Sweet Billionaire Stepbrother ~ Harlow Grace: Part 2 (Sweet Stepbrother)

by Harlow Grace

  I quirked an eyebrow. “Oh? What makes you say that?”

  Even though I knew Layla wasn’t into Seth, I still couldn’t control the wave of jealousy that flooded my veins. He was probably going to try his best to charm the panties off of her in front of me and there wouldn’t be much I could do about it. Fuck.

  “I’m sure she lost her v-card that night. But she insists she didn’t let Seth fu . . . um, you know.” She laughed awkwardly. “She has a glow that wasn’t there before. You know, the kind a girl only gets when she’s crazy for a guy. She can’t fool me.”

  “Is that right?” I couldn’t help the smirk that crossed my face. If I was the guy who made her glow—fuck yeah.

  The fact that Layla had been avoiding me like I had the plague since I returned from the U.K. didn’t help much. I needed to talk with her and find out if she was okay. I needed to tell her that London had been the best experience of my life and I’d missed her when she left. Since the moment she waved goodbye at the airport, London seemed dark and gloomy, a perfect reflection of my mood.

  Seven years wouldn’t have been enough time to explore each other completely and do all the things I wanted to do to her, never mind seven days. I had to finally tell Layla that I wanted her and only her, that I couldn’t think of anything else besides her.

  “Let’s go around the back. I’m not in the mood to try to be polite to the Matthews. Do you mind?” I’d already placed my hand on the small of Sloane’s back and was steering her in that direction. I wanted to be out there as soon as possible.

  Watching Seth.

  Watching Layla.

  Sloane laughed. “Oh okay. You seem eager to get to the party. Thirsty?”

  “Yeah, I need a long cold drink,” I said. “I’m still a bit jetlagged and dehydrated from my flight back.”

  “I’m so jealous that you took Layla to London. I so wish I was who had gone. I’ve been dying to go to Europe. Maybe next time you go I could come?” Sloane fluttered her eyelashes at me coyly.

  My chest tightened at her words And I had I cleared my throat before I spoke. “I won’t be going back there for a long while. I’ve given up my apartment and moved my stuff out. I’m starting my new job at Forbes International in a few weeks. I’ll have no time for anything if Dad has his way—he’s throwing me in the deep end for being a bad son.”

  Sloane lay a hand on my arm. “Well, I for one am glad you’ll be staying in Sydney. I like you Grayson, I really want to see more of you.”

  Talk about shooting straight. This chick was definitely not afraid to speak her mind. Honestly, I admired that in a person, if only she wasn’t gunning for me.

  I stopped short of the party and pulling her hand through my arm, I led her in the opposite direction. It was time I put Sloane straight. I couldn’t carry on with the charade when my heart just didn’t want her.

  She beamed as we made our way to a garden bench nearby. Shit, she’s thinking I’m going to say things she wants to hear.

  “Let’s sit here for a moment. I need to tell you something.”

  “Sure.” Her eyes glimmered in the light. Fuck, this wasn’t going to be easy. I stood beside her, one foot up on the wooden bench. I leaned forward as she smiled up at me.

  “Sloane, I like you very much—”

  “Oh, Grayson, I like you too—”

  I held up a hand to stop her before she said something that would feel awkward about when she heard what I had to say. She froze immediately, her back stiffening.

  “I owe it to you to be honest with you. Right now, I’m not looking for a serious relationship. I’m about to start a new job . . . one that’s going to be challenging as fuck.”

  She let out a long breath and laughed. “That’s not a problem. If all you want right now is a fuck buddy, I’m all up for that. But if you haven’t noticed yet, I have a voracious sexual appetite—”

  I quickly placed my fingers on her lips. “Sloane, listen to me. You keep making assumptions . . . wrong ones. I’m trying to tell you that as much as I like you, there can’t be anything between us.” I cleared my throat. “I’m not looking for a fuck buddy either.”

  Her eyes grew wide and large. “You . . . you already have one? Who?” she blurted out.

  I shook my head. “No, nothing like that. I just don’t have the time or place in my life for anything like that right now.”

  Not wanting to tell Sloan about Layla and me until I’d spoken to our parents first, I was trying to play it as natural as possible. She wasn’t making it easy for me, I had to bite my tongue not to blurt it out.

  “You must be kidding. A man like you? I bet you can’t go a day without sex.” She jumped to her feet and took a step closer to me, pushing her ample breasts against my chest. “Try me, Grayson. You won’t be disappointed.” Her eyes filled with lust. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me, her hand moving to my groin and cupping my package. “I’m a great fuck.”

  I placed my hand over hers to remove it. She gripped me tighter, slipping her tongue into my mouth and making moaning sounds as she brushed her tits against me.

  I’m only a man and I could feel my dick hardening. I hadn’t fucked since London and my balls were full and eager for action.

  “Sloane,” I said, loosening her grip on my balls and holding her by the wrists. “No.”

  “But your dick likes it. Let me show you how good my mouth is, Grayson. Sit back and let me suck your cock, then tell me you don’t want it . . . don’t want me.”

  Something caused me to look towards the pool area where the party was in full swing. Confused green eyes met mine. I inhaled sharply.

  It’s not what it looks like, I wanted to scream but it was too late.

  Layla had already turned and left.

  Fuck.

  29: Layla

  It killed me to see Sloane with Grayson and his balls cupped in her hand, no less.

  But what did I expect?

  Sloane had Milton’s approval, she was the one he wanted for his son. Despite all of the animosity going on between the two men, Grayson had probably decided to go along with his father’s wishes.

  Smart move. I had to give him props for that, even if I hated the idea and it shredded my fucking heart.

  Not that I could blame any man who fell for Sloane. She was breathtaking, smart and sexy. I never understood why she wanted to be friends with geeky me when she could have been best buddies with the cool kids in school.

  From the many sexual encounters she’d told me about, Sloane knew just how to get a man to eat out of her hand and beg for more. Clearly she had Grayson just where she wanted him.

  I was happy for them. Really.

  At least that’s what I kept telling myself. I had to come to terms with it or I’d crumble.

  “Hey babe, you look amazing tonight.” I looked up to see Seth standing a few feet from me. He looked handsome in a tight fitted pants and pale blue shirt of which he’d left the top three buttons undone so that his smooth, sexy chest was on display. He took a step closer to me, holding out both his arms as if he wanted a hug.

  Still dazed by what I’d just seen, I needed a freaking hug more than anything, so I simply stepped into his embrace and let his big body enfold mine. He smelled so good, and the way he held me close was exactly what I needed in that moment. I buried my face in his chest, feeling his hand on the back of my head.

  “Hey, you,” I mumbled into his rock hard chest.

  “You okay?” His gruff voice was laced with equal parts of surprise and concern. Bet he never expected me to walk into that so easily.

  I placed both arms around his waist and let him squeeze the bejesus out of me. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just needed a hug.” I slowly released the breath I’d been holding. “Thank you.”

  “Anytime sweetheart, anytime. Just yell whenever I can help you with that, okay?” The hand on my back slipped down to my arse and pushed gently until my body was flush against his.

  “Feel that? Just for you, babe.”r />
  His erection pushed into my stomach. Oh God, that wasn’t my intention at all. Why were men such animals? I took a deep breath and pushed against his chest.

  “Seth. It’s not like that.” With wild eyes I looked around for an escape, only to be met with four steel hard blue eyes staring at us; one pretty face with a slack jaw, the other had a face like thunder and was grinding teeth his together.

  “Layla,” both said at the same time. My stepsiblings weren’t happy, that much was clear. Crap.

  Seth turned his head and when he saw Grayson he took a step backward, letting me go. I had no idea what happened to the lump in his pants because I was too busy wondering where Taylor and Grayson had come from so suddenly. Wasn’t Grayson still in the garden with Sloane? And Taylor—her eyes were on fire as she glared at me.

  To crown it all Sloane appeared behind Grayson, shooting daggers at me.

  “Grayson, where’s the fire?” she asked as she hooked into his arm and pulled him away.

  This night was turning into a nightmare. Every way I turned somebody was upset with me. Thank fuck I was leaving soon. This was all just becoming too overwhelming.

  “Layla, there you are.” As Mum came toward us she flashed everyone a smile but me. “Why did you take so long to come down? I could have used some help earlier.”

  That was the last straw. Why was I the bad guy here?

  Five seconds later, Milton spotted us and came barging toward us.

  What now?

  “Well, nice to see you’re all catching up and having a good time.” He put an arm around Sloane and kissed her cheek. “I’m hoping my son is smart and snatches you up soon. I’m ready for grandchildren, so don’t make him work too hard to catch you, okay?”

  Sloane giggled with delight, but my eyes were on Grayson. For once I couldn’t read him. He looked annoyed as fuck, but I couldn’t tell who he was angry with.

  As for Milton’s little speech, if he had pointed a gun at me and shot me at point blank it would have hurt less. He was hell bent on getting Grayson and Sloane together and usually whatever Milton wanted, Milton got. He was a Forbes, it was a given.

  Sloane smiled up at Milton. “I feel like part of the family already.”

  My stomach turned. I was going to be sick. Maybe I should throw up all over my best friend’s pretty dress? For just a moment the green eyed monster turned me into somebody I didn’t know I’d ever become.

  Instead I excused myself and turned away as Taylor moved closer to Seth and started chatting to him. He seemed so taken with her that I was already forgotten. As I reached the stairs, I turned to see Milton grip Grayson and Sloane by the arm and lead them to the dance floor with my mother following them with an encouraging smile.

  Perfect.

  Just fucking perfect.

  30: Layla

  Luckily I’d ordered a taxi earlier. I didn’t even bother to change as I hauled the big bag from under my bed and grabbed my jacket from the back of the chair. Right now all I wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

  Hearing the sounds of laughter from below, simply confirmed that I was the odd one out. I didn’t fit in here, as hard as I’d tried, it just wasn’t meant to be.

  Certain I was doing the right thing, I took a last look around my bedroom and headed for the door. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I lugged the heavy bag down the stairs. This was too easy. Everyone was so busy having fun that nobody saw me slip through the front door to the waiting taxi.

  Luck was on my side for once. The valet was stood in the far corner of the driveway having a smoke, so I didn’t need to face him either. One less lie.

  I dropped my bag into the open trunk and scooted into the back seat. “Airport please. I’m running late, so can you please hurry.”

  The driver nodded and pulled away just as the valet came closer. “Don’t stop.”

  Gravel crunched under the vehicle’s wheels as he accelerated toward the open gate. I held my breath as I looked back toward the house. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that a part of me was wishing Grayson would come running after me. I wanted him to stop me from leaving. I wanted him to hold me in his arms and tell everyone that he wanted me. That he loved me.

  But there was nothing. Nobody came after me. Even the valet lost interest and turned back to the house.

  For the first time in my life I was utterly alone. It was just me and what I had packed speeding off in the night to an unfamiliar destination.

  Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I readied myself for the long flight awaiting me. The trip to London had taught me everything I needed to know about traveling, so I was prepared for the journey. If only it didn’t feel like I’d left my heart behind, I would’ve looked forward to a new adventure.

  How little we know what the future holds.

  When I applied for several jobs a few months earlier, the option to go to Africa was the last choice on my list. I’d only filled out the form out of curiosity, never really intending to take on a job on another continent. But here I was, a ticket to Africa in my hand and a shattered heart thudding against my ribs.

  How easily we go from ecstasy to the depths of despair. Only a few short weeks ago I was the happiest woman in the world.

  And this morning it all came crashing down.

  The tightness of my clothes.

  Missing my period.

  The thin blue lines on a pregnancy strip.

  *** TO BE CONTINUED ***

  Part 3 is the final installment of Grayson & Layla’s story

  SWEET BILLIONAIRE STEPBROTHER Part 3

  An Excerpt

  ***

  Grayson

  Catching her hand in mine, I brought her fingers to my lips and kissed them.

  “Why did you run, Lala?”

  From under her lashes she stared up at me for a long moment before answering. “I’m just a girl in love with a boy I can’t have. That’s why I ran.”

  I sucked in a breath. “Yeah? Does the boy have a name?”

  She bit into her bottom lip as if to stop herself from telling me. “Of course he has a name.”

  Jesus. She was testing me and I was losing.

  “Are you going to tell me his name?” I asked tersely. I was still jetlagged and my sense of humor was seriously lacking. What if she said Seth Matthews?

  “Why?”

  “So I can punch his face if it’s not me. I didn’t come all this fucking way to hear another dude’s name.”

  The corners of her mouth twitched. “Yeah?”

  “So tell me his name, dammit.” If she kept biting that lip it was going to bleed soon. With my index finger I pressed on her lower lip to loosen it from under her teeth. “Layla? Answer me.”

  “If I have to tell you his name you don’t know me very well. At all.”

  An African boy who had been watching us from a distance ran closer and threw his arms around Layla’s legs as he called her name.

  “Joey, what’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  Layla leaned over and picked him up. Instantly his arms went around her neck. “My Lala,” he told me, his black eyes warning me.

  “Hello, Joey,” I said in a soothing voice to pacify him.

  He didn’t reply. Just knit his brows together and gave me a death stare.

  “Your Lala?” I asked, amused that he used the same nickname for her as I did. It also appeared as if—as young as what he was—he was as smitten with my girl as I was.

  His reply was a sloppy wet kiss on her cheek. Man, this little dude was marking his territory early. He was going to be a heartbreaker when he grew up. Layla closed her eyes for a second as she absorbed the pleasure from the sweet kiss, laughing with delight. No wonder everyone loved her—she accepted love with such grace that it was impossible not to want to shower her with displays of affection.

  I should know. I’m fucking jealous of a damn kid.

  “Hey, how about we both be her boyfriend? I’m willing to share if you are?”

  “What�
��s your name?” he asked suspiciously. Tough customer.

  I reached out a hand. Usually I was good with kids, but this one was resisting like fuck. “My name is Grayson. And I already know yours is Joey. What do you say we shake on it?”

  “Why do you wanna be her boyfriend?” He narrowed those dark eyes and stared me down. If he weren’t so damn serious, I’d have to laugh. But Joey would be insulted and I’d be screwed. I had to tread lightly here or be damned.

  Layla, sweet girl, was finding it all way too amusing. The smile on her face widened. “Yeah, please tell us Grayson.”

  Her too? I wasn’t getting off lightly.

  “Well, Joey . . . I mean just look at her. She’s the most beautiful girl on the planet, isn’t she?”

  He nodded enthusiastically. Okay, this was good. Joey had a natural eye for beauty and we had the same taste in women. Awesome.

  Layla’s cheeks turned pink as she adjusted her ponytail with one hand. Fucking adorable.

  “And she smells good too.”

  He leaned in and sniffed her neck. Another nod, but still no smile.

  “She’s smart, funny and sings like a bird.”

  Joey shook his head.

  “No?” I laughed.

  “She can’t sing. But I’m teaching her.”

  Layla feigned hurt by looking shocked. “Joey, you said you love when I sing.”

  “Yeah, I do . . . ‘cause your accent is nice and I like your songs. But your voice isn’t for singing. Not like my Mama.”

  From the mouth of babes . . . Dude had an ear for music too.

  “What else?” Joey asked. I’d completely ruined my credibility.

  “Well . . . can I tell you a secret? The most important reason?”

  Layla knitted her brow. Four eyes burned into me. This was tough as fuck. Never one to back down from challenges, I forged on.

  “Because I love her, no more than that . . . I’m in love with her. I think about her day and night. I dream about her. I miss her when she’s gone.” I swallowed hard. “Is that a good enough reason?