“Dad, I feel like he’s blaming me for Ty coming over when he spent days, nights, weekends here with bimbos, and he doesn’t understand how I feel. Like . . . It’s the same thing. If he loved me so much, surely he can see that it gutted me as well?”
“He knows. He’s not stupid, Mila. Just, give him a chance.” I watch those icy-blue orbs corner me, and I can’t deny him. Yes, he’s my stepfather, he’s also one of the most important men in my life. The other being an ass who’s probably sitting moping over a double shot of whisky.
“Is he drinking?” I question. My response is the nod I was expecting. “Fine.” Pushing off the floor, I help Gabe to stand, and we head out of my bedroom and into the living room, only to find my now-boyfriend flopped on the sofa with a swollen hand nursing his drink.
When he spots me, he flies off the leather cushions, waiting tentatively to gauge my reaction. “Sweetheart.” One word, only that one fucking word, and I’m putty in his hands. “I’m sorry. I’m an asshole.” Hearing him say it makes me laugh. Almond-shaped eyes, dark brown, pin me to the spot. And then I’m gifted that smirk. The one I would do anything for, and I nod.
“Yes, you’re an asshole, a big one,” I counter, confirming that he’s been acting like a child. Worse than I have. I step forward, waiting for him to make the first move. My body trembles as he reaches for me, but I’m just out of arms reach.
“You two are going to be the death of me. Kiss and make up,” Gabe growls behind me, and I can’t help snickering. “Mila, Grayson, will you two just relax? You’ve both got pasts. There are bound to be exes popping up, but it’s how you handle them now that counts. Don’t let some asshole come between you.”
“It’s not about the asshole, it’s . . .” Grayson’s gruff tone is evidence he’s in a bad mood about Ty being here, but it’s not my fault.
“It’s the fact that Grayson doesn’t understand that while he’s been parading women in here, I’ve had a life as well. I didn’t become a nun and sit at home, Grayson.”
His dark eyes blaze with need, with something other than anger. “Sweetheart, please, just understand that I’m a jealous man. I don’t like sharing. Especially with pricks like that asshole that was here.” His head tips to the side in an endearing way, and I feel the fight slowly seeping from me, leaving me completely and being replaced with an ache.
To be in his arms.
To feel his lips.
To connect in the most primal of ways.
“Fine,” I murmur finally, and both men release an audible breath. “I’m tired,” I announce, waiting for Grayson to follow, and when he does, he wraps an arm around my waist and presses a kiss on my cheek. “Night, Daddy.” I smile.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Lissy is back,” Dad says with a small smile on his lips. At the mention of my cousin’s name, I spin on my heel, leaving Grayson to trail behind me.
“What?”
“Yeah, she came by the office yesterday, and you were so busy I forgot to tell you,” he says in a tone laced with desire. I knew my cousin had a thing for him. She made it abundantly clear, and now that she’s back, I bet he’s going to have a hard time — in more ways than one — reigning in the spark between them.
Chapter 13
Grayson
One year later
“Come on, Mila. We’re going to be late,” I call from downstairs. It’s her birthday in two days, and I’ve planned a trip to Paris. She’s never been to Europe, and I can’t wait to see her face when we land. She finished her finals only two days ago, and with the vacation upon us, whisking her away was something I’d planned months ago.
Moments later, at the sound of her heels clicking on the wooden steps, I turn to find the woman who seems to take my breath away every time I look at her. “I’m ready,” she mumbles, lugging the suitcase down step by step, and I rush to her side to help her.
“Did you pack the whole closet?” I grunt, trying to get the damn thing down.
“No, Grayson. I packed enough so that I don’t run out of clothes since I have no idea where you’re taking me,” she huffs angrily. Mila hates surprises, but I love giving them to her. Every moment of the past year has been something out of those fucking romantic movies.
“Come on, sweetheart.” I encircle her against me and tug her into the space under my arm. “You’re my sweetheart, and you need to trust me. It’s going to be perfect, just me and you and a city to explore.”
“Which city?” she asks. Her eyes narrow as she regards me playfully.
Pursing my lips, I plant a soft kiss on her forehead and chuckle. “A city with lights, great food and wine, and some beautiful sights.” Another grumpy huff has me laughing as we make our way to the car, waiting to whisk us off to the airport. The private jet should be fueled and ready to leave when we arrive.
Opening the car door, I allow her to scoot in, mainly because I want to get the incredible view of her ass in those tiny shorts she’s decided to wear. Slipping onto the bench seat beside her, I settle back and pull out my phone to check my emails. “No phones on the trip,” she commands in a soft tone beside me, and I chuckle in response.
“I’m just making sure your dad has everything before we jet off.” I hit send on the message and pocket the thing because I don’t need any interruptions. As we pull away from the curb, I place a hand on Mila’s thigh and circle my thumb on her smooth skin.
“Are you trying to tease me?” Green eyes meet mine, and I give her a naughty smirk. Shrugging, I continue my ministrations on her thigh, shifting my hand an inch at a time until I’m near her heat.
“Open your legs, baby girl,” I murmur in her ear, my breath fanning over her cheek, and my lips whispering on the smooth skin of her face. She doesn’t respond with words, but her legs shift so my hand can inch its way farther until my fingers stroke the apex between her thighs.
Her head drops back as I tease her. Soft whimpers fall from her lips, and I lean in, crashing my mouth to hers, swallowing every sound from her. The sweet taste of her is racing through my veins, turning me into a rabid animal, hungry for her.
“Please, Grayson,” she begs, pleading with me for release. My fingers strum her pussy through the soft material of her shorts. Our tongues dance and tumble, fighting with need for what we want.
My cock is thick, aching behind my zipper. “This will have to wait,” I promise, pulling my hand away. Her glazed stare is filled with the same desire I’m sure is in mine. Not long after I settle back, the car pulls into the hangar, and the sleek, silver jet is parked, ready and waiting.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” she asks again, her voice raspy, but I shake my head. Opening the door, I exit the car and help her out.
“You’ll see soon enough, my sweetheart.” We head toward the aircraft while our driver lugs the suitcases from the car. “Up with you.” With a swift spank on her ass, she squeals and runs up the stairs into the belly of the plane.