The Heiress (Book 2 of the Forbidden Series)

3

Kat strolled through the house greeting their many guests. Family from all over had come down for a vacation and to celebrate. Mike Sanchez walked through the door and hugged Kat in the hall kissing his beautiful daughter and shaking David’s hand. He had been a member of the Heathens and David’s childhood friend. There had been friction between the two best friends in the past, but when David married Mike’s daughter things had changed, the friction disappeared. “Hello, Dad.” David mocked.

Mike slugged him in the shoulder. “Don’t start with that; I’m no older than you.”

“Doesn’t change the fact that it’s true,” David said kissing Mike’s wife and his mother-in-law on the cheek. “Hello Chase, don’t you look ravishing. Did Damien come with you?”

“He is in Europe; he said he would try to make it.” The enchanting woman smiled patting David’s cheek playfully. “In the meantime, you haven’t been knocking up my daughter again, have you?”

“Not in the least, I haven’t touched her out of respect for you in eighteen years.” David teased.

“I find that hard to believe.” Laughed a loud deep voice as a large black man strolled in instantly hugging both Chase and Kat.

“Ronny!” Ronny hugged the excited women and stared at Layla who lounged against the wall in the hall watching. He stepped aside and held out his arms. Layla grinned and ran over leaping into his embrace. A tight bear hug Ronny lifted her feet from the floor, spinning her around and placing her back on her feet.

“There’s my favourite girl.”

“Uncle Ronny!” Layla kissed him on the cheek. He had always been her favourite.

He reached into his pocket. “I brought you a present.” He smiled pulling a set of keys from his pocket and holding them up to her eye level. “It was too big to wrap, so I drove it down.”

Layla screamed and snatched the keys rushing out onto the porch to view the cherry red BMW in the drive.

“Insurance has been paid for a year, knock yourself out babe.” Layla ran back inside and kissed him over and over, thanking Ronny profusely.

Kat narrowed her brows in pleasant disapproval. “Ronny, you spoil her.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve got another one being driven in tonight for Dane. Eric and Pam here yet?” He asked shaking David’s hand.

“Parlour. The boys are coming tomorrow.” David answered.

“Time to find him.” Ronny grinned rubbing his hands together devilishly. A dropped bag drew the small group’s attention to Rolland in the drive unpacking Mike’s car. “He is not doing so well, is he?”

“We got him some help, but he doesn’t start until tomorrow. I should go out there and help…” David paused as Alexander’s motorcycle rolled up the drive.

Alexander leapt off his bike and tossed his helmet on the seat. Quickly he was at the car’s trunk helping Rolland upright. The brief conversation went between the two men, and Alexander lifted the bags from the trunk and picked up the one Rolland had dropped. He hauled the luggage into the house. Smiling politely, Alexander shuffled through the tiny group and nodded hello to David’s guest. “Which room would you like these in?” He asked shifting the weight in his arms.

“Top first right,” Kat instructed. “Thank you, Alex.”

“No problem I’ll come back and unpack the other cars after I take my things in.” He said carrying the bags upstairs.

Chase and Kat watched as Alexander mounted the tall staircase admiring the way his body filled out his worn blue jeans. “He is helpful,” Mike observed.

“He is hot.” Added Chase, Mike frowned at his wife. “Well, he is. I’m sure Layla has noticed as well.” She hinted enjoying the sudden fearful expression on David’s face.

David peered out the door at his daughter drooling over her new toy. Alexander’s arrival seemed to have distracted her in no way. He was paranoid. His daughter was too superficial to have interest in the help. Shrugging the idea off as teasing among old friends David held his arm out toward the parlour. “Let’s go see Eric and Pam.”

Alexander was back in the drive-in moments hauling his bags inside to his room. Dropping them on the floor for later, he returned to finish the task of settling the family’s guests in. Alexander carried the bags, and Rolland instructed which bags went to which room. He explained that the guests that were staying were mostly family and old friends that may as well be family. The house would be busy for the next three weeks and so would he.

***

Alexander thanked god for good timing. All the Heathen members were in the house, and he could have all four signatures instead of just the one. It would make his mother’s day. Once all the bags were put away, Rolland thanked Alexander for his unexpected help and invited him to have a drink at the celebrations. Alexander declined, asked for autographs, and retreated to the lower back levels of the house to unpack his own bags.

After two hours of mingling and celebrating Layla excused herself and disappeared to the lower levels to once again offer Alexander the chance to join in and meet everyone. She strolled through the deserted passage toward the back room. A lamp cast a dim light into the hall through the open door. She stopped at the door raising her hand to knock when she saw Alexander pacing the room bare chest through the mirror on the wall. The phone receiver in one hand and the base in the other.

“No, I know you can’t give me an advance but what about a private booking, a bridal party or something like that? - I need the money, Rick, you know I’m hurting for some cash. - Sunday night? Damn, I need it before Friday. - Nothing? - Ok, no I’ll take it anyway.” He walked to the dresser and jotted down the information on a notepad. “Yeah, man thanks anyway. Keep me in mind if anything comes up.” He hung up and hung his head rolling the tension from his shoulders. Looking up in the mirror, Alexander caught a glimpse of Layla in the shadows. Her pulse sped up at being found eavesdropping. In two long strides, Alexander was at the door his hands placed on the door frame. “May I help you?”

His sizeable sculpted frame dwarfed her insignificant size. His dark eyes were soft and questioning. Layla suddenly felt nervous, breathing she regained her god given gift of self-assurance. “I came to offer you a chance to come to drink with us.”

“Thank you, but I’m very busy.” He declined, returning to his phonebook to figure out his next plead for quick work.

“I heard you are looking for a gig.” She observed taking a step into his room and closing the door behind her.

Alexander stared at Layla; she had obviously heard his conversation. Alexander leaned against his dresser propping his weight on his elbows. “You were snooping?”

“No, I walked in on an opportune time.” She smiled crossing the floor to sit on the edge of his single bed.

“Opportune?” A dark brow lifted in query of her choice in words. “I already gave you my answer about the gigolo gig. I can’t do it.”

Layla crossed one leg over the other, the hem of her designer skirt sliding up her thigh in the fluent movement. His gaze was drawn to the creamy silken flesh below the pale fabric. A sly smile turned the corners of her ruby lips up. “You obviously need some quick money. I would never wish to insult you by offering something you haven’t earned.”

“I can’t date you, Layla, I work for your father, and he will kill me.”

“I’m not talking about that silly. I’m thinking about some of your other talents.” “So, you are offering me a paying job on the side?” He asked reading between the lines. Her sly smile told him all he needed to know. It was not the smartest thing if her father found out he might get fired, but if they were discreet, it might be the answer to his immediate problem.

“You do private shows, do you not?”

“I do.”

“Then how about a private birthday show in my room around midnight. Just as you are so no one suspects if they see you in the hall.” Layla suggested her pulse fluttering in anticipation of the intimate scene to come should he agree.

He needed the money that much was clear. Alexander raked his hands through his dark locks with indecision. He was desperate. She could tell. “Alright, but only because I need the money.” He sighed and stood up straight running his palms over his jeans. “Here’s the menu. A teaser is two hundred, with a lap it becomes three. A pleaser is three, with a lap becomes four. The show is fifteen to twenty minutes, you can touch but only what I let you. Take your pick.”

Layla stared at him in confusion. She had never done anything like this before. “I didn’t understand any of that?”

Alexander grinned remembering she was still young. “Ok. A teaser is like the last show. Down to the shorts and a little harmless flirting. A lap is the hot seat… like when you are tipping. A pleaser is the full monty,” he paused seeing the questioning rise in her pale brows, “um… everything comes off.”

Layla’s face flushed as her imagination ran away with her. “Midnight, my room, and I’ll take an up close and intimate pleaser.” She smiled standing up. She flattened her hands over her skirt. Crossing the room Layla brushed against his arm. “You give me an evening, and I’ll give you a grand.”

Her tempting closeness ignited his enthusiasm. Alexander dipped his face low to hers. His breath warm on her lips. “Cash up front and I don’t sleep with my customers. So, enjoy the show but don’t get your hopes up.”

“Fair enough.” She winked.

***

Alexander’s gaze drifted to the sway of Layla’s hips as she strolled toward the door. Her pale wrap skirt just covered her firm butt and rested softly against her toned creamy thighs. Layla was the most incredible female he had ever laid eyes on. Every inch and curve was utter perfection. It was imposable not to want her, but he was a professional and had never let cravings rule him in the past. He had a responsibility to his mother, his new employer, and above all himself. Layla was out of his league.

Alexander came upstairs around eleven to check out the party that was still going strong. He was surprised Alexander would have never believed people in their sixties could go on for so long. The atmosphere was pumped, and fast-paced it could have been a college party. It was an unusual sight, but then nothing about this household fit the normal standards. He supposed that for men who stayed in shape and made a living off of partying this was commonplace and to be expected.

As he strolled through the guests, Alexander was astounded to find it was a star-studded event. All the members of Kat’s band Quick Shot and their families were present. Along with the Heathens and their families. Layla stood by the fireplace with a group of women he swore he knew from somewhere, and then it struck him, they were models and more than likely her friends.

Besides himself, all guests attending were wealthy self-made billionaires, second-generation stars, or heirs to empires. Their clothes all the finest of the latest fashions and he was sure that one gentleman’s watch cost more than his entire debt. Alexander looked down at his own worn and faded clothes. The fabric fraying around the seams. He’d worn these particular jeans for five years. He felt like a fish out of water among David’s guests. He felt the eyes upon him, the judging gazes and scrutinizing whispers. He was the help and didn’t belong despite Rolland’s assurance of total acceptance. Alexander exited the room and shuffling his way through the hall to the stairs he headed up to the higher levels strolling through the halls past the guest rooms. It was less crowded and quieter. He could use this time to set up. Lingering in the hall, he waited until he could duck into Layla’s bedroom unnoticed.

Closing the door, Alexander took in the lavish room. There was an adjoining bathroom equipped with its shower and tub. Solid cider wardrobes and a walk-in closet. The furniture was gorgeous, and the plush four post bed stood center room. The towering metal posts weaved and twined upward to the ceiling like live metallic ivy vines. A tall double glass door opened out on to a small balcony overlooking the garden. He could have been in a five-star hotel for the quality of the room was outstanding. A state-of-the-art stereo sat on top of its shelf. A large collection of music beneath.

Alexander selected songs he knew and found appropriate for the task. Loading them into the multi-disc player, he cued up the music and tucked the remote into his pocket. Strolling through the room, he took an armless chair from the vanity and tried lifting it with one hand. It wasn’t too heavy he could compensate. Stepping up he carefully tested its durability; would it hold his weight if he were jumping and climbing over it?

It would.

Alexander positioned the chair in an open space in the room he had designated as his workspace. He shrugged his coat off and tossed it on the bed; then he stripped off his jeans. Alexander had planned ahead. He replaced his belt from his jeans to the black dress pants he had been wearing beneath. Pulling his sweatshirt over his head Alexander straightened the white dress shirt he wore underneath, tucking the tails of the shirt into his pants. Reaching into his inner coat pocket, Alexander removed a soft, stylish fedora. It wasn’t a big thing, and it was back in fashion for stylish men. Alexander straightened his hair and placed the hat on tilting it just enough to give off that bad boy image. He could have past for Al Capone. Straightening up his things Alexander tucked his clothes in a corner by the door and waited.

***

It was not long before Layla retired to her room for the night leaving the party below for her waiting gift. She entered the room and smiled pleased with the sight within. The lamplight was low casting shadows around the room creating an intimate atmosphere. Alexander was stunning in his black and whites. His hat tipped down casting a mysterious shadow over his dark eyes. The white of his sly smile tempting her closer. His shapely body sprawled casually over the chair in the center of the room. He knew how to make an impression; she thought, feeling her cheeks flush with desire.

When she stood beside him, Alexander rose his body slowly sliding up hers taking her breath away. His breath was warm on her ear as his silky tone whispered... “Money up front.” He reminded her.

Layla walked over to her dresser and reached into the top drawer. To his surprise, she withdrew a thousand dollars cash and placed it in his hands. Alexander was stunned she just had the money laying around, giving it up so casually as she had just paid for a quart of milk. He tucked the cash into the pocket of his discarded jeans and directed her to sit on the bed.

Layla sat relaxing against the edge of the bed awaiting her provocative view. Alexander was the thing fantasies were made of; he had certainly fueled hers. Alexander took his stance behind the back of his chair his back turned to her. He took the remote from his pocket and pressed play. The disc player loaded the track, and the music began. A perfect combination between upbeat and sensual with sultry vocals and suggestive lyrics. His shoulders rolled, and Alexander spun tipping his hat and teasing with his sexy smile and taunting eyes.

His motions were fluent and his timing perfect. He moved to the beat and flow of the changing rhythm. Layla had never met a man more exotic, his body spoke to her, his movements were hypnotic. He moved around and over the chair with grace and finesse. Gripping the back, he turned and spun the prop with ease, a testament to his strength. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Alexander removed his hat rolling it between his fingers and over his shoulders with such stunning skill; she was very impressed. He tossed the hat away and drew Layla’s hands in his guiding her fingers down the solid muscle of his chest. The rippling muscles beneath the sheer fabric caused tiny explosions within her very core. Sensing her rising desire, Alexander allowed her to unfasten the tiny white buttons of his shirt.

Opening the white fabric wide, Layla slid the shirt down his broad shoulders over those muscular arms. Her soft fingers caressing the sculpted bronze flesh trailing down his chest. His body reacted to her touch instantly. Alexander moved back suddenly distancing himself from her disastrous temptation.

Layla recognized male arousal and satisfied with the progress of the evening she rested against the bed knowing he would have to get close enough to touch again soon enough. Sliding his belt from his waist, Alexander wrapped the leather around his wrists lifting his arms above his head as if he were bound. His hips rolled and switched with the skill of a celebrated Latin lover. Layla’s flesh felt hot with desire; she couldn’t stop her hand from sliding over her belly, over her neckline in their seductive tease. Drawing his eyes instantly to her full breast beneath her light green tank top.

Alexander closed his eyes fighting the arousal she invoked. His manhood stiffening, growing against his pants. His hands moved over his slacks and unzipping the fabric letting his slacks fall to the floor. Kicking the discarded slacks aside he heard her sigh with approval.

Taking her hand, Alexander led Layla to the chair seating her on its soft cushion he nudged her knees apart with his own and moved over her. His solid abs brushed against hers. His finger tracing down her neck and the line of her collarbone, trailing down between the crease of her perfect breasts, sending tantalizing shivers through her core. His face nuzzled hers, and his sweet scent filled her senses, Layla moaned softly through parted lips when she felt the firm bulge of his shorts rubbing against her bare leg, pushing her short skirt higher until it barely covered her damp satin panties.

Alexander’s sensation receptors were on full alert the sound of her pleasure peaked his arousal. He struggled to retain his ethics. It was a job to him, she reminded herself, and nothing more; he would finish and leave. Standing up straight, he lowered his shorts slowly and slid them back up. His teasing grin sent hot waves of desire through her brain.

Layla’s fingers hooked the waistline of his fitted shorts and slowly slid them down his muscular thighs. “Dear god I can’t go through with this.” He could not control himself if they went any further. The look in her eyes told him to back away. “I can’t do this.” Alexander pushed away and quickly dressed.

“Did I do something wrong?” She asked breathlessly, adjusting her skirt.

“This is just wrong.” He said taking out her money and tossing it on her bed. “I’m sorry.” He said pulling on his shirt as he left the room. Layla stared at the door stunned and unsure of how things had taken such a drastic turn. Was there something wrong with her? That was twice now that man had walked out on her.