Sweet Billionaire Stepbrother 1(28)
My gaze swept over her body, drinking in every detail. Wearing only a panty and matching bra, she looked vulnerable and oh so fucking 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 fucking 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 fucker 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 fuck. 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?”
“Lala. You have it backwards.”
“What do you mean?”
“Seth is the asshole who’s not good enough for you.”
She sucked in a breath. “You really think that?”
“Yes. I do.”
She gave me a half smile and my heart melted. I wanted to pull her into my arms and tell her just how fucking gorgeous she was, how she deserved a real man who would adore her with every breath he took.
She peeked at me from under her heavy lashes that were still wet from her tears.
“After you left, we talked.” I could hear the pain in her voice. My insides heated with anger. Short sharp breaths escaped her lips as she spoke. “Seth explained how the bet came about and apologized. Said he never intended to hurt me. That at first it was a joke and he’s sorry that he did it.” She fell quiet for a few moments and started pulling at the ends of her hair. I held my breath as I waited for her to continue. “Then he told me he really likes me a lot—”
Fuck. Did Layla feel the same about him? Did he fuck her? Make her his?
The possibility ripped a hole in my heart.
“I see.” I don’t want to.
“He asked me to be his girlfriend.”
“He did?”
She bit into her lip and a deep frown set between her brows.
“Yeah. First time a guy asked me. You sound as if you can’t believe somebody wants me.”
“Of course I believe somebody would want you. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because I’m a geeky nerdy girl. Because I’m not pretty like my mother or Taylor . . . or Sloane.”
“You are beautiful. Inside and out. You have a heart of gold.”
She laughed. “That’s what people usually say to the not-so-pretty girls and the geeky awkward girls to make them feel better about themselves. But I can tell you, it doesn’t work. I still feel ugly, as if nobody could want me.”
She stated it matter-of-factly. Not for pity or being whiney. But because she truly believed it.
“Oh Lala, I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. I think you’re beautiful, and smart, and witty, and charming. And sexy as hell.”
Her eyes widened. “You do?” She was genuinely shocked by my revelation.
I cupped her chin in my hand and stared into her eyes so that she could see that I meant what I said. Her lips were so fucking inviting, I just wanted to kiss the shit out of her.
“Hmmm, I’m having trouble thinking straight when I look at you.” I grimaced. “What did you say to Matthews?” My heart skipped a beat as I waited for her reply.
“I said I’d think about it.”