Hard to Trust (Hard to Love Book 2)

by L. M. Reid

  I lie there, my arm crooked under my head and watch her naked body walk away from me. As much as I am enjoying the view, I’ll be damned if I wouldn’t prefer to have her next to me. Once the door to the bathroom latches shut, I slide out of bed and back into my boxers. She may want me gone, but I’m not ready to leave yet.

  Why is that Gray? I ask myself the question because after Reagan, I swore off relationships and anything that didn’t revolve around the sheer pleasure of just sex. At least until my father gets what he deserves. I don’t want to hurt another person the way I did Reagan. And I sure as hell don’t want to feel that pain again either.

  Yet here I am, my eyes searching the room trying to figure out this woman that has me so fucking intrigued that I can’t just walk away even when I know I should.

  This whole thing is a cluster fuck. First and foremost because she’s dating my father. I don’t involve myself with women that are taken – ever. I sure as hell have never went after the same woman as my father. It’s sick and twisted and while the whole ordeal is way more drama that I am inclined to deal with for some reason the woman in the center of it, she’s worth it to me.

  That right there is a problem. A huge fucking problem. I like this woman. I shouldn’t, but I do. I run my hand through my hair and damn it if those feelings don’t have me forgetting my purpose for being here. No, instead of focusing on revenge and getting back at my father, here I am looking around her damn room trying to figure her out so I can figure out how to get her away from my father.

  My purpose, my whole reason for being here, is at risk all because of one gorgeous fucking woman. I wish I could say that it’s not worth it, she’s not worth it. I wish that I could convince myself to leave, but the way she felt, the sound of my name on her lips it’s all making me do the exact opposite.

  “What are you still doing here?” her voice asks.

  Ignoring her question, I say, “Can I ask you a question?”

  Exasperated by my presence she replies, “If it will get you out of here, ask away.”

  She stands before me in nothing more than a navy-blue towel that’s meticulously wrapped around her. Her blonde hair is damp and resting on her shoulders, the natural waves making her look softer than I’m sure she would like to appear.

  My hand comes up to her face. “Why are you with him?”

  “That’s none of your business,” she replies. She doesn’t turn away though, she stands firm, looking me in the eye. The tough as nails attorney coming out to play. I was trying to play it nice, but if that’s the route she wants to go…

  “Actually, since I’m the one satisfying your sexual urges, I think it’s a fair question.”

  “Don’t make me regret this,” she says.

  “I can still taste you, Sweetheart. And I assure you,” I lick my lips, “that is not the taste of regret. That is the taste of sweet, pleasured pussy.”

  “You’re not the only man who can use his tongue,” she says defiantly, trying to goad me. And I’ll be damned if I don’t fall for it, anger at her insinuation rising inside me.

  “Oh? Does he make you scream like that? Call out his name?” A protest is on her lips, but I stop her before she can make it. “Let’s get one thing straight, Sweetheart.” I step closer to her, my hand coming to her cheek. “If he satisfied you in any way, I wouldn’t be here. So do not act as though…”

  “I wouldn’t know if he satisfies me or not.” She offers up the information and I can’t say that I’m not a little taken aback by it.

  If they’re not… then why is she… why is he…?

  What the fuck?

  “Are you kidding me?” I can’t help the laugh that escapes from the back of my throat loud and long. She’s withholding sex from him and he’s okay with that? Has he not fucking seen her? Hell, I barely glanced at her and was hard. An old asshole like him, you would think that he would be beating down her damn door to get into her pants. Not that I’m complaining. The idea of the two of them together has been gnawing at me.

  She pokes her finger into my chest. “Just because we had sex, that does not give you the right to make a judgment on my life.”

  “No judgment here, just amusement. At least I know that means you’re only with him for the promotion.”

  Her laugh is condescending, but sexy as hell. “Is that your way of trying to get me to admit to something? Find out some little secret that there isn’t so you can run to daddy and tell him. Nice try, Grayson, but you’re wrong.”

  “Are you always so suspicious? I’m not trying to do anything to hurt you. I just want to know – for personal reasons.”

  “I don’t care what you’re trying or not trying to do. What I do know is that we are both after the same position and that makes you my competition.”

  “If I become partner, it will be of my own volition. Not because I used you or blackmailed you. That’s not my style. Any competition between us is going to be fair. This…” I say as I glance down at her nearly naked body, then back up to her face, “this has nothing to do with it.” She takes her bottom lip between her teeth as though she is trying to contemplate if I’m telling the truth or not. “Would you like me to swear on a bible? Sign a contract?”

  “A sex contract?” she asks, a small laugh escaping her.

  “If it keeps you from kicking me out,” I say with a shrug.

  “This stays between us,” she says matter of fact. “If I find out you told your father, I will end you.”

  “I have no doubt,” I tell her with a smug smile.

  She nods and walks out of the bedroom. I follow behind her as she makes her way into the kitchen. “Would you like something to drink?”

  I watch as she grabs the neck on the bottle of whiskey that sits on the black countertop.

  “Whiskey girl, huh?” I say as I watch her pour a glass.

  “Can’t handle it?” she presses with enough attitude to fill the damn room.

  “I can handle whatever you serve,” I assure her taking the glass from her and sipping it.

  “You sure about that?” I love the mischievous look in her eyes. It’s playful and fun, so unlike the persona she normally gives off.

  “Why did you come find me?” I ask the question not to be a dick, but because I really want to know.

  “Isn’t that obvious?” She glances down to my already hardening dick, then back up to my face, much the way I did to her moments earlier.

  “If that’s all you were looking for, then why not him?” I ask the question, but fuck if I actually want the answer to it.

  “Are you really going to make me say it?” Oh, hell yeah, I am. I raise my eyebrows encouraging her to continue. “I don’t want him. I…”

  “Say it.”

  “You don’t have to look so smug about it,” she tells me though I can see the hint of a smile on her lips.

  “Yeah, actually, I kind of do.”

  She rolls her eyes at me. “Fine. I don’t want him. I want you.”

  “Was that so hard?” I tease.

  “Torture, actually.”

  “Well, since you played so nice, why don’t I give you what it was you came to me looking for.”

  “If I recall, you already did.”

  “Oh, Sweetheart, I am far from done with you.”

  I yank on her towel letting it fall to the ground leaving her standing before me, naked and vulnerable. I walk around her, enjoying the view. From behind her I wrap my arm around her waist, my hands sliding down her body and my fingers grazing her clit. I step back, take my dick in my hand and press it to her entrance. She’s bent at the waist, splayed across the island. Without another word I push into her. Give her what I know she needs and what I can’t help but take.

  12

  Ashlynn

  I force the sultry tone of my voice when I see we aren’t alone. “You wanted to see me, baby?” I ask as I enter Elliot’s office.

  I’m supposed to be dating Elliott, infatuated with him. Luckily, it’s not real
because it sure as hell isn’t him that my mind won’t stop thinking about. It’s not him that my body still feels against it. What happened last night between Grayson and I may have been wrong, but it sure as hell felt very right.

  Grayson is so easy to be with, so damn sexy, and so much more trouble than I bargained for. I’ve only known him a couple days, but there is just something about him. While it’s always front and center in my mind, he doesn’t seem to give a damn that I’m his competition. He should be gunning for me. He isn’t though. In fact, he’s doing the complete opposite. He holds me after we have sex, laughs with me, and makes me forget all the bad that I’ve been through. He also has a habit of irritating the shit out of me.

  My eyes widen and my mouth drops when I realize that it’s Grayson sitting in the chair across from Elliott. His face may hold a smirk that tells me he’s up to something, but his eyes tell me he’s pissed, that maybe my little term of endearment just lit a fuse inside him – a ticking time bomb.

  “Hello, Ashlynn,” he says. His voice is husky, deep, and sexy.

  “Grayson.” My tone is even and flat not trying to give anything away all the while trying to gage Grayson’s level of anger.

  “Please have a seat, Ashlynn,” Elliott tells me.

  I am grateful that Elliott is being seemingly professional in front of Grayson. Had Elliott done as he usually does when we are in public, tapping his leg so I could scurry and sit on his lap as his trophy, I’m pretty sure Grayson would have lost it.

  Or maybe he would have just died of laughter seeing me act like a kept woman rather than the woman I am with him. I may bend at his sexual will, but that is purely for my own gratification. When I do it with Elliott, I look like nothing more than some bimbo trophy wife.

  Taking a seat next to Grayson I can’t help but notice that his usual open and welcoming demeanor is now hard and closed. His body is rigid. I can’t tell if it’s from being in his father’s presence, or mine. But this is not the same man that I woke up with this morning. The one who cooed about how amazing I am while he dropped sweet kisses on my neck.

  “I was just telling Grayson about a new client we are taking on and he had a wonderful idea.”

  “Oh?” I ask glancing in Grayson’s direction. “And what has he come up with?”

  “As I was trying to decide who to give the case to, he reminded me that it wouldn’t be fair to choose between the two of you for such a high profile case while you’re both vying for the partner spot and suggested that the two of you work together.”

  “Oh, did he?”

  Grayson has a smug look on his face. Thing is, that look screams that this suggestion is less about the promotion and more about us, spending time together. I’m just not sure why. He certainly seems pleased with himself though.

  “I think it will be a great experience for both of us,” Grayson interjects.

  I bet he does.

  My eyes flutter shut and then back open to look directly into his. Just what the hell do you think you’re doing Grayson?

  “Are you okay with this Ashlynn?” Elliott asks.

  He says it as if I have a choice. The case should be mine. He knows it, I know it, and even Grayson knows it. As much as I want to shout those things at him, I can’t. That’s not what a good little obedient trophy girlfriend does.

  As much as I may like Grayson, the situation he just put me in, us in, was nothing more than self-serving. Between Elliott’s blackmail and now this from Grayson, I have had it with men who think they can control me. I may not be able to stand up to Elliott, but I sure as hell can give Grayson a taste of his own medicine.

  “Of course, baby. I mean Elliott. I won’t let you down.” My voice is dripping with sweetness, laced with flirtation, and it’s all for Grayson’s benefit, not Elliott’s. I can see Grayson squirm in his seat.

  “Looks like it’s settled then,” Elliott says. “You should get to work.”

  I get out of my seat and with a sashay of my hips walk over to Elliott. “Thanks baby,” I purr as I press a chaste kiss to his lips.

  I can feel the weight of Grayson’s stare; I can sense the anger coursing through him, but I don’t care. If he wants to play games, I sure as hell can too.

  I walk toward the door making sure to give Grayson a smile. My hand in on the doorknob when I hear Elliott call out my name.

  “I’ll pick you up at six,” he tells me.

  I flash him the biggest, sexiest smile I can. “I can’t wait.” I blow him a kiss and walk out the door.

  I strut to my office satisfied with the fuck you I just gave Grayson even though I’m not one hundred percent sure what it is I am angry about. He arranged it so that we could spend more time together and I sure as hell enjoy spending time with him. So what exactly is my issue here?

  “What the hell was that?” he asks as he slams my office door behind him.

  The anger in his voice, the loud bang of the door all startles me. I expected some smart ass comments, even a demand to never do that again, but this? For a man so typically in control, he sure as hell isn’t right now.

  “That was me, thanking my boy…”

  “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence,” Grayson orders. “You. Are. Mine.”

  “Actually—“

  He stalks toward me, the look in his eyes cementing me to the floor. I don’t move as his hand comes up to my face, his thumb rubbing my bottom lip. “Do you want him the way you want me?”

  The sound of his voice alone dampens my panties. His words and the memories of what he did to me last night fucking soak them. I urge myself to lie, to tell Grayson that I want Elliott. Instead I step into him, my hands tugging at his shirt, my actions are the exact response he’s looking for.

  “Answer me,” he demands wanting the words.

  Because it’s Grayson and because I need him so badly, I give him the response he wants in a tone no more than a whisper. “No.”

  “Then don’t ever put on that kind of show in front of me. What you do when you’re alone with him, I can’t control. But in front of me, when you’re near me, you belong to me. Do you understand?”

  I understand the words just fine, what I don’t understand is the anger in his voice when he speaks. All I know is that I want it to go away, I want our playful banter back, I want the demanding man whose desire for me is more of a turn on than any kiss I’ve ever experienced.

  “Kiss me Grayson,” I pant demanding the one thing that I think will make this all go away, the one thing that will level the playing field and make everything between us okay.

  “After your lips were on him? Not a chance in hell.”

  “But, Grayson…”

  His name is a plea on my lips, begging him to give himself to me. It sounds fucking pathetic, but I don’t care. My body aches for his so badly, so intensely, I am not beneath begging to get what I want.

  “Sorry, Sweetheart. Enjoy your date tonight. We can start work tomorrow.” Without another word or another touch, he walks out of the office leaving me confused and my body humming with desire.

  I sink into my chair and close my eyes. What the hell just happened? What the hell is this that I’m feeling? I don’t do emotions or feelings – just sex. Jesus, he’s getting to me. I am letting him get to me. I don’t let men get to me. I can’t let him in. I don’t want to, I tell myself. I don’t need a man.

  No. Whatever this is, it needs to end.

  13

  Grayson

  By the time I make it back to my office, I am fuming. Visions of her lips on his making my goddamn blood boil.

  Christ, West, get your shit together. You aren’t dating the woman, hell you can’t. Because for as much as I just pounded on my chest and informed her that she’s mine – she’s not. She’s his -even if it is just a bullshit charade.

  At least I think it is. It’s the only thing I could come up with. They’re in some sort of fake relationship to make him look good and help her become partner. There’s no othe
r explanation.

  Question is, why the hell do I care? Sure, the sex is great, okay it’s fucking amazing, but still. There are plenty of pussies out there to be explored and there is bound to be one that feels just as good as hers, responds like her does, satisfies me the way she does. Yet, I don’t want any of them. Not a single one but her.

  Why the fuck am I so dead set on Ashlynn when she isn’t mine? She can’t be mine.

  I shake my head as though it’s somehow going to knock her out of my mind.

  Yeah right. From the moment I laid eyes on her I wanted her. Every moment I spend with her only adding fuel to the fire. This desire for her, it…

  No. It can’t be anything. Ashlynn is with my father. Real or not. And she made that abundantly clear with that little show in his office.

  14

  Ashlynn

  After my argument with Grayson I decided to head home. I couldn’t chance running into him and being at the office was way too risky. So I left a little early, something I never do, and went home to get ready for tonight’s event.

  When I entered my building, the doorman handed me a box. He didn’t know who it was from but said that he had been instructed to ensure I received it immediately.

  Inside the box is a dress, or at least the makings of one. The dress is beautiful, I’ll give him that. It’s just not me. He’s just trying to show off his girlfriend and what better to do that with than a dress that only has slightly more material than a negligee.

  But, what Elliott wants, Elliott gets. He’s made certain that I can’t say otherwise.

  My phone chimes with a message.

  Grayson: Have fun with your boyfriend tonight.

  So, he wants to be an asshole. Well, two can play at that game.

  Me: Oh, I will. You didn’t give me what I needed earlier, but I’m sure Elliott will.

  Grayson: I’m not playing these games, Ashlynn.

  Me: I’m not playing games. I’m going on a date. If that bothers you – then maybe you should have done something about it.