Billionaire Stepbrother: Autumn(9)

My fingers fidget with the fabric of the dress, and I suck my tummy in before I make my entrance.

I’m grateful that no one pays attention to me. The guests are all in deep conversation with each other, no doubt boring themselves to death with talk of stocks and bonds.

I glide towards the living room and see my mother being a dutiful host, completely in her element. I take a champagne flute that’s offered to me and try to keep my face casual and light as I go to her. But I can’t help my eyes from darting about, scanning each face, every corner, for any sign of Lex. I just need to know if he’s here or not, then I can relax… or panic.

“Darling! You made it,” My mom croons in her most hoity–toity voice. That’s one thing I’m not going to get used to, that’s for sure.

I peck her on the cheek, making sure not to smudge our lipstick. “I said I would, didn’t I?” I sound bitchy, I know I do. It’s not her fault… not really. I brighten and smile at her. “Looks like your first official party is going well.”

“So far so good,” she says through gritted teeth and then whispers, “The caterers are a goddamn nightmare – amateurs, the lot of them!”

Before I can reply, Michael saunters over.

“There’s my gorgeous step–daughter. You are looking as lovely as ever this evening.”

I blush. My step–father takes my empty hand and places an invisible kiss upon it. God, if only he knew what his son and I did on the very rug we’re standing on.

“Thank you, Michael.”

“Did you not bring a date? I would’ve thought all the handsome young chaps at Oxford would be throwing themselves at you!” he continued.

“Nope, it’s just me…” I say trailing off, not really wanting to discuss my romantic life with a man I hardly knew.

“Well, there’s plenty of eligible bachelors right in this very room. And if you get bored of them, at least you’ll have Lex to talk to,” Michael says as I take a sip of my champagne. He waves a hand vaguely in a noncommittal direction. “He’s around here somewhere.”

I almost snort the bubbles of my drink and am forced to issue a polite cough as the liquid travels down the wrong tube.

“Sorry, did you say Lex is here?”

“Yes, he arrived earlier. Now go enjoy yourself, we’re off to mingle.”

“I’ll speak to you later, darling,” my mother says as her billionaire husband leads her away, his hand resting at the base of her spine, guiding her.

I feel like the prey once again and walk slowly towards the edge of the room. I cling to the safety of the walls and keep my eyes open, knowing at any moment I’ll see him. I try to prepare myself for the shock, but it won’t make any difference.

I drain the last of my drink and suddenly feel a thirst unlike any other. I go to seek out another waiter to cure my dry throat, but I move too fast and I collide head on with a girl not much older than I, carrying a full tray of bubbling glasses.

The silver tray topples and spins to the ground with an awful clatter. Expensive champagne flutes shatter a millisecond later. Ladies gasp, and the quartet halts mid–harmony.

“I’m so sorry,” I say to the waitress.

“Oh, no. Oh no!” she mutters, not hearing me. She gets down on her knees trying desperately to gather up the shards of glass.

“Don’t touch those,” I urge, and she finally looks up at me.

“Your dress, oh God, I’m so sorry. Please don’t fire me.”

I look down at the blue gown; it’s soaked… ruined. I blush crimson, forget about the poor girl and rush towards the bathroom. He can’t see me like this.





Chapter Ten



I shut the door on the escalating sounds in the apartment. I can hear my mother berating the young waitress, and I try to pull myself together. It’s just a bit of champagne, no harm done. Using a hand towel, I blot at the dress, doing the best I can to soak up the damage.

Give up, I think. It’s just a dress. I take a look around at the luxurious guest bathroom and contemplate hiding out in here for the remainder of the night. It would be safer if I were in here for everyone involved, but instead I pluck up my courage and reach for the door handle, ready for round two.

The door opens, and I’m shocked to see Lex standing in the way. Without a word he steps forward, and I have to back up or risk our bodies colliding. My heart flip–flops inside my chest, and my mind goes blank of everything but him. Devilish thoughts plague my mind – hold me, kiss me, Lex. I want him so badly, and yet every impulse is telling me to run, to side step him and get the hell out.

He calmly closes the bathroom door, and we’re alone, staring at each other.