The Heiress (Book 2 of the Forbidden Series)

9

Laughter woke Alexander from his sleep. He groaned and pulled the pillow down over his head to block out the morning light. The small blanket his mother always used was heaped on the floor, and his back ached from the springs and lack of proper padding on the old couch. He was too tall for the couch, and his feet hung over the arm. Alexander moved to sit up and felt the muscles in his neck and back spasm. He hated this bloody couch and wished he had not been such a gentleman.

Another bout of laughter drew his attention to the kitchen. Alexander stretched out his sore shoulders and reached for his t-shirt which he had draped over the back of the couch before he fell asleep. Standing up, he pulled the shirt down over his head and walked over to the kitchen. Standing in the doorway, he saw his mother standing at the stove in her flannel nightgown flipping pancakes. Layla stood next to her with her hair loose and tossed from the bed. She was dressed in one of his t-shirts which were entirely too long.

Layla was pouring juice and taking plates from the cupboard. She and his mother were giggling like school girls. The sight brought a grin to his face. It had been a long time since he had heard his mother laugh as much as she had this weekend. “He was hiding behind the bush in the front yard.” His mother said with a giggle. “His pants around his ankles and everything.”

“Mom!” Alexander interrupted with embarrassment. He hated that story, he had been two years old at the time, and his mother had been having trouble toilet training him. It was something he didn’t like recalling.

They both turned to see him come into the room and take the plates from Layla to set the table for breakfast. “Good morning darling, I was just telling Layla about-”

“I know what you were telling her. I wish you wouldn’t; it’s not one of my prouder moments.”

Layla smiled smugly and waved the handful of utensils at him. “Were you so stubborn?”

“Yes, and you can’t expect a two-year-old to make a graceful get away.” He explained placing the plates on the table and sitting down. “I see you two ladies have been getting along without me.”

His mom smiled and carried a plate full of pancakes to the table and sat down. Layla took the seat across from him and handed out the forks and knives. “Layla tells me you protected her from unwanted advances from a rather persistent pursuer at work.”

“You have raised quite the gentleman Maria,” Layla said giving Alexander a suggestive grin.

“He is single too you know.” His mom reminded Layla with a highly suggestive tone.

“Mom,” Alexander warned taking himself a pancake.

“What? I was saying that it is a shame. You are a very handsome boy and still no girls. I’m going to die before I see you married or get any grandchildren.” She complained weakly poking at her meal. The remainder of her inevitable fate a sudden damper on the otherwise pleasant morning.

Alexander felt the all too familiar weight of despair. All the money he made and the work he did to try and make her comfortable but he could not save her. It was frustrating to feel so helpless. He poked at his pancake for a moment, having lost his appetite. He put down his fork and stood up. “I think I’m going to go take a shower.”

Alexander left the room and shut himself up in the tiny washroom of the one-floor house. It was only large enough for a standing shower and a tiny sink and toilet. He could stand in one place spin in a circle and still reach everything. Everything in this house had gotten smaller as he had grown up. His physical stature had become too large for his surroundings when he was eighteen.

Soon enough the house was going to feel large and empty. Soon it was going to be just him. Alexander rested his head against the door and closed his eyes trying to fight off the tears that threatened his composure. Tears would solve nothing.

***

Layla felt bad about the way the morning had turned out. She had been at fault for it going badly, she did not cause the depressing circumstances which had upset Alexander, but her heart ached for the two of them regardless. It was a terrible predicament to find oneself in. She could only imagine how she would feel if she were told her mother was dying and there was nothing she could do about it. It must have been even worse for Alexander because he worked so much and still could not afford to give her the proper care she needed to die in comfort or even to save the house she had worked her entire life to keep.

She could not fathom the frustration and despair he must go through each day. She quietly finished her breakfast and helped clear the table. Mrs. Sinton’s light-hearted smile had faded with her son’s, and she had excused herself to go rest in the living room. It appeared the poor woman tired easily. Layla tidied up and washed the dishes. She wished she could do something to ease their pain, but she could not cure cancer. It was now that she realized how frivolous and self-indulgent her own life was.

Layla had never wanted for anything, never been denied something she needed. She had never experienced any real tragedy, no real hardships; her problems seemed so small and foolish in comparison. Alexander was right she realized, she had lived a sheltered life with no realization of how difficult the real world could be. Her parents loved her and had spent her life giving her all her heart desired and tried to protect her from the harsh realities of the world outside their garden walls.

So, her father was overprotective and pigheaded at times. Things could be worse he could be dying. She could be alone in the world like Alexander was. She should stop being so childish and appreciate what gifts she had been given in life. She finally understood her father’s more charitable nature. Why he always gave so much to charities and random individuals. She saw things a little differently now. It was time to go home. She placed the last plate in the rack and rang out the rag. Draping it over the tap, Layla wiped her hands and went back to Alexander’s bedroom. She would get dressed and wait for Alexander to be ready to leave.

Layla opened the door and walked in coming to a sudden stop as she walked in on Alexander dressing. His hair was wet from the shower, and his towel was already on the floor. He had just pulled his shorts up over his narrow hips when she had barged into his room like she owned the place. A subconscious behaviour bred into her by a life of luxury and indulgence. Layla felt her cheeks turn hot as she was sure she turned blush red from embarrassment.

“I am sorry.” She said meekly as she shuffled past him to grab her clothes which she had left on the floor by the closet door. “I just wanted to get dressed. I’ll use the washroom.” She offered standing up and turning around only to again bump into Alexander. There was limited space in the room, and he seemed to occupy most of it.

“What’s your hurry?” Alexander said shutting the door and isolating them. “You look good just the way you are. My shirt suits you.” Layla didn’t know what to say; she felt his eyes roam over her, and she suddenly felt exposed.

“I shouldn’t have taken it without asking, but I didn’t think you would mind. My clothes were too uncomfortable to sleep in.” She quietly explained as he stepped closer to her. He took her clothes from her hands and threw them back on the floor. “I didn’t mean to walk in on you either I suppose I should have knocked but-”

Alexander’s hand caressed her face and tilted her chin to look up at him. “You talk too much.” He whispered before kissing her. It was a softly sweet, needy kiss that lit a fire in her belly. Layla leaned into him and twined her arms around his neck. Alexander’s hands moved down her back and bunched up the t-shirt she wore pulling it up around her hips.

He lifted Layla and placed her on his bed. Her heart was beating wildly as she watched this sinfully attractive man crawl between her legs. She remembered vividly the way he had felt, the way he had made her feel. She had no idea what had provoked his lust, but she was not about to discourage it.

Alexander’s hands moved to her hips taking the sides of her black panties and pulling them down her legs and off. Layla watched breathlessly as he kissed a blazing path up the inside of her thighs. Lifting his gaze, he watched her with such fire in those dark eyes. When his mouth found the bud of her s*x, Layla felt herself melt into the bed. His hot mouth and tongue worshiped her womanhood sending wave after wave of ecstasy through her body.

When his fingers entered her, Layla gasped. “Shh,” Alexander whispered as his body slid up hers. With his free hand he pushed up the shirt, and his mouth closed first around one breast and then the next. His tongue traced circles around the firm peaks. Her fingers plunged into his dark hair as his pressed deeper into her manipulating her silken folds until she thought herself mad with desire.

“Alex.” She whispered against his ear as his mouth moved over her neck sucking and nipping at the tender flesh.

“Not yet.” He purred pressing a second finger deep inside her. The hasty rhythm pushed her over the edge. Climax rocked her, and Alexander’s free hand clamped down over her mouth muffling her cries while her juices soaked his hand. The smile on his face was amused, and she felt her cheeks flush. He had reduced her to such a shameful wanton.

Alex shifted his weight and shed his shorts with eagerness. Excited beyond reason, Layla wrapped her legs around Alexander and pulled him deep inside her. A sensation that caused her to moan with satisfaction. “Be quiet Baby or you will get us caught.” He whispered crushing his mouth against hers to muffle her pleasure. His mouth ate at hers as he thrust over and over driving her to the brink of blissful ecstasy. Layla clung desperately to the hard body rocking against her. His powerful muscles rolled and flexed beneath her hands.

He was incredible like a god come to earth. He smelled so clean, and his dark, rugged looks could tempt the devil. Alexander was everything a woman could want in a lover. Handsome, skilled, and attentive. His hand cupped her breast and toyed with the rosy peak bringing Layla to climax once more as he pushed all the way in - out - and back in.

Panting hard Layla gazed up into those cocky dark eyes. He was driving her wild with such little effort on his part and yet he seemed completely cool. Layla pushed off from the bed and rolled Alexander beneath her. He relaxed against the bed and Layla did something she had never before done, she took control and eagerly moved up and down his throbbing manhood. The change in position forced Alexander deeper inside her she almost lost her mind.

His hands gripped Layla’s hips, and Alexander guided her rhythm. She leaned over and kissed him. Suddenly Alexander lifted Layla and coaxed her onto her feet. She whimpered briefly afraid he may leave her. Alexander spun Layla around, and she found herself facing the mirror above the dresser. Her hands on the top of the dresser Alexander entered her from behind, and she almost cried out biting her lip to contain herself.

With one hand on her belly forcing her back his other hand cupped her chin as his mouth ate at her neck. His thrusts were long and forceful. The sight of Alexander taking her through the mirror sent dirty shivers through Layla’s body, and she knew she was close to another climax. When the hand on her belly slipped between her legs, and Alexander rubbed the hard bud of her s*x Layla felt her knees buckle as she shook with the force of another climax.

Alexander’s head threw back, and she smiled wickedly as she listened to his quiet, restrained moans and she felt his powerful body tremble against hers. With blissful release, the room went still. Alexander staggered back and dropped down onto the bed on his back his arm draped over his eyes. Layla collapsed onto the bed beside him not sure what to do. The last time he had rejected her, she was unsure what this latest development meant. Layla rolled over and watched Alexander lay there his chest rising and falling with each panted breath. He looked as if he were struggling with some inner turmoil.

He moved his arm and looked at her with a very serious look on his face. Layla smiled trying to alleviate the tension. “I am so fired. We can’t keep on like this.” He finally said. Layla frowned, it was clear that he was worried about her father. She had hoped her father would not be difficult about the whole thing, but it would appear she was wrong. She moved to get up, and his arms came around her pulling her back against the bed with him.

Alexander pulled the blanket up over them and rolled Layla beneath him with a sly smile. “I didn’t say we should stop.” He teased nuzzling her neck playfully. Layla giggled and wrapped her arms around Alexander’s broad shoulders. She had no idea what brought on Alexander’s sudden change in mood, but she did not care. She had gotten what she untimely wanted, granted it had not come as easy as she had expected but she didn’t care.

***

They spent the day in bed enjoying the way the other felt. It was the first time Alexander felt genuinely happy since he had learned of his mother’s failing health. He had let it drive him until he had nothing left to live for. A fact his mother had painfully brought to light at breakfast. She was going to die, there was nothing either of them could do about it, but she would die knowing she left her only son alone in this world devastated and ruined. With no one to turn to, no one to comfort him once she was gone.

He had spent so much time trying to make sure she had what she needed he never thought what she truly needed in her final hours was the peace of mind that her child would be ok once she was gone. She wanted him to be happy, and at this moment Layla was a source of sunshine in an otherwise dismal life.

When she had barged into his room, he had been so torn up with grief and unwanted emotion he had taken advantage of her presence simply because he wished to feel something other than the dark emotions that had been tormenting him. In the end, he could not deny that his interest in her had gone beyond professional. Layla seemed to enjoy him as much as he did her why shouldn’t they amuse each other for some time. It needn’t be anything serious; he was sure a girl of her class would eventually bore of slumming and move on to one of her blue-blooded equals. Until then she was his, and he was going to enjoy her.

His mother had not bothered them once since they disappeared behind closed doors. He was sure she knew what was going on and since she encouraged it, she would not be the one to put a damper on their lazy day. The damper, however, seemed unavoidable around three in the afternoon a loud banging came from the front door. When it did not stop he assumed his mother must have retired to bed for the afternoon as she so often did since she had taken ill.

Alexander rolled out of bed and pulled on his shorts. “I’ll be right back.” He told Layla as she sat up and pulled the blanket up around her. “I got to see what’s going on.” Alexander walked out into the hall and made his way to the front door. He peered through the peephole at the two men in plain clothes on the other side. He did not know them, and they were not dressed like the typical residents of that particular area. “What do you want?” He barked through the door.

“N.Y.P.D. We are looking for a Mr. Alexander Sinton. We want to ask him a few questions.” The older of the men yelled back.

“Get lost I paid the bill. I still got eleven days you bloodsuckers.” Alexander growled. Through the peephole he watched the two officers look confused.

“No, we’re here about a Miss. Layla Thompson.” The youngest of the pair replied.

Alexander cringed; Mr. Thompson worked faster than Alexander had expected, but he assumed he had friends in high places and had assumed the worse when neither his daughter nor Alexander could be found on the estate when he had arrived home that morning. It certainly had not taken them long to find him.

“I want to see some I.D.” He said still watching the two men.

He never trusted anyone and, in this neighbourhood, everyone knew better than to trust the blue wall. The detectives both took out their badges and held them up to the peephole. They seemed official, so Alexander reluctantly opened the door. He positioned himself in the cracked opening to prevent the officers from entering or seeing past him.

“Can I help you, officers?”

“I’m Detective Flank, and this is my partner Detective Gunner. We’re looking for Mr. Alexander Sinton.” The older detective introduced them, stuffing his badge back in his coat pocket.

“You found him.” He admitted crossing his arms over his chest defensively.

“We’d like to talk to you about a Miss. Layla Thompson.” The younger one spoke up taking out a notepad and pen.

“What about her?”

“It’s our understanding that the two of you were involved briefly and you and her family didn’t see eye to eye.” Detective Gunner began.

“Banging a girl whose daddy don’t like it ain’t a crime last time I checked, even if he is rich.” Alexander snapped moving to close the door in their face.

Detective Flank put out his hand and stopped him. “No, but harassment is.”

“Why would I harass her?”

“Because she is wealthy and you saw her as your meal ticket out of this hell hole. Her rich daddy threatens to cut her off, and she drops you like a bad habit. Ticked off you decide to scare her a little for messing with you.” Detective Gunner theorized.

Alexander smiled. “Well now that is a wonderful story Detective, but you are missing critical elements that make it plausible. First, she would have had to drop me. Second, I would have had to care. Since the former didn’t happen, and the latter isn’t likely to, I suggest you look at someone else.”

“Why didn’t you come into work today?” Detective Gunner asked eyeing him suspiciously.

“Playing hooking isn’t a crime either.” Alexander snapped.

“It’s just convenient that you decide not to show up for work the day the Thompson family finds their daughter missing and threats left on the doorstep.” Detective Gunner explained. “Can you account for your whereabouts this weekend?”

“I was with my dying mother.” He answered his interest piqued. “What do you mean threats?” He asked, concerned by the path their questioning was taking.

“There was a delivery left on their doorstep of dead roses and a typed letter threatening the girl’s safety, along with some rather descriptive and vulgar s****l suggestions,” Detective Gunner said, “but you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” He asked judging Alexander’s reaction.

“No,” Alexander answered offended.

“Do you know where Miss. Thompson might be?”

“She is twenty-one, I’m sure she is wherever the hell she wants to be.”

“Do you own a computer, Mr. Sinton?” Detective Flank asked.

“No.” He answered honestly.

“Who, these days, doesn’t own a computer?” Detective Flank asked.

“Me.”

“Can we come in and look around?” Asked Detective Gunner.

“Well that depends, do you have a warrant?” Alexander asked annoyed by their persistence.

“Do we need a warrant?” Detective Flank asked.

“If you want to come into this house, yes. If you want to talk to me again, you will have to arrest me. Until then gentlemen good-bye.” He shut the door and locked it. Peeking through the peephole, Alexander watched the detectives walk back to their car. He was starting to get an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. David Thompson was not the usual irate father throwing his fists about or brandishing a pellet gun. He was a powerful man with the means to ruin Alexander’s life should he choose. The only uncertainty in Alexander’s mind was whether or not David Thompson was vindictive enough to bury the little guy? When a man’s daughter was involved it often made one unpredictable.

He was going to have to take Layla home. Hopefully, she was not going to be difficult about it. Alexander returned to the bedroom where Layla was waiting patiently with a seductive smile. She looked so welcoming; it was tempting to crawl right in beside her. He knew, however, that her parents were probably worried and she had been away from home long enough. He did not need her father to add abduction charges to his harassment case. Alexander picked up her clothes from the floor and tossed them to her.

“The cops are at my door. I think you should go home and call off your dad’s attack dogs.”

Layla frowned and started getting dressed without a fuss. “I can’t believe he sent the police?” She complained. “I suppose this means it’s too much trouble to see me. I got you fired and now this.” She pouted knowing her father was about to be completely unreasonable.

Alexander sat on the bed and kissed her cheek. “So long as your dad doesn’t have me in lockup I’ll keep coming around.” He teased. “Come on let’s get you home.”