It was a thing of pure beauty. Pure heaven.

I didn’t care if the whole world knew I was balls deep inside my stepsister. In fact, I was ready to shout it out from the rooftops. I wanted everyone to know how much I loved fucking her.

“Yes,” she cried, her eyes feral as I reached around and twisted a nipple between my fingers. In three short days I had learned how to get the best out of Layla’s body. The combination of pleasure with just a touch of pain drove her to the edge. It had the same effect on me, knowing I could get her to respond like that to me.

I fucked her hard and fast as I watched our bodies move in unison in the mirror. Her tits jiggled every time my balls slapped against her ass. I wasn’t even trying to be quiet or hold back. I’d lost control a long time ago.

Layla arched her back and pushed backwards to meet each of my thrusts, forcing my cock as deep as it could go.

She took as much as she gave.

All without apology.

It made me absolutely fucking crazy for her.

19: Layla

Grayson ordered the parcels to be delivered to our hotel, all with a smirk on his face as the assistants made big googly eyes at him. There was no way in hell they were oblivious of happened back there. I kept my gaze on either the floor or Grayson, avoiding eye contact with any of them.

But I couldn’t hide the warmth that spread through me or the lightheadedness that made me grip Grayson’s arm tightly to steady myself. He laced his fingers through mine, smiling down at me with such adoration that my heart skipped a beat.

How did I get so damn lucky?

I bet the sales attendants were filled with envy, wishing they were in my shoes. God, I had to pinch myself to make sure that this was indeed happening to me and not just a delicious dream.

“Ready for our next stop?”

“Bring it on, Dr. Forbes,” I said, giving him my best smile. He made my heart so damn warm and fuzzy—he could lead me to the edge of a cliff and I’d jump off gladly if he told me too.

Jeez, Layla, steady girl.

I was so smitten with Grayson that I could hardly see straight.

And to be honest? As much as I knew it was wrong for us to flaunt our relationship in public, I couldn’t help myself. I wanted everyone on the damn planet to know that Grayson Forbes wanted, little Layla the nerdy girl.

“You’re going to lo-o-o-v-e this surprise,” he drawled with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“I never used to like surprises but you are changing my mind about that.”

My face was actually hurting from all the smiling I had done today. Now I knew how brides felt when they had to pose for pictures for hours on end.

Somewhere in the back of my mind alarm bells were ringing but I quickly shut them down, refusing to listen. Carrying on down this path couldn’t be good for us. I already knew it couldn’t end well.

We were damned before we even got started.

Why did the universe have to be so fucking cruel? To put the perfect man not only in my life, but so damn close and yet so far out of my reach. I couldn’t make any sense of it, so I decided to stop trying and just go with the flow. I’d take every second Grayson gave me and worry about the aftermath later because sure as hell is hot there would be severe consequences. This amount of happiness couldn’t come without a price. I already was steeling myself for when it inevitably came crashing down.

Just one more moment.

Just one more hour.

Just one more day.

Throwing caution to the wind, I reached up and kissed him lips and in full view of everyone. Hard and passionately. Bold and daring. If the universe was giving me this chance, I was grabbing on to it with both hands and hold on for all I was worth.

Daddy’s words rang in my head: “Make hay while the sun shines.” I always thought it was an odd saying, but the sun was glaring and I was ready to make every second count.

The valet brought Grayson’s Bentley around and before helping me into the passenger seat, Grayson pulled me into an embrace and kissed me sweetly. His lips caressedover my cheek to my earlobe where he spent a few moments nibbling on it, sending delicious shivers down my spine.

This man . . .

Warm breath on my skin caused every cell in my body to tingle. “I can’t get enough of you, Lala. I want to devour you . . . eat you fucking alive. Does that make me bad?” His voice rumbled from his chest, laced with lust and desire.

“Is it bad that I want you to devour me?” I whispered back. If we were on our way to hell I was all in and looking forward to the journey.

“Get in the car, baby. Before I make good on that idea and make every other woman watching us jealous.”

Sliding into the leather seat, I couldn’t help chuckling as I looked around. Sure as hell, there were a few woman watching us, nudging their friend or partner to look in our direction. Grayson jumped into his seat and steered the car into the road. There wasn’t any point in asking where we were going because I knew he wouldn’t tell me. If his cheeky smile was any indication, this surprise was going to be a good one.

Thirty minutes later we stopped in front of a large white building. An ornate sign read ‘Children’s Hospice’. Really? This was the surprise?

Please don’t let him tell me that he got a job here and that he isn’t coming back to Australia.

Maybe it would be a good thing because then we could hide out in London? Confused, my stomach rolled uncomfortably as I considered each option.

“Don’t look so worried. You’re going to love it, I promise.” As usual Grayson picked up on my apprehension immediately. He had always been able to read me like an open book. Was there nothing I could hide from this man?

Cagey, I gave him a weak smile. “It’s not anything I expected, so it’s definitely a surprise.”

“Trust me, okay?”

“Okay,” I said as I nodded. That part was easy. I trusted Grayson with my life.

Grayson got out of the car and walked around to open my door for me, helping me out. Smiling down he held out his arm so I could entwine mine with his. I loved how he acted like a gentleman. Good old fashioned manners turned me on something fierce.

As we entered the building I could hear the noisy chatter of excited children. Balloons and a large sign reading “Welcome” decorated the large open reception area. Children of all ages—some in wheelchairs, others using crutches or with casts—were chattering away, their glee and anticipation clear on their lovely little faces.

Walking further into the room, all eyes were on us. Some of the younger kids clapped and cheered, giving us a warm welcome.

I smiled back as graciously as I could, swallowing the lump in my throat as I looked around the room. Some kids wore bandanas on their naked heads. It broke and warmed my heart to see that, in spite of their illness, they were all in good humor. Some adults could learn a lesson from sick children. I had witnessed most kids bearing their agony with acceptance and dignity, unlike some of the adults I have come across.

Like my little patient, Carmen. I’d learned so many lesson in humility from that one little girl alone.

A hush fell over the room. Silence when only seconds ago it sounded like chaos.

I spun around to see who could command such awestruck expressions.

Oh my goodness. The Duchess of Cambridge was walking up the stairs behind me with two burly men a few steps behind her. My gaze flew to Grayson who stood there grinning at me with his arms folded across his chest.

Stunned, I watched as Kate entered the room, her beautiful smile warm and genuine as she approached us. She crouched down to talk to some of the children, hugging a little girl and ruffling a boy’s hair. I could understand why everyone adored her. A natural grace and charm rolled off her and by the time she reached us, I knew that the sympathy she felt for those sick kids was genuine.