Sweet Billionaire Stepbrother(17)

We made small talk in the car, but my mind kept wandering back to Grayson. Was he telling Sloane that she looked gorgeous too? A small ache settled at the center of my heart. I’d loved the way he’d reacted when he saw my transformation and I didn’t want him finding another woman more beautiful tonight. Why? I had no damn idea. I just did.

“Layla, you haven’t heard a word I said.” Seth admonished as he turned the car engine off and turned to face me.

“Oh, I’m sorry—”

Before I knew what was happening, Seth had leaned in and sealed his lips over mine. He bruised my lips with a forceful kiss and definitely ruined my perfectly applied lipstick. I tried to kiss him back, tried to let myself give in to the moment. But neither my mind nor my body would go there.

“Christ, Layla, it’s just a kiss. Relax. You know you want it.”

I did. I wanted to experience all the night promised. But Grayson’s face was stuck in my damn mind and try as I might, I couldn’t chase it away.





13: Layla


Seth made sure I was watching him as he twirled around me. Sweating it out on the dance floor, my date delighted the crowd surrounding us with his smooth moves. He was cocky, self-assured and loved being the center of attention as he showed off his agile body. I smiled at him while I admired the perfect ass he seductively shook to the rhythm of the music. This was fun. I’d only heard other girls talk about the sexy side of Seth Matthews but I’d not had the pleasure of seeing or enjoying it yet. Now he was putting on a show just for me, strutting his stuff like a peacock.

The music changed to a slow song. Seth immediately hooked me around the waist and pulled me closer to him. Heat radiated off his body in waves and his shirt was damp with perspiration.

“Damn, you smell so good,” he said, sniffing my neck before planting a soft kiss below my jaw. He pulled me even closer and whispered in my ear. “I can’t wait to devour you later.”

“Ohhh.” I really didn’t know what to say to that.

“I’m already hard for you, baby. Feel my cock.” He grinned down at me as he pressed his erection against my hip. “And later I’m going to fill you with it.”

My cheeks burned. Were all men that verbal about their intentions?

Seth took a wide turn and slightly lost balance, causing us to bump into another couple. My back stiffened as I looked up into Grayson’s stormy eyes. His gaze burned into me, making my body feel even hotter than before. I tried to look away, yet my gaze stayed locked on his as he elegantly steered Sloane around the room without breaking eye contact.

How did he do that?

He kept my attention, drawing me to him even while I was being held by another man. It was bizarre.

The song ended and another slow dance followed as the lights grew dimmer.

Seth stopped dancing and let go of me. “I need a cold drink,” he said as he wiped his brow. “Let’s go outside for a drink and fresh air.” He winked at me playfully.

Before I could reply, Grayson cut in, holding his hand out for mine. “Princess Layla, would you do me the honor of the next dance?” He didn’t wait for me to answer as he took hold of my hand. He pulled me to his chest and let out a low rumble as my breasts came into contact with his body.

Seth’s eyebrows knitted together, but he didn’t protest. He turned on his heels and waked off, presumably to get a drink.

Grayson’s left hand settled on the small of my back. I instantly relaxed in his arms as we danced slowly without speaking, my softness melting against his hard body. I closed my eyes and rested my head against his shoulder. He planted a soft kiss in my hair like he’d done a million times before, but this time it felt different. It was as if there was an electric current surrounding us.

This shouldn’t feel so good.

I shouldn’t feel as if I never wanted him to let me go. Why had dancing with Seth not evoked these feelings inside me?

This has to be wrong.

Yet my heart was out of control. It was beating hard and fast, making it difficult to breath. Grayson’s closeness had an indescribable effect on me.

I slipped my hand between us and pushed lightly against my stepbrother’s chest, needing to create distance. What if other people were watching? What would they think?

What I felt under my fingertips caught me completely off guard. Grayson’s heart was beating almost as frantically as mine. Through ragged breathing he said in a hoarse voice, “Lala, you feel so good in my arms.”

Oh God. He was so right.

“Grayson,” I moaned. I was completely caught up in the moment, hardly caring what the people watching us were thinking. I wanted the song to never end so this moment could last forever.

I’d never felt this giddy before.

Get a grip, Layla.

“I think I had too much sparkling wine.” I whispered, trying desperately to rationalize my behavior.

Grayson laughed softly. “Makes two of us.”

He loosened his hold on me and took a step back. I instantly felt the loss and wanted to propel myself back into his arms. Like a magnet, drawing me to him.

Or was he my Kryptonite?

I couldn’t tell, I definitely blamed the damn alcohol. Usually I didn’t drink much, only on special occasions and at parties, but now it was making me think all kinds of naughty thoughts. Like what it would feel like to have Grayson kiss me properly. What it would be like to have his tongue caressing my lips before exploring the inside of my mouth, tasting me.