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 excited! 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.”