Sweet Billionaire Stepbrother 1(21)

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.