CHAPTER Twenty-Six
I knew it would happen. Of course, my luck isn’t that great, but never once did I think it would happen at a moment like this. At Grayson’s dad’s business function.
“S-snow,” the man stutters, staring at my breasts. “I’m a huge fan.”
I drop the chocolate brownie square back onto my plate and look around awkwardly. “I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” is apparently all I can come up with. More and more lies.
“Oh,” he says, checking me out. “Are you sure? You look exactly like her…”
I look around for Grayson, seeing him talking to an older man. He glances over at me, and excuses himself from the conversation the minute he sees the look on my face.
“Paris?” he asks, coming to my side. “Is everything okay?”
The man clears his throat. “I’m sorry, sir, my mistake,” he says, walking away as fast as his legs can take him.
“What was that about?” he asks, taking my hand in his.
“He came to tell me he was a huge fan,” I whisper-yell, panicked.
Grayson grits his teeth. “Don’t worry. There’s no proof of anything.”
“Do you know him?” I ask, looking around.
“Yeah, he works at the hotel. Don’t worry; I’ll have a chat with him. I’ll tell him it’s really your sister that’s the dancer, and you’d like to keep it hush hush,” he says, smirking at his idea.
I gasp. “You can’t say that.” Although, I doubt London would care.
“I can and I will. Don’t stress, babe,” he says, giving me a possessive look. The look says ‘I will take care of everything’. I puff out a breath, nodding once. “My dad wants me to talk to one of his business associates. Do you want to come with me?”
“No, I’ll wait here,” I say. Where the food is.
“Okay, just give me a few minutes. Leah should be here any second,” he says, kissing me once then going off to talk to whomever. I stand up and make sure my slinky black dress is down at the back, about to go to the bathroom when Grayson’s mother walks up to me.
“Hello, Paris, you look bored,” she says, taking a seat next to me.
“Ohh, I—umm,” I stutter, having no idea what to say to this woman. She’s so very intimidating.
She smiles. “I get bored too, trust me. You get used to it though. I usually just make small talk with the wives.”
“Right,” I say, smiling shyly.
“I’ve never seen my son so in love,” she says, tilting her head. “Please don’t hurt him.”
My eyes widen. “I wouldn’t do that.” Not intentionally.
“Leave the poor girl alone, Mum,” Leah says from behind me. I feel relief at her arrival.
“We’re just chatting,” her mum says. “Where have you been?”
“Just running late. I don’t know why I have to be here. Grayson is taking over the business, not me,” she says.
“We’re here to support your father.”
“I’m going to the bar. Come on, Paris,” she says, her eyes begging me to join her.
“Is everything okay?” I ask her as we order our drinks. She’s wearing a short yellow dress that looks stunning on her and clings to her body like a second skin.
“I know about you, you know,” she says, stirring her drink with the straw.
“I’m sorry?” I ask, not sure I heard her right.
She takes a huge gulp of her drink. “Jake and I are together. I was going to break it to Grayson,” she says, grimacing. “Then Jake went and opened his stupid mouth about you. Now Grayson hates him and no way in hell is he going to be okay with us being together.”
Information overload. “I thought Jake didn’t tell anyone?” I ask dryly, taking a sip of my own drink.
“He didn’t, but he had to explain to me why all of a sudden Grayson hates him. And why Grayson beat the shit out of him,” she says.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for all this to happen. I tried to talk to Gray about Jake…”
“It’s not your fault, Paris. Jake shouldn’t have said anything. And for the record, I’m not judging you. I’m sure you had your reasons. You’re a good person.”
I sigh heavily. “Thanks,” I say a little awkwardly. “I can try to talk to Grayson again.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your problem; it’s mine. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to deal with my baby brother,” she says, an evil glint in her eye.
I laugh. “I always forget that you’re older.”
“That’s because he’s so tall, and I’m a shrimp,” she says, smiling back at me. “And because he’s so bossy and demanding.”
We both look to the man in question, talking to two other men. He’s wearing a perfectly fitted suit, which I can’t wait to pull off him.
“You have it bad,” Leah says, shaking her head. “You’re good for him though. I’m glad Dylan’s out of the picture now.”
My good mood plummets a little at the mention of her name. “Is she though? Shouldn’t she be here tonight considering your parents are friends?”
Leah puts her now empty glass down and signals the bartender for another. “Her dad is here. I don’t know where she is. I’m not exactly her favourite person anymore. And don’t you start, that isn’t your fault either,” she says before I can apologise for that too.
“Sorry about that, babe,” Grayson says as he approaches. He wraps an arm around me and looks at his sister.
“Where are your clothes?” he asks, scowling down at her. She looks down at her dress and raises an eyebrow at him.
“What’s wrong with my dress?”
“How about its lack of material?” he asks, kissing me on the top of my head.
Leah smirks, her red lips pulling together. “As if Paris’ dress is any more covering.”
“Yeah but Paris is sexy, you’re…”
Leah gasps. “I’m what?” she growls, narrowing her eyes.
“My sister,” he says simply, staring at her dress like it’s offensive.
I elbow him. “Leave her alone. She looks beautiful.”
“Thank you, Paris,” Leah says, sending her brother a deathly stare.
“I didn’t mean…” Grayson starts, realising what he said. “Of course you’re beautiful, Leah.”
“Yeah, just scantily clad,” she mutters, sculling her drink.
“I hope you aren’t driving home,” Grayson says, watching her.
“No, you can drop me off on the way,” she replies.
“Okay,” he says, still studying her.
“Now that you’re here to keep Paris company, I’m going to go and socialise,” she says, standing up and storming off.
“What’s going on with her?” he asks, biting his lip.
“Besides your eloquent comments?” I ask him, hiding a smile. “Where the hell did all your charm go?”
His tightened lips turn into a smile. “Used it all up on you, I think. Now there’s none left for the other women in my life.”
“Other women, hey?” I ask, purposely misunderstanding him.
He puts his hands up. “You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t, please explain it to me.”
“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that? My pain in the ass,” he says, eyes dancing with humour. “What are you drinking?”
“Vodka. You want some?” I ask, offering him the glass.
He leans down and kisses me, licking my lips. “No thanks. I have to drive.”
“You can have one sip,” I say.
“I have precious cargo I need to get home safely,” he says, rubbing my palm with his thumb. He always likes to touch me, even if it’s just a small touch like this.
“You can go socialise,” I tell him. “I’m fine alone.”
“I’m done.”
“Does that mean we get to leave?” I ask, trying not to look overly hopeful.
He chuckles. “Almost, babe. Come on, let’s go find Leah. I’m going to compliment her on something to make up for before. Any ideas?”
I know a way he can make it up to her. Let her be with Jake without going bat-shit crazy.
“Maybe let her know you love and support her no matter what,” I suggest, playing it off with a shrug.
He sees right through me. “What do you know that I don’t?”
I sigh and lean against him. “I really like your sister.”
“Good, I’m glad,” he says, coming closer and holding my hips. “Makes things a lot easier for me.”
I look around. “Your dad’s coming over.”
“Maybe we can sneak away?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows. “I’m sorry I had to drag you to this thing.”
“It’s part of your dad’s business world; I get it,” I reply. “I’d rather be here with you than sitting at home doing nothing except missing you. And I got to wear a pretty dress.”
“The dress is killing me,” he says, running his hand up my thigh so my dress rides up a little.
“Grayson,” I whisper, pushing his hand away.
“Son, how did everything go?” his dad asks. I look up at him, trying to act casual.
“Good,” Grayson replies. “I spoke to a few of your associates like you said, getting more involved.”
He nods at Grayson then turns to me with a smile before departing. I can feel Grayson staring at me so I look at him. “Babe,” he says, lip twitching.
“What?”
“Are you scared of my dad?” he asks, body shaking with silent laughter.
I narrow my eyes. “Not funny.”
“It is,” he replies.
“It’s not. I’m an ex-stripper. One day they are going to find out, and they are going to hate me and try to convince you to find someone better. So yes, I am a little scared of both of them.”
All the humour disappears from his face. “Babe, I don’t care what they think. It only matters what I think. Yes, I love my family, but they don’t control my life.”
“Their opinion matters to you, though,” I say, looking down. He lifts my head up gently, cradling my face.
“I love you. That’s not going to change no matter what anyone says about you. I know the real you—not them. I love everything about you.”
“Everything?” I ask, doubt lacing my tone.
“Yes, because I want you just as you are. I don’t want you to change. Even when you eat chocolate and jam together at breakfast sometimes. I think it’s gross, but it’s you, so that’s okay.”
I laugh out loud at that comment. “You’re crazy sometimes.”
“Crazy about you. Now come on, let’s find Leah and make sure you get something to eat,” he says, helping me down from the chair.
“Grayson?”
“Yeah?” he replies, giving me all his attention. I love that.
“I f*cking love you.”