Sweet Billionaire Stepbrother(24)

Right now I’d do anything to stop my mind being consumed with my stepsister. And Sloane truly was lovely, I wasn’t lying. Maybe if I gave it more time, something real would happen between us?

“That would be awesome,” she said, her wide smile returning to her lovely face.

I leaned in and kissed her on the lips, making an effort to focus on her. Sloane was sweet. She’d be the perfect wife for some lucky bastard.

“Goodnight.” I smiled down at her. “I’ll call you to set up a time for dinner, okay?”

She nodded. “Cool. Goodnight, Grayson. And thanks for being my date tonight. I had fun.”

Back at the mansion, I went straight for the fully stocked bar next to the pool area. I needed another drink—or two—to help me sleep. If there was one thing I hated, it was tossing around restlessly in my bed.

I threw back a shot of tequila, and then another, making a face as the liquid fire burned down my throat to my chest. This kind of pain I could deal with. I understood the cause of it. It made sense to my logical brain.

I poured a stiff drink from the hundred-and-fifty year old top notch whisky Dad kept hidden inside the cupboard. He’d argue that I didn’t know the difference between this and cheap shit, but I did. I had a feel for the good things in life and because it was kinda off limits, it tasted so much better.

Sliding the door open, I made my way outside to the pool. I loved sitting out there between the plants, listening to the water fall from the fountains while the cool breeze swirled around me.

As soon as I finished my drink, I stripped down and jumped into the cool water. I swam a few laps until my muscles were fatigued and exhaustion took me over. I was ready to pass out and let sleep take over.





19: Grayson


Wrapping a towel around my waist, I scooped up my clothes and made my way to the laundry room, depositing them on the counter to be dealt with later.

As I made my way up the stairs, I noticed that a light was on in Layla’s room. Was she home or had she left a lamp on before she left? It was only when I crept quietly toward her door that I heard the sobs coming from her room.

Layla was crying? What the f*ck! If Matthews hurt her, I’d go hunt him down and f*cking kill him.

Tightening the towel around my hips, I stood at the door for a few minutes unsure what to do. My brain wasn’t as clear as it normally was. Damn. I cursed at myself for getting carried away with the booze.

Her sobs were growing louder, tearing at my f*cking heart. I had to see her. Check that she was okay.

I knocked on the door. “Layla?” My voice sounded out louder than I intended. It echoed through the otherwise silent house. Fuck. I didn’t want Taylor to wake up and find me like this, but I had an urge to see Layla that I couldn’t ignore.

“Y . . . yes?”

“Can I come in?”

Silence.

“To talk?”

“Okay.”

I turned the knob and pushed the door open. My gaze lingered on her tear stained face as she looked up at me. She was lying on her stomach, clutching a pillow that had black blotches all over it presumably from her mascara. Her hair was a half-up, half-down mess.

My gaze swept over her body, drinking in every detail. Wearing only a panty and matching bra, she looked vulnerable and oh so f*cking gorgeous.

Becoming aware of my gaze, her cheeks flushed and she averted her eyes shyly. Biting her bottom lip, she pulled a sheet over her body.

“Don’t hide from me, Lala.” I begged.

With a few long strides, I crossed the room until I was at her bedside. She stared up at me with impossibly large eyes.

“Why so serious? I’m not hiding, Dr. Forbes.” A small smile twisted at the corners of her mouth. “Did you learn this at med school? Wearing a towel instead of a white coat?”

I laughed softly. This was my Lala. She always made jokes to hide her insecurity.

She laughed too, soft and sexy.

Was it the alcohol that made my knees weak? Damn. I was intoxicated and unable to tear my f*cking eyes away from her. I sat down on the bed next to her, holding on to the edge of the mattress as I searched her face.

“Why were you crying?”

She turned her eyes down. “It’s nothing.”

My finger wiped over her cheek. “Did Seth hurt you?” The urge to protect her overrode every other need in my body.

“No . . . yes and no.”

My chest tightened. The f*cker was going to pay. Dearly.

I took her hand in mine and squeezed.

“Don’t frown like that. It’s not what you think.”

“What is it then? If he hurt one hair on your head—”

She shook her head as she laced her fingers through mine and squeezed back.

“I’m such a damn fool for believing Seth asked me out because he wanted to be with me. I . . . I don’t know how I could make such a stupid mistake.”

With my thumb I rubbed small circles on her skin. Clearing my throat, I said in a low voice, “Seth is a fool. A girl like you isn’t just a random f*ck. He had no idea what he was planning to take from you. He has no right.” My jaw set tight as I ground my teeth. “I want to kill him for this. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. I should have known better. Why would a guy like Seth ask a girl like me?”