lucky me,” I sighed.

  Cameron kissed me harder.

  “No. Lucky us, my love.”

  END OF THE GROUCHY ONE

  BOSSY GLENHAVEN BILLIONAIRES BOOK 3

  The Bossy One, September 7, 2023

  The Grumpy One, February 22, 2024

  The Grouchy One, June 6, 2024

  PS: Want more sexy billionaires? Turn the page for an exclusive free book offer and an exclusive extract from Mr. Grump.

  FREE BOOK OFFER

  Read FIVE full-length romances by USA Today best-selling author Leslie North for FREE! Over 600+ pages of best-selling romance with hundreds of FIVE STAR REVIEWS!

  Sign-up to her mailing list and get your FREE books: www.leslienorthbooks.com/sign-up-for-free-books

  THANK YOU!

  Thank you so much for purchasing my book. It’s hard for me to put into words how much I appreciate my readers. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to leave a review. Reviews are crucial for an author’s success and I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to review the book. I love hearing from you!

  You can connect with me on:

  MAKE AN AUTHOR’S DAY

  There's nothing better than reading great reviews from readers like yourself, but there's more to it than simply putting a smile on my face. As an independent author, I don't have the financial might of a big NYC publishing house or the clout to get in Oprah's book club. What I do have, as my not-so-secret weapon is you, my awesome readers!

  If you enjoyed this book, I'd be incredibly grateful if you could leave a quick review. Simply TAP HERE or just leave a review when prompted by Amazon at the end of this book. Alternatively, head over to the product page for this book on Amazon and leave a review there—look for the WRITE A CUSTOMER REVIEW link.

  No matter the length (short is fine!), your review will help this series get the exposure it needs to grow and make it into the hands of other awesome readers. Plus, reading your kind reviews is often the highlight of my day, so please be sure to let me know what you loved most about this book.

  ABOUT LESLIE

  Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pen name for a critically-acclaimed author of women's contemporary romance and fiction. The anonymity gives her the perfect opportunity to paint with her full artistic palette, especially in the romance and erotic fantasy genres.

  To find your next Leslie North book visit LeslieNorthBooks.com or choose:

  BY TROPE

  BY HERO

  PS: Want sneak peeks, giveaways, ARC offers, fun extras and plenty of pictures of bad boys? Join my Facebook group, Leslie’s Lovelies!

  BLURB

  I have a confession.

  I hate bachelorette parties.

  A night of dick straws, awkward dancing and being told “it’ll be you soon, Kaitlyn!”

  Especially when it’s at a super swanky Miami club, exactly where I don’t belong.

  Couldn’t get any worse, right?

  Enter Mr. Tall, Dark and I-didn’t-know-they-made-people-this-gorgeous.

  Grump supreme. His scowl has a scowl.

  Especially after I knock a drink onto a VIP and myself.

  He must be the manager of the club because he has keys to the penthouse above it.

  A penthouse he offers to let me change clothes in.

  A penthouse we screw all over.

  Then, he gets a call and kicks me out.

  Told you it got worse.

  Ready for worser?

  First day at my new job as a nanny and Mr. Scowl is my boss.

  James Morris.

  Billionaire club owner, deal maker, and first grade bosshole—if the tabloids are to be believed.

  Also a single dad to an adorable daughter who needs my help.

  But there's no way I can take this job—every time I look at him, I’m back in that penthouse.

  And from the way he smiles when he looks at me, he’s thinking the same.

  Then he tells me why this has to work. Why he needs me. Why I can’t say no.

  New confession?

  I hate my boss.

  Grab your copy of Mr. Grump from

  www.LeslieNorthBooks.com

  Paperback

  Audiobook

  EXCERPT

  Chapter One

  Kaitlyn

  There are two things I should’ve done: I should’ve stayed home, and I should’ve worn my glasses. Of course, I did neither of these things.

  “The stairs, watch it!”

  “Holy shit…!”

  “She’s gonna⁠—!”

  Club-goers are usually a loud bunch, but I didn’t even hear the rest of that last sentence. My shoe landed on nothing but air, the club’s strobing lights danced all around me, and next thing I know I was all-engines go, ready for takeoff.

  My arms shot up as I lost balance, my ankle twisted as my shoe finally connected with the step, and I realized this was the end of the road for me. Instead of a long and fruitful life, it would all end with a sad obituary line: girl breaks neck in a nightclub.

  But then, there was…someone?

  All I could see was the blurry contour of a man, but I still held on to him as hard as I could. Except, instead of connecting with a warm body, my hand connected with a full tray of champagne flutes.