by Harlow Grace
Our first stop was Harrods.
“As you requested, my lady,” Grayson said as he handed the Bentley’s keys over to the valet.
“Wow, you really did listen,” I said, laughing when I realised where we were. I’d heard that Diana, the Princess of Wales, had been a customer and ever since I’d always wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
“Of course I did. I may not look like I’m paying attention, but I listen to every word you say, baby. And today you get to shop here, anything you want, my treat.”
Playfully I slapped his arm as I shook my head. “Oh, Grayson, that’s not the reason I wanted to come here. I wanted to see the famous building and its Egyptian influences, not to shop.”
“What? A women who doesn’t like to shop and won’t help me dispose of my billions? Are you sure you’re not an alien?”
“You’re the doctor. You tell me.”
He rubbed his chin as he appraised me with a sparkle in his eyes. “Well, you are a freak in bedbut . . . you’re more like a tigress than an alien.”
“Is that a compliment?” I smirked indignantly.
“Sure is. My little tigress. Fuck, I love when you go from nerdy girl to predator as soon as your clothes come off. It’s like a dirty little secret and know what I love even more?”
I licked my parched lips and shook my head. Tiny beads of perspiration formed between my eyebrows and I wiped it away with the back of my hand. Just his talking about it made me horny as fuck. I would’ve thought I’d be used to it by now but no, my body reacted to his words as much as it did to his hands, mouth and cock.
“That it’s our secret. No one else knows that under your sweet and caring exterior lies a feisty woman who can light a fire in this man and drive his cock crazy.”
“Yeah, let’s keep that between us, okay?”
This was wrong on so many levels and I was certain our affair would not be met with approval from our family. For starters, the scandal that would send the media into a shark-like feeding frenzy and would cause so much damage, a shudder ran down my spine just thinking about it.
Just after the divorce, his whole company nearly crumbled. Milton’s wife—and mother to the heirs of the mining dynasty—running off with another man couldn’t have come at a worse time. Global setbacks had already caused the share prices to tumble, the scandal just added fuel to the already raging fire. Built on family values and virtues, the board of directors were old school and unforgiving.
That was when my mother met Milton Forbes, when he was at his absolute lowest. Left with two children and an empire that was on the verge of collapsing, he wasn’t exactly the perfect catch. But against the odds and with Mum by his side, Milton had fought back and survived the onslaught.
He saved his company with sheer determination, even though his hard work took a serious toll on his health, mentally and physically. Amidst everything that was happening, Milton had a heart attack that nearly cost his life. It was only because of his personal assistant—my Mom—taking quick action that he lived.
She helped Milton through his darkest days and holding-on-by-a-thread nights.
Milton vowed to never let anything come that close to destroying his legacy or his life ever again. I couldn’t blame him, not one bit and that’s what made this situation so damn difficult.
Grayson’s eyes darkened. His lips pressed together as he grabbed my arm and steered me toward the entrance.
“Don’t remind me,” he grumbled, his mood changing from cheerful to frustrated in a matter of seconds.
Crap. I was ruining his surprise by bringing up our messed up reality.
Even though we never spoke of it, it was always there, in the shadows. Marring the most wonderful moments of my life were pangs of guilt and anguish. What if we were found out? What if this destroys our family?
I couldn’t ruin Milton. I couldn’t rob Grayson and Taylor of their inheritance. I couldn’t watch my mother lose another husband, the chances of Milton surviving another heart attack was slim according to his specialists.
“Sorry,” I murmured under my breath, stealing a glance at Grayson.
He gave me a twisted half smile. “It’s not your fault this is screwed up. Let’s just forget about all of that right now and just have fun for a few more days, okay?”
I bit the inside of my lip and nodded.
I never wanted this fairytale to end, but I knew it had to. There was no other way.
The stakes were too high for us to allow our relationship to evolve. Back then our parents had painstakingly built back confidence in the company by promoting our new family unit. Milton had made a big deal of selling us as a close knit family and gone as far as even adopting me.
I became a Forbes.
I was given a trust fund and shares in the company.
I got to be Milton’s daughter.
18: Grayson
The sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach soon disappeared as I convinced Layla to try on a few dresses. Watching her try on the dresses I had selected from the plush leather sofa outside her dressing room lightened my mood
I wasn’t trying to change her or the way she dressed; I loved that she lived in jeans and t-shirt instead of constantly wearing ridiculous short skirts and precarious high heels thwat were sure to catch male attention. The place I was taking her for dinner had a strict dress code that I was certain she hadn’t packed for.
Layla had a style and charisma all of her own. I loved how unaware Layla was of just how fucking sexy she was. It added to that something special and intangible quality she possessed that couldn’t be bought with all the money in the world.
So far she’d had a smartass comment about every single item I’d picked and she made me laugh out loud several times with her quirky sense of humor.
Emerging from the dressing room wearing a red dress that wrapped tightly around her curves, it accentuated every nuance of her womanly body. I was in heaven just looking at how it hugged her ass and tits.
“Oh doesn’t she look a-ma-zing in the bandage dress. This Herve Leger dress was made for a figure like yours,” the sales assistant said with a broad smile, probably mentally calculating her commission from the pile of clothes I’d already approved. She moved away discreetly, allowing us some privacy.
Layla smoothed her palms over her hips. In a husky voice, she said, “Wow, you really do have a fetish for bondage, Dr. Forbes. No wonder you got an A+ for dressing wounds. Did you have a lot of practice wrapping bandages around bodies?” Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she twirled around for me.
“I like unwrapping bandages more,” I smirked, loosening the collar of my shirt. Was it hot in here or was it just me? “Are you wearing underwear?” I rasped, as she came closer to me and her scent whiffed past me.
“Wouldn’t you love to know,” she teased. “Like the dress?”
“Love it. You look stunning. It’s a definite yes.”
As fucking hot as Layla was in that dress, I was already yearning to take it off and have my way with her. Bringing her here with so many eager assistants all with their eyes on us wasn’t my best idea.
Layla smiled and turned toward the change room, swaying her hips as she walked away. Was she doing it on purpose to get me all worked up?
Fuck me. She was asking for it.
Chomping at the bit to get to her, I called the closest assistant that was hovering nearby.
“We need some privacy please. I will assist Ms. Forbes with the next dress.”
The pretty brunette gave me a knowing smile. “Certainly, sir.” She nodded her head at her co-worker and the two of them disappeared.
Layla’s eyes widened as I entered the enclosed change area. She’d already slipped out of the dress and just as I thought, no fucking underwear.
“Gray—”
Not letting her finish, I pushed her against the wall and locked my mouth over her lips with a brutal force. Gasping, she sucked air from my mouth.
“Little tease,” I growled as I bit her l
ip. She whimpered into my mouth. It sounded so fucking sexy that my prick strained against my already too tight pants. I knew just what to do about that.
“Turn around,” I ordered.
Like the good girl she was, she did as she was told without question.
“Lean over the chair, I want to see that arse in the air.” I undid my zipper and let my erection spring free.
Layla’s mouth formed an ‘O’ as she looked back at me over her shoulder. Tempted as hell to fuck that mouth instead of her pussy, I groaned as I took my dick in my hand and stroked it a few times.
“Sweet Jesus, Lala, you make me as horny as a fucking schoolboy.”
“Mmmm,” she hummed, still watching me and licking her lips.
I grasped her neck and pulled her back so I could whisper in her ear.
“You can clean me up after. This is going to be over real quick.”
Caressing her neck with my lips as I watched her reflection in the mirror, her eyes fluttered closed. I slapped her backside lightly. “Eyes open. Watch me fuck you, baby.” My gaze drifted to the red hand mark that appeared on her ass.
“Grayson,” she moaned, her eyes glazing over with lust as she opened them and met mine in the mirror.
I couldn’t stop my grin from widening. “That’s my girl.” I ran a finger over her pussy to test her readiness. I slid two finger slid inside, then three before groaning. “So fucking wet for me,” I rasped as I fucked her slowly with my fingers, my gaze never leaving hers
Her head lolled backwards against my chest. “I want your cock,” she said in a throaty voice as if she smoked a pack of thirty Camels a day.
Note to self: Fucking in public places turns my girl on something fierce.
It just happened to be my favourite fantasy too.
Removing my fingers, I gripped my dick and ran it up and down her slick pussy and her arse, filling the cubicle with the delicious scent of our mixed arousals.
I inhaled a deep breath. Sex had such a distinctive aroma. It made me wild with lust.
Echoing my need, Layla’s expression was one of agony mixed in equal parts with pleasure. “Oh God, fill me up, Grayson. I can’t stand this.”
I thrust my aching cock inside her warmth with a long, slow hiss.
Layla covered her mouth with her hand to smother her cry as she took me in all the way.
I didn’t care if anyone heard us.
“So fucking tight.” I loved looking into her eyes to the depths of her soul when I fucked her. I loved watching her chase her orgasm and seeing her lose control when she came.
It was a thing of pure beauty. Pure heaven.
I didn’t care if the whole world knew I was balls deep inside my stepsister. In fact, I was ready to shout it out from the rooftops. I wanted everyone to know how much I loved fucking her.
“Yes,” she cried, her eyes feral as I reached around and twisted a nipple between my fingers. In three short days I had learned how to get the best out of Layla’s body. The combination of pleasure with just a touch of pain drove her to the edge. It had the same effect on me, knowing I could get her to respond like that to me.
I fucked her hard and fast as I watched our bodies move in unison in the mirror. Her tits jiggled every time my balls slapped against her ass. I wasn’t even trying to be quiet or hold back. I’d lost control a long time ago.
Layla arched her back and pushed backwards to meet each of my thrusts, forcing my cock as deep as it could go.
She took as much as she gave.
All without apology.
It made me absolutely fucking crazy for her.
19: Layla
Grayson ordered the parcels to be delivered to our hotel, all with a smirk on his face as the assistants made big googly eyes at him. There was no way in hell they were oblivious of happened back there. I kept my gaze on either the floor or Grayson, avoiding eye contact with any of them.
But I couldn’t hide the warmth that spread through me or the lightheadedness that made me grip Grayson’s arm tightly to steady myself. He laced his fingers through mine, smiling down at me with such adoration that my heart skipped a beat.
How did I get so damn lucky?
I bet the sales attendants were filled with envy, wishing they were in my shoes. God, I had to pinch myself to make sure that this was indeed happening to me and not just a delicious dream.
“Ready for our next stop?”
“Bring it on, Dr. Forbes,” I said, giving him my best smile. He made my heart so damn warm and fuzzy—he could lead me to the edge of a cliff and I’d jump off gladly if he told me too.
Jeez, Layla, steady girl.
I was so smitten with Grayson that I could hardly see straight.
And to be honest? As much as I knew it was wrong for us to flaunt our relationship in public, I couldn’t help myself. I wanted everyone on the damn planet to know that Grayson Forbes wanted, little Layla the nerdy girl.
“You’re going to lo-o-o-v-e this surprise,” he drawled with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I never used to like surprises but you are changing my mind about that.”
My face was actually hurting from all the smiling I had done today. Now I knew how brides felt when they had to pose for pictures for hours on end.
Somewhere in the back of my mind alarm bells were ringing but I quickly shut them down, refusing to listen. Carrying on down this path couldn’t be good for us. I already knew it couldn’t end well.
We were damned before we even got started.
Why did the universe have to be so fucking cruel? To put the perfect man not only in my life, but so damn close and yet so far out of my reach. I couldn’t make any sense of it, so I decided to stop trying and just go with the flow. I’d take every second Grayson gave me and worry about the aftermath later because sure as hell is hot there would be severe consequences. This amount of happiness couldn’t come without a price. I already was steeling myself for when it inevitably came crashing down.
Just one more moment.
Just one more hour.
Just one more day.
Throwing caution to the wind, I reached up and kissed him lips and in full view of everyone. Hard and passionately. Bold and daring. If the universe was giving me this chance, I was grabbing on to it with both hands and hold on for all I was worth.
Daddy’s words rang in my head: “Make hay while the sun shines.” I always thought it was an odd saying, but the sun was glaring and I was ready to make every second count.
The valet brought Grayson’s Bentley around and before helping me into the passenger seat, Grayson pulled me into an embrace and kissed me sweetly. His lips caressedover my cheek to my earlobe where he spent a few moments nibbling on it, sending delicious shivers down my spine.
This man . . .
Warm breath on my skin caused every cell in my body to tingle. “I can’t get enough of you, Lala. I want to devour you . . . eat you fucking alive. Does that make me bad?” His voice rumbled from his chest, laced with lust and desire.
“Is it bad that I want you to devour me?” I whispered back. If we were on our way to hell I was all in and looking forward to the journey.
“Get in the car, baby. Before I make good on that idea and make every other woman watching us jealous.”
Sliding into the leather seat, I couldn’t help chuckling as I looked around. Sure as hell, there were a few woman watching us, nudging their friend or partner to look in our direction. Grayson jumped into his seat and steered the car into the road. There wasn’t any point in asking where we were going because I knew he wouldn’t tell me. If his cheeky smile was any indication, this surprise was going to be a good one.
Thirty minutes later we stopped in front of a large white building. An ornate sign read ‘Children’s Hospice’. Really? This was the surprise?
Please don’t let him tell me that he got a job here and that he isn’t coming back to Australia.
Maybe it would be a good thing because then we could hide
out in London? Confused, my stomach rolled uncomfortably as I considered each option.
“Don’t look so worried. You’re going to love it, I promise.” As usual Grayson picked up on my apprehension immediately. He had always been able to read me like an open book. Was there nothing I could hide from this man?
Cagey, I gave him a weak smile. “It’s not anything I expected, so it’s definitely a surprise.”
“Trust me, okay?”
“Okay,” I said as I nodded. That part was easy. I trusted Grayson with my life.
Grayson got out of the car and walked around to open my door for me, helping me out. Smiling down he held out his arm so I could entwine mine with his. I loved how he acted like a gentleman. Good old fashioned manners turned me on something fierce.
As we entered the building I could hear the noisy chatter of excited children. Balloons and a large sign reading “Welcome” decorated the large open reception area. Children of all ages—some in wheelchairs, others using crutches or with casts—were chattering away, their glee and anticipation clear on their lovely little faces.
Walking further into the room, all eyes were on us. Some of the younger kids clapped and cheered, giving us a warm welcome.
I smiled back as graciously as I could, swallowing the lump in my throat as I looked around the room. Some kids wore bandanas on their naked heads. It broke and warmed my heart to see that, in spite of their illness, they were all in good humor. Some adults could learn a lesson from sick children. I had witnessed most kids bearing their agony with acceptance and dignity, unlike some of the adults I have come across.
Like my little patient, Carmen. I’d learned so many lesson in humility from that one little girl alone.
A hush fell over the room. Silence when only seconds ago it sounded like chaos.
I spun around to see who could command such awestruck expressions.
Oh my goodness. The Duchess of Cambridge was walking up the stairs behind me with two burly men a few steps behind her. My gaze flew to Grayson who stood there grinning at me with his arms folded across his chest.
Stunned, I watched as Kate entered the room, her beautiful smile warm and genuine as she approached us. She crouched down to talk to some of the children, hugging a little girl and ruffling a boy’s hair. I could understand why everyone adored her. A natural grace and charm rolled off her and by the time she reached us, I knew that the sympathy she felt for those sick kids was genuine.