by Harlow Grace
“As a matter of fact I was just on my way when Layla came down the stairs.” He held out his arm indicating for us to walk ahead of him. “After you, Princess Layla,” he said with a smile in his voice.
As soon as we stepped out of the front door, Grayson laid a hand on Seth’s shoulder, forcing him to stop. My head jerked toward Grayson.
“Be a gentleman tonight, Matthews. I’m watching you.” The threat was clear and even though he was smiling, it didn’t reach his eyes.
Seth’s back stiffened but he didn’t reply. Instead he slid his hand down my back until it rested on my ass.
In. Full. View. Of. Everyone.
My cheeks burned. Jesus. Was he purposely trying to start shit with Grayson?
Not wanting to deal with testosterone driven feuds, I grabbed the offending hand away from my ass and pulled my date down the stairs quickly before this escalated into something unpleasant. From under my lashes, I chanced a sneak peek at Grayson. His teeth were clenched together and his eyes were an inferno of anger. Holy hell. An angry Grayson was something I rarely witnessed. I’d heard all about his ongoing competitiveness with Seth’s brother, but surely that couldn’t be what was pissing him off?
“Princess Layla,” Seth drawled as he opened the car door and helped me in. It didn’t sound quite the same from his mouth as what it did when Grayson said it. It actually irritated me that he had the gall to mock something that was between me and my stepbrother, but I decided to let it go. Instead I blew a loose strand of hair out of my face and waited for Seth to drive us to prom.
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.
Kissing me all over my body.
Stop.
Stop those ridiculous thoughts.
If there was one thing that could never go anywhere, it was fantasies about my stepbrother. Confusion took over my body and my brain. I needed to get away from Grayson. Get away from the way he invaded my thoughts and made me want to stay in his arms. I was here for a reason. I had to get back to my mission: Get Laid By Seth. God, it shouldn’t be this difficult.
Seth already said he wanted me so all I had to do was find him and give him the go-ahead. Get it done before I changed my mind or lost my nerve—maybe these crazy desires for Grayson would finally be over once I got laid.
“I . . . um, thanks for the dance, but I need to go.” I reached up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek lightly before I turned and fled. My throat felt thick and tears pricked my eyes.
I had to find Seth.
14: Layla
“Oh God, Layla, I’m so ex
cited! Grayson has been so attentive all night. He’s sweeping me off my feet. I could fall in love with him.”
I watched her in the mirror as she reapplied her lipstick. The ladies room was full of women, and it was nearly as noisy in there as what it was on the dance floor.
“Oh yeah? You’re having a good time then?” I asked although it was obvious what her answer would be.
Sloane kept on swooning. “God, yes. His eyes . . . they’re so dreamy. And when he listens while I talk, it’s as if the whole world stands still and he’s just listening me. I’ve never had a guy treat me like that.”
I smiled at her, happy that she was having a good time. I mean, she was my best friend and it was just right to be supportive. Yet something in my gut twisted at the sparkle in her eyes. I knew exactly what she was talking about. Grayson was so easy on the eye and he had this way of making people feel as if he was one hundred percent invested in what they were saying regardless of what the topic of conversation was.
I’m jealous.
Oh shit.
I wasn’t liking the fact that Grayson bestowed his special brand of care that I thought he reserved especially for me on Sloane. Even if she was my best friend.
I wasn’t the jealous type. Honestly.
Yet the nauseating swirl in the pit of my stomach told another story.
“Fall in love? Jeez, Sloane, you don’t really know Grayson that well.”
Not like I do. Every intonation of his voice, every crinkle around his eyes when he smiles, the way he rubs his chin when he’s deep in thought. Every little nuance that made him special.
“What do you mean? I’ve known him as long as you have. Ever since your Mum married her boss and you moved into their mansion.” She hesitated for a few seconds. “And to be honest, I’ve been crushing on him for a long time.”
She applied lip-gloss over the top of her lipstick. Her lips were luscious and pouty. Very kissable. I felt sick. She wanted Grayson to kiss her.
“Why haven’t you ever said anything about crushing on him?” Try as I might, it was near impossible to keep the anxiety from my voice. Of all the men in the whole wide world she had to choose Grayson? It sounded about bloody right; just my luck.
Strangers who coveted my stepbrother were a different matter—but my best friend? I wasn’t sure how to handle this.
Her eyes met mine in the mirror. “Um . . . because I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about it. It could be kinda weird because you and Grayson are so close. I mean, what if we end up having sex and I want to tell you every detail of what I’m sure would be a mind-blowing orgasm with Grayson. That’s sure to freak you the fuck out, yeah?”
Oh, if only you knew. Freaking out was putting it mildly.
Just what was this gnawing feeling I’d been experiencing? It was foreign and I didn’t like it one bit. What would I do if Sloane really wanted Grayson? Would I be happy to step back and watch from the sidelines? Listen to her telling me intimate details about them . . . together.
No. I couldn’t stomach it and I didn’t have the slightest clue how I was going to manage it.
“Enough about me. How’s your date going? Seth looks super-hot tonight. If I didn’t have Grayson, I’d be drooling over him. You’re a real dark horse, honey, I never thought you’d go for the bad boys.” She gave me a shit-eating grin which was the usual Sloane mark of approval.
“Huh? Oh, Seth . . . yeah, he’s okay,” I said, my date the furthest thing from my mind. For years throughout high school I’d wondered what it would be like to date Seth when other girls talked about him.
Funny that.
Turns out he wasn’t what I wanted at all. He was just too smooth; too slick. I couldn’t place my finger on it, but something about him irritated the shit out of me.
“Be careful what you wish for,” Daddy always said to me when I went on one of my I wish or If only sprees. “Make sure it’s what you really want, because when you get it, it may not be what you expected after all.” His words rang in my head, finally making sense. I missed my dad, tonight more than ever.
Sloane rummaged through her purse until she found her bottle of perfume. She sprayed between her cleavage and behind her ears.
“Gotta smell good,” she said, grinning.
“Absolutely,” I agreed, mustering only a half-smile.
I ran my fingers through my hair, still not used to the face that was staring back at me in the mirror. I looked great after Nico did his magic—even the freckles were invisible. But despite the efforts of Mario and his team, I could never measure up to Sloane as far as looks were concerned.
Born and bred on the Gold Coast, she had a natural tan all year round and the type of natural beach blonde hair that just couldn’t be faked or paid for in a salon. Add to that her fit physique, and Sloane was a knockout. She could wear a damn sack and still be gorgeous.
It had never bothered me before that guys always went for her first. She loved the attention and I was glad to skip it. Any man would be a fool not to trip over himself to get to her.
Including Grayson.
My life just went to shit.
I didn’t want to share Grayson with anyone, not even my best friend. But if Grayson, like every other man, chose Sloane over me, I was screwed.
Devastation hit me like a thunderbolt.
My heart squeezed, aching in a way it had only ever done when Daddy died.
I can’t lose Grayson.
The thought startled me.
What the hell did it mean? Grayson wasn’t mine. Not in that way. Friends, yes. I’d even venture in saying we were extremely good friends. But now I wanted more and it scared the shit out of me. It was a path to heartache and I didn’t do the broken-heart drama.
“We better get back out there. The guys will be wondering why we’ve taken so long. And I can’t wait to dance with Grayson again. Getting up close to him does funny things to my lady parts,” Sloane said as she checked her perfect ass in the mirror and made her way to the door.
I followed closely behind, my heart thumping in my throat.
As we approached our table, Grayson pushed to his feet and stood waiting with an approving smile on his face. I had to tear my attention away from him as I nearly stumbled over my own feet. Damn these bloody heels. They were killing my feet already.
“Whatever you girls did in there worked. You smell lovely,” he said sniffing the air as he held the chair for Sloane. She blushed and fluttered her lashes at him as she sat down beside him and he pushed her chair in.
“Thanks,” Sloane cooed, clearly pleased that he’d noticed. Grayson gave her his megawatt smile and a light kiss on the forehead.
My world turned upside down. I didn’t want his lips on her.
And why couldn’t Seth have the same gentlemanly manners? Flustered, I scraped my chair closer to the table, wishing I’d develop some third world virus that would force me to go home early so I didn’t have to witness any more of Sloane and Grayson together.
Confused and uncertain, the night was turning into a damn nightmare. I’d rather be in my bedroom, chatting to my little sister and avoiding the way Grayson made me feel.
Seth leaned closer and whispered into my ear. “Can’t wait till we get to be alone, babe.”
“Yeah,” I sighed. “Anywhere but here.”
I couldn’t watch Sloane drape herself around Grayson any longer.
“Let’s get out of here then,” Seth rasped. “You ready?”
“Yeah. Works for me,” I said as I pushed myself to my feet. He grabbed hold of my hand and I followed him blindly, not really caring where he was taking me or what he had planned for us.
Anywhere but there simply had to be a better option.
15: Grayson
Where the fuck had Matthews dragged Layla too? I was losing my fucking mind thinking about his filthy paws all over her. When I found the prick I was going to hang him by the balls. Layla deserved so much better. I had to find her before something happened that she’
d regret for the rest of her life.
Frantic, my eyes darted around in the dark. All I could see in the few seconds of strobe flashes of colored light was a multitude of gyrating bodies and hordes of arms flung in the air as the music pumped at eardrum-bursting volume.
Certain that Layla wasn’t in the crowd, I directed my attention to the exit doors. Matthews must have taken her out through one of those. The question was, which one? Still trying to decipher the information I’d overheard, I forced myself to remain calm even though I wanted to scream her name at the top of my lungs.
Layla!
Where was she? He could have taken her to any number of places. The balcony. The empty offices. His car. Somewhere off campus. Fuck. Every second counted. Paralyzed by fear of making the wrong choice, I tried to put myself in his shoes. If I wanted to fuck a girl quick and fast to win a bet, I’d have to prove I’d done the deed. So where would I take my prey?
Somewhere that the most people would witness it.
Of course.
The unisex bathrooms. There were lines of people waiting to get inside. Witnesses. It was pretty obvious if a guy and girl went in together what was going to happen in there.
Christ.
I pushed through the crowd toward the line of bodies leaning against the wall. Couples in various states of making out blocked my way. I squinted as I tried to see better in the dimly lit passage. My gaze rested on a woman in a tight embrace wearing a dress the same color as Layla’s, and in the dim light I could just make out a man’s hands on her breasts and his tongue down her throat. Shit. Could Matthews not wait until he had her inside? I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him off her with a strength I didn’t know I possessed.
“What the fuck, man?” The angry eyes glaring at me weren’t those of Matthews. I didn’t know if I should be relieved or pissed that I hadn’t found them. The woman gave me a death stare before throwing her arms back around her man and pulling him to her.