The Heiress (Book 2 of the Forbidden Series)

15

Alexander packed the last of his things and looked around the small room he had called his for the last two months. He had not forgotten anything, but still, he did not want to leave. Not yet. After leaving with Sidney from the party last week, Alexander had not seen Layla around the house. She had locked herself away in the studio day and night working her team to death.

He had tried to force her from his mind with Sidney, and as enjoyable as the experience had been he still pictured Layla when his mind was not completely occupied. He had even at one point moaned her name while in Sidney’s bed. She had taken it well, but it disturbed him. What kind of hold did Layla have on him? He was starting to feel as if he had been too rash ending things with her. But after Sidney, there was no chance of reconciliation.

As long as he stayed busy, he could keep Layla from his thoughts. Which would explain why his room was packed and ready to move out a whole twenty-four hours earlier than expected. Alexander stared at the contract on the nightstand. The disc tucked partly under the papers.

He had read it over and over to kill time and found it to be the chance of a lifetime. David had been right about recognizing the opportunity. Alexander picked up the disc and tapped it on his fingers thinking. Layla’s face came to mind as it so often did these last days. He rose and walked down the hall to the dance room. He put the disc into the stereo and cued up the first song.

Listening to it straight through once, he visualized the beat. Setting up the track again, he started moving to the music, planning out the routine. He pushed himself hard. Working up a sweat. He worked into the night completing two of the six songs. Hot and thirsty Alexander went upstairs around midnight to get some water. He tried not to disrupt their guests.

In his short time in the Thompson household, he had come to realize they had a revolving door. There was always company coming and going. It was rare that the house was empty of guests. After Dane’s release party, a few of their family had come by, and some had left. Layla’s grandparents had come by, and her grandmother had flown out last night to visit her friend in LA. Her grandfather had stayed, and Damien was not flying out for another day.

Alexander found David, Damien, Mike, Rolland and Dane sitting around the table drinking and playing poker. They had been at it for some time judging by the many empty bottles and cans lying about the kitchen. Alexander took a glass of water from the tap. The kitchen was a mess; Beth was going to freak. “Beth is going to kill you guys in the morning.” He chuckled.

“I’ll deal with her when the sun comes up. Right now, I’m trying to win my money back.” Complained Rolland. “These guys are robbing me blind.”

“Pull up a chair Alex, and we will deal you in.” Damien pushed out the chair next to him.

Alexander decided to take him up on offer and sat down. It was his last night in the house, and if he intended to take the job with David’s company, he might as well build a better relationship with the man when given a chance. Damien dealt the next hand and called the game. Mike reached for the bottle next to him and poured another drink. “Name your poison Alex. We got anything you can think of, and we can mix up anything you want,” Alexander remembered the last time he had played with these men. They all seemed rather lucid so they must not be as far into their cup this time around.

“I’ll just have whatever the rest of you are having.” He answered looking around the table at the partly filled glasses of dark liquid. “What are you drinking?”

“One-fifty-one proof Jamaican Rum. The smoothest nectar of the gods.” David raved pushing his empty glass toward Mike for a refill.

“You need to forgive my dad and brother; they worship at the altar of dark rums. They practically lived off it for the last fifty years; I’m surprised they haven’t needed a liver transplant yet.” Damien grinned passing over Alexander’s glass.

Mike filled the glass up and reached for a half-empty bottle of coke. “No, straight up, thanks,” Alexander said reaching for the glass. He wanted to get drunk quickly. He had for days.

Damien passed the drink over and watched Alexander drink it down. Placing the empty glass on the table beside him and looking at his cards. “Wow, you got to be a warrior to drink that straight up. That stuff could peel paint.” Dane gasped as Damien passed the glass back for a refill and then back to Alexander’s side.

“That’s a boy.” Mike grinned.

“Ok let’s get the game rolling,” David said.

They played for a hand, and Alexander won. The next hand went to Mike and the one after to Damien. “You and your kids always were better at this than me.” David joked tossing his cards down. “I fold. So, Alexander did you think over my offer?”

“Yeah, I’m in. I’ve got two routines worked out already if you want to set up a time to go through them.” He said looking over his cards and tossing two chips in the pot. “I call.”

Damien, Dane, and Rolland folded, and only Mike was left to match Alexander’s bet. “I see that and raise you fifty,” Mike said calmly tossing his chips into the pot.

Alexander stared at his cards and contemplated the risk. He tossed the last of his chips into the pot. “I call. Let me see your cards pops.” He smirked confidently with his hand.

Mike laid his hand down, and Alexander followed with a royal flush. “Good hustle.” Mike complimented as Alexander collected his winnings. “You as lucky with the ladies as you are with the cards?”

“I do well enough,” Alexander said indifferently.

“You must be missing Layla with all the time she has been spending in the studio?”

David shook his head. “Um, Mike, that ended a week ago.”

Mike shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Sorry I didn’t know. What was her reason?”

Alexander glared at him. “What makes you think she ditched me?”

“Sorry I meant no offence.” Mike apologized. Alexander’s mood turned dark. An air of regret radiated from him. “Let me guess you want her back?” He asked outright. The hours of drinking making him blunt and forward.

“Is it that apparent?” Alexander forced an uncomfortable smile.

“Why don’t you go down to the studio and tell her so? Take it from someone who knows, confess you were an ass and beg her to take you back.” Mike grinned.

“I don’t think it’s that easy. The same night we split I hooked up with someone else. That is like the worst thing you can do to your girl. She won’t ever forgive me for that.”

The men at the table broke out in laughter, and David sipped his drink. His intoxicated state made him friendlier and more agreeable than normal. “Oh, please so you fooled around after you broke up. She will get over it. Believe me, we’ve done tons worse to, or wives and they forgave us.”

Alexander eyed them suspiciously. “Yeah, what did you do?” He asked wanting to compare the severity of their wrongs.

Mike filled his glass again. “I called my wife a w***e when she told me she was pregnant with Damien. Abandoned her and let her lose her job and home with two kids all because I was jealous. Got her crucified by the media by accusing her of being unfaithful in public after I was a star. But she forgave me.” He pointed out.

Alexander shook his head in shock, he was right that was worse. “What about you?” He asked David who lounged in his chair.

“I went to bed with her mother.” He admitted downing his drink and pouring another.

Alexander almost choked on his drink. “Seriously? That takes the cake. So, the rumours were true.” He turned to Damien. “And you were the kid in question.” He tried to straighten out the situation in his mind. “Ok so you and you slept with Kat’s mom, and he was the product of it. But you are his father, and then you married her daughter?”

Damien nodded. “Yeah, that is about it. You think that is weird, think how I feel. David here went from potential father to uncle to brother. Half the time I don’t know what to call him.”

“I call him a homewrecker myself.” Mike joked. “But seriously man. If our wives can put up with our womanizing and the things we did to them, Layla will forgive you for a lapse in judgment. Just bring flowers.”

“Lilies.” Dane offered up.

Alexander stood up. He would go to her and apologize and hope she could forgive him. He paused as he realized he did not know where the studio was. Damien picked up a pen from the counter. He scribbled the address down on a receipt from his pocket and tossed it to him. Alexander thanked him and rushed for the door. Stopping short of the threshold he turned. It was two in the morning how did he plan on getting in?

Mike reached in his pocket and threw his keys to Alexander. “The triangle one gets you in.”

Alexander tucked the keys in his pocket and started down the hall. “Alex,” Dane called after him. “Second-floor third door on the left.”

David through a handful of poker chips at them with a scowl on his face. “I wish you wouldn’t encourage them.”

“And I wish you would have married someone that was your age, but we fathers never get what we want.” Mike teased.

***

Alexander walked slowly down the dimly lit hall. A bouquet of lilies in hand which he had taken from a vase in the house. His palms were clammy, and his pulse was racing like he had run a marathon. He paused staring down the hall at the two men sitting outside the room. They were snacking on a sub and drinking sodas. Layla was just on the other side of that door. Only twenty feet away, all he had to do was get past her father’s lackeys. That was the easy part, facing Layla after his behaviour would be considerably more difficult.

Summoning the courage within Alexander pushed forward. Her bodyguards rose when he approached from the shadows. Putting them in Alexander’s way, stopping his entry. “Miss. Thompson is busy.”

“She is always busy. Let me pass.” He protested.

“I don’t think so.” Gregory disagreed placing his palm against Alexander’s chest to prevent him from passing by.

Alexander stared at Gregory’s hand and then glared up at the bodyguard. His eyes narrowed in contempt. “If you want to keep that hand you will remove it and get the hell out of my way.” His voice rumbled low in his throat. Gregory moved his hand and stepped aside in the interest of self-preservation. As much as he enjoyed hassling the little punk, he was not about to risk his job over a fight with Alexander. The last thing he needed was to have the little princess get her daddy to fire him because of her punk boyfriend. He stepped aside extending his arm out to usher Alexander through the door.

“Enjoy homeboy.” Gregory mocked pushing the door open. As Alexander passed by he leaned into Alexander’s ear. His breath reeked of onion. “Because when that girl goes platinum, your ass is going back to the ghetto.”

Alexander shoved passed them slamming his shoulder into Gregory’s in retaliation then shut the door in the man’s face. He found himself in a small control room. So many knobs and switches he could have been in the cockpit of the space shuttle. Everything looked complicated; no wonder Layla spent all her time in this place. Above one set of control panels was a large window and a closed door to the side. Through the window, he could see a larger soundproof room with instruments set up along with cords and amplifiers.

Layla sat cross-legged on the largest speaker in the room with a guitar in her lap. The guitar was plugged into the amplifier beneath her. Her eyes closed she was playing periodically stopping to write notes on a sheet of paper she had resting on the drum set next to her. Alexander watched Layla from the darkness. So beautiful in her blue jeans and t-shirt. Her hair up in a loose ponytail. She yawned and stretched her arms up over her head. Her bust lifting with the motion bringing the waist of her t-shirt up her abs exposing the creamy flesh beneath. He wanted so badly to touch her.

Hesitation tormented him. Should he go in? Should he leave? He did not deserve her, Layla was from a world he could never give her. How could he ask her to lower her standards for him? He was selfish. He wanted her when he should not have had her at all. Expected more from her than he deserved. Walk away, his conscience told him. Layla slipped the guitar aside and slid off the amp. Her fingers lifted to her hair and removing the clip that held it up. Those shinning red tresses tumbled from the clip like silken fire down her back. His body stirred with the need to touch her.

Alexander would take advantage of his time with her. He would enjoy the ride until she wanted him no more. A shameful level for any man to be lowered to but his craving for Layla’s affections was unbearable.

Lost in thought, Alexander had not noticed Layla approach the adjoining door and open it. The light from the soundproof room flooded the darkness casting shadows over him. Layla froze her gaze instantly capturing Alexander’s. A long awkward silence hung between them. The light behind her basked her silhouette with a warm glow. He was lost in her eyes. Those deep green pools of light. Remembering why he had come, Alexander extended the lilies he held out as a peace offering. His boyish smile apologetic.

Layla stared blankly at him and then at the lilies. Motionless and unsure of what to do. Should she accept them? Should she turn him away for the aggravation he had put her through? His smile faded at Layla’s hesitation. Taking a breath, Alexander lowered the flowers to his side feeling rejected. “Your brother said you liked these. I guess he was wrong.” He spoke first breaking the silence. His eyes wandered to the trashcan by the door. Moving it out with the toe of his shoe Alexander moved to toss the flowers into the metal bin. He felt like an i***t.

Layla stepped forward her hands held out for the bouquet. “No, I do.” She rushed to rescue the fragrant arrangement from the trash. Taking the bouquet, she brought the flowers to her face and inhaled the lovely scent. “I’m just a little surprised to see you. I figured you would be warming Sidney’s bed.” She said bitterly, instantly wishing the rant had been an internal thought. Layla had been thinking of him constantly since the party driving herself nuts with thoughts of him and Sidney. Now here he was with flowers, and she was picking a fight. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”

“No. I deserved that. I came up here tonight for… I just wanted to…” Alexander glanced around the small space. Why was this so difficult? He had never had trouble talking to women in the past. He flexed his fingers and tapped his foot nervously. Feeling fidgety and on edge. “I just wanted to talk. See if…” He froze not sure what he was doing, wishing he had thought this out. Now that he was here, now that he had her attention what was he going to do? An idea came to mind his body relaxed and his mouth curved in a charming grin as he looked at her through half-lowered lashes. “You want to get a coffee?”

Layla grinned at his sudden return of confidence. The sexy man she’d fallen for suddenly reappearing. “I’m sure we can find a coffee machine around here somewhere. I was just about to take a munchies break anyway.” Layla pushed open the door to the hall where her faithful bodyguards kept their endless vigilance.

Alexander followed her through the dark halls to the back of the building. Her guards followed close behind them. Layla stopped and walked back towards them remembering how uncomfortable the men made Alexander. They had been there all her life she had grown accustomed to not noticing them. They were little more than furniture to her, but she wanted to accommodate Alexander as best she could.

Her voice was barely more than a whisper she spoke clear and direct being sure they understood this was not a request. “Hang back. I know you won’t go away, but I don’t want to see you.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Joshua nodded reluctantly. He could not deny her request so long as he was within earshot should she need him. They stood still while Alexander and Layla continued on the search for a coffee pot.

Layla pushed open the door to the employees’ lounge. She went to the cupboards looking for filters and coffee grounds above the machine. She found some grinds and creamer. “It’s a shame we couldn’t get into my Grandfather’s private office; he has his stash. Imported Columbian beans, grinder and all. It tasted like heaven. He keeps it locked up when he is not in New York. He is the only one with the key.”

Key? Alexander remembered Mike had given him his keys to get into the building. He removed the ring from his pocket and counted the numerous silver and bronzed keys. One of them had to open his office door. “You mean these keys?” Alexander grinned mischievously. Why not take full advantage of the circumstances to enjoy themselves. She wanted Columbian coffee, and he had the means to give it to her.

Layla’s face lit up, and she stuffed the supplies back in the cupboards the doors slamming in her haste to clean up. He had missed that bright smile over the weeks. She radiated vibrant energy and delight. Taking his hand, Layla tugged Alexander out in the hall and toward the staircase.

Moving swiftly to the first floor, she rounded the corner and moved to the end of the hall waving at the dozing guard as she passed the night security room. Alexander could hear the footsteps of her protection on the stairs behind them but as she instructed they remained out of sight. Reaching the door of her grandfather’s office, Layla took the keys from Alexander and started trying each in the lock. After the fourth key, the lock gave way, and Layla opened the door reaching along the wall for the switch. Flipping the light switch the room lit up with lamplight. Layla closed the door behind Alexander.

The room was large for an office. A long leather couch that looked as if it could accommodate Mike’s size comfortably should he spend the night or need a nap was against the wall. An oak desk was on the far wall facing the door, the wall behind it was covered in gold and platinum records. The wall over the couch was dawned with pictures of the successful celebrities that had cut their albums in his studios. The center picture one of the Heathens after their first album. Alexander strolled over and studied the picture. They were so young in this shot. They seemed larger than life with the world at their feet. It must have been exciting. He dropped onto the couch and stretched his legs out in front of him, his arms resting across the back of the couch. A TV and stereo were built into the wall across from the couch. A glass coffee table was in front of him with the remote.

Beside the door was a small mini-bar and cupboards. A two-cup coffee maker sat on the narrow counter. Layla explored the cupboards and found the small container of coffee beans next to the grinder. She set to work on grinding the beans into a fine powder and placed them inside the filter. Filling the chamber with water, she turned it on. “Now in a few minutes, we will have the best cup of coffee you have ever tasted.” She bragged leaning back against the counter. “How did you get those keys anyway?” She questioned with a sly gaze.

“He just gave them to me.”

“My grandfather just handed over his keys to you?”

“Yep,” Alexander answered with a cocky grin.

“Was he drunk?”

“Tanked. He and your dad were well into their cup.” He chuckled.

Layla took two cups and poured the coffee. “Cream, sugar, Irish liqueur?” She smiled lifting a green glass bottle.

“Irish liqueur sounds wonderful,” Alexander replied reading her mind.

“If my gramps was handing out his keys they were further into the bottle than I’ve ever seen them. He and my dad get together, and they don’t stop drinking. It gets worse when all four of them hook up. Those Heathens could close out a bar the way they drink, and still walk themselves home.” She bragged coming to join Alexander on the couch. He adjusted his position to allow her some space and faced her as they talked.

Alexander sipped the coffee she offered and savoured the incredible taste. She had not been kidding when she said it would be better than anything he had tasted previously. “This is good.” He praised her coffee making skills.

“Thank you. Gramps taught me to make it. He said ‘Layla, if you want your coffee made right you have to do it yourself. Those glorified secretaries will only screw it up.’ I think it was just that he thought they would spit in it. He is not exactly an easy man to get along with. He is… moody.”

“Well I must confess; your father is easier to get along with too after he has tied on a few. I got the feeling he might have liked me. Of course, it was probably the booze.” Alexander mocked. “He will wake up in the morning sober and remember that he despises me.”

Layla giggled. “I hate to say it, but you are probably right.” Their gazes held each other’s in silence for a long moment. Layla felt the overwhelming need to apologize for the way she had made him feel. “Alexander about the last few weeks-”

Alexander looked away into his coffee. “Layla don’t.” He breathed jaded. He had come to terms with the way things were. Understood where he played into her life. He was an amusement, a good time while time lasted. She was on the fast track in a world he did not fit in too; he would enjoy the ride until it was time to get off. Layla could never love a man like him, and he was not ready to try and change that. “I’ve had time to think about this thing between us. I know we aren’t couple compatible, and I ain’t even going to freak out over it.” He turned his dark eyes upward. His handsome mouth curved in an uncomfortable smile.

***

Layla shifted in her seat moving closer to Alexander, placing her coffee on the table beside her. She placed her hand over his lacing their fingers together. “We’ve had such a great time these pasts months, I’ve never been so happy in my life. But then everything changed, you changed… like you were trying to find something wrong?”

Alex reached up and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Layla you ain’t ready to fall in love, nor am I. So, let’s not complicate things again by putting labels on each other. Let’s try to have fun.”

Layla felt as if they had taken a step back. But she could feel the tension in his fingers; see the fear in his eyes. A fear she was not even sure he was aware of. She had broken his heart. He needed time to heal. Time to learn how to trust again. Layla placed her hand on his cheek, leaned in; her lips lightly brushed his softly wanting to take away his pain. To abolish the scars, she had left.

He tasted sweet, his musky fragrance wrapping around her. Her soft curls swept his face. Her soft lips pressed lightly against his. Alexander placed the cup on the table beside Layla’s. His muscular arms enclosed around her pulling her close. Her lips parting slightly to his sweeping tongue. With a possessive urgency, Alexander crushed Layla against his body moulding her curves to his. His mouth trailed over her chin, slowly down the length of her ivory throat. His fingers traced over the sensitive path his hot mouth left behind.

She moaned as his lips reached the neckline of her t-shirt. Her head dropped back as his hand lifted her shirt cupping the swell of her creamy breast. Her n*****s immediately hard peaks against his palm begging to be stroked and touched. She felt herself grow wet with anticipation. Her flesh hot, a fire fueled by his gentle but firm caress. She had missed him, wanted him with such desperation. Images of Sidney flashing in her brain, of her hands-on Alexander’s body. Of her mouth on his. She hated that another woman could take him from her so easily, that she could make him want her even for a moment.

Jealousy brewed deep inside her. Layla wanted to tie Alexander to her. Lock him away from the rest of the female population and keep him for herself like some spoiled little girl with a new toy. Layla suddenly shoved Alexander back against the arm of the couch. She tugged his pants down over his narrow hips and firm butt. Dropping his pants to the floor, his shorts were quick to follow. She pushed his hands away when he tried to help her undress him. Layla guided his arms above his head and pulled his pale white shirt up and off letting it join the rest on the floor.

Alexander kicked off his shoes and worked off his socks while the seductive redhead straddled his lap. The course material of her jeans creating teasing friction along the sensitive skin of his growing girth. Her mind spinning with lust. She felt crazy, wanting to have him deep inside her. So much they would become one. Her fingers hooked the hem of her shirt and stripped it off. Her pelvis moved slowly grinding against him, increasing his need for her. A husky groan rumbling from Alexander’s throat as he watched her slid the straps of her dark green bra down her shoulders.

Layla removed the undergarment, and his breathing changed. She smiled with a devilish gleam in her bright eyes. He was putty in her hands, her vengeance clear. She would blow his mind. Erase Sidney from his memory, ruin him for other women. He would not be able to be with another woman and not wish it were her. Her hands moved over her body touching herself while he watched her. Alexander’s mouth closed around the solid little pink bud of her breast. Sucking her n****e between his lips sending shudders down her spine, his hands sliding over her shoulders brushing her long hair aside.

Layla pushed Alexander away forcing his back against the leather. He stared at her through half-lowered lashes with hungry eyes. Layla shook her finger at him in a scolding playful manner. She shifted in his lap, the friction sending small explosions of sensation through them both. “I didn’t say you could touch me.” She teased softly, sternness in her tone. “If you can’t behave I’ll have to restrain you.” She said matter of fact. Her hands moved his arms over his head and resting them on the top of the couch back.

Balancing on her knees, Layla leaned over his torso reaching to wrap her bra snugly around his wrist, binding them together behind his head. Her breast hovered less than an inch from his mouth. She felt his moist tongue flick over her n****e, and she instantly felt her jeans grow damp with want. “Behave.” She scolded, slipping off his lap and stepping back to admire her nude captive. Even bound Alexander seemed powerful and sensual. His dark eyes commanding, his parted lips tempting and she wondered which of them was truly in control.

“Now what are you planning to do with me?” Alexander grinned as she unbuttoned her jeans. Moving them over her hips, she let them drop to the floor around her feet. Stepping out of them, she slowly rolled her panties off.

Stepping forward, Layla kicked his feet apart opening his legs wide. She knelt between his legs admiring his enormous erection stretching out across his solid belly reaching out from the dark curls at the base. Taking his p***s in her hand, she closed her thumb and index finger around the head of the shaft creating a snug ring around him. Her fingers moved down the shaft and reaching the bottom her whole hand close around him and slid slowly back up. Alexander’s head dropped back against the couch, his eyes closed to the sensation. His breathing was fast and shallow. Sucking in little gasps of air as she stroked him faster.

Alexander felt the pleasure building, threatening his control. His climax close and it took all he had to fight it back. He did not want to finish without her. His control fading the first shudders took his body in waves. Alexander tugged at his restraints wanting to pull her away before he came. Cursing when he could not free his hands.

Layla’s palms glided over his hips and moved backward; gripping his firm butt in her hands, she coaxed his hips to the edge of the couch. Layla slowly stood sliding her body against his. His throaty moans caused tiny explosions of desire inside her. She wanted him so badly, not sure she could wait much longer herself to feel him inside her.

Alexander wanted so badly to reach out a touch Layla, to throw her to the floor and bury himself between her thighs. The helpless feeling drove him out of his mind. “Untie me.” He begged. He pulled on his bindings impatiently. “Let me touch you.”

A tempting thought, she smiled, but she had other plans. This night was for him, her night to pamper him and make herself the one he compared all others too. “I’ll untie you, but you can’t move or touch me until I tell you to. Agreed?” He did not answer, deciding if he could control himself once she let his hands-free. She mounted his lap her legs straddling his hips. Lowering herself onto the swelling head on his p***s, she repeated herself.

“Agreed! Agreed!” He answered with haste closing his eyes tight to restrain the mounting ecstasy.

Layla untied Alexander and guided his hands to her waist. “Don’t move them one inch or I’ll stop.” She teased. Alexander forced her down his ridged length hard and fast until he felt her wrapped tight around the base. Layla cried out as wave after wave of ecstasy ripped through her body. His hardness invaded her softness. She sucked in a breath trying to regain control of her sense. His wolfish grin came in to focus. “So, I lied.” He grinned cheekily.

She moved over him sliding up and down her hands planted flat against his chest for stability. Alexander’s hands clutched Layla’s waists guiding her movements helping her set the pace. Her climax tore through her body and Layla collapsed against him unable to move. Motionless she sat impaled on Alexander waiting for her orgasm to subside. “Oh god, I missed the way you feel.” She panted.

Unable to control himself further Alexander rose from the couch lifting Layla with ease. He carried her still buried inside her and stumbled crushing her between him and the wall. Her legs locked around his waist. His hand on her bottom for support. His other hand planted against the wall to hold himself up. He bent his knees slightly and pushed up into her. Layla cried out his name as he trusted inside her. He craved Layla with such barbaric need pushing himself harder… deeper. Propping himself against the wall with his elbow, Alexander took Layla’s flame red curls in his hand and turned her face toward his staring her in the eye. “You want me?”

“God yes.” She whimpered.

“Only me?” He growled possessively.

“Yes! Yes!” She said pleading for him not to stop so close to another orgasm as she clung desperately to him.

Jeff had never made her mindless, never made her feel territorial. She wanted to bind Alexander to her forever, make it imposable for him ever to leave her. “You are mine.” He breathed. At that moment, in that place, she was.

They shook with the force of an earth-shattering climax. Alexander trusted one last time, spilling into Layla with such force he was afraid he might hurt her. His arms closed protectively around Layla, trying to shield her from even him. The pleasure passed, they collapsed to the floor. Alexander sprawled out across the carpet struggling to regain his breath. Layla lay beside him feeling utterly content she never wanted to move.

Unfortunately, they needed to face reality. It was somewhere in the vicinity of four or five in the morning. The building would be bustling with people in a matter of hours. Her father would be in the studio shortly after and with her grandfather in town it was a safe bet to say he would not be too far behind. She had to force herself to get up and get dressed. Motionless Layla willed her limbs to move, and they defied her.

Well, a few moments of resting would not hurt.

“Alex, we need to get dressed.” She panted.

Alexander’s eyes were already closed from his utter exhaustion. He groaned in acknowledgment. “Give me a minute.”

***

Mike strolled down the hall toward his office. He had a stack of paperwork to go through before he could fly out to London next week. He had started the day early to drive his son to the airport that morning so he would make his Wisconsin show in time. Pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes, he cursed himself for drinking so much the night before. His head pounded with the force of a jackhammer. His stomach turned.

He could go for another six hours of sleep, but he had tons of work ahead of him. He had learnt to get up and go on with his days. Chase would never let him rest the morning after bingeing; she would argue that a responsible adult would face the consequences of their actions. If he did not wish to suffer the hangover, then he should have stopped earlier. She would smile at him and tell him she did not pity self-inflicted illness.

So, after thirty-five years he would still haul himself from his sick bed and drag himself to work. Mike would have to do without the sleep, but at least he could get a cup of coffee. He always kept a stash of Pepto Bismol and Gravol in his desk. It was a given that when he stayed in New York and visited David, they would both be sick the following day. “I’m getting too damn old to be drinking like that.” He grumbled to himself as he approached his office. Standing outside the door, he greeted a handful of his employees and searched his pockets for his keys. “What the hell did I do with them?”

Two of David’s security team was coming down the hall with a morning coffee. One grinned when they saw Mike searching for his keys outside the door. The two lovers had never emerged from the office that morning and judging from the sounds coming within they were not decent. Mike would flip his wig. All the staff had heard the stories of Mike’s legendary temper. He had a short fuse and often did not stop to think before reacting. Rumour had it Mike put David in the hospital on more than one occasion for speculation and almost killed him the day he found out about David and Kat. If he would do that to his best friend and lifetime buddy, they could only imagine what he would do to a little punk like Alexander. Gregory smiled, evil vendettas spinning in his mind.

“Oh Sir, it’s open,” Gregory called out to him sipping his coffee.

Is it open? How could that be? Mike shrugged it off; his head hurt too much to care at the moment. As he reached for the knob, Gregory swat his partner in the chest indication the excitement to come. They picked up the pace to get a better view.

The door opened, and Mike stepped inside. A furious scream rumbled from the room, and the agents chuckled. “Guess they were sleeping.” The door slammed behind Mike and cut off their view.

Layla scurried across the floor pulling her clothes on quickly. Her grandfather had diverted his eyes for a moment waiting for the lovers to dress. Layla threw Alexander’s pants to him. He had barely pulled up the zipper when Mike advanced on him. The idea of fighting a sixty-something man did not appeal to Alexander. Especially one as fit and known for his violent tendencies as Mike was. Alexander retreated around the desk putting obstacles between them. “How did you get in here?” Mike snapped.

“You gave me your keys.” Alexander defended himself moving as Mike moved to keep the space between them.

“I did?” Mike asked harshly glancing over to his granddaughter looking worried by the couch. “So, you just let yourself in here and mess around with my granddaughter on the carpet?” He snarled lunging over the desk and grabbing Alexander by the throat. He moved closer glaring Alexander in the eye. “I just have one thing to say about that…” Suddenly he released the frightened kid and smiled playfully. “You should have used the couch; it pulls out.” Laughing Mike moved past Alexander who stood bewildered and took a seat behind his desk. Taking a bottle of pills from his top desk drawer, Mike leaned back in his seat. “Layla princess, would you make me a cup of coffee?” He asked warmly popping two pills in his mouth.

Confused she did as he asked. “You are not mad?”

“Hell no, it’s about time you started kicking it with guys that will make your father crazy. I’ve been waiting twenty-one years for David to know how I felt. I’m going to love watching Alexander here make him nuts.” Mike chuckled. “Boy, you made my day.”

Alexander continued to dress finding her family odd; any other grandparent would have throttled him. Her mother sets them up and encouraged them to fool around but would not speak to him unless she had to. Her father hated him but offered him a better job. He had a hard time understanding this family or even predicting their reactions. “Um… you are welcome?”

Mike took the coffee from his granddaughter graciously. “Thank you, darling. Now you best get your butt in the booth. You know how your daddy is about deadlines and punctuality.” Mike smiled pushing the receptionist button on his phone. “Darlene would you have those contracts and files brought in.” He instructed and then released the button.

Layla kissed her grandfather’s head and hugged him, happy that he had behaved so wonderfully. “I’ll see you for lunch.” She promised, moving toward the door Layla took Alexander’s hand in hers.

“Layla,” Mike called to her. His tone teasing as he sipped his coffee. She turned in question, and he held his hand out. “My keys?”

Layla grinned and reached into her jeans. She tossed the keys across the room. Mike’s hand moved up and caught the jingling projectile. Alexander lifted a dark brow… impressive for a senior citizen.

***

Leaving the office, Alexander noticed Gregory’s disappointed expression. The two shared a mutual dislike for the other. Alexander’s expression conveyed everything he could not say in the presence of a lady as they passed Layla’s bitter bodyguards.

He walked her back to the studio booth where her band was setting up for the long day ahead of them. The flowers still lay on the control panel. Her father stood behind the panel tapping his pen on his clipboard with irritation of seeing them together. Glancing at the lilies and wishing him and his friend had not drunk so much. Alexander had expected as much, but at this point, they did not care if he had David’s approval or not. He would be out of Layla’s life soon enough, and David could rest easy until then let him squirm.

Alexander kissed Layla softly savouring the taste of her. It could be a while before he saw her again, he understood that now. “Will I see you again soon? Mom is having a big barbeque next Friday to celebrate her homeownership. She intends to burn the mortgage papers.” He smiled. “Everyone we know will be there. You should come, after all, if it were not for your family, we would not be celebrating. You should come and see how happy she is… and meet my friends.” He added nervously.

Layla appreciated the offer, but she still had at least a week of recording before the album went into production and after that was covers, credits, titles and dedications to go over before she was done. She had at least another three weeks of work ahead of her. “I don’t know. I have so much to do still.” She paused reading the disappointment in his dark eyes.

He wanted to move forward, and here she was forcing them to stand still. After this, she had the awards to attend with her family, and the interviews and her first promotional tour would be planned by then. She would not have much time shortly she realized. Was it fair to expect Alexander to drop everything and go with her, or to ask him to wait? As much as it hurt she now understood what Damien had meant. If she wanted Alexander, she would have to let him go and hope for the best.

Layla took Alexander aside lowering her voice to keep their conversation as private as possible. “I’ll try, but don’t expect me. If I can finish up here early, I’ll swing by before the production begins. It could be some time still.” She made it clear. “You tell her I’m happy for her good fortune and wished I could be there. If I don’t show maybe we will get together when all this craziness is done. I’ll need a date for the awards this summer.” She smiled trying to lighten the mood. “Would you like to escort me? Those photo ops are terrible if you show up alone.”

Alexander nodded; he could read between the lines. She did not have the time for him and was trying to be nice about it. Alexander kissed Layla’s forehead to reassure her that he was not offended. “Good luck with all this princess. If I don’t see you, you know where to find me.” He smiled and squeezed her hand. Turning to walk away, Alexander waved at David. “We will get together about those routines when you have time.”

David nodded and watched Alexander walk away. Layla’s shoulders slumped in regret as she entered the booth. As much as he did not as Alexander David felt for his daughter. She truly liked this boy more than any of the others that passed through her life, and she had to let him go. “Layla…” She stopped and glanced at him over her shoulder. Placing his hand on her shoulder to offer comfort David smiled with sympathy. “You did the right thing.”

“We must all make sacrifices, don’t we?”

“It’s worth it.”

“It better be.”